diff options
Diffstat (limited to '78811-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 78811-0.txt | 28025 |
1 files changed, 28025 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/78811-0.txt b/78811-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbb72bb --- /dev/null +++ b/78811-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,28025 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78811 *** + + + + + WAR MEDALS OF THE BRITISH ARMY. + + +[Illustration: + + The Gold Cross and Clasp +] + + + + + WAR MEDALS + OF THE + BRITISH ARMY, + AND + HOW THEY WERE WON. + + + BY + + THOMAS CARTER. + + REVISED, ENLARGED, AND CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT TIME + + BY + + W. H. LONG, + + EDITOR OF + + “_The Oglander Memoirs_,” “_Memoirs of Lady Hamilton_,” _&c._ + + “What is a ribbon worth to a soldier? + Everything!—Glory is priceless!” + _Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart._ + + “He wears her like her medal, hanging + About his neck.”—_Winter’s Tale._ + + LONDON: + NORIE AND WILSON, 156, MINORIES. + 1893. + + + + + PREFACE. + + +When Napoleon proposed the institution of the Legion of Honour, he was +met by the assertion that: “Crosses and ribbons were the pillars of an +hereditary throne, and that they were unknown to the Romans, who +conquered the world.” In his reply to this objection—after showing that +Rome rewarded the achievements of her citizens by all kinds of +distinctions—he added: “For the soldier, as for all men in active life, +you must have glory and distinction; recompenses are the food which +nourish military virtue.” + +For many years a similar antagonistic feeling to the granting of Medals +to all ranks prevailed in this country, although the propriety of +rewarding the victors of a hundred fights with some decoration was +warmly advocated by the press, and the result eagerly expected by the +veterans who had survived. + +It remained for her present Majesty the Queen to carry out the foregoing +maxim of a great military genius, in her Army and Navy; for with the +exception of the Medal given for Waterloo, the soldiers who won the +fields of Assaye, Salamanca, and Vittoria, and the gallant seamen who +conquered at St. Vincent, the Nile, and Trafalgar, remained undecorated +till the year 1847, without even a piece of ribbon to show for the many +actions in which they had risked their lives in the service and defence +of their country. + +The following Work, besides describing the Medals, aims at giving a +concise account of the Campaigns and Actions for which Medals and Clasps +have been conferred, drawn from the most authentic sources; interspersed +with notes and anecdotes of regimental and individual acts of bravery. +The engravings have been executed from the Medals themselves, so as to +ensure their exact representation; and it is hoped the narratives of +“How they were won,” will be found equally trustworthy, as no pains have +been spared to secure accuracy. + +The accounts of the Wars in New Zealand and South Africa, and of the +numerous Expeditions for which the Indian General Service Medal has been +granted, will be found in a more detailed and collected form than +hitherto published in a single volume. + +The first edition of this Work, by the late Mr. T. CARTER, described the +Medals of the British Army, and the Campaigns for which they were +granted, to the year 1860. This part has been carefully revised, and +alterations either of excision or addition made in almost every page. +For the accounts of all Expeditions and Battles, and the Decorations +given for them, from 1860 to the present date, the Editor alone is +responsible. + +Descriptions of some Naval Engagements and Actions of Naval Brigades +will also be found, as in most of the campaigns the operations of the +two branches of the service have been so combined, that it is scarcely +possible to describe one without the other. + +A complete history of the Medals of the British Navy, and how they were +won; forming a companion volume to the present, is now in the press, and +will be published as speedily as possible. + + W. H. L. + +FEBRUARY, 1893. + + + + + CORRIGENDA. + + + Page 176.—In Note, for “colours” read “accoutrements.” + „ 234.—Afghanistan Medals. No. 3, “Candahar and Ghuznee,” was never + issued. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + BADGES OF CHARLES I. 2 + THE DUNBAR MEDAL 5 + THE CULLODEN MEDAL 6 + THE EAST INDIA COMPANY’S MEDALS 7 + THE MEDAL FOR EGYPT, 1801 8 + THE INDIANS WAR MEDAL, 1799–1826 11 + THE SERINGAPATAM MEDAL 15 + STORM OF ALLIGHUR 17 + BATTLE OF DELHI 20 + BATTLE OF ASSAYE 22 + SIEGE OF ASSEER GHUR 28 + BATTLE OF LASWARREE 28 + BATTLE OF ARGAUM 31 + SIEGE OF GAWILGHUR 32 + DEFENCE OF DELHI 33 + BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF DEIG 34 + NEPAUL WAR, 1816 36 + BATTLE OF KIRKEE AND CAPTURE OF POONA 37 + BATTLE OF SEETABULDEE AND CAPTURE OF NAGPORE 38 + BATTLE OF MAHEIDPORE 39 + DEFENCE OF CORYGAUM 40 + WAR IN AVA, 1824–26 41 + SIEGE AND STORM OF BHURTPORE 50 + THE INDIAN MEDAL, 1799–1826 54 + THE PENINSULA MEDAL 54 + THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN, 1801 59 + BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA 63 + THE TURKISH MEDAL FOR EGYPT 70 + BATTLE OF MAIDA, 1806 70 + THE MAIDA MEDAL 73 + BATTLE OF ROLEIA AND VIMIERA 74 + THE MEDAL FOR ROLEIA AND VIMIERA 80 + SIR JOHN MOORE’S CAMPAIGN 80 + SAHAGUN AND BENEVENTE 81 + BATTLE OF CORUNNA, 1809 89 + BATTLE OF TALAVERA, 1809 95 + THE TALAVERA MEDAL 103 + CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE AND GUADALOUPE 105 + BATTLE OF BUSACO, 1810 107 + BATTLE OF BARROSA, 1811 112 + BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONOR 117 + BATTLE OF ALBUHERA, 1811 124 + THE ALBUHERA MEDAL 130 + CAPTURE OF JAVA, 1811 131 + SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO, 1812 135 + SIEGE OF BADAJOZ, 1812 138 + BATTLE OF SALAMANCA, 1812 141 + CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT 144 + BATTLE OF VITTORIA, 1813 147 + ACTIONS OF THE PYRENEES 151 + SIEGE OF SAN SEBASTIAN, 1813 158 + THE GOLD CROSS AND CLASPS 161 + ACTION OF CHATEAUGUAY 165 + PASSAGE OF THE NIVELLE, 1813 167 + ACTION AT CHRYSTLER’S FARM 169 + PASSAGE OF THE NIVE 171 + BATTLE OF ORTHES, 1814 174 + BATTLE OF TOULOUSE, 1814 176 + THE CAMPAIGN IN FLANDERS 180 + ACTION AT QUATRE BRAS 181 + ACTION OF JUNE 17TH, 1815 185 + BATTLE OF WATERLOO 186 + THE WATERLOO MEDAL 197 + THE CAPE MEDAL 199 + CAMPAIGNS IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1834–5 201 + SECOND KAFFIR WAR, 1846–7 204 + THIRD KAFFIR WAR, 1850–53 206 + CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GALEKAS AND GAIKAS, 1877–78 213 + CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GRIQUAS, 1878 216 + THE BASUTO WAR, 1879–80 216 + THE ZULU WAR, 1879 218 + OPERATIONS AGAINST SEKUKUNI 230 + THE AFGHANISTAN MEDALS AND STAR 233 + THE FIRST AFGHAN WAR, 1839 235 + CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE 237 + DEFENCE OF JELLALABAD 242 + SECOND AFGHAN CAMPAIGN, 1842 247 + ADVANCE ON CABOOL 248 + KANDAHAR, 1842 253 + KELAT-I-GHILZIE 254 + BATTLE OF GONINE 255 + RE-CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE 256 + SECOND AFGHAN WAR, 1878–9–80 258 + ALI MUSJID 260 + PEIWAR KOTUL 261 + CHARASIA 264 + CABUL, 1879 268 + AHMED KHEL 272 + MARCH TO KANDAHAR, 1880 274 + THE CHINA MEDALS, 1840–60 278 + THE FIRST CHINESE WAR, 1840–42 279 + SECOND CHINESE WAR, 1856–60 286 + ACTION OF FATSHAN CREEK 287 + CAPTURE OF CANTON 290 + CAPTURE OF THE PEIHO FORTS, 1858 292 + CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FORTS, 1860 293 + OCCUPATION OF PEKIN 295 + THE SCINDE MEDALS, 1843 298 + THE BATTLE OF MEEANEE 299 + BATTLE OF HYDERABAD 302 + THE BATTLES OF MAHARAJPOOR AND PUNNIAR, 1843 304 + THE SUTLEJ AND PUNJAUB MEDALS 308 + THE SUTLEJ CAMPAIGN, 1845–46 309 + BATTLE OF MOODKEE 310 + BATTLE OF FEROZESHAH 312 + BATTLE OF ALIWAL 315 + BATTLE OF SOBRAON 318 + THE PUNJAUB CAMPAIGN, 1848–9—SIEGE OF MOOLTAN 321 + BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA 325 + BATTLE OF GOOJERAT 329 + THE NEW ZEALAND MEDAL 329 + FIRST NEW ZEALAND WAR, 1845–7 332 + SECOND NEW ZEALAND WAR, 1860–66 338 + THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 346 + SECOND BURMESE WAR, 1852–3 347 + THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN, 1856–7 352 + NORTH WEST FRONTIER EXPEDITIONS, 1849–63 356 + AGAINST THE AFRIDIS, 1850 356 + AGAINST THE HUSSUNZIES AND BOREE AFRIDIS, 1852–3 358 + AGAINST THE LURRUCKZAI MOHMUNDS, &C., 1854–5 359 + AGAINST THE AFRIDIS AND BOZDARS 359 + AGAINST THE CABUL KHAIL WUZEREES, &C., 1859 360 + THE UMBEYLA CAMPAIGN 361 + BHOOTAN, 1864–5–6 364 + LOOSHAI, 1871–72 366 + PERAK, 1875–76 367 + JOWAKI, 1877–8 369 + NAGA, 1875–80 370 + BURMA, 1885–87–89 371 + SIKKIM, 1888 374 + HAZARA, 1888 375 + CHIN-LUSHAI, 1889–90 376 + SAMANA, 1891 377 + THE CRIMEAN MEDAL, 1854–56 378 + BATTLE OF THE ALMA 380 + SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL 394 + FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL 395 + BATTLE OF BALAKLAVA 398 + SORTIE OF OCT. 26TH 403 + BATTLE OF INKERMANN 404 + SECOND BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL 425 + THIRD BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL 431 + FOURTH BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL 434 + FIFTH BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL 439 + FINAL BOMBARDMENT AND FALL OF SEBASTOPOL 440 + THE FRENCH MILITARY MEDAL 445 + NAMES AND DEEDS OF RECIPIENTS 446 + THE SARDINIAN MEDAL 478 + NAMES AND DEEDS OF RECIPIENTS 479 + THE TURKISH WAR MEDAL 509 + MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD 510 + THE VICTORIA CROSS 511 + NAMES AND DEEDS OF RECIPIENTS 512 + THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL, 1857–58 545 + SIEGE OF DELHI 546 + DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW 557 + RELIEF OF LUCKNOW 568 + CAPTURE OF LUCKNOW 573 + CAMPAIGN IN CENTRAL INDIA, 1858 578 + THE ABYSSINIAN MEDAL 587 + THE ABYSSINIA EXPEDITION, 1868 588 + THE ASHANTEE MEDAL 594 + THE ASHANTEE WAR, 1873–74 595 + THE EGYPTIAN AND SOUDAN MEDALS 602 + THE BOMBARDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, 1882 604 + BATTLE OF TEL-EL-KEBIR, 1882 607 + WAR IN THE SOUDAN, BATTLE OF EL TEB 610 + TAMAAI, 1884 614 + SUAKIN, 1884 616 + THE NILE, 1884–5 617 + ABU KLEA, 1885 619 + KIRBEKAN, 1885 623 + SUAKIN, 1885 625 + TOFREK, 1885 628 + GEMAIZAH, 1888 631 + TOSKI, 1889 632 + NORTH WEST CANADA MEDAL, 1885 634 + INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1891 635 + MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT 636 + MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE 637 + EAST INDIA COMPANY’S MEDAL, 1848 638 + THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER 639 + INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT 639 + MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY MEDALS 640 + REGIMENTAL MEDALS 645 + MEDALS OF THE MILITIA, YEOMANRY, AND VOLUNTEERS 650 + + + COLOURED PLATES. + + THE GOLD CROSS _Frontispiece_ + THE INDIAN WAR MEDAL AND THE GUZNEE MEDAL to face page 11 + THE SERINGAPATAM MEDAL „ „ 15 + THE PENINSULA MEDAL „ „ 54 + THE TURKISH MEDAL FOR EGYPT „ „ 70 + THE TALAVERA MEDAL „ „ 103 + THE WATERLOO MEDAL „ „ 197 + THE AFGHANISTAN MEDAL „ „ 233 + THE STAR FOR GENERAL ROBERTS’ MARCH „ „ 275 + THE MEDAL FOR FIRST CHINESE WAR AND SECOND BURMESE WAR „ „ 279 + THE SECOND JELLALABAD MEDAL, AND THE MAHARAJPOOR STAR „ „ 303 + THE SUTLEJ AND PUNJAUB MEDALS „ „ 308 + THE NEW ZEALAND MEDAL „ „ 332 + THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL „ „ 346 + THE CRIMEAN MEDAL „ „ 378 + THE FRENCH WAR MEDAL „ „ 445 + THE SARDINIAN MEDAL „ „ 477 + THE TURKISH MEDAL „ „ 509 + MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD „ „ 510 + THE VICTORIA CROSS „ „ 511 + THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL „ „ 545 + THE ABYSSINIA MEDAL „ „ 587 + THE ASHANTEE MEDAL „ „ 594 + THE EGYPTIAN MEDAL „ „ 602 + THE KHEDIVE’S STAR „ „ 604 + THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, AND THE CAPE MEDAL „ „ 637 + + + WOODCUTS. + PAGE + THE DUNBAR MEDAL 5 + THE MAIDA MEDAL 73 + COIN OF ELLIS 198 + THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDAL 200 + THE GHUZNEE MEDAL, 1839 242 + THE FIRST JELLALABAD MEDAL 246 + THE GHUZNEE AND CABUL MEDAL 257 + THE GERMANTOWN MEDAL 648 + MEDAL OF THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND’S SHARPSHOOTERS 651 + + + + + BRITISH WAR MEDALS. + + +The highest rewards in all ages and nations have invariably been +bestowed upon deeds of valour and martial daring; and no renown has +generally been considered equal to that honorably gained by Arms in face +of an enemy. The most noble families are proud to trace their descent +from some celebrated warrior, and any distinction or trophy won by him +is usually more treasured and prized than any other dignity or mark of +honour. The custom of striking medals to commemorate victories, +important events, or in honour of remarkable persons or deeds, dates +from the times of the Greeks and Romans; but only in modern times have +medals been issued as a reward of martial services, and worn as personal +decorations. + +Gold chains and medals were frequently bestowed by Princes in the XV. +and XVI. centuries on Ambassadors, and others whom they wished to +honour, and these marks of favor were certainly intended to be worn by +the recipients; Queen Elizabeth[1] gave medals for naval achievements; +but not until the next century can instances be found of such rewards +being conferred for distinguished services in the field. Probably the +earliest Medal in existence struck by, or for an Englishman, is a war +medal dated 1480, of large size, and in the early Italian style. On the +obverse is a head with “JO KENDAL RHODI. TURCUPELLARIUS,” and on the +reverse the arms of Kendal, with the inscription “TEMPORE OBSIDIONIS +TURCORUM, MCCCCLXXX.” The first medals given in England for Military +services were struck by order of Charles I., by a warrant dated from the +Court at Oxford, May 18th. 1643; to reward such soldiers as +distinguished themselves in forlorn hopes. The warrant was issued to the +Wardens of the Mint:— + + “CHARLES R., + + “Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well: whereas we have received + information that those soldiers which have been forward to serve us in + the Forlorn-hope, are not looked upon according to their merited + valour and loyal service. We do therefore require, that from + henceforward, the Commander-in-Chief, both of Horse and Foot, which + lead up the Forlorn-hope, upon whom also we mean to bestow special + tokens of our princely favour, do signify in writing the names of + those soldiers whom they find most forward in serving us, their King + and country, that care may be taken to reward their deservings, and + make them specially known to all our good subjects. For which end we + have thought fit to require Sir William Parkhurst, Kt., and Thomas + Bushell, Esq., Wardens of our Mint, to provide from time to time + certain Badges of Silver, containing our Royal image, and that of our + dearest son, Prince Charles, to be delivered to wear on the breast of + every man who shall be certified under the hands of their + Commander-in-Chief to have done us faithful service in the + Forlorn-hope. + + “And we do therefore, most straightly command, that no soldier at any + time do sell, nor any of our subjects presume to buy, or wear, any of + these said Badges, other than they to whom we shall give the same, and + that under such pain and punishment as our Council of War shall think + fit to inflict, if any shall presume to offend against this our Royal + command. And we further require the said Commanders and Wardens of our + Mint, to keep several Registers of the names of those, and of their + country, for whom they shall give their certificate. Given at our + Court at Oxford the 18th. day of May, 1643.” + +These Medals had the effigy of the King on one side, and of Prince +Charles on the other. + +On Sunday, October 23rd., 1642, was fought the battle of Edgehill, in +which Robert Welsh or Walsh, an Irish gentleman, who commanded a troop +of horse, succeeded in recovering from the Parliamentary forces, the +standard of the King’s own regiment, taken by them, and also captured +two pieces of cannon, and a waggon belonging to the Earl of Essex. The +following morning, the king, upon the top of Edgehill, knighted Mr. +Walsh, who was presented to him with these trophies by Prince Rupert; +and on the 1st. of June, 1643, a gold medal was ordered for this +officer, the obverse to bear the royal figure and his son Prince +Charles, the reverse to have the royal banner used in the above battle, +to be inscribed “PER REGALE MANDATUM CAROLI REGIS HOC ASSIGNATUR ROBERTO +WELCH MILITI.” Sir Harris Nicolas states that a copy of the warrant, +with a drawing of the medal, which is oval, having on one side the +effigies of the king and of Prince Charles, inscribed CAR. REX. M. B. F. +ET H. CAR. PRINCEPS; and on the reverse the royal standard, in bend +sinister, inscribed “PER REGALE MANDATV’ CAROLI REGIS HOC ASSIGNATUR +ROB: WELCH MILITI,” was recorded in the College of Arms, on the 14th. of +August, 1685. This medal was worn on the breast, as appears by the +knight’s own narrative, printed for himself in 1679. The long parliament +passed an act in 1649, enacting that the tenth of all prizes due to the +Lord High Admiral, should be appropriated for medals or other rewards +for eminent service at sea, which ordinance was repeated in the +succeeding year.[2] + +After the defeat of the Scots at Dunbar, by Cromwell, on the 3rd. of +September, 1650, the House of Commons “ordered that it be referred to +the committee of the army, to consider what medals may be prepared for +officers and soldiers, that were in this service in Scotland, and set +the proportions and the values of them, and their number, and present +the estimate of them to the House.” The house voted that the officers +and men “which did this excellent service” should be presented with gold +and silver medals. Simon, an eminent engraver of that day, was sent to +Cromwell, to consult with him as to the device for this medal. Dr. +Harris, in the appendix to his “Historical and Critical Account of +Oliver Cromwell,” page 538, has printed an original letter of Cromwell’s +to the parliament (then in the possession of James Lamb, Esq., of +Fairford, in Gloucestershire, and subsequently of John Raymond Barker, +of the same place), on Symond’s (Simon) proceeding as above stated. The +letter is highly characteristic, and is as follows.— + + “For ye Honble the Committee for the Army, these. + + “Gentl.,—It was not a little wonder to me to see that you should send + Mr. Symonds so great a journey about a business importinge so little, + as far as it relates to me when, as if my poore opinion may not be + rejected by you, I have to offer to that wch I thinke the most noble + end, to witt, the commemoracon of that great mercie at Dunbar, and the + gratuitie to the army, wch might better be expressed upon the meddal + by engraving as on the one side the Parliamt, wch I heare was + intended, and will do singularly well; so, on the other side, an army + wth this inscription over the head of it, The Lord of Hosts, wch was + or word that day: wherefore, if I may begg it as a favor from you, I + most earnestly beseech you, if I may do it wth out offence, that it + may be soe; and if you thinke not fitt to have it as I offer, you may + alter it as you see cause, only I doe thinke I may truely say it will + be verie thankfully acknowledged by me, if you will spare the having + my effigies in it. + + “The gentlemans paynes and trouble hither have been verie great, and I + shall make it my seconde suite unto you that you will please to + conferr upon him that imploymt in yr service wch Nicholas Briott had + before him; indeed, the man is ingenious and worthie of encouragemt. I + may not presume much, but if at my request and for my sake he may + obteyne this favor, I shall put it upon the accompt of my obligacons, + wch are not a few, and I hope shal be found readie gratefully to + acknowledge and to approve myself, Gentl., + + “Yor most reall servant, + + “Edinburgh, 4th. of Feb., 1650–1.” “O. CROMWELL.” + +Cromwell’s modesty was over-ruled, and the medal bears his bust. On the +obverse is the head of Cromwell, profile; under the shoulder, Tho: Simon +F.; the motto about the head, WORD AT DUNBAR,—THE LORD OF HOSTS,—SEPTEM +YE 3, 1650; behind the head a prospect of the battle. The reverse has +the House of Commons sitting, as represented on the Parliament Great +Seal, 1648, and also on that of the Commonwealth, 1651. It is remarkable +also for Cromwell’s likeness when Lieutenant-General. This is engraved +in “The Medallick History of England,” and in “Simon’s Medals and +Coins.” The Dunbar Medal is of two sizes,[3] and is the first given +generally to officers and men, as is the present practice, and no +instance occurred of a general distribution of medals by the Sovereign’s +command until that for Waterloo was authorised.[4] + +[Illustration: Illustration with two oval panels connected side-by-side. +Left panel shows a profile portrait labeled “The Lord of Hosts,” +identified as Oliver Cromwell, with the date September 1650. Right panel +shows a large parliamentary or assembly hall filled with seated figures +facing a central speaker.] + +In the two works immediately referred to there are engravings of several +medals, probably worn by officers and soldiers as honorary badges; some +contain the effigy of King Charles the First or Prince Rupert, or Sir +Thomas Fairfax or his son, or the Earls of Essex, Manchester, or +Dumferline, General Rossiter, or of other Parliamentary commanders; on +the reverse were their names or arms, or a representation of the +Parliament, or the words MERUISTI, or PRO RELIGIONE LEGE ET PARLIAMENTO, +or FOR KING AND PARLIAMENT. It now seems impossible to discover the +precise history of these medals. The victory of Naseby, on the 14th. of +June, 1645, was commemorated by a silver-gilt medal, with a ring: on one +side was the effigy of Sir Thomas Fairfax, inscribed, THO: FAIRFAX MILES +MILIT. PARL. DUX. GEN.; the reverse bore MERUISTI, within a circle, and +POST HÆC MELIORA, 1645. The Parliamentary medal, which was distinct from +the naval medal, before adverted to, cannot be described with certainty; +but it is supposed to have had the effigies of the victorious generals +on one side, and the Parliament on the other. It appears to have been +instituted soon after that for Dunbar, as the House of Commons conferred +it on Colonel Mackworth, by resolution dated the 27th. of August, 1651, +with a chain of gold to the value of one hundred pounds. This officer +was governor of Shrewsbury, and his service consisted in refusing to +surrender the castle and garrison when summoned by the forces of the +royalists. + +With these exceptions the medals of the Commonwealth era appear to have +been given for naval services against the Dutch, such distinctions being +granted to Generals Blake and Monk, Vice-Admiral Penn, and Rear-Admiral +Lawson, and certain officers of the fleet. Blake’s medal for the victory +over the Dutch fleet off the Texel, in 1653, was purchased by William +the Fourth for one hundred and fifty guineas. At this period the +position of these officers was scarcely defined, for at times they +appear to have fought on land as well as at sea.[5] + +The medals of succeeding reigns appear to have been confined to naval +services: although medals were struck in commemoration of the victories +of the great Duke of Marlborough, it is certain that they were not worn +by either officers or soldiers. + +After the battle of Culloden, on the 16th. of April, 1746, a gold medal +was struck, having on the obverse, the head of the Duke of Cumberland; +the reverse had a figure of Apollo, and a dragon pierced by an arrow, +inscribed, ACTUM EST ILICET PERIT, and in the exergue, PRÆL. Colod. AP. +xvi., MDCCXLVI. This medal was given to officers who commanded regiments +at the battle, and was worn round the neck by a crimson ribbon with a +green border. + +The medals granted by the HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY[6] are next in +order of time. + +A medal was issued to Officers and men, by the East India Company, for +the Campaigns in the Deccan, against Hyder Ali and his son Tippoo Sahib, +1780–84. This medal was granted by an order in Council, January 19th., +1784, and was in gold, silver, and inferior metal. Obverse, Britannia, +seated upon a trophy of Arms, holding a wreath in her outstretched hand +towards a fortress in the distance. Reverse, an inscription in Persian, +which may thus be translated: “The courage and exertions of those +valiant men by whom the name of Englishmen has been celebrated and +exalted from Hindostan to the Deccan, having been established throughout +the world, this has been granted by the Government of Calcutta, in +commemoration of the excellent services of the brave. Year of the +Hegira, 1199,” _i.e._, 1784. Within a circle is the following legend, +also in Persian: “As coins are current in the world, so shall the +bravery and exploits of those heroes by whom the names of the victorious +English nation was carried from Bengal to the Deccan.” Suspended from a +yellow cord. + +In 1793, June 4th., by an order in Council, the East India Company +granted a medal to the Officers and men under Lord Cornwallis, General +Meadows, and General Abercromby, engaged in the war in Mysore, 1791–92, +against Tippoo Sahib. The medal was issued in gold, silver, etc., as the +Deccan Medal. Obverse, a Sepoy in the Military costume of the time, +holding the British flag in his right hand, in his left the Mysore +banner reversed, in the background a view of Seringapatam. Reverse, +within a wreath, “For services in the Mysore, 1791–1792”; surrounded by +a Persian inscription, “A token of the bravery of the troops of the +English Government in the war in the Mysore, in the year of the Hegira, +1205–1206.” + +There were two sizes of this medal in silver, and it was worn suspended +from a yellow silk cord. + +One of the most dashing exploits in the war of Mysore was the capture of +Bangalore, the second city in the dominions of Tippoo. It was enclosed +by a high wall and a deep ditch, and the gate was covered by a close +thicket of Indian thorns. The attack was made without any examination of +the ground, and the troops in advancing and endeavouring to force an +entrance, were exposed to a destructive fire of musketry. Colonel +Moorhouse, one of the best officers in the service, fell mortally +wounded. At length Lieutenant Ayre, a man of diminutive stature, +succeeded in forcing his way through the shattered gate; which gallant +action, being observed by General Meadows, he shouted to the stormers, +“Well done! now whiskers, try if you can follow and support the little +gentleman.” This animated appeal succeeded, the troops rushed through +the gate into the town, and drove out the enemy at the point of the +bayonet. + +By an order in Council, Fort William, May 15th. 1807, a medal was +granted to the troops engaged in the capture of Ceylon from the Dutch, +1795–96. Obverse, “For services in the Island of Ceylon, A.D. 1795–96.” +Reverse, an inscription in Persian, “This medal was given by way of +acknowledgement of services in Ceylon, in the year of the Hegira, +1209–1210,” suspended from a yellow silk cord. (_Seringapatam Medal, see +post_). + +A medal for services in Egypt was granted by general order, July 31st., +1802. In 1801, General Sir David Baird was dispatched from India in +command of a force of 2,800 British troops, 2,000 Sepoys, and 400 picked +artillerymen, to Egypt, to join the army under Sir Ralph Abercromby, +landed them from England, to act against the French. Sir David was +joined on the 17th. of May, at Jeddah, in the Red Sea, by an expedition +from the Cape of Good Hope, consisting of the 61st. Regiment, some light +cavalry and artillery, and on June 8th. landed at Cossier. (_See +Egyptian Campaign, post_). Obverse, a Sepoy holding a Union Jack in his +right hand, in rear, a camp, with an inscription in Persian: “This medal +has been presented in commemoration of the defeat of the French armies +in the Kingdom of Egypt, by the bravery and ability of the victorious +army of England.” Reverse, a ship in full sail, with the Union Jack +flying; pyramids and obelisk in the back ground. In the exergue, the +date, 1801. Worn as the preceding. + +In 1850 a clasp was added to this medal, which was sanctioned by the +Queen in 1848. + +In July, 1810, a small Anglo-Indian force, under the command of Colonel +Keating, with a squadron of ships of the Royal Navy, under Commodore +Rowley, captured the Isle of Bourbon from the French. + +On the 29th. of November of the same year, an army of about 10,000 men +from India, commanded by General J. Abercromby, assisted by a squadron +of ships, under the command of Vice-Admiral Bertie, landed in the Isle +of France, and after a smart action, in which the French were defeated, +General Decaen, the French Governor, proposed terms of capitulation, and +on December 3rd., surrendered the Island to Great Britain. Two hundred +and nine pieces of heavy ordnance, with ample stores of ammunition, five +French frigates, and a corvette, with twenty-four merchant ships, were +captured. From that time, the Isle of France, henceforth known by its +older name of Mauritius, has remained a dependency of the British crown. + +For these services a medal was granted, by general order, dated, Fort +William, September 10th., 1811. Obverse, a Sepoy holding the Union Jack, +trampling on the French colours and Eagle; by his side a gun; in the +back ground, ships at anchor. Reverse, within a wreath a Persian +inscription: “This medal was conferred in commemoration of the bravery +and accustomed fidelity exhibited by the Sepoys of the English company +in the capture of the Mauritius Islands, in the year of the Hegira, +1223.” Round the wreath, “RODRIGUES, 6th. July, MDCCCIX. BOURBON, 8th. +July, and ISLE OF FRANCE, 3rd. December, MDCCCX.” The medal is worn as +the preceding. + +Her Majesty’s 69th. and 86th. Regiments were engaged in this service. + +By a general order, February 11th., 1812, a medal was conferred on the +troops, numbering about 12,000, engaged in the reduction of Java, under +the command of General Sir S. Auchmuty. (_See capture of Java, post_). +Obverse, Sepoys carrying Fort Cornelis; on the flag-staff is the British +flag over the Dutch, above, the word CORNELIS. Reverse, a Persian +inscription: “This medal was given in commemoration of the valour and +courage displayed by the Sepoys of the East India Company, in the +capture of Java, in the year of the Hegira, 1228.” The legend is in +English, “Java, conquered, 26th. August, MDCCCXI.” Worn as the +preceding. + +Her Majesty’s 14th., 59th., 69th., 78th., and 89th. Regiments of foot +were present at the capture of Java. + +A medal was granted by general order, March 20th., 1816, for the two +campaigns in Nepaul, 1814–16, under Generals Marley, Wood, Gillespie +(who was killed), and Ochterlony. Obverse, troops marching across hills +crowned with stockades; on the left, a field gun. Reverse, inscription +in Persian: “This medal was given by the Nawab Governor-General Bahadur, +in testimony of the energy, good service, skill, and intrepidity which +were displayed during the campaigns on the hills, in the year of the +Hegira, 1229–1230.” + +Worn as the preceding. A clasp for Nepaul was granted with the “Army of +India” Medal in 1851. (_See War in Nepaul, post_). + +In 1826, April 22nd., a medal was granted for the first Burmese War, +1824–26, troops commanded by Sir Archibald Campbell and General +Morrison. Obverse, the white Elephant of Burmah crouching to the British +Lion; the Burmese colours lowered to the Union Jack, palm-trees in the +back ground. A Persian inscription: “The Elephant Ava submitting to the +British Lion, 1826.” Reverse, a storming party advancing towards the +Great Pagoda of Rangoon, a steam-boat and boats on the river Irrawaddy; +Sir A. Campbell directing the movement in the foreground, under a +palm-tree. An inscription in Persian: “The Standard of the victorious +army of England in Ava.” This medal is by Wyon, and worn with a crimson +ribbon with blue edge. A clasp for “Ava,” was given with the “Army of +India” Medal in 1851. (_See War in Ava, post_). + +[Illustration: + + The Indian War Medal.—1799–1826 + + The Ghuznee Medal.—1830 +] + + + + + THE INDIAN WAR MEDAL. + 1799–1826. + + +On the 21st. of March, 1851, a General Order was issued, announcing that +The Queen had been pleased to signify her assent to a measure that had +been proposed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company, of +granting a medal to the surviving officers and soldiers of the Crown, +who were engaged in the following services in India:—Storm of Allighur, +September 4th., 1803; Battle of Delhi, September 11th., 1803; Battle of +Assaye, September 23rd., 1803; Siege of Asseer Ghur, October 21st., +1803; Battle of Lawsarree, November 1st., 1803; Battle of Argaum, +November 29th., 1803; Siege and Storm of Gawilghur, December 15th., +1803; Defence of Delhi, October, 1804; Battle of Deig, November 13th., +1804; Capture of Deig, December 23rd., 1804; War in Nepaul in 1816; +Battle of Kirkee, and Battle and Capture of Poona, November, 1817; +Battle of Seetabuldee, and Battle and Capture of Nagpoor, November and +December, 1817; Battle of Maheidpore, December 21st., 1817; Defence of +Corygaum, January 1st., 1818; War in Ava, 1824 to 1826; and Siege and +Capture of Bhurtpore, January, 1826. + +The mode of application was similar to that specified in the General +Order granting the War Medal, (_see War or Peninsula Medal, post_,) but +the concluding paragraph announced that, “It having, moreover, been +represented to Her Majesty, that the officers and soldiers of the Crown, +who were engaged in the Mysore war, and at the Siege of Seringapatam had +already received medals from the East India Company for those services, +Her Majesty has further been graciously pleased to permit the same to be +worn by them with their uniforms.” + +Following the order of date, the first service is + + + + + THE MYSORE WAR AND SIEGE OF SERINGAPATAM. + FEBRUARY TO MAY, 1799. + + +Although the reduction of the power and resources of Tippoo Sahib, +effected by the treaty of Seringapatam, which terminated the campaign of +1792, had weakened his influence, yet it had not extinguished his +intense hatred of the British. The Sultan had entered into a negotiation +with the Governor of the Isle of France, in 1798, and sent an embassy to +Zemaun Shah, Sovereign of Cabool, for the purpose of inducing him to +attack the possessions of the Company. Having also derived encouragement +from the successes of the French arms in Egypt, from which country the +Directory intended to act against the British dominions in India, Tippoo +commenced augmenting his military force, and his hostile designs became +every day more apparent. The Governor-General the Earl of Mornington +(afterwards Marquis of Wellesley) perceiving a rupture inevitable, +resolved to anticipate the attack, and ordered the army to take the +field, and march into the heart of Tippoo’s territory. + +Major-General George (afterwards Lord) Harris, who was serving with the +local rank of Lieutenant-General, in conformity to these orders, +advanced with the army under his command on the 11th. of February, 1799, +and entered the Mysore territory on the 5th. of March. On the 27th. the +troops arrived at Mallavelly, and on approaching the ground of +encampment the forces of Tippoo were seen drawn up on a height a few +miles off. The enemy attacked the advanced pickets, and a general action +ensued, in which the 33rd. regiment highly distinguished itself. A body +of two thousand men moved forward in the best order towards the +regiment, which, firmly standing its ground, coolly reserved its fire +until within a distance of about sixty yards, and then led by its +Lieutenant-Colonel, the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, in person, boldly +advanced, and charging with the bayonet, compelled the approaching +column to give way. This movement being seconded by Major-General Floyd, +who made a rapid charge with the cavalry, completed the disorder, and +the enemy retreated before the whole of the British line, which +immediately moved forward. + +While this attack was being made by the left wing, under +Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, with the Nizam’s +contingent, the 33rd., and Major-General Floyd’s cavalry, +Lieutenant-General Harris with the troops, which formed the right wing, +had been also engaged.[7] + +In this affair Tippoo sustained a loss of nearly two thousand, including +some of his most valuable officers; whilst the British casualties +amounted to only sixty-six men. + +On the following morning the army advanced, and arrived before +Seringapatam on the 5th. of April, when preparations for the siege were +at once commenced. + +An attack was made on an entrenchment of the enemy about six o’clock in +the evening of the 20th. of April, in which the flank companies of the +12th. and 73rd. regiments were employed. This was successful, and +although the enemy had two hundred and fifty men killed and wounded, and +the entrenchment was occupied by about eighteen hundred of Tippoo’s +infantry, the British had but one man wounded. + +The siege was prosecuted with vigour, and a breach being reported +practicable on the 3rd. of May, the assault was ordered to take place in +the heat of the following day, as the besieged would then be the least +prepared to oppose the attack. On this service were employed the ten +flank companies of the European corps necessarily left to guard the +camp, and outposts, followed by the 12th., 33rd., 73rd., and 74th. +regiments, three corps of grenadier Sepoys, two hundred of the Nizam’s +troops, a hundred of the artillery, and the corps of pioneers, the whole +under the orders of Major-General (afterwards Sir David) Baird. The +assault took place about half-past one o’clock in the afternoon of the +4th. of May, and in a short space of time the British colours waved over +the fortress.[8] The Major-General had divided his force for the purpose +of clearing the ramparts to the right and left; one division was +commanded by Colonel Sherbrooke, and the other by Lieutenant-Colonel +Dunlop; the latter was wounded, but both corps, although strongly +opposed, were completely successful. The spirited attack, led by +Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 74th. Highlanders, was particularly +mentioned in general orders, in which all the officers and men were +thanked for this memorable achievement. The body of Tippoo Sultan was +found among heaps of slain, and was afterwards interred in the +magnificent mausoleum which he had erected over the tomb of his father, +the once powerful Hyder Ali, a portion of the victorious troops +attending the ceremony. + +In this manner terminated the siege of Seringapatam, and the fall of the +capital placed the kingdom of Mysore at the disposal of the British +government, and destroyed a power in India which had proved itself a +formidable enemy. + +The following regiments were engaged in the storming and capture of +Seringapatam on the 4th. of May, 1799; namely, the 19th. and 22nd. (late +25th.) Light Dragoons, (both since disbanded;) the 12th., 33rd., 73rd., +74th., 75th., 77th. regiments, the Scots Brigade, afterwards the +94th.[9] regiment, and the 103rd. + +[Illustration: + + THE SERINGAPATAM MEDAL.—1799. +] + + + + + THE SERINGAPATAM MEDAL,[10] 1799. + + +This medal was distributed to officers and soldiers—European and +Native—on one side of it is represented the storming of the breach of +Seringapatam, from an actual drawing on the spot, with the meridian sun, +denoting the time of the storm, and the following inscription in Persian +underneath:—“The Fort of Seringapatam, the gift of God, the 4th. May, +1799.” On the reverse side is the British Lion subduing the Tiger, the +emblem of the late Tippoo Sultan’s Government, with the period when it +was effected, and the following words in Arabic on the banner:—“ASSUD +OTTA-UL GHAULIB,” signifying the Lion of God is the Conqueror, or the +Conquering Lion of God. + +Of these medals gold ones were struck for His Majesty, the Right +Honourable Lord Melville, the Governor-General of India at the time, the +Marquis Cornwallis, the Nizam and his two ministers, the Peishwah and +his minister, the Nabobs of Arcot and Oude, and the Rajahs of Tanjore, +Travancore, Mysore, Coorga, and Berar, Dowlut Rao Scindiah, the +Commander-in-Chief, general officers on the staff employed in the +Service, and for the Oriental Museum. + +Silver-gilt medals were struck for the members of council at the three +Presidencies, the Residents of Hydrabad and Poonah, the field officers, +and the general staff on the service. Silver for the captains and +subalterns, copper-bronzed for the non-commissioned officers, and pure +grain tin for the privates. + +The European officers of the Company’s service received permission in +August, 1815, to wear the Seringapatam Medal. On the 16th. of that month +the following representation was made to the Right Honourable the Earl +of Buckinghamshire:— + + “MY LORD, + + “Medals having been struck by the Court of + Directors, with the approbation and concurrence of His Majesty’s + Ministers, in commemoration of the storming of Seringapatam, and of + the other splendid successes of the British Army in Mysore, in 1799; + to be executed by an eminent artist, and distributed to the officers + and soldiers, both of His Majesty’s, and of the Company’s troops, who + served in that brilliant and decisive campaign. + + “The European officers of the Company’s Service have represented to us + that highly as they have been gratified with the receipt of those + honourable bestowments, they experienced considerable mortification in + not feeling themselves at liberty to wear them on great public + occasions, such as being presented at Court, and at the Military + Levees of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. + + “This sentiment necessarily strikes them with peculiar force at the + present period, when all the officers of Europe, who have + distinguished themselves in the service of their several Sovereigns, + appear upon all public occasions, decorated with the honourable badges + of their services and glory. + + “We therefore intreat your Lordship to transmit these circumstances to + His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, and to solicit his gracious + permission, that the medals granted by the East India Company, upon + the occasion of the capture of Seringapatam by storm on the 4th. of + May, 1799, and the other splendid successes of the British Army in + Mysore in that year, may be worn by the officers, who have received + them, in such manner, and at such times as to His Highness may appear + proper. + + “We have etc., + “CHARLES GRANT. + “THOMAS READ.” + +This request was complied with in a letter, dated Whitehall, 29th. +August, 1815, of which the accompanying is an extract:— + + “Gentlemen, + + “His Royal Highness has been pleased to grant + his gracious permission that such officers may wear their medals in + any part of His Majesty’s dominions. + + “To the Chairman and (Signed) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.” + Deputy-Chairman.” + + + + + STORM OF ALLIGHUR. + 4TH. SEPTEMBER, 1803. + + +This service occurred during the Mahratta war. The empire of the +Mahrattas, of which Sevajee was the founder, had become a confederacy of +five chieftains, the Peishwah, Scindiah, Holkar, the Rajah of Berar, and +the Guicowar; each of whom, although acknowledging a kind of fealty to +the descendant of Sevajee, was independent of the other. The Peishwah, +who was regarded as the nominal head of the confederation, was +considered only as an instrument in the hands of the strongest. Dowlut +Rao Scindiah, who ruled over Malwa and Candeish, had acquired an +absolute control in the councils of Bajee Rao, the Peishwah, and was +regarded with great jealousy by his rival Holkar. Both these chieftains +had armies officered by Europeans, principally Frenchmen. Holkar +suddenly crossed the Nerbudda, marched on Poonah, and having defeated +the united troops of Scindiah and the Peishwah, the latter placed +himself under the protection of the British, and after his restoration +in May, 1803, it was ascertained that Scindiah was in négociation with +Holkar and the Berar Rajah, with a view to subvert the British alliance +with the Peishwah. After the evasions and procrastinations inseparable +from oriental diplomacy, hostilities commenced, Major-General the +Honourable Arthur Wellesley being appointed to the chief command of the +British and allied troops in the territories of the Peishwah, of the +Nizam, and of any Mahratta state; subject alone to the orders of General +Stuart and General Lake, the Commander-in-Chief in India. + +General Lake was instructed to conquer the whole of Scindiah’s territory +between the Jumna and the Ganges, to seize upon Delhi and Agra, and to +destroy the army commanded by General Perron, a French officer. On the +7th. of August, 1803, the troops advanced from Cawnpore, and entered the +Mahratta territory on the morning of the 29th. of that month. Perron +occupied a strong position, with about fifteen thousand men, in the +vicinity of Coel. General Lake resolved to turn his left flank, against +which he advanced, but the enemy retired after firing a few rounds, +without venturing a regular engagement; the rapidity of his flight +rendering the several attempts made to charge him quite ineffectual. +After this affair, Perron took up a position between the town of Coel +and the fortress of Allighur, and every effort to induce the governor to +surrender proving unsuccessful, the necessary arrangements were made for +the assault of the fort. + +Allighur was a place of considerable strength, the country being +levelled around and open to its fire in every direction. It was provided +with a broad ditch and a fine glacis, and had only one entrance, which +was very intricate, and over a narrow causeway. On the 4th. of +September, a storming party, consisting of four companies of the 76th., +with two battalions and four companies of native infantry, was placed +under the orders of the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Monson. At +half-past four o’clock in the morning it had advanced within a few +hundred yards of the place before being discovered; when, a tremendous +fire being opened, the colonel rushed forward with the flank companies +of the regiment, in the hope of being able to enter the main gateway +with a fugitive guard which had been stationed in a breastwork outside +the place. In this he was disappointed, and, as the enemy’s cross fire +was very severe, Major Macleod, and two grenadiers of the regiment, +endeavoured to scale the wall, but encountered such a powerful phalanx +of pikemen that they were compelled to fall back. A gun was with some +difficulty placed opposite to the gate, which, after a few discharges, +was blown open. During these operations the party for twenty minutes was +exposed to a raking fire of grape, wall pieces, and matchlocks. Colonel +Monson was severely wounded by a pike discharged from a gun, and the +adjutant and four officers of grenadiers were killed. + +After clearing the first gate, a long and intricate passage conducted +the troops, in the midst of a heavy cross fire, through a second and +third gateway, which were easily forced, to a fourth, that led +immediately into the body of the place. With great difficulty the gun +was brought up, but the gate could not be blown open. At last the +grenadiers, with Major Macleod at their head, succeeded in pushing +through the wicket, and mounted the ramparts, after which but little +opposition was offered by the Mahrattas, who for the space of an hour +had made a most vigorous defence. They lost about two thousand men, +while the casualties of the assailants were likewise severe. + +As Allighur was the chief residence and principal depôt of General +Perron, a large quantity of ordnance and military stores were captured, +and several carriages were found laden with treasure, which the victors +divided amongst themselves on the spot. A few days after the fall of +this fortress, General Perron withdrew from the Mahratta service; his +popularity amongst the natives had excited the jealousy of Scindiah, +whose conduct would have palliated a severe retaliation; but the +high-minded Frenchman, disdaining an unworthy action, resigned the +command under circumstances most honourable to his personal character. + +The 76th. may feel proud of the praise which was bestowed upon the +regiment and its officers by the Governor-General for their +gallantry.[11] + + + + + BATTLE OF DELHI. + 11TH. SEPTEMBER, 1803. + + +Although General Perron had been permitted to enter the British +territories, the troops which he had commanded still remained under +other officers. Having left a sufficient force at Allighur, the British +proceeded towards Delhi on the 7th. of September. After a fatiguing +march of eighteen miles, and when, on the 11th. of that month, they had +arrived within two leagues of the city, information was received that M. +Louis Bourquin, another French officer in command of Scindiah’s army, +had crossed the Jumna with a numerous force, in order to attack General +Lake. This intelligence was quickly confirmed by an attack upon the +outlying pickets which had just been posted. + +The British commander immediately proceeded with the whole of his +cavalry to reconnoitre the enemy, and found them drawn up in order of +battle on a rising ground, their flanks resting on a morass, while the +front was defended by a line of entrenchments and a formidable +artillery. As it was considered impossible to make any impression upon +so excellent a position by a direct attack, stratagem was employed to +induce them to quit it. The cavalry, which had proceeded considerably in +advance, were directed to fall back before the Mahrattas, and afterwards +to form behind the right wing of the infantry. This manœuvre was +completely successful; the cavalry retired, while the infantry were +quickly formed, and advanced in line, under a tremendous cannonade of +round, grape, and chain shot. Nothing could exceed the steadiness of the +troops; no man took his musket from his shoulder until arrived within a +proper distance of the enemy. A volley was fired, and General Lake, +placing himself at the head of the 76th. the whole line rushed forward +to the charge with an impetuosity which it was impossible to withstand. +Thrown into confusion, the Mahrattas fled in the utmost consternation, +while the cavalry, dashing forward, completed the work which their +irresistible companions had so well commenced. Bourquin was the first +man to leave the field, and he surrendered, with five other foreign +officers, three days after to his conqueror. + +By this splendid victory, sixty-eight pieces of cannon, two tumbrils +laden with treasure, and thirty-seven with ammunition, fell into the +hands of the conquerors. The loss of the enemy was estimated at three +thousand men out of thirteen thousand infantry (nearly all regular +troops), and six thousand cavalry, which had been brought into the +field. Of the British, who had four thousand engaged, four hundred and +eighty-five were killed, wounded, and missing. The 76th., the only +King’s regiment at Allighur, Delhi, or at the subsequent battle at +Laswarree, had two sergeants and thirty-one rank and file killed; +Lieutenant Alexander Macdonald, one sergeant, and ninety-six rank and +file were wounded. + +Delhi was entered without opposition, and the venerable and blind +emperor, Shah Aulum, the nominal sovereign of Hindostan, who had been +for years in the hands of the Mahrattas, was restored to his throne. + +In testimony of the gallantry of the troops under General Lake, the +Governor-General in council ordered honorary colours, with a suitable +device, commemorative of the reduction of Allighur and the battle of +Delhi, to be presented to all. Those granted[12] to the 27th. Dragoons +(since disbanded) and the 76th. Regiment, were to be used by these corps +while they continued in India, or until His Majesty’s pleasure should be +signified. + + + + + BATTLE OF ASSAYE. + 23RD. SEPTEMBER, 1803. + + +This was the battle which gained a name for the illustrious Duke of +Wellington, and it is commemorated on the colours of the 74th. and 78th. +regiments. On the 21st. of September, Major-General the Honourable +Arthur Wellesley had a conference with Colonel Stevenson, and a plan was +concerted to attack the enemy’s army with the divisions under their +command on the 24th. This intention was not carried out, as +circumstances occurred which determined the former to attack without +waiting for the junction of the troops. + +On the 23rd. of September, while on the march, it was discovered that +the enemy was much nearer than was imagined; whereupon Major-General +Wellesley immediately determined to move in advance to reconnoitre them, +and if convenient bring them to action. He ordered the cavalry to mount, +and went on with them for this purpose; the infantry, except the rear +battalion (1st. of the 2nd. Native Infantry), received directions to +follow by the right. The second of the 12th. to join the left brigade to +equalize the two; the first of the second to cover the baggage on the +ground marked for the camp, and to be joined by the rear-guard on its +arrival, and four brass light twelve-pounders to be sent to the heads of +the line. + +These dispositions did not occasion ten minutes’ halt to the column of +infantry, but the cavalry moving in front with the Major-General, came +first in sight of the enemy’s position, from a rising ground to the left +of the road, and within cannon-shot of the right of their encampment, +which lay along one of the banks of the River Kaitna, a stream of no +magnitude, but with steep sides and a very deep channel, so as not to be +passable except in particular places, mostly near villages. Along their +rear ran a similar stream (the Jooee Nullah), which fell into the Kaitna +half a mile beyond their left. Scindiah’s irregular cavalry formed their +right, and the Berar troops their left. These were composed of seventeen +battalions, amounting to about ten thousand five hundred men, formed +into three brigades, each of which had a corps of cavalry of a better +kind than the rest, and a body of skilled marksmen; and the artillery +amounted to about one hundred and two pieces, or perhaps a few more. + +The infantry were dressed, armed, and accoutred like the Sepoys; they +were remarkably fine men, and in a high state of discipline. Although +the English officers had left them, there was a number of French and +other European officers both with the infantry and artillery. The guns +were served by Golundaze, exactly like those of the Bengal service, +which had been some time before disbanded, and were probably the same +men. It was soon, however, found that they were extremely well trained, +and that their fire was both as quick and as well-directed as could be +produced by the Company’s artillerymen. What the total number of the +enemy was cannot be ascertained, or even guessed at with any degree of +accuracy, but it is certainly calculated very low at thirty thousand +men, including the light troops who were out on a plundering excursion +(and were those which had marched in the morning), but they returned +towards the close of the action. + +The force of Major-General Wellesley’s army in action was nearly four +thousand seven hundred men, of whom about one thousand five hundred were +Europeans, including artillery with twenty-six field pieces, of which +only four twelve and eight six-pounders were fired during the action; +the remainder being the guns of the cavalry and of the second line, +could not be used. + +On the Major-General approaching the enemy for the purpose of +reconnoitring, they commenced a cannonade, the first gun of which was +fired at twenty minutes past one p.m., and killed one of his escort. He +then resolved to attack their left, in order to turn it, and ordered the +infantry column to move in that direction, while some of his staff +looked out for a ford, to enable his troops to cross the Kaitna and +execute this movement. All this march being performed considerably +within the reach of the enemy’s cannon, the fire increased fast, and by +the time the head of the column reached the ford, about a short +half-mile beyond their left flank, it was tremendously heavy, and had +already destroyed numbers. + +During this movement the first line of the enemy’s infantry changed +their front to the left, and formed with their left on Assaye, a village +on the Jooee, near the left of their second line, which did not change +position, the right of their first line resting on the Kaitna, where the +left had been. They brought up many guns from their reserve, and the +second line to the first. + +Being obliged to cross the ford in one column by sections, the British +were long exposed to the cannonade. The first line formed nearly +parallel to that of the enemy, at about five hundred yards distance, +having marched down the alignment to its ground. The second line rather +outflanked the first to the right, as did the third (composed of the +cavalry) the second. The left of the first line was opposite the right +of the enemy’s. During this formation their artillery fired round shot +with great precision and rapidity, the same shot often striking the +three lines. It was answered by the guns of the first line of the +British with great spirit and coolness, but the number of gun bullocks +killed soon put the advance of the artillery (except by men) out of the +question. + +The British lines were formed from right to left as follows:—First line; +pickets, four twelve-pounders, one battalion of the 8th. and one of the +10th. Native Infantry, and the 78th. regiment. Second line; 74th. +regiment, and the second battalion of the 12th. and the 1st. of the 4th. +Native Infantry. Third line; 4th. Native Cavalry, 19th. Light Dragoons, +5th. and 7th. Native Cavalry. Major-General the Honourable Arthur +Wellesley named the picket as the battalion of direction, and ordered +that the line should advance as quickly as possible, consistent with +order, and charge with the bayonet, without firing a shot. + +At fifteen minutes before three the word was given for the line to +advance, and was received by Europeans and natives with a cheer. Almost +immediately, however, it was discovered that the battalion of direction +was not moving forward as intended, and the first line received the word +to halt. This was a critical moment; the troops had reached the ridge of +a little swell in the ground that had somewhat sheltered them, +particularly on the left, and the enemy, supposing them staggered by the +fire, redoubled their efforts, firing a number of chain shot with great +effect. Dreading the consequences of this check to the ardour of the +troops, the Major-General rode up to one of the native corps of the +first line, and, taking off his hat, cheered them on in their own +language, repeating the words “to march.” Again the soldiers received +the order with loud cheers, and the three left battalions of the first +line, followed by the first battalion of the 4th., advanced in quick +time, and with the greatest coolness, order, and determination upon +their opponents. + +On coming within about one hundred and fifty yards, the 78th. withdrew +its advanced centre sergeant, and the men were cautioned to be ready to +charge. Soon after the battalion opposed to them fired a volley, and +about the same time some Europeans were observed to mount their horses +and ride off. The 78th. instantly ported arms, cheered, and redoubled +its pace, when the enemy’s infantry, deserted by their officers, broke +and ran. The 78th. pushed on and fired, the front rank to the charge, +overtaking and bayonetting a few individuals. But Scindiah’s gunners +held firm by their guns; many were bayonetted in the acts of loading, +priming, or pointing, and none quitted them until the bayonet was at +their breast. + +The 78th. now halted for an instant to complete the files and restore +exact order, and then moved forward on the enemy’s second line, making a +complete wheel to the right, whose pivot was the right of the army, near +the village of Assaye. + +In consequence of the pickets having failed to advance, the 74th. pushed +up, in doing which they were very much cut down by grape, and at length +charged by cavalry headed by Scindiah in person. They suffered severely +(as did the pickets and the second battalion of the 12th. Native +Infantry), and the remains were saved by the memorable charge of the +cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell. This part of the +British line, however, though it broke the enemy’s first line, did not +gain much ground; and the foe still continued in possession of several +guns about the village of Assaye, from which they flanked the British +line when arrived opposite their second. + +Several of the enemy also coming up from the beds of the river and other +ways, attacked and killed a large proportion of the artillerymen, +amongst whom were four officers. They also regained possession of many +of the guns of their first line, which had been taken and passed, and +from them opened a fire of grape on the British rear. + +It is impossible to praise too highly the behaviour of the infantry at +this critical moment. Deprived of the assistance of their artillery, the +enemy’s second line being untouched and perfectly fresh in their front, +firing steadily upon them, flanked by round shot from the right, grape +pouring on the rear, and cavalry threatening the left. Not a word was +heard or a shot fired, all waiting the orders of the general with the +composure of a field day, amidst a scene of slaughter scarcely to be +equalled. This, however, was not of long duration. The British cavalry +came up and drove off the body that threatened the left, who did not +wait to be charged, when Major-General Wellesley ordered the principal +part of the line to attack the front, while the 78th. and 7th. Native +Cavalry moved to the rear, and charged the guns which were firing from +thence. The enemy’s second line immediately retired; one brigade in +perfect order, so much so that it repulsed a gallant charge of the 19th. +Dragoons, at the head of which Colonel Maxwell was killed. + +After being obliged to change front two or three times under the fire of +grape, the 78th. succeeded in clearing the guns in the rear. The enemy’s +light troops, that had been out, now came on the ground, and were +ordered to be attacked by the Mysore Horse, which they did not wait for, +and the firing entirely ceased. About half-past four o’clock the enemy +had set fire to all their tumbrils, which blew up in succession, many of +them some time later; and the corps which had retired in such good order +appear soon to have lost it, for they threw their guns into the river, +four of which were afterwards found, exclusive of ninety-eight left on +the field of battle. + +Thus terminated the battle of Assaye, a general’s battle, due even more +to the ability of the commander, than to the valour of his men; the +first victory gained by the Iron Duke in which he commanded in chief, +and one of the most decisive as well as one of the most desperate ever +fought in India. The leader of the English was foremost in the fight, +led two charges in person, and had two horses shot under him; of the two +Rajahs that headed the enemy, one fled at the first onset, and the other +followed the example, on witnessing the defeat of his cavalry. The +British loss was very great; of Europeans, killed and wounded, including +artillery and officers, there were upwards of six hundred, and the +natives were estimated at about nine hundred. “ASSAYE” is borne on the +colours of the 74th. and 78th. regiments.[13] + +At sunset the British collected about the village of Assaye, and lay on +their arms all night, except the cavalry, which, after resting some +hours, were sent back to assist in escorting the baggage; and about ten +in the morning of the 24th. the troops were encamped on the left bank of +the Kaitna, on the ground the column had moved over previous to crossing +the ford into the field of battle. That evening at sunset the cavalry +and one battalion of Native Infantry of Colonel Stevenson’s division +arrived, and the next morning (25th.) the remainder of his force, which +a day or two afterwards were ordered to follow the enemy into Candeish, +and to possess themselves of the city of Berhampore and the hill fort of +Asseer Ghur. + + + + + SIEGE OF ASSEER GHUR. + 21ST. OCTOBER, 1803. + + +Colonel Stevenson obtained possession of the city of Berhampore without +opposition on the 15th. of October, 1803, and two days afterwards +marched to Asseer Ghur, a strong fort in that vicinity. Having carried +the pettah on the 18th., he opened a battery against the fort on the +20th.; about an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted, which was the +signal that had been agreed upon in case the terms of surrender, offered +two days previously, should be accepted; hostages were sent down, and it +was arranged that this important fortress should be delivered over on +the following morning. This was the last of the possessions of Dowlut +Rao Scindiah in the Deccan, and the operations of the troops were +subsequently directed towards those of the Rajah of Berar. The +casualties were trifling, and were confined to the native troops. + + + + + BATTLE OF LASWARREE. + 1ST. NOVEMBER, 1803. + + +On the 27th. of October, the British advanced against a division of the +enemy, formed of two battalions which had escaped from the wreck at +Delhi, and fifteen, which had been detached from the main army of +Scindiah to support General Perron in the early part of the campaign. +These troops amounting to nine thousand infantry and four thousand +cavalry, and provided with a train of seventy-two pieces of cannon, had +been directed to recover possession of Delhi. After great exertions the +British cavalry came up with them about seven o’clock in the morning of +the 1st. of November; they were discovered in an excellent position; +their right resting on a rivulet, their left on the village of +Laswarree, or Leswarree, and their whole front amply furnished with a +powerful artillery. Being anxious to prevent their escape, General Lake +immediately attacked them with the cavalry alone. The first brigade, +under Colonel Thomas Pakenham Vandeleur,[14] of the 8th. Dragoons, who +fell mortally wounded, charged their lines, and dashed into the village; +but finding that their attacks on the masses of infantry could make no +sensible impression, the cavalry were withdrawn out of the range of the +destructive fire of artillery which it had encountered, in order to wait +the arrival of the infantry and artillery. About eleven o’clock in the +forenoon, the Anglo-Indian infantry arrived, but after so long a march, +it was absolutely necessary to allow the men to refresh themselves, and +during this interval Scindiah’s forces offered to surrender their guns +if certain terms were conceded. + +After a fruitless negotiation, the infantry, which had been formed in +two columns, were ordered to advance to the attack. The first of these +headed by the 76th. regiment, under Major Macleod, was to turn the +enemy’s right, which since the morning had been thrown back from the +rivulet, and to attack the village of Mohaulpoor, situated between his +two lines; while the second and a brigade of cavalry were to support +them in the execution of this movement. Having encountered several +impediments, the rear divisions were so retarded in their march, that a +considerable interval was occasioned between them and the 76th., which +had arrived within a hundred yards of the foe. In this situation the +regiment was exposed to such a dreadful fire, and was losing so many +men, that the Commander-in-Chief placing himself at its head, led it +forward to the attack, supported by only one battalion and six companies +of Sepoys, namely, the second battalion of the 12th., and six companies +of the second battalion of the 16th. Bengal Native Infantry. + +“As soon as this handful of heroes,” wrote General Lake, “were arrived +within reach of the enemy’s canister shot, a most tremendous fire was +opened upon them.” Their loss was so severe, that the enemy’s cavalry +advanced to the charge, but were gallantly repulsed by this steady and +invincible band. Rallying, however, at a short distance, they assumed so +menacing a posture, that the General directed an attack by the British +cavalry. In superintending the attack, the horse of the General was shot +under him, and his son who had dismounted and offered his father his +horse, was severely wounded. The cavalry charged with admirable +intrepidity, while the infantry fell upon the Mahratta line, which at +length gave way, though disputing every inch of ground, and fighting +till it was driven from every position and had lost every gun. By four +o’clock in the afternoon the work of destruction had ceased. + +The loss of the enemy was most severe; his numerous French-officered +battalions of infantry—the boasted “Deccan Invincibles”—were +annihilated; his cavalry dispersed; and the baggage and camp equipage, +elephants, camels, and bullocks, with forty-four stand of colours, +seventy-two guns, sixty-four tumbrils of ammunition, three laden with +treasure, and two thousand prisoners, remained in the hands of the +victors; five thousand stand of arms were collected in the field. + +By this victory, which was mainly gained by the gallantry of the 76th., +that regiment acquired great honour, and its “heroic bravery” was borne +testimony to in the official despatches. During this campaign the +regiment acquired a gurrah, or Indian gong of great value, which was +afterwards carried about by the corps; being usually planted opposite +the guard room, and a sergeant regularly striking the hours on it. + +This decisive action terminated the campaign of 1803 and the war with +Scindiah, a treaty of peace highly advantageous to the East India +Company being concluded on the 30th. of December. + +“HINDOOSTAN” inscribed around the elephant on the colours of the 76th., +keeps in remembrance the services of the regiment in the East at this +period. “LESWARREE” was, however, authorized for the guidons and +appointments of the 8th. Hussars, which is the only corps that bears the +word. General Lake gained a peerage, being created Baron Lake of Delhi, +Leswarree, and Aston Clinton. Several Indian titles were also conferred +upon him, which being translated from the Persian, signified Saviour of +the State, the hero of the land, the lord of the age, and the victorious +in war. + + + + + BATTLE OF ARGAUM. + 29TH NOVEMBER, 1803. + + +A series of active movements in pursuit of the Rajah of Berar were +re-commenced on the 25th. of October, 1803; and on the 29th. of +November, Major-General Wellesley, having been joined by the subsidiary +force under Colonel Stevenson, encountered the united armies of +Scindiah, and the Rajah of Berar, on the plains of Argaum. Although late +in the day, the Major-General resolved to attack; he formed his army in +two lines, the infantry in the first, the cavalry in the second, and +supporting the right; and the Mogul and Mysore cavalry the left, nearly +parallel to that of the enemy, with the right rather advanced, in order +to press upon his left. When formed, the whole advanced in the greatest +order; the 74th. and 78th. Highlanders were attacked by a large body, +supposed to be Persians, who were all destroyed. “These two regiments,” +wrote the British general, “had a particular opportunity of +distinguishing themselves, and have deserved and received my thanks.” +The enemy’s line retired in disorder, leaving thirty-eight pieces of +cannon and all their ammunition; whereupon the British cavalry pursued +them for several miles, destroying great numbers, and capturing several +elephants and camels, with a considerable quantity of baggage. One hour +more of daylight, and not a man would have escaped. + +In the orders thanking the army for its exertions on this day, the 74th. +and 78th. were particularly mentioned; Colonel Harness being very ill, +Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, of the 78th., commanded the right brigade in +the action, and Major Scott being in charge of the pickets as field +officer of the day, the command of the regiment fell to Captain Fraser. +In this battle, as at Assaye, a scarcity of officers occasioned the +colours of the 78th. to be carried by sergeants, and it is somewhat +extraordinary that not a shot penetrated either colour in the two +actions; at the latter it was probably owing to the high wind, in +consequence of which they were carried rolled close round the poles. The +names of the non-commissioned officers who carried them on these +memorable occasions were at Assaye Sergeant Leavock, paymaster’s clerk, +afterwards quarter-master, and Sergeant John McKenzie, senior sergeant, +and immediately afterwards quartermaster-sergeant. At Argaum, Sergeants +Leavock and Grant; the latter was regimental clerk, and was subsequently +promoted to a commission in the 78th. Highlanders. + +The regiments of the crown engaged were the 19th. Light Dragoons, and +the 74th., 78th., and 94th. regiments. + + + + + SIEGE AND STORM OF GAWILGHUR. + 15TH. DECEMBER, 1803. + + +After the victory of Argaum, Major-General Wellesley, resolved to lose +no time in commencing the siege of Gawilghur, a strong fort situated on +a range of mountains between the sources of the rivers Poorna and +Taptee; he accordingly marched on, and arrived with both divisions at +Ellichpoor on the 5th. of December, whence, after establishing an +hospital for the men wounded at Argaum, both divisions advanced upon +Gawilghur, on the 7th. of that month. The heavy ordnance and stores were +dragged by hand over mountains and through ravines, for nearly the whole +distance, by roads which the troops had to make for themselves. The +batteries were opened against the place on the morning of the 13th., and +the breach of the outer fort being reported practicable on the following +night, the storm took place on the 15th. of December. All the troops +advanced about ten in the morning, and an entrance was effected without +difficulty. The wall in the inner fort, in which no breach had been +made, had then to be carried; when Captain Campbell with the light +infantry of the old 94th. escaladed the wall; opened the gates for the +stormers, and the fort was shortly in their possession. This service was +effected with slight loss, but vast numbers of the enemy were killed, +especially at the different gates. The garrison was numerous, comprising +a great portion of the infantry which had escaped after the battle of +Argaum, and were all armed with the Company’s new muskets and bayonets. + +This led to a treaty with the Rajah of Berar on the 17th. of December, +and on the 30th. of the same month, peace was signed with Scindiah. + + + + + DEFENCE OF DELHI. + OCTOBER, 1804. + + +This defence of Delhi by Native troops, under British superintendence, +presents a striking contrast to that made by them during the Indian +Mutiny, against their former instructors in the art of war, and +deservedly met with a different result. + +As General Lord Lake advanced upon Muttra, Holkar secretly despatched +his infantry and artillery for the purpose of surprising Delhi, leaving +his cavalry to engage the attention of the British Commander. From its +great extent and unprotected state, Holkar expected an easy conquest; +his troops arrived before the city on the morning of the 8th. of +October. Colonel Ochterlony, the resident, at once made the most +judicious preparations for its defence; his garrison amounted to nearly +two thousand two hundred men, and consisted entirely of Native troops. +Lieutenant-Colonel Burn, as senior officer, commanded, and the +resident’s time was fully taken up in preserving peace within the city, +with the Mahomedan population of Delhi. Lieutenant Bose, with two +hundred of the 14th. native infantry, one hundred and fifty irregulars, +and a reserve of fifty men and a six-pounder, made a sortie during the +evening of the 10th., and succeeded in storming the enemy’s battery, of +which he gained possession, and having spiked the guns, withdrew, with +trifling loss. At daybreak on the 14th. of October, under cover of a +heavy cannonade, the enemy assaulted the Lahore gate, but were repulsed, +leaving the ladders behind, which were drawn up over the walls by the +Sepoys. After this defeat Holkar’s troops became dispirited, and before +the following morning, his whole force had retired from the place. This +successful defence by so small a force, was highly applauded, and it is +a circumstance worthy of record, that as the men could not be frequently +relieved, the resident caused provisions and sweetmeats, of which the +natives are specially partial, to be distributed to them. + + + + + BATTLE OF DEIG. + 13TH. NOVEMBER, 1804. + + +The British army which had marched from Muttra on the 12th. of October, +arrived at Delhi on the 18th., and encamped under its walls. On the 5th. +of November the main body of the infantry, of which the 76th. was the +only King’s regiment, with some corps of native cavalry, and the park of +artillery, proceeded under the command of Major-General Frazer towards +Deig, on the right bank of the Jumna, where the enemy’s infantry and +guns were assembled. Although numerically the foe was superior, it was +determined to attack him, and about daybreak on the 13th. of November, +the action commenced. Major-General Frazer received a dangerous wound +from a cannon-shot, which carried away his right foot and part of the +leg, and resulted in his death eleven days after; whereupon the +Honourable Colonel Monson assumed the command. According to the most +reliable statements the opposing force consisted of twenty-four +battalions, from five to seven hundred men each, a numerous body of +cavalry, and one hundred and sixty guns. In this battle the 76th. +acquired additional renown; its “undaunted bravery and steadiness” being +specially adverted to in the despatches. About two thousand of the enemy +were killed and drowned in attempting to escape. Eighty-seven pieces of +cannon were captured, including some which Colonel Monson had previously +lost. + + + + + CAPTURE OF DEIG. + 23RD. DECEMBER, 1804. + + +When the troops of Holkar fled before the British in the action of the +13th. of November, the guns of the garrison of Deig, which belonged to +the Rajar of Bhurtpore, were opened upon the pursuers, and the fugitives +were sheltered within the fort. Accordingly an order was issued for the +annexation of all his strongholds and territories, to the dominions of +the Company; and the army encamped within ten miles of the strong +fortress of Deig, on the 3rd. of December. The siege commenced on the +14th. of that month. A fortification had been erected by the foe on an +eminence named Shah Bourj, or King’s redoubt, which commanded the town +and forts; and the besieged had also entrenched themselves in its front, +throwing up batteries in the best situations. The possession of this +eminence being deemed essential, at half-past eleven o’clock in the +night of the 23rd. of December, the flank companies of His Majesty’s +22nd. and 76th. Foot, and those of the 1st. European regiment, and the +first battalion of the 8th. Native Infantry, were ordered to storm it. +In an hour the gallantry of this heroic party had surmounted every +obstacle, and completely succeeded in the enterprise. The two other +columns were equally fortunate, notwithstanding that the enemy’s gunners +offered a strenuous resistance; fighting desperately with their tulwars, +and being mostly bayoneted at their posts. About half-past twelve the +moon arose, and enabled the assailants to secure the guns they had so +nobly captured. An attempt was now organized for the assault of the +citadel, but during the night of the 24th. it was evacuated; and on +Christmas morning the British flag was hoisted on the fortress. +Considering the nature of the operations the loss was small. One hundred +guns, sixteen of which were brass, became the trophies of the victors. +The flank companies of the 22nd., and 76th. Foot, represented the King’s +troops on this service. + + + + + WAR IN NEPAUL, 1816. + + +In consequence of the Rajah of Nepaul having refused to ratify the +treaty which had been signed by his ambassadors, an army was collected +under the command of Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, K.C.B., with a +view to coerce this refractory ruler. There were three King’s regiments +with this force: the 24th. belonging to the first brigade, the 66th. to +the second brigade, and the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers to the third +brigade. The first brigade, commanded by Colonel Kelly, of the 24th., +was to penetrate by Hurryhurpore; the second brigade, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Nicol, of the 66th., was to enter the hills at +Ramnuggur, and by a circuitous route join Sir David Ochterlony before +Muckwanpore. The third brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the +87th., remained with the fourth brigade (native troops), under Sir David +Ochterlony, who marched through the forest at the foot of the Nepaul +Hills on the 9th. of February. Great difficulty was experienced in +carrying the guns through the forest, which was accomplished by the +personal exertions of each individual. + +On the 27th. of February, the advance guard arrived at Muckwanpore, and +on the following day the brigade was ordered to take possession of the +heights of Sierapore; an action ensued, which commenced about noon, and +terminated at six o’clock, leaving the British in possession of the +heights for a considerable distance from Sierapore, and of one +field-piece. + +For this affair, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Miller, of the first +battalion of the 87th., and Lieutenant Fenton, who had performed very +arduous duties, having been placed in charge of the advanced guard, +composed of the light company of his regiment and those of the native +infantry, with two guns, received the public thanks of the authorities +in India. + +Meanwhile Colonel Kelly, with the first brigade, encountered and +defeated the Rajah’s troops on the heights of Hurryhurpore, on the 1st. +of March. + +Convinced of the inutility of further opposition, the Rajah sued for +peace, and a treaty was eventually concluded on the 4th. of March, which +terminated the war in Nepaul. + + BATTLE OF KIRKEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF POONA. + NOVEMBER, 1817. + + +On the 2nd. of November accounts were received of the Peishwah’s renewed +treachery, when the division under Brigadier-General Lionel Smith, C.B., +was instantly put in motion, and on arrival at Ahmednuggur on the 8th., +it was ascertained that the gallantry of the troops at Poona under +Lieutenant-Colonel Burr, of the 7th. Bombay infantry, had successfully +resisted the Peishwah’s attempt to annihilate them, in their position at +Kirkee, on the 5th. of November. After some slight skirmishing on the +road, the force under Brigadier-General Smith (of which the King’s 65th. +regiment formed a portion), joined the Poona brigade at their position +on the 13th. of November, when immediate preparations were made for +attacking the enemy’s camp, which was on the opposite side of the +Moottah Moola. The force moved down before daybreak on the 14th. of +November, but finding the river too deep to cross, it again encamped. +The ford having been more particularly ascertained under some +skirmishing and trifling loss, the left wing under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel Milnes, of the 65th., crossed on the evening of the +16th., in face of the enemy, whose artillery and matchlocks occasioned +considerable loss during the passage and advance to a position on the +right of the Peishwah’s camp. + +During the night the Peishwah abandoned his capital, and moved to the +southward. The inhabitants made their submission, and about noon on the +17th. of November, the British flag was hoisted on his palace, under a +royal salute. + +The 65th. regiment, for the above and subsequent services, has received +authority to bear on its colours and appointments the figure of the +Royal Tiger, with the word India above, and Arabia beneath, also the +84th., this regiment now being linked to the 65th. + + + + + BATTLE OF SEETABULDEE, AND BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF NAGPOOR. + NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1817. + + +Without any previous declaration of hostilities, or the slightest act of +aggression on the part of the Indian government, the Rajah of Berar +attacked the troops at Nagpoor; consisting of two weak battalions of the +Madras Native Infantry, and three troops of cavalry, in the evening of +the 26th. November; and after an action which lasted eighteen hours was +repulsed. Lieutenant-Colonel Scott at the requisition of the Resident +had taken post on the hill of Seetabuldee, overlooking the city of +Nagpoor, when the attack took place, in which the three troops of the +6th. regiment of native cavalry, and the 1st. battalions of the 20th. +and 24th. Madras Native Infantry, were highly distinguished. + +Reinforcements immediately marched on to the seat of war, of which eight +companies of the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Royals, formed part of the +second division, under Brigadier-General Doveton. Upon his arrival the +Rajah was desirous of treating for peace, and agreed to surrender his +guns and disperse his troops; but the treachery he had already evinced +made the Brigadier-General dispose his troops in order of battle, when +he advanced to take possession of the guns. This precaution was not in +vain. No opposition was encountered in obtaining the first battery, but +on the soldiers entering the plantation, a sharp fire of musketry was +treacherously opened upon them. The Rajah had formed an army of +twenty-one thousand men, of which fourteen thousand were horse; the +position being marked by irregularities of the ground, and clusters of +houses and huts, and a thick plantation of trees, with ravines and a +large reservoir. In the action of the 16th. of December, which ensued, +the 2nd. battalion of the 1st. Foot added to the former honours of that +corps. The batteries were carried with great gallantry, the enemy driven +from all his positions and pursued a distance of five miles; his camp +equipage, forty elephants and seventy-five guns being captured. The +battalion had nine men killed and twenty-six wounded. + +After this success the siege of the city of Nagpoor was commenced. The +troops which defended this place, consisting of about five thousand +Arabs and Hindoostanees, insisted upon extraordinary terms, and these +not being acceded to they determined on a desperate defence. On the +23rd. of December a breach was made in one of the gates, when an assault +was resolved upon. At half-past eight o’clock in the morning of the +24th. of December the stormers advanced, but the breach being found +untenable, the troops were withdrawn, although the parties had gained +the desired points. On the following day the Arabs renewed their offer, +and their terms being granted, they marched out of the city on the 1st. +of January, 1818; being permitted to go where they pleased with the +exception of proceeding to Asseerghur. + +“NAGPORE” on the regimental colours of the Royals commemorates the +foregoing services. + + + + + BATTLE OF MAHEIDPORE. + 21ST. DECEMBER, 1817. + + +While the eighth battalion companies of the Royals had been engaged at +Nagpoor, the two flank companies, commanded by Captain Hulme, had shared +in the movements of the first division of the army of the Deccan. On the +8th. of December the troops arrived near Maheidpore, where the army of +Mulhar Rao Holkar, one of the coalesced Mahratta powers against the +British interests in India, was assembled. After various fruitless +negotiations the Anglo-Indian troops advanced against the enemy on the +morning of the 21st. of December, and as they were crossing the ford of +the Soopra river they were exposed to a powerful and concentrated +cannonade. About half a mile beyond the river stood the troops of +Holkar, and after passing the stream Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm +proceeded with two brigades of infantry to attack their left, and a +ruined village situated on an eminence near the centre. They were +completely routed, and in the general orders of Lieutenant-General Sir +Thomas Hislop, Bart., Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Deccan, +dated 22nd. of December, the charge of the squadron of the 22nd. Light +Dragoons, under Captain Vernon, and the intrepid courage and animated +zeal of the flank companies of the Royals under Captain Hulme, were +specially commended. + +In commemoration of the conduct of the flank companies the words +“MAHEIDPORE” was authorized to be inscribed on the regimental colours of +the Royals. + + + + + DEFENCE OF CORYGAUM. + 1ST. JANUARY, 1818. + + +This eminent service was confined to the Company’s troops. The Peishwah +having advanced towards Poonah, Colonel Burr, commanding in that city, +requested a reinforcement from Seroor; accordingly Captain Staunton, of +the second battalion 1st regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, was +despatched with that corps, barely six hundred strong, a few Madras +artillery, with two six-pounders, and about three hundred auxiliary +horse. The Peishwah’s army, estimated at twenty thousand horse and about +eight thousand infantry, were encamped on the right bank of the Beemah, +above the village of Corygaum. Captain Staunton, upon coming in sight of +this overwhelming force, on the 1st. of January, immediately moved upon +Corygaum, and had scarcely succeeded in reaching the village, when he +was attacked by three divisions of infantry, supported by immense bodies +of horse, and two pieces of artillery. The enemy obtained immediate +possession of the strongest posts of the village; and the remaining +position was most obstinately contested from noon until nine at night, +after a fatiguing march of twenty-eight miles. Ultimately the enemy was +forced to abandon the village, after sustaining great loss. During the +night of the 2nd., the detachment returned unmolested to Seroor, which +was reached at nine o’clock on the following morning, without having +partaken of any refreshment since the evening of the 31st. of December. +Nearly all the wounded were brought in, and both the gun and the colours +of the regiment were preserved.[15] + + + + + WAR IN AVA. + 1824 TO 1826. + + +The repeated acts of aggression of the Burmese governors in the country +adjacent to the British territory, at length rendered it necessary to +demand an explanation from the Court of Ava. This terminated by a mutual +declaration of war, and troops were assembled to penetrate the Burmese +empire. His Majesty’s 13th. and 38th. regiments, and two companies of +artillery, and the 40th. Native Infantry, amounting to two thousand one +hundred and seventy-five men, proceeded from Bengal, while His Majesty’s +41st. and 89th. Foot, the Madras European regiment, and the 9th., 12th., +28th., and 30th. Madras Native Infantry, and artillery embarked from +Madras,—making in all eleven thousand four hundred and seventy-five men. +The troops from Bengal embarked in April and May, 1824.[16] To occupy +Rangoon and the country at the mouth of the Irrawaddy was the first +object. Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell with his troops took +possession of Rangoon on the 12th. of May, without the loss of a man; +and Cheduba, on the Arracan coast, was also captured by storm on the +17th. of May, by a detachment under Brigadier-General McCreagh, of the +13th. Light Infantry, three companies of the regiment being employed on +this service. + +Meanwhile the Burmese army continued in great force in the vicinity of +Rangoon, under the fortifications of wood called stockades, and of the +dense jungle which covered the country. In carrying the stockades +without ladders on the 28th. of May, portions of the 13th. and 38th. +regiments were specially noticed. On the 10th. of June, Kemmendine was +assaulted; when about two miles from the town, the head of the column +was stopped by a strong stockade, full of men, against which the +artillery opened fire, and in half an hour a breach was made. The 41st., +and part of the Madras European regiment, stormed the works in front; +and the detachments of the 13th. and 38th. assaulted the rear face, +which was ten feet high. The soldiers being encouraged and animated by +the spirited conduct of Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Sale, who was the +first on the top, climbed the works, one helping another up, and +entering simultaneously with the party by the breach, they bayoneted +every man that opposed them. + +This point being gained, the column advanced about a mile, and at four +o’clock in the afternoon took up a position against the principal +stockade. Batteries were erected during the night, and the artillery +opened a heavy fire at daylight, when the Burmese forsook their works +and fled. + +An attack was made upon the British pickets on the 1st. of July, which +was repulsed. The Burmese position in the rear of the great pagoda was +assaulted on the 5th. of July, and a general attack was made on the 8th. +of that month, one column advancing by land, under Brigadier-General +M‘Bean, while the other column proceeded by water. Major Wahab, with the +Native Infantry, landed and immediately attacked the breach; +Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, of the 41st., entered the work higher +up by escalade; Major Sale encountered the Burmese commander-in-chief in +the works, and slew him in single combat, taking from him a valuable +gold-hilted sword and scabbard. Eight hundred of the enemy were killed +on this occasion, and thirty-eight pieces of artillery, forty swivels, +and three hundred muskets were captured. + +An expedition was sent on the 11th. of October against Martaban, on the +Saluen river, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, of His +Majesty’s 41st. regiment, and the place was captured on the 30th. of +that month. + +Meanwhile the Burmese recovered from the consternation into which they +had been thrown, and a veteran chief, named Maha Bandoola, being +appointed their commander, he approached the British position on the +1st. of December, with upwards of fifty thousand foot, a body of Cassay +horse, and three hundred pieces of artillery, and commenced forming +entrenchments. Major Sale advanced against the left of the Burmese line +with two hundred of the 13th. Light Infantry, under Major Dennie, and +two hundred and fifty of the 18th. Native Infantry, under Captain Ross, +and stormed the entrenchments in sight of the whole army. The soldiers +of the 13th. led the charge with great intrepidity; they burst through +the intrenchments, and overcame all opposition; this example was +followed by the native infantry, when the Burmese fled, and the British +troops returned to their posts laden with trophies. + +This victory was followed by another over the left wing of the Burmese +army, on the 5th. of December. The first advantage was followed up, the +enemy was overthrown, and of the three hundred pieces of ordnance which +they had in position, two hundred and forty were brought into the +British camp.[17] + +On the 7th. of December the trenches were assaulted in four columns of +attack, under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, the +second in command, and led by Lieutenant-Colonels Mallet (both of the +89th.), Parlby, Brodie, and Captain Wilson, of the 38th. regiment. At a +quarter before twelve every gun that would bear upon the breaches opened +fire. Major Sale at the same time made a diversion on the enemy’s left +and rear. At noon the cannonade ceased, and the columns moved forward to +their points of attack, when the total defeat of Bandoolah’s army +ensued, his loss being estimated at five thousand men. + +In an attack on the enemy’s corps of observation, on the Dalla side of +the river, on the 9th. of December, the 89th. regiment highly +distinguished itself. + +Rallying his broken legions, the Burmese commander called reinforcements +to his aid, and took up another position, which he fortified with great +labour and art. These formidable works were attacked on the 15th. of +December, when two hundred of the 13th., under Major Sale, with three +hundred of the 18th. and 34th. Madras Native Infantry, formed the right +column of attack under Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir Willoughby) +Cotton; this made a detour round the enemy’s left to gain the rear of +his position at Kokien, which was to be attacked in front by another +column. Sir Archibald marched with the left column, which consisted of +five hundred Europeans, from the 38th., 41st., 89th., and Madras +European Regiment, with portions of native infantry, to attack the foe +in front. Of this column two divisions were formed, the command of one +being given to Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, of the 89th., and the other to +Major Evans, of the 28th. Madras Native Infantry. On arriving in front +of the position it presented a very formidable appearance; but when the +signal was given, the soldiers rushed forward, and in less than fifteen +minutes they were in full possession of these stupendous works. Major +Sale received a severe wound in the head, and was succeeded by Major +Dennie, who although wounded in the hand, continued at the head of the +13th., regiment until the action was over. The Burmese after a short +resistance, fled in a panic, leaving their camp standing, and abandoning +all their baggage, together with a great portion of their arms and +ammunition. + +These successes, connected with those of the royal navy, had produced +important results; the maritime provinces of Mergui, Tavoy, Yeb, and +Martaban, had been captured, and seven hundred pieces of artillery had +been taken from the Burmese. Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, with a small +detachment, consisting of a portion of the 47th., with some seamen and +marines, carried by storm the factory and stockades of Syriam on the +11th. and 12th. of January, 1825. To wrest additional territory from the +court of Ava, Major Sale proceeded against the city of Bassein, in the +south-west part of the ancient kingdom of Pegu, which constituted part +of the Burmese empire. The troops, after a tedious passage, arrived in +the evening of the 24th. of February, off Pagoda Point, Great Negrais. +On the 26th. the expedition entered the river, and the 13th., 38th., and +the 12th. Native Infantry landed and captured a stockade. The force +afterwards re-embarked, and proceeded to the next stockade, which the +Burmese abandoned as the soldiers went on shore to storm the works; so +great was their consternation, that the City of Bassein was set on fire +and abandoned, the enemy retiring on Donabew. + +Brigadier-General Cotton, in the interim, with a detached force, of +which the 47th. and 89th regiments formed a part, had attacked the +pagoda stockade in advance of Donabew, on the 7th. of March. The troops +were formed in two columns, under Lieutenant-Colonel O’Donaghue, 47th., +and Major Basden, 89th. regiment. All were exposed to a heavy fire, +which was kept up to the last, with greater spirit and perseverance than +was usual. The operations against the second defence, distance about +five hundred yards from the pagoda stockade, were not successful, and +the force was re-embarked on the 18th., after the enemy’s cannon had +been spiked and his arms destroyed. + +Meanwhile, a force of eleven thousand men, under Brigadier-General +Morrison, of the 44th., of which that regiment and the 54th. formed a +portion, had been assembled at Chittagong towards the end of September +of the preceding year, moved forward early in January, in order to +penetrate through Arracan, and across the mountains into Ava, where it +was to effect a junction with the army at Rangoon. The first attack at +Arracan, on the 29th. of March, failed, owing principally to a dense +fog, which prevented the great strength of the position from being +discovered. On the night of the 31st., Brigadier Richards proceeded by a +circuitous route, and gained the summit of the range unperceived; and on +the morning of the 1st. of April the Burmese were attacked in flank, +while the front was assailed by the main body. In a short time the +heights were abandoned, and Arracan was gained. The Burmese army having +retreated to Donabew, two columns were formed to attack it by land and +water, the land column being under the command of Sir A. Campbell, and +the water column under Brigadier-General Cotton. Donabew was strongly +fortified by a stockade extending nearly a mile along the Irrawaddy, +composed of teak beams fifteen to seventeen feet high, driven into the +earth as closely as possible to each other. Behind this wooden wall was +the old brick rampart, and the works were mounted with one hundred and +fifty guns and swivels. The marine attack failed, after carrying the +first stockade, and the flotilla retreated ten miles down the river, +leaving the wounded in the power of the enemy. Next day most of the +killed and wounded that had been left in the stockade, were crucified +and placed on rafts, which were sent down the stream to the boats of +their comrades. + +After a bombardment by the land column, Donabew was taken possession of +by Sir Archibald Campbell on the 2nd. of April; Maha Bandoolah having +been killed by a rocket, the other chiefs could not prevail on the +garrison to remain, and the place was evacuated during the night of the +1st. of April. + +After this success the march was resumed to Prome, where the army +arrived on the 25th. of April, the Burmese having evacuated the town +after setting it on fire, but the decisive measures adopted saved the +place from a general conflagration. + +In consequence of the season of military operations being over, the army +remained inactive at Prome, and in the autumn overtures of peace were +made by the Burmese, but hostilities were resumed in the middle of +November; and the army of Ava, having repulsed the attack of three +bodies of Sepoys, became suddenly elevated with a high idea of its own +power, and advanced to attack the British troops at Prome, which had +been reinforced by the detachments left at Rangoon. + +About sixty thousand Burmese environed six thousand Anglo-Indian troops; +but undismayed by this formidable host, four native regiments were left +for the defence of Prome, and the remainder advanced on the 1st. of +December to attack the enemy’s left wing at Simbike. This post was +gallantly stormed by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton, and the +works were carried in ten minutes. The flank companies of the Royals, +under Captain Thomas John Harvey, with the 41st. and 89th. regiments, +commanded respectively by Major Peter Latouche Chambers, and +Brevet-Major Henry Ross Gore, supported by the 18th. Madras Native +Infantry, and led by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, performed this service. + +After a harassing march of about twenty miles, the troops bivouacked at +Ze-ouke, and at daylight on the morning of the 2nd. of December they +were again in motion, to attack the formidable position occupied by the +enemy’s centre division on the Napadee Hills. Arriving in the vicinity, +the British artillery commenced a sharp cannonade; Brigadier-General +Elrington’s troops drove the enemy from the jungle, and six companies of +the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers carried the posts at the bottom of the +ridge; the Burmese were driven from the valley to their principal works +on the hills, which appeared very formidable, as the heights could only +be ascended by a narrow road, commanded by artillery, and defended by +stockades crowded with men armed with muskets. When the artillery had +made an impression on the works, the 13th. and 38th. regiments, the +latter leading, rushed into them, overthrew all opposition with the +bayonet, and forced the Burmese from hill to hill, over precipices that +could only be ascended by a narrow stair, until the whole of the +position nearly three miles in length, was captured. Scarcely a shot was +fired in return to the enemy’s continued volleys, and the six companies +of the 87th. advancing through the jungle to the right, drove everything +before them on that side. + +On the 5th. of December the enemy’s right wing was driven from its post. +The division employed under Brigadier-General Cotton consisted of two +hundred and fifty of the Royal Regiment, two hundred and seventy of the +41st., two hundred and sixty of the 89th., the light company of the +28th. Madras Native Infantry, and one hundred pioneers. The immense army +of Ava was thus forced from its positions, and the Burmese legions +sought safety in flight. After this success the army continued to +advance; the Burmese evacuated Meeaday, and took post at Melloon, at the +same time they renewed their offers for terminating the war; but this +appeared to be with the view of gaining time to re-organize their forces +for a more determined resistance. + +The conditions of peace not being ratified by the stipulated time, +hostilities were resumed on the 19th. of January, 1826, on which day the +13th. and 38th. regiments embarked in boats under Lieutenant-Colonel +Sale, to assault the main face of the enemy’s fortifications at Melloon. +At the same time Brigadier-General Cotton, with the flank companies of +the 47th. and 87th. regiments, and the 89th., under Lieutenant-Colonel +Hunter Blair, the 41st. regiment and the 18th. Madras Native Infantry, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Godwin, commanding the first brigade of +Madras troops, and the 28th. Madras Native Infantry, with the flank +companies of the 43rd. Madras Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Parlby were to cross above Melloon, and, after carrying some outworks, +were to attack the northern face of the principal work. The whole of the +boats quitted the shore together; but the current and breeze carried the +13th. and 38th. to their point of attack before the other divisions +could reach the opposite bank of the river, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sale +was wounded in his boat; but the two regiments landed, formed under the +command of Major Frith, of the 38th. (who was wounded in the assault), +and rushed forward with such intrepidity that they speedily became +masters of these formidable works. When Brigadier-General Cotton saw +that they were carried, he ordered the brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel +Blair, of the 87th., to cut in upon the enemy’s line of retreat, which +was performed with much effect. + +On the 28th. of January, the 87th., with the flank companies of the +28th. Native Infantry, and detachments of the Governor-General’s +body-guard and artillery, under Brigadier Hunter Blair, were sent from +Tongwyn, to attack the position of Moulmein, eleven miles distant. The +position, being a great annoyance to the surrounding country, was +destroyed, and the troops returned to camp the same evening. + +The army advanced upon the Burmese capital, and the legions of Ava +resolved once more to try the fortune of war. A new army of 40,000 men +was raised, and placed under the command of a noted warrior named Nee +Woon-Breen, which has been translated—“Prince of Darkness,” “King of +Hell,” and “Prince of the Setting Sun.” They met the British in the open +fields near Pagahm Mew, where an action took place on the 9th. of +February. The 13th. Light Infantry led the right attack, supported by +the 38th. and 89th. regiments. That on the left was supported by the +41st. Part of the Burmese troops, broken by the 38th., retired into a +well-constructed field-work, but were so closely pursued that they had +not time to form for its defence: here from three to four hundred of +them perished either by the bayonet or plunging into the river to +escape. The result was another defeat to the enemy. The “Prince of +Darkness” fled to Ava, where he was put to a cruel death by the order of +the King. + +After this victory the army continued its advance upon Ummerapoora, the +capital, situated upon the shores of a beautiful lake; and when within +four days’ march of that city the king of Ava sent the ratified treaty, +paying the expenses of the war, and relinquishing a considerable portion +of territory. The treaty of peace was finally signed at Gandaboo, +February 24th., 1826. The King of Ava renounced all claim on Assam, +ceded to the East India Company Arracan, and four other provinces with +their islands and dependencies, and agreed to pay a crore of rupees as a +war indemnity; free trade also to be allowed to British subjects in all +parts of his dominions. In one of the conferences the negotiators had +objected to the payment of money, and stated, that by using great +economy, they might furnish a million baskets of rice within a year, but +they did not grow rupees; and if the British had any objection to the +rice, there was abundance of fine trees in the forest, which they might +cut down and take away in lieu of the money. + +On the conclusion of this campaign, the following statement appeared in +general orders:—“While the Governor-General in Council enumerates, with +sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the 13th., 38th., 41st., 89th., +47th., 1st. (or Royals), 87th, and 45th. regiments, the Honorable +Company’s Madras European regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European +artillery, as the European troops who have had the honour of +establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region, +His Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise +cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous +hosts whom they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed +the virtues, and sustained the character, of the British Soldier.”[18] + + + + + SIEGE AND STORM OF BHURTPORE. + JANUARY, 1826. + + +Baldeo Singh, Rajah of Bhurtpore, had become attached to the British +government, with which he formed an alliance offensive and defensive, +and procured a guarantee for the succession of his youthful son, +Bhulwunt Singh to the throne, from Sir David Ochterlony, then Commander +of the forces and Political Resident at Delhi, who acknowledged the +boy’s right, and pledged his word to support him. But among many of the +Rajah’s subjects a strong feeling of hostility to the British existed, +particularly in the army, and his nephew, Doorjun Sal, headed a party +opposed to the alliance. After the Rajah’s decease his nephew gained +possession of the capital, seized the young prince, and assumed the +sovereign power. Sir David Ochterlony assembled a force (of which the +59th. formed part) and marched on Bhurtpore; but the government having +disapproved of the measures taken, the troops returned to Cawnpore. Sir +David in consequence resigned, and died at Meerut in July, 1825, his +decease being, it is considered, hastened by this event. + +It was, however, afterwards determined to carry into effect the +engagements entered into with the late Rajah, by placing his son on the +throne. An army was assembled under General Lord Combermere, the +Commander-in-Chief in India, and the siege of the capital, the fortified +city of Bhurtpore, was determined upon. Great confidence was placed by +the natives in the strength of this place, the fort being upwards of +five miles in circumference, and having in 1805, withstood four attacks +of Lord Lake’s army, wherein were five king’s regiments, which had been +repulsed with great loss. + +On the 10th. and 11th. of December, 1825, the British appeared before +this celebrated city and fortress. The army amounted to twenty-five +thousand three hundred men, of which His Majesty’s 11th. and 16th. Light +Dragoons, and the 14th. and 59th. regiments formed part, the remainder +being made up of Native corps. The garrison was nearly equal in numbers +to the besieging force. The Bhurtporees had cut a sluice into the +embankment of a lake near the town, to fill the ditch round the woods +with water, but they were speedily driven from the spot; the sluice was +stopped, and the embankment was turned into a military post, which was +entrusted to a company of the 14th. Foot and some sepoys. About eighteen +inches of water only had flowed into the ditch, and this sudden seizure +of the embankment facilitated the progress of the siege by keeping the +ditch nearly empty, and thus prevented the enemy from filling it with +water, as was done in Lord Lake’s time. The several corps took up their +ground, and the investment became complete, orange and date trees from +the groves being converted into fascines and gabions. + +At an early hour on the morning of the 24th of December, the fires of +two batteries were opened on the town; additional works were +constructed, the batteries became more numerous, and the siege was +prosecuted with vigour. It was, however, found extremely difficult to +effect practicable breaches in the peculiarly-constructed walls of +Bhurtpore, as they were in many places thickly studded with large trees +of a very tough description of timber, which offered a remarkable +resistance to shot. The process of mining was adopted; several +explosions took place, and the result soon rendered it evident that the +horrors of an assault was drawing near. Great bravery and perseverance +was evinced by the garrison; they exposed themselves resolutely to the +fire of besiegers, and built up in the night the works which were +knocked down during the day, labouring under a ceaseless fire, and +evincing a firm determination to persevere in the defence. + +Considerable progress having been made towards effecting practicable +breaches, it was determined to attempt the storming of the place on the +morning of the 18th. of January, 1826, the explosion of the mine under +the north-east angle being the signal for the assault. The 14th. and +59th. regiments headed the two attacks, and they were directed to wheel +as soon as they entered the breaches, one to the right and the other to +the left, and, continuing their career round the ramparts, to drive the +enemy before them till they met. Some delay occurred in the mine, and +the soldiers stood seven hours anxiously waiting for the moment to +commence the assault, during which time the thunder of the artillery was +tremendous. The mine having exploded in an unexpected direction, several +men of the 14th., at the head of the column of attack, were killed, and +Brigadier-General John M‘Combe, (of that regiment,) and other officers +received severe contusions. + +As soon as the tremendous crash was over the troops rushed through the +cloud of smoke and dust, and commenced ascending the breach, and, the +summit, after some opposition, was gained. Here a short pause ensued +from the native corps appointed to support not being near, when the +enemy opened a heavy fire from the buildings near the breach, and sprang +a mine, which killed several of the soldiers. The Bhurtpore artillerymen +fought with great desperation, and the defenders of the walls exhibited +much bravery; but in two hours the whole rampart surrounding the town, +together with the command of the gates, were in possession of the +British. The citadel surrendered about four o’clock, and the 14th., (at +the head of which the Commander-in-Chief entered it,) was placed there +in garrison, as a compliment to the gallantry of the corps. + +General Viscount Combermere, G.C.B., in his despatch stated, “I must +particularly remark the behaviour of His Majesty’s 14th. regiment, +commanded by Major Everard, and the 59th., commanded by Major Fuller; +these corps, having led the columns of assault, by their steadiness and +determination decided the events of the day.” His lordship also +specially adverted to the services rendered by Brigadier, now General +Sir James Wallace Sleige, K.C.B., commanding the cavalry; the general +good and active conduct of the cavalry, and the spirited manner in which +they volunteered their services when it was anticipated (before the +arrival of the 1st. European regiment) to employ them in the storm were +also mentioned.[19] + +Thus was accomplished the capture of this city, regarded throughout the +East as impregnable, the natives being accustomed to remark that India +was not subdued because Bhurtpore had not fallen. The usurper Doorjun +Sal was captured while attempting to escape, and the young Rajah was +placed on the throne. The 14th. had Brigadier-General Edwards and +Captain Armstrong killed, and the 59th. lost Captain Pitman, and had +Major Fuller and other officers wounded. + +The state of the Burmese war at this period rendered it of the highest +importance that Bhurtpore should be captured, as a failure in that +object would have paralyzed British domination in the East.[20] + +“BHURTPORE” was authorised by the Sovereign to be borne on the standards +and colours of the 11th. and 16th. Light Dragoons, and the 14th. and +59th. regiments. + +Lord Combermere, whose earliest services had been connected with the +siege of Seringapatam, in 1799, and who had commanded the British +cavalry during the Peninsula war, under Wellington, was made a Viscount +for this capture. + + + + + THE INDIAN WAR MEDAL, 1799–1826. + + +This medal, the design of which is extremely chaste and beautiful, has +on the obverse the Queen’s head, with the inscription VICTORIA REGINA, +similar to the Crimean and other medals. The artist, the late William +Wyon, Esq., R.A., was the chief engraver to the Royal Mint until his +decease in 1851. On the reverse of the medal is a figure of Victory +seated, holding in her right hand a laurel branch, in her left, a +victor’s laurel-wreath. A lotus flower, emblematic of India, is by her +side, a trophy of Oriental arms and a palm-tree in the background. Above +are the words, “To the army of India”: in the exergue, “1799–1826.” The +various services are commemorated by clasps, and the medal is worn with +a pale blue ribbon. + +The glorious achievements of the army of India, from the decisive +victory of Assaye to the capture of Bhurtpore, were not commemorated by +a medal till the year 1851, and the few survivors who took part in the +first-named battle did not receive the decoration until _forty-eight_ +years after the event. + + + + + THE PENINSULA WAR MEDAL. + + +When the distribution of the Waterloo Medal both to officers and men +took place, it was no wonder that the veterans who had fought through +the several actions of the Peninsula war should desire to have a similar +distinction. By a letter from the Duke of Wellington, dated Brussels, +13th. April, 1815, to His Royal Highness Field-Marshal the Duke of Kent, +then Colonel of the Royals, it would appear that there was some general +distinction intended to be conferred on the Peninsula army:—“When your +Royal Highness first communicated to me your desire that the 3rd. +battalion Royals should wear a distinguishing badge for their services +under my command, it was in the contemplation of His Royal Highness the +Commander-in-Chief, that the whole army which served in the Peninsula +and in the South of France should wear one. I have not heard what has +prevented His Royal Highness from carrying that intention into +execution, but I will enquire, and I will recommend that the Royals +shall have one, if it is not intended that one should be given to the +whole army.” This design appears to have been abandoned. + +[Illustration: + + The War Medal. +] + +It has been shewn that during the reign of King Charles the First, and +the period of the Commonwealth, the humblest soldier was eligible for a +medal, and that for Waterloo is the first since that time which has been +conferred by the crown on both officers and soldiers. Major Mackie, in a +poem entitled “Britannia Ingrata,” made a poetical appeal in behalf of +the gallant Peninsula army. There were volumes of correspondence in the +several military journals, in which the grievances of veterans were set +forth; officers who had passed through the fields of Corunna, Talavera, +Busaco, Salamanca,[21] and other sanguinary actions, felt they deserved +the red and blue-edged ribbon as well as the more fortunate Waterloo +man. Even the badge of merit was defined, some thinking that it should +be a cross formed of the metal of guns taken during the war. + +The hardship continued for years, and there is no doubt that the Duke of +Richmond in his place in Parliament, aided by public opinion, was mainly +instrumental in obtaining the desired honour. So sensible were the war +officers of his exertions in their cause, that a testimonial was +subscribed for and presented to His Grace at a grand dinner at Willis’s +Rooms, on Saturday, the 21st. of June, 1851. It was a most interesting +gathering, and many of the Peninsula veterans were present. The +testimonial was in solid silver, the value of the plate being about +fifteen hundred guineas. The inscription was as follows: “Presented on +June 21st., 1851, 38th. Anniversary of the Battle of Vittoria, to His +Grace the Duke of Richmond, Lennox, and Aubigny, K.G., by the Recipients +of the War Medal, in grateful remembrance of his long and unwearied +exertion in their behalf, as a token of the Admiration, Respect, and +Esteem, from his humbler brethren in Arms, who successfully aided in +defending their Island Home throughout a long and sanguinary war, in +which they gained a series of resplendent victories, that led to the +capture of Madrid, Paris, Washington, and finally to an honourable and +lasting peace.” + +Queen Victoria fully repaired the omission of her predecessors, by +conferring the boon so long and anxiously coveted, and on the 1st. of +June, 1847 (the anniversary of a glorious naval victory), the following +general order was issued, which, it is almost superfluous to add, was +read with delight by the surviving Peninsula veterans. + + “Horse Guards, 1st. June, 1847. + + “Her Majesty having been graciously pleased to command that a Medal + should be struck to record the Services of Her Fleets and Armies + during the Wars commencing in 1793, and ending in 1814, and that one + should be conferred upon every Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, and + Soldier of the Army, who was present in any Battle or Siege, to + commemorate which, Medals had been struck by command of Her Majesty’s + Royal Predecessors, and had been distributed to the General or + Superior Officers of the several Armies and Corps of Troops engaged, + in conformity with the Regulations of the Service at that time in + force;—General and other Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and + Soldiers, who consider that they have claims to receive this mark of + their Sovereign’s gracious recollection of their Services, and of her + desire to record the same, are each to apply to the Secretary of the + Board of General Officers, Whitehall, London, and to send in writing + to the same Officer, a statement of his claim, for what Action, at + what period of time, and the Names of the Persons, or the titles of + the Documents by which the Claim can be proved. + + “These Claims are to be sent, by General Officers having such Claims, + through the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army:— + + “The Staff Officers having such Claims, through the General Officers + under whom they served, if alive;—if not alive, through the + Adjutant-General of the Army:— + + “Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers of Regiments, + Battalions, and Detachments, through the Commanding Officer of the + Regiment, Battalion, or Detachment, at the time, if still alive.[22] + This will be known by enquiry at the Agents of the Regiments resident + in London. If such Commanding Officer should not be alive, the + Application, in writing, must be sent through the Adjutant-General of + the Army. + + “The Board of General Officers is hereby, by Her Majesty’s Command, + directed to take into consideration,—to investigate the facts stated + in each of these several applications,—and to report to the + Commander-in-Chief upon the same, for the information of Her Majesty, + and to enable those commanded by Her Majesty to deliver to the + Claimants the Medals accordingly. + + “The Adjutant-General, and the Military Secretary of the + Commander-in-Chief will transmit to the Secretary of the Board of + General Officers, such information as they may have been able to + acquire, to assist in the investigations which the Board will have to + make. + + “The Commander-in-Chief has been required to desire, that the Board of + General Officers will have Alphabetical Lists made out of the names of + the Claimants to one of these Medals, with his Rank, and the name of + the particular Battle or Siege for which he claims to receive the same + inserted in the Margin,—and at which the Board of General Officers may + consider that he was present. + + “The occasions for which Medals have been granted by the Sovereign are + specified in the annexed page for general information and guidance, as + at page 73 of the Annual Army List. + + “By Command of Field-Marshal, + THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON, Commander-in-Chief, + JOHN MACDONALD, Adjutant-General.” + +“Honorary Distinctions have been granted to Officers in Commemoration of +their Services in the following Battles or Actions:—Maida, July 4th., +1806; Roleia, August 17th., 1808; Vimiera, August 21st., 1808; Sahagun, +Benevente, etc., December, 1808, and January, 1809; Corunna, January +16th., 1809; Martinique, February, 1809; Talavera, July 27th. and 28th., +1809; Guadaloupe, January and February, 1810; Busaco, September 27th., +1810; Barrosa, March 5th., 1811; Fuentes d’Onor, May 5th., 1811; +Albuhera, May 16th., 1811; Java, August and September, 1811; Cindad +Rodrigo, January, 1812; Badajoz, March 17th. and April 6th., 1812; +Salamanca, July 22nd., 1812; Fort Detroit, America, August, 1812; +Vittoria, June 21st., 1813; Pyrenees, July 28th. to August 2nd., 1813; +St. Sebastian, August and September, 1813; Chateauguay, America, October +26th., 1813; Nivelle, November 10th., 1813; Chrystler’s Farm, America, +November 11th., 1813; Nive, December 9th. to 13th., 1813; Orthes, +February 27th., 1814; Toulouse, April 10th., 1814.” + +A similar order was issued regarding naval services, these commenced +with Lord Howe’s action on the 1st. of June, 1794, but the earliest +military service thus decorated was the campaign in Egypt, 1801, a +general order, dated the 12th. of February, 1850, being issued, by which +the war medal was to be conferred on the surviving Egyptian veterans; +and if they had already received it, an additional bar, bearing the word +“EGYPT,” was to be granted. + +The MEDAL has on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the date 1848; +and on the reverse Her Majesty, as the representative of the country or +people, is in the act of crowning with a laurel wreath the Duke of +Wellington, in a kneeling attitude, as emblematic of the army. In the +exergue is engraved 1793–1814, (the former date only applying to the +navy,) and by the side of the dais is the British lion. The inscription +is “TO THE BRITISH ARMY.” In the illustration only a few of the bars are +given, but all the services enumerated in the foregoing list were of +course commemorated by their names being placed on the bars. Fifteen is +the greatest number of bars known to have been worn by any recipient of +the medal. The rank and names of recipients were engraved round the edge +of the medal. The ribbon is red, with blue edges.[23] + +The first service then, in the order of date, is + + + + + THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN, 1801. + + +In the year 1800, a French army, which had been designated the “Army of +the East,” held Egypt in subjection, and the British government +anticipating that India was the meditated scene of conquest, determined +to employ the disposable force of the kingdom in relieving Egypt from +her invaders. After experiencing much severe weather at sea, the fleet +arrived at Malta, where the troops landed, and the abundance of fresh +provisions afforded by the inhabitants was most welcome. Leaving that +island on the 20th. of December, 1800, the armament sailed to Marmorice, +in Asiatic Turkey, where the fleet anchored in a spacious bay environed +by mountains, whilst gunboats were being procured for the expedition, +horses for the cavalry, and a plan of co-operation was in course of +arrangement with the Turks. + +This force was under the command of the veteran General Sir Ralph +Abercromby, K.B., and about six thousand men from India and the Cape of +Good Hope, under Major-General Baird, so celebrated for his conduct at +Seringapatam, were appointed to co-operate. + +At this period the British forces were brigaded as follows:—Guards, +Major-General the Honourable George J. Ludlow, First Royals, 54th., two +battalions, and 92nd, Major-General (afterwards Sir Eyre) Coote; 8th., +13th., 18th., and 90th., Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Cradock; +2nd., 50th., and 79th., Major-General Lord Cavan; 30th., 44th., and +89th., Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir John) Doyle; Minorca, De +Rolle’s, and Dillon’s regiments (since disbanded,) Major-General John +Stuart, (afterwards Count of Maida.) The reserve consisted of +detachments of 11th. and Hompesch’s dragoons, 40th., flank companies, +23rd., 28th., 42nd., 58th., and Corsican Rangers, (since disbanded,) +Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore; 12th. and 26th. dragoons, +Major-General the Honourable Edward Finch; artillery and pioneers, +Brigadier-General Lawson. + +After some delay at Marmorice, in expectation of receiving +reinforcements of Greeks and Turks, the expedition proceeded to its +destination, and on the 2nd of March, 1801, anchored in the Bay of +Aboukir, eastward of Alexandria, when, notwithstanding all the exertions +of the navy, under the orders of Admiral Lord Keith, the necessary +arrangements for landing the troops could not be effected until a week +afterwards, owing to unfavourable weather, and other obstructions. A +landing was however effected on the 8th. of March. + +The troops forming the first division, consisting of the reserve, under +the command of Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore; the brigade of +Guards, under the Honourable Major-General Ludlow; and a portion of the +first brigade, under Major-General Coote, got into the boats early in +the morning; they had generally about six miles to row, and did not +reach the point of landing until ten o’clock. The front of +disembarkation was narrow, and a hill, which commanded the whole, seemed +almost inaccessible. Notwithstanding their being exposed to a very +severe cannonade, and under the fire of grape shot, the troops made good +their landing, ascended the hill, and forced the enemy to retire, +leaving behind him seven pieces of artillery, together with a number of +horses. The troops that ascended the hill in the face of dangers and +difficulties sufficient to intimidate ordinary men, consisted of the +23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and the four flank companies of the 40th. +regiment, under the command of Colonel Spencer, whose conduct was +specially commended in the despatches; in which also the good order of +the disembarkation of the 28th. and 42nd. regiments, under the command +of Brigadier-General Oakes was particularly noticed. Whilst these +regiments formed and mounted the position, the Foot Guards and 58th. +regiment prolonged the attack, the Royals and the 54th. pushing forward +to sustain their gallant comrades. A column of French infantry advancing +through a hollow way with fixed bayonets against the left flank of the +Foot Guards, encountered the two latter regiments; the British advanced, +when their opponents hesitated, fired a volley, and then retreated. The +disembarkation of the army continued on the 8th. and the day +following.[24] + +The troops which landed on the 8th., advanced three miles the same day, +and on the 12th., the army moved forward, and came in sight of the +enemy, who was strongly posted with his right to the canal of +Alexandria, and his left towards the sea. + +About six o’clock in the morning of the 13th. of March, the British +advanced to attack the enemy’s position in front of Mandora. The leading +brigades were commanded by Major-Generals Cradock and the Earl of Cavan. +The 90th. formed the advanced guard of the front line, and the 92nd. +that of the second; both battalions suffered severely, and were highly +distinguished. These two regiments bear the word “MANDORA” on their +colours. The French having opened a most destructive fire from their +artillery, enfiladed the column to its whole depth, and orders were +consequently given to deploy into line. This was considered a favourable +moment, and the enemy immediately advanced to the attack. Major-General +Cradock formed his brigade under a heavy fire, and the gallant conduct +of the regiments, (the 8th., 13th., 18th., and 90th. infantry,) was +equal to the emergency. In this action Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards +Viscount) Hill commanded the 90th., and exhibited that coolness and +conspicuous bravery so frequently displayed during the Peninsula +campaigns. The remainder of the army were immediately in a situation not +only to face but to repel the enemy. The reserve, under Major-General +Moore, which was on the right, on the change of the position of the +army, moved on in column, and covered the right flank. The French were +driven from their position, and were compelled to retreat over the +plains into the lines on the heights before Alexandria. + +In the general orders issued on the following day, it was stated, that +“The Commander-in-Chief has the greatest satisfaction in thanking the +troops for their soldier-like and intrepid conduct in the action of +yesterday; he feels it incumbent on him particularly to express his most +perfect satisfaction with the steady and gallant conduct of +Major-General Cradock’s brigade.” + +Having gained a second victory on the shores of Egypt, the army took up +a position about four miles from Alexandria, having a sandy plain in +front, the sea on the right, and the canal of Alexandria and the lake of +Aboukir on the left. The reserve, was posted under Major-General Moore, +on very high ground, projecting a quarter of a mile on the right, and +extending to the large and magnificent ruins of a palace, built in the +time of the Romans, within fifty yards of the sea. This high ground of +sand-hills and old ruins, was about three hundred yards broad; it sloped +gradually down into a valley, which lay between it and the other parts +of the position. The 58th. regiment occupied the ruins, and the 28th. a +redoubt near them; the 23rd. and 42nd., with the flank companies of the +40th., and the Corsican Rangers, were placed a short distance behind the +ruins and the redoubt; the other corps of the army extending to the +canal. The French occupied a parallel position on a high and almost +perpendicular ridge of hills; in the centre of their line appeared Fort +Crétin—in the left of its rear Fort Caffarelli,—Pompey’s Pillar on its +right,—Cleopatra’s Needle on the left, and the city of Alexandria +extending to the sea, with the masts of the shipping in the harbour at +the back of the town. The whole presented a most interesting appearance; +objects celebrated in history, even some of the wonders of the world, +could be distinctly seen, and the ruins under the soldier’s feet were of +interesting antiquity. + +For seven days the army occupied this position without interruption; the +soldiers being under arms every morning at three o’clock, and working +parties being afterwards employed in strengthening the post. + + + + + BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA. + 21ST. MARCH, 1801. + + +The French army having been augmented by the arrival of additional +troops from the interior, General Menou advanced early on the morning of +the celebrated 21st. of March, and attacked the British position with +great intrepidity. The action commenced about an hour before daylight by +a false attack on the British left, consisting of the 8th., 13th., +18th., and 90th. regiments, which was under Major-General Cradock’s +command, where they were soon repulsed. The most vigorous efforts of the +enemy were directed against the right, which they endeavoured to turn. +The attack on that point was commenced with great impetuosity by the +French infantry, sustained by a strong body of cavalry, who charged in +column. They were received with equal ardour, and with the utmost +steadiness and discipline. The contest was unusually obstinate; the +enemy was twice repulsed, and his cavalry became repeatedly mixed with +the British infantry. At length they retired, leaving an immense number +of killed and wounded on the field. In these attacks the 28th. and 42nd. +regiments gained great renown; the former had been ordered into the +redoubt on the left of the ruins of the palace of the Ptolemies,—the +left wing of the 42nd. advanced under Major Stirling, and took post on +the open ground quitted by the 28th., and the right wing of the regiment +under Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, formed two hundred yards in the rear +of the left wing. In an instant the ruins, redoubt, and left wing were +attacked by the enemy with great impetuosity; but the steady and +well-directed fire of the British regiments forced their assailants to +retire. + +While the front was thus engaged, a column of the famed “Invincible +Legion” advanced, preceded by a six-pounder gun, silently along the +interval between the left of the 42nd. and the right of the Foot Guards, +from which the cavalry picket had retired, and calculating its distance +correctly, although in the dark, it wheeled to its left, and penetrated +unobserved between the wings of the 42nd. regiment drawn up in parallel +lines. The instant this column was seen, the right wing of that regiment +attacked its front with great gallantry, and captured the gun,—the rear +rank of the left wing faced about attacked to its rear, and the French +being thus placed between two fires, rushed towards the ruins of the +ancient palace,—receiving the fire of the 28th. as they passed the +redoubt, of the grenadiers and light infantry of the 40th. as they +passed the ground occupied by these companies, and being pursued in full +career by the 42nd. As the French entered the ruins, two companies of +the 58th. wheeled back, and after firing a few rounds of musketry, +charged with the bayonet. Being thus attacked in front and on the +flanks, and pursued by the Highlanders, who closed with bayonets on the +rear, the “Invincible Legion” resisted until six hundred and fifty of +their number had fallen, when the survivors, about two hundred and fifty +in number, threw down their arms and surrendered, delivering up their +standard to Major Stirling, of the 42nd., who gave it in charge of a +sergeant, with directions to remain close to the gun which the regiment +had taken from the enemy.[25] + +This column of the enemy being thus disposed of, the 42nd. instantly +issued from among the ruins, and formed line in battalion on the flat, +with their right supported by the redoubt; but at that moment the French +infantry pressed forward so rapidly, that Major-General Moore ordered +the regiment forward before its formation was completed, when Sir Ralph +Abercromby, who was on the spot, encouraging the troops, called out “My +brave Highlanders, remember your country, remember your forefathers!” +and the regiment rushed forward with heroic ardour, drove back the +French, and pursued them along the sandy plain. Major-General Moore, who +had the advantage of a keen penetrating eye, saw through the increasing +clearness of the atmosphere, fresh columns of the enemy, with three +squadrons of cavalry, prepared to charge through the intervals of the +retreating infantry, and instantly calling to the 42nd. to cease +pursuing, directed them to resume their former ground to resist the +charge of cavalry. This order to fall back to the redoubt was repeated +by Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, but it was only partially heard by the +regiment, owing to the noise from the firing; the companies which heard +it fell back, and the others remained in advance. While in this broken +state, the regiment was charged by the French horsemen, who dashed +forward with great audacity, as to an assured victory; but the gallant +Highlanders stood firm, and their fire thinned the enemy’s ranks in the +advance. All the companies which were formed repulsed the dragoons with +loss; the other companies were broken, yet the Highlanders individually, +or in small groups, maintained a fierce contest with the dragoons, and a +number of single combats took place, in which great courage and activity +were displayed. The French dragoons which had penetrated the broken +companies, or passed through the intervals, turned to their left towards +the ruins of the old Roman palace, as the column of infantry had done +early in the morning, and were nearly annihilated by the fire of the +28th. regiment. + +During this fierce contest the British troops had expended their +ammunition, and while a supply was being procured from the ordnance +stores at a distance, their fire ceased; that of the enemy, however, was +continued with great execution, and put to a severe test the patient +endurance of the troops, who suffered severely. When a supply of +ammunition arrived, the enemy retreated, and the action terminated. + +One stand of colours and two field pieces were taken. + +Sir Ralph Abercromby received a mortal wound at the commencement of the +action, but which he concealed until the battle was decided. This +gallant general died on the 28th. of March, and was buried at Malta. He +was succeeded in the command of the army by Lieutenant-General +(afterwards Lord) Hutchinson. In that officer’s despatch, the conduct of +the reserve, under Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore against +whom the principal attack was directed, was highly noticed; +Major-General Moore and Brigadier-General Oakes, both wounded nearly at +the same time, were specially mentioned; and the 28th. and 42nd. +regiments[26] were reported as having acted “in the most distinguished +and brilliant manner.” + +After this victory one division traversed the country to Rosetta, and +captured the forts at that place; part of the army then advanced up the +River Nile, and forced the French troops at the city of Cairo to +surrender. Another portion was engaged in the blockade of Alexandria. + +Meanwhile the force under Major-General Baird had sailed from Bombay for +the Red Sea. The original design was to proceed to the port of Suez, but +the monsoon had commenced before the fleet entered the Red Sea, in +April, 1801, when the Major-General determined to land at Cosseir, on +the Red Sea, and brave the difficulties of the desert, in the hope of +affording important aid to the forces which had arrived in Egypt from +Europe. This was the first occasion that British troops had proceeded by +the overland route,[27] which course was again adopted during the +Crimean Campaign, when two regiments of cavalry (10th. and 12th. +Dragoons) proceeded from India to Sebastopol. At this early period the +fourteen-days’ march through the desert was a more serious affair than +in later times. + +On landing, the country presented a frightfully desolate prospect, but +the soldiers commenced their march with alacrity, although suffering +from excessive heat and dysentery, occasioned by bad water. The march +was made during the night. A short distance from Cosseir the troops +entered a ravine, which appeared to be the old bed of a river, along +which they travelled three days, when it terminated at Moilah: thence +the desert had generally a hard gravelly soil, until the troops arrived +at Baromba, where the first habitable spot was met with after leaving +Cosseir, not a single hut being previously seen. There was an almost +irresistible inclination to sleep, and some soldiers straggling from the +line of march that they might lie down, lost their lives. About ten +miles from Baromba was Kenna, which was reached without further +difficulty. + +Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir John Hely Hutchinson, K.B., who +had succeeded to the command upon the death of General Sir Ralph +Abercromby, advanced to Grand Cairo, which capitulated on the 27th. of +June, 1801. General Menou, refusing to accept the capitulation of Cairo, +was closely besieged in Alexandria. The operations against the enemy’s +works commenced on the 17th. of August. Major-General Coote embarked +with a strong body of troops in the night of the 16th. and 17th. of +August, and effected a landing to the westward of Alexandria, and +immediately invested the strong castle of Marabout. + +On the night between the 18th. and 19th., Major-General Coote opened +batteries against the castle of Marabout. This fort, situated on an +island at the entrance to the old harbour of Alexandria, capitulated to +the troops under Major-General Eyre Coote, on the 21st. of August, 1801. +No loss was sustained. A brass gun was captured from the enemy by the +first battalion of the 54th. regiment, which it retained until December, +1841; and on its being placed in the repository established in the Royal +Arsenal at Woolwich, the corps received the royal authority to bear the +word “MARABOUT” on the regimental colours and appointments, in +commemoration of the gallantry evinced by the battalion at the capture +of that fort. No other regiment bears this distinction. + +During the evening of the 27th. of August, General Menou sent an +aide-de-camp to request an armistice for three days, in order to afford +time to prepare a capitulation, which after some difficulties and delays +was signed on the 2nd. of September. It is on record that after the +terms of surrender were concluded, the French General received +Brigadier-General Hope with the natural politeness of his countrymen, +and an invitation was given to dinner, the repast consisting entirely of +horse-flesh. + +This terminated the campaign in Egypt, and the achievements of the +British army were a prelude to future victories. The troops received the +thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and all the regiments received the +royal authority to bear on their colours the word “EGYPT,” with the +_Sphinx_ as a lasting memorial of the glories acquired during this +arduous and important campaign, which had exalted the military fame of +Great Britain, by the expulsion of the “invincible” legions of +Buonaparte from Egypt, whence he had expected to extend his conquests +through Asia. The following were the regiments employed in Egypt in +1801:— + +8th. Light Dragoons, one Troop, Captain Hawkins; 11th. Light Dragoons, +one Troop, Captain A. Money; 12th. Light Dragoons, Colonel Mervyn +Archdall; 22nd. Light Dragoons,[28] Lieutenant-Colonel Honourable +William Lumley; 26th. (afterwards 23rd) Light Dragoons, +Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Gordon; Hompesch’s Hussars, (detachment,) +Major Sir Robert T. Wilson; Coldstream Guards, 1st. Battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Brice; 3rd. Foot Guards, 1st. Battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel T. Hilgrove Turner; Royals, 2nd. Battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Campbell; 2nd. Queen’s Royal, Colonel the Earl +of Dalhousie; 8th. Foot, King’s, Colonel Gordon Drummond; 10th. Foot, +Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Quarrell; 13th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel +Honourable Charles Colville; 18th., Royal Irish, Lieutenant-Colonel +Henry T. Montresor; 20th. Foot, 1st. and 2nd. Battalions, +Lieutenant-Colonel George Smith; 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, +Lieutenant-Colonel John Hall; 24th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel John R. +Forster; 25th. Foot, Colonel William Dyott; 26th. Foot., Colonel Lord +Elphinstone; 27th. Inniskilling, 1st. and 2nd Battalions, +Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Graham; 28th. Foot, Colonel Honourable Edward +Paget; 30th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel William Wilkinson; 40th. Foot, +(Flank Companies,) Colonel Brent Spencer; 42nd. Royal Highland Regiment, +Lieutenant-Colonel William Dickson; 44th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel David +Ogilvie; 50th. Foot, Colonel Patrick Wanchope; 54th. Foot, 1st. and 2nd. +Battalions, Lieutenant-Colonel John Thomas Layard; 58th. Foot, +Lieutenant-Colonel William Houstoun; 61st. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel +Francis Carruthers; 79th. Foot, Colonel Alan Cameron; 80th. Foot. +Lieutenant-Colonel John Montresor; 86th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel James +P. Lloyd; 88th. Foot, Colonel William Carr Beresford; 89th. Foot, +Colonel William Stewart; 90th. Foot, Colonel Rowland Hill; 92nd. Foot, +Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Erskine; De Watteville’s Regiment, +Lieutenant-Colonel Louis de Watteville; The Queen’s German Regiment, +Lieutenant-Colonel Peter John James Dutens; De Rolle’s Regiment, +Lieutenant-Colonel the Baron De Dürler; Dillon’s Regiment, +Lieutenant-Colonel the Baron Perponcher; Royal Corsican Rangers, Major +Hudson Lowe; Ancient Irish Fencibles; Chasseurs Britanniques, Colonel +John Ramsey; and the Staff Corps, (detachment.) + + + + + THE TURKISH MEDAL. + + +The Grand Seignior, with a view to perpetuate the services rendered to +the Ottoman empire, established an order of knighthood, designated the +Crescent, which was conferred on the general officers. He also presented +gold medals of three sizes to the field officers, captains, and +subalterns, which they were authorized by His Majesty to accept and +wear. A palace was built at Constantinople for the future residence of +the British ambassadors. The medal from which the engraving has been +made is the smaller one, given to captains and subalterns, but is the +same in pattern as the larger size, conferred on the field officers. +Obverse, a Crescent and Star of eight points, surrounded by an +ornamental border; Reverse, the Sultan’s cypher, under which is the year +1801; the border is the same on both sides; the ribbon is dark orange, +with a hook and chain. + + + + + BATTLE OF MAIDA. + 4TH JULY, 1806. + + +A squadron of British and Russian vessels having, in November, 1805, +landed some troops at Naples, without any opposition from the Neapolitan +court, shortly afterwards departed. On receiving intelligence of this +transaction, the French Emperor issued a proclamation, that “the +Neapolitan dynasty had ceased to reign,” and his brother Joseph, +assisted by Marshal Massena, proceeded with an army to that country. The +French entered Naples on the 15th. of February, and shortly obtained +possession of the whole kingdom, excepting Gaeta. Meanwhile the Court +had retired to Sicily. A decree was soon issued, by which the crown of +Naples was conferred by Napoleon on his brother Joseph, who was +proclaimed king on the 30th. of May. + +[Illustration: + + Turkish Medal for Egypt.—1801 +] + +A body of troops was assembled by the French in Calabria, and extensive +preparations were made for the invasion of Sicily. Major-General Stuart, +who then commanded the British troops in Sicily, formed the design of +penetrating Calabria, and attacking the French division, under General +Regnier: the result was the Battle of Maida, Upper Calabria, which was +fought on the 4th. of July, 1806. On hearing of the disembarkation of +the British at St. Euphemia, General Regnier made a rapid march from +Reggio, uniting, as he advanced, his detached corps. seven-pounders +Stuart resolved to anticipate the attack, and the army commenced its +march on the morning of the 4th. of July. By nine o’clock in the morning +the opposing fronts were warmly engaged. The right of the advanced line +consisted of the battalion of light infantry, commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel, afterwards Sir James, Kempt, consisting of the light +companies of the 20th., 27th., 35th., 58th., 61st., 81st., and +Watteville’s, (since disbanded,) together with one hundred and fifty +chosen battalion men of the 35th. regiment, under Major Robinson. +Directly opposed to them was the favourite French regiment, the Ire. +Légére. The two corps, at the distance of about one hundred yards, fired +reciprocally a few rounds, when, as if by mutual consent, the firing was +suspended, and in close compact order and dreadful silence they advanced +towards each other, until their bayonets began to cross. This momentous +crisis appalled the enemy; they broke and endeavoured to fly, but it was +too late, and they were overtaken, when the most terrible slaughter +ensued. + +Brigadier-General Acland, whose brigade, consisting of the 78th. and +81st. regiments, was immediately on the left of the light infantry, +availed himself of this favourable moment to press instantly forward +upon the corps in his front, when the 78th., under Lieutenant-Colonel +Macleod, and the 81st., under Major Plenderleath, had an opportunity of +distinguishing themselves. The enemy fled in dismay and disorder, +leaving the plain covered with their dead and wounded. + +Being thus completely discomfited on his left, General Regnier commenced +a new effort in the hope of recovering the day. The grenadier battalion +and the 27th. regiment, which formed the first brigade, under +Brigadier-General Cole resisted the enemy most gallantly. Nothing could +shake the undaunted firmness of the grenadiers, under Lieutenant-Colonel +O’Callaghan, and of the 27th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. +The cavalry successively repelled from before their front, attempted to +turn their left, when Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, who had that morning +landed from Messina with the 20th. Foot, and was coming up to the army +during the action, having observed this movement, threw his regiment +opportunely into a small cover upon their flank, and by a heavy and +well-directed fire completely frustrated the attempt. The 20th., with +natural pride, always commemorated this day’s glory. The enemy having +succeeded with his cavalry in turning the British left, owing to the +total deficiency of that arm on the part of the English, might possibly +have retrieved the day, but for this movement. This was the final +struggle, and the French began precipitately to retire; leaving above +seven hundred of their dead upon the field of battle. + +The British infantry continued in pursuit as long as they were able, but +as the enemy dispersed in every direction, and the victors were under +the necessity of preserving order, the trial of speed became unequal. +The total loss sustained by the French was estimated at four thousand +men. + +For this victory Major-General Stuart received the thanks of Parliament, +with a vote of a thousand pounds a year for life; the approbation of his +Sovereign, and the dignity of a Knight of the Bath; he was created Count +of Maida by the King of Naples, and the city of London voted him its +freedom and a sword. + +In the official communication from the British minister at Palermo, the +battle of Maida was thus adverted to:—“There is not to be found in the +annals of military transactions an enterprise prepared with more +deliberate reflection, or executed with greater decision, promptitude, +and success, than the late invasion of Calabria by Sir John Stuart. I +trust, therefore, you will not think me presumptuous for venturing to +add my testimony of the high sense entertained by this Court, of the +merits of the British General, and of his gallant army, who, on the +fertile plains of Maida, have added new trophies to those which the same +troops had formerly earned, from the same enemy, on the sandy regions of +Egypt.” + +The following regiments were engaged in this action, the 20th., 27th., +35th., 58th., 61st., (flank companies,) 78th., and 81st. Foot. + + + GOLD MEDAL FOR MAIDA. + +[Illustration: Illustration of a commemorative medal with two circular +sides connected side-by-side. Left side shows a profile portrait of King +George III wearing a laurel wreath, labeled “Georgivs Tertivs Rex.” +Right side depicts the goddess Britannia with spear and shield, +accompanied by a winged figure holding a wreath, with the inscription +“Mai Da IV MDCCCVI” and a fallen enemy figure below.] + +In commemoration of this victory a gold medal was struck, and conferred +upon all the superior officers who were present. On the obverse is the +lauriated head of the Sovereign, inscribed GEORGIUS TERTIUS REX. The +reverse has Britannia brandishing a spear with her right hand, and on +her left a shield charged with the crosses of the Union banner. A flying +figure of Victory is crowning her with a wreath of laurel; behind +Britannia is the triquetra, or trinacria, the ancient symbol of Sicily, +and before her is inscribed MAIDA IVL. IV. MDCCCVI. Round the edge the +name and rank of the officers were engraved. There was only one size of +this medal, which was worn both by General and Field officers from the +button-hole of their uniform, to a red ribbon, with blue edges, and a +gold buckle. The issue was limited to the Commander of the Forces +engaged, officers in command of brigades, battalions, or of corps +equivalent to a battalion, or the officer who succeeded on the removal +from the field of the original commander, and the Deputy +Quartermaster-General. As a general rule, no officer below the rank of +Major was considered eligible, unless he succeeded to the command of a +battalion during the action. Only seventeen officers received this +medal. + + + + + BATTLES OF ROLEIA AND VIMIERA. + 17TH. AND 21ST. AUGUST, 1808. + + +At this period the Peninsula was the centre of political interest. +Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of +each of those countries rose in arms to recover the national +independence. Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, +occasioned by the sway of Manuel Godoy, who bore the title of the Prince +of Peace. This minister was dismissed, but the court was unable to +restore tranquillity. In this emergency the French Emperor was solicited +to be umpire, and Napoleon eventually placed the crown of Spain on his +brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. The +Spaniards at once flew to arms, and the British government resolved to +aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots. A British army was accordingly +ordered to proceed to the Peninsula under the command of +Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. After a favourable passage the +troops destined for this service anchored in Mondego Bay, in the +beginning of August, and a landing was effected in the vicinity of the +village of Frejus. The division under Major-General (afterwards Sir +Brent) Spencer, K.B., from Cadiz, consisting of about four thousand men, +joined on the 8th. of August; and after a short halt, the army was put +in motion to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some +days. Sir Arthur marched from Leiria on the 13th., and arrived at +Alcobaça on the 19th., which place the enemy abandoned in the preceding +night. The French, about four thousand in number, were posted at Roliça, +or Roleia, (the latter mode of spelling having been inaccurately adopted +from the despatch for the colours,) and Brilos was occupied by their +advanced posts. The possession of this latter village being important to +future operations, it was determined to occupy it, and as soon as the +British infantry arrived upon the ground, a detachment, consisting of +four companies of riflemen of the 60th. and 95th. regiments, was ordered +to effect this duty. A trifling resistance was offered by a small picket +of the enemy’s infantry and a few cavalry, after which they retired, +being followed by a detachment of riflemen to the distance of three +miles from Brilos. The riflemen 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. Large bodies of the enemy appeared on +both the flanks of the detachment, which had advanced in support of the +riflemen, and it was with difficulty that Major-General Spencer was +enabled to effect a retreat to Obidos, which village it remained in +possession of. + +Two days afterwards was fought the Battle of Roleia, or Roliça. General +Laborde continued in his position at this place, and Sir Arthur +Wellesley determined to attack him in it on the morning of the 17th. of +August. Roliça is situated on an eminence, having a plain in its front, +at the end of a valley, which commences at Caldas, and is closed to the +southwards by the mountains, which join the hills, forming a valley on +the left, looking towards Caldas. In the centre of the valley, and about +eight miles from Roliça, is the town and old Moorish fort of Obidos, +from whence the enemy’s pickets had been driven on the 15th., and from +that time he had posts in the hills on both sides of the valley, as well +as in the plain in front of his army, which was posted on the heights in +front of Roliça; its right resting upon the hills, its left upon an +eminence, on which was a windmill, and the whole covering four or five +passes into the mountains in his rear. + +About seven o’clock in the morning the troops moved from Obidos. +Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were immediately detached into the +hills on the left of the valley, to keep up the communication between +the centre and left columns, and to protect the march of the former +along the valley; the enemy’s posts were successively driven in. +Major-General Hill’s brigade moved on to attack the French left, and +Brigadier-Generals Nightingall and Craufurd advanced with the artillery +along the high road, until at length Nightingall’s formed in the plain +immediately in the enemy’s front, supported by the light infantry +companies, and the 45th. regiment of Brigadier-General Craufurd’s +brigade; while the other two regiments of his brigade, the 50th. and +91st., were kept as a reserve in the rear. + +Major-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill and Brigadier-General +Nightingall advanced upon the enemy’s position, and at the same moment +Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were in the hills on his right; the +Portuguese infantry in a village upon his left; and Major-General +Ferguson’s column was descending from the heights into the plain. From +this situation the French retired by the passes into the mountains with +the utmost regularity and celerity; and notwithstanding the rapid +advance of the British infantry, the want of a sufficient body of +cavalry was the cause of their suffering but little loss in the plain. +It then became necessary to make a disposition to attack the formidable +position which had been taken up. Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were +already in the mountains on the enemy’s right, but no time was lost in +attacking the different passes, as well as in supporting the riflemen, +so as to ensure a complete victory. + +The Portuguese infantry were ordered to move up a pass on the right of +the whole; the light companies of Major-General Hill’s brigade, and the +5th. Fusiliers advanced up a pass next on the right; and the 29th. +regiment, supported by the 9th. foot, under Brigadier-General +Nightingall, a third pass; and the 45th. and 82nd. regiments, passes on +the left. These were all difficult of access, and some of them were well +defended, particularly that assailed by the 9th. and 29th. Foot; both +regiments attacked with the greatest impetuosity, and reached the enemy +before those whose assaults were to be made on their flanks; the defence +was desperate, and it was in this attack that the greatest loss was +sustained, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable George A. F. Lake being +killed at the head of his regiment, the 29th. Foot. + +General Laborde was, however, driven from all the positions he had taken +in the passes of the mountains, and the British troops were advanced in +the plains on their tops. For a considerable length of time the 9th. and +29th. regiments alone were advanced to this point, with +Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen at a distance on the left; they were +afterwards supported by the 5th., and by the light companies of +Major-General Hill’s brigade, which had arrived on their right, and by +the other troops ordered to ascend the mountains, the latter arriving by +degrees. Here three most gallant attacks were made upon the 9th. and +29th. regiments, in all of which the enemy was repulsed; but he +succeeded in effecting a retreat in good order, owing principally to Sir +Arthur’s want of cavalry, and to the difficulty of bringing up the +passes of the mountains with celerity a sufficient number of troops and +of cannon, to support those who had first ascended. The French loss was +nevertheless very great, and three pieces of cannon were captured. + +Sir Arthur Wellesley, in his despatch, observed “that although we had +such a superiority of numbers employed in the operations of this day, +the troops actually engaged in the heat of the action were, from +unavoidable circumstances, only the 5th., 9th., 29th., the riflemen of +the 60th., and 95th., and the flank companies of Major-General Hill’s +brigade, being a number by no means equal to that of the enemy: their +conduct, therefore, deserves the highest commendation.” + +Thus was the first victory in the Peninsula gained; and it afforded an +omen of future successes, which was afterwards fully accomplished. The +5th., 6th., 9th., 29th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 45th., 60th., +71st., 82nd., 91st., and Rifle Brigade, took part in this battle. + +Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley did not pursue the enemy by the +high-roads, but keeping to the right, near the sea, marched to Vimiera, +to cover the landing of a brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, +which was effected on the 20th. of August. The following morning was to +be given up to the troops in order to prepare and repose themselves. +Whilst the men were engaged in washing and cleaning their equipments, +the approach of the enemy, was discovered at eight o’clock in the +morning, and the brigades commanded by Major-General Ferguson, +Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, proceeded across a +valley from the heights on the west to those on the east of Vimiera. + +Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, advanced to the attack of the position, +and commenced it on the British centre, where the 50th. regiment was +posted, moving along the front gradually to the left, until the whole +line became engaged. Notwithstanding the fire of the riflemen, the enemy +advanced close to the 50th., and were checked and driven back only by +the bayonets of that regiment. The second battalion of the 43rd. was +likewise closely engaged with them, in the road leading into Vimiera, a +part of that corps having been ordered into the churchyard to prevent +them from penetrating into the town. On the right of the position they +were repulsed by the bayonets of the 97th. regiment, successfully +supported by the second battalion of the 52nd., which, by an advance in +column, took the enemy in flank. + +The attack upon the heights on the road to Lourinha was supported by a +large body of cavalry, and was made with the usual impetuosity of French +troops. They were received with steadiness by the brigade under +Major-General Ferguson, consisting of the 36th., 40th., and 71st. +regiments. These corps charged as soon as the enemy approached them, who +gave way, and they continued to advance upon him, supported by the +82nd., one of the corps of Brigadier-General Nightingall’s brigade, +which, as the ground extended, afterwards formed a part of the first +line; by the 29th. regiment, and by Brigadier-General’s Bowes and +Acland’s brigades; whilst Brigadier-General Craufurd’s brigade and the +Portuguese troops, in two lines, proceeded along the heights on the +left. In the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, six pieces of +cannon were taken, with many prisoners, and vast numbers were killed and +wounded. + +An attempt was afterwards made by the French to recover a portion of +their artillery, by attacking the 71st. and 82nd. regiments, which were +halted in a valley in which the guns had been captured. The attempt +failed, and the enemy were compelled again to retire with great loss. + +Sir Arthur Wellesley especially noticed the following corps:—The Royal +artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robe; the 20th. Dragoons, +(since disbanded,) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, who was +killed; the 50th. regiment, commanded by Colonel Walker; the second +battalion of the 95th. regiment, (rifles,) commanded by Major Travers; +the fifth battalion 60th. regiment, commanded by Major Davy; the second +battalion 43rd., commanded by Major Hull; the second battalion 52nd., +commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ross; the 97th. regiment, commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon; the 36th., commanded by Colonel Burne; the +40th., commanded by Colonel Kemmis; the 71st., commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir Denis) Pack; and the 82nd. regiment, +commanded by Major Eyre. The British commander, always chary of praise, +paid a special tribute to the 36th. regiment. + +Thirteen pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, +shells, stores of all descriptions, and twenty thousand rounds of musket +ammunition, were captured. General Beniere was wounded and taken +prisoner, together with several officers. The defeat was signal, and not +more than half the British army was actually engaged. The French +casualties amounted to nearly two thousand killed, wounded, and taken +prisoners. + +In this action, George Clark, one of the pipers of the 71st. Highland +Light Infantry, was wounded; and being unable to accompany his corps in +the advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck up a +favourite regimental air to the intense delight of his comrades. + +Both Houses of Parliament voted their thanks to the British troops for +this victory, and the word “VIMIERA” was authorized to be borne on the +colours and appointments of the following regiments:—2nd., 5th., 6th., +9th., 20th., 29th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 45th., 50th., +52nd., 60th., 71st., 82nd., 91st., and Rifle Brigade. + +Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard arrived during the action, but did +not assume the command: Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple landed on +the following day, and took command of the army. The force under +Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore was also embarked during the +negociation which subsequently took place, making the British forces to +amount to thirty-two thousand men. This treaty, which was styled the +“Convention of Cintra,” was signed on the 30th. of August, and by its +provisions the French troops evacuated Portugal. + +All the objects of the expedition having been effected, and the French +forces embarked for France, the British army remained for some time at +Lisbon and its vicinity. This convention excited great dissatisfaction +in England, and a Court of Enquiry was assembled to investigate the +circumstances attending it. + + + GOLD MEDAL FOR ROLEIA AND VIMIERA. + +Although these battles were distinct actions only one medal was +conferred, but it was granted to those who were present at either of +them. On the obverse Britannia is represented seated on the globe; in +her right hand extended a wreath of laurel, and in her left a palm +branch; to her right the British lion, and on the left a shield charged +with the crosses of the union banner. The reverse had a wreath of +laurel, within which the name of the event was engraved, and the year, +thus—Roleia and Vimiera, 1808. The name and rank of the officer were +engraved on the edge. Further particulars regarding these medals will be +given with the description of that for Talavera, of which an +illustration has been made, and which is similar to that granted for the +above and subsequent victories. + + + + + SIR JOHN MOORE’S CAMPAIGN. + + +Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard received His Majesty’s commands to +place a large portion of the army in Portugal under the orders of Sir +John Moore, to be employed on a particular service, which was announced +in a general order on the 8th. of October, 1808, and preparations were +accordingly made for entering Spain. Upon arriving in that country the +troops were directed to wear the white cockade, in addition to their +own, as a compliment to the Spanish nation, and to use every means to +maintain the good opinion entertained of them by that high-spirited +people. + +On the 27th. of October the division under the command of +Lieutenant-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of +Hopetoun, was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed +the march to Talavera de la Reyna. From this town the column proceeded +to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid, where it +arrived and halted on the 22nd. of November. Intelligence was here +received of the enemy’s movements, and a night march was made to the +left by Avila and Peneranda, and finally to Alba de Tormes, where a +junction was formed with a detachment from the army under +Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore. The troops were shortly afterwards +put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to +effect a junction with the division under Lieutenant-General Sir David +Baird, which had landed at Corunna. + +Previously to this period, the Spanish armies under General Blake, near +Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre, and General Palafox +lower down the Ebro on the right, had been completely defeated; and +Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore consequently made arrangements for a +retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but it having been represented to +him that Madrid held out against the French, he was induced to effect a +junction with Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird, in order to make a +diversion in favour of Madrid, by attacking Marshal Soult on the River +Carion. + + + + + SAHAGUN, BENEVENTE, ETC. + DECEMBER, 1808, AND JANUARY, 1809. + + +The British commander ascertained that instead of a powerful army +covering his advance, not a Spanish soldier was in his front, the enemy +was at hand, and those Spanish armies with which he had been directed to +co-operate, had been routed and dispersed; at the same time the winter +had set in with unusual severity, and the troops were almost constantly +marching through snow. Napoleon had three hundred thousand men in Spain, +and to confront this host of veterans, Sir John Moore had not +twenty-five thousand British troops, yet he boldly advanced and menaced +the enemy’s lines. + +Three leagues from the quarters of the Hussar brigade, consisting of +the 7th., 10th., and 15th. Hussars, about eight hundred French +dragoons were in cantonments at Sahagun, under Brigadier-General +Debelle. About two o’clock on the morning of the 21st. December, the +15th., with Captain Thornhill and twelve soldiers of the 7th. Hussars, +and Lieutenant-General Lord Paget (afterwards Marquis of Angelsey) at +their head, moved along the left bank of the Cea, in order to +intercept the retreat of the French dragoons from Sahagun. The 10th. +marched straight to the town, while Lieutenant-General Lord Paget, +with the 15th., endeavoured to turn it. The British hussars arrived in +the vicinity of Sahagun before daylight; but a French patrol had given +the alarm, and his lordship found the enemy formed within the town. +The march had been performed with difficulty, the weather being +extremely cold, and from deep snow on the ground, the road was so +covered with ice in many places, that the men had to dismount and lead +their horses. Between five and six o’clock the advance guard of the +15th. fell in with a French patrol, and took five prisoners, but in +consequence of the extreme darkness the rest escaped, and galloping +off to Sahagun, gave the alarm, thus preventing the surprise of the +enemy. Upon approaching that place shortly before daylight, the French +dragoons were discovered formed up beyond a rugged hollow way, which +was unfavourable for cavalry, and as the 15th. came near the enemy +withdrew towards a bridge on their left. In numbers the French were +about two to one, but his lordship instantly charged, overthrew them, +and captured nearly one hundred and fifty prisoners, including two +lieutenant-colonels, and eleven other officers. + +Lord Paget, and Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, of the 15th., each received a +medal. The conduct of the hussars was commended by the British General, +and the regiment was permitted to bear on its appointments the word +SAHAGUN. + +The attack by Lord Paget on a vastly superior force, so far as numbers +were concerned, at Sahagun, in which the enemy were cut to pieces, +occasioned Sir John Moore to issue the following order:— + + “Head Quarters, Sahagun. + + “The different attacks made by parties of cavalry upon those of the + enemy, on the march, have given them an opportunity to display a + spirit, and to assume a tone of superiority which does them credit, + and which the Commander of the Forces hopes will be supported on more + important occasions. + + “The attacks conducted by Brigadier-General Stewart, with the 18th. + Hussars, when upon the Douro, and that by Lieutenant-General Lord + Paget upon the enemy’s cavalry at this place, are honourable to the + British cavalry. + + “The Commander of the Forces begs that the Lieutenant-General and + Brigadier-General will accept his thanks for their services, and that + they will convey them to Brigadier-General Slade, and the officers, + non-commissioned officers, and men of the cavalry under their command, + for their conduct in the different affairs that have taken place.” + +An order like this naturally made the infantry very desirous to emulate +the cavalry, and the opportunity was shortly afterwards afforded. +Arrangements had been made for attacking the enemy, but the approach of +Napoleon, with an overwhelming force, rendered a retrograde movement +necessary; and while the cavalry pickets were skirmishing with the +French, the baggage, and several brigades of infantry withdrew. +Christmas, with all its social customs was thus dawning, when the troops +commenced their retreat. A heavy and continued fall of snow hid the ruts +in the roads, caused by the passage of the guns. Officers lost their +boots in these ruts, and were compelled to walk barefooted. Two days +rest after the reserve had crossed the Esla, enabled measures to be +taken to repair the sufferings from the bad roads, a supply of soles and +heels having been furnished to each regiment; the officers and men had +also the welcome issue of new blankets, and one hundred and fifty pairs +of shoes were supplied to each regiment. + +On the 24th. of December the hussars fell back to Cal; on the 25th. they +arrived at Sahagun, and on quitting that place on the 26th., a +considerable force of the enemy’s cavalry was seen on some high ground +at Majorga. Lord Paget directed Colonel Leigh, of the 10th. Hussars, to +dislodge them with two squadrons of his regiment, and the colonel +instantly led one squadron forward, the other following in support. +Arriving on the top of the hill, he paused a short time for the horses +to recover their wind after the ascent, and was exposed to a heavy, but +not destructive, fire; he afterwards gave the word “Charge,” and in five +minutes the French were overthrown, many were killed, others wounded, +and about a hundred taken prisoners. On this, and on all other +occasions, the superiority of the British cavalry over the French +horsemen, was proved to an extent beyond anything that had been +anticipated. The British hussars set superior numbers at defiance, and +their temerity was not, in any instance, punished by repulse or defeat. + +Continuing the retreat, the cavalry arrived at Benevente on the 27th. of +December; they had scarcely entered the town, when an alarm of the +approach of a body of French troops was given, and the hussars turned +out, but the enemy retired. The infantry continued their retreat on the +following morning, but the cavalry remained in the town, with parties +watching the fords on the Esla. + +Six hundred cavalry of the French imperial guard, commanded by General +Lefebre Desnouettes, forded the river near the bridge, and drove back +the videttes, when the British pickets, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel +Otway, (afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir Loftus William Otway,) major +of the 18th. Hussars advanced, and repeatedly charging the enemy’s +leading squadrons, kept the whole in check until Lieutenant-General Lord +Paget and Brigadier-General the Honourable Charles Stewart (afterwards +the Marquis of Londonderry) arrived. A detatchment of the 10th. Hussars, +under Major Quentin, was engaged on this occasion, and evinced signal +gallantry. Lord Paget hastened to bring up the regiment from the town: +Brigadier-General Stewart placed himself at the head of the pickets, and +the ground was obstinately disputed, many charges being made by both +sides, the French veterans fighting in a manner worthy of their high +reputation. The pickets were ordered to fall back gradually, and the +squadrons were repeatedly mingled. Brigadier-General Stewart evinced +great personal bravery, and while engaged with a French officer, his +sword fell, when Lieutenant-Colonel Otway gave the general his own +sword, and recovered the other from the ground. While the fight was +taking place on the plain, the hussars formed at the edge of the town, +and, on receiving the signal to advance, they galloped forward. The +pickets, perceiving the 10th. advancing to support them, gave a loud +cheer, and dashed at speed upon their numerous opponents. In an instant +the French were broken and driven in great disorder towards the river, +which they repassed with precipitation, leaving behind them about thirty +men killed, twenty-five wounded, and seventy prisoners. General Lefebre +Desnouttes was pursued by the hussars, and refusing to stop when +overtaken, he was cut across the head, and made prisoner by Private Levi +Grisdall. + +On the 30th. of December the troops came up with the wretched remains of +the army under the Marquis de la Romana; instead of these being of any +assistance they impeded the march of the British, and exhausted the few +resources left, the houses being filled by them. + +The retreat presented many harrowing features. An eye-witness, +Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cadell, of the 28th., which regiment formed +part of the reserve, the post of honour in a retreat, states,—“On the +arrival of the cavalry at Canberas, about midnight, the reserve +immediately moved on, and arrived next morning, 1st. January, 1809, at +Bembibre, just as the other division was marching off to Villa Franca. +The scene of drunkenness that here presented itself was truly shameful. +The stragglers from the preceding division so crowded every house, that +there was hardly a place to be had for the wearied reserve. Crowds of +half-naked and unfortunate peasants of Romana’s army, added to the +confusion. On the 2nd., when Sir John Moore left Bembibre, with the +reserve and the cavalry, for Villa Franca, Colonel Ross was left with +that excellent regiment, the 20th., and a detachment of hussars, to +cover the town, while officers were employed in endeavouring to collect +the stragglers. A few were got away, but many were so tired and lame +from sore feet, that they did not care if the French sabres and bayonets +were at their breasts, so completely did most of them give themselves up +to despair. The rear-guard was at length forced to retire and leave +those unfortunate people to their fate. Some of these poor fellows, who +had thought better of it, and were endeavouring to overtake their +countrymen, were unmercifully sabred by the French cavalry, many of them +in a defenceless state.” + +In the same gallant veteran’s “Narrative of the Campaigns of the 28th. +Regiment,” this striking incident occurs:—“The following occurrence had +more effect in establishing the good conduct of the reserve than +anything that had yet been done. We were formed into close column on the +Bembibre side of the river, when our gallant chief, General Paget, in an +excellent address, called the attention of the soldiers to the dreadful +and disgraceful scene of yesterday, and the merciless conduct of the +enemy’s cavalry had shewn to many of the stragglers. He told the men +that they had become the rear-guard of the army, and upon their sober, +steady, and good conduct the safety of the whole depended. Just as the +general had finished his admirable and soldier-like address, and after +all the orders had been given, and the necessary examples that had been +made, two men of the reserve were found in the very act of shamefully +plundering a house in the village, and ill-treating the inhabitants. The +report was made, and the reserve was instantly formed in square; the +culprits were brought out, the general being determined that an example +should be made. They were ordered to be hanged upon a tree close to the +village. Everything being prepared, the awful sentence was about to be +carried into execution; the unfortunate men were in the act of being +lifted up to the fatal branch, when a officer of the hussars rode into +the square, and reported that the enemy were at that moment advancing. +The general said he did not care if the whole French cavalry were coming +up, that he would hang those men, who had been guilty of so shameful an +outrage. At that instant a few distant shots were heard, and a second +officer arrived at full speed with another report. The general then +stopped the execution, and turning round to the reserve, said, +‘Soldiers! if you promise to behave well for the future, I will forgive +those men; say yes, in an instant.’ ‘Yes!’ was said by every one. ‘Say +it again,’ said the general. ‘Yes, yes,’ was again exclaimed by all. +‘Say it a third time,’ ‘Yes, yes, yes?’ and a cheer followed.[29] The +men were forgiven, the square was reduced, and the 52nd. regiment, under +Colonel Barclay, went through the village in double-quick time, and in +the most beautiful manner took possession of the vineyards on the +opposite side of the river, while the remainder of the reserve crossed +the bridge under cover of the 95th., and formed on the hill behind the +52nd. By this time the enemy were close upon us, and attacked the 95th. +in great force, the cavalry joining in the onset. They were terribly +galled by the rifles as they advanced through the village. The 95th. +then retired up the road to the right and left, the French being at the +same time exposed to a murderous fire from the 52nd., in the vineyards, +which completely checked them. The 52nd. then retired up the road, when +the enemy were again most gallantly repulsed. The French in this affair +lost the general officer commanding the advanced guard, and many men. A +column of them was also severely handled by Captain Carthew’s guns, and +stopped descending the hill on the other side of the river. This kept +them quiet until the afternoon of the 5th. of January. Our gallant +commander-in-chief was present during this affair, and wherever there +was a shot fired was he always to be found. This was the first time the +infantry had met the enemy.” + +Marshal Soult, unwilling to attack, followed the sorely-pressed army +with unwonted caution. One night and two days brought the army from +Villa Franca to Lugo. All the attacks of the advanced guard of the +French upon the rear were repulsed. Notwithstanding this, however, the +retreating troops became more and more harassed. When the two bullock +cars, containing treasure to the amount of twenty-five thousand pounds, +became immovable, the money had to be thrown over the precipice. +Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cadell thus narrates the circumstance:—“On +the morning of the 5th. (January, 1809,) the reserve left Nogales. We +were detained at a bridge a little way on the road, covering the +engineers, who were endeavouring to destroy it, but they did not +succeed. The 28th. regiment was now the rear-guard of the reserve, and +the flank companies, with a company of the 95th., formed the rear-guard +of the regiment. The whole distance was a continued skirmish. About noon +we came up with two cars laden with dollars; but the bullocks that drew +them being completely exhausted, it was impossible to save the treasure. +Under these circumstances Sir John Moore decided that the whole should +be thrown down the mountain, most judiciously considering, that if the +casks were broken, the men would make a rush for the money, which would +have caused great confusion, and might have cost the lives of many. The +rear-guard, therefore was halted; Lieutenant Bennet, of the light +company, 28th. regiment, was placed over the money, with strict orders +from Sir John Moore to shoot the first person who attempted to touch +it.[30] It was then rolled over the precipice; the casks were soon +broken by the rugged rocks, and the dollars falling out, rolled over the +height—a sparkling cascade of silver. The French advanced guard coming +up shortly after to the spot, were detained for a time picking up the +few dollars that had been scattered on the road.” + + + + + BATTLE OF CORUNNA. + 16TH. JANUARY, 1809. + + +Sir John Moore concentrated his army near Lugo, where he determined to +give battle. About twelve o’clock in the morning of the 6th. of January, +the French appeared on the opposite heights. The British soldiers, full +of the national spirit, desired nothing better than to confront them. +The troops were immediately under arms, but each looked at the other +until evening set in, and it became evident that the day of battle was +to be postponed. On the following morning the enemy at daybreak opened a +cannonade, which was forthwith returned, and in the space of a few +minutes the French fire was silenced. Towards sunset a French column +commenced the ascent of the rising ground, and was met by a wing of the +76th.; this regiment gradually retired until joined by the 51st. In the +latter Sir John Moore had served as an ensign, and he addressed them +briefly, reminding them of that circumstance, and expressing his +reliance on their gallantry. The speech, short as it was, produced its +effect, and after a few discharges of musketry, they rushed onward with +the bayonet, when the enemy was beaten back, leaving on the ground +several killed and wounded. + +At dark, when large fires illumined the heights, the British +re-commenced their retreat, undiscovered by the French until daylight. +But little was seen of the enemy until the army arrived at Corunna, +where the leading brigades marched in during the afternoon of the 11th. +of January, the adjacent villages and suburbs being occupied by the +troops. The trying retreat was completed; but there was a disappointment +to be experienced. No transports were there to receive the troops. In +the evening the foe came up, and occupied a position on the other side +of the river Mero. The battle-ground was not marked out until the 12th +of January, and this was the range of hills round the village of Elvino, +about a mile from Corunna, on which Sir John Moore resolved to place his +army. Before the arrangements were completed, the French were observed +moving along the opposite bank of the river. Nothing occurred until the +14th., when a fire of artillery was kept up for a short time. A terrible +explosion occurred on that day; a magazine of four thousand barrels of +gunpowder, which had been sent from England for the use of the +Spaniards, being destroyed, to prevent its falling into the hands of the +French. This caused quite a panic in both armies, and, although +occurring three or four miles from Corunna, many of the windows in the +town were broken. + +Fine weather enabled the soldiers to dry their clothes, and to make +themselves comparatively comfortable; and during the afternoon of the +14th. the whole fleet of transports, convoyed by numerous ships of war, +appeared in sight. Some slight skirmishing occurred to the right on the +15th. During the afternoon and night of the 15th. the sick, wounded, +women, and children were embarked, and on the following day the greater +proportion of the artillery was placed on board, the ground not being +adapted for that arm. Before going on board the cavalry had to destroy +the remainder of their horses, and the sight was naturally most painful. +All animals were left on the beach at Corunna;[31] but the wife of +Sergeant Monday, the orderly-room clerk of the 28th regiment, is stated +to have carried a lap-dog in a basket over her arm throughout the +retreat, and brought it to England with her. + +About one o’clock in the afternoon of the 16th. of January, the enemy, +who had early that day received reinforcements, and who had placed some +guns in front of the right and left of his line, was observed to be +moving his troops towards his left flank, and forming various columns of +attack at that extremity of the strong and commanding position which on +the morning of the 15th. he had taken in the immediate front of the +British. This indication of his intention was immediately succeeded by a +rapid and determined attack upon Lieutenant-General Sir David. Baird’s +division, which occupied the right of the position. The first effort of +the enemy was met by the 42nd. regiment, and the brigade under +Major-General Lord William Bentinck. The village on the right then +became an object of obstinate contest. Lieutenant-General Sir David +Baird was severely wounded, and shortly after Sir John Moore fell by a +cannon-shot. The troops though not unacquainted with the irreparable +loss they had sustained, were not dismayed, and by the most determined +bravery, not only repelled every attempt of the enemy to gain ground, +but actually forced him to retire, although fresh troops had been +brought up in support of those originally engaged. + +Finding himself foiled in every attempt to force the right of the +position, the enemy endeavoured by numbers to turn it. A judicious and +well-timed movement, which was made by Major-General the Honourable +Edward Paget with the reserve, that corps having moved out of its +cantonments to support the right of the army, by a vigorous attack +defeated this intention. The Major-General, having pushed forward the +95th., (rifle corps,) and the first battalion of the 52nd. regiment, +drove the foe before him, and in his rapid and judicious advance +threatened the left of the enemy’s position. This circumstance, with the +position of Lieutenant-General Fraser’s division, which was calculated +to give still further security to the right of the line, induced the +enemy to relax his efforts in that quarter. They were then, however, +more forcibly directed towards the centre, where they were again +successfully resisted by the brigade under Major-General Manningham, +forming the left of Sir David Baird’s division, and a part of that under +Major-General Leith. + +Upon the left the enemy at first contented himself with an attack upon +the pickets, which in general maintained their ground. Seeing, +therefore, his efforts unavailing on the right and centre, he appeared +determined to render the attack upon the left more serious, and +succeeded in obtaining possession of the village through which the great +road to Madrid passes, and which was situated in front of that part of +the line. From this post he was soon expelled, with considerable loss, +by a gallant attack of some companies of the second battalion of the +14th., regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls. Before five in the +evening, not only had every attack upon the British position been +successfully repelled, but ground had been gained in all points, a more +forward line being occupied than at the commencement of the action. +Eventually the enemy confined his operations to a cannonade, and the +fire of his light troops, with a view to draw off his other corps. At +six o’clock the firing entirely ceased. The different brigades were +re-assembled on the ground they occupied in the morning, and the pickets +and advanced posts resumed their original stations. + +The corps chiefly engaged were the brigades under Major-Generals Lord +William Bentinck, Manningham, and Leith, and the brigade of guards under +Major-General Warde, Major-General Hill, and Brigadier-General Catlin +Crauford, with their brigades on the left of the position, ably +supported their advanced posts. The brunt of the action fell upon the +4th., 42nd., 50th., and 81st. regiments, with parts of the brigades of +guards, and the 28th. regiment. + +About ten at night the troops quitted their position, and marched to +their respective points of embarkation in the town and neighbourhood of +Corunna. The pickets remained at their posts until five in the morning +of the 17th., when they were withdrawn unperceived by the French. The +embarkation proceed rapidly, and, with the exception of the brigades +under Major-Generals Hill and Beresford, which were destined to remain +on shore until the movements of the enemy should become manifest, the +whole were afloat before daylight. The brigade of Major-General +Beresford, which was alternately to form the rear-guard, occupied the +land front of the town of Corunna, whilst that of Major-General Hill was +stationed in reserve on the promontory behind the town. + +Soon after eight o’clock in the morning of the 17th. of January, the +French light troops moved towards the town, and almost immediately +occupied the heights of St. Lucia, which command the harbour. +Notwithstanding this circumstance, and the manifold defects of the +place, there being no apprehension that the rear-guard could be forced, +and the disposition of the Spaniards appearing to be good, the +embarkation of Major-General Hill’s brigade was commenced and completed +by three in the afternoon. Major-General Beresford withdrew his corps +from the land front of the town soon after dark, which, with all the +wounded that had not been previously moved, were embarked before one on +the morning of the 18th. + +Sir William Napier has thus described the British general’s death:— + +“Sir John Moore, whilst earnestly watching the result of the fight about +the village of Elvino, was struck on the left breast by a cannon-shot. +The shock threw him from his horse with violence, but he rose again in a +sitting posture, his countenance unchanged, and his stedfast eye still +fixed upon the regiments engaged in his front, no sign betraying a +sensation of pain. In a few moments, when he was satisfied that the +troops were gaining ground, his countenance brightened, and he suffered +himself to be taken to the rear. Being placed in a blanket for removal, +an entanglement of the belt caused the hilt of his sword to enter the +wound, and Captain Hardinge attempted to take it away altogether, but +with martial pride the stricken man forbade the alleviation,—he would +not part with his sword[32] in the field.” + +Wrapped in a military cloak the warrior’s remains were consigned to +their resting-place, by the officers of his staff, in the citadel of +Corunna. The guns of the enemy paid his funeral honours, and Marshal +Soult evinced the respect he bore to departed valour, by chivalrously +raising a monument to his memory. It may be added that the soldiers of +the 9th. Foot dug his grave on the rampart, and the well-known lines by +the Rev. Charles Wolfe are as truthful as they are poetic. The several +regiments, and their commanding officers, composing the army under +Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore at Corunna, were as follows:— + +7th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian; 10th. Light Dragoons, +Lieutenant-Colonel Leigh; 15th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel +Grant; 18th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones; 3rd. Light +Dragoons, (King’s German Legion,) Major Burgwesel; Artillery, Colonel +Harding; Engineers, Major Fletcher; Waggon Train Detachment, +Lieutenant-Colonel Langley; 1st. Foot Guards, first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Cocks, third battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Wheatley; +1st. Foot, third battalion, Major Muller; 2nd.,[33] first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Iremonger; 4th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Wynch; 5th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie; 6th., first +battalion, Major Gordon; 9th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Cameron; 14th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls; 20th., +Lieutenant-Colonel Ross; 23rd., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Wyatt; 26th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell; 28th., first +battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Belson; 32nd., first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Hinde; 36th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Burn; 38th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Charles +Greville; 42nd., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling; 43rd., +first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Gifford, second battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Hull; 50th., first battalion, Major Charles James +Napier;[34] 51st., Lieutenant-Colonel Darling; 52nd., first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel John +Ross; 59th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Fane; 60th., second +battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Codd, fifth battalion, Major Davy; 71st., +first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Pack; 76th., first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Symes; 79th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Cameron; 81st., second battalion, Major Williams; 82nd., Major M‘Donald; +91st., first battalion, Major Douglas; 92nd, first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Napier; 95th., (rifle regiment,) first +battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, second battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Wade; Staff Corps Detachment, Lieutenant-Colonel +Nicolay; first light battalion King’s German Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Leonhart, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Halkett.[35] + + + + + BATTLE OF TALAVERA DE LA REYNA. + 27TH. AND 28TH. JULY, 1809. + + +When the British Forces had returned to England, Corunna, Bilboa, and +all the most important places on the northern coast of Spain, fell under +the French sway. Saragossa was besieged a second time, and after a +defence unequalled perhaps in modern military history, was compelled to +capitulate. Marshal Soult quitted Gallicia, entered Portugal, and +obtained an entrance into Oporto. In April, Lieutentant-General Sir +Arthur Wellesley, with another British army, disembarked at Lisbon, and +advanced on Oporto. + +Although no medal was granted for the passage of the Douro, on the 12th. +of May, 1809, the exploit was a highly brilliant one. The British +commander was desirous of passing the river to drive the French from +Oporto; but the stream was deep, rapid, and more than three hundred +yards in width, and ten thousand French veterans guarded the opposite +shore. The passage was however effected in the following manner. A +Portuguese barber had crossed the river in a skiff, and a British staff +officer (Colonel Waters) aided by the barber and the prior of Amarante, +traversed the stream and returned in half an hour with three large +barges. Between ten and eleven o’clock an officer and twenty-five +soldiers of the 3rd. Foot entered the first boat, crossed the stream +unobserved, and took post in a large unfinished building on the banks of +the river, designated the seminary, which was surrounded by a wall +extending to the water on each side of it. In this manner a lodgment was +made in the midst of the enemy’s army without being noticed. A second +and a third boat followed, but scarcely had the men from the latter +reached the shore, when a sudden burst of alarm was heard amidst the +French troops, and a furious attack was made by their cavalry, infantry, +and artillery, upon the seminary. The 3rd. Foot stood their ground +bravely, and singly resisted the French legions until supported by the +48th. and 66th. British and 16th. Portuguese regiments. Meanwhile +Lieutenant-General the Honourable Edward Paget had fallen dangerously +wounded, and Major-General Hill commanded in the seminary. A fierce +conflict of musketry was maintained, the French artillery played on the +building, the British guns on the other side of the river opened their +fire, and the struggle soon became violent. Meanwhile some citizens +crossed the river with several large boats, additional forces were +enabled to pass over, and ultimately the French were driven from Oporto +with the loss of five hundred men killed and wounded, in addition to +about seven hundred left in the hospitals. + +The British commander subsequently pursued Marshal Soult’s army through +the wild and mountainous districts of Portugal, but, in consequence of +Marshal Victor having defeated General Cuesta, was compelled to resist +from following Marshal Soult; and having formed a junction with the +Spanish general, the combined forces proceeded along the valley of the +Tagus, and took up a strong position at Talavera. The enemy, in the +course of the 24th., 25th., and 26th., collected all his forces between +Torrijos and Toledo, leaving but a small corps of two thousand men in +that place. The united army consisted of the corps of Marshal Victor, of +that of General Sebastiani, and of seven or eight thousand men, the +guards of Joseph Bonaparte, and the garrison of Madrid; and it was +commanded by him, aided by Marshals Jourdan and Victor, and General +Sebastiani. + +It became obvious that the enemy intended to try the result of a general +action, for which the best position appeared to be in the neighbourhood +of Talavera; and General Cuesta having taken up this position on the +morning of the 27th., Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke was directed to +retire with his corps to its station in the line, leaving Major-General +M‘Kenzie with a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry, as an +advanced post in a wood on the right of the Alberche, which covered the +left flank of the British. + +The position taken up by the troops at Talavera extended rather more +than two miles; the ground was open upon the left where the British army +was stationed, and it was commanded by a height, on which was, in +_echellon_ and in second line, a division of infantry, under the orders +of Major-General Hill. Between this height and a range of mountains +still further upon the left, there was a valley, which was not at first +occupied, and it was commanded by the height before mentioned, whilst +the mountain range appeared too distant to have any influence upon the +expected action. + +Spanish troops composed the right, which extended immediately in front +of the town of Talavera down to the Tagus. This part of the ground was +covered by olive trees, and was much intersected by banks and ditches. +The high road leading from the bridge over the Alberche, was defended by +a heavy battery in front of a church, which was occupied by Spanish +infantry. All the avenues to the town were defended in a similar manner; +the town was occupied, and the remainder of the Spanish infantry were +formed in two lines behind the banks on the roads which led from the +town and the right, to the left of the British position. In the centre, +between the two armies, there was a commanding spot, on which a redoubt +had been commenced, with some open ground in the rear. Here +Brigadier-General Campbell was posted with a division of infantry, +supported in his rear by Major-General Cotton’s brigade of dragoons, and +some Spanish cavalry. + +At about two o’clock on the 27th. of July the enemy appeared in strength +on the left bank of the Alberche, and manifested an intention to attack +Major-General M‘Kenzie’s division. The attack was made before they could +be withdrawn, but the troops, consisting of Major-General M‘Kenzie’s and +Colonel Donkin’s brigades, with Major-General Anson’s brigade of +cavalry, and supported by Lieutenant-General Payne with the other four +regiments of cavalry, in the plain between Talavera and the wood, +withdrew in good order, but with some loss, particularly by the second +battalion of the 87th., and the second battalion of the 31st. regiment +in the wood. + +In his despatch, Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Arthur +Wellesley, K.B., stated, “Upon this occasion the steadiness and +discipline of the 45th. regiment, and of the fifth battalion of the +60th., were conspicuous; and I had particular reason for being satisfied +with the manner in which Major-General M‘Kenzie withdrew his advanced +guard.” + +As the day advanced, the French appeared in larger numbers on the right +of the Alberche, and it was apparent that they were advancing to a +general attack upon the combined army. Major-General M‘Kenzie continued +to fall back gradually upon the left, where he was placed in the second +line, in the rear of the guards, Colonel Donkin being posted in the same +situation further upon the left, in the rear of the King’s German +Legion. + +The enemy immediately commenced his attack in the dusk of the evening, +by a cannonade upon the left of the allied position, and by an attempt +with his cavalry to overthrow the Spanish infantry, posted, as before +stated, on the right. This attempt entirely failed. Early in the night +he pushed a division along the valley on the left of the height occupied +by Major-General Hill, of which a momentary possession was obtained, but +it was instantly regained by an attack with the bayonet. Another attempt +was repeated during the night, but failed, and again at daylight in the +morning of the 28th. of July, by two divisions of infantry, which was +repulsed by Major-General Hill. In these different affairs the 29th., +and the first battalion of the 48th. regiment, gained especial notice. +Many brave officers and soldiers were lost in the defence of this +important point, and Major-General Hill was slightly wounded. + +A general attack by the enemy’s whole force was made about noon, upon +the whole of that part of the position occupied by the British army. Sir +Arthur, in consequence of the repeated attempts upon the height on his +left by the valley, had placed there two brigades of British cavalry, +supported in the rear by the Duc d’Albuquerque’s division of Spanish +cavalry. The enemy then placed light infantry in the range of mountains +on the left of the valley, which were opposed by a division of Spanish +infantry, under Lieutenant-General De Bassecourt. The general attack +began by the march of several columns of infantry into the valley, with +a view to attack the height occupied by Major-General Hill. These +columns were immediately charged by the 1st. German Light Dragoons and +23rd. Dragoons, under the command of Major-General Anson, directed by +Lieutenant-General Payne, and supported by Brigadier-General Fane’s +brigade of heavy cavalry; and although the 23rd. Dragoons suffered +considerable loss, the charge had the effect of preventing the execution +of that part of the enemy’s plan. At the same time he directed an attack +upon Brigadier-General Alexander Campbell’s position in the centre of +the combined armies, and on the right of the British. This attack was +most successfully repulsed by Brigadier-General Campbell, supported by +the king’s regiment of Spanish cavalry and two battalions Spanish +infantry: the enemy’s cannon being taken by the Brigadier-General, who +mentioned particularly the conduct of the 97th., the second battalion of +the 7th., and the second battalion of the 53rd. regiment. + +An attack was also made at the same time upon Lieutenant-General +Sherbrooke’s division, which was on the left and centre of the first +line of the British army. This attack was most gallantly repulsed by a +charge with bayonets by the whole division; but the brigade of guards, +on the right, having advanced too far, they were exposed on their left +flank to the fire of the enemy’s battery, and of their retiring columns. +The division was obliged to retire towards the original position, under +cover of the second line of Major-General Cotton’s brigade of cavalry, +which had been moved from the centre, and of the first battalion of the +48th. regiment. This regiment had also been moved from its original +position on the heights, as soon as the advance of the guards was +observed, and it was formed on the plain and advanced upon the enemy, +covering the formation of Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke’s division. + +Shortly after the repulse of this general attack, in which apparently +all the enemy’s troops were employed, he commenced his retreat across +the Alberche, which was conducted in the most regular order, and was +effected during the night, leaving in the hands of the British twenty +pieces of cannon, ammunition, tumbrils, and some prisoners. + +The attacks were principally if not entirely directed against the +British troops. The Spanish commander-in-chief, his officers, and +troops, manifested every disposition to render assistance to their +allies, and those of them who were engaged did their duty; but the +ground which they occupied was so important, and its front at the same +time so difficult, that Sir Arthur Wellesley did not think it proper to +urge them to make any movement on the left of the enemy, while he was +engaged with the troops more immediately under his command. + +Such a prolonged action against more than double the number of the +British could not be sustained without great loss of valuable officers +and soldiers, but the casualties of the enemy were much larger. Entire +brigades of French infantry were destroyed, and the battalions that +retreated were much reduced in number. The French loss was estimated at +ten thousand men. Generals Lapisse and Morlot were killed; Generals +Sebastiani and Boulet were wounded. + +Major-General M‘Kenzie, who had distinguished himself on the 27th., +Brigadier-General Langwerth, of the King’s German Legion, and +Brigade-Major Beckett, of the Coldstream Guards, were killed. + +During a pause in the second day’s fight both armies went to the banks +of the small stream, a tributary of the Tagus, for water, which flowed +through a part of the battle-ground. The men approached each other and +conversed like old acquaintances, even exchanging their canteens and +wine-flasks. In the words of the author of “The Bivouac” (the Rev. W. H. +Maxwell, Prebendary of Balla):—“All asperity of feeling seemed +forgotten. To a stranger they would have appeared more like an allied +force than men hot from a ferocious conflict, and only gathering +strength and energy to re-commence it anew. But a still nobler rivalry +for the time existed; the interval was employed in carrying off the +wounded, who lay intermixed upon the hard-contested field; and, to the +honour of both be it told, that each endeavoured to extricate the common +sufferers, and remove their unfortunate friends and enemies without +distinction. Suddenly the bugles sounded, the drums beat to arms; many +of the rival soldiery shook hands and parted with expressions of mutual +esteem, and in ten minutes’ after they were again at the bayonet’s +point.” + +The following regiments were specially noticed in the despatch:—The +cavalry, particularly Major-General Anson’s brigade; the 29th regiment; +first battalion of the 48th.; the second battalions of the 7th. and +53rd. regiments; the 97th.; the first battalion of detachments; the +second battalion of the 31st.; the 45th.; and fifth battalion of the +60th. The advance of the brigade of guards was also highly commended. + +This victory gained over the French army, commanded by Joseph Buonaparte +in person, occasioned great joy in England, and Lieutenant-General Sir +Arthur Wellesley was raised to the peerage, by the title of Viscount +Wellington. + +The following regiments were engaged at the battle of Talavera de la +Reyna, on the 27th. and 28th. July, 1809:— + +3rd. Dragoon Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft; 4th. +Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Edward Somerset; 14th. Light Dragoons, +Colonel Samuel Hawker; 16th. Light Dragoons, Major the Honourable +Lincoln Stanhope; 23rd. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour; 1st. +Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel Arentschild; +Royal British Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Framingham, Royal German +Artillery, Major Hartineau; the whole artillery being under +Brigadier-General Howorth, Royal Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher; +Royal Staff Corps, Major Dundas; Coldstream Guards, first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Hulse; 3rd. Guards, first battalion, Colonel the +Honourable Edward Stopford; 3rd. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel Muter; 7th, +second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir William Myers, Bart.; 24th., +second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond; 29th., first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel White; 31st., second battalion, Major Watson; 40th., +first battalion, Major Thornton; 45th., first battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Guard; 48th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel +Donellan, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Duckworth; 53rd., second +battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham; 60th., fifth battalion, Major +Davy; 61st, first battalion, Colonel Saunders; 66th, second battalion, +Captain Kelly; 83rd, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon; 87th., +second battalion, Major Gough; 88th., first battalion, Major Vandeleur; +97th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon; first battalion of +Detachments,[36] Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, 3rd. Foot; second battalion +of Detachments, Lieutenant-Colonel Copson, 5th., Foot; first and second +light and first line battalions King’s German Legion, Major Bodecker; +second line battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Brauns; fifth line battalion, +Captain Humelberg; seventh line battalion, Major Burger. + +After this defeat the enemy continued to keep a rear-guard of ten +thousand men on the heights on the left of the Alberche; the extreme +fatigue of the troops, the want of provisions, and the number of wounded +to be taken care of, prevented Viscount Wellington moving from this +position. Brigadier-General Craufurd arrived with his brigade (first +battalions of the 43rd., 52nd., and 95th,.)[37] on the 29th. of July, +early in the morning, having marched fifty-two miles in twenty-six +hours, a wonderful proof of the energy of British soldiers. + +[Illustration: + + The Talavera Medal. +] + + + GOLD MEDAL FOR TALAVERA. + +In consequence of the victories gained in the Peninsula during 1808 and +1809, two gold medals were struck for presentation to such superior +officers as had distinguished themselves in action; the same medals were +afterwards conferred for military services in other portions of the +world. No corps were returned in the list for medals, which had not been +engaged. This, by the Duke of Wellington’s despatches, appears to have +been the rule. + +A notification appeared in the “London Gazette,” dated Horse Guards, +9th. September, 1810, stating that His Majesty had been graciously +pleased to command that, in commemoration of the brilliant victories +obtained by divisions of his Army over the enemy in the Battles of +Roleia and Vimiera, also in the several instances where the cavalry had +an opportunity of distinguishing themselves against the enemy in Spain, +and in the battles of Corunna and Talavera de la Reyna, the Officers of +the Army present on those occasions should enjoy the privilege of +wearing a Medal, and His Majesty having approved of the Medal which had +been struck, was pleased to command that it should be worn by the +General Officers, suspended by a Ribbon of the colour of the Sash, with +a blue edge, round the neck; and by the Commanding Officers of Corps, +(not being of rank inferior to Lieutenant-Colonel,) and the Chiefs of +Military Departments, attached by a ribbon of the same colour to the +button-hole of their uniform. His Majesty was also pleased to command +that the Medals which would have been conferred upon the Officers who +had fallen at or died since the above-named actions, should, as a token +of respect for their memories, be deposited with their respective +families. + +These medals were alike except in size. On the obverse, Britannia, +wearing a helmet, is seated on the globe; in her right hand extended a +wreath of laurel, and in her left a palm branch; to her right the +British lion, and on the left a round shield charged with the crosses of +the union banner. The reverse has a wreath of laurel, within which the +name of the event and the year were engraved, thus—Roleia and Vimiera, +1808; or Corunna, 1809; or Talavera, 1809; or Nivelle, Nive, etc. The +name and rank of the officer were engraved on the edge. The large medal, +of the size of that granted for Maida, was for general officers; in full +dress it was worn from the neck, to a crimson ribbon with blue edges. +The small medal, (of which an illustration is given,) attached to the +ribbon by a gold swivel, with a gold buckle above, was conferred on +field and other officers. + +At this period the rules and regulations regarding the issue of medals +were, 1st.—Medals are only to be bestowed upon occasions of great +importance or of peculiar brilliancy. 2nd.—Medals of a larger size are +conferred upon General Officers, including Brigadiers, who wear them +suspended by a ribbon round the neck.[38] Medals of a smaller size are +bestowed upon Colonels, and Officers of the senior ranks. 3rd.—No +General or other officer is considered to be entitled to receive a +Medal, except he has been personally and particularly engaged upon the +occasion, in commemoration of which this distinction is bestowed, and +has been selected by the Commander of the Forces upon the spot, and has +been reported by him to have merited the distinction, by very +conspicuous services. 4th.—The Commander of the Forces (after he shall +have been informed of the intention of Government to bestow medals) +shall transmit to the Secretary of State for the War Department, and to +the Commander-in-Chief, returns signed by himself, specifying the names +and ranks of those Officers whom he shall have selected as particularly +deserving. 5th.—The Commander of the Forces, in making this selection of +the most deserving Officers, will consider his choice restricted to the +undermentioned ranks, as it is found to be absolutely necessary that +some limitation should be put upon the grant of this honour. + +The rank and situations held by Officers, to render them eligible for +the distinction of Medals, were, General Officers; Commanding Officers +of Brigades; Commanding Officers of Artillery or Engineers; +Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General; their Deputies having the +rank of Field Officers, and their Assistants having the same rank, and +being at the head of the Staff, with a detached corps or distinct +division of the Army; Military Secretary, having the rank of Field +Officers; Commanding Officers of Battalions, Corps equivalent thereto, +and Officers who have succeeded to the actual command during the +engagement, in consequence of the death or removal of the original +Commanding Officer. + + + + + CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE AND GUADALOUPE. + FEBRUARY, 1809, AND JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1810. + + +In January, 1809, the armament which had been assembled at Carlile Bay, +Barbadoes, under the command of Lieutenant-General (afterwards Sir +George) Beckwith, commanding in the Leeward Islands, proceeded against +Martinique, off which island, then in the possession of France, it +arrived on the 30th. of January. The troops landed in two divisions. The +first division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, consisting +of between six and seven thousand men, and the second, numbering over +three thousand men, under Major-General Frederick Maitland, landed near +St. Luce and Point Solomon, in the afternoon of the 30th., without +opposition, and notwithstanding the difficulties of the country, +occupied a position on the banks of the Grande Lezarde River before +daybreak on the 31st., after a night march of seven miles. + +On the 1st. of February, the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, and the light +companies of the brigade which were in advance, drove a body of the +enemy from Morne Bruno to the heights of Surirey, where the enemy on the +2nd. of February made a determined stand. A sharp action ensued, in +which British valour was conspicuously displayed, and the French were +driven from their position with considerable loss. Batteries were +subsequently erected, and the siege of Fort Bourbon was commenced with +such vigour that the garrison surrendered on the 24th. of February. +Amongst the trophies captured on this occasion were three eagles and +several brass drums. + +Having thus captured this valuable island, Lieutenant-General Beckwith +congratulated the troops, and stated in his official despatch, that “the +command of such an army will constitute the pride of my future life. To +these brave troops, conducted by Generals of experience, and not to me, +their King and Country owe the sovereignty of this important colony; and +I trust that by a comparison of the force which has defended it, and the +time in which it has fallen, the present reduction of Martinique will +not be deemed eclipsed by any former expedition.” + +The gold medal was conferred on the general and regimental commanding +officers, according to the practice of the service at this period. + +An expedition, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Beckwith, against +Guadaloupe, the only island remaining to the French in the West Indies, +was embarked in January, 1810. The expedition rendezvoused at Prince +Rupert’s, Dominica; and on the morning of the 28th. of January, a +landing was effected by the first division, at the Bay of St. Marie. The +second division sailed on the 26th. of that month, and anchored at the +Saints until the 29th., when it proceeded towards Guadaloupe, and +menaced the enemy’s defences at the Three Rivers. A landing was effected +near the village of Les Vieux Habitans during the night without +opposition. The French appeared in force on some high open ground, when +the 15th. Foot turned their right flank, the Royal West Indian Rangers +the left, and the 13th. Light Infantry advanced against the front, and +the enemy was speedily forced from his ground. + +The 7th., 8th., 13th., 15th., 23rd., 25th., (flank companies,) 60th., +63rd., 90th. Foot, and 1st. West India regiment were engaged in this +service. + +Shortly afterwards the conquest of the island was completed, and the +achievement reflected great credit on the troops employed. In general +orders, dated 6th. February, it was announced that “The Commander of the +Forces returns his thanks to the officers of all ranks, for their +meritorious exertions, and to the non-commissioned officers and +soldiers, for the cheerfulness with which they have undergone the +fatigues of a march, difficult in its nature, through the strongest +country in the world, and the spirit they have manifested on all +occasions to close with the enemy.” + +GUADALOUPE is now borne on the colours of the 15th., 63rd., 90th., and +1st. West India regiment; and medals were granted to the superior +officers, both for the capture of that island and also of Martinique. +The medal was like that for Talavera, already described. When the War +Medal was issued, bars were inscribed with the names of these two +islands. + + + + + BATTLE OF BUSACO. + SEPTEMBER 27TH., 1810. + + +The advance of Marshal Massena in the summer of 1810, was preceded by +the proud but vain boast, that, in pursuance of the imperial orders, he +would drive the English leopards into the sea, and plant the eagles on +the tower of Lisbon. His first operations were attended with success. +Ciudad Rodrigo surrendered to Marshal Ney on the 10th. of July. After +the gallant but hazardous combat between the light division and the +French advance on the 24th. of that month, they passed the Coa in +overwhelming numbers, when the retrograde movement and concentration of +the allies behind the Mondego immediately commenced. Almedia having +surrendered on the 27th. of August, the allies were again withdrawn to +their former positions. The French line of invasion was not finally +indicated until the middle of September, when they commenced their +advance into Portugal along the right bank of the Mondego. +Lieutenant-General Viscount Wellington, notwithstanding their vastly +superior numbers, determined to give them battle in the position of +Busaco, a lofty and rugged sierra or mountain ridge, extending about +eight miles in a northerly direction from the Mondego, and crossing +their line of march. + +On the night of the 26th. of September, the combined British and +Portuguese armies assembled in line on the precipitous sierra, named +after the village and convent of Busaco. The second (Lieutenant-General +Hill’s) division occupied the extreme right, guarding the declivities +towards the Mondego; next to it the fifth (Major-General Leith’s) +division; then the third division, having the first (Lieutenant-General +Sir Brent Spencer’s) division on its left, occupying the highest part of +the ridge; then the light (Brigadier-General Craufurd’s) division at the +convent of Busaco; and the fourth (the Honourable Major-General Cole’s) +division on the extreme left. In front, within cannon-shot and in full +view of the British position, was assembled Massena’s army, seventy +thousand strong, occupying the opposite range of mountains. The day +passed over peaceably, but during the evening and night, small parties +of skirmishers, passing up the dark ravines, attempted to establish +themselves close to the British line, and kept all upon the alert. + +The position of Busaco, although formidable from the steepness and +rugged character of its face, was too extensive to be completely +occupied by the twenty-five thousand British, and the same number of +Portuguese troops, which formed the allied army, and there was an +interval of about two miles between the left of the fifth and the right +of the third division, which occupied the lowest and most accessible +part of the position. + +An hour before day, Lord Wellington went through the ranks on foot. He +passed in comparative silence, for the English soldiers seldom indulge +in those boisterous demonstrations of joy so common with the troops of +other nations, and indeed rarely are known to hurrah, except when +closing with the enemy; but wherever he was recognised, his presence was +felt as the sure presage to another victory, to be gained by the men +whom he had already led in so many fields of triumph. To be beaten when +_he_ commanded, seemed, in the opinion of his soldiers (which is no bad +criterion to judge by) next to impossible. + +At six in the morning of the 27th. of September, two desperate attacks +were commenced upon the British position, the one on the right, the +other on the left of the highest point of the sierra. The assault upon +the right was made by two divisions of the second corps, on that part of +the sierra occupied by the third division of infantry. One division of +French infantry arrived at the top of the ridge, when it was attacked in +the most gallant manner by the 88th. Connaught Rangers, under the +Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, and the 45th., under the +Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Meade, and by the 8th. Portuguese +regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas, directed by +Major-General (afterwards Sir Thomas) Picton. These three corps advanced +with the bayonet, and drove the enemy’s division from the advantageous +ground it had obtained. The other division of the second corps attacked +further on the right, by the road leading by St. Antonio di Cantaro, +also in front of Major-General Picton’s division; but was repulsed +before it could reach the top of the ridge, by the 74th. Highlanders, +under the command of the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel French, and the +brigade of Portuguese infantry, under Colonel Champelmond, directed by +Colonel Henry Mac Kinnon; Major-General Leith also moved his left to +support Major-General Picton, and aided in the defeat of the French in +this post, by the third battalion of the Royals, and the first and +second battalions of the 38th. regiment. + +His Lordship stated in his despatch, that he never witnessed a more +gallant attack than that made by the 38th., 45th., and 8th. Portuguese +regiment, on the enemy’s division, which had reached the ridge of the +sierra. Major William Smith, of the 45th., was killed. + +Meanwhile, on the left, the enemy attacked with three divisions of +infantry, of the sixth corps, that part of the sierra occupied by the +left division, commanded by Brigadier-General Craufurd, and by the +brigade of Portuguese infantry, under Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir +Denis) Pack. “One division of infantry,” wrote Viscount Wellington, +“only made any progress towards the top of the hill, and they were +immediately charged with the bayonet by Brigadier-General Craufurd with +the 43rd, 52nd.,[39] and 95th. regiments, and the 3rd. Caçadores, and +driven down with immense loss.” + +Besides these attacks, the light troops of the two armies were +engaged throughout the 27th. The loss sustained by the enemy was +immense, two thousand being killed upon the field of battle, with a +corresponding amount of wounded. Captain Lord Fitz Roy Somerset, +(the late Lord Raglan,) Aide-de-Camp to the British Commander; +Captain the Marquis of Tweeddale, of the 1st. Foot Guards, +Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General; Major Charles Napier, of the +first battalion 50th., (severely;) and Captain George Napier, of the +first battalion 52nd., were amongst the wounded. + +BUSACO on the colours of the 1st., 5th., 9th., 38th., 43rd., 45th., +52nd., 74th., 83rd., 88th., and Rifle Brigade, commemorates this +achievement. + +There is a charming episode related by Sir William Napier, of the orphan +girl, which belongs to this battle:—“Meanwhile an affecting incident, +contrasting strongly with the savage character of the preceding events, +added to the interest of the day. A poor orphan Portuguese girl, about +seventeen years of age, and very handsome, was seen coming down the +mountain, and driving an ass loaded with all her property, through the +midst of the French army. She had abandoned her dwelling in obedience to +the proclamation, and now passed over the field of battle with childish +simplicity, totally unconscious of her perilous situation, and scarcely +understanding which were the hostile and which the friendly troops, for +no man on either side was so brutal as to molest her.” + +On the following day there was some skirmishing on different points of +the line, but the French, taught by experience to appreciate the +strength of the position and the valour of its defenders, did not renew +the assault. Towards evening their columns were seen in movement to +their right, and their whole army was shortly on the march to turn the +British left flank. + +The allies then commenced their retreat, and before daylight on the +29th., the position of Busaco was evacuated, the divisions moving on +their previously-arranged lines of retreat towards the lines of Torres +Vedras. This stupendous line of entrenchments and fortifications, had by +Viscount Wellington’s orders, been constructed, with admirable skill and +immense labour, for the defence of Lisbon. The French general, who had +followed the retreat through a wasted and deserted country, with the +confident expectation that he was driving the British to their ships, +found his progress arrested on the 10th. of October by this barrier, +which he soon perceived to be impregnable, and which extended +twenty-nine miles from the Tagus to the sea. Within the lines, supplies +were abundant, and with the exception of some employment in +strengthening the defensive works, amusements, exercises, and field +sports of every attainable kind were the occupation of all ranks, who +engaged in them as if no hostile interruption was to be apprehended. The +allied army was at this time augmented by fresh regiments from England, +and a sixth division of infantry added to it. + + + + + BATTLE OF BARROSA. + 5TH. MARCH, 1811. + + +Wellington’s generals, like those under the illustrious Marlborough, did +not often have the opportunity of fighting independent battles. What +Wynendale was to Webb in Queen Anne’s reign, Almaraz was to Lord Hill, +Albuhera to Lord Beresford, and Barrosa to Lieutenant-General Thomas +Graham, (afterwards Lord Lynedoch,) who commanded the British forces in +Cadiz at the above period. In consequence of Marshal Soult having +proceeded into Estremadura, Marshal Victor was left to carry on the +siege of Cadiz, and a combined attack on the rear of the blockading army +at Chiclana was determined upon. Accordingly a British force of about +three thousand men, under Lieutenant-General Graham, and a body of seven +thousand troops, commanded by General Le Pena, were selected for this +expedition. The forces having first proceeded to Gibraltar, afterwards +disembarked at Algesiras, on the 23rd. of February, and being all united +at Tarifa, marched thence on the 28th. of that month. + +General Zayas pushed a strong body of Spanish troops across the river +Santi Petri near the coast on the 1st. of March, threw a bridge over, +and formed a _tête-de-pont_. This post was attacked by the enemy on the +nights of the 3rd. and 4th. of March, who was repulsed, though the +Spaniards sustained considerable loss. On the 5th. of March, 1811, +Lieutenant-General Graham, and the army under his command, arrived on +the low ridge of Barrosa, and gained a decisive victory over the French +army, under Marshal Victor, composed of the two divisions of Generals +Rufin and Laval. + +The circumstances under which Lieutenant-General Graham found himself +placed were such as compelled him to attack the very superior force, in +point of numbers, of his opponents. The allied army, after a night march +of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived on the morning of the +5th. at the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles to the southward of +the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height extends inland about a +mile and a half, continuing on the north the extensive heathy plain of +Chiclana. A great pine-forest skirts the plain, and circles round the +height at some distance, terminating down to Santi Petri, the +intermediate space between the north side of the height and the forest +being uneven and broken. A well-conducted and successful attack on the +rear of the enemy’s lines near Santi Petri, by the vanguard of the +Spaniards, under Brigadier-General Ladrizabel, opened the communication +with the Isla de Leon, and Lieutenant-General Graham received General La +Pena’s directions to move down from the position of Barrosa to that of +the Torre de Bermeja, about half-way to the Santi Petri river, in order +to secure the communication across the river, over which a bridge had +been recently constructed. This latter position occupied a narrow woody +ridge, the right on the sea cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza +creek on the edge of the marsh. An easy communication between the +western points of these two positions were kept up by a hard sandy +beach. Lieutenant-General Graham, while on the march through the wood +towards the Bermeja, received intelligence that the enemy had appeared +in force on the plain of Chiclana, about fifty miles from Tarifa, and +was advancing towards the heights of Barrosa. + +This position being considered by the British general as the key to that +of Santi Petri, he immediately countermarched in order to support the +troops left for its defence, and the alacrity with which this manœuvre +was executed, served as a favourable omen. It was, however, impossible +in such intricate and difficult ground to preserve order in the columns, +and time was never afforded to restore it entirely. Before the British +could get quite disentangled from the wood, the troops on the Barrosa +hill were seen returning from it, while the enemy’s left wing was +rapidly ascending. His right wing at the same time stood on the plain, +on the edge of the wood, within cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of +such a foe, already within reach of the easy communication by the +sea-beach, must have involved the whole allied army in all the danger of +being attacked during the unavoidable confusion of the different corps +arriving nearly at the same time on the narrow ridge of the Bermeja. + +Lieutenant-General Graham relying on the heroism of British troops, and +regardless of the number and position of the enemy, determined on an +immediate attack. Major Duncan soon opened a powerful battery of ten +guns in the centre. Brigadier-General Dilkes with the brigade of Guards, +Lieutenant-Colonel Browne’s (of the 28th.) flank battalion, +Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott’s two companies of the second Rifle corps, +and Major Acheson with a part of the 67th. Foot, (separated from the +regiment in the wood,) formed on the right. Colonel Wheatley’s brigade, +with three companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Jackson, (separated likewise from his battalion in the wood,) and +Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard’s flank battalion, formed on the left. + +As soon as the infantry was thus hastily got together, the guns advanced +to a more favourable position, and kept up a most destructive fire. The +right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin’s division on the +hill, while Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard’s battalion, and +Lieutenant-Colonel Bushe’s detachment of the 20th. Portuguese, were +warmly engaged with the enemy’s tirailleurs on the left. + +General Laval’s division, notwithstanding the havoc made by Major +Duncan’s battery, continued to advance in very imposing masses, opened +his fire of musketry, and was only checked by that of the left wing. The +left wing now advanced firing; a most determined charge by three +companies of the Guards and the 87th. regiment, supported by all the +remainder of the wing, decided the defeat of General Laval’s division. +The eagle of the 8th. regiment of light infantry, which suffered +immensely, and a howitzer, rewarded this charge, and remained in +possession of Major Gough, (afterwards General Viscount Gough), of the +87th. regiment.[40] These attacks were zealously supported by Colonel +Belson, with the 28th. foot, and Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost with a part +of the 67th. regiment. + +A reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across which the enemy was +closely pursued, next shared a similar fate, and was routed by the same +means. Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful; the French, +confident of success, met Brigadier-General Dilkes on the ascent of the +hill, and the contest was sanguinary: but the undaunted perseverance of +the brigade of Guards, of Lieutenant-Colonel Browne’s battalion, and +Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott’s and Major Acheson’s detachment, overcame +every obstacle, and General Rufin’s division was driven from the heights +in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon in the hands of the victors. + +In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action, the +enemy was in full retreat. The retiring division met, halted, and seemed +inclined to form; but a new and more advanced position of the British +artillery quickly dispersed it. The exhausted state of the troops +rendered pursuit impossible, and a position was occupied on the eastern +side of the hill. When the conflict had ceased, Lieutenant-General +Graham remained on the field of battle; but the Spanish general, La +Pena, who had looked on while this obstinate battle was fought, did not +seize the favourable opportunity which the valour of the British troops +had put into his hands, of striking a severe blow at the remains of the +French army retreating in disorder. The inactivity of the Spaniards +continuing, the British proceeded on the following day to Cadiz. + +Among the prisoners were the General of Division Rufin, the General of +Brigade Rousseau,[41] the latter being mortally wounded; the Chief of +the Staff, General Bellegarde; an aidede-camp of Marshal Victor; the +Colonel of the 8th. regiment and several other officers. The prisoners +amounted to two general officers, one field officer, nine captains, +eight subalterns, and four hundred and twenty rank and file. The enemy +lost about three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and six +pieces of cannon were captured. + +Both Houses of Parliament unanimously voted their thanks to +Lieutenant-General Graham, and the officers and men under his command, +for his victory. + +The following corps were engaged in this battle:—2nd. Hussars, King’s +German Legion; Loyal Artillery; Royal Engineers; 1st. Foot Guards, 2nd. +battalion; Coldstream Guards, 2nd. battalion; 3rd. Foot Guards, 2nd. +battalion; 9th. Foot, 1st. battalion, (flank companies;) 28th. Foot, +1st. battalion; 47th. Foot, 2nd battalion, (flank companies;) 67th. +Foot, 2nd battalion; 82nd. Foot, 2nd. battalion, (flank companies;) +87th. Foot, 2nd. battalion; Rifle Brigade, 2nd. and 3rd. battalions; +20th. Portuguese Regiment; and one company of the Royal Staff Corps. + + + MEDAL FOR BARROSA. + +The medal for this battle was similar to that granted for the victories +commencing with Roleia, and the following Memorandum, dated Horse +Guards, November, 1811, was published in the “London Gazette”:— + +“The Prince Regent having been graciously pleased, in the name and on +behalf of His Majesty, to command that, in commemoration of the +brilliant victory obtained over the enemy by a division of His Majesty’s +army, under the command of Lieutenant-General Graham, at Barrosa, on the +5th. of March, 1811, the undermentioned officers of the army, present +upon that occasion, should enjoy the privilege of bearing a Medal, and +His Royal Highness having approved of the medal which has been struck, +is pleased to command, that it should be worn by the General Officers, +suspended by a ribbon, of the colour of the sash, with a blue edge, +round the neck, and by the Commanding Officers of corps and detachments, +and the Chiefs of Military Departments, attached by a ribbon of the same +colour to the button-hole of their uniform:— + +Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham; Major-General William Thomas Dilkes; +Colonel William Wheatley, 1st. Foot Guards; Lieutenant-Colonels Charles +P. Belson, 28th. Foot, William Augustus Prevost, 67th. regiment, The +Hon. T. Cranley Onslow, 3rd. Foot Guards, Andrew F. Barnard, 95th. Rifle +regiment, John Macdonald, Deputy Adjutant-General, Edward Sebright, 1st. +Foot Guards, John Frederick Brown, 28th. regiment, Amos Godsill Norcott, +95th. Rifle regiment, The Hon. Charles M. Cathcart, Deputy +Quartermaster-General, Richard Bushe, 20th. Portuguese regiment, +Alexander Duncan, Royal Artillery, and Hugh Gough, 87th. regiment; and +Major A. F. Baron Bussche, 2nd. Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion. + +By the command of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and +on the behalf of His Majesty. + + FREDERICK, Commander-in-Chief. + HENRY TORRENS, Lieutenant-Colonel and Military Secretary.” + + + + + BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONOR. + 5TH. MAY, 1811. + + +At this period the sixth division of the British army had invested +Almeida, and a force of British and Portuguese, under Marshal Beresford, +was employed in the Alentejo and Spanish Estremadura, which compelled +the enemy to abandon Campo Mayor. Olivenza was next besieged by Marshal +Beresford, and retaken on the 15th. of April, 1811, after which he broke +ground before Badajoz. + +Marshal Massena had reached Ciudad Rodrigo on the 25th. of April, and +having concentrated his forces, crossed the Agueda at that place on the +2nd. of May, and advanced towards the allied army, posted between that +river and the Coa, in order to blockade Almeida, which place, it was +ascertained, was but ill supplied with provisions for its garrison. Upon +the approach of the French, the British light division and cavalry fell +back upon Fuentes d’Onor, where three other divisions were posted, and +in which position Viscount Wellington determined to receive the attack +of the enemy. + +The village of Fuentes d’Onor, (Fountain of Honor,) is situated on low +ground, at the bottom of a ravine, with an old chapel and some buildings +on a craggy eminence, which overhang one end. Shortly after the enemy +had formed on the ground, on the right of the Duas Casas, in the +afternoon of the 3rd., they attacked the village with a large force, +which was gallantly defended by Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, of the +fifth battalion of the 60th. regiment, in command of the light infantry +battalions, belonging to Major-General Picton’s division, supported by +the light infantry battalion in Major-General Nightingall’s brigade, +commanded by Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Dick, and the light infantry +battalion in Major-General Howard’s brigade, commanded by Major +Archibald M‘Donnell, of the 92nd. regiment, and the light infantry +battalion of the King’s German Legion, commanded by Major Charles Aly, +of the fifth battalion of the Line, and by the second battalion of the +83rd. regiment, under Major Henry William Carr. + +These troops maintained their position, but the British commander seeing +the repeated efforts which were made to obtain possession of the +village, and being fully aware of the advantage the enemy would derive +therefrom in their subsequent operations, the place was reinforced +successively by the 71st., under the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel +Cadogan, and the 79th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, and the 24th. +under Major Chamberlaine. The former, at the head of the 71st., charged +the French, and drove them from the part of the village of which they +had obtained momentary possession. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel +Williams was wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel +Cameron, of the 79th. regiment. The contest continued until night, when +the British Troops remained in possession of the whole. The light +infantry battalions and the 83rd. regiments were subsequently withdrawn, +leaving only the 71st. and 79th. regiments in the village, with the +second battalion of the 24th to support them. + +During the 4th. of May the enemy reconnoitred the positions which the +British had occupied on the Duas Casas river, and that night General +Junot’s corps was moved from Almeida to the left of the position +occupied by the sixth corps, opposite to Fuentes d’Onor. From the course +of the reconnoissance it was considered that an attempt would be made to +obtain possession of that place, and of the ground occupied by the +troops behind the village, by crossing the Duas Casas at Poza Velho, and +in the evening the seventh division, under Major-General Houstoun, was +moved to the right, in order to protect, if possible, that passage. + +On the morning of Sunday, the 5th. of May, the eighth corps appeared in +two columns, with all the cavalry on the opposite side of the valley of +the Duas Casas to Poza Velho; and as the sixth and ninth corps also made +a movement to their left, the light division, which had been brought +back from the neighbourhood of Almeida, was sent with the cavalry, under +Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart., (afterwards +Field-Marshal Viscount Combermere, G.C.B.) to support Major-General +Houstoun, while the first and third divisions made a movement to their +right, along the ridge between the Turon and Duas Casas rivers, +corresponding to that of the sixth and ninth corps, on the right of the +latter river. + +Major-General Houstoun’s advanced guard, consisting of the 85th., under +Major M‘Intosh, and the 2nd Portuguese Caçadores, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, was attacked by the eighth corps, and +compelled to retire, which was done in good order, although with some +loss. The eighth corps being thus established in Poza Velho, the enemy’s +cavalry turned the right of the seventh division between that place and +Nave d’Aver, and charged. + +The charge of the advanced guard of the French cavalry was met by two or +three squadrons of the different regiments of British Dragoons, and the +enemy was driven back, Colonel La Motte, of the 13th. Chasseurs, and +some prisoners being taken. The main body was checked, and obliged to +retire, by the fire of Major-General Houstoun’s division, the Chasseurs +Britanniques and a detachment of the Duke of Brunswick’s Light Infantry +behaving in the most steady manner. Notwithstanding the repulse of this +charge, Viscount Wellington determined to concentrate his force towards +the left, and to move the seventh light and the other two divisions, and +the cavalry from Poza Velho towards Fuentes d’Onor. The former place and +neighbourhood had been occupied in the hope of maintaining the +communication across the Coa by Sabugal, as well as to provide for the +blockade, which objects, it became obvious, were incompatible with each +other, and that which was deemed the least important was abandoned; the +light division was placed in reserve in the rear of the left of the +first, and the seventh on some commanding ground beyond the Turon, which +protected the right flank and rear of the first division, besides +covering the communication with the Coa, and prevented that of the +French with Almeida by the roads between the Turon and that river. + +Upon this occasion the movement of the troops, although under very +critical circumstances, was well conducted by Major-General Houstoun, +Brigadier-General Craufurd, and Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton. +The seventh division was covered in its passage of the Turon by the +light, under Brigadier-General Craufurd, and this last, in its march to +join the first division, by the British cavalry. The British position +thus extended on the high ground from the Turon to the Duas Casas. The +seventh division on the left of the former, covered the rear of the +right; the first division, in two lines, was on the right; Colonel +Ashworth’s brigade, in two lines, in the centre; and the third division, +in two lines, on the left. The light division and British cavalry in +reserve; and the village of Fuentes d’Onor in front of the left. Don +Julian’s infantry joined the seventh division in Frenada, and he was +sent with his cavalry to endeavour to interrupt the enemy’s +communication with Ciudad Rodrigo. The efforts on the right part of the +British position, after it was occupied as above described, were +confined to a cannonade, and to some cavalry charges upon the advanced +posts. + +One of these was repulsed by the pickets of the first division, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, of the 3rd. regiment of Guards; but as they +were falling back, they did not see the direction of another in +sufficient time to oppose it, and the Lieutenant-Colonel was taken +prisoner, many men were wounded and some captured, before a detachment +of the British cavalry could move up to their support. The second +battalion of the 42nd., under Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Blantyre, also +repulsed a charge of the cavalry directed against them. They likewise +attempted to push a body of light infantry down the ravine of the Turon +to the right of the first division, which was repulsed by the light +infantry of the Guards, under Lieutenant-Colonel Guise, aided by five +companies of the 95th., under Captain O’Hara. + +Throughout this day the enemy’s principal effort was again directed +against Fuentes d’Onor, and notwithstanding that the whole of the sixth +corps was at different periods employed to attack this village, the +French were never able to gain more than a temporary possession. It was +defended by the 24th., 71st., and 79th. regiments, under the command of +Colonel Cameron; these troops were supported by the light infantry +battalions in the third division, commanded by Major Woodgate; the light +infantry battalions in the first division, commanded by Majors Dick, +M‘Donnell, and Aly; the 6th. Portuguese Caçadores, commanded by Major +Pinto; by the light companies in Colonel Champelmond’s Portuguese +brigade, under Colonel Sutton; and those in Colonel Ashworth’s +Portuguese brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Pynn; and by the pickets of +the third division, under the command of the Honourable +Lieutenant-Colonel Trench. Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron was severely +wounded in the afternoon, and the command in the village devolved upon +the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan. + +In addition to the foregoing, the troops in Fuentes d’Onor were +supported, when pressed by the enemy, by the 74th. regiment, under Major +Russell Manners, and the 88th. Connaught Rangers, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, belonging to Colonel Mac Kinnon’s brigade; +on one of these occasions the 88th., with the 71st. and 79th., under the +command of Colonel Mac Kinnon, charged the enemy, and drove them through +the village. + +This prolonged contest again lasted in this quarter until night, when +the British still held their post, and from that time there was no fresh +attempt made on any part of their position. Although the actions were +partial, yet they were very severe, and the casualties were also. The +enemy had a great superiority of force, and their loss was likewise +great; they left four hundred killed in the village of Fuentes d’Onor. + +The following regiments were engaged at FUENTES D’ONOR:—14th. and 16th. +Light Dragoons; the 24th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 60th., 71st., +74th., 79th., 83rd., 85th., 88th., 92nd., and Rifle Brigade. + +On the 8th. of May the enemy retired to the woods between Espeja, +Gallegos, and Fuentes d’Onor, in which position the whole army was +collected by the following day, with the exception of that part of the +second corps which continued opposite Almeida; but during the night of +the 9th. the whole broke up and retired across the Azava, covering their +retreat by their numerous cavalry, and on the following day the whole +crossed the Agueda, leaving Almeida to its fate. + + + MEDAL FOR BUSACO AND FUENTES D’ONOR. + +The customary medal was granted for the above battles, the pattern being +like that for the other actions in the Peninsula. The following letter +from Viscount Wellington to the Earl of Liverpool, dated July 11th., +1811, gives his views regarding the distribution of medals:— + +“I have had the honour of receiving your Lordship’s letter of the 22nd +of June, in which your Lordships desires to have my opinion as to the +restrictions which it may be expedient to put upon the grant of medals +to British officers, for distinguished merit displayed upon such +occasions as the battles of Vimeiro, Corunna, Talavera, and Barrosa. + +“My opinion has always been, that the grant of a medal to an individual +officer ought to have been founded originally, partly on the importance +of the occasion or action which it was intended to commemorate, and +partly on the share which the individual officer had had in the action +to be commemorated; and that medals should have been granted for +important actions only, and to those engaged in them in a conspicuous +manner, whatever might be their rank in the service. It was decided, +however, that medals should be granted on the same principle only, but +following strictly the example of the grant of medals to the navy, +notwithstanding that an action on shore is very different from an action +at sea; and the merit of the different classes of individuals is +likewise entirely different. At the same time, this principle was +departed from in some of the grants made. + +“If the principle adopted in the grant of medals to the navy is adhered +to in the grant of medals to officers of the army, and that medals, to +be granted to general officers, and Lieutenant-Colonels commanding +regiments, on an occasion to be commemorated, because, on a similar +occasion, they would be granted to Admirals and Captains of ships of the +line, it is difficult to restrict the grant or make a selection of +officers to whom they should be granted to commemorate the battles at +Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor, if government determine that these actions +should be commemorated in that manner. If, however, that principle is +departed from, it is not difficult to make out a list of the names of +officers already reported to your Lordship, who were at the head of +corps or detachments upon these occasions, and who had a conspicuous +share in the event which it is the intention of the government to +commemorate in this manner. It is not probable, however, that the +adoption of this principle will decrease the number of those to whom the +honour would be granted; but, as I have already represented to your +Lordship, I don’t think this important; that which is important in the +establishment of the principle on which the grant of this honour should +be made, is that every officer should feel that he shall receive the +mark of distinction, if he should be in the place to distinguish +himself, and should act in the manner to deserve to be distinguished, +whatever may be his military rank. It may be contended for by me, that +the officers of the British army don’t require an honour of this +description to stimulate their exertions, and that the grant of the +medal is therefore useless; but, however, those who contend for this +principle must admit that a selection of those who have had an +opportunity of distinguishing themselves in an action is a less +objectionable mode of granting it than the grant of it by classes, +whether the individuals composing those classes have distinguished +themselves or not. + +“I have now the honour to enclose lists of the names of the officers +who, on the principle of selection, ought, in my opinion, to receive +medals for the battles of Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor, if government think +proper to distinguish these battles by medals. In respect to the battle +of Albuhera, I was not there, and I am not able to give an opinion upon +it. One brigade of the fourth division of infantry, however, was not in +the action, nor Brigadier-General Madden’s brigade of cavalry. The brunt +of the action was on the right; but some of the corps of infantry, I +believe, and certainly General Otway’s brigade of cavalry, on the left, +were not engaged. At all events, these troops were not engaged, as far +as I understand, in a greater degree than the whole army were at Busaco, +and every corps on the field at Fuentes d’ Onor. + +“I mention these circumstances only to point out to your Lordship, that +in every action on shore, however severe, there must be some to whose +lot it does not fall to have an opportunity to distinguish themselves; +and that the principle of selection, without reference to ranks, ought +to be adopted in every instance of the grant of medals to the army.” + + + + + BATTLE OF ALBUHERA. + 16TH. MAY, 1811. + + +Early in May the first siege of Badajoz was commenced by the British, +and whilst the operations against that fortress were in progress, +Marshal Soult quitted Seville, and advanced to its relief. The +portion[42] of the allied army under Marshal Sir William Beresford, +moved forward to meet him, and took up a position in front of Albuhera. + +At nine o’clock in the morning of the 16th. of May, the enemy commenced +his attack, and after a strong and gallant resistance by the Spanish +troops, he gained the heights upon which they had been formed; meanwhile +the division of the Honourable Major-General William Stewart had been +moved up to support them, and that of Major-General Hamilton brought to +the left of the Spanish line, and formed in contiguous close columns of +battalions, to be available in any direction. The Portuguese brigade of +cavalry, under Brigadier-General Otway, remained at some distance on the +left, to check any attempt that might be made below the village. + +Nearly at the commencement of the battle a heavy storm of rain came on, +which with the smoke from the firing, rendered it impossible to discern +anything distinctly. This, with the nature of the ground, had been +extremely favourable to the attacking columns. The right brigade of +Major-General Stewart’s division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Colborne, +(now Field-Marshal Lord Seaton,) first came into action, and behaved in +the most gallant manner, and, finding that the enemy’s column could not +be shaken by fire, proceeded to attack it with the bayonet; while thus +in the act of charging, a body of Polish lancers, which the thickness of +the atmosphere and the nature of the ground had concealed, (and which +was, besides, mistaken by those of the brigade when discovered for +Spanish cavalry, and therefore not fired upon,) turned it, and being +thus attacked unexpectedly in the rear, was unfortunately broken, and +suffered immensely. The second battalion of the 31st. regiment, under +the command of Major L’Estrange, alone held its ground against all the +_colonnes en masse_, until the arrival of the third brigade under +Major-General Hoghton. The conduct of this brigade was most +conspicuously gallant, and that of the second brigade, under the +Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Abercromby, was not less so. Major-General +Hoghton, cheering on his men to the charge, fell pierced with wounds. + +Although the principal attack was on this point of the right a continual +attempt was also made upon that part of the original front at the +village and bridge, which were defended in the most gallant manner by +Major-General Baron Alten, and the light infantry brigade of the German +Legion, whose conduct, in every point of view, was reported as +“conspicuously good.” The enemy’s cavalry, on his infantry attempting to +force the right, had endeavoured to turn it; but the able manœuvres of +Major-General the Honourable William Lumley, commanding the allied +cavalry, though vastly inferior in point of numbers, foiled the design. +Major-General the Honourable George Lowry Cole, seeing the attack, very +judiciously brought up his left a little, marched in line to attack the +enemy’s left, and arrived most opportunely to contribute, with the +charges of the brigades of Major-General Stewart’s division, to force +the enemy to abandon his situation, and retire precipitately, and to +take refuge under his reserve. Here the Fusilier brigade, consisting of +two battalions of the 7th. and one of the 23rd. Fusiliers, immortalized +itself.[43] So numerous were the casualties, that Captain Stainforth’s +company of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was commanded, at the close +of the action, by Corporal Thomas Robinson. The enemy was pursued by the +Allies to a considerable distance, and as far as it was considered +prudent, with his immense superiority of cavalry, and Marshal Beresford +contented himself with seeing him driven across the Albuhera. + +Commencing at nine o’clock, the battle continued without interruption +until two in the afternoon, when the enemy having been driven over the +Albuhera, for the remainder of the day there was but cannonading and +skirmishing. + +It was observed during this sanguinary battle, that the British dead, +particularly the 57th. regiment, were lying as they fought, in ranks, +and every wound was in the front. This corps here gained the name of the +_Die-hards_. + +On this memorable day the loss was very severe, but the French +casualties were still greater. About two thousand dead were left by them +on the field, and nearly a thousand prisoners were taken. Five of their +generals were killed and wounded. The British had Major-General Hoghton, +thirty-three officers, thirty-three sergeants, four drummers, and nine +hundred and seventeen rank and file killed.[44] + +Amongst the instances of the defence and preservation of the colours, +the following are remarkable, and more especially that of the 3rd., +Buffs, for which a medal was struck. In the accounts of the time, Ensign +Walsh, of the 3rd. Foot, was reported to have prevented the colour of +the regiment from being taken by tearing, when the staff of the colour +was broken by a cannon ball, the colour off and concealing it in his +bosom. This statement misled the then Chancellor of the Exchequer when +he moved a vote of thanks to the army, on the 7th. of June following, +for its gallantry in this sanguinary battle. The honour, however, was +due to Lieutenant Latham, who preserved the regimental colour from +falling into the enemy’s hands in the following gallant manner:—While +the Buffs were engaged with the French infantry, they were attacked in +the rear by a large force of French and Polish cavalry. Ensign Thomas, +who carried the second, or regimental colour, was called upon to +surrender; but he replied that could only be with his life. He fell, +mortally wounded, a victim to his bravery, and the colour was captured. +The first, or the king’s colour, was carried by Ensign Walsh; the +sergeants who protected it had fallen in its defence, and this officer +was pursued by several Polish lancers. Lieutenant Latham saw the danger +of the colour being borne in triumph from the field by the enemy; his +soul was alive to the honour of his corps, and he ran forward to protect +it. Ensign Walsh was surrounded, wounded, and taken prisoner; but +Lieutenant Latham arrived at the spot in time to seize the colour, which +he defended with heroic gallantry. Environed by a crowd of assailants, +each emulous of the honour of its capture, and his body bleeding from +wounds, Lieutenant Latham clung with energetic tenacity to his precious +charge, defended himself with his sword, and refused to yield. A French +hussar, seizing the flag-staff, and raising in his stirrups, aimed at +the head of the gallant Latham a blow which failed in cutting him down, +but which sadly mutilated him, severing one side of the face and nose. +Although thus severely wounded, his resolute spirit did not shrink, but +he sternly and vigorously continued to struggle with the French +horsemen, and, as they endeavoured to drag the colour from him, he +exclaimed, “I will surrender it only with my life.” A second sabre +stroke severed his left arm and hand, in which he held the staff, from +his body. He then dropped his sword, and, seizing the staff with his +right hand, continued to struggle with his opponents until he was thrown +down, trampled upon, and pierced with lances; but the number of his +adversaries, impeded their efforts to destroy him, and that moment the +British cavalry came up and the French troopers fled. Lieutenant Latham, +although desperately wounded, was so intent on preserving the colour, +that he exerted the little strength he had left to remove it from the +staff and to conceal it under him. The Fusilier brigade advanced, and, +by a gallant effort, changed the fortune of the day. Sergeant Gough, of +the first battalion of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, found the colour under +Lieutenant Latham, who lay apparently dead. The colour, for which so +desperate a struggle had been maintained, was restored to the Buffs, and +the sergeant was rewarded with a commission, being, in consequence of +his gallant conduct, appointed ensign in the 2nd. West India Regiment, +on the 14th. of November, 1811. After lying some time on the ground in a +state of insensibility, Lieutenant Latham revived and crawled towards +the river, where he was found endeavouring to quench his thirst. He was +removed to the convent, his wounds dressed, and the stump of his arm +amputated: he ultimately recovered. Ensign Walsh escaped from the enemy +soon after he had been made prisoner. When recovered of his wounds, he +joined his regiment, and made known the circumstance of the colour +having been thus preserved by Lieutenant Latham. The officers of the +Buffs, with a readiness which reflected great honour on the corps, +subscribed one hundred guineas for the purchase of a gold medal, on +which the preservation of the colour by Lieutenant Latham was +represented in high relief, with the motto, “I will surrender it only +with my life.” Application was made to His Royal Highness the +Commander-in-Chief, by General Leigh, then Colonel of the 3rd. Foot, or +the Buffs, for the royal authority for Lieutenant Latham to receive and +wear the medal, which was granted, in a letter dated Horse Guards, 4th. +January, 1813. The medal was presented to this gallant officer at +Reading, on the 12th. of August following. An operation was performed in +1815, by the celebrated surgeon, Mr. Carpue, assisted by Assistant John +Morrison, M.D., of the Buffs, to repair the mutilation of Captain +Latham’s face, at the suggestion of His Royal Highness the Prince +Regent, who kindly defrayed the expense of the operation and cure. +Captain Latham received, by authority of the royal warrant, a pension of +one hundred pounds a year, in consequence of the loss of his left arm, +and a further annual pension of seventy pounds on account of his other +severe wounds. He continued to serve in the 3rd. regiment until the +20th. of April, 1820, when he exchanged to half-pay, receiving the +regulated difference. + +Ensign James Jackson carried the regimental colour of the 57th. at +Albuhera. Soon after the action commenced, the officer with the king’s +colour was severely wounded, and the colour fell to the ground, when +Ensign Jackson immediately directed one of the non-commissioned officers +to pick it up, and taking it from him, gave the regimental colour to the +sergeant, which he retained until an officer was brought to take charge +of it. The king’s colour, which Ensign Jackson carried, received thirty +balls through it, and two others broke the pole and carried away the +top. Nine balls passed through his clothes, of which four wounded—one +through the body. During the greatest part of the battle the hostile +lines were less than one hundred yards from each other. Brevet-Major +James Jackson was placed on retired full pay as captain, 57th. regiment, +on the 25th. of June, 1841, and was promoted to the brevet rank of +Lieutenant-Colonel on the 28th. of November, 1854. + +Marshal Soult retired after the battle to the ground he had been +previously on, and during the night of the 17th. he commenced his +retreat towards Seville, leaving Badajoz to its fate. + + + MEDAL FOR ALBUHERA. + +The medal for the battle of Albuhera was the same as that conferred for +other actions of this period, and of which an illustration is given for +Talavera; but there appears also to have been one awarded by the Spanish +monarch, for in a letter, dated Gonesse, 2nd. July, 1815, addressed to +Marshal Lord Beresford, G.C.B., the Duke of Wellington wrote, “You +should recommend for the Spanish medal for Albuhera, according to the +rules laid down by the King of Spain, for the grant of it. I think it +should be given only to those who were there, and actually engaged.” +When the silver war medal was authorized, it is almost superfluous to +state that a bar was granted for this victory. + + + + + CAPTURE OF JAVA. + AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1811. + + +The British government resolved to complete its dominion in the East, by +the conquest of the island of Java, of which the Dutch had held +undisturbed possession for more than one hundred years. The extent of +the island,—six hundred and forty miles long, and about a hundred broad; +the luxuriant and fertile character of the soil, the mountain districts +yielding the vegetables and grain of Europe, and the plains the +delicious fruits and other vegetable productions of the East in +abundance, without the necessity of laborious tillage, and to so great +an extent, as to occasion it to be sometimes called the granary of the +East; rendered the island of Java a valuable acquisition to the United +Provinces, and its principle city, Batavia, was the capital of the Dutch +settlements in the East Indies. Holland having become a part of that +empire which Napoleon was forming to prepare the way for universal +dominion, it became necessary to deprive the Dutch of this large and +fertile island. + +Lord Minto, the Governor-General of India, planned the expedition, and +in order to carry out his idea, gave orders for the collection of a +number of troops at Madras. The squadron was placed under Rear-Admiral +the Honourable Robert Stopford, and the land forces were commanded by +Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty; whilst his lordship determined +to accompany the armament. + +A landing was effected on the 4th. of August, 1811, at Chillingching, +within twelve miles east of Batavia, which was taken possession of on +the 8th. of that month without opposition. The possession of Batavia was +of the utmost importance. Although large storehouses of public property +were burnt previous to the retreat of the enemy, and every effort made +to destroy the remainder, some valuable granaries and other stores were +preserved. During the night of the 8th. a feeble attempt was made by the +enemy to cut off a small guard, which had been sent for the security of +the place; but the troops of the advance had reinforced the party early +in the evening, and the attack was repulsed. The advance under Colonel +(afterwards Major-General Sir Robert Rollo) Gillespie occupied the city +on the 9th. of August. + +On the 10th. a sharp affair took place with the _élite_ of General +Jansen’s army; the British had advanced from Batavia, and found three +thousand select men of the Gallo-Batavian troops in a strong position at +Weltervreeden, defended by _abattis_; this post was stormed and carried +at the point of the bayonet by the troops under Colonel Gillespie, many +of the enemy being killed, and their guns captured; the remainder +retreated to the entrenched position at Cornelis, between the great +river Jacatra and the deep aqueduct of Slokan, neither of which was +fordable. In this affair the grenadier company of the 78th., and the +detachment of the 89th. regiment, were particularly distinguished in +charging and capturing their adversaries’ artillery. The British loss +was trifling compared with that of their opponents, which was estimated +at about five hundred men, with Brigadier-General Alberti dangerously +wounded. + +Although success had thus attended the British troops, further progress +became extremely difficult, and somewhat doubtful. The position of the +foe was extremely formidable. Seven redoubts, and many batteries, +mounted with heavy cannon, occupied the most commanding ground within +the lines, the whole of the works being defended by a numerous and +well-organized artillery. As the season was too far advanced, the heat +so violent, and the number of troops insufficient to admit of regular +approaches, the only alternative was to attempt to carry the works by +assault, and in aid of this design, some batteries were erected for the +purpose of disabling the principal redoubt; a heavy fire was kept up by +the British for two days, from twenty eighteen-pounders and eight +mortars and howitzers. Their execution was great, and although answered +at the commencement of each day by a far more numerous artillery, the +nearest batteries were daily silenced, and every part of the position +was considerably disturbed. + +At dawn on the 26th. of August, the assault on Cornelis was made. To +Colonel Gillespie, a gallant and experienced officer, the attack was +entrusted. He had the infantry of the advance and the grenadiers of the +line with him, and was supported by Colonel Gibbs, with the 59th. +regiment and the fourth battalion of Bengal Volunteers. They were +intended, if possible, to surprise the redoubt, No. 3, constructed +beyond the Slokan, to endeavour to cross the bridge over that stream +with the fugitives, and then to assault the redoubts within the lines, +Colonel Gillespie attacking those to the left, and Colonel Gibbs to the +right. Lieutenant-Colonel William Macleod, with six companies of the +69th., was directed to follow a path on the bank of the great river, and +when the attack had commenced on the Slokan, to endeavour to possess +himself of the left redoubt, No. 2. Major Tule, with the flank corps of +the reserve, reinforced by two troops of cavalry, four guns of horse +artillery, two companies of the 69th. and the grenadiers of the reserve, +was to attack the corps at Campong Maylayo, on the west of the great +river, and endeavour to cross the bridge at that post. + +The remainder of the army, under Major-General (afterwards General Sir +Frederick) Wetherall, was at the batteries, where a column under Colonel +Wood, consisting of the 78th. regiment and the fifth volunteer +battalion, was directed to advance against the enemy in front, and at a +favourable moment, when aided by the other attacks, to force his way, if +practicable, and open the position for the line. General Jansens was +fully prepared for the conflict, and was in the redoubts when it +commenced. After a long detour through a close and intricate country, +Colonel Gillespie came on the enemy’s advance, routed it in an instant, +and, under a heavy fire of grape and musketry, rapidly possessed himself +of the advanced redoubt, No. 3. Passing the bridges with the fugitives, +under a tremendous fire, he assaulted and carried with the bayonet the +redoubt No. 4, after a very obstinate resistance. Here the two divisions +of the columns separated. Colonel Gibbs turned to the right, and with +the 59th. and a portion of the 78th., which had now forced their way in +front, carried the redoubt No. 1. At the instant of its capture an +explosion of the magazine occurred, which destroyed a number of officers +and men who were crowded on its ramparts, which the foe had abandoned. +The redoubt No. 2, against which Lieutenant-Colonel William Macleod’s +(69th. Foot) attack was directed, was carried in equally gallant style, +but that officer fell in the moment of victory. The front of the +position being thus open, the assailants rushed in from every +quarter.[45] The cavalry, towards the rear, and horse artillery forced a +passage through the lines, the fort of Cornelis was carried, and the +British were triumphant at every point. Nearly two thousand of the enemy +were killed, and about five thousand prisoners were taken, including +three general officers. + +General Jansens, with about fifty horse, the remnant of his army of ten +thousand men, escaped into the interior, where, having collected a small +force, he made a feeble attempt at further resistance, which resulted in +the surrender of himself and his troops in September, with the island of +Java and its dependencies, to the British arms. This valuable island was +annexed to the dominions of the British crown, but was restored to +Holland at the termination of the war, by the treaty of Vienna, in +1814.[46] + +The 14th., 59th., 69th., 78th., and 89th. regiments were present at the +capture of Java. + + + MEDAL FOR JAVA. + +The medal which was conferred for this success was the same as that +granted for the Peninsula victories, and was similarly distributed. When +the general silver medal was subsequently authorized for the several +services specified at page 58, the word JAVA was inscribed on one of the +bars, as was done for the capture of Martinique and Guadaloupe. + + + + + SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO. + JANUARY, 1812. + + +As soon as the troops had recovered from their sickness and fatigue, +Viscount Wellington determined the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, which place +was approached on the 8th. of January, 1812. It was not, however, +regularly invested, for the light division only crossed on that day. The +French garrison in the Francisco redoubt considered the affair merely as +one of observation, and amused themselves with bowing and saluting the +new comers. At night a party was formed from each regiment of the above +division, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Colborne, of the 52nd., and the +redoubt was stormed: the conduct of this officer, and of the detachment, +was highly applauded in the official despatches. + +Viscount Wellington, in the afternoon of the 14th. of January, opened +fire from twenty-two pieces of ordnance in three batteries in the first +parallel, and the British established themselves in the second parallel +on the same night. Lieutenant-General Graham facilitated this measure by +having surprised the enemy’s detachment in the convent of Santa Cruz, on +the night of the 13th.; and Major-General the Honourable Charles +Colville, in temporary command of the fourth division, had, on the night +of the 14th., obtained possession of the convent of St. Francisco, and +of the other fortified posts of the suburb. The latter service was +gallantly performed by Lieutenant-Colonel Harcourt, with the 40th. +regiment, which remained from that period in the suburb of St. +Francisco, and materially assisted in the attack on that side of the +place. The siege was prosecuted with such vigour, that on the 19th. of +the same month, two practicable breaches having been made in the body of +the place, the British commander resolved to carry it by storm. + +The assault was made on the evening of Sunday, the 19th. of January, in +five separate columns. Brigadier-General Pack, who was destined to make +a false attack upon the southern face of the fort, converted it into a +real one, his advance guard, under the command of Major Lynch, having +followed the enemy’s troops from the advanced works into the +_fausse-braye_, where all opposed to them were made prisoners. + +Major Ridge, of the second battalion of the 5th. Fusilliers, having +escaladed the _fausse-braye_ wall, stormed the breach in the body of the +place, together with the 94th. regiment, (Scots Brigade,) commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. These regiments not only effectually +covered the advance from the trenches of Major-General Mac Kinnon’s +brigade, by their first movements and operations, but preceded it in the +attack. + +Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur, and the troops of the light +division on the left, were likewise very forward on that side; and in +less than half an hour from the time the attack commenced, the British +troops were in possession of, and formed on the ramparts of the place, +each body contiguous to the other. The enemy, having sustained a +considerable loss in the contest then submitted. + +The British casualties were severe, especially in officers of high rank +and estimation. During the siege, and in the assault, nine officers and +one hundred and sixty-nine men were killed, seventy officers and seven +hundred and forty-eight men wounded; in all nine hundred and ninety-six. +Major-General Mac Kinnon was blown up by the accidental explosion of one +of the enemy’s expense magazines, close to the breach, after having +gallantly and successfully led the troops under him to the attack. +Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur were wounded, the former severely, +whilst leading on the light division to the storm; Lieutenant-Colonel +Colborne, of the 52nd. Light Infantry,[47] who was severely wounded, and +Major (afterwards Sir George) Napier, who led the storming party of the +light division, also wounded on the top of the breach, and lost an arm. +The garrison likewise sustained severe loss, and was reduced to one +thousand seven hundred men. + +Viscount Wellington specially praised the troops of the first, third, +fourth, and light divisions, and Brigadier-General Pack’s brigade, by +whom the siege was carried on. His lordship added:—“The conduct of all +parts of the third division, in the operations which they performed with +so much gallantry and exactness on the evening of the 19th., in the +dark, affords the strongest proof of the abilities of Lieutenant-General +Picton and Major-General Mac Kinnon by whom they were directed and led; +and I beg particularly to draw your Lordship’s attention to the conduct +of Lieutenant-Colonel O’Toole, 2nd. Caçadores, Major Ridge. 5th. Foot, +Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, 94th., Major Manners, 74th., and of Major +Grey, 5th. Foot, who has been twice wounded during this siege. + +“It is but justice also to the third division to report, that the men +who performed the sap belonged to the 45th., 74th., and 88th. regiments, +under the command of Captain M‘Leod, of the Royal Engineers, and Captain +Thompson, of the 74th., Lieutenant Beresford, of the 88th. (Connaught +Rangers), and Lieutenant Metcalf, of the 45th. (Sherwood Foresters); and +they distinguished themselves not less in the storm of the place than +they had in the performance of their laborious duty during the siege. + +“Although it did not fall to the lot of the troops of the first and +fourth divisions to bring these operations to their successful close, +they distinguished themselves throughout their progress, by the patience +and perseverance with which they performed the labours of the siege. The +brigade of Guards, under Major-General H. Campbell, was particularly +distinguished in this respect.” + +The British commander was advanced to the dignity of an Earl, with an +annuity of two thousand pounds. Parliament voted its thanks to him and +his gallant army. This success also gained for him, from the Spanish +government, the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo. + +The 5th., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 60th., 74th., 77th., 83rd., 88th., 94th. +regiments, and Rifle Brigade, were engaged in the capture of Ciudad +Rodrigo. + + + + + SIEGE OF BADAJOZ. + 17TH. MARCH AND 6TH. APRIL, 1812. + + +The formidable fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo having been captured with such +unlooked-for rapidity, astonished the French General, who had assembled +an army of sixty thousand men for its relief, which now again returned +to its winter quarters. As soon as the breaches were repaired, and the +place put in a state of defence, the Earl of Wellington undertook, for +the third time, the siege of Badajoz. The preparations for this service +had been carried on with extraordinary secrecy, and were completed about +the beginning of March, when the army broke up from its cantonments in +the neighbourhood of Almeida, and, moving with the greatest rapidity, +arrived before Badajoz on the 16th. of that month when the place was +invested by the third, fourth, and light divisions. An advanced post, +the Picurina, was taken by storm on the 25th., and on the following day +two breaching batteries opened fire on the town. + +On the 6th. of April three breaches were considered practicable, and +orders were issued for the assault. It was determined to assault the +castle of Badajoz by escalade. Accordingly the attack was made on the +night of the 6th. of April, at ten o’clock. Major-General Kempt’s +brigade[48] led, and he was wounded in crossing the River Rivillas, +below the inundation. Notwithstanding this circumstance and the +obstinate resistance of the enemy, the castle was carried by escalade, +and the third division (known as the “Fighting Third”) established +therein about half-past eleven. Meanwhile Major Wilson, of the 48th. +regiment, carried the ravelin of St. Roque, with a detachment of two +hundred men of the guard in the trenches, and, with the aid of Major +Squire, of the Engineers, he established himself within that work. + +The fourth and light divisions were not perceived by the enemy until +they reached the covered way, and the advanced guards of the two +divisions descended without difficulty into the ditch, protected by the +fire of the parties stationed on the _glacis_ for that purpose. They +advanced to the assault of the breaches, led by their gallant officers, +with the utmost intrepidity; but such was the nature of the obstacles +prepared by the garrison at the top and behind the breaches, and so +determined the resistance, that the assailants could not establish +themselves within the place. Many brave officers and soldiers were +killed or wounded by explosions at the top of the breaches, and others +who succeeded to them were compelled to give way. Repeated attempts were +made till after twelve at night, when the Earl of Wellington, seeing +that success was not to be attained, and that Lieutenant-General Picton +was established in the castle, the fourth and light divisions were +ordered to the ground on which they had first assembled for the attack. + +Major-General Leith in the meantime had pushed forward Major-General +Walker’s brigade on the left, supported by the 38th., under +Lieutenant-Colonel Nugent, and the 15th. Portuguese regiment, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Do Rego; and he had made a false attack upon the +Pardaleras, with the 8th. Caçadores, under Major Hill. Major-General +Walker forced the barrier on the road of Olivença and entered the +covered way on the left of the bastion of St. Vicente, close to the +Guadiana. There he descended into the ditch, and escaladed the face of +that bastion. + +This proceeding was supported by Lieutenant-General Leith, with the +38th., and the 15th. Portuguese regiment; and the British troops being +thus established in the castle, which commanded all the works of and in +the town; and the fourth and light divisions being formed again for the +attack of the breaches, all resistance ceased. At daylight in the +morning of the 7th. of April, the Governor, General Philippon, who had +retired to Fort St. Christoval, surrendered, together with the whole +garrison, which consisted of five thousand men at the commencement of +the siege, of whom one thousand two hundred were killed or wounded +during the operations, besides those lost in opposing the assault. About +three thousand five hundred prisoners were captured, being all that +survived of the gallant garrison. + +The regiments present at the capture of Badajos, were the 4th., 5th., +7th., 23rd., 27th., 30th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 44th., 45th., 48th., +52nd., 60th., 74th., 77th., 83rd., 88th., 94th., and Rifle Brigade. + +This success cost the British and Portuguese the following heavy +casualties:—Seventy-two officers, fifty-one sergeants, two drummers, and +nine hundred and ten rank and file killed; three hundred and six +officers, two hundred and sixteen sergeants, seventeen drummers, and +three thousand two hundred and forty-eight rank and file wounded. No +wonder that the Iron Duke wept, when he saw that the glory of the +capture was purchased at such a price. + + + + + BATTLE OF SALAMANCA. + 22ND. JULY, 1812. + + +On the 17th. of June, the forts at Salamanca were invested by the sixth +division, and operations commenced by the light companies thereof, under +Colonel Samuel Venables Hinde, of the 32nd. regiment. The remainder of +the army was formed in order of battle on the heights of San Christoval, +in front of Salamanca, from the 20th. to the 28th. of June, to meet +Marshal Marmont, who advanced with forty thousand men to relieve the +forts. They were attacked without success on the 23rd., and carried on +the 27th. of June, by a party under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel +Daviss, of the 36th. regiment. Several skirmishes and changes of +position occurred. The Earl of Wellington advanced in pursuit of the +French Marshal, who, having received reinforcements, crossed the Douro, +and the allies retired, skilfully manœuvring and taking up different +positions in presence of the enemy, until the 21st., when they reached +the ground they had formerly occupied, on the height of San Christoval. + +Shortly after daylight on the 22nd. of July, detachments from both +armies attempted to obtain possession of the more distant from the +allied right of the two hills called Dos Arapiles. In this attempt the +enemy succeeded, his detachment being the strongest; by which success +the French position was materially strengthened, and they had in their +power increased means of annoying that of their opponents. + +The light troops of the seventh division, and the 4th. Caçadores, +belonging to Major-General Pack’s brigade, were engaged in the morning +with the enemy on the height of Nuestra Senora de la Pena, on which they +maintained themselves throughout the day. The improved position of the +French rendered it necessary for the Earl of Wellington to extend the +right of his army _en potence_ to the heights behind the village of +Arapiles, and to occupy it with light infantry; here the fourth +division, under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Lowry +Cole, was placed. + +A variety of evolutions and movements having been made by the French +Marshal, he proceeded to carry out his plan about two o’clock in the +afternoon; and under cover of a very heavy cannonade, which did but +little injury, he extended his left, and moved forward his army, +apparently with an intention to embrace, by the position of his troops, +and by his fire, the British post on that of the two Arapiles, and +thence to attack and break the line; or at all events to render +difficult any movements to the right. This extension of the French line +to their left, and its advance upon the allied right, gave the British +commander an opportunity of attacking him, for which he had long been +anxious. “The attack of the third division,” says Lord Londonderry, in +his “Story of the Peninsula War,” “was not only the most spirited, but +the most perfect thing of the kind that modern times have witnessed. +Regardless alike of a charge of cavalry and of the murderous fire which +the enemy’s batteries opened, on went these fearless warriors, horse and +foot, without check or pause, until they won the ridge, and then the +infantry giving their volley, and the cavalry falling on, sword in hand, +the French were pierced, broken, and discomfited. So close indeed was +the struggle, that in several instances the British colours were seen +waving over the heads of the enemy’s battalions.” + +The British General, in his despatch, observed that “Major-General the +Honourable Edward Pakenham[49] formed the third division across the +enemy’s flank, and overthrew everything opposed to him. These troops +were supported in the most gallant style by the Portuguese cavalry, +under Brigadier-General D’Urban, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hervey’s +squadrons of the 14th., who successfully defended every attempt made by +the enemy on the flank of the third division.” + +In front the French were attacked by Brigadier-General Bradford’s +brigade, the fourth and fifth divisions, and the cavalry under +Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart., and were driven from one +height to another. The cavalry made a most successful charge against a +body of French infantry, which they overthrew, and cut to pieces. In +this charge Major-General Le Marchant was killed. The sixth division, +under Major-General Clinton, was ordered up at a critical period to +relieve the fourth division, which had been heavily pressed, and the +battle was soon restored to its former success. + +The enemy’s right, reinforced by the troops which had fled from his +left, and by those which had by this time retired from the Arapiles, +still continued to resist; and while other corps were directed to turn +the right, the sixth division,[50] supported by the third and fifth, +attacked the front. It was dark before this point was carried by the +sixth division, and the enemy then fled through the woods towards the +Tormes. The pursuit was made by the first and light divisions, and +Major-General William Anson’s brigade of the fourth division, and some +squadrons of cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, +Bart.; but the darkness of the night enabled many of the enemy to +escape, and was unfortunately the cause of Sir Stapleton being wounded +by one of the allied sentries. The same troops renewed the pursuit at +break of day the next morning, with Major-Generals Bock’s and Anson’s +brigades of cavalry, which had joined during the night. On coming up +with the enemy’s rear-guard of cavalry and infantry near La Serna, they +were at once attacked by the two brigades of dragoons; the French +cavalry fled, leaving the infantry to their fate. The gallant charge +made on the infantry by the heavy brigade of the King’s German Legion, +under Major-General Bock, which was completely successful, was highly +commended; the whole body of infantry, consisting of three battalions of +the French first division, were made prisoners on this occasion. + +Eleven pieces of cannon, several ammunition waggons, two eagles, and six +colours were captured; one general, three colonels, three +lieutenant-colonels, one hundred and thirty officers, and about seven +thousand soldiers were taken prisoners. Marshal Marmont was badly +wounded, and lost an arm; four general officers were killed, and several +wounded. + +The British loss was in all four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four +killed and wounded. Major-General Le Marchant was killed; Field-Marshal +Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B., Lieutenant-Generals Sir Stapleton +Cotton-Leith, and the Honourable George Lowry Cole, and Major-General +Victor Alten were amongst the wounded. The French loss was still more +considerable. + +This victory was followed by the surrender of Madrid to the allies, who +entered that city on the 12th. of August, and were joyfully received by +the inhabitants. The title of Marquis was conferred on the Earl of +Wellington. + +The following regiments took part in the victory of Salamanca: 5th +Dragoon Guards, 3rd., 4th., 11th., 14th., and 16th. Light Dragoons; +1st., 2nd., 4th., 5th., 7th., 9th., 11th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 30th., +32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 44th., 45th., 48th., 51st., 52nd., +53rd., 58th., 60th., 61st., 68th., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 88th., and 94th. +Foot, and Rifle Brigade. + + + + + CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT. + AUGUST, 1812. + + +The negotiations between the British Government and the United States of +America, which had several times been broken off and renewed, ultimately +terminated on the 18th of June, 1812, by the latter declaring war. Their +first design was the conquest of Canada, and early in July the American +commander, Brigadier-General Hull, invaded that country, by crossing the +Detroit River on the 12th. of that month, with two thousand three +hundred men, consisting of regular cavalry and infantry, and militia, +with several field pieces; having driven in the militia towards +Amherstsburg, he advanced to Sandwich, and afterwards approached the +former place with a part of his army to the River Cunard, about five +miles from the fort, where he was foiled in three attempts to cross that +river, which cost him a considerable loss. The garrison of Amherstsburg +at that time consisted of a subaltern’s detachment of the royal +artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Troughton, a detachment of three +hundred men of the 41st. regiment, under Captain Muir, and about the +same number of militia, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Saint +George, the district inspecting field officer of militia. Some +skirmishes occurred between the troops under the latter officer, and the +enemy upon the River Canard, which uniformly terminated in his being +repulsed with loss. Major-General Isaac Brock detached a force down the +River Thames, capable of acting in conjunction with the garrison of +Amherstsburg offensively, but Captain Chambers who had been appointed to +direct this detachment, experienced difficulties that frustrated the +design; whereupon Colonel Proctor was ordered to assume the command, and +his force was soon after increased with sixty men of the 41st. regiment. +Meanwhile the most strenuous exertions were made; and voluntary offers +of service were received from that portion of the embodied militia the +most easily connected. The Attorney-General, John M‘Donell, Esq., acted +as provincial aide-de-camp to Major-General Brock, and other gentlemen +of the first character and influence evinced similar devotion. + +A sufficiency of boats being collected at Long Point for the conveyance +of three hundred men, the embarkation took place on the 8th. of August, +and in five days the troops arrived at Amherstsburg. The judicious +arrangement which had been adopted immediately upon the arrival of +Colonel Proctor, of the 41st., compelled the Americans to retreat and +take shelter under the guns of the fort; that officer commenced +operations by sending strong detachments across the river, with a view +of cutting off the enemy’s communications with his reserve. This +produced two smart skirmishes on the 5th. and 9th. of August, in both of +which the Americans suffered considerable loss; the British had only +three killed and thirteen wounded, amongst the latter were Captain Muir +and Lieutenant Sutherland, of the 41st. regiment. Batteries had likewise +been commenced opposite Fort Detroit, for one eighteen-pounder, two +twelve, and two five and a half-inch mortars all of which were opened on +the evening of the 15th. of August, Brigadier-General Hull having been +previously summoned to surrender, and though opposed by a well-directed +fire from seven twenty-four pounders, such was their construction, under +the able directions of Captain Dixon, of the royal engineers, that no +injury was sustained therefrom. + +Major-General Brock having collected the force at his disposal during +the 15th. of August in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation +commenced a little after daylight on the following morning, and by the +able arrangements of Lieutenant Dewar, of the quartermaster-general’s +department, the whole landed at Springwell, about three miles west of +Detroit. The Indians, who in the meantime had effected a landing two +miles below, moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a +half on the British left. The force which was instantly directed to +march against the enemy, consisted of thirty royal artillery, two +hundred and fifty of the 41st. regiment, fifty Royal Newfoundland +regiment, four hundred militia, and about six hundred Indians, to which +were attached three six-pounders, and two three-pounders. The troops +afterwards advanced to within one mile of the fort, when an assault was +determined upon. Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this +movement, by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of +preparing terms of capitulation. The American troops that surrendered +consisted of two thousand five hundred men, and were divided into two +troops of cavalry; one company of artillery regulars; the 4th. United +States regiment; detachments of the 1st. and 3rd. United States +regiment, volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia; and one +regiment of the Michigan territory. Thirty-three pieces of brass and +iron ordnance had already been secured. This capitulation was concluded +at Detroit on the 16th. of August, 1812, and the 41st. foot bears the +name of the fort on the regimental colour, likewise the 69th. its linked +battalion. The medal granted for this service was similar to that +authorized for the Peninsula; and on the war medal being issued a clasp +was added commemorative of the foregoing events. + + + + + BATTLE OF VITTORIA. + 21ST. JUNE, 1813. + + +On the night of the 19th. of June, 1813, the French troops, commanded by +Joseph Buonaparte, having Marshal Jourdan as the Major-General of the +army, took up a position in front of Vittoria, the left resting upon the +heights which end at La Puebla de Arganzon, and extending thence across +the valley of the Zadorra, in front of the village of Arinez. The +Marquis of Wellington reconnoitred the enemy’s position on the 20th., +with design of giving him battle on the following morning, if he should +still remain in it, and accordingly on the 21st. of June ordered an +attack to be made on three separate points—Lieutenant-General Sir +Rowland Hill, with the second division, was to assail the French left at +La Puebla; with Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, with the first and +fifth divisions, was to make a wide detour to the left, and crossing the +Zadorra at Vittoria, to attack their right, and to cut off their retreat +by the great road to Bayonne. The centre, consisting of the fourth and +light divisions, (under Lord Wellington himself,) on the right, and the +third and seventh, (under Lieutenant-General Lord Dalhousie,) on the +left, was to pass the bridges in front, and attack as soon as the +movements on the flanks should be executed. The troops moved from the +camp on the Bayas at daybreak; and the operations of the day commenced +by Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the +heights of La Puebla. The enemy soon discovered the importance of these +heights, and reinforced their troops to such an extent, that the +Lieutenant-General was obliged to detach first the 71st. regiment and +the light infantry battalion of Major-General Walker’s brigade, under +the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, and +successively other troops to the same point. The allies not only gained, +but maintained possession of these important heights throughout their +operations, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts made by the enemy to +retake them. Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan was here mortally wounded. The +contest was thus at first chiefly on the extreme right and left, +because, on account of the rugged nature of the ridges they had to pass, +the left centre column, (third and seventh divisions,) did not reach the +Zadorra until nearly one o’clock; the fourth and light divisions crossed +the Zadorra immediately after Sir Rowland Hill had obtained possession +of Subijana de Alava, the former at the bridge of Nanclares, and the +latter at the bridge of Tres Puentes. The right brigade of the third +division, followed by the seventh division, under the Earl of Dalhousie, +then crossed the bridge of Mendoza, the other brigades of the third +division fording higher up the river. + +The seventh division and the centre brigade of the third division +attacked the French right centre, in front of the villages of Margarita +and Hermandad, and the Marquis of Wellington, seeing the hill in front +of the village of Arinez weakly occupied by the enemy, ordered the right +brigade of the third division, under Lieutenant-General Picton, in close +columns of battalions across the front of both armies to that central +point. The hill was carried immediately, and the French withdrew under +cover of a cannonade from fifty pieces of artillery and a crowd of +skirmishers, to the second range of heights, on which their reserve had +been posted; they, however, still held Arinez on the great road leading +to Vittoria. The brigade then advanced to the attack of the village of +Arinez; the three right companies of the 74th., under Captain Mc Queen, +with the companies of the 60th., immediately dashed forward and charged +through it, drove out the enemy, and captured three guns; these +companies were then halted under cover of some houses until the +remainder of the regiment and brigade should come up, as the French were +again advancing upon the post with increased numbers, keeping up a +terrific fire of artillery and musketry. Finally they were driven back +in confusion at the point of the bayonet. + +By the capture of the village the great road was gained, and the French +extreme left was turned, while they were hard pressed by Sir Rowland +Hill’s attack on their front. They retreated on Vittoria, and the +British continued the advance in admirable order, notwithstanding the +difficulty of the ground. For six miles the action became a running +fight and cannonade. When within a mile of Vittoria, the enemy made a +stand, and the third division, being the foremost, bore the brunt of a +heavy fire, until a hill on the French left was carried by the fourth +division, which caused them to abandon the position. + +Meanwhile Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, with his divisions, had +attacked the French right. The village of Gamarra Mayor was most +gallantly stormed and carried by Brigadier-General Robinson’s brigade of +the fifth division, which advanced in columns of battalions under a very +heavy fire of artillery and musketry, without firing a shot, assisted by +two guns of Major Lawson’s brigade of artillery. The French suffered +severely, and three pieces of cannon were captured. Sir Thomas then +proceeded to attack the village of Abechuco with the first division. +These two villages were strongly occupied by the enemy as +_têtes-de-pont_ to the bridges over the Zadorra at these places. During +the operations at Abechuco, which was carried, the light battalions +having charged and taken three guns and a howitzer on the bridge, the +greatest efforts were made to recover Gamarra Mayor, which were +gallantly repulsed by the troops of the fifth division, under +Major-General Oswald. Two divisions of the French were in reserve on the +heights upon the left of the Zadorra, and it was not possible to cross +by the bridges until the troops, which had moved upon the centre and +left, had driven them through Vittoria. The whole then co-operated in +the pursuit, which was continued by all till after dark. + +The movement of the troops under Sir Thomas Graham, and their possession +of Gamarra and Abechucho, intercepted the enemy’s retreat by the high +road to France. They were then obliged to turn to the road towards +Pampeluna, but were unable to hold any position for a sufficient length +of time to allow the baggage and artillery to be drawn off. The whole, +therefore, of the latter which had not been already captured by the +troops, in their attack of the successive positions taken up by the +French in their retreat from their first position on Arinez, and on the +Zadorra, together with all their ammunition and baggage, fell into the +hands of the British close to Vittoria. Only one gun and howitzer were +carried off by the enemy. + +Count Gazan, the Chief of the French Staff, in his report, shewed the +state of destitution to which the officers were reduced.—“To such an +extent are they stripped, that no one can account for what he has, or +what is due to him. Several of the generals and officers have nothing in +the world but the coats on their backs, and most of them are +barefooted.” The French occupation of the Peninsula was virtually +settled by this day’s success. + +Although the nature of the ground did not admit of the cavalry regiments +being generally engaged, they were kept close to the infantry to support +them, and were most active in the pursuit. The court equipage of King +Joseph was taken, and his carriage being taken, and his carriage being +seized, he had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the +most complete that had been experienced in Spain. + +Marshal Jourdan’s bâton[51] was taken, and sent to the Prince Regent, +who in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, appointed the Marquis of +Wellington a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince +Regent thus conferred the honour:—“You have sent me among the trophies +of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you +in return that of England.” This bâton was taken by the 87th., Royal +Irish Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Viscount) Gough. +The colours of the fourth battalion of the 100th. regiment were also +among the trophies, and a hundred and forty-three brass guns were +captured on the field. + +Both armies were nearly equal in numbers, consisting of about seventy +thousand men each. The French loss was stated by themselves at six +thousand, and the casualties of the allies amounted to nearly five +thousand men. + +The following regiments were present at the battle of Yittoria:—The 3rd. +and 5th. Dragoon Guards; 3rd., 4th., 14th., 15th., and 16th., Light +Dragoons; 1st., 2nd., 4th., 5th., 6th., 7th., 9th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., +27th., 28th., 31st., 34th., 38th., 39th., 40th., 43rd., 45th., 47th., +48th., 50th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., 57th., 58th., 59th., 60th., 66th., +68th., 71st., 74th., 82nd., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 92nd., and Rifle +Brigade. + + + + + ACTIONS OF THE PYRENEES. + 28TH. JULY TO 2ND. AUGUST, 1813. + + +After the decisive battle of Vittoria, the British commander blockaded +the fortress of Pampeluna, besieged St. Sebastian, and took up a +position with the covering army in the Pyrenees. On the 17th. of July +the blockade of Pampeluna was entrusted to the Spaniards. The whole +frontier of the Pyrenees, from the pass of Roncesvalles to the mouth of +the Bidassoa river, was now occupied by the second, seventh, and light +divisions, with some Portuguese brigades in the front line; and by the +third, fourth, and sixth divisions as supports, covering the blockade of +Pampeluna, and the siege of St. Sebastian, then going on under +Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham. The British army, after years of +toil and conflict, procured liberty for the oppressed inhabitants of the +Peninsula, had forced the intrusive monarch of Spain from his throne, +and stood triumphant on the lofty pinnacles of the Pyrenees; but another +mighty struggle was at hand, in which the innate valour and hardihood of +British soldiers were about to be tested, and the French Army, having +been re-organized by Marshal Soult, was pushed boldly forward to drive +them from the mountains. + +Marshal Soult having arrived at Bayonne on the 13th. of July, to +command, as “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” the united French army of +Spain, on the 25th. of that month attacked with about forty thousand men +Major-General Byng’s post at Roncesvalles. Lieutenant-General the +Honourable Sir Lowry Cole moved up to his support with the fourth +division, and these officers were enabled to maintain their post +throughout the day; but the enemy having turned it in the afternoon, Sir +Lowry deemed it advisable to withdraw during the night, and marched to +the neighbourhood of Zubiri. A detachment of the 20th. evinced signal +gallantry in its attacks on the head of a French column, but was forced +back by superior numbers. The Marquis of Wellington stated in his +despatch, that “in the actions which took place on this day, the 20th. +regiment distinguished themselves.” + +Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill’s position in the Puerto de Maya, at +the head of the valley of Bastan, was also attacked by two divisions of +the centre of the French army in the afternoon of the same day. The +brunt of the action fell upon Major-Generals Pringle’s and Walker’s +brigades in the second division, under the command of Lieutenant-General +the Honourable William Stewart. These troops were at first compelled to +give way, but having been supported by Major-General Barnes’s brigade of +the seventh division, they regained that part of their post, which was +the key of the whole, and would have enabled them to re-assume it, had +circumstances permitted it.[52] Sir Rowland Hill, having been apprised +of the necessity that Sir Lowry Cole should retire, considered it +advisable to withdraw his troops also to Irurita, and the enemy did not +advance on the following day beyond the Puerto de Maya. + +During the seven hours these brave troops were engaged but little +advantage was acquired by the French, notwithstanding the numerical +superiority of the latter. All the regiments charged with the bayonet, +and the conduct of the 82nd., which moved up with the brigade under +Major-General Barnes, was particularly reported. Lieutenant-General the +Honourable William Stewart was slightly wounded. + +These events were not known to the Marquis of Wellington until late in +the night of the 25th. and 26th., whereupon his lordship adopted +immediate measures to concentrate the army to the right, at the same +time making provision for the siege of St. Sebastian, and for the +blockade of Pampeluna. + +The hill on the right of the fourth division, which was occupied on the +27th. of July by one battalion of the 4th. Portuguese regiment, and by +the Spanish regiment of Pravia, was attacked; but these troops defended +their ground and drove back the enemy. This height being important to +the British position, the 40th. was ordered to reinforce it, and this +corps, with the Spanish regiments of El Principe and Pravia, succeeded +in holding it, despite the repeated efforts made during the 27th. and +28th. by the enemy to obtain possession. On the morning of the 28th. the +sixth division joined, and it was ordered to form across the valley in +rear of the fourth. Scarcely had they taken their position when they +were attacked by a very large force; their front was however so well +defended by the fire of their own light troops from the heights on their +left, and by that from the heights occupied by the fourth division and +Brigadier-General Campbell’s Portuguese brigade, that the foe was soon +driven back with immense slaughter. + +To extricate their troops from the difficulty in which they were placed, +the enemy attacked the height on which the left of the fourth division +stood, which was occupied by the 7th. Caçadores, and succeeding in +obtaining a momentary possession. They were again attacked by this +regiment, supported by Major-General Ross, at the head of his brigade of +the fourth division, and were driven down with great loss. + +Now the battle became general along the whole front of the heights +occupied by the fourth division, and in every part was in favour of the +allies, excepting where one battalion of the 10th. Portuguese regiment +of Major-General Campbell’s brigade was posted. This battalion having +been overpowered, and compelled to give way immediately on the right of +Major-General Ross’s brigade, the French established themselves on the +British line, and that general was obliged to withdraw from his post. + +The 27th. and 48th. regiments were then ordered to charge, first that +body which had established a footing on the height, and next the portion +on the left. Both attacks succeeded, and the enemy was forced down with +immense loss; and the sixth division having moved forward at the same +time to a situation in the valley of Lanz, nearer to the left of the +fourth, the attack upon that front entirely ceased, and was continued +but faintly on other points of the line. + +During this hard-fought action the following regiments were specially +noticed by the Marquis of Wellington, who observed in his despatch:—“In +the course of this contest the gallant fourth division, which has so +frequently been distinguished in this army, surpassed their former good +conduct. Every regiment charged with the bayonet,—the 40th., 7th., +20th., and 23rd., four different times. Their officers set them the +example; and Major-General Ross had two horses killed under him. The +Portuguese troops likewise behaved admirably, and I had every reason to +be satisfied with the conduct of the Spanish regiments, El Principe and +Pravia.” + +As soon as it was ascertained that Lieutenant-Generals Sir Thomas Picton +and Sir Lowry Cole had moved from Zubiri, that post not being considered +tenable for the time during which it would have been necessary to wait +therein, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill received orders to march by +Lanz upon Lizaso, and Lieutenant-General the Earl of Dalhousie from San +Estevan to the same place, where both arrived on the 28th. of July, and +the seventh division came to Marcalain. + +Sir Rowland Hill was followed by the enemy’s force that had been in his +front, and which ultimately endeavoured to turn the left of the allies +by an attack on his corps. They reinforced with one division the troops +that had been opposed to him, and during the night of the 29th. and +30th., occupied in strength the crest of the mountain on the British +left of the Lanz, opposite to the sixth and seventh divisions, thus +connecting their right in their position with the divisions detached for +the attack of Sir Rowland Hill’s corps. + +Wellington had resolved, however, to attack this position. The Earl of +Dalhousie was ordered to possess himself of the top of the mountain in +his front, thus turning the enemy’s right; and Lieutenant-General Sir +Thomas Picton was to cross the heights, so as to turn his left by the +road to Roncesvalles. As soon as the effect of these movements on the +flanks should become apparent, the front of the position was to be +attacked. Major-General the Honourable Edward Pakenham, who had been +sent to take the command of the sixth division on Major-General Pack +being wounded, turned the village of Sorauren as soon as the Earl of +Dalhousie had driven the foe from the mountain, by which that flank was +defended. The sixth division and Major-General Byng’s brigade, which had +relieved the fourth division on the left of the position on the road to +Ostiz, at once attacked, and succeeded in carrying that village. + +The front of the main position was likewise attacked by +Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, with the 7th. Caçadores, supported by +the 11th. Portuguese regiment, the 40th., and the battalion under +Colonel Bingham, consisting of the 2nd. and 53rd. regiments. These +combined operations compelled the enemy to abandon a position pronounced +by the British commander to have been one of the strongest and most +difficult of access that he had ever seen occupied by troops. In the +retreat therefrom the French lost a great number of prisoners. + +During the course of these operations, and as their success was +observed, troops were detached to the support of Lieutenant-General Sir +Rowland Hill, before whom the enemy appeared in his front late in the +morning, and commenced at once an extended manœuvre upon his left flank +which obliged him to withdraw from the height which he occupied behind +the Lizaso to the next range; there, however, he maintained himself, and +that general specially praised the 28th., 34th., and 60th. regiments. + +At sunset the Marquis of Wellington having continued the pursuit of the +enemy, after his retreat to Olague, found himself immediately in the +rear of their attack upon Sir Rowland Hill, from whose front they +withdrew in the night, and on the 31st. of July took up a strong +position, with two divisions, to cover their rear in the pass of Donna +Maria. This pass was attacked and carried by Sir Rowland Hill and the +Earl of Dalhousie, notwithstanding a vigorous opposition, and the +strength of the position. On this occasion Lieutenant-General the +Honourable William Stewart was wounded. A very thick fog prevented that +advantage being taken of the situation of the enemy, which otherwise +might have been effected. + +Meanwhile the Marquis of Wellington moved with Major-General Byng’s +brigade and the fourth division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry +Cole, by the Pass of Velate upon Irurita, in order to turn the French +position on Donna Maria. Major-General Byng (afterwards Earl of +Strafford) intercepted in Elizondo a large convoy and captured several +prisoners. The pursuit of the enemy was continued in the valley of the +Bidassoa, and many prisoners and much baggage were taken; the latter +General possessed himself of the valley of Bastan, and of the position +on the Puerto de Maya, so that the British forces on the night of the +1st. of August, occupied nearly the same positions as on the 25th. of +July. + +The French troops having been considerably reinforced and re-equipped +after their recent defeat, made a most formidable attempt on the 28th. +to relieve the blockade of Pampeluna with the whole of their forces, +excepting the reserve under General Villatte, which remained in front of +the British corps on the great road from Irun. This attempt was however +entirely frustrated by the operations of a part only of the allied army, +and the enemy sustained a defeat, and suffered considerably both in +officers and men. They sent off the guns to St. Jean de Pied de Port on +the evening of the 28th. of July, which alone ensured their safety. + +Again the fourth division was most highly spoken of—the British +commander stating that it is impossible to describe its “enthusiastic +bravery.” + +On the morning of the 2nd. of August, the enemy still continued posted, +with a force of two divisions, on the Puerto de Echalar, and nearly the +entire army behind the Puerto, when the fourth, seventh, and light +divisions advanced by the valley, of the Bidassoa to the frontier, it +having been determined to dislodge them by a combined attack and +movement of the three divisions. The seventh division having, however, +crossed the mountains from Sumbilla, had necessarily preceded the +arrival of the fourth, and Major-General Barnes’s brigade was therefore +formed for the attack, and advanced, before the fourth and light +divisions could co-operate, with a regularity and gallantry which the +British commander “had seldom seen equalled, and actually drove the two +divisions of the enemy, notwithstanding the resistance opposed to them, +from those formidable heights.” This exploit was the admiration of all +who witnessed it. Major-General Kempt’s brigade of the light division +likewise forced a very considerable force from the rock forming the left +of the Puerto. The enemy were now in their own territory, and the +British troops awaited in the Pyrenees the capture of St. Sebastian and +Pampeluna. + +In these combats, which have been designated the “Battles of the +Pyrenees,” the following regiments were engaged, namely: 2nd., 3rd., +6th., 7th., 11th., 20th, 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., +34th., 36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 45th., 48th., 50th., 51st., 53rd., +57th., 58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 71st., 74th., 79th., 82nd., +91st., and 92nd. Foot. + +As may be readily conceived, the loss of the allies during these +protracted encounters was great; they had forty-one officers and eight +hundred and forty-seven men killed, and three hundred and twenty-eight +officers and five thousand one hundred and seventy-two men wounded; +many, however, were but slight cases.[53] + + + + + SIEGE OF ST. SEBASTIAN. + AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1813. + + +The allies having advanced to so great a distance from Portugal, that +country was no longer used by the British as a place of arms, and the +establishments there were consequently broken up. In conjunction with +the ocean, the Western Pyrenees offered a fresh base of operations, and +the capture of St. Sebastian became of primary importance. + +One of the first objects was the reduction of the convent and redoubt of +San Bartolomeo, which were battered by the artillery, and so far +damaged, that on the 17th. of July, it was determined to storm these +posts. The pickets of the 4th. Caçadores, and one hundred and fifty men +of the 13th. Portuguese regiment, supported by three companies of the +9th., with a reserve of three companies of the Royals, formed on the +right to attack the redoubt; two hundred men of the 5th. Caçadores, and +two hundred of the 13th. Portuguese, supported by the 9th. regiment, +formed on the left to attack the convent. At ten o’clock in the +forenoon, the troops rushed from behind the hill overlooking the +convent. Both the convent and the houses of the suburb were assaulted, +and in the latter a fierce struggle ensued, but eventually the French +were expelled with severe loss. + +The capture of the convent facilitated the progress of the siege, and on +the 24th. of July the breaches were deemed practicable, when the third +battalion of the Royals was directed to storm the great breach, the +38th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, the lesser breach, and +the 9th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, supported the Royals, under +Major Peter Fraser. At daybreak on the morning of the 25th. of July, the +troops advanced to the attack with signal intrepidity; the cannon of the +fortress played upon them in front; the ground was difficult to pass; +and the volleys of musketry were incessant; at the same time showers of +hand-grenades, shells, and large stones were poured down upon them; yet +the attack was made with valour; and the defences round the breach had +not been destroyed, and success was found to be impracticable. +Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron and Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 9th., +distinguished themselves on this occasion, and the latter (afterwards +General Lord Clyde,) who led the left wing of the Royals, was severely +wounded. The loss sustained was severe, especially by the third +battalion of the Royals, the leading one of Major-General Hay’s brigade, +which, being on duty in the trenches, formed the column of attack. + +During the contest in the mountains, before described, the siege was +turned into a blockade; when the French, however, had been repulsed and +driven back with severe loss, the siege was resumed, and was afterwards +prosecuted with vigour. On the 26th. of August, the fire against the +fort was opened, and Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham directed that +an establishment should be formed on the island of Santa Clara, in the +bay of St. Sebastian. At three o’clock on the morning of the 27th. of +August, a hundred soldiers of the 9th. Foot, commanded by Captain Hector +Cameron, sailed from Passages in boats to attack the island. As the +boats approached the shore, a heavy fire was opened upon them, but a +landing was effected, and the garrison made prisoners. + +On the morning of the 27th. of August, the French made a sally against +the new batteries on the isthmus, but were repulsed. St. Sebastian was +again attacked by storm on the 31st. of August, and the heroic +perseverance of all the troops concerned was at length crowned with +success. The column of attack was formed of the second brigade of the +fifth division, commanded by Major-General Robinson, with the following +detachments as supports:—one hundred and fifty volunteers of the light +division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hunt, of the 52nd.; four hundred of +the first division, consisting of two hundred of the brigades of guards, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Cook; one hundred of the light battalion, and +one hundred of the line battalions of the King’s German Legion, under +Major Robertson; and two hundred volunteers of the fourth division, +under Major Rose, of the 20th. Foot. In reserve were the remainder of +the fifth division, consisting of Major-General Spry’s Portuguese +brigade, and the first brigade under Major-General Hay, together with +the fifth battalion of Caçadores of Major-General Bradford’s brigade, +under Major Hill; the whole were under the direction of +Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith, commanding the fifth division. The +difficulties to be overcome were so formidable, and the resistance of +the enemy so determined, that the reserve brigade was pushed on by +degrees. For five hours the conflict raged at the beaches, when an +explosion destroyed the enemy’s traverses. The guns were turned against +the curtain, against which a heavy fire of artillery was directed. This +passed a few feet only over the heads of the troops on the breach, and +was kept up with remarkable precision. The advance of the first +battalion of the 13th. regiment, under Major Snodgrass, over the open +breach and across the river, and a detachment of the 24th. regiment, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Mac Bean, in support, was gallantly made under +a very severe fire of grape. A great effort was next made to gain the +high ridge, and to storm the hornwork. The second brigade of the fifth +division, under Colonel the Honourable Charles Greville, moved out of +the trenches for this purpose, and the third battalion of the 1st. foot, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Barns, supported by the 38th., under +Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, opportunely arrived to assault the trench of +the curtain about the time when the explosion had created some confusion +amongst the garrison. After a severe conflict the narrow pass was +gained, and the troops on the right of the breach having succeeded in +forcing the barricades on the top of the narrow line wall, found their +way into the houses which joined it. After an assault which lasted over +two hours, a firm footing, under the most trying circumstances, was +obtained. Nothing could restrain the impetuosity of the troops, and in +an hour more the enemy were driven from all the complications of +defences prepared in the streets, and after suffering severe loss, they +abandoned the town and retreated into the castle.[54] + +Batteries mounting fifty-four pieces of ordnance opened a tremendous +fire upon the citadel on the 8th. of September, and in less than three +hours the garrison hoisted the flag of truce, and after some discussion +surrendered. The loss of the garrison was related to have amounted to +two-thirds of their numbers at the commencement of the siege. + +From the 28th. of July to the 31st. of August the British had thirty-six +officers, thirty-one sergeants, one drummer, and five hundred and three +men killed; seventy officers, (including Lieutenant-General Sir James +Leith and Major-Generals Oswald and Robinson,) fifty-four sergeants, six +drummers, and nine hundred and seventy-three rank and file were wounded. +The Portuguese had eight officers and one hundred and eighty-one men +killed, and thirty-five officers and five hundred and fifty-nine men +wounded. + +ST. SEBASTIAN on the colours of the 1st., 4th., 9th., 38th., 47th., and +59th. regiments, commemorates this arduous and glorious service. + + + + + THE GOLD CROSS AND CLASPS.[55] + + +Officers in the course of the war had received so many medals, that it +became extremely inconvenient to wear them, and it was the practice for +a short time to engrave the name of the second or third action on the +medal originally given to them.[56] It was afterwards determined that +only one medal should be worn by any officer; for every other action in +which he might distinguish himself, a gold clasp, with the name of the +event, was to be attached to the ribbon, until two clasps had been +received. On the next occasion whereon he might signalize himself, a +gold cross, having on each compartment the names of each of the four +services, was to be conferred instead of the medal and clasps originally +received. For every subsequent action a clasp was to be issued, to be +attached to the ribbon above the cross. In the centre of the cross, +which was fastened to the ribbon or swivel by a large ring, chased with +laurel, is a lion statant; in each compartment, surrounded by an edge of +laurel, is the name of the battle or action. Wreaths of laurel are also +round the names of the actions on the clasps. + +So much reluctance was evinced by officers to relinquish the original +medals, that the design of having them returned was given up. When +officers had received both the medals, as necessarily happened during +the lengthened struggle in the Peninsula, the large one was worn, with +the clasps of the actions for which the small medals had been conferred. + +The following regulations regarding the grant of the Cross and clasps +were published in the “London Gazette”:— + + “Horse Guards, October 7th., 1813. + + Whereas considerable inconvenience having been found to attend the + increased number of medals, that have been issued in commemoration of + the brilliant and distinguished events, in which the success of His + Majesty’s arms has received the royal approbation, the Prince Regent + has been pleased to command, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, + that the following regulations shall be adopted, in the grant and + circulation of such marks of distinction, namely,— + + 1st.—That one medal only shall be borne by each officer, recommended + for such distinction. + + 2nd.—That for the second and third events, which may be subsequently + commemorated in like manner, each individual recommended to bear the + distinction, shall carry a gold clasp attached to the ribbon to which + the medal is suspended, and inscribed with the name of the battle, or + siege, to which it relates. + + 3rd.—That upon a claim being admitted to a fourth mark of distinction, + a cross[57] shall be borne by each officer, with the names of the four + battles, or sieges, respectively inscribed thereupon; and to be worn + in substitution of the distinctions previously granted to such + individuals. + + 4th.—Upon each occasion of a similar nature, that may occur + subsequently to the grant of a cross, the clasp shall again be issued + to those who have a claim to the additional distinction, to be borne + on the ribbon to which the cross is suspended, in the same manner as + described in No. 2, of these regulations. + + His Royal Highness is further pleased to command, in the name and on + behalf of his Majesty, that the distribution of medals, or badges, for + military services of distinguished merit, shall be regulated as + follows, namely,— + + 1st.—That no general, or other officer, shall be considered entitled + to receive them, unless he has been personally, and particularly + engaged upon those occasions of great importance and peculiar + brilliancy, in commemoration of which the Prince Regent, in the name + and on behalf of His Majesty, may be graciously pleased to bestow such + marks of distinction. + + 2nd.—That no officer shall be considered a candidate for the medal, or + badge, except under the special selection and report of the Commander + of the Forces upon the spot, as having merited the distinction by + conspicuous services. + + 3rd.—That the Commander of the Forces shall transmit to the + Commander-in-Chief, returns signed by himself, specifying the names + and ranks of those officers whom he shall have selected as + particularly deserving. + + 4th.—The Commander of the Forces, in making the selection, will + restrict his choice to the undermentioned ranks,[58] namely,—General + officers: Commanding officers of brigades; Commanding officers of + artillery, or engineers; Adjutant-General, and Quartermaster-General, + Deputies of Adjutant-General, and Quartermaster-General, having the + rank of field officers; Assistants-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, + having the rank of field officers, and being at the head of the staff, + with a detached corps, or distinct division of the army; Military + Secretary, having the rank of field officer; Commanding officers of + battalions, or corps equivalent thereto; and officers who may have + succeeded to the actual command during the engagement, in consequence + of the death, or removal, of the original commanding officer. + + The Prince Regent is therefore graciously pleased to command, in the + name and on behalf of His Majesty, that, in commemoration of the + brilliant victories obtained by His Majesty’s arms in the battles of + Roleia and Vimiera, Corunna, Talavera de la Reyna, Busaco, Barrosa, + Fuentes d’Onor, Albuhera, and Salamanca, and in the assaults and + captures of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, the officers of the army, + present on those occasions, shall enjoy the privilege of bearing + badges of distinction; and His Royal Highness having approved of the + crosses, medals, and clasps, which have been prepared, is pleased to + command that they shall be worn by the general officers, suspended by + a ribbon the colour of the sash, with a blue edge, round the neck; and + by the commanding officers of battalions, or corps equivalent thereto, + and officers who may have succeeded to the actual command during the + engagement, the chiefs of military departments, and their deputies and + assistants, (having the rank of field officers,) and such other + officers as may be specially recommended, attached by a ribbon of the + same description to the button-hole of their uniform. + + The Prince Regent is also pleased to command, in the name and on the + behalf of His Majesty, that those badges which would have been + conferred upon the officers who have fallen at, or died since, the + above-named battles and sieges, shall, as a token of respect for their + memories, be transmitted to their respective families. + + By command of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. + + FREDERICK, Commander-in-Chief. + H. TORRENS, Colonel and Military Secretary.” + + + + + AFFAIR OF CHATEAUGUAY. + 26TH. OCTOBER, 1813. + + +This was one of the actions which occurred during the war between Great +Britain and the United States. In the autumn of 1813, a great effort was +made by the Americans for the invasion of Canada at different points. +The expedition commenced with the advance of Major-General Hampton to +the frontier, whilst Major-General Wilkinson, in co-operation, embarked +with ten thousand men, on Lake Ontario, and proceeded in boats down the +river St. Lawrence, with the intention of reaching Montreal. On the 8th. +of October, Major-General Hampton occupied with a considerable force of +regulars and militia, a position on the Chateauguay river, near the +settlement of the Four Corners. The American army crossed the line of +separation between Lower Canada and the United States early on the 21st. +of that month, surprised a small party of Indians, and drove in a picket +of militia, posted at the junction of the Ontard and Chateauguay rivers, +where it encamped, and proceeded in establishing a road of communication +with its last position, for the purpose of bringing forward its +artillery. All arrangements having been completed on the 24th., the +American General commenced on the following day his operations against +the advanced posts of the British; at about eleven o’clock in the +forenoon of the 26th. of October, his cavalry and light infantry were +discovered advancing on both banks of the Chateauguay, by a detachment +covering a working party of _habitans_ employed in felling timber, for +the purpose of constructing _abattis_. + +Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, who had the command of the advanced +pickets, composed of the light infantry company of the Canadian +Fencibles, and two companies of Voltigeurs, on the north side of the +river, made so excellent a disposition of his small force, that he +checked the advance of the principal column, led by Major-General +Hampton in person, and accompanied by Brigadier-General Izard; whilst +the American light brigade, under Colonel M‘Carty, was similarly +repulsed in its progress on the south side of the river, by the spirited +advance of the right flank company of the third battalion of the +embodied militia, under Captain Daly, supported by Captain Bruyer’s +company of Chateauguay Chasseurs. Captains Daly and Bruyer being +wounded, (the former twice severely,) and their companies having +sustained some loss, their position was immediately taken up by a flank +company of the first battalion of embodied militia. The American troops +rallied and repeatedly returned to the attack, but were foiled at all +points by a handful of men, who by their determined bravery, maintained +their position, and protected the working parties, who were enabled to +continue their labours. + +Nearly all the British troops having been pushed forward for the defence +of Upper Canada, that of the lower province depended in a great degree +on the valour and exertions of its incorporated battalions and its +sedentary militia. This loyal and honourable line of conduct was +persevered in by the Canadians. + +It appeared by report of prisoners taken in the affair on the +Chateauguay, that the American forces consisted of seven thousand +infantry and two hundred cavalry, with ten field pieces. The British +advance force, actually engaged, did not exceed three hundred, and the +enemy suffered severely, not only from the British fire, but also from +their own, some detached corps in the woods having fired upon each +other. + +Lieutentant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart., solicited from His Royal +Highness the Prince Regent five pairs of colours for the first, second, +third, fourth, and fifth battalions of the embodied battalions of the +Canadian militia, as a mark of royal approbation of their conduct. + +A medal was granted for this service, which was similar to that +authorized for the Peninsula actions, and it was afterwards commemorated +by a bar, when the general war medal was distributed. + + + + + PASSAGE OF THE NIVELLE. + 10TH. NOVEMBER, 1813. + + +After the fall of St. Sebastian, the hostile armies remained for some +time inactive, or occupied only in strengthening their respective +positions, and preparing for the further prosecution of the campaign. +The troops, however, suffered severely from the inclemency of the +weather. Exposed on the bleak summits of the Pyrenees, they gazed with +intense longing on the beautiful plains of France, which lay stretched +out beneath their feet; but the close neighbourhood of a watchful enemy +rendered the greatest vigilance necessary, and the duties were severe. + +Flushed with success the British troops ardently longed for further +victories. This moment at length arrived. Early on the morning of the +7th. of October, the army, under favour of a dark and stormy sky, +descended from the heights, crossed the Bidassoa, and with little +opposition established itself on the French territory. The continued +inclemency of the weather, and the badness of the roads, retarded the +further advance of the army till the 10th. of November, when all +preparations being completed, the columns moved down the passes of the +Pyrenees in the most perfect silence, and lay down, each at its +appointed station, to await the dawn of day to make their attack. This +was commenced by the fourth division, which carried a strong redoubt in +front of the village of Sarre, drove the enemy from that village, and +continued its advance against the heights in its rear, exposed to the +fire of entrenchments by which the position was secured. These, however, +were successively abandoned as the division advanced, the enemy flying +in great disorder, towards the bridges on the Nivelle; the garrison of +one redoubt, which alone offered any resistance, being made prisoners. +The other attacks were all equally successful; the enemy driven from the +centre of his line, concentrated himself on the heights above St. Pé, +whence he was dislodged by a flank movement of the third and seventh +divisions on the left, in conjunction with the sixth division, which +proceeded in the contrary direction. Marshal Soult at length withdrew +the whole of his army, and resigned his position to the allies, who went +into cantonments in advance of the Nivelle, where they enjoyed another +interval of repose. + +In the Marquis of Wellington’s official report occurred the following; +after speaking of the handsome attack of the sixth division, he +continued, “I likewise particularly observed the gallant conduct of the +51st. and 68th. regiments, under the command of Major Rice and +Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkins, in Major-General Inglis’s brigade, in the +attack of the heights above St. Pé, in the afternoon of the 10th.” + +The 43rd. and 52nd. regiments added to their former renown on this +occasion, especially in the storming of the Petite Rhune, and in the +completion of the victory. + +Considering the strength of the positions attacked, and the length of +time (from daylight till dark) during which the troops were engaged, the +loss, although severe, was not so great as might have been expected. +Major-Generals Kempt and Byng were wounded. The enemy lost fifty guns, +two thousand men, fifteen hundred prisoners, and large quantities of +stores and ammunition. + +The following regiments were engaged in this service:—the 2nd., 3rd., +5th., 6th., 11th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., +36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 48th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., +57th., 58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 74th., 79th., 82nd., 83rd., +87th., 88th., 91st., 94th., and Rifle Brigade. + + + + + ACTION AT CHRYSTLER’S FARM. + 11TH. NOVEMBER, 1813. + + +Major-General James Wilkinson, who had been instructed to co-operate +with Major-General Hampton in the invasion of Lower Canada, and for the +avowed purpose of taking up his winter quarters in Montreal, quitted +Grenadier Island, on Lake Ontario, on the 30th October, 1813, with ten +thousand men, in small craft and batteaux, and proceeded down the St. +Lawrence. Having, on the 31st., halted a few miles below Gravelly Point, +on the south side of the river, his position was on the following day +reconnoitred, and subsequently cannonaded by a division of gunboats, +under the command of Captain Mulcaster, of the Royal Navy. By keeping +close to his own shore, the enemy arrived, on the 6th. of November, +within six miles of the port of Prescott, which he endeavoured to pass +unobserved during the night of the 7th.; but the attempt was frustrated +by the vigilance of Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson, who commanded there, and +the American Armada was compelled to sustain a heavy and destructive +cannonade during the whole of that operation. + +Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, having anticipated the +possibility of the American government sending its whole concentrated +force from Lake Ontario towards this territory, had ordered a corps of +observation, consisting of the remains of the 49th. regiment, the second +battalion of the 89th., and three companies of the Voltigeurs, with a +division of gunboats, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel +J. W. Morrison, of the 89th., to follow the movements of Major-General +Wilkinson’s army. + +An attack was made at Chrystler’s Farm, on the 11th. of November, 1813, +upon the corps of observation, by a portion of the American force, under +Brigadier-General Boyd, amounting to nearly four thousand men, which +resulted in the complete repulse and defeat of the enemy, with +considerable loss, upwards of one hundred prisoners, with a field-piece, +being captured; their total loss was estimated at eight hundred men. +This action commenced about two o’clock in the afternoon, when the +Americans, having moved forward from Chrystler’s point, attacked the +advance, which gradually fell back to the position selected for the +detachment to occupy, the right resting on the river, and the left on a +pine wood, exhibiting a front of about seven hundred yards. + +In consequence of the ground being open, the troops were thus disposed: +the flank companies of the 49th. regiment, the detachment of the +Canadian Fencibles, with one field-piece, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Pearson on the right, a little advanced on the road; three companies of +the 89th. regiment under Captain Barnes, with a gun formed in +_echellon_, with the advance on its left supporting it. The 49th. and +89th. thrown more to the rear, with a gun, formed the main body and +reserve, extending to the woods on the left, which were occupied by the +Voltigeurs under Major Herriot, and the Indians under Lieutenant +Anderson. At about half-past two the action became general, when the +enemy endeavoured, by moving forward a brigade from his right, to turn +the British left, but was repulsed by the 89th. forming _en potence_ +with the 49th., and both corps moving forward, occasionally firing by +platoons. His efforts were next directed against the right, and to +repulse this movement, the 49th. took ground in that direction, in +_echellon_, followed by the 89th.; when within half-musket-shot the line +was formed under a heavy, but irregular fire from the Americans. + +Orders were next given for the 49th. to charge the gun posted opposite, +but it became necessary when within a short distance of it, to check +this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from the American +cavalry on the right, lest they should fall upon their rear; but they +were received in so gallant a manner by the companies of the 89th., +under Captain Barnes, and the well-directed fire from the artillery, +that they quickly retreated, and by an immediate charge from three +companies, one gun was captured. + +About half-past four the Americans gave way at all points from an +exceedingly strong position, endeavouring to cover the retreat by their +light infantry, which were soon driven away by Lieutenant-Colonel +Pearson. The detachment for the night occupied the ground from which the +foe had been driven, and afterwards moved forward in pursuit. + +This action was also rewarded by the usual medal, and consequently a +bar, inscribed “CHRYSTLER’S FARM,” was authorized when the war medal was +granted. The force engaged consisted of the Royal Artillery, 49th., the +second battalion of the 89th. regiment; Canadian Fencibles, Canadian +Voltigeurs, and Militia Artillery and Dragoons, and Indians. + +No distinction has been granted for the colours, on account of either +Chateauguay or Chrystler’s Farm. + + + + + PASSAGE OF THE NIVE. + 9TH. TO 13TH. DECEMBER, 1813. + + +After the retreat of the French from the Nivelle, they occupied a +position in front of Bayonne, which had, since the battle of Vittoria, +been entrenched with great labour. The bad state of the roads, and the +swelling of the rivulets from the fall of rain, had prevented the +Marquis of Wellington from at once passing the Nive.[59] The state of +the weather and roads at length enabled the British commander to collect +the materials, and make preparations for forming the necessary bridges. +The troops moved out of their cantonments on the 8th. of December, and +Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the right of the army, crossed +on the 9th. at, and in the neighbourhood of Cambo, Marshal Sir William +Beresford supporting the operation by passing the sixth division, under +Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, at Ustaritz; both operations +succeeded completely. The enemy were immediately driven from the right +bank of the river, and retired towards Bayonne, by the great road of St. +Jean Pied de Port. Those posted opposite Cambo were nearly intercepted +by the sixth division, and one regiment, being driven from the road, was +compelled to march across the country. + +On the morning of the 10th. of December the enemy moved out of the +entrenched camp with their whole army, with the exception only of that +portion which occupied the works opposite to Sir Rowland Hill’s +position, and drove in the pickets of the light division, when an action +ensued, the brunt of which fell upon the first Portuguese brigade under +Major-General Arch. Campbell, and upon Major-General Robinson’s brigade +of the fifth division, which moved up in support. + +When night closed the French were still in great force in front of the +British posts, on the ground from which they had driven the pickets. +During the night they retired from Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope’s +front, leaving small posts, which were immediately driven in. About +three in the afternoon they again drove in that officer’s pickets, and +attacked his posts, but were once more repulsed with considerable loss. + +On the morning of the 12th. the attack was re-commenced by the enemy +with the same want of success, the first division under Major-General +Howard, having relieved the fifth division; the enemy discontinued it in +the afternoon, and retired entirely within the entrenched camp on that +night. After the 10th. the attack was never renewed on the posts of the +light division. + +It was not until the 12th. of December that the first division, under +Major-General Howard, was engaged, when the guards conducted themselves +with their usual spirit. + +Having thus failed in all the attacks with their whole force upon the +British left, the enemy withdrew into their entrenchments on the night +of the 12th., and passed a large force through Bayonne; with which, on +the morning of the 13th. of December, a most desperate attack was made +upon the troops under Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill. In +expectation of this the Marquis of Wellington had requested Marshal Sir +William Beresford to reinforce the Lieutenant-General with the sixth +division, which crossed the Nive at daylight on that morning; and a +further reinforcement of the fourth division, with two brigades of the +third, received orders to join Sir Rowland Hill. The troops under his +immediate command had defeated the enemy with immense loss, before these +succours arrived. Two guns and some prisoners were taken from the +French, who, being beaten at all points, and having sustained +considerable loss, were compelled to withdraw upon their entrenchment. + +Soult’s objects were to gain the bridge of St. Pierre, to make himself +master of the road to St. Jean Pied de Port, and to break through the +position of the allies. For these purposes he put forth his whole +strength, and was completely vanquished. Even before the sixth division +arrived, Sir Rowland Hill had repulsed him with prodigious loss; and +although he skilfully availed himself of a high ground in retreating, he +could not stand against the famous charge of General Byng, and was +entirely defeated. It was a battle fought and won by the corps of Sir +Rowland Hill alone and unaided. At the instant of victory Lord +Wellington came up, and in the ecstacy of the moment of triumph, caught +him by the hand, and said, “Hill, the day is your own.” + +The late Field-Marshal the Earl of Strafford, and Colonel of the +Coldstream Guards, (then Major-General Byng,) highly distinguished +himself in this action, wherein he led his troops, under a most galling +fire, to the assault of a strong height occupied in great force by the +enemy, and having himself ascended the hill first with the colour of the +31st. regiment of foot in his hand, he planted it upon the summit, and +drove the enemy (far superior in numbers) down the ridge to the suburbs +of St. Pierre, for which act he received the royal authority on the 4th. +of July, 1815, to bear the following honourable augmentation, namely, +“Over the arms of the family of Byng, in bend sinister, a representation +of the colour of the 31st. regiment,” and the following crest, namely, +“Out of a mural crown an arm embowed, grasping the colour of the +aforesaid 31st. regiment, and, pendent from the wrist by a riband, the +Gold Cross presented to him by His Majesty’s command, as a mark of his +royal approbation of his distinguished services,” and in an escroll +above, the word “Mouguerre,” being the name of a height near the hamlet +of St. Pierre. + +The following regiments took part in this action The 16th. Light +Dragoons, 1st., 3rd., 4th., 9th., 11th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., +36th., 38th., 39th., 42nd., 43rd., 50th., 52nd., 57th., 59th., 60th., +61st., 62nd., 66th., 71st., 76th., 79th., 84th., 85th., 91st., and 92nd. +Foot, and Rifle Brigade. + + + + + BATTLE OF ORTHES. + 27TH. FEBRUARY, 1814. + + +Little rest was accorded to the Peninsula troops. The weather having +improved, and the roads become passable, in the second week of February +the Marquis of Wellington continued his victorious career. The sixth and +light divisions were ordered to break up from the blockade of Bayonne, +and General Don Manuel Freyre was directed to close up the cantonments +of his corps towards Iran, and to be prepared to move when the left of +the army should cross the Adour. Immediately after the passage of the +Gave d’Oléron, by Sir Rowland Hill, at Villenave, on the 24th. of +February, that general and Sir Henry Clinton moved towards Orthes, near +which place the French army was assembled on the 25th., having destroyed +all the bridges on the Gave de Pau. + +At this period the third division of the British army was at the broken +bridge of Berenx, five miles lower down the river, having the sixth and +seventh divisions (then arrived under Marshal Beresford) on its left, +while the remainder of the force was assembled in front of Orthes. On +the 26th. the third division forded the river lower down, and a pontoon +bridge was afterwards laid at Berenx, by which the fourth and sixth +divisions crossed on the morning of the 27th., at which time the third +division was already posted with skirmishers thrown out close upon the +left centre of the French position. The sixth division was placed on the +right between the third division and the river, and the light division +on its left in rear as a reserve. During the whole morning there had +been occasional skirmishing by the third division, but the real attack +commenced at nine o’clock by the third and sixth divisions on the French +left centre, and the fourth and seventh divisions on their right, which +last was intended to be the principal point of attack; but it having +been found, after three hours’ hard fighting, that the enemy were there +too strongly posted, the Marquis of Wellington ordered an advance of the +third and sixth divisions, with the 52nd. regiment, from the centre upon +the left centre of the French position, which they carried and secured +the victory;[60] meanwhile Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the +second division, had crossed the river above Orthes, and nearly cut off +the only line of retreat open to the enemy, who then retired from the +field, but without confusion, and constantly resisting the advance. The +allies followed, keeping up an incessant fire and cannonade, but lost +many men, particularly of the third division, which was the most +strongly opposed; this continued until the French nearly reached the Luy +de Bearn river, when their retreat became a flight, and they effected +their escape by the fords and one bridge, which they destroyed, having +lost four thousand men and six guns. In this battle the Marquis of +Wellington was wounded.[61] + +The regiments engaged at Orthes were the 14th. Light Dragoons, 5th., +6th., 7th., 11th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., +34th., 36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 45th., 48th., 50th., 51st., 52nd., +58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 71st., 74th., 82nd., 83rd., 87th., +88th., 91st., 92nd., and 94th Foot, and the Rifle Brigade.[62] + + + + + BATTLE OF TOULOUSE. + 10TH. APRIL, 1814. + + +This, the last general action of the Peninsula war, was fought on Easter +Sunday, the 10th. of April, 1814. The town of Toulouse is surrounded on +three sides by the Canal of Languedoc and the Garonne; on the left of +that river, the suburb, which the enemy had fortified with strong +field-works in front of the ancient wall, formed a good _tête-de-pont_. +The city itself was only accessible from the south, and its strong +though old-fashioned walls had been rendered more defensible by +redoubts, and by an exterior line of entrenchments on a strong and +rugged range of heights, about two miles in length beyond the canal. On +the 28th. of March the enemy’s troops were driven within the suburbs of +St. Cyprien, and several attempts were made to attack them by crossing +the Garonne above Toulouse. Operations were, however, impeded by the +floods and rapidity of the river, until the 3rd. of April, when the +third, fourth, and sixth divisions, with three brigades of cavalry, +under Marshal Beresford, passed over by a pontoon bridge fifteen miles +below Toulouse; but the crossing of the remainder of the army was again +impeded by the rising of the river, which caused the removal of the +bridges, until the 8th., when the Marquis of Wellington crossed, and +advanced within five miles of Toulouse; Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland +Hill, with two divisions, remaining on the left bank. + +The Marquis of Wellington then fixed his plan of attack on the French +position, according to which, on the left of the Garonne, +Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill was to menace the suburb of St. +Cyprien, while on the right of the river the third and light divisions +were to menace the northern front, driving the enemy’s outposts within +the canal, from its junction with the Garonne to the commencement of the +range of heights at the hill of Pugade. A Spanish division was to carry +that hill, and the fourth and sixth divisions, under Marshal Beresford, +to carry the heights beyond it. On the 10th. of April, at about six +o’clock in the morning, the battle commenced, and the different columns +advanced according to orders. The third division on the right, next the +Garonne, drove in the outposts of the enemy for about three miles, as +far as the bridge of Jumeaux on the canal; this bridge was defended by a +strong palisade _tête-de-pont_, too high to be forced without ladders, +and approachable only on open flat. Six companies of the 74th., (three +under Brevet-Major Miller, and three under Captain McQueen,) were +ordered to attack this work, which they did in the most gallant style; +but it was commanded from the opposite side of the canal, and was +impregnable without artillery; the attacking party was therefore +compelled to retire, after sustaining severe loss. The French then +occupied the work in great force, and the continued efforts of the whole +brigade could not dispossess them. The attack upon this work was +unfortunately ordered by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, after the +duty assigned to his division of driving in the outposts and menacing +the enemy had been performed, although the impossibility of carrying the +work without artillery had been represented. + +Marshal Sir William Beresford crossed the Ers, formed his corps in +three columns of lines in the village of Croix d’Orade, the fourth +division leading, with which he immediately carried Mont Blanc. He +then moved up the Ers in the same order, over most difficult ground, +in a direction parallel to the enemy’s fortified position, and as soon +as he reached the point at which he turned it, he formed his lines, +and moved to the attack. The gallant efforts of Lieutenant-General Don +Manuel Freyre upon the Pugade Hill did not meet with success, but they +were highly applauded by the Marquis of Wellington. Meanwhile Marshal +Sir William Beresford, with the fourth division under the command of +Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, and the sixth division under +Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, attacked and carried the heights +on the enemy’s right, and the redoubt which covered and protected that +flank; and he lodged those troops on the same heights with the enemy, +who were, however, still in possession of four redoubts, and of the +entrenchments and fortified houses. The badness of the roads had +induced the Marshal to leave his artillery in the village of Mont +Blanc; some time elapsed before it could be brought up, and before +Lieutenant-General Don Manuel Freyre’s corps could be re-formed and +led again to the attack. As soon as this was effected the Marshal +continued his movement along the ridge, and carried, with +Major-General Pack’s brigade of the sixth division, the two principal +redoubts and fortified houses in the French centre. The enemy made a +desperate effort from the canal to regain these redoubts, but they +were repulsed with considerable loss; and the sixth division +continuing its movement along the ridge of the height, and the Spanish +troops pursuing a corresponding movement upon the front, the French +were driven from the two redoubts and entrenchments on the left, and +the whole range of heights were gained by the British. + +In his despatch, the Marquis of Wellington added,—“We did not gain this +advantage, however, without severe loss, particularly in the brave sixth +division. Lieutenant-Colonel Coghlan, of the 61st., an officer of great +merit and promise, was unfortunately killed in the attack of the +heights; Major-General Pack was wounded, but was enabled to remain in +the field; and Colonel Douglas, of the 8th. Portuguese regiment, lost +his leg, and I am afraid I shall be deprived for a considerable time of +his assistance.” + +“The 36th., 42nd., 79th., and 61st. regiments lost considerable numbers, +and were highly distinguished throughout the day. + +“The fourth division, although exposed on their march along the enemy’s +front in a galling fire, were not so much engaged as the sixth division, +and did not suffer so much; but they conducted themselves with their +usual gallantry.” + +After these operations the French withdrew behind the canal, and thus +ended this hard-fought but unnecessary battle.[63] + +The 5th. Dragoon Guards, 3rd. and 4th. Light Dragoons, 2nd., 5th., 7th., +11th., 20th., 23rd., 27th., 36th., 40th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 48th., +52nd., 53rd., 60th., 61st., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 91st., +94th., and Rifle Brigade were engaged at TOULOUSE. + +During the night of the 11th. of April, the French troops evacuated +Toulouse, and a white flag was hoisted. On the following day the Marquis +of Wellington entered the city, amidst the acclamations of the +inhabitants. In the course of the afternoon of the 12th. of April, +intelligence was received of the abdication of Napoleon, and had not the +express been delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice +of many valuable lives would have been prevented. A disbelief in the +truth of this intelligence occasioned much unnecessary bloodshed at +Bayonne, the garrison of which made a desperate sortie on the night of +the 14th. of April, and Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope, (afterwards +Earl of Hopetoun,) was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was +killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded. + +A treaty of peace was signed between Great Britain and France; May +30th., 1814, Louis the Eighteenth was restored to the throne of France; +and Napoleon Bonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, with the title +of Emperor, the sovereignty of that island having been conceded to him +by the allied powers.[64] + + + + + THE WATERLOO MEDAL, AND CAMPAIGN IN FLANDERS, 1815. + + +There was but a brief interval of peace after the battle of Toulouse. +The triumphs of the Peninsula were not destined to give repose to +Europe. Napoleon having learnt that at the Congress of Vienna it had +been debated whether he should not be sent to St. Helena, (a measure +opposed by the Duke of Wellington, and the idea relinquished,) and +reckoning on the attachment of the French people, escaped from Elba, +landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the 1st. of March, 1815, with a +handful of men, and on the 20th. of that month entered Paris at the head +of an army which had joined him on the road. Louis XVIII at once +withdrew to Ghent, and Napoleon assumed his former dignity of Emperor of +the French; the allied powers at once refused to acknowledge his +sovereignty, and determined to effect his dethronement. Preparations for +war commenced, troops were assembled in the Netherlands, and the +regiments which had been engaged in America were, on their return, +immediately forwarded to the seat of war. + +Britain had no selfish end in view in this great struggle, but sent her +sons to battle in support of the rights of nations, and to secure +herself from a military despotism. To those readers who would study the +events of this short but momentous campaign, no better guide can be +recommended than Captain Siborne’s elaborate account,—the work of a +life-time. In this last success, Wellington, like a graceful actor, took +his leave of war, for this terminated his active military career. The +right wing of the Duke’s army, in and about Ath, was commanded by Lord +Hill; the left, near Braine le Comte and Nivelle, was under the Prince +of Orange; the cavalry, under the Earl of Uxbridge, was quartered about +Grammont, and the reserve was in proximity to Brussels and its +neighbourhood. + + + + + ACTION AT QUATRE BRAS. + 16TH. JUNE, 1815. + + +Napoleon left Paris on the 12th. of June, and endeavoured by one of +those rapid marches for which he had been so celebrated, to interpose +his forces between the British and Prussian armies, and then attack them +in detail. Information of this movement arrived at Brussels during the +evening of the 15th. of June, and the Duke of Wellington caused the +troops to be prepared to march. Pursuing their way through the forest of +Soignies, Genappe, and along the road towards Charleroi, after a march +of twenty-two miles, they arrived on the 16th. of June, at some +farm-houses denominated Les Quatre Bras, where the main road from +Charleroi to Brussels is crossed by another from Nivelles to Namur, and +which served as the British communication with the Prussians on the +left. Here the second French corps, under Marshal Ney, was developing a +serious attack against that position with very superior numbers. + +The battle commenced by an attack on Perponcher’s Dutch-Belgian Brigade, +which was commanded by the Prince of Orange. As fast as the British +regiments arrived on the scene, they were formed and led into action. +About two o’clock Picton’s division came up, with Pack’s brigade, and +Best’s Hanoverians. Soon after, part of the Black Brunswickers, and some +of the Nassau troops arrived, and about six in the evening the brigade +of Sir Colin Halkett, consisting of the 30th., 33rd., 69th, and 73rd. +regiments, with Kielmansegge’s Hanoverians came up. + +Considerable loss was sustained, but the repeated charges of the enemy +were repulsed. About four o’clock His Royal Highness the Duke of +Brunswick fell bravely fighting at the head of his troops, who were +seized with a panic, and retired, pursued by the French cavalry, who +were repulsed in their turn by the 92nd. In the Duke of Wellington’s +account of this action the 28th., 42nd.,[65] 79th, and 92nd.[66] +regiments were specially mentioned. + +Speaking of one of the attacks of the French cavalry, Captain W. +Siborne, in his “History of the War in France and Belgium in 1815,” +observes, “If this cavalry attack had fallen so unexpectedly upon the +42nd. Highlanders, still less had it been anticipated by the 44th. +regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Hamerton, perceiving that the lancers were +rapidly advancing against his rear, and that any attempt to form square +would be attended with imminent danger, instantly decided upon receiving +them in line.... Never, perhaps, did British infantry display its +characteristic coolness and steadiness more eminently than on this +trying occasion. To have stood in a thin two-deep line, awaiting, and +prepared to receive, the onset of hostile cavalry, would have been +looked upon at least as a most hazardous experiment; but with its rear +so suddenly menaced, and its flanks unsupported, to have instantly faced +only one rank about, to have stood as if rooted to the ground, to have +repulsed its assailants with so steady and well-directed a fire, that +numbers of them were destroyed—this was a feat of arms which the oldest, +or best-disciplined corps in the world might have in vain hoped to +accomplish; yet most successfully and completely was this achieved by +the gallant second battalion of the 44th. British regiment, under its +brave commander’ Lieutenant-Colonel Hamerton. + +“In this attack occurred one of those incidents which, in daring, equal +any of the feats of ancient chivalry; which make the wildest fables of +the deeds of the knights of old appear almost possible; which cause the +bearing of an individual to stand out, at it were, in relief amidst the +operations of the masses; and which, by their characteristic +recklessness, almost invariably ensure at least a partial success. A +French lancer gallantly charged at the colours, and severely wounded +Ensign Christie, who carried one of them, by a thrust of his lance, +which, entering the left eye, penetrated to the lower jaw. The Frenchman +then endeavoured to seize the standard, but the brave Christie, +notwithstanding the agony of his wound, with a presence of mind almost +unequalled, flung himself upon it, not to save himself, but to preserve +the honour of his regiment. As the colour fluttered in its fall, the +Frenchman tore off a portion of the silk with the point of his lance; +but he was not permitted to bear the fragment beyond the ranks. Both +shot and bayoneted by the nearest of the soldiers of the 44th., he was +borne to the earth, paying with his life for his display of unavailing +bravery.” + +Just before seven o’clock, Sir G. Cooke’s brigade of guards, came into +action, after a forced march of 27 miles, drove the enemy back, and +repulsed at all points the repeated and desperate charges of Kellerman’s +cavalry, supported by a preponderance of artillery. As the British +reinforcements arrived, Key’s furious attacks became feeble and fewer, +and about sunset the conflict ceased, and the French retired upon the +village of Frasnes. After a long march of nearly forty miles the British +cavalry, and some artillery arrived, but too late at night to take any +part in the battle. + +The following is a list of the regiments engaged, and of their killed +and wounded at Quatre Bras, a battle gained by the British infantry:— + + ┌───────────────────────────────┬──────────────────┬──────────────────┐ + │ Regiments engaged. │ KILLED. │ WOUNDED. │ + ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┬────────┼─────────┬────────┤ + │ „ │ │Non-com.│ │Non-com.│ + │ │Officers.│Offi. & │Officers.│Offi. & │ + │ │ │ Men. │ │ Men. │ + ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┼────────┼─────────┼────────┤ + │Royal Artillery │ │ 9│ 2│ 17│ + │1st. Foot Guards, 2nd. │ 2│ 23│ 4│ 256│ + │ battalion │ │ │ │ │ + │„ 3rd. „ │ 1│ 20│ 6│ 235│ + │2nd. „ 2nd. │ │ │ │ │ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │3rd. „ 2nd. │ │ │ │ 7│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │30th. Regiment, 2nd. │ │ 5│ 2│ 28│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │33rd. „ │ 3│ 16│ 7│ 67│ + │69th. „ 2nd. │ 1│ 37│ 4│ 110│ + │ battalion │ │ │ │ │ + │73rd. „ 2nd. │ │ 4│ 4│ 44│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │28th. „ 1st. │ │ 11│ 4│ 77│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │32nd. „ 1st. │ 1│ 21│ 21│ 153│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │79th. „ 1st. │ 1│ 28│ 16│ 258│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │95th. „ 1st. │ 1│ 8│ 4│ 51│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │1st. „ 3rd. │ 6│ 20│ 12│ 180│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │42nd. „ 1st. │ 3│ 42│ 15│ 228│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │44th. „ 2nd. │ 2│ 10│ 15│ 94│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + │92nd. „ 1st. │ 4│ 35│ 21│ 226│ + │ „ │ │ │ │ │ + ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┼────────┼─────────┼────────┤ + │ Total │ 25│ 289│ 137│ 2031│ + └───────────────────────────────┴─────────┴────────┴─────────┴────────┘ + +Whilst Marshal Ney was attempting to force this position, the Emperor +defeated the Prussians at St. Amand and Ligny. During the night Marshal +Blucher, finding himself so weakened by the severity of the contest, and +the fourth corps not having arrived, determined to fall back and +concentrate his army upon Wavre. + + + + + ACTION ON THE 17TH. OF JUNE. + + +This movement of the Prussian commander rendered a corresponding one +necessary on the part of the British, who retired from the farm of +Quatre Bras upon Genappe, and thence on Waterloo on the morning of the +17th., at ten o’clock. No effort was made by the enemy to pursue Marshal +Blucher, neither was there any attempt to molest the march of the +British to the rear, although made in the middle of the day, excepting +by following with a large body of cavalry, brought from the French +right, the cavalry under the Earl of Uxbridge, who had taken up a +position to cover the retrograde movement. The rear of the infantry and +artillery having proceeded some miles along the great road from Quatre +Bras through Genappe, the cavalry were withdrawn by brigades in +succession, each brigade re-forming as soon as it arrived at a suitable +position in the rear of the column. The enemy’s cavalry advanced in +great force; the main body of his army moved on Quatre Bras, and his +advance guard began to press on the rear of the retiring troops. To +check this movement, the 7th. hussars charged a corps of French lancers +in the town of Genappe; the lancers, however, having their flanks +secure, presented an almost impenetrable row of pikes, and they were +enabled to repel the charge. The attack was repeated by the hussars, but +without making any impression; the French cavalry pressing forward, +passed the ground occupied by the 7th., when the 1st. Life Guards were +directed by the Earl of Uxbridge to charge the French lancers. Wheeling +about, the Life Guards advanced to the attack, which proved +irresistible, and the lancers were pursued through the streets of +Genappe. After this repulse the retreat was continued with cannonading +and skirmishing, until the cavalry arrived at the position of Mont. St. +Jean, in front of the forest of Soignies, and near to the village of +Waterloo. + +About five in the afternoon the allies had taken up their prescribed +position, and during the wet and disagreeable night, violent showers +having fallen during the afternoon, and the rain continuing throughout +the night, accompanied by cold and strong gusts of wind, so frequently a +prelude to the Duke’s victories, awaited the dawn of the memorable 18th. +of June. + + + + + BATTLE OF WATERLOO. + 18TH. JUNE, 1815. + + +The position which was taken up in front of Waterloo, crossed the +high-roads from Charleroi and Nivelles, its right being thrown back to a +ravine near Merke Braine, which was occupied; its left extended to a +height above the hamlet of Ter la Haye, which was also occupied. In +front of the right centre, and near the Nivelles road, the house and +garden of Hougomont, which covered the return of that flank, was made +available for defence, and in front of the left centre the farm of La +Haye Sainte was put to a similar use. By the left a communication was +maintained with Marshal Prince Blucher, at Wavre, through Ohain, who had +promised that in case of an attack, he would advance in support, not +with one or more corps, but with his whole army. + +On a range of heights in front of the British, were collected during the +night the whole of Napoleon’s army, with the exception of the third +corps, under Marshal Grouchy, who had been detached to watch the +movements of the Prussians. At about half-past ten on the morning of the +18th., a furious attack was made upon the post at Hougomont, occupied by +a detachment from Major-General Byng’s brigade of Guards, which was in +position in its rear, and it was for some time under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir James) Macdonell, and subsequently +under Colonel Home. It was maintained throughout the day with the utmost +gallantry by these brave troops, although repeated efforts of large +bodies vainly endeavoured to obtain possession of the place. + +“About one o’clock a cart of ammunition, which had been sent for early +in the day, was brought into the farm-yard of Hougomont, and proved most +seasonable. The men had only time to fill their pouches, when a +discharge of artillery suddenly burst upon them, mingled with the shouts +of a column rushing on to a fresh attack. A cloud of tirailleurs pushed +through the wood and cornfields: they were aimed at with fatal certainty +from the loopholes, windows, and summit of the building. But the enemy +eventually compelled the few men that remained outside to withdraw into +the chateau by the rear gate. In the meantime the French redoubled their +efforts against it, and the fire of the immediate defenders of that +point for a moment ceased. The gate was then forced. At this critical +moment Macdonell rushed to the spot with the officers and men nearest at +hand, and not only expelled the assailants, but re-closed the gate. The +enemy, from their overwhelming numbers, again entered the yard, when the +guards retired to the house, and kept up from the windows such a +destructive fire, that the French were driven out, and the gate once +more was closed.” Such is the description given by Colonel MacKinnon, in +his valuable “Record of the Origin and Services of the Coldstream +Guards.” Captain Siborne thus narrates the circumstances “The French, +however, succeeded in forcing the gate; but the defenders betook +themselves to the nearest cover, whence they poured a fire upon the +intruders, and then rushing forward, a struggle ensued, which was +distinguished by the most intrepid courage on both sides. At length +Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, Captain Wyndham, Ensigns Gooch and Hervey, +and Sergeant Graham, of the Coldstream Guards, by dint of great personal +strength and exertions, combined with extraordinary bravery and +perseverance, succeeded in closing the gate against their assailants. +Those of the latter who had entered the courtyard fell a sacrifice to +their undaunted and conspicuous gallantry.” + +Alluding to Sergeant Graham, he adds, “This individual deserves +honourable mention, having greatly distinguished himself during the +memorable defence of Hougomont. At a later period of the day, when in +the ranks along the garden wall facing the wood, and when the struggle +was most severe in that quarter, he asked Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell’s +permission to fall out. The Colonel, knowing the character of the man, +expressed his surprise at the request made at such a moment. Graham +explained that his brother lay wounded in one of the buildings then on +fire, that he wished to remove him to a place of safety, and that he +would then lose no time in rejoining the ranks. The request was granted: +Graham succeeded in snatching his brother from the horrible fate which +menaced him, laid him in a ditch in rear of the enclosures, and, true to +his word, was again at his post.” + +Finding Hougomont so stubbornly defended, the French artillery opened +upon the house, which was quickly in a blaze. The Guards however, about +2000 men, with 1100 German troops, maintained the post to the end of the +day, against the repeated attacks of nearly 30,000 men. The loss of the +enemy was fearful, the killed and wounded lying in heaps round the +chateau, in the woods, and in every avenue leading to it. The division +of General Foy alone lost 3000 men, and the total loss of the French in +their attacks upon this position, was not far short of 10,000 killed and +wounded. + +This attack upon the right of the British centre was accompanied by a +heavy cannonade upon the whole line, which was destined to support the +repeated attacks of cavalry and infantry, occasionally mixed, but +sometimes separate, that were made upon it. In one of these the French +carried the farmhouse of La Haye Sainte, as the detachment of the light +battalion of the German Legion, which held it, had expended all its +ammunition, and the enemy occupied the only communication there was with +them. Repeated charges were made by the French cavalry upon the +infantry, but these attacks were uniformly unsuccessful, and they +afforded opportunities to the British cavalry to charge, in one of which +Lord Edward Somerset’s brigade, consisting of the Life Guards, Royal +Horse Guards, and 1st. Dragoon Guards, highly distinguished itself, with +that of Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, having taken many prisoners +and an eagle. + +Soon after four o’clock a grand onslaught was made on the British front +by the whole of the French cavalry; cuirassiers, lancers, and chasseurs +à cheval of the Imperial Guard, consisting of about forty squadrons, +supported by a tremendous fire of artillery. As they advanced, every +discharge of the British guns, double shotted, fearfully shattered their +ranks; but they rushed on, with shouts of “Vive l’Empereur!” to the very +faces of the infantry squares, inside of which the gunners were lying +down for shelter, and swept round the flanks, till they recoiled in +disorder and confusion before the close and destructive fire under which +men and horses fell in heaps. + +These attacks continued to be repeated until about seven o’clock in the +evening, and the Prussians were fast approaching Planchenoit, on the +right rear of the enemy, with about 30,000 men and sixty-four guns, when +Napoleon made a last desperate effort with his Imperial Guard in two +columns, supported by the fire of artillery, to force the left centre, +near the farm of La Haye Sainte. Led by Ney, the veterans of Jena and +Wagram, in spite of a decimating fire of case and grape shot, advanced +to within fifty yards of Halkett’s brigade, and the Foot Guards, who +were lying down to avoid the cannonade which covered the onset of +Napoleon’s chosen troops. On the word being given, the Guards in a line +four deep, sprang to their feet, and poured in such a destructive volley +that the front of the column of the Imperial Guard seemed to melt away. +Their officers vainly strove to rally them, when the British with a +ringing cheer charged, and the enemy were driven down the hill in wild +confusion. The second column of the Imperial Guard, rent and torn by +close discharges of case shot, and assailed with volleys of musketry in +front and flank, also broke, turned, and fled, only two rear battalions +retaining their ranks. + +Having observed that the enemy retired from this attack in great +confusion, and that the march of General Bulow’s corps upon Planchenoit +and La Belle Alliance had begun to take effect, the fire of his cannon +being perceived, and as Marshal Prince Blucher had joined in person with +a corps of his army to the left of the British line by Ohain, the Duke +immediately advanced the whole line of infantry, supported by the +cavalry and artillery. The Anglo-allied army formed line, and with one +impetuous charge decided the fortune of the day. The enemy was forced +from his position on the heights, and fled in the utmost confusion. The +pursuit was continued until long after dark, and then, in consequence of +the fatigue of the British troops, which had been engaged during twelve +hours, Marshal Blucher was left to follow the enemy, from whom he +captured sixty pieces of cannon, belonging to the Imperial Guard, +together with several carriages, baggage, etc., belonging to Napoleon. +About one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, with their ammunition, had +been taken by the British, together with two eagles. + +Sir Thomas Picton,[67] the hero of so many Peninsula actions, fell, and +Major-General the Honourable Sir William Ponsonby. The Earl of Uxbridge, +after having passed unscathed throughout the day, lost his right leg by +nearly the last shot fired, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange +was wounded. Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Baron Alten, Major-Generals +Sir Colin Halkett, Sir Edward Barnes, (Adjutant-General,) Fred: Adam, +Sir James Kempt, and Cooke, and Colonel Sir William De Lancey[68] +(Deputy-Quartermaster-General,) were wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord +Fitz Roy Somerset (the late Lord Raglan) had his right arm amputated. + +Vain would it be to select regiments on this glorious occasion. “It +gives me the greatest satisfaction (so wrote the Duke to Earl Bathurst,) +to assure your Lordship, that the army, never, upon any occasion, +conducted itself better. The division of Guards, under Major-General +Cooke, who is severely wounded; Major-General Maitland, and +Major-General Byng, set an example which was followed by all; and there +is no officer nor description of troops, that did not behave well.” + +At Waterloo the Anglo-allied army consisted of sixty-seven thousand six +hundred and sixty-one men, and one hundred and fifty-six guns;[69] and +the French had seventy-one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven men, +and two hundred and forty-six guns, composed of fifteen thousand seven +hundred and sixty-five cavalry, seven thousand two hundred and +thirty-two artillery, and forty-eight thousand nine hundred and fifty +infantry. + +Both Houses of Parliament voted their thanks to the army with the +greatest enthusiasm, “for its distinguished valour at Waterloo;” and the +following regiments engaged, also the battalions to which they are now +linked, but which took no part in the battle, bear the word “WATERLOO” +on their colours and appointments, in commemoration of their +distinguished services on the 18th. of June, 1815, namely, 1st. and 2nd. +Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, 1st. Dragoon Guards, 1st., 2nd., 6th., +7th., 10th., 11th., 12th., 13th., 15th., and 16th. Light Dragoons, +Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Fusilier Guards, 1st., 4th., +14th., 23rd., 27th., 28th., 30th., 32nd., 33rd., 40th., 42nd., 44th., +51st., 52nd., 69th., 71st., 73rd., 79th., and 92nd., Foot, Rifle +Brigade, and Royal Artillery. Every subaltern officer and soldier +present in this battle, or in either of the actions immediately +preceding it, received permission to count two years additional service. + +The oft-mooted question as to the share taken in this momentous contest +by the Prussians, and to their presence on the field in gaining the +victory, must be met by the Duke’s opinion, as expressed in his +despatch:—“I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to Marshal +Blucher and the Prussian army, if I did not attribute the successful +result of this arduous day to the cordial and timely assistance I +received from them. The operation of General Bulow upon the enemy’s +flank was a most decisive one; and, even if I had not found myself in a +situation to make the attack which produced the final result, it would +have forced the enemy to retire if his attacks should have failed, and +would have prevented him from taking advantage of them if they should +unfortunately have succeeded.” There are, however, even now, some +prejudiced people, who exclaim, like Solomon Probity, in “The Chimney +Corner,” “Don’t tell me! it was Blucher as won Waterloo.” + +The meeting of the Duke and Blucher at La Belle Alliance after the +battle is apocryphal. In the concluding volume of the Wellington +Dispatches, (page 332,) there is a letter to Mr. Mudford, in which +occurs the following passage in reference to this and other +mis-statements:—“Of these a remarkable instance is to be found in the +report of a meeting between Marshal Blucher and me at La Belle Alliance; +and some have gone so far as to have seen the chair on which I sat down +in that farmhouse. It happens that the meeting took place after ten at +night, at the village of Genappe; and anybody who attempts to describe +with truth the operations of the different armies will see that it could +not be otherwise. In truth, I was not off my horse till I returned to +Waterloo, between eleven and twelve at night.” + +The following anecdote is illustrative of the effect produced by the +irresistible attack of the Life Guards:[70]—Immediately after the first +charge, while the Life Guards were pursuing the French, three of their +cuirassiers turned down a narrow lane, with a view of escaping that way, +and they were pursued by Private John Johnson, of the 2nd. regiment. +There proved to be no thoroughfare at the end of the road, when Johnson, +though alone, attacked the three, and, after a slight resistance, they +surrendered themselves prisoners. Several instances of distinguished +bravery displayed by individuals of the Life Guards, have been recorded; +amongst others, Corporal Shaw and Private Godley, of the 2nd. regiment. +The former for his great prowess, and the number of cuirassiers he slew; +and the latter for a distinguished act of bravery, namely, when his +horse was killed, himself wounded, and his helmet knocked off, +bareheaded as he was, he attacked a cuirassier, slew him, and mounted +his horse. Shaw was killed in the first charge. Godley lived several +years after, and a stone was erected to his memory by his comrades in +the burial ground of St. John’s Wood, London, with appropriate devices +and inscription. During the engagement the Duke of Wellington came to +the head of the 1st. regiment of Life Guards, and thanked the squadrons +for their gallant behaviour. + +Colonel Ferrier, of the 1st. Life Guards, before he fell had eleven +times led his regiment to the charge. Several of these charges were made +after his head was laid open by a sabre cut, and his body had been +pierced by a lance. + +During the heat of the conflict Captain Alexander Kennedy Clark (now +Lieutenant-General A. K. Clark Kennedy, C.B.) commanding the centre +squadron of the 1st. Royal Dragoons, having led his men about two +hundred yards beyond the second hedge on the British left, perceived, in +the midst of a crowd of infantry, the eagle of the French 105th. +regiment, with which the bearer was endeavouring to escape to the rear. +Against this body of men Captain Clark instantly led his squadron at +full speed, and, plunging into the midst of the crowd, overtook, and +slew the French officer who carried the eagle. Several men of the Royal +Dragoons coming up at the moment of its capture, Captain Clark gave the +eagle to Corporal Stiles, and ordered him to carry it to the rear. The +corporal was afterwards rewarded with an ensigncy in the 6th. West India +Regiment. + +Another eagle, that of the French 45th. regiment, was captured by +Sergeant Charles Ewart, of the 2nd. Royal North British Dragoons. This +gained for the gallant sergeant an ensigncy in the 3rd. Royal Veteran +Battalion. + +The following is a remarkable instance of preservation:—Lieutenant +George Doherty, of the 13th. Light Dragoons, besides being severely +wounded in the head, was struck by a ball, which was stopped and +flattened by the interposition of his watch. He had taken out his watch +to remark the time, when the regiment was ordered to advance, and not +being able to return it, he put it into the breast of his jacket, and +thus, providentially, his life was saved. + +In one of the charges made by the 28th. regiment at Waterloo, a flag +belonging to the 25th. French regiment was taken by Private John +O’Brien, of the eighth company, who the moment after received a severe +wound, which ultimately occasioned the loss of his leg. The trophy, +however, was preserved, and sent to Major-General Sir James Kempt, who +commanded the division, when the regiment arrived at Paris. + +In the “Letters of Colonel Sir Augustus Simon Frazer, K.C.B.,” +commanding the Royal Horse Artillery in the army under the Duke of +Wellington, edited by Major-General Edward Sabine, from which the above +has been extracted, is this allusion to Waterloo:—“Never was there a +more bloody affair, never so hot a fire. Bonaparte put in practice every +device of war. He tried us with artillery, with cavalry, and, last of +all, with infantry. The efforts of each were gigantic, but the admirable +talents of our Duke, seconded by such troops as he commands, baffled +every attempt.” + +There is some difference of opinion as to the exact time the battle +commenced. In the “Life of Lord Hill,” by the Rev. Edwin Sidney, A.M., +occurs the following:—“In reading the various accounts of this battle, +it is curious to observe the discrepancies as to the time it commenced. +Lord Hill has, however, settled this point. On arriving in London the +autumn after the conflict, he passed his first evening at the house of +his friend Lord Teignmouth. ‘Can you tell me,’ said Lord Teignmouth, ‘at +what time the action commenced?’ Lord Hill replied, ‘I took two watches +into action with me. On consulting my stop-watch after the battle was +over, I found that the first gun was fired at ten minutes before +twelve.’” + +Captain Moorsom, in his “History of the 52nd. Light Infantry,” gives the +following characteristic account of the commencement of the action:—“The +night was wet and disagreeable, as usual before—the Duke of Wellington’s +battles. As the morning broke, between four and five o’clock, Captain +Diggle’s company of the 52nd., and two or three companies of the 95th. +Rifles, were sent into the enclosures of the village of Merbe Braine, +with their front towards Braine-le-Leud. At twenty minutes past eleven a +cannon-shot was fired. Diggle, a cool old officer of the Peninsula, took +out his watch, turned to his subaltern Gawler, who was another of the +same Peninsula mould, and quietly remarked, ‘There it goes.’ The +leaders, in fact, had then opened the ball.” + +In the “Life of Lord Hill,” before quoted, occurs the following account +of the final struggle:—“Sir Digby Mackworth, who was on the staff of +Lord Hill, has kindly communicated what he witnessed of his General’s +efforts at the grand crisis of the day. ‘He placed himself,’ Sir Digby +states, ‘at the head of his Light Brigade, 52nd., 71st., and 95th., and +charged the flank of the Imperial Guard, as they were advancing against +our Guards. The Light Brigade was lying under the brow of the hill, and +gave and received volleys within half-pistol-shot distance. Here Lord +Hill’s horse was shot under him, and, as he ascertained the next +morning, was shot in five places. The general was rolled over and +severely bruised, but in the _mêlée_ this was unknown to us for about +half an hour. We knew not what was become of him; we feared he had been +killed; and none can tell you the heart-felt joy which we felt when he +rejoined us, not seriously hurt.’ When the tremendous day was over, Lord +Hill and his staff again re-occupied the little cottage they left in the +morning. His two gallant brothers, Sir Robert Hill and Colonel Clement +Hill, had been removed wounded to Brussels; the party was, nevertheless, +nine in number. A soup made by Lord Hill’s servant, from two fowls, was +all their refreshment, after hours of desperate fighting without a +morsel of food. Lord Hill himself was bruised and full of pain. All +night long, the groans and shrieks of sufferers were the chief sounds +that met their ears. It was to them all a night of the greatest misery. +The men whom the nations of Europe were about to welcome with +acclamations, and to entertain in palaces, could only exchange sigh for +sigh with each other in a wretched cottage. Such is war even to the +winners. May a gracious God soon make it to cease in all the earth!” + +[Illustration: + + The Waterloo Medal +] + +The casualties amongst the officers of the British army, (including the +King’s German Legion,) amounted to one hundred and thirty-nine killed, +five hundred and eighty-five wounded, and fifteen missing. The +Hanoverian troops had twenty officers, and three hundred and eight men +killed, seventy-seven officers and one thousand two hundred and +forty-four men wounded. The Brunswick troops had seven officers and one +hundred and forty-seven men killed, and twenty-six officers and four +hundred and thirty men wounded. The Nassau contingent had five officers +and two hundred and forty-nine men killed, and nineteen officers and +three hundred and seventy men wounded. Numerous as these casualties +were, those of the French far exceeded them, amounting, according to the +most correct calculations, to about thirty thousand. + + + + + THE WATERLOO MEDAL. + + +A medal was struck for this victory, which was conferred on all present +in the three actions of the 16th., 17th., and 18th. of June, 1815. In a +letter from the Duke of Wellington to the Duke of York, dated Orville, +28th. June, 1815, His Grace wrote, “I would likewise beg leave to +suggest to your Royal Highness the expediency of giving to the +non-commissioned officers and soldiers engaged in the Battle of Waterloo +a medal. I am convinced it would have the best effect in the army; and +if that battle should settle our concerns, they will well deserve it.” +In a letter from His Grace to Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for the +War Department, on the 17th. of September, this passage occurs:—“I have +long intended to write to you about the medal for Waterloo. I +recommended that we should all have the same medal, hung to the same +ribbon as that now used with the medals.” + +The Waterloo Medal has on the obverse the laureated head of the Prince +Regent, inscribed GEORGE P. REGENT; on the reverse is Victory, seated on +a pedestal, holding the palm in the right hand, and the olive branch in +the left. Above the figure of Victory is the name of the illustrious +commander WELLINGTON, and under it the word WATERLOO, with the date of +the battle, June 18th., 1815. This figure evidently owes its origin to +the ancient Greek coin represented in the accompanying engraving. A +specimen of the coin is preserved in the British Museum. The name, rank, +and regiment of the officer or soldier were engraved round the edge[71] +of the medal, which was to be suspended from the button-hole of the +uniform to the ribbon authorized for the military medals, namely, +crimson with blue edges. In the “London Gazette,” of the 23rd. of April, +1816, was published the following official notification:— + + + MEMORANDUM. + + “Horse Guards, March 10th., 1816. + + “The Prince Regent has been graciously pleased, in the name and on the + behalf of His Majesty, to command, that in commemoration of the + brilliant and decisive victory of Waterloo, a medal should be + conferred on every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier of + the British Army, present upon that memorable occasion. + + “His Royal Highness has further been pleased to command, that the + ribbon issued with the medal, shall never be worn but with the medal + suspended to it. + + “By command of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent; + + FREDERICK, Commander-in-Chief. + H. TORRENS, Major-General and Military Secretary.” + +[Illustration: + + COIN OF ELIS, about 450, B.C. +] + +The distinction for Waterloo became the more valuable, from the fact +that there was only one ribbon and one medal for all ranks of the army, +from the Commander of the Forces to the youngest drummer. + +The 35th., 54th., 59th., and 91st. regiments forming the brigade of Sir +Charles Colville, which was detached, were granted the medal, but these +regiments do not bear “Waterloo” on their colours. + +The Prince Regent also ordered that medals should be given to the +Brunswickers who survived the actions of the 16th., 17th., and 18th. of +June. This medal, of bronze, was made from the captured guns. Obverse, +bust of Duke Frederick William, who fell at Quatre Bras, with the +legend, “Friedrich Wilhelm Herzog.” Reverse, the date 1815, within a +wreath of oak and laurel; legend, “Braunschweig Seinen Kriegern—Quatre +Bras and Waterloo,” the ribbon yellow, with a light blue border. + +The Hanoverian troops present at Waterloo, received a silver medal. +Obverse, laureated head of the Prince Regent, with the legend, “George +Prinz Regent, 1815.” Reverse, “Waterloo, June 18th.,” above which is a +military trophy, below, laurel branches; legend, “Hannoverscher +Tapferkeit.” Ribbon, red with blue border. + +To the soldiers of the Duchy of Nassau, a small silver medal was +awarded, worn with a dark blue ribbon, yellow edge. + + + + + THE CAPE OR SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL. + + +On the 22nd. of November, 1854, a general order was issued, announcing +that the Queen had been pleased to command that a medal should be +prepared, “to commemorate the success of her Majesty’s Forces in the +wars in which they were engaged against the Kaffirs, in the years +1834–5, 1846–7, and in the period between the 24th. of December, 1850, +and the 6th. of February, 1853; one of which was to be conferred on +every surviving officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier of the +regular forces, including the officers of the staff, and the officers +and men of the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Sappers and Miners, +who actually served in the field against the enemy in South Africa, at +the periods alluded to, excluding those who may have been dismissed for +subsequent misconduct, or who have deserted and are absent.” + +The obverse has the Queen’s head, with the inscription VICTORIA REGINA. +On the reverse is the lion crouching under a shrub, above which are the +words SOUTH AFRICA, and beneath the year “1853.” The ribbon is orange, +with dark blue stripes. No clasp was granted with this medal for any of +the actions fought during the campaigns between 1834, and 1853. The same +medal, or rather one similar, with the substitution of crossed assegais +and a shield in the exergue, instead of the date 1853 (ribbon the same), +was given for the campaigns in Kaffraria, Basutoland, and Zululand; +against the Galekas and Gaikas 1877–78, the Griquas 1878, Basutos 1879, +Zulus 1879, and Sekukuni 1878–79. The dates of the campaigns are given +on the only clasp issued. + +[Illustration] + + + + + CAMPAIGNS IN SOUTH AFRICA. + 1834–5. + + +The aggressions of the Kaffir tribes, which were divided into three +nations, the Amapondas, the Tambookies, and the Amakosa, about this time +assumed a formidable and an atrocious character before unknown. The +colonial boundary extended, on one side, to the Keiskamma; but a chief +named Macomo had been permitted to reside within the British territory. +Owing to some outrages committed by him and his followers on the +Tambookies, he was deprived of the lands he held by sufferance in the +British territory. His expulsion, however, was not strictly enforced +until 1833, when he was removed beyond the boundary, and he became +violently incensed against the government. The predatory habits of the +Kaffirs also led to disputes when the British were searching for stolen +property, and the lenity observed towards the aggressors, emboldened +them to become more violent in their attacks. Towards the end of 1834, +multitudes of Kaffirs rushed into the colony, and commenced the work of +murder, rapine, and devastation by fire amongst the settlers. The ruins +of once flourishing farms spoke of savage vengeance. Graham’s Town was +barricaded, and the houses turned into fortifications. Troops were +ordered to the frontier, and preparations were made to carry hostilities +into the heart of Kaffirland, to visit with necessary chastisement these +aggressions, and to take measures to prevent the recurrence of similar +outrages. + +The forces which were assembled for operations beyond the eastern +frontier, were distributed into four divisions. The first division, +(with which were the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief, +Major-General Sir Benjamin D’Urban, K.C.B.,) was commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel Peddie, K.H., of the 72nd. Highlanders, and consisted +of two guns Royal Artillery, a detachment of Cape Mounted Riflemen, +72nd. Highlanders, first battalion Provisional Infantry, and the +Swellendam Burgher Force. The second was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel +Somerset, K.H., and was composed of two guns Royal Artillery, Cape +Mounted Riflemen, (head-quarter division,) the George, Uitenhage, and +the Albany Burgher Forces. The third, commanded by Major Cox, of the +75th. regiment, consisted of two guns Royal Artillery, detachment Cape +Mounted Riflemen, second battalion Provisional Infantry, detachment +Swellendam Burgher Force, Beaufort Burgher Force, and the Kat River +Legion. The fourth, under Field Commandant Van Wyk, consisted of the +Somerset Burgher Force. + +Colonel Smith, C.B., (afterwards the celebrated Sir Harry Smith, of +Aliwal,) was appointed second in command, continuing at the same time in +the performance of his duties as Chief of the Staff to the United +Regular and Burgher Forces; on the 26th. of March, 1835, he led a +well-directed inroad into the enemy’s country; the Buffalo Mountains +were penetrated, and the combined and successive operations in +Kaffirland were eminently successful, numerous heads of cattle, the +great wealth of the enemy, being captured. + +On the 24th. of April, 1835, it was declared that the troops were in a +state of hostility with the Kaffir tribes of the Chief Hintza, but it +was decided that no kraals or huts should be burnt, and that the gardens +and cornfields should be foraged in a regular manner.[72] The operations +of the troops were so successful that Hintza sued for peace, which was +concluded personally with that chief by the end of the month. + +To give some idea of the difficulties inseparable from these campaigns, +it may be sufficient to state that in the expedition beyond the mouth of +the Bashee, Colonel Smith, with his force, composed of detachments of +the 72nd., Cape Mounted Riflemen, and some colonial levies, in seven +days marched two hundred and eighteen miles, overcame all opposition, +crossed and re-crossed this large river, of very difficult banks, and +brought off from its further side three thousand head of cattle, which +had been plundered from the colony, besides rescuing from destruction a +thousand of the Fingo race, who would have fallen a sacrifice to the +Kaffirs. + +The difficult and laborious service of conducting the British +missionaries and traders, with their families and effects, (previously +brought in from the Bashee by Captain Warden,) the Fingo nation, +amounting to more than ten thousand souls, from the eastern side of the +Kei, into the colonial border, was accomplished by Colonel Somerset, +with the second division. + +It is a singular fact that the tribes were found to possess many guns, +but without ammunition, and strenuous exertions were used to prevent +gunpowder being conveyed beyond the boundary of the eastern frontier by +importers and retail dealers. + +Major William Cox, of the 75th. regiment, made a very successful series +of operations in the mountains of the Chumie, Amatola, and Keiskamma +range during the end of July, and beginning of August, 1835, which +resulted in an interview with Macomo and other chiefs, when a +provisional cessation of hostilities was agreed upon.[73] + +During September some effectual excursions were made by Lieutenants +Moultrie and Bingham, of the 75th., which caused them to be thanked in +orders by the Commander-in-Chief at the Cape, (Major-General Sir +Benjamin D’Urban, K.C.B.,) who also therein praised the cool and +soldier-like conduct of Private Thomas Quin, of that regiment, on the +15th. of that month. + +Peace was not finally concluded until the following year. On the 8th. of +August, 1836, a despatch was received at the Cape, from the Secretary of +State for the Colonies, communicating to the troops employed in the +Kaffir war, that “It affords His Majesty high gratification to observe +that in this new form of warfare, His Majesty’s forces have exhibited +their characteristic courage, discipline, and cheerful endurance of +fatigue and of privations.”—(Signed) GLENELG. + +The 27th., 72nd., 75th., and Cape Mounted Riflemen, were the regiments +employed during this campaign. + + + SECOND KAFFIR WAR, 1846–1847. + +From the numerous outrages upon life and property that had for some time +been perpetrated by the Gaika Kaffirs on the settlers located along the +frontier, the Government declared war against them in the beginning of +April, 1846. + +The force with which it was proposed to invade Kaffirland was organised +into two divisions; one was placed under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Richardson, (now Major-General +Richardson-Robertson,) of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, and consisted of the +following detail:—Three troops of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, part of the +reserve battalion of the 91st. regiment, two guns of the Royal +Artillery, and one company of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The second +division was placed under the command of Colonel H. Somerset, of the +Cape Mounted Riflemen, and consisted of one troop of the 7th. Dragoon +Guards, two guns of the Royal Artillery, two companies of the 91st., and +the head-quarters of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The total strength of +the British force, including cavalry, infantry, and artillery, did not +amount to more than seven hundred men; whilst it was to be expected that +the whole of the Gaika Kaffirs would join in resisting the invasion of +their country. There were supposed to be upon good authority nearly +sixty thousand fighting men, a considerable portion being armed with +muskets. + +Captain Bambrick, of the 7th. Dragoon Guards, fell early in the +operations, namely, on the 16th. of April, 1846. This officer in the +eager pursuit of the Kaffirs, was decoyed into an almost impenetrable +jungle, where a shower of balls was discharged at his party, and he was +killed. Captain Rawstorne and Lieutenant H. D. Cochrane, of the 91st. +regiment, were wounded, the latter dangerously. Of so entangled a nature +was the bush, that several of the swords of the men were torn out of the +scabbards by its thorny branches. Captain Sandes, of the Cape Mounted +Riflemen, was killed three days afterwards. + +Sir Peregrine Maitland arrived from Port Victoria in April, and a +general order, dated Block Drift, 20th. April, 1846, was issued, in +which he congratulated Colonel Somerset and the officers and troops +under his orders, on the chastisement of the enemy, which closed the +operations of the 18th. of April. The movement on Block Drift had been +successfully effected by the combined force with little loss, in the +presence of an enemy of many times its numerical amount, through a +harassing country, and against persevering attempts to impede its march. + +The Kaffirs were no longer the same foe as on former occasions, when +they were chiefly armed with native weapons, but at this period they had +become more formidable, from a great increase of numbers, a considerable +mounted force, and especially through possessing firearms, an +acquisition particularly adapted to their entangled country. + +Colonel Somerset, with the second division, after a series of successful +movements, discovered and fell in with the enemy in two considerable +bodies, on the 8th. of June, in the neighbourhood of the Gaika and +Gwanga streams, when he attacked and routed them, killing two hundred, +and capturing one hundred firelocks, twenty horses, and large quantities +of assagais, besides securing two prisoners. This was effected with a +loss of two men killed, and three officers and sixteen men wounded. + +It being considered desirable to amalgamate the troops and Burgher +forces, which were assembling, they were formed into two divisions, the +first under the orders of Colonel Hare, C.B., and the second under +Colonel Somerset, K.H. + +Immediately after the troops moving to Block Drift, the Kaffirs entered +the colonies in large bodies, and committed great destruction of life +and property. To impede the operations of the British, the enemy burnt +the grass everywhere along the line of march, and from the long and +unusual drought, it became so dry that they readily effected their +object. Active operations were however brought to a successful +termination in October, the Chief Sandilli, together with his brother, +and eighty of his followers, having surrendered. The closing services +were rendered the more arduous by the constant inclemency of the weather +to which the troops were exposed. The columns of attack against Sandilli +were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, of the first battalion of +the Rifle Brigade, and by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the reserve +battalion of the 91st. regiment. + +Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Bart., G.C.B., who had highly +distinguished himself in India, and had previously seen so much service +at the Cape, was appointed Governor, High Commissioner, and +Commander-in-Chief of the forces in the Colony, the duties of which he +assumed on the 17th. of December, 1847. + +During this long and protracted desultory warfare great fatigue and +exertions had been undergone with the characteristic heroism of the +British soldier, and the humanity and forbearance displayed by him +towards the fickle, treacherous, and revengeful enemy, were as +conspicuous as his bravery. + +The following corps shared in this campaign:—7th. Dragoon Guards, Royal +Artillery, Engineers, and Sappers and Miners, 6th., 27th., 45th., 73rd., +90th., and 91st. regiments; the Rifle Brigade (1st. battalion,) and Cape +Mounted Riflemen. + + + THIRD KAFFIR WAR, 1850–1853. + +Some years of peace resulted, but the Kaffir tribes stifling their +resentment for a time, at length determined to venture again on +hostilities. Sir Harry Smith hearing of their designs, immediately +summoned a meeting of the chiefs, which was attended by several, but +Sandilli, who was regarded as their king, did not appear, whereupon he +was outlawed; this occasioned a general rising, and operations for the +purpose of securing Sandilli were at once commenced in the Keiskamma +River by Colonel Mackinnon, who left Fort Cox on the 24th. of December, +1850, with a force of six hundred men, composed of three hundred and +twenty-one of the 6th. and 73rd. regiments, one hundred and seventy-four +of the Cape Mounted Riflemen, and about one hundred of the Kaffir +Police. The Kaffirs attacked these troops in the Keiskamma defile, and +it was with difficulty that he succeeded in reaching Fort Cox. Sir Harry +Smith’s position at Fort Cox, too, had become critical, being hemmed in +by numbers of the enemy; while Colonel Somerset, in his endeavour to +succour him from Fort Hare, had been driven back on the 29th., after a +hard contest, in which the small body of regular troops made a gallant +but unavailing resistance. Lieutenants Melvin and Gordon, (adjutant,) of +the 91st. regiment, were killed in action on the 29th. of December. + +The Governor at the head of a flying escort, escaped from Fort Cox, and +arrived at King William’s Town, at which place his head-quarters became +established. Flushed by the advantages which the knowledge of their +native fastnesses afforded the Kaffirs, and which made them almost a +match for disciplined troops, they ravaged the country, and committed +great depredations. It would be wearisome to detail all the skirmishes +that occurred; the only warfare that could be adopted against an enemy +who avoided concentration, or to encounter his opponents in open fight, +was to continually harass them in their strongholds; but the force at +the Cape was numerically insufficient for the contest. In these +campaigns the great object was to carry on operations rapidly, and at a +distant point, which made the fatigue excessive. + +On the morning of the 3rd. of January, 1851, Fort White was attacked in +force by the Kaffirs, in four bodies, but they were driven back, with +great loss, by the garrison under Captain Mansergh, of the 6th. Foot. + +A sharp action was fought, on the 21st. of January, between about six +thousand Kaffirs, who hemmed in Fort Hare and the adjacent Fingo village +of Alice, and the troops which garrisoned that post, under Major +Somerset. The Fingoes were formerly held in subjection by the Kaffirs; +but being relieved by the war of 1836, they afterwards proved friendly +to the British, and behaved with great determination. + +The troops, serving upon the frontier and in British Kaffraria, were in +February, 1851, formed into two divisions designated the first and +second. The first was under Major-General Somerset, and the second under +Colonel Mackinnon; and combined operations were carried out by these +officers, in order to clear the Chumie Hoek of the enemy. + +About the end of May an insurrection broke out amongst the Hottentots in +Lower Albany, and Major-General Somerset proceeded from Graham’s Town +with a portion of the 74th. Highland Regiment, which had recently +arrived at the Cape. A desperate encounter took place on the 3rd. of +June, and two days afterwards the stronghold of the insurgents were +surrounded. + +Major-General Somerset commenced his operations in the Amatola Mountains +on the 26th. of June, 1851. The gallant attack made by the 74th., under +Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, upon the enemy’s position on the 28th. of +that month, which was carried, received special commendation. + +Colonel Mackinnon had proceeded from King William’s Town on the 24th. of +June, with a force of two thousand and fifty-five men, composed of three +hundred and thirty-seven of the 6th. Foot, four hundred and twenty of +the 73rd., forty-seven of the Royal Marines, one hundred and twenty of +the Cape Mounted Riflemen, and the rest consisting of colonial levies. +During the course of his operations the troops under Major-General +Somerset were seen scouring the ridges between the Amatola and Wolf +Valley. These combined movements harassed the enemy at all points and +were fully successful. In September, a force proceeded under Colonel +Mackinnon to the Fish River Bush. The 2nd. Foot, on the 9th. of that +month, sustained in these fastnesses a severe loss, Captain Oldham, four +sergeants, and nineteen men being killed in action, and four corporals +and nineteen privates wounded. During the month, this regiment, +commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Burns, which had just arrived at the +seat of war, lost five sergeants and thirty-two men killed and died of +wounds.[74] + +From the 14th. of October to the 8th. of November, 1851, the troops were +employed in the operations in the Waterkloof. The plan comprised a +series of attacks on the mountain fastnesses of the Kromme range, +Waterkloof, Fuller’s Hock, and other heights, wherein Macomo determined +to await the approach of the British. The scouring of the various +ravines was carried out, the inclemency of the weather adding to the +natural difficulties of the place. During these operations +Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, the beloved commanding officer of the 74th., +was killed on the 6th. of November.[75] The regiment also lost +Lieutenants Carey and Gordon and many men, among them some who were +taken prisoners, and who were subjected by the Kaffirs to the most +horrible tortures. + +Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre effected the passage of the Kei in December, +1851. Here occurred the first instance during the war of the enemy +throwing obstacles in fords, and constructing breastworks; the Kaffirs +ingeniously heaped large stones together in the river, and erected a +number of stone breastworks, one above the other, forming a somewhat +formidable flank defence against musketry. The troops were six weeks +in the field without a single blanket, and without tents. +Lieutenant-Colonel Pole, of the 12th. Lancers, Lieutenant-Colonel +Napier, Major Somerset, and Captain Bramly, of the Cape Mounted +Riflemen, were specially noticed in general orders. Other operations +followed, and the Kaffir chiefs of the Gaikas and Seyolo sued for +peace, but declining to comply with the proffered terms, the troops, +in seven columns, were directed to penetrate the Amatolas, and the +country of Seyolo and other chiefs, on the left bank of the Keiskamma. + +In March Major-General Somerset conducted operations in the Waterkloof, +and Lieutenant-Colonel (now Major-General Sir John) Michel carried the +Iron Mountain with the bayonet, despite a spirited opposition. +Lieutenant-Colonel Perceval and Major Armstrong, in two divisions, on +the 10th., attacked the strong position of the Chief Stock in the Fish +River Bush, and after a sharp conflict, drove the enemy from every +point. + +Reinforcements had been sent from England to the Cape, but, owing to the +wreck of the “Birkenhead,” nine officers and three hundred and +forty-nine men, out of fifteen officers and four hundred and seventy-six +men (the total number embarked) perished.[76] + +Attacks were also carried out by Lieutenant-Colonels Eyre and Perceval, +(Macomo’s den being carried by the former,) the result of which was that +the Kaffirs were driven from all their strongholds in the Amatolos. +Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre’s pursuit of the enemy with his herds across the +Kei, was pronounced by Sir Harry Smith to be one of the most +enterprising and successful forays of the campaign, in which Major +Armstrong, of the Cape Mounted Riflemen, and Captains Cureton and Oakes, +of the 12th. Lancers, greatly distinguished themselves. + +Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart relieved Sir Harry +Smith in the command at the Cape, in April, in which month five hundred +Minié muskets were placed at the disposal of the troops in South Africa; +these were equally distributed at six per company; the six best +marksmen, being men of trust and intelligence, in each company were +selected, and were termed “marksmen.” + +Major-General York, (now Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Yorke, G.C.B., +and recently Military Secretary at the Horse Guards,) a Peninsula and +Waterloo veteran, commanding the second division of the army acting in +British Kaffraria, having obtained reliable information as to the +movements and position of the permanent Laager of the rebel Hottentots, +who associated with the hostile Kaffirs, had committed great outrages, +made his arrangements at the moment when they were all at home, for a +combined attack on the Buffalo Mountains, with a portion of the 43rd. +and 73rd. regiments, and other troops of the brigade of +Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre. This disposable force proceeded from the post +occupied by the latter in the centre of the Amatolas. A similar movement +was made by a force consisting of parts of the 6th. and 60th. regiments, +and certain levies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Michel, issuing from King +William’s Town. On the morning of the 20th. of June, the columns, one +from the north, and the other from the south, approached Murray’s Krantz +nearly simultaneously. The intricacies and difficulties inseparable from +the rugged and densely wooded forests were surmounted; and although the +enemy attempted a stand on several occasions, yet they were driven +headlong over the Krantz with severe loss. + +Forays still continued. Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, in July, +moved with three columns upon the Waterkloof; the enemy appeared in +considerable numbers, but offered only a faint resistance. + +In August, when Major-General Somerset was placed on the staff in India, +Colonel (now Major-General) Sir George Buller was appointed to the +command of the first division, and that of the first battalion of the +Rifle Brigade devolved on Major (now Sir Alfred) Horsford. + +A force of four guns and three thousand troops were collected in +September, for the purpose of finally clearing the Waterkloof and +adjacent fastnesses. Each night the troops bivouacked on the ground of +their operations, and the following day pursued the arduous task of +searching for, and clearing the forests and krantzes of, the enemy. + +This protracted struggle was now drawing to a termination; in November +the troops marched into the Orange River territory, and on the 20th of +December were engaged with the Basutos, under their chief Moshesh, at +the Berea. The contest lasted from early in the morning until eight +o’clock at night, when the enemy, with a force of about six thousand +well-armed horsemen, under considerable organization, were defeated and +driven from the field; after repeatedly assailing the troops at every +point, with such severe loss, as to be compelled to sue for peace. + +Hostilities shortly afterwards terminated, peace being proclaimed on the +12th. of March, 1853; the result of these exertions was the final +clearance of the Waterkloof, Fish River, and all the other strongholds +of the Kaffirs within the colony; the surrender of the chiefs Sandilli, +Macomo, and the Gaika people, who had been expelled from all their +former territories, including the Amatolas,—that troublesome race being +removed to the banks of the Kei. The Basutos, Tambookies, and other +tribes were completely subdued, and the Hottentot rebellion was +extinguished. + +In the words of Sir George Cathcart,—“The Field of Glory opened to them +in a Kaffir war and Hottentot rebellion, is possibly not so favourable +and exciting as that which regular warfare with an open enemy in the +field affords, yet the unremitting exertions called for in hunting +well-armed yet skulking savages through the bush, and driving them from +their innumerable strongholds, are perhaps more arduous than those +required in regular warfare, and call more constantly for individual +exertion and intelligence.” + +Lieutenant-General the Honourable George Cathcart, and Major-General +Henry Somerset, C.B., were appointed Knights Commanders of the Most +Honourable Order of the Bath; and Lieutenant-Colonels William Eyre, of +the 73rd. regiment, John Michel, of the 6th. Foot, Charles Cooke +Yarborough, 91st. regiment, John Maxwell Perceval, of the 12th. Foot, +and George Thomas Conolly Napier, late Lieutenant-Colonel of the Cape +Mounted Riflemen, to be Companions of the above Order. Colonel Eyre was +also appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen, with the rank of Colonel in +the army. + +During this campaign the troops employed were the 12th. Lancers, Royal +Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Sappers and Miners, 2nd., 6th., 12th., +43rd., 45th., Royal Marines, 60th., (2nd. battalion,) 73rd., 74th., +91st., Rifle Brigade, (1st. battalion,) and the Cape Mounted Riflemen. + + + + + CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GALEKAS AND GAIKAS, + 1877–78. + + +Kaffraria and Basutoland lie to the eastward of Cape Colony. The Fingoes +and Gaikas occupy the portion called British Kaffraria, or sometimes the +Ciskei, and the Galekas, Griquas, Pondos, and other tribes, the +Transkei, or Kaffraria proper. The Fingoes, whose name signifies “dogs,” +had always been persecuted by the other tribes, and had been since 1835, +under British protection. They are a peaceable race, wealthy in cattle, +and in time of war are staunch allies, fighting always on the British +side. The Galekas led by their chief Kreli, and the Gaikas under their +chief Sandilli, mortal enemies of the Fingoes, who were formerly their +slaves, and envying their prosperity resolved on attacking them, in hope +of an easy conquest and plenty of plunder. The old Cape Mounted Rifles +having been disbanded in July, 1877, the only Colonial force was the +Frontier Mounted Police, little more than three hundred strong, with +three field pieces, commanded by Charles Griffiths, an old British +officer. On September 25th., 1877, a body of about five thousand +Galekas, crossed the frontier, and fiercely attacked the Fingoes (about +one thousand five hundred strong) and a small party of the Mounted +Police, at a place called Guadana; but after a sharp contest, were +repulsed with loss. A few days after, about eight thousand Galekas +attacked the fortified station of Ibeka, held by Commandant Griffiths, +with a handful of men, three seven-pounders, and about two thousand +Fingoes. After a series of determined assaults, from ten in the morning +till five in the afternoon, the enemy disheartened by their enormous +losses gave up the contest and retreated. General Sir Arthur Cunningham, +commander-in-chief of the forces in South Africa, a Crimean veteran, now +assumed the chief command. Detachments of the 24th. and 88th. regiments +were sent to the front, volunteers were enrolled for active service, and +Commandant Griffiths, with three thousand Europeans, and five thousand +Fingoes led by European officers, were ordered to invade Kreli’s +country. Griffiths with two guns advanced, and after an action in which +the Galekas lost one thousand five hundred men, captured and burnt +Kreli’s kraal, but was compelled to fall back for want of supplies. The +enemy were well armed with muskets and assagies, and fought with much +determination. After a smart skirmish at Umzintzani, in December, the +General resolved to cross the river Kei with all available force. The +88th. Connaught Rangers were ordered to the front, fifty men of the +24th. regiment were mounted as cavalry, and their band were utilized as +gunners. On December 26th., the column started, the centre under Colonel +Glynn, the right under Major Hopton, the left under Captain Upcher of +the 24th. Each column had a gun or two, and to each was attached a small +Naval Brigade, from H. M. S. “Active” and “Florence,” some of the +Mounted Police, and one thousand Fingoes. Information being received +that the Galekas now joined by the Gaikas of Sandilli, were +concentrating in strength near the Kei river, Colonel Glynn, joined the +Quintana Column, commanded by Major Owen of the 88th. at a place called +Nynnuxa, and immediately advanced against the enemy. Colonel Glynn took +command, Major Owen leading his column, which was in the first line, and +Captain Upcher the second. In the centre were the guns, under Lieutenant +Kell, and a rocket party of blue jackets under Lieutenant Maine, R.E. +After a very sharp action, the enemy terrified by the execution done +among them by the rockets, and the Martini-Henry rifles, (this being +almost the first time they were used) broke and fled, leaving four +chiefs of rank among the slain. The enemy then collected in great +numbers in the Chickaba Valley, which is about thirteen miles long, and +covered with a dense bush, so thick in some places as to render any +movement all but impossible. On January 14th., 1878, two columns, the +right under Colonel Lambert, and the left under Major Brown, both of the +88th. regiment, left Komgha, to attack Chickaba. The enemy for a time +showed a bold front, but were shelled and driven out of the valley, and +a vast number of their sheep and cattle taken. Soon after, another large +body of Galekas and Gaikas, about four thousand, under Kreli and +Sandilli, were repulsed with great loss in an attack upon Quintana, by +the column of Colonel Glynn. The enemy fought bravely, and withstood and +returned a heavy fire of rifles, rockets, and case shot for twenty +minutes, at a distance of five hundred yards, but after this defeat they +never again appeared in bodies in the field. On the day of the victory +at Quintana, another was gained by Commandant Griffiths over a chief +called Gongabele, who occupied the most difficult position in the +country, and one which the Kaffirs had held during the last war, in +spite of all efforts made to dispossess them. This position was carried, +and the enemy routed, with the loss of five only of the attacking party. +Soon after this, the 90th. Perthshire regiment with a field battery +arrived from England, and on February 25th, Sir Arthur Cunningham was +superseded in the command of the Army by General Thesiger, better known +as Lord Chelmsford, as he succeeded to the title on the death of his +father a few months later. Sandilli with a large number of his tribe +assembled in the Perie Bush on the Amatola Mountains, in February, 1878, +was defeated by a column under the command of Colonel (now Sir Evelyn +Wood), who also made another successful attack upon the enemy at Intaba +Indodo, April 30th. In these affairs Major Buller of the 60th. Rifles +(now General Sir Redvers Buller V.C.), much distinguished himself. After +a few more skirmishes, the war was ended, Sandilli[77] was killed, and +Kreli had previously surrendered. On June 28th., 1878, an amnesty was +proclaimed for all except the sons of the first-named chief; and the +Gaikas were removed to new settlements beyond the River Kei. + + + + + CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GRIQUAS, 1878. + + +While the war was still raging in Kaffraria, disturbances arose in +Griqualand West, to the northward of the Orange river. The Griquas are a +mixed race, descended from the Dutch Colonists, and the original +Hottentot inhabitants. About seventeen years before, they had emigrated +from Cape Colony to the territory named from them Griqualand, of which +Colonel Owen Lanyon, of the 2nd. West India Regiment was Governor, at +the time the revolt against British Authority broke out. This +insurrection was suppressed by the Colonial forces alone, after several +sharp engagements, with a hardy foe, armed with muskets, and skilled in +their use. On June 11th. their stronghold was attacked, and carried +after a contest of six hours, by a force under Inspector Nisbett; and a +large number of cattle, sheep, and horses were captured. In June and +July several skirmishes took place, in all but one of which the Griquas +were worsted, with heavy loss in men, and cattle. On July 20th., 1878, +they again suffered a severe defeat, soon after which an Amnesty was +proclaimed, and the war ended. + + + + + THE BASUTO WAR, 1879–80. + + +The Amnesty had scarcely been proclaimed among the Griquas, before a far +more formidable conflict began with the Basutos, who had been at peace +with the British since the action at Berea 1852. In 1868, Basutoland was +declared to be a portion of Cape Colony, and this was confirmed by an +Act of the local Parliament in 1871. The Basutos are divided into +tribes, and at this time were supposed to number about one hundred and +fifty thousand. The troubles began with an old warrior called Moirosi, +and his son Dodo, chief of a tribe known as the Baphutis; who resisted +the payment of a hut tax, which they had agreed to pay, in return for +the protection of the Government. After a trifling skirmish with the +Cape Mounted Rifles, Moirosi and his people retired to an almost +inaccessible mountain near the Orange River, which some time before he +had strongly fortified and provisioned, and now believed to be +impregnable. Three sides of this mountain were perpendicular, and the +fourth was protected by a series of walls, and traverses from eight to +ten feet high, loopholed for musketry. The Baphutis were excellent +marksmen, artillery proved useless against their traverses, and Moirosi +for nine months defied the whole forces of the Colony. Several gallant +attacks in this stronghold were repulsed, but at length an old brass +mortar obtained from the Cape Town Museum, made such havoc among the +defenders, by the shells thrown from it over their walls, and exploding +behind them, that the place was stormed with but little loss, and +Moirosi was among the slain. Dodo escaped, but the Baphutis were +decimated; the fortifications were blown up, and the mountain abandoned +to its pristine solitude. + +An Act for the disarming of the native tribes, kindled the flames of war +fiercer than ever. The musket of a Basuto is dearer to him than wealth, +wife, or child, and he will consent to part with it, only when reduced +to the last extremity. The Colonial Government had made a great error in +allowing firearms to be sold to the natives, “but blinded by a desire to +secure cheap labour,” about four hundred thousand muskets and rifles, +many of them breechloaders, had been conveyed into the country. The +Basutos proved themselves to be admirable horsemen; very skilful in the +construction of stone defences, and fought with much more courage and +daring than had been expected. The Imperial troops in the Colony in +1879, were the 3rd. Buffs 2nd. battalion, 1st. battalion of the 13th. +(Somersetshire Light Infantry), 1st. battalion 24th. (Warwickshire +Regt.), and some Artillery, but other regiments soon arrived from +England, and before the war was ended, the Imperial and Colonial forces +in the field amounted to fifteen thousand men. Early in the contest, the +Basutos till that time considered loyal, joined their countrymen, and +the Tambookies, a tribe numbering over ninety thousand, also helped to +swell the ranks of the rebels. In fact, the whole of the native tribes +were in a state of dissatisfaction and ferment, and a racial war seemed +to be imminent. The Frontier Armed Police, which had been changed into +the Cape Mounted Rifles, about six hundred and fifty strong, under +Colonels Carrington and Bayley, were the first in the field, but their +numbers were too few to act with effect against the overwhelming force +of the enemy. The first skirmish was with the followers of a rebel chief +named Letherodi. The Rifles routed the enemy, but the latter being +strongly reinforced, surrounded and besieged the Colonial troops at a +place called Matafeng, which they made desperate attempts to carry by +storm. Their attacks failed, and Matafeng was relieved by a force under +Colonel Clarke. Colonel Bayley was surrounded at Maseru, in October, but +after several hours fighting, the Basutos retreated. On November 10th. +Colonel Carrington severely defeated the enemy at Golah Mountain, and +the war afterwards was little more than a succession of skirmishes; in +which a few hundreds of white men with native allies more or less +doubtful, withstood the onset of thousands of Kaffirs, repelling their +attempts to beleaguer them, and routing them in the open field, +generally with great loss, with wonderfully few casualties among +themselves. Some of the rebel chiefs were slain, others fled, and +Letherodi who was one of the principal instigators of the revolt, was +anxious to submit to the Government. In April 1881, a treaty of peace, +and general amnesty was proclaimed, by which the Basutos gained nearly +all they demanded before the commencement of the war. + + + + + THE ZULU WAR, 1879. + + +Zululand lies to the north-east of Natal, and its inhabitants are the +most warlike of all the Kaffir tribes. Chaka, who became chief of the +Zulus in 1810, established a military despotism, which converted the +whole manhood of the tribe into a disciplined army, obedient to the will +of one man. These warriors in battle fought with desperation, as on +their return from an expedition, all cowards were ruthlessly massacred. +Chaka found the Zulus a pastoral unimportant clan, and left them the +most martial native race in South Africa. In 1828 this ferocious chief +was assassinated by his brother Dingaan, who succeeded him. Dingaan, who +did not possess the military ability of his brother, waged an +exterminating war against the Boers; but at length being utterly +defeated by them under Andreas Pretorius, in 1840 he fled for refuge +among the Swazies, who received and murdered him. His brother Panda, who +had revolted against Dingaan with a portion of the tribe and joined the +Dutch, was then proclaimed King of the Zulus, and wisely preferring +trading to warfare, continued on friendly terms with the Boers and the +English till his death in 1872. Panda was succeeded by his son Cetewayo, +and at the request of the Zulu nation, Sir Theophilus Shepston was +present at his installation as King, representing the British +Government. But Cetewayo was ambitious, and soon abandoned the pacific +policy of his father, to follow the militant example of his predecessor +Chaka. He re-organised the old regiments, and formed new ones, trained +and disciplined by means of torture and death. He armed his men with +guns, instead of only shield and assagai, and perfected the peculiar +Zulu formation for attack in three divisions; two “horns” to assail the +flanks and rear of an enemy, and a main body to advance and complete the +victory. In 1878 this army numbered over fifty thousand men, eager for +battle, commanded by an ambitious and savage chief, a menace and cause +of apprehension to all its neighbours. Another savage chieftain, and an +ally of Cetewayo, named Sekukuni (of whom more, presently) who defied +the Colonial Government, and had in 1876 repulsed an attack of the Boers +on his stronghold, gave rise to a common saying among the natives, “If +the bull-calf (Sekukuni) has to be left alone, what will happen when the +elephant (Cetewayo) attacks the white man?” In August, 1878, two sons of +Sirayo, a favourite chief of Cetewayo, with a party of Zulus, made an +incursion into British territory, and seized two women whom they claimed +as runaway wives of their father Sirayo. Resistance was useless, and the +women were carried across the river Buffalo and slain. The surrender of +the offenders was demanded by the Colonial Government, and a fine of +five hundred cattle as a reparation for the violation of the Natal +territory. Neither being forthcoming, Sir Bartle Frere sent an ultimatum +to the Zulu King, requiring among other things, the disbandment of his +army, and freedom of marriage among his people; also informing him that +unless he complied with the terms on, or before December 31st., he would +be invaded by a British army to enforce these demands. The time allowed +by the ultimatum being expired, and Cetewayo making no sign, on January +11th., 1879, the British forces under the command of Lord Chelmsford, +crossed the Buffalo and Tugela rivers, and the war began. The army was +divided into three columns, with two smaller bodies of troops under +Colonel Durnford, R.E., and Colonel Rowlands, V.C., the whole being +intended to effect a junction near Ulundi. The first column commanded by +Colonel Pearson of the 3rd. Buffs, was composed of the 2nd. battalion +3rd. Buffs, Lieutenant-Colonel Parnell, and afterwards six companies of +the 99th. Regiment; a detachment of Royal Artillery with four guns, one +gatling and a rocket battery, under Lieutenant Lloyd, R.A.; a Naval +Brigade of one hundred and seventy seamen and marines from H.M.S. +Active, under Captain Campbell, R.N., one hundred mounted Infantry under +Captain Barrow, 19th. Hussars, some mounted Volunteers, and one thousand +natives under Major Graves, 3rd. Buffs. Second column, Colonel Glyn, +24th. Regiment, commanding. Seven companies 1st. battalion 24th. +Regiment, and 2nd. battalion of the 24th., under Colonel Degacher, a +detachment of Royal Artillery with two seven-pounders under Major +Harness, a body of Natal Mounted Police under Major Dartnell, and +Mounted Volunteers, with a native contingent of one thousand men under +Commandant Lonsdale, formerly of the 74th. Highlanders. Third column, +Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C., commanding; comprising the 90th. Regiment and +1st. battalion 13th. Regiment, Royal Artillery with four seven-pounders +and two rocket tubes, under Major Tremlett, one hundred mounted Infantry +under Major Russell, Frontier Light Horse, two hundred strong, under +Major Redvers Buller, one hundred volunteers, and a body of five +thousand Swazies. There was also a contingent of Boers, all crack shots, +under Commandant Piet Uys. + +The total strength of the army, including the garrisons, was about +sixteen thousand men, with twenty guns; the European portion of which, +much under one half, being the only reliable, as the Native Contingent +was not equal to the enemy in bravery, and after the disaster at +Isandhlwana almost useless. Colonel Pearson’s column on the 18th. of +January began its march into the interior, and on the 22nd., near the +Myezane river, attacked and defeated a body of Zulus, estimated at from +five to seven thousand men. + +On the following day the column arrived at the deserted mission station +of Ekowe, when it received news of the terrible disaster at Isandhlwana, +on the day previous. Pearson decided on holding the position with the +British portion of his force; the Native Contingent, and the Mounted +Corps, being sent back to the Lower Tugela. Lord Chelmsford sent him +instructions to do the best he could with the troops under his command; +and under the direction of Captain Wynne, R.E., the post was fortified +and rendered impregnable to the attacks of any force without artillery. + +On January 10th., Colonel Glyn’s column, with whom was Lord Chelmsford, +encamped at Rorke’s Drift. On the 12th. a portion of the force, after a +smart skirmish, burnt Sirayo’s kraal, and captured a large number of +cattle. On the 20th. the column encamped near the isolated hill known as +Isandhlwana, and on the 22nd., Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Glyn, with +the second battalion of the 24th. Regiment, the mounted men, and four +guns, set out in search of a large body of Zulus, reported to be near a +place called Matyan’s kraal; leaving in camp five companies of the 1st. +battalion 24th., one company of the 2nd. battalion 24th., about seventy +artillerymen with two guns, and part of the Native Contingent, under the +command of Lieutenant-Colonel Pulleine. Colonel Durnford, who had been +left at Rorke’s Drift with five hundred natives and a rocket battery, +was ordered up to take command of the camp. The commander-in-chief who +had neglected to fortify his camp at Isandhlwana, either by throwing up +entrenchments or “laagering” his waggons, proceeded to encounter the +enemy, who retired as he advanced. Meanwhile a force of from fourteen to +twenty thousand Zulus, including some of their best regiments, led by +Dabulamanzi, the king’s half-brother, were preparing for an attack upon +the camp. + +About nine o’clock on the morning of the 22nd., Colonel Durnford +arrived, and took over the command from Colonel Pulleine. The mounted +men, with the rocket battery, under Colonel Durnford in person, advanced +some four miles from the camp, and began to skirmish with the enemy, +being unaware of their vast superiority in force. The rocket battery was +suddenly surrounded and destroyed to a man; the mounted men fled towards +the camp, pursued by thousands of Zulus, who came on in regular order in +battalions eight deep, and all the troops in the camp rushed to their +arms. For a time the enemy were checked by the tremendous fire with +which they were received, and their ranks showed signs of wavering, when +the Native Contingent broke and fled, making a fatal gap in the lines, +through which the Zulus poured like a torrent; and about the same time +the right “horn” of their attack having swiftly worked round to the rear +of the hill beneath which the camp was pitched, took the position in +reverse, and launched about four thousand bounding and leaping warriors +on the flank of the devoted British force. In an instant all was +confusion, two companies of the 24th. not having time to form rallying +squares were annihilated, the gunners of the Mountain Battery were +assegaied; Major Smith, R.A., being killed while endeavouring to spike +one of the guns. Some of the mounted natives managed to escape, but the +soldiers of the 24th., the Mounted Police, and Volunteers, in groups, or +back to back, kept their foes at bay while their ammunition lasted, and +then fought hand to hand till the last man fell where he stood.[78] + +In the midst of the carnage, Lieutenants Coghill and Melville made a +desperate but unsuccessful attempt to save the colours. They escaped +from the field, but in swimming across the Buffalo, Melville’s horse was +killed, and Coghill returning to assist his comrade, who was clinging to +a rock, his horse was also shot, and the colours fell into the river. +The two officers reached the Natal side safely, but were overtaken and +slain about three hundred yards from the river’s bank. Their bodies were +found lying side by side, and the colours which they had died to save, +were found ten days afterwards in the rocky bed of the river. + +The victory of the Zulus cost them dear, between two and three thousand +of them being killed in the battle, or died afterwards of their wounds. + +The British loss was terrible, fifty imperial and colonial officers, and +over eight hundred non-commissioned officers and men having perished +around that fatal hill. Five entire companies of the 1st. battalion of +the 24th. fell, with ninety men of the 2nd. battalion, and hundreds of +natives. Upwards of one hundred waggons, fourteen hundred oxen, two +seven-pounders (afterwards retaken), eight hundred Martini-Henry rifles, +and a vast quantity of stores of all kinds, fell into the hands of the +enemy. + +Meanwhile the column under Lord Chelmsford, after a slight skirmish, was +returning towards the camp, and about four miles from it met with the +Natal Native Contingent, which had halted in a state of dismay at the +turn affairs had taken. Half an hour afterwards a solitary horseman came +up. It was Commandant Lonsdale, who had unsuspiciously ridden into the +captured camp, and escaping a shower of bullets, brought the almost +incredible news that the camp was in possession of a Zulu army. The +General immediately sent an order for Colonel Glyn’s troops to join, and +on their arrival marched at once towards Isandhlwana hill. + +The daylight was fading, and darkness had set in before the column, +unopposed, reached the fatal camp, which they found silent, and deserted +by all but the dead. The tents were upset, the waggons destroyed, and +the whole place strewn with the dead bodies of men and horses. + +After a sad bivouac, Lord Chelmsford marched at dawn for Rorke’s Drift, +expecting to find it in the hands of the enemy, but to his surprise and +gratification found it still in the possession of an heroic handful of +the 24th. + +On the advance of the centre column, a company of the 24th., and a small +body of natives, under the command of Lieutenant Bromhead, had been left +to guard some sick men and stores at Rorke’s Drift. “A worse position,” +says one present, “could hardly be imagined. Two small thatched +buildings, about thirty yards apart, with thin walls, commanded by +rising ground in the south and west, completely overlooked on the south +by a high wall. On the north side an orchard and garden gave good cover +to an enemy up to within a few yards of the houses.” The place had +formerly been a Swedish Mission Station. One of the buildings was filled +with stores, and the other had been converted into a military hospital. +Some fugitives bringing tidings of what had happened at the camp, +Lieutenant Bromhead and Lieutenant Chard, R.E., who was with him, at +once set to work to strengthen the position. The buildings were +loopholed and barricaded, and connected by defences formed by a few +waggons sacks of “mealies,” and Indian corn, and biscuit boxes. The +natives, terror-stricken, fled, and the garrison was reduced to the +company of the 24th., consisting of about eighty men; the total number +within the defences—including thirty-five sick in the hospital—being one +hundred and thirty-nine all told. The place was soon surrounded by three +or four thousand Zulus, who commenced a series of desperate attacks. +They set fire to the hospital, which the garrison defended room by room, +but five sick soldiers perished in the flames. Such was the fury of the +assault, that the garrison were forced to retire to an inner line of +defence. Six times the Zulus got inside the barricades, but each time +they were hurled back with loss. At length, after a conflict which +lasted from five p.m. on January 22nd. till four a.m. on the following +morning, the Zulus retired defeated and disheartened, leaving three +hundred and seventy dead around the post. Their whole loss was probably +about five hundred, while the heroic defenders had but seventeen killed +and ten wounded. + +The left column, under Colonel Evelyn Wood, after the Isandhlwana +disaster, by order of Lord Chelmsford, fell back to a strong position at +Kambula Kop, about twenty miles from the Blood river, where was formed +an entrenched camp. From this position a series of dashing raids upon +the Zulu kraals and stores was made by the Frontier Horse, under Colonel +Redvers Buller, and the Dutch Burgher troop of Piet Uys, which inflicted +great damage on the enemy, who were astonished by the daring and range +of these expeditions. + +About the end of March, Colonel Wood received a letter from Lord +Chelmsford, to the effect that he was taking steps for the relief of +Colonel Pearson, at Ekowe, and directing Wood to make a diversion in the +direction of the Zlobani to distract the enemy. His force had been +strengthened by a body of Mounted Infantry, and some Border Horse, +commanded by Colonel Weatherley, formerly of the 4th. Dragoons. About +twelve miles from the camp was a precipitous, thickly-wooded, and almost +inaccessible stronghold of the Zulus, known as the Zlobani, or Inhlobani +mountain, at which place they had gathered together great herds of +cattle—their chief wealth—thinking it impregnable. This fastness Colonel +Wood resolved to attack, with his mounted men and natives, operating +simultaneously against the mountain on both sides. His force was divided +into two columns, under Colonels Buller and Russell. + +Buller’s force, with whom was Colonel Wood, attacked the mountain at +dawn on March 28th., and under cover of the mist gained the summit with +trifling loss; the Zulus retreating into caves, with which the place +abounded. Colonel Russell’s column had scarcely reached the westward +side of the mountain, when he was aware of a Zulu army of twenty +thousand, marching rapidly, with the object of cutting off Buller’s +retreat. Russell abandoned some cattle he had taken; sent his native +troops back to Kambula, and formed up his mounted men at the foot of the +mountain, to cover the retreat of Buller. The Zulus on the mountain +seeing the advance of their warriors, came out of their hiding places, +and harassed the movements of Buller’s men, who had no alternative but +to descend the rugged side of the mountain by paths “utterly +impracticable for even led horses.” The retreat soon became a rout, for +the Zulus occupied the rocks; pouring a hot fire at point blank range +into the struggling mass of men and horses, and using their assegais +with fatal effect. But for the heroic efforts of Colonel Buller, Major +Leet, and Commandant Darcy, the force would have been exterminated. How +Buller escaped was almost miraculous, he saved the lives of six of his +men at least, personally, and was one of the last down the rocks, where +only one horseman could pass abreast, called the “Devil’s Pass.” Once +clear of this precipitous path, the worst was over; the retreat being +covered by Colonel Russell, and the remainder of the force reached +Kambula, with a loss of over one hundred killed and wounded, including +thirteen officers. Colonel Weatherley and his son, a lad of fifteen, and +the whole of his Border Horse, except eight, were slain. Captain Barton, +of the Coldstream Guards, who lost his life in endeavouring to rescue a +wounded trooper, and eighteen of his men perished; also the gallant old +Boer leader, Piet Uys,[79] whose father and uncles had fallen in the +wars against Dingaan. + +Encouraged by this success, next day the Zulu army, numbering +twenty-five thousand men, made a most determined attack upon the +entrenched camp at Kambula, which was manned by detachments of the +18th., 80th., and 90th. Regiments, with a battery of Royal Artillery, +under Major Tremlett, and some Volunteers. For more than four hours +raged a desperate conflict, during which the enemy, in spite of enormous +losses, madly rushed on with deafening yells, till their assegais +clashed against the British bayonets; but finding all their efforts of +no avail, and mowed down by the deadly fire, lost heart, and began to +retire in confusion. A ringing cheer arose from the camp, the mounted +men sprang into their saddles, and led by Buller and Russell, pursued +the enemy for seven miles, strewing their way with the bodies of +hundreds of Zulus, and amply avenging the disaster of the previous day. +General Wood on seeing the panic-stricken flight of the enemy, +exclaimed, “Oh, for two regiments of British cavalry!” + +The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was variously estimated from +three to four thousand; fifteen hundred dead bodies were lying around +the camp at nightfall, of which many were carried away before morning, +but the victors were occupied for two days in burying their dead foemen. +The wounded that were captured, were kindly treated, and their wounds +dressed. + +The British loss was two officers[80] and twenty-three men killed, and +eight officers and fifty-seven men wounded. + +A week or two before this, another disaster, similar to the affair at +Isandhlwana, but fortunately of lesser magnitude, befel Captain Moriarty +and a company of the 80th. Regiment, encamped on the bank of the Intombe +River; who were surprised in the early dawn, by an overwhelming body of +Zulus, and two-thirds of the party slain on the spot. Lieutenant +Harvard, the only surviving officer, leaving the remnant of his men to +shift for themselves, galloped off to Luneberg for help; and it was only +by the exertions and bravery of Colour-Sergeant Anthony Booth, that a +man escaped. For this service, Sergeant Booth well won, and obtained, +the Victoria Cross. + +All this time the force under Colonel Pearson remained blockaded at +Ekowe. Pearson had made some successful raids on the enemy; but his +stock of provisions was rapidly diminishing, and he was anxiously +expecting relief. + +On March 29th., Lord Chelmsford, with a force of three thousand three +hundred English soldiers and seamen, from the “Shah,” “Tenedos,” and +“Boadicea,” with gatling guns and a rocket battery, and about two +thousand two hundred Natives, set out from Fort Tenedos for Ekowe. On +the 2nd. of April he was attacked by the Zulu army, under Dabulamanzi, +at Ginghilovo. The enemy fought with desperation, but their frantic +attacks were repulsed with enormous loss, and after a very sharp action +of about one and a half hours, they fled in disorder, hotly pursued by +the mounted men, under Captain Barrow. Eight hundred Zulus were buried +on the field, and their total loss must have been over a thousand men. +The British casualties were trifling. + +Ekowe was relieved two days after, the works destroyed and the post +abandoned; the whole force returning to the Lower Tugela. + +In the meanwhile large reinforcements arrived from England, including +the 1st. Dragoon Guards, the 17th. Lancers, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, +the 58th., 91st., and 94th. Regiments, and drafts for other corps in the +Colony, the whole amounting to over ten thousand officers and men. Among +the new arrivals was the unfortunate Prince Imperial, who reached Durban +two days after the conflict at Kambula, and was appointed an extra +A.D.C. on the head-quarter staff. + +An immediate advance into Zululand was decided on, and organised in +three divisions. The first under General Crealock, C.B.; the second +under Major-General Newdigate; and the third—a flying column—under +General Wood; with whom was Lord Chelmsford, acting in advance of the +second division; Ulundi being the object of the combined operations. For +a time the invaders were almost unopposed, the enemy seeming to realise +the uselessness of attacking, with assegai and shield; entrenchments, +and squares of men armed with breechloaders, gatlings, and rockets; but +they had gained wisdom by experience, and avoiding fighting, overran +defenceless territory and carried off cattle, at the same time as a +_ruse_, sending messengers with proposals of peace. + +At the commencement of this final stage of the war, occurred another +untoward accident, which cast a gloom over the whole campaign, and +thrilled the heart of England with shame and indignation. On June 1st., +the Prince Imperial of France, Louis Napoleon, while out on a +reconnoitring expedition with Lieutenant Carey of the 98th. Regiment, +and six troopers of Bettington’s Horse, was surprised and killed by a +party of Zulus. As an officer in the camp wrote:—“The news of his death +fell like a thunderbolt on all.” His body was next day recovered and +sent to England. + +On June 5th. was a smart cavalry skirmish, in which Lieutenant Firth, of +the 17th. Lancers, was killed. + +Lord Chelmsford, with General Newdigate’s division and Wood’s flying +column, kept steadily advancing; establishing posts, and securing his +communication as he moved forward. On July the 3rd., Colonel Buller, +with five hundred cavalry, pushed forward to the Umvalosi River, on the +road to Ulundi, to reconnoitre the country. He crossed the river, but +had advanced but little beyond it, when he was suddenly assailed in +front and flank by five thousand Zulus, who attempted to surround him +and cut off his retreat. Buller retired, not without loss, hotly +pursued, and would have suffered much, but for the fire of the +nine-pounder guns of Major Tremlett, which checked the enemy. In this +affair, Lord William Beresford, of the 9th. Lancers, who had obtained +six months’ leave from India, and had come to Africa from sheer love of +fighting, gained the Victoria Cross for his gallantry in rescuing from +the pursuing Zulus a dismounted trooper of the Frontier Light Horse. + +Next day, in the early morning,[81] Lord Chelmsford crossed the +Umvalosi, with a total strength of four thousand Europeans, and about +eleven hundred natives, with two gatlings, and twelve guns. In the front +were the 80th., 90th., and 13th. Regiments, with four seven-pounders, +two nine-pounders, and two gatlings; the 58th. and 94th. Regiments, with +two seven- and four nine-pounders; and in the rear the Scots Fusiliers, +with three squadrons of the 17th. Lancers. About eight o’clock he +reached the King’s kraal at Ulundi, and was attacked by the Zulu army, +variously estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand men. The troops +were formed in a hollow square four deep, which the furious and repeated +charges of the enemy, who advanced with the utmost bravery, in spite of +a murderous shell and rifle fire, utterly failed to break, and at no +point did they succeed in approaching nearer than thirty yards. In forty +minutes the Zulus were in full flight, pursued by Colonel Drury Lowe, +and the 17th. Lancers, who did terrible execution, literally cutting +them up with lance and sabre. + +The British loss in this battle, which virtually ended the war, was +Captain Wyatt-Edgell (17th. Lancers) and ten men killed, and about +seventy officers and men wounded. + +The loss of the enemy was upwards of fifteen hundred killed, there being +no wounded on the field, as the native contingent despatched all they +could find with their assegais. + +Sir Garnet Wolseley, who had arrived at the Cape at the end of June from +London, now superseded Lord Chelmsford in the command, who with Generals +Newdigate and Crealock, Sir E. Wood, Colonel Buller, and the principal +officers, returned to England. Sir Garnet despatched two columns in +pursuit of Cetewayo, under Colonel Clark of the 57th. Regiment, and +Colonel Baker Russell, C.B., of the 13th. Hussars. For sixteen days the +fugitive king baffled his pursuers, but on August 28th. he was captured +in a kraal in the almost impenetrable Ngome Forest, by Major Marter of +the 1st. Dragoon Guards. + +On the 1st. of September, 1879, the sixth anniversary of the day when +Cetewayo was installed King of the Zulus, by Sir Theophilus Shepstone, +and on the same spot, was held a meeting of chiefs; who in the presence +of Sir Garnet Wolseley, acknowledged the sovereignty of Queen Victoria, +abolished the military system, and gave up the importation of arms into +Zululand. They also agreed to condemn none of their subjects to death +without a trial, and their men were also to be free to marry when they +pleased. Fugitives from justice were to be given up, and in all disputes +the decision of the British Resident was to be final. + +The cost of this war was estimated to be about £5,230,000. + + + + + OPERATIONS AGAINST SEKUKUNI, + 1878–79. + + +Sekukuni was a chief of the Basutos, who in his fastness in the Lulu +mountains, between the Oliphant and Steel Poort Rivers, had defied the +Colonial Government, successfully resisted the Boers, and allied himself +with Cetewayo. Occupying a mountain range of fifty miles in length, he +was surrounded by all the lawless and warlike spirits in the district, +attracted by the hope of plunder; and like one of the robber barons of +the Middle Ages, he despatched them in all directions to ravage and lay +waste the surrounding country. In February, 1878, some of his men made a +raid on a chief under the protection of the English; and Sekukuni, +encouraged by Cetewayo, in reply to the complaint of the British +Commissioner, answered that “the English were afraid to fight—that the +country was his, not theirs, and that he was quite ready for war.” + +In October a small body of one hundred and thirty men of the 13th. +Regiment, some Frontier Horse, and Mounted Infantry, commanded by +Colonel Rowlands, V.C., advanced to attack Sekukuni, but through the +roughness of the country, want of water, and the smallness of his force, +he could effect nothing, and was obliged to retreat. War in Zululand now +being imminent, operations against this formidable chieftain were for a +time suspended, but after the capture of Cetewayo, a new expedition +against him was organised by Sir Garnet Wolseley. + +Sekukuni’s chief stronghold, called his “Fighting Koppie,” and deemed +impregnable by the Basutos, was a tremendous natural fortress rising +from the plain several hundred feet. Boulders and vast rocks piled one +over another formed the sides, the interior was honeycombed by caverns +and crannies innumerable, and the base of the hill was covered with +trees and jungly brushwood. It was occupied by a population of about +twelve thousand, but only five thousand were fighting men. The British +force consisted of two thousand two hundred Europeans, of whom fourteen +hundred were detachments of the 21st., 94th., and 80th. Regiments, and +about ten thousand Swazies, under Major Bushman (9th. Lancers) and +Captain Macleod, the whole being commanded by Colonel Baker Russell. + +Sir Garnet Wolseley having completed his arrangements, the attack on the +stronghold was made November 28th., 1879, at four a.m., in three +divisions. Commandant Ferreira, with his colonial troops, carried the +heights on the south; Major Carrington, of the 24th. Regiment, +commanding the left attack, occupied the heights to the north; and Major +Bushman, with his Swazies, gained the top of the ridge commanding the +“town,” and combining with Carrington’s attack, poured down on the +central kraal, which was soon wrapped in flames. The “Fighting Koppie” +now being completely surrounded, was shelled by two Krupp guns, and two +seven-pounders, directed by Captain Knox, R.A., and at ten a.m., was +stormed by the centre column, consisting of the English infantry under +Colonel Murray. The kraals below were burning fiercely; Ferreira’s men +rushed up on the right, and with the Volunteers and Swazies, raced with +the red-coats to be first in the Koppie, but after an obstinate +struggle, the men of the 21st. and 80th. gained the summit of the hill, +and the place was taken. + +The position was captured, but the resistance of the defenders was not +at an end. Hundreds of them sought refuge in the caverns with which the +hill abounded, and from them kept up an intermittent fire till they were +hunted out and slain. Sekukuni for some days escaped capture, but being +surrounded on all sides, his supply of water cut off, and his caverns +blown up, he surrendered on December 2nd. to Major Clark, and was +conveyed a prisoner to Pretoria. + +In this brilliant affair the British loss was three officers and seven +men killed, and six officers and forty-three men wounded. The Swazies +had nearly a thousand killed and wounded, and the five thousand +defenders of the Koppie were nearly all slain, as our native allies gave +no quarter. + +Among the officers who distinguished themselves was Major Herbert +Stewart, who shewed great energy and tact in dealing with the Native +Contingent, and who in January, 1885, as General Sir H. Stewart, in +command of the Gordon Relief Expedition, was mortally wounded, near +Metammeh, on the Nile. + +The regiments engaged in these harassing operations were: the 1st. +Dragoon Guards, 1879; the 17th. Lancers, 1879; the 3rd. and 4th. Foot, +1879; the 13th., 1878–9; 21st, 1879; 24th., 1877, 1878, and 1879; 57th., +1879; 58th., 1879; 60th., 1879; 80th., 1878–79; 88th. and 90th., 1877, +1878, and 1879; 91st., 1879; 94th., 1877, 1878, and 1879; and the 97th., +99th., 1879. + +[Illustration: + + The Afghanistan Medal. +] + +Every incident in these campaigns, which greatly consisted in patrolling +and skirmishing in all directions, has not been narrated in detail; yet +enough has been stated to show that the military power of Great Britain +has seldom contended with more obstinate and braver enemies than the +half-civilised Kaffirs and Zulus; and no medal has been more hardly +earned than that granted for services in South Africa. + + + + + THE AFGHANISTAN MEDALS, 1839–1880. + + +For services in Afghanistan from the year 1839 to 1880 ten medals +altogether have been granted, including those given for the storming of +Ghuznee, and the defence of Jellalabad and Kelat-i-Ghilzie. The Ghuznee +medal[82] was given by Shah Soojah, the restored King of Afghanistan, to +the British troops present at the storming of that place, under Sir John +Keane, July 22nd. and 23rd., 1839. This medal is silver, having on the +obverse a view of the fortress, with the name “Ghuznee” underneath. +Reverse: A laurel wreath, encircling a mural crown, with the date, +“23rd. July,” above, and “1839” below. Ribbon, half crimson and half +green; no clasp. Permission was granted by the Queen in 1841 to wear +this medal. For the successful defence of Jellalabad two medals were +given. The first was granted by Lord Ellenborough, Governor-General of +India—silver. Obverse: A mural crown, with “Jellalabad” inscribed above, +on the reverse the date of the victorious sortie, “VII. April, 1842.” +The second Jellalabad medal, designed by Wyon, was issued by the English +Government, and was intended to be worn in place of the first[83], but +from its rarity it seems that but few men took advantage of the offered +exchange. Obverse: Head of the Queen, crowned, with the inscription, +“Victoria Vindex.” Reverse: Victory, with the Union Jack in her left +hand, and laurel wreaths in her right, flying over the fortress of +Jellalabad; above the figure are the words, “Jellalabad, VII. April,” +and in the exergue, “MDCCCXLII.” Ribbon: Rainbow pattern for both +medals; no clasp. The Kelat-i-Ghilzie medal was also granted by Lord +Ellenborough to the defenders of that place—silver. Obverse: A laurel +wreath, encircling a shield, inscribed, “Kelat-i-Ghilzie,” surmounted by +a mural crown. Reverse: A trophy of arms, inscribed “Invicta,” with the +date MDCCCXLII. underneath. Ribbon, rainbow pattern. For services at +Ghuznee, Cabul, and Candahar, five distinct medals were distributed, all +having on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the legend, “Victoria +Vindex,” but the inscription on the reverse varying as follows:— + +(1.) “Candahar,” “Ghuznee,” and “Cabul,” 1842, under each other, given +to those men who served during the whole campaign. + +(2.) “Candahar,” 1842, given to men who were engaged with the enemy from +January 1st. to August 10th., 1842. + +(3.) “Candahar” and “Ghuznee,” given to men present at both places only. + +(4.) “Ghuznee” and “Cabul,” given to the troops who went with General +Nott from Ghuznee to Cabul, 6th to 17th of September, 1842. + +(5.) “Cabul,” given to those who reached Cabul after September 16th, +1842; no clasps; ribbon, rainbow pattern. The reverse of these medals, +excepting that for Ghuznee and Cabul, are alike in design, the names +“Candahar,” &c., being inscribed within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a +crown, with the date 1842 below. The medal for Ghuznee and Cabul has the +names inscribed within a double wreath of laurel, with the crown over, +and in the exergue “1842.” The obverse of this medal, and of that given +for Cabul, has a laurel wreath surrounding the Queen’s head. The +authority for these medals to be worn by the Queen’s troops was notified +to the army in India, January 25th, 1843. The medal given for the +campaigns of 1878, 1879, and 1880 is of silver. Obverse: Head of the +Queen, veiled and crowned, with the inscription, “Victoria Regina et +Imperatrix.” Reverse: An elephant bearing a mountain gun; in foreground +a mounted British officer, cavalry with lances, following on the march; +in the background, mountains; above, the word, “Afghanistan,” and the +dates 1878, 1879, and 1880 in the exergue. Clasps inscribed “Ali +Musjid,” “Peiwar Kotal,” “Charasia,” “Kabul,” “Ahmed Khel,” and +“Kandahar,” were also granted, the greatest number worn with the medal +being four. Ribbon, green centre with crimson borders. + +For the march of General Roberts from Kabul to Candahar a bronze star +was given, made from guns captured at Cabul. The star is of five points, +suspended from an Imperial crown; in the centre a monogram, composed of +the letters “V. R. I.,” surrounded by the words “Kabul to Kandahar,” +with the date 1880 underneath. Ribbon, rainbow pattern. On the reverse +of the star is engraved the rank, name, and corps of the recipient. + + + + + THE FIRST AFGHAN WAR. + 1839. + + +Shah Soojah-ool-Moolk had been driven from the throne of Afghanistan, +and his kingdom divided among several chiefs. A Persian army besieged +Herat, on the Afghan frontier, and the court of Persia claimed an +extensive portion of territory, which, lying between India and Persia, +appeared to menace the safety of the British dominions in the East +Indies. These circumstances, and the unprovoked attack made on a British +ally, Runjeet Singh, by Dost Mahomed Khan, occasioned a tripartite +treaty to be concluded between the British, Runjeet Singh, and Shah +Soojah, for the purpose of effecting the restoration of the dethroned +monarch, and a British force designated the “ARMY OF THE INDUS,” was +assembled to effect this object. In addition to the native corps, it +comprised the 4th. and 16th. Dragoons, (the cavalry being commanded by +Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, G.C.B., then Major-General,) +and the 2nd., 13th., and 17th. regiments of the regular army. The Bengal +column was placed under Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, K.C.B., and +the Bombay one under Major-General Willshire. General Sir Henry Fane was +to have commanded the whole, but on information being received in +October, 1838, that the siege of Herat had been raised by the Persian +monarch, who had marched therefrom towards his capital, the force was +reduced, and the second Bengal division was left at Ferozepore. +Lieutenant-General Sir John (afterwards Lord) Keane, was consequently +appointed to the command. + +The plan of operations was thus arranged:—Major-General Sir Willoughby +Cotton was to march near Scinde, through the Bolan Pass to Candahar, and +proceed thence to Ghuznee and Cabool. The Bombay division of the army +commenced its march from the mouth of the Indus, through the country +occupied by the Ameers of Scinde, who, refusing permission for the +troops to pass through their territory, a passage had to be effected by +force. Hyderabad, the capital, was captured; Kurrachee was occupied; and +the Ameers were brought to submission early in February, 1839. The army +then continued its march, passed the Indus on a bridge of boats near the +fortress of Bukkur, which had been delivered up as a place of arms +during the war in Afghanistan, and entered upon regions never before +traversed by British troops, but which are interesting from their +association with the operations and reverses of Alexander the Great. + +Advancing from Shikarpore the troops arrived in the middle of March, at +Dadur, situated a few miles from the Bolan Pass, through which they +marched between mountains covered with snow. In these wild regions bands +of Beloochees lurked to avail themselves of every opportunity to follow +their predatory habits, and they murdered several camp followers, and +plundered some baggage. Issuing from this gloomy defile of more than +fifty miles in length, the army entered the Dushi-be-doulut, or the +unhappy desert, and halted a short time at Quettah, situated in the +centre of the valley of Shawl, of which it is the capital. Supplies of +provisions could not be procured in these sterile regions; the issue of +grain for the horses ceased, the soldiers were placed upon half rations, +the native followers upon quarter, and several men, who were searching +for forage at a distance from the camp, were sacrificed by the natives, +who availed themselves of every opportunity of destroying small parties. + +All these hardships were borne with fortitude, and in the early part of +April the army commenced its march through the vale of Shawl; it +descended the picturesque height of Kotul into the valley of Koochlak; +forded rivers; and passed the height of Kozak, where the men had to drag +the artillery over the precipice with ropes. Surmounting every obstacle +with patient perseverance, the troops continued to press forward; the +rulers of Afghanistan, struck with dismay, fled from the capital, +leaving the country to the Sovereign whom the British were advancing to +restore. As the army proceeded on its way, various classes of +individuals tendered their submission, and on the 27th. of April it +arrived at Candahar, the capital of western Afghanistan, where +provisions and repose were obtained. The tents were pitched in the +grassy meadows, among enclosures covered with crops of grain. The watery +exhalations from the low grounds however proved injurious to the health +of the men, and the great heat experienced in the tents, with a saline +impregnation in the water, augmented the number of the sick. + + + + + CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE. + 23RD. JULY, 1839. + + +Breaking up from Candahar on the 27th. of June, to reduce the remainder +of the Shah’s dominions to obedience, the army advanced along a valley +of dismal sterility to the Turnuk river; then proceeding up the right +bank, traversed the country of the Western Ghilzees, and arrived on the +21st. of July before Ghuznee, a strong fortress garrisoned by three +thousand Afghans under Prince Mahomed Hyder Khan, who were well provided +with stores and had determined on a desperate defence, having blocked up +every gate with masonry excepting one. + +Not having a battering train of sufficient power to proceed by the +regular method of breaching the walls, Lieutenant-General Sir John Keane +resolved to storm the place without delay, and a reconnoissance was made +on the 21st. of July, when it was determined to blow open the gate, and +accordingly during the night of the 22nd. of July a quantity of +gunpowder was secretly brought to the one not blocked up with masonry, +which was to be destroyed by an explosion before daylight on the +following morning. + +To the 13th. Foot was assigned the duty of covering the operations, in +blowing open the gate, and they paraded at two o’clock, a.m. Three +hundred pounds of gunpowder (in twelve sandbags) were used for this +purpose. The regiment proceeded in advance of the storming party to the +causeway of the gate under cover of the darkness of the night, and the +fire of the batteries of the assailants, six men of the leading company +being told off to assist in carrying the powder-bags. On reaching the +causeway, the 13th. extended in light order along the ditch, and by +their fire distracted the enemy’s attention from the gate. After the +explosion a company of the regiment, under Lieutenant Jennings, moved up +with the engineer officer to ascertain if the operation had been +attended with success; on which the light company of the 2nd. (or +Queen’s Royal,) No. 9 company of the 13th., under Captain Vigors, the +light companies of the 17th., and of the Bengal European Regiment, which +had been named to form the advance of the storming column, immediately +pressed forward under the command of Brigadier Dennie, and despite a +heavy fire gained an entrance into the fort. These were quickly followed +by the main storming column under Brigadier Sale, (who was severely +wounded on this occasion,) which consisted of the 2nd. Queens, under +Major Carruthers, and the Bengal European Regiment, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Orchard; to these succeeded the 13th. Light Infantry, +under Major Fraser, as they collected from the duty of skirmishing, with +which they were directed to commence, and the 17th., under +Lieutenant-Colonel Croker. The whole were soon established in possession +of the fort. + +After this the garrison rushed some to the citadel and others to the +houses, from which they kept up an annoying fire, when the 13th. and +17th. regiments were directed against the former, which unexpectedly was +found evacuated. Large supplies of grain, ammunition of all kinds, and +several guns with about two thousand horses, fell into the hands of the +victors. A company of the 13th., under Lieutenant Arthur Wilkinson, +succeeded in capturing the redoubt, (or outwork,) and took two standards +and about sixty prisoners. A standard was captured by the 17th., but was +afterwards lost by the wreck of a transport, in which a part of the +regiment was embarked. + +The loss sustained in the assault of Ghuznee by the Queen’s regiments, +(the 2nd., 13th., and 17th. Foot,) was limited to five men killed, and +six officers and sixty-three men wounded. + +When the Afghan horsemen, who had assembled in the neighbourhood, learnt +the fate of the fortress, they abandoned their camp equipage and +baggage, and fled towards Cabool, the capital of Eastern Afghanistan, in +the direction of which city the British forces immediately advanced. + +Dost Mahomed Khan, the ruler of the country, assembled a formidable host +in position near Ughundee; but ascertaining that his soldiers had +resolved to abandon him, he fled with a body of select cavalry, leaving +his artillery in position; and the British army advancing to the +capital, replaced Shah Soojah-ool-Moolk, on the 7th. of August, in the +possession of the palace of his forefathers, from which he had been an +exile many years. The conquest of a kingdom was thus achieved with +trifling loss, and the troops pitched their tents in a rich valley near +Cabool. + +An order of merit was instituted by the Shah, called the Order of the +Dooranée Empire, the decorations[84] of which were conferred on the +general and field officers. The following regiments of the Queen’s army +were engaged in this service:—the 2nd. Queen’s, the 13th. and 17th. +Foot, and the Bengal European Regiment, (now the 101st.,) the 4th. Light +Dragoons, and the 16th. Lancers. + +Shah Soojah’s government became so unpopular, that the Afghans +determined to expel the British, by whose aid he had been reinstated, +and whose presence in Cabool was rendered necessary to support him on +the throne. The crisis arrived in 1841. In October the Afghans broke out +into open insurrection; the British envoy, Sir William Macnaughten, and +Sir Alexander Burnes, were treacherously murdered, and the troops, +including the 44th. regiment,[85] which occupied Cabool, being compelled +to evacuate that place, and retreat towards Jellalabad, were cut to +pieces on the march, Dr. Brydon of the Shah’s forces, being the only +officer who succeeded in reaching that place. It is remarkable that this +officer was one of the heroes of Lucknow. + +The 13th. regiment was more fortunate; under its gallant +Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir Robert Sale, (serving with the local rank of +Major-General), it reached Jellalabad, having at the breaking out of the +insurrection been detached from Cabool with a force in order to reduce +the insurgents, and after much hard fighting in the passes, had taken +possession of Jellalabad, the successful defence of which by his small +garrison, forms so bright a feature in this terrible and gloomy history. +Before describing this heroic defence, only equalled by that of Lucknow, +it is necessary to show the manner in which the gallant band reached the +place of safety. The 13th. and other troops left Cabool on the 11th. of +October, in consequence of a body of insurgents having possessed +themselves of the Khoord Cabool pass,[86] about ten miles from the +capital, with a view to expel the rebels, and re-open the communication +with India. On the 12th. of October the pass was forced, the troops +under Sir Robert penetrating to Khoord (Little) Cabool. + +Major-General Sir Robert Sale, Captain Hamlet C. Wade, (Major of +Brigade,) Lieutenant George Mein, and Ensign Oakes were wounded. +Lieutenant Mein being dangerously wounded, was obliged to be sent back +in a litter to Cabool. Upon Sir Robert Sale being compelled to quit the +field from the severity of his wound, the command of the troops devolved +upon Lieutenant-Colonel Dennie, C.B., also of the 13th. The regiment +then faced about, to return through the pass according to the plan for +executing the operation, leaving the other corps at Khoord Cabool. +Possession was then taken of Bootkhak, where the regiment was stationed +until the 18th. of October. During this delay, incessant night attacks +were made by the enemy, called by them Shub Khoon, (night slaughter;) +Sir Robert Sale’s precaution in ordering the men to lie down on their +alarm posts, as soon as the fire was opened on the camp, prevented much +loss: his orders prohibiting any return-fire likewise saved many, and +all the enemy’s attempts to force an entrance therein were successfully +resisted by the bayonet alone. Meanwhile the rebellion continued of a +formidable character, and the 13th. were ordered to march to Tezeen, +where they arrived on the 22nd. of October, and were engaged with a body +of insurgents, whom they drove from some heights and strong positions. + +In consequence of orders from Cabool, the force under Major-General Sir +Robert Sale marched for Gundamuck, and were continually pressed day and +night, by insurgent bands hovering on their flanks and rear, which +occasioned the fatigues and duties of the troops to be particularly +harassing; the way led along defiles and over mountains, and when the +soldiers halted, breastworks had to be thrown up to defend the bivouac +ground from sudden attacks of the Afghan cavalry. + +On the 29th. of October the rebels were found in force at the Jugdulluck +Pass, and for some time they checked the advance of the column; but the +skirmishers of the 13th. sprang forward, and driving the Afghans from +almost inaccessible heights protected by breastworks, enabled the +British force to surmount every obstacle in the defile, and to arrive at +Gundamuck on the following day. + +Sir Robert Sale remained at Gundamuck with his troops until the 5th. of +November, when they proceeded and captured the fort of Mamoo Khail in +the neighbourhood, and returned on the 6th. to Gundamuck. There +intelligence was received of the breaking out of a violent insurrection +at Cabool, on the 2nd. of November, and of the probability that the +rebellion would become general. Under these circumstances, two forced +marches on Jellalabad were made, with a numerous enemy pressing on the +flanks and rear; a body of insurgents were beaten at Futtehabad by the +rear-guard under Lieutenant-Colonel Dennie; and Jellalabad, the chief +town in the valley of Ningrahar, was seized by the British troops on the +12th. of November, to establish a post upon which the corps at Cabool +might retire, if necessary, and thus restore a link in the chain of +communication with India. + +[Illustration: + + MEDAL FOR THE CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE. +] + + + + + DEFENCE OF JELLALABAD. + 12TH. NOVEMBER, 1841, TO 7TH. APRIL, 1842. + + +The fortress of Jellalabad was found to be in a very dilapidated state, +and the inhabitants disaffected to the government of the Shah. The +Afghans collected to about ten thousand, and the walls of the fort being +without parapets, and the garrison having only one day and a half +supplies, on half rations, a sally was made on the 14th. of November, +which routed the enemy, and enabled the troops to collect provisions, +and erect works for the defence of the fortress, which called forth the +efforts of all. While thus employed, the Afghans in great force again +invested the place on the 27th. of November, but they were completely +routed and dispersed by a sally of the garrison on the 1st. of December. + +On the 9th. of January, 1842, the garrison was summoned to give up the +fortress by the leader of the Afghan rebellion, in fulfilment of a +convention entered into at Cabool with Major-General Elphinstone, who +was taken prisoner at a conference, and died shortly afterwards; but Sir +Robert Sale being fully assured of the bad faith of the insurgents, +refused. + +Captain Broadfoot, garrison engineer, and Captain Abbott, commissary of +ordnance, aided by the indefatigable exertions of the troops, put the +works into a state of defence to resist any Asiatic enemy not provided +with siege-artillery; but the place was kept in a continual state of +alarm by the occurrence of one hundred shocks of an earthquake in the +course of a month, one of which, on the 19th. of February, occasioned +the parapets to fall, injured the bastions, made a breach in the +rampart, destroyed the guard-houses, reduced other portions of the works +to ruins, and demolished one third of the town. With that unconquerable +spirit of perseverance for which the troops had already been +distinguished, they instantly turned to the repair of the works. Sirdar +Mahomed Akbar Khan, Barukzye, the assassin of the late Envoy, and the +treacherous destroyer of the Cabool force, flushed with success, +approached with a numerous army to overwhelm the little garrison; he +attacked the foraging parties on the 21st. and 22nd. of February; but +was astonished at finding the works in a state of defence, whereupon he +established a rigorous blockade. From that time to the 7th. of April, +the reduced garrison was engaged in a succession of skirmishes, in which +the 13th. had opportunities of distinguishing themselves; particularly +detachments under Captains Pattisson and Fenwick, Lieutenants George +Wade and W. Cox. + +Information was received on the 5th. of April, that the force under +Major-General, now General Sir George Pollock, G.C.B., had experienced +reverses in the Khyber, and had retraced its steps towards Peshawur; and +on the 6th. a _feu-de-joie_ and salute of artillery were fired by +Mahomed Akbar, in honour of the event. It was also reported that the +Ghazees had been defeated, and that the Sirdar had retreated into +Lughman. Sir Robert Sale resolved to anticipate the last-mentioned +event, by a general attack on the Afghan camp, with the hope of +relieving Jellalabad from blockade, and facilitating Major-General +Pollock’s advance. Directions were accordingly given to form three +columns of infantry, the central one consisting of the 13th., (mustering +five hundred bayonets,) under Colonel Dennie, C.B.; the left comprising +a similar number of the 35th. Native Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Monteath, C.B.; and the right composed of one company of the 13th., one +of the 35th. Native Infantry, and the detachment of Sappers, under the +command of Lieutenant Orr, amounting to three hundred and sixty men, was +commanded by Captain (afterwards the celebrated Sir Henry) Havelock, of +the 13th.: these were supported by the fire of the guns of No. 6 field +battery under Captain Abbott, the whole of the small cavalry force being +under Captain Oldfield and Lieutenant Mayne. + +At daylight on the morning of the 7th. of April, the troops issued from +the Cabool and Peshawur gates. Mahomed Akbar Khan, had formed his force +of about six thousand men in order of battle for the defence of his +camp; its right resting on a fort, and its left on the Cabool river. The +attack was led by the skirmishers and column under Captain Havelock; +this drove the enemy from the extreme left of his advanced line of +works, which it pierced at once, and proceeded to advance into the +plain; the central column at the same time directed its efforts against +a square fort, upon the same base, the defence of which was obstinately +maintained. Colonel Dennie, while nobly leading his regiment to the +assault, received a shot through his body, which, to the deep regret of +officers and men, shortly after proved fatal. + +The rear of the work having been finally gained by passing to its left, +orders were given for a combined attack upon the enemy’s camp; this was +brilliant and successful. The artillery, advanced at the gallop, and +directed a heavy fire upon the Afghan centre, while two columns of +infantry penetrated his line near the same point, and the third forced +back his left from its support on the river, into which some of his +horse and foot were driven. The Afghans repeatedly attempted to check +the advance by a smart fire of musketry—by throwing forward heavy bodies +of horse, which twice threatened in force the detachments of infantry +under Captain Havelock, and by opening three guns, screened by a garden +wall; but in a short time they were dislodged from every point of their +positions, their cannon taken, and their camp involved in a general +conflagration. + +By about seven o’clock in the morning the battle was over and the enemy +in full retreat in the direction of Lughman. Two Afghan cavalry +standards were taken, besides four guns which had been lost by the +Cabool army and Gundamuck forces. Great quantities of _matériel_ and +stores were, together with the enemy’s tents, destroyed, and the defeat +of Mahomed Akbar, in open field, by the troops he had boasted of +blockading, was complete. + +Armourer Sergeant Henry Uylett, of the 13th., captured Mahomed Akbar’s +standard, which he took from a cavalry soldier, whom he killed. The +standard is of scarlet cloth, with a green border, and crimson and +yellow fringe. It is triangular in shape and swallow-tailed. About the +centre a patch of light blue cloth is introduced, on which are neatly +sewn some characters in yellow cloth, being an extract from the Koran, +signifying “The Omnipotent God! In the name of God, the clement and the +merciful! With God as a helper, victory is nigh.” This and two other +flags, captured by the 13th. on the same day, were deposited in Chelsea +Hospital. + +The enemy’s loss was very severe; the field of battle was strewed with +the bodies of men and horses, and the richness of the trappings of some +of the latter denoted that chiefs of rank (several being present and +taking part in the action) had fallen. + +In February following, the thanks of Parliament were accorded to the +Governor-General of India, and to the officers and troops employed in +Afghanistan, the resolutions being moved in the House of Lords by the +Duke of Wellington, and in the House of Commons by Sir Robert Peel, who, +after eulogizing the gallant conduct of Sir Robert Sale and the garrison +of Jellalabad, (appropriately designated “ILLUSTRIOUS,”) specially +deplored the death of Colonel Dennie, justly described as “one of the +most noble and gallant spirits, whose actions have ever added brilliance +to their country’s military renown.” + +[Illustration: + + FIRST JELLALABAD MEDAL. +] + +On the 26th. of August, 1842, it was officially announced in the “London +Gazette,” that “In consideration of the distinguished gallantry +displayed by the 13th. Light Infantry, during the campaigns in the +Burmese empire and in Afghanistan, Her Majesty has been graciously +pleased to approve of that regiment assuming the title of the ‘13th., or +Prince Albert’s Light Infantry;’ and of its facings being changed from +yellow to blue. + +“Her Majesty has also been pleased to authorize the 13th. Regiment of +Light Infantry to bear on its colours and appointments a ‘Mural Crown,’ +superscribed ‘Jellalabad,’ as a memorial of the fortitude, perseverance, +and enterprise, evinced by that regiment, and the several corps which +served during the blockade of Jellalabad.” + + + + + SECOND AFGHAN CAMPAIGN. + 1842. + + +When the news of the Afghan tragedy reached India, it was resolved to +rescue the gallant garrison, and to restore British Supremacy beyond the +Indus. Accordingly a force was collected at Peshawur, in the north of +the Punjaub, under Major-General Pollock, early in 1842. Of this army, +the Queen’s regiments consisted of the 3rd. Light Dragoons, and the 9th. +and 31st. Foot. On the 5th. of April the Khyber Pass was forced, +although strongly occupied, and its mouth having a breastwork of stones +and bushes. + +Precipitous and rocky hills, on the right and left, presented great +natural obstacles to the ascent of troops, and it was an undertaking of +no ordinary difficulty to gain the summit of such heights, defended as +they were by a numerous body of the enemy; the columns destined to +accomplish this most important object, moved off simultaneously with the +main one intended to assault the entrance, but were compelled to make a +considerable detour to the right and left, to enable them to commence +the ascent. The right column, consisting of four companies of the 9th. +Foot, and the same number of companies of the 26th. and 64th. Native +Infantry, were under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, of the +9th. regiment, and Major Anderson, of the 64th. Native Infantry. The +left column, consisting of four companies of the 9th. Foot, a similar +number of companies of the 26th. and 64th. Native Infantry, together +with four hundred Jezailchees, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Moseley +and Major Huish, commenced the ascent, led by Captain Ferris, of the +regiment of Jezailchees. + +Both columns, after considerable opposition, succeeded in routing the +enemy, and gaining possession of the crest of the hills on either side. +While the flanking columns were in progress on the heights, Captain +Alexander, in command of the artillery, placed the guns in position, and +threw shrapnel among the enemy when opportunity offered, which assisted +much in their discomfiture. Upon the heights being gained, the main +column was advanced to the mouth of the Pass, and commenced destroying +the barrier, which the enemy had evacuated on perceiving their position +was turned; portions of the right and left columns were left to keep the +heights, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Moseley and Major +Anderson, and Major Huish and Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor continued their +advance to crown the hills in front, and on each side, which were +covered with the foe, who appeared determined to contest every inch of +ground; but the gallantry of the troops carried everything before them. + +Thus was accomplished without the payment of any tribute, the passage of +the Khyber Pass,[87] and the road to Jellalabad was gained. The siege of +that place (as already shewn) had been abandoned, when Major-General +Pollock arrived on the 16th. of April, and found the garrison, after a +siege which had lasted upwards of five months, in excellent health, with +a plentiful supply of ammunition, and all most anxious to march on +Cabool. + + + + + ADVANCE ON CABOOL. + 1842. + + +Major-General Pollock urged upon Lord Ellenborough, the new +Governor-General of India, the advance upon Cabool; the 31st. regiment, +which had followed by forced marches, joined at Jellalabad on the 5th. +of May, having undergone much privation on the way, and the loss of +several men from famine and fatigue; while at Jellalabad the army was +halted in wretched tents, the climate being so unhealthy during the +summer, that the natives use it only as a winter residence. Soon the +effect of this displayed itself; the days became so oppressive, that +both officers and men were obliged to dig deep holes underground in +which to shield themselves, in some slight measure, from the burning +heat of the sun, the thermometer rising in the tents as high as 126°. + +In consequence of the extreme heat the troops suffered a loss which the +most sanguinary encounter with the enemy could not have exceeded. +Neither was it in men alone that the army was daily losing its +efficiency. From the valley of Jellalabad having been so long the seat +of war, the fertile land had become a desert,—the wretched half-starved +camels could find no forage on the bare face on the sand, and they died +by hundreds; their dead bodies lying about in all directions, swollen +with the sun, and emitting the most pestilential exhalations, together +with the filth and dirt of a standing camp of fifty thousand men, added +to the disease which raged among the troops. + +Eventually it was found necessary to divide the force, and the fourth +brigade, in which was the 31st. regiment, was ordered to march under +Brigadier Monteath into the Shinwaree country, to punish some refractory +tribes, who had attacked several convoys, and been guilty of many acts +of murder and plunder. The warlike and turbulent Shinwaree tribes +sheltered themselves in their strongholds, which were formed in a narrow +valley, strengthened by many forts and stockaded enclosures, while the +heights on either side were defended by numerous sunghas, or breastworks +of large stones, which were so constructed as to enable them to dispute +every inch of ground with an advancing force. + +On the 26th. of July, Brigadier Monteath prepared to attack the enemy +near Mazeena with his whole force; and accordingly, leaving his camp +standing under an efficient guard, he moved towards the position +occupied by the Afghans, who were prepared, and nothing loath to meet +him. The engagement was commenced by the 31st. regiment, seconded by the +33rd. and 53rd. Native Infantry, ascending the heights, and driving the +Shinwarees from their breastworks, and along the ridges of the hills, +while the 10th. Light Cavalry, in the valley below, charged them +whenever they showed front on level ground. The camp followers and +pioneers had been furnished with combustibles to burn the forts, as the +Shinwarees were driven out of them, which service was very efficiently +performed. Meanwhile, on the heights, the enemy disputed every foot of +ground until taken at the point of the bayonet, and Lieutenant M‘Ilween, +of the 31st., was killed in leading one of the attacks. + +The Afghans being driven from their defences, the artillery, under the +command of Captain Abbott, played upon them with great effect; and after +contesting the day until every fort and place of defence had been taken +and destroyed, they fled, dispersing themselves among the neighbouring +hills, where it was impossible to pursue them. Their loss was very +great, including most of their leaders. + +After this action the brigade returned to Jellalabad, and on the 20th. +of August the army marched in two divisions _en route_ to Cabool. Three +days afterwards the troops arrived at Gundamuck, when information was +received that the enemy, under the Chiefs Hadji Ali and Khyroolah Khan, +occupied the village and fort of Mammoo Khail, about two miles distant, +and it was determined to attack them there on the following morning. +Accordingly on the 24th. of August, at four o’clock, a.m., the troops +advanced, and the attack on Mammoo Khail was attended with complete +success. + +Major-General Pollock left Gundamuck on the 7th. of September, and on +the day after the troops were engaged with the forces of Mahomed Khan +and the Ghilzie chiefs at the Pass of Jugdulluck; in the valley were +seen the blackened remains of the unfortunate Cabool force. No further +opposition was shewn to the advance of the army until nearing the valley +of Tezeen;—the road from this place to Khoord Cabool was through a +succession of lofty hills, called the Huft Kotul, or Eight Hills. + +On the 10th. of September, it having been ascertained that Akbar Khan, +with twenty thousand men, had established himself in the Khoord Cabool +Pass, in order to cover the capital and fight a pitched battle with the +British, the second division was ordered to join the first by a forced +march to Tezeen, where Major-General Pollock was encamped. This junction +was effected on the 11th. of September, with little loss, although a +running fight was kept up the greater part of the way. + +Shortly after daybreak on the 13th. of September, the army moved off its +ground towards the Tezeen Pass, the advanced guard being commanded by +Sir Robert Sale. After moving carefully along the Pass for about two +miles, the Afghans were discovered, in great force, occupying strong +positions on the heights on either side, while their artillery and +cavalry were formed some distance farther on in the Pass itself. The +action commenced by a heavy fire on the advanced guard of the British; +and the distance being too great for musketry, from the effect of which +also the Afghans were covered by extensive sunghas, for the whole length +of their position, it was judged necessary for the troops to ascend the +heights and drive them from their posts at the point of the bayonet. +This service was most effectively performed on the left heights by the +9th. and 31st. regiments, and on the right by the 13th. Light Infantry. + +The companies ascended the face of the mountain under a most galling +fire, from the effects of which many casualties occurred, and not +returning a shot until the ledge was gained: a combined volley within +ten yards of the enemy, followed by an immediate charge of bayonets, +drove him from his defences with great slaughter, and the heights were +gained. + +Being reinforced by fresh troops, the British pushed on, and storming +one entrenchment after another, threw the Afghans into great confusion. +The artillery was now brought up, and played upon them with terrific +effect, while the British cavalry, having charged and overthrown their +horse, posted in the Pass, and taken their guns, together with the state +tent of their commander, Mahomed Akbar Khan, victory, even at this early +period was in favour of the British arms; but the warlike mountaineers +continued the struggle with desperate valour. Attack after attack was +made upon the troops occupying the posts from which the enemy had first +been driven. Reckless of life, the stern fanatics came on to be shot +down from the defences which they had themselves thrown up. In a series +of desultory attacks the day declined, and the British having obtained +possession of every height commanding the Pass, the remains of the +Afghan army made a _détour_ among the hills, and attacked the British +rear-guard, commanded by Colonel Richmond, but they were warmly +received, and entirely discomfited. + +So complete was the defeat of the Afghan army on the 13th. of September, +that Akbar Khan escaped from the field accompanied only by a solitary +horseman. The enemy acknowledged to have lost fifty-three chiefs and +persons of consequence and seven hundred men. The casualties on the part +of the British amounted to one hundred and eighty-five. + +No impediments now existed to the advance of the British on Cabool, at +which city the army arrived on the 15th. of September, and encamped on +the race-course. On the following morning the British colours were +hoisted on the highest pinnacles of the battlements of the Bala Hissar, +(upper fort,) on the spot most conspicuous from the city; the National +Anthem was played, and a royal salute fired from the guns of the horse +artillery, the whole of the troops present giving three cheers. The +colours were left in the Bala Hissar to be hoisted daily as long as the +troops should continue at Cabool. + +All the objects of the campaign were thus gained, and the rescue of the +prisoners effected, amongst whom were several officers[88] and ladies, +(Lady Sale being of the number,) together with thirty-six +non-commissioned officers and men of the 44th. regiment—one hundred and +five in all. + + + + + CANDAHAR. + 1842. + + +As the 13th. Light Infantry are so intimately connected with the defence +of Jellalabad, in like manner the 40th. regiment is associated with +Candahar. Major-General Sir William Nott, like Sir Robert Sale, refused +to obey the order from Major-General Elphinstone to surrender. After the +insurrection at Cabool, a general rising took place throughout +Afghanistan, and the insurgents in the neighbourhood of Candahar being +headed by Prince Sufter Jung, the son of Shah Soojah, and brother of +Prince Timour, (Governor of Candahar,) who had left on the 29th. of +November, 1841, to place himself at the head of those whom Mahomed Atta +Khan was assembling on the eastern frontier. The insurgents under these +two chiefs having approached within eight miles, Major-General Sir +William Nott, G.C.B., moved out to attack them on the morning of the +12th. of January, 1842, the 40th. forming the advance. This regiment, +during the previous year, had suffered severely from sickness, the +number of deaths amounting to one hundred and fifty-nine. A strong +position, with a morass in their front, had been taken up by the enemy, +which rendered the approach of the troops difficult. The Afghans were, +however, quickly routed. At this period, and until the 7th. of May, the +soldiers remained accoutred every night. + +During the month of February considerable numbers of Afghans, under the +command of Prince Sufter Jung and other chiefs assembled in the vicinity +of Candahar, plundering the villages, and by every possible means urging +the inhabitants to join in an attack upon the British troops, especially +those occupying the cantonments; but owing to the severity of the +weather the Major-General was unable to move, and such a measure became +impracticable till the 7th. of March, when, the enemy having approached +closer, Sir William Nott marched with the remainder of his army against +them; they were followed, and dispersed in every direction. While the +force were thus absent, a strong detachment of the enemy made an attack +on the city, and succeeded in burning the Herat gate, but were repulsed +with great loss by the troops in garrison. On the 25th. of March, Sir +William moved out with a force (of which the 40th. formed a part,) to +the support of a brigade detached under the command of Colonel Wymer, +C.B., of the Bengal army, to forage and to afford protection to the +numerous villages, when the Afghans were driven across the Urghundaub in +the greatest confusion. + +Major-General (now Lieutenant-General Sir Richard) England, who had at +first been unsuccessful in conveying stores to Candahar from Scinde, +having been reinforced at Quetta, again advanced, and accomplished his +object. On the 28th. of April he attacked the enemy’s strong position in +front of the village of Hykulzie. The 41st., which formed part of his +force, was the only Queen’s regiment that shared in this action; two out +of the three columns of attack were led by Majors Simmons and Cochran, +the reserve being under Major Browne, all of the 41st. Foot. + + + + + KELAT-I-GHILZIE. + + +On the 19th. of May, a force, composed of the 40th. and other corps, +under Colonel Wymer, marched for the purpose of drawing off the garrison +of Kelat-i-Ghilzie, a hill fort eighty-four miles from Candahar, on the +road to Ghuznee, which had been held with difficulty throughout the +winter, and had for some months been closely blockaded. It arrived there +on the 26th., but on the 21st. the fort had been attacked by four +thousand Ghilzees, at four in the morning, whom the defenders had +gallantly defeated. The troops consequently were only occupied in +destroying the defences, etc., till the 1st. of June, when they returned +to Candahar.[89] + +Major-General Nott moved with his army on the 10th. of August, upon +Cabool. The 40th. and 41st. regiments formed a portion of his force, the +wounded, sick, and weakly men being sent to India _viâ_ the Kojuck Pass, +with the troops under Major-General England. Captain White, of the light +company of the 40th., was appointed to command the advance, composed of +the light companies of the 40th. and 41st., and the 2nd., 16th., 38th., +42nd., and 43rd. regiments of Bengal Native Infantry, and the regiment +of Kelat-i-Ghilzie. + + + + + BATTLE OF GONINE. + 30TH. AUGUST, 1842. + + +Shumshoodeen, the Afghan governor of Ghuznee, about three o’clock in the +afternoon, on the 30th. of August, brought nearly the whole of his army, +amounting to about twelve thousand men, into the vicinity of the camp at +Gonine, distant thirty-eight miles south-west of Ghuznee, where +Major-General Nott moved out with one half of his force, and after a +short but spirited contest, defeated the Afghans, capturing their guns, +tents, ammunition, etc., and dispersing them in every direction. One +hour more of daylight, and the whole of their infantry would have been +destroyed. Shumshoodeen fled towards Ghuznee, accompanied by about +thirty horsemen. Major Hibbert, of the 40th., was especially noticed in +the despatches. Two officers were killed and four wounded; thirty-six +non-commissioned officers and men were killed and sixty-two wounded. + + + + + RE-CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE. + 6TH. SEPTEMBER, 1842. + + +Major-General Sir William Nott, on the morning of the 5th. of September, +moved upon Ghuznee. Lieutenant-Colonel Palmer, Political Agent, +commanding at Ghuznee, upon promise of honourable treatment and safety +on the march to Cabool, and by the orders of Major Pottinger and +Major-General Elphinstone, had, in March, 1842, capitulated. The +garrison, which only occupied the citadel, was exhausted by fatigue and +want of water, and the men had suffered greatly from cold, the +thermometer having been fourteen degrees below zero. Upon Shumshoodeen, +Nephew of Dost Mahomed Khan, swearing on the Koran that he would give +the Sepoys a safe escort to Hindoostan, they consented to deliver up +their arms; but had scarcely marched out of the citadel, when they were +attacked by the fanatical Ghazees. An English officer, his wife, and +their servants, were massacred on the spot, and native women, children, +and Sepoys were butchered in heaps. Colonel Palmer was put to the +torture, after which, he and nine only surviving officers were thrown +into a dungeon. The city was found to be full of men, and a range of +mountains running north-east of the fortress was covered by heavy bodies +of cavalry and infantry; the gardens and ravines in the vicinity being +likewise occupied. Major Sanders, of the Bengal Engineers, was directed +to reconnoitre the works; this brought on some smart skirmishing, and +Captain White, of the 40th., commanding the light companies, was pushed +forward, when the Major-General determined to carry the enemy’s mountain +positions before encamping his force. This was effectively performed by +the troops, and the Afghans were driven before them until every point +was gained. Two regiments and some guns were sent from the camp, (which +had been pitched,) to occupy the village of Bullool, about six hundred +yards from the walls of Ghuznee, upon the spur of the mountain to the +north-east, as this appeared to be a desirable spot for preparing a +heavy battery. + +During the night of the 5th. of September, the engineers sappers, and +miners, and infantry working parties were employed in erecting breaching +batteries; before the guns, however, had reached the position on the +morning of the 6th., it was ascertained that the fortress had been +evacuated, and at daybreak the British colours were flying from the +citadel. The 40th. had one private killed and three privates wounded; +the 41st had the same number wounded. In these operations the loss was +much less than might have been expected, from the numbers and positions +of the enemy, and from the fact of the troops being obliged to move +under the range of the guns of the fortress. Three hundred and +twenty-seven Sepoys of the 27th. Native Infantry were here released from +the state of slavery to which they had been reduced by the Afghans. A +party was detained, under Lieutenant G. White, to take down the +celebrated gates of Somnauth, concerning which so much discussion +afterwards arose. + +On the 10th. of September the troops continued their march on Cabool, +when Shumshoodeen, Sultan Jan, and other chiefs having assembled about +twelve thousand men, occupied, on the 14th. and 15th. of September, a +succession of strong mountains, intercepting the advance at Beenee +Badam, and Mydan, but they were dislodged, and driven from their +position. No further opposition was encountered, and on the 17th. the +troops, under Major-General Nott, reached Cabool, and joined the force +under Major-General Pollock. + +After the strong town of Istalif had been captured by the troops under +Major-General McCaskill, on the 29th. of September, in which the 9th. +Foot and the light companies of the 41st. bore a gallant part, the army +broke ground on its return to India on the 12th. of October, the grand +bazaar at Cabool, named the Chahar Chuttah, where the remains of the +British envoy had been exposed to public insult, having been first +destroyed. On arriving at Jellalabad, the fortress was destroyed.[90] +During the march through the Passes several attacks of the Afghans were +repulsed. According to the wish of Lord Ellenborough, the +Governor-General, the garrison of Jellalabad proceeded in advance of the +rest of the troops, in order to make a triumphant entry. The medals +(mural crown pattern) granted to the garrison for the defence and battle +near Jellalabad had been forwarded a few days previously, in order that +they might be worn on its entrance into Ferozepore, which took place on +the 17th. of December. + +The following Queen’s regiments took part in these campaigns:—_Cabool_, +1842.—3rd. Light Dragoons, 9th., 13th., 31st., 40th., and 41st. +regiments. _Candahar_ and _Ghuznee_.—40th. and 41st. regiments. +_Jellalabad_.—13th. Light Infantry. + +[Illustration: A line drawing of a circular military medal with a crown +at the top and the inscriptions GHUZNEE and CABUL inside a laurel +wreath, dated 1842.] + + + + + THE SECOND AFGHAN WAR. + 1878, 1879, 1880. + + +Dost Mohammed, our antagonist in the war of 1842, died Ameer of +Afghanistan in 1863, and was succeeded by his third son, Shere Ali. His +authority was disputed by his brother, but, after a series of bloody +conflicts, he, being aided by Sir John Lawrence with arms and money, +overcame his rivals, and in 1869 was sole ruler of Afghanistan. In March +of the same year he had an interview at Umballa with Lord Mayo, Viceroy +of India, and was granted another subsidy; but not meeting with the +succour he desired, Shere Ali returned home in a very suspicious and +dissatisfied state of mind. Lord Northbrook, during his Vice-royalty, +met the prime minister of Shere Ali at Simla in 1873, who, failing to +obtain any positive assurance of support in case of an attack by Russia, +his master concluded that his best policy would be to make friends with +that power, and he accordingly entered into correspondence with General +Kauffman, the Russian commander in Central Asia. In 1877 he refused to +allow a British Resident at Cabul, and broke off all communications with +the Indian Government, the result being that his annual subsidy was +withheld. In June, 1878, a Russian envoy, Stoletoff, with a military +escort, was received with honour at Cabul, and a treaty signed, +constituting Russia the guardian of the Ameer. Upon this, Lord Lytton +sent as envoy to Cabul, Gholam Hussein Khan, with letters to the Ameer +informing him of the intention of the Indian Government to send to Cabul +an English mission, but the envoy was dismissed with presents, and +intercourse with the English declined. A special mission was despatched +from Peshawur under Sir Neville B. Chamberlain, commander of the Madras +Army, with whom was Major Cavagnari, which proceeded to the fort of Ali +Musjid at the entrance of the Khyber Pass, but was there stopped, and +threatened with attack if it proceeded further, September 22nd. As the +escort with the mission was not strong enough to force a passage, Sir +Neville returned to Peshawur. As it was impossible that the Indian +Government could submit to see a Russian Envoy received with honour at +Cabul, and its own officers refused admission into the country, an +ultimatum was sent to Shere Ali, to the effect that if a British +Resident was not received at Cabul war would be declared. No answer to +this having been received within the time prescribed, November 20th, on +the next day war was formally proclaimed. It was decided to invade +Afghanistan in three columns, operating by the Khyber and Bolan Passes, +and the Kuram Valley. A fourth column, called the Thal-Chotiali Field +Force, was placed under the orders of General Donald Stewart in Southern +Afghanistan, and a reserve column was formed at Jumrood. The column +commanded by General Sir S. Browne, V.C., known as the First Division of +the Peshawur Field Force, crossed the frontier the day war was +proclaimed, and marched direct upon + + + + + ALI MUSJID, + NOVEMBER 21ST., 1878. + + +Ali Musjid is a strong fort on a steep detached hill, about six miles +from the frontier, commanding the deep gorge of the Khyber Pass, and +flanked by batteries on the hill sides. The fort was armed with fifteen +guns, and the spurs of the hills were occupied by the enemy, their right +resting on a ridge covered with a line of breastworks, forming a +position of great strength. General Browne’s force was divided into four +brigades. The first, under General Macpherson, consisting of the 4th. +Battalion Rifle Brigade, the 20th. Bengal Infantry, and the 4th. +Ghoorkas, with a mountain battery, was directed to make a long detour, +and occupy the Pass a mile or two beyond the fort. The second brigade +under Col. Tytler, composed of the 1st. Battalion 17th. Foot, the 1st. +Sikhs, the Guides, and a mountain battery, was ordered to take a hill +opposite the fort, on which were some batteries, and to turn the enemy’s +position; and the third and fourth brigades, under General Appleyard, +C.B., comprising the 51st. and 81st. regiments, the 14th. and 45th. +Sikhs, and the 6th. and 24th. Native Infantry, with a mountain battery, +and a battery of Horse Artillery were to march up the valley. As the +troops advanced the fort opened fire on them, and the fire being +returned by a battery of forty-pounders, the effect on the fortification +was soon visible. The 81st. and the 14th. Sikhs threw out lines of +skirmishers to clear the advanced defences of the Afghans; a battery of +nine-pounders was got into position, and the forty-pounders poured a +destructive fire into Ali Musjid, and soon reduced its guns to silence. +A general advance was ordered, the 51st. and the Sikhs threatened the +enemy’s left, and both sides of the steep hill slopes were covered with +infantry in skirmishing order, keeping up a heavy musketry fire on the +Afghan defences. The skirmishers pushed forward till they came nearly +abreast of the fort, and some gallant but unsuccessful attacks were made +upon the enemy’s entrenchments, but it was evident that the fort and +batteries could not be carried by a direct attack but with immense loss, +and as night was coming on, a halt was ordered. Nothing was yet known +how Macpherson and Tytler had succeeded in their part of the operations; +both brigades had met with enormous obstacles on their march, and the +first failed to reach the point assigned to it in the plan of the +attack; but these movements, and the arrival of Tytler’s brigade in the +night at its destined position, struck the Afghans with terror. The +defenders of Ali Musjid on hearing that a force was in their rear which +would cut off their retreat, abandoned their post with precipitation and +fled, leaving their fires burning, and their guns loaded. In their rapid +flight towards Jellalabad, they were intercepted by Tytler’s brigade, +which captured a large number of prisoners, among them being the Ameer’s +Master of the Horse. In the morning Ali Musjid was occupied by the +troops without further resistance. Twenty-two guns were taken in the +fort, and seven more in a battery on the ridge, with large stores of +ammunition, food, and clothing. The Afghans were so cowed by the capture +of a fort they believed to be impregnable, that Sir S. Browne pushing +rapidly onwards, reached and established himself at Jellalabad, with +scarcely a shot being fired. The British loss was Major Birch, Lieut. +Fitzgerald and thirty-five men killed. The regiments engaged were the +10th. Hussars, 11th. Bengal Lancers, the 17th., 51st., 81st. Regiment, +and Rifle Brigade, the 6th., 14th., 20th., 27th., and 45th. Bengal +Infantry; 1st. Sikh Infantry, 4th. Ghoorkas, Bengal Sappers and Miners, +and four Batteries of Artillery. + + + + + PEIWAR KOTUL. + DECEMBER 2ND., 1878. + + +Major-General Roberts, V.C. (now General Sir F. Roberts, V.C.), at the +outbreak of the second Afghan war was Quartermaster-General of the +Bombay Army, and was appointed by the Viceroy, Lord Lytton, to the +command of the force which was to invade Afghanistan by the Kuram +Valley. The Kuram Field Force was not numerically strong, but it +included some of the finest regiments in the Indian Army, with two +seasoned British regiments; and most of the officers were men of much +experience in campaigning. The cavalry, consisting of one squadron of +the 10th. Hussars and the 12th. Bengal Cavalry, was under Colonel Hugh +Gough, C.B., V.C., and the infantry, in two brigades, were commanded by +Brigadier-General Cobbe, of the 17th. Regiment, and Brigadier-General +Thelwell, C.B. At dawn on November 21st., the same day that the column +under Sir S. Browne commenced its advance, General Roberts crossed the +river at Thall, and a few days later occupied the Kuram fort, which the +enemy abandoned on his approach. The Afghans then took up a very strong +position on the Peiwar Kotul, about twelve miles off, where they +determined to make a stand. On November 30th. the British force +approached the enemy’s position, and a heavy fire was opened upon them +from the ridge occupied by the Afghans. For a time a sharp exchange of +shots took place, but the British were gradually withdrawn from under +fire, and encamped beyond the range of the guns of the enemy. The snow +was falling thickly in the Peiwar Kotul, the cold was intense, and +supplies were difficult to keep up, but three days elapsed while General +Roberts reconnoitered the almost impregnable post of the Afghan army, +and matured his plans. It was found that the position of the enemy was +too strong to be successfully attacked in front, so the General +determined, while making a feigned frontal attack, to become a real +attack in time, to turn the Afghan position by a long and difficult +night march of nearly ten miles, to the summit of the hills on the right +of the Kotul. This march, one of the most hazardous ever undertaken, he +directed in person, and failure meant ruin, if not utter annihilation; +as the entire force at his disposal was little more than 3,300 men, of +whom only 900 were Europeans, against an army of 3,500 regular Afghan +troops, with eighteen guns, besides hundreds of tribesmen. The attention +of the enemy was occupied in their front by the pioneers constructing a +battery, and a demonstration made by some artillery and cavalry; when at +10 p.m., December 2nd., the troops detailed for the turning force, +consisting of the 29th Native Infantry and 5th. Ghoorkas, a wing of the +72nd. Highlanders, the 2nd. Punjaub Infantry, and 23rd. Pioneers, under +Brigadier Thelwell, with a four gun elephant battery, fell silently into +their ranks without sound of drum or bugle, and the march commenced. The +encampment they left was 8,000 feet above the sea level, and as the +column ascended the cold became intense, a cutting wind blowing; the +ground also for the first half of the distance traversed was very rough +and broken, intersected by ravines and watercourses. The men tramped on +in silence, when an act of treachery nearly proved fatal to the whole +force. Two shots were fired in rapid succession in the ranks of the +29th. Native Infantry, which startled all, and a halt was immediately +made. The offenders could not then be discovered, but the general +ordered the 5th. Ghoorkas, and two companies of the 72nd. to head the +column, and the march was resumed.[91] Shortly before daybreak the van +of the column found itself in contact with the first Afghan outpost, and +its way barred by an abattis of felled trees, eight feet in height. The +enemy lining this defence fired upon the men of the 5th. Ghoorkas, who, +gallantly led by Major Fitzhugh and Captain Cook, sprang over the +breastwork and engaged the Afghans hand to hand. Driven from this +defence, the enemy fell back upon another, eighty yards in the rear, and +made another stand; but the Ghoorkas, supported by the 72nd., and aided +by the fire of two guns, under Captain Kelso, who was shot through the +head while advancing, carried stockade after stockade in the grey light +of the dawn; and within half an hour of the firing of the first shot, +all were in the possession of the British, and the line of the Afghan +defence turned. General Roberts flashed the news of his success to +Brigadier-General Cobbe, who had commenced to carry out the front attack +on the Khotul, and had been heavily engaged with the batteries at the +head of the Pass since daybreak. For some hours he made no great +progress, as the enemy resisted desperately, but he kept a large number +of the enemy within their entrenchments, and prevented them from going +to the assistance of their defeated comrades on the left. Roberts now +advanced against the Afghan main body, which had been strengthened with +fresh troops, and taken up a strong position in the dense woods +surrounding the plateau. The Punjaubees were met with such a heavy fire +that they fell back, being unsupported by the Ghoorkas and Highlanders, +in spite of the general’s efforts in person to rally them. The 23rd. +Pioneers and an elephant battery now came up, and the Ghoorkas and 72nd. +followed; and, after a hot contest of some hours, the Afghans finding +their retreat threatened, and General Cobbe’s brigade in possession of +their defences in front, fled in such haste that they left their tents +standing, their baggage, and everything they had. By this time the short +winter day was drawing to a close, and that night the British troops +encamped at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet, but luckily with good +fires, as the thermometer registered over twenty degrees of frost. In +this brilliant action the total British loss was—Major Anderson, of the +23rd. Pioneers, and Captain Kelso killed, and General Cobbe wounded; and +ninety Europeans and natives killed and wounded. The Afghan loss was +severe, and six field pieces and eleven mountain guns were captured. A +few days after this defeat, Shere Ali fled from Cabul to Balkh, with the +intention of seeking refuge in Russia; but, while waiting for permission +from the Russian Government to take this step, fell ill of a fever and +died, in February, 1879. The British troops engaged at Peiwar Kotul were +the 12th. Bengal Cavalry, the 8th. and 72nd. Regiments, the 23rd. and +the 29th. Bengal Infantry, the 5th Ghoorkas, and the 2nd. and 5th. +Punjaub Infantry. + + + + + CHARASIA. + OCTOBER 6TH., 1879. + + +On the death of Shere Ali, his son Yacoub Khan, who had rebelled +against, and had been imprisoned by his father, succeeded him as Ameer +of Afghanistan. Negociations for peace were opened with him, and he +visited the British camp at Gundamuck, where he was received with honour +by General Sir S. Browne and his staff. After some preliminaries a +treaty was signed and ratified on May 30th., 1879; by which the Ameer +agreed—to place the Foreign relations of Afghanistan under British +control, to have a British resident at Cabul, and to allow the +occupation of the Khyber Pass, and the Kuram and Pisheen Valleys, by the +British; who were to pay him an annual subsidy of six lakhs of rupees, +while he adhered to his engagements. A lasting peace seemed now to be +assured, and in accordance with the terms of the treaty; Sir Louis +Cavagnari, with Mr. Jenkins as his Secretary, Dr. Kelly as Medical +Officer, and an escort of twenty-five Cavalry and fifty Infantry of the +Guides, under Lieut. Hamilton, were despatched to Cabul, arriving there +on July 24th. For a time all went well. Daily supplies of fruit, milk, +and vegetables, were sent from the Ameer to the Envoy, who rode out +continually with his staff and a small escort, to the various places of +interest in the neighbourhood of the city. But on August 5th. some +regiments from Herat arrived at Cabul, who used insulting language to +the Resident, and quarrels and outbreaks arose between them and the men +of his escort. These regiments had never been defeated by the British, +and they taunted the Cabulese with being cowards. On the night of +September 2nd., the Herat regiments aided by the populace, attacked the +Residency, and after an heroic resistance lasting for hours, the Envoy, +the three English Officers, and almost all the escort were slaughtered; +a few natives only escaping. Twenty-four hours after, the news of the +massacre reached the Kuram Valley, and from thence was telegraphed to +Lord Lytton at Simla. No time was lost in endeavouring to avenge the +outrage. General Sir F. Roberts, who was then at Simla, started the next +day for Ali Kheyl, with orders to advance as rapidly as possible on +Cabul; General Sir Donald Stewart who had but just evacuated Candahar, +was ordered to return and reoccupy that place, and a reserve of 5000 men +was assembled between Rawul Pindee, and Peshawur. On September 13th., +General Baker took command of the troops at the Shutargardan Pass, the +23rd. Pioneers, the 5th. Ghoorkas, and the 72nd., and occupied a +position at Kushi. Want of transport animals was the greatest obstacle +to a rapid advance. When the previous campaign was ended, as usual with +mistaken economy, everything was sold and scattered, and now everything +had to be replaced at any expense. All the available animals near the +frontier were secured, and with the utmost exertions Sir F. Roberts +managed to collect sufficient cattle to make an advance, with three or +four months supplies for about 6000 troops, and 3,500 camp followers. On +September 27th. he started from Ali Kheyl, and the advance commenced. On +the route to the Shutargardan, some attacks were made on the baggage +convoys by the Mangals, who were repulsed, and on the 29th. the General +arrived at Kushi, where he met with the Ameer, Yakoub Khan, who had +ridden into the camp the preceding day and surrendered himself, with his +eldest son and ministers. The Ameer stated that his power was gone, and +that he had been dethroned by his rebellious troops. An Officer present +wrote—“What his true reasons for this step may have been, we never knew; +certainly not the one he gave, for no Afghan ever told the truth +intentionally.” Ultimately the complicity of the Ameer with the Massacre +of the British Mission was proved, and he was sent to India, where he +was detained as a state prisoner. + +Meanwhile Sir F. Roberts pushed on towards Cabul, and on October 6th. +encountered the Afghan Army, who had taken up an almost impregnable +position at Charasia, about eleven miles from that city. The valley here +is narrowed to a mere defile, on both sides of which the enemy had +placed guns in position, and had lined the steep and barren heights with +troops. Only one brigade of Infantry, that of Brigadier Baker, with the +addition of the 92nd. Regiment was to the front, the remainder of the +force with the cavalry, under Brigadier-General Macpherson, being on +march in the rear, in charge of the commissariat and reserve ammunition, +and did not come up till the battle was over. The General convinced that +any delay before the enemy would lead to a general rising of the tribes, +determined to attack at once; and as their front position was of great +strength, made his real attack by a flanking movement on their right, +while he occupied their left by a feint. He divided his force into two +columns; one, under General Baker, was to storm the heights of the +Chardeh Valley which formed the Afghan right; and the other under Major +White, of the 92nd., was directed to attack the Sang-i-Nawishtu defile; +and as General Macpherson’s brigade was advancing, a small reserve only +was left in defence of the camp. + +Baker’s column advanced over the bare hills, flanked by steep rocky +crags, easily defensible against any force, more than 1,500 feet in +height; and carried the first position, though the Afghans, armed with +Sniders and Enfields, kept up a continuous fire, and it was nearly two +hours before they retreated to a second ridge, about six hundred yards +in the rear. This position too was carried by the troops in successive +rushes, supported by the fire of the mountain guns; and by 3.45 the +enemy’s defences were captured, or taken in reverse. + +In the meantime Major White had turned his feigned, into a real attack +on the Sang-i-Nawishtu defile, though there the enemy was strongly +posted, and outnumbered his men ten to one. Finding that his artillery +was powerless, he led his men in person from one steep ledge to another, +till at length being opposed face to face by an overwhelming number of +Afghans, he took a rifle, and shooting their leader dead, his followers +fled, leaving four mountain guns behind them. He pursued them through +the Pass, and effected a junction with General Baker in the rear of the +enemy’s position. By four o’clock, the Afghans were in complete rout, +flying towards Cabul, with the loss of two standards, and all their guns +(twenty pieces), three hundred killed and a vast number wounded. The +British loss was twenty killed, and less than seventy wounded. + +General Macpherson having arrived in the camp, Sir F. Roberts marched +the next morning towards Cabul, and on October 8th. established himself +in the cantonments of Sherpur, where seventy-three guns were taken,[92] +and occupied the Bala Hissar, or citadel of Cabul. + +The troops engaged in this affair, were the 9th. Lancers, 12th. Bengal +Cavalry, 14th. Bengal Lancers, 5th. Punjaub Cavalry, the 67th., 72nd., +and 92nd. Foot, Bengal Sappers and Miners, 23rd. and 28th. Bengal +Infantry, 5th. Ghoorkas, 5th. Punjaub Infantry, one Battery R. H. A., +and two Mountain Batteries. + + + + + CABUL. + DECEMBER, 1879. + + +Though the whole country was bitterly hostile to the British, for some +weeks, with the exception of a skirmish or two, and an explosion of +gunpowder in the Bala Hissar, by which Capt. Shafto, and several +Ghoorkas were killed; the occupation of Cabul by Sir F. Roberts and his +army remained undisturbed. In the beginning of December, a change took +place. Instigated by an aged and fanatic Moollah, a chief called +Mohammed Jan, and other leaders, the Afghans of the Maidan and Ghuznee +districts, and of the Kohistan country to the north of Cabul, began to +collect in thousands, with the intention of expelling or massacring the +invaders of their country. + +Sir F. Roberts at first was not aware of the strength of this +combination, but knowing of their advance, and the importance of +dispersing the tribes before they could effect a junction, two columns +were formed to march out and attack the enemy, December 8th. One under +General Macpherson, went towards Urghandeh, to meet the enemy coming +from Maidan, and the other under General Baker, was dispatched _viâ_ +Charasia, but also towards Maidan, with the object of intercepting the +enemy in their anticipated retreat. + +General Macpherson first met with the Kohistanees, who were marching to +join Mohammed Jan, near Chardeh, and a sharp fight ensued. The guns did +some execution, but the nature of the ground prevented the cavalry from +being of any service. Mohammed Jan was now at the head of about ten +thousand men, and succeeded in placing himself between General +Macpherson and Cabul, and also, as it turned out, between his infantry, +and the cavalry and guns moving to join him on the morning of December +11th. The four guns, escorted by a squadron of the 9th. Lancers, and +forty-four men of the 14th. Bengal Lancers, under General Massey, after +a four-mile march, fell in with the enemy, but as only about two +thousand showed themselves, they were supposed to be a body of fugitives +flying from either Macpherson or Baker. + +Massey, without the orders of General Macpherson, at once attacked, but +the fire from his guns had no effect in checking the advance of the +enemy’s masses, and the handful of cavalry, after two desperate charges, +were compelled to retreat with the loss of twenty-seven killed, +including four officers, and twenty-five wounded.[93] The guns being +stuck in a water-course, were spiked and abandoned; but were afterwards +retaken by Colonel Macgregor, on the arrival of Macpherson’s column. + +On seeing the advance of Macpherson’s infantry, the Afghans ceased +following the retreating cavalry, and rushed away direct for Cabul. Sir +F. Roberts on this, started from Sherpur with the 72nd. regiment, to +secure the defile barring the road to the city, and was but just in time +to prevent its being taken. The steady fire of the Highlanders checked +the advance of the enemy, and after half an hour’s contest they retired, +and occupied the heights to the south of the Bala Hissar. + +Next day, General Macpherson dispatched Colonel Money with a detachment +of the 67th., 72nd., the 3rd. Sikhs, and 5th. Ghoorkas, to drive the +enemy from the heights to the south of Cabul, who had hidden from view +five or six thousand men, and awaited the attack with confidence. After +several hours of fighting the troops dislodged the Afghans from the low +hill, but were too few to carry the position above. + +On December 13th., General Baker, who had returned to Sherpur, acted in +concert with Macpherson, and at eight in the morning left the +cantonments and again attacked the enemy. After some hard fighting the +ridge was carried by the 92nd. and Guides led by Major White, and the +72nd., 3rd. Sikhs, and 5th. Ghoorkas under Major Sym. While this was +going on a large body of Afghans moved round towards Beni Hissar, so as +to threaten the road to Sherpur, but they were dispersed by some dashing +charges made by the Guides, Punjaub Cavalry, and 9th. Lancers, with the +loss of Captain Butson and four men killed. + +The position of the British, though victorious in the field, was +becoming serious, as the enemy was continually reinforced by large +numbers of men, and nothing daunted by their defeats, occupied the Asmai +heights in force. On December 14th. this position was attacked by +General Baker with a force of about sixteen hundred men of all arms, and +four guns. After a desperate contest the enemy were driven from their +first position, and the Asmai heights were carried. Scarcely had this +been done, when a body of Afghans, from fifteen to twenty thousand +strong, appeared on the plain, rushing onwards with frantic shouts and +gesticulations, with the object of retaking the position just captured +by General Baker, headed by a chosen leader, and Moollahs, in white +raiment, shouting the war-cry of Islam:—“_Allah! Yâ Allah!_” On they +came, regardless of the shells which were pitched with great execution +into them, and the volleys poured down from the hills just gained, with +deadly effect. + +The 5th. Punjaubees recoiled at their onset, and after an heroic +resistance, in which Captain Spens of the 72nd. was killed in a hand to +hand conflict, the column of Colonel Jenkins was compelled to retreat +with the loss of two guns, but the rest of the position was held. +Reinforcements presently arrived from Sherpur, the guns were recovered, +and in a brilliant charge, made with twelve men, Captain Vousdon, of the +Bengal Staff Corps, cut down five Afghans with his own hand, and gained +the Victoria Cross. + +It being signalled from the Bala Hissar, that bodies of the enemy were +advancing from the north, south, and west, in overwhelming numbers, +General Macpherson was ordered to fall back at once to Sherpur, and +General Baker was directed to hold the position he had occupied since +the morning, until all the troops from the heights were withdrawn. These +movements were well executed with but little loss, and on the night of +December 14th., all the British forces were concentrated in the +cantonments of Sherpur, while the exultant Afghans re-occupied the Bala +Hissar and the city of Cabul. The Sherpur cantonments had been built by +Shere Ali for his own troops, but never occupied by them. The front +towards Cabul was fortified by a loopholed wall, sixteen feet high, and +about two thousand yards long, with small semi-circular bastions at +intervals, and a ditch; enclosing a range of barracks capable of +accommodating five thousand men. In the rear were the steep Behmaru +Hills, within the line of defence, and also fortified. + +Sir F. Roberts, with admirable foresight, had before collected stores +calculated to last for some months, emptying the granaries and stores of +Cabul; so his force of seven thousand men of all arms, with twenty-three +guns, including two gatlings, were not likely to feel the absolute want +of the necessaries of life till reinforcements could arrive from India. +The enemy occupied themselves for some days with plundering Cabul, and +in preparing for a general attack; during which time Sir F. Roberts +employed all his men in strengthening and perfecting the defences of +Sherpur. There was skirmishing daily, till on December 23rd., the +anniversary of the murder of Sir William Macnaghten, at the same spot in +1841, the long-prepared assault on Sherpur took place. Brigadier-General +Gough was now rapidly advancing from Gundamuck with reinforcements, and +the enemy felt that there was no time to be lost, if they meant to +repeat the massacre of Elphinstone’s army of 1842. On the preceding +evening, some native scouts had informed the General, that the Afghans +had provided themselves with scaling ladders capable of carrying two men +abreast, and that at the break of day he would be attacked on all sides, +the signal being the lighting of a great beacon on the Asmai heights +above Cabul. At four in the morning the troops were on the alert, at +six, a brilliant flame arose on the Asmai ridge, and with the hoarse +shouts of many thousand voices, and the deafening rattle of innumerable +drums, the attack commenced. Day had not yet broken, but the stars, and +the snow lying around, gave light enough for the defenders to direct a +most deadly fire on their frantic assailants, not one of whom came near +enough to scale the wall. Till one p.m. the assaults lasted, when the +cavalry sallied out, and did great execution on the enemy, who fled on +all sides, and dispersed so rapidly that by nightfall not a man of them +could be seen. + +The strength of the Afghans was estimated at about thirty thousand, and +their losses “at not less than three thousand killed and wounded.” The +British casualties were exceedingly small: two officers and eight men +killed, and five officers, including General Gough, and forty-one men +wounded. + +Next morning the welcome news arrived that General Gough was +approaching, and a force was sent out to occupy the Siah Sang range to +prevent any resistance being made to his advance; but no enemy appeared, +the whole force of the Afghans having fled during the night. On +Christmas Day the reinforcements arrived, Cabul was re-occupied without +any opposition, and the British were again masters of the country. + +The whole of the British casualties from the 10th. to the 24th. of +December, were one hundred and three officers and men killed, and two +hundred and sixty-three officers and men wounded. Many of the wounded +died, among them Colonel Cleland, of the 9th. Lancers; Lieutenant +Montanaro, R.A.; and Major Cooke, of the 5th. Ghoorkas, who had gained +the V.C. at the Peiwar Kotul. Sir F. Roberts wrote: “Had Major Cooke +survived, he would have risen to the highest honours of his profession.” +The regiments engaged in the actions around Cabul were the 9th. Lancers, +12th. Bengal Cavalry, 14th. Bengal Lancers, 5th. Punjaub Cavalry; the +67th., 72nd., and 92nd. Foot; 23rd. and 28th. Bengal Infantry; 2nd., +4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; 5th. Punjaub Infantry, two Punjaub Mounted +Batteries, and Bengal Sappers and Miners. + + + + + AHMED KHEL. + APRIL 19TH., 1880. + + +In the spring of 1880, rumours began to be circulated of preparation +made for another attack on Cabul by the Afghans, and as Ghuznee was the +stronghold of Mohammed Jan, and the centre of a gathering of hostile +tribes; in April, General Donald Stewart marched from Candahar, with a +force of about seven thousand men, with orders to occupy Ghuznee, and +open communications with Sir F. Roberts at Cabul. As the troops +approached Ghuznee, bodies of the enemy were observed hovering about, +and the villages were deserted, the Moollahs having stirred up a holy +war. + +On April 19th. the Afghans were found in strength at Ahmed Khel, +twenty-three miles south of Ghuznee, occupying a ridge directly in +front, with a force estimated at about fifteen thousand horse and foot, +chiefly tribesmen. The British column covered nearly six miles in +marching order, the baggage being far in the rear. The advance was +ordered at eight o’clock, and when about one and a half miles from the +enemy’s position, the artillery, under Waters and Campbell, moved to the +front and opened fire. Scarcely had the attack commenced, and before the +infantry were in proper formation, a dense body of men with standards +appeared on the crest of the ridge, with a body of horsemen outflanking +the British left, with the intention of getting into the rear and +attacking the baggage. At a signal, the mass of Afghans in the front, +poured headlong down from their position, stretching out to the right +and left, and charged and almost enveloped Stewart’s army. This charge +was made by about four thousand fanatical Ghazis, men who cared nothing +for their own lives, if they could only exterminate the hated infidels. +So rapid and unexpected was their attack, that the range of the guns had +to be altered to case-shot distance, and when all the case was expended, +the guns were loaded with shrapnel, the heads towards the charge, to +explode on leaving the muzzle, which covered the ground with heaps of +fearfully mutilated dead and wounded. A squadron of the Bengal Lancers +was swept away and lost to sight in clouds of dust and smoke, and the +situation was critical, as the cavalry could not be rallied till they +had passed to the right of the infantry, then so hotly pressed that many +of the men had not even time to fix their bayonets. So furious was the +onslaught, that some of the enemy swept round to the rear of the +infantry, and a desperate conflict hand to hand ensued. The whole of the +reserve, including the General’s escort, was ordered up to support the +guns and reinforce the fighting line; and according to the correspondent +of the _Standard_—“At this crisis our line was penetrated, and both +flanks turned, the artillery having fired away all their case-shot.” But +the infantry stood firm, and Colonel Gyster, forming the 3rd Ghoorkas in +rallying squares, left spaces through which friends and foes passed +together. As the Ghazi horsemen with fierce yells rushed onward, the +Ghoorkas, the 59th., the 2nd. Sikhs, and 19th. Punjaub Infantry poured a +terrific fire point blank into their ranks, which checked their advance +and mowed them down in heaps. Their attack had spent itself, and as the +cavalry now rallied and fell upon the shattered ranks with lance and +sword, their retreat soon became a disorderly flight. The battle was +won, and though a body of the enemy made a last stand on an eminence in +their rear, the 1st. Punjaub Cavalry, under Colonel Maclean, coming up, +with one charge dispersed them, and the rout was complete. + +More reckless bravery than that of the Ghazis was never seen, about one +thousand of them lay dead on the ground, with double that number of +wounded, though the conflict lasted but little more than an hour. The +loss of the victors was seventeen killed and one hundred and twenty-six +wounded, including nine officers. + +After a halt of two hours the army continued its march to Nani, about +fourteen miles from Ghuznee, and encamped for the night. Next day +Ghuznee was entered without opposition, Mohammed Jan having fled. On May +2nd. General Stewart arrived at Cabul, and as senior officer to Sir F. +Roberts, took the chief command. + +The troops engaged at Ahmed Khel were the 19th. Bengal Lancers, 1st. +Punjaub Cavalry, three Batteries of Artillery, the 59th. Foot, 60th. +Rifles, 2nd. Sikh Infantry, and the 15th., 19th., and 25th. Bengal +Infantry. + + + + + THE MARCH TO KANDAHAR. + AUGUST, 1880. + + +For some time after the arrival of General Stewart at Cabul things +remained quiet. Negociations were going on with Abdur Rahman Khan, a +nephew of Shere Ali, and grandson of Dost Mahommed, who for several +years had been living in Russian Turkestan, and receiving a pension from +the Czar. Abdur Rahman seeming to have the best and strongest claims to +the Ameership of Afghanistan, he was recognised by the British +government, and on his approach to Cabul the troops were ordered to +return to India. But their work was not yet finished. On learning of the +recognition of Abdul Rahman, Ayoub Khan, a younger brother of Yakoob +Khan, resolved to strike a blow for the Ameership, and started from +Herat, of which place he was the Governor, with a strong force, +thirty-six guns, and a large body of irregulars, the most fierce and +warlike of the western Afghan tribes, with the intention of seizing +Kandahar. When General Stewart marched from Kandahar to Cabul, a British +force was left at the former place under General Primrose. + +[Illustration: + + The Star for General Roberts’ March. +] + +To check the advance of Ayoub Khan, a British brigade of about two +thousand men and six guns moved from Kandahar, under Brigadier-General +Burrows, and on July 27th. encountered the vastly superior army of the +enemy at Maiwand. Instead of vigorously attacking, Burrows remained on +the defensive for some hours, and the Ghazis rushing on in overwhelming +numbers, regardless of their losses, rolled up the British troops from +left to right, and drove them from the field; with a loss of half their +number and two guns. + +The remainder of the Brigade reached Kandahar after a terrible retreat, +no water being obtainable on the route, and the fugitives being fired on +from every village they passed. General Primrose immediately evacuated +the cantonments and concentrated his troops in the citadel of Kandahar, +in which from August 11th. he was beleaguered by the Afghans. + +On August 16th. a sortie was made on the besiegers, but the affair was +mismanaged, Brigadier-General Brooke, who commanded, and many officers +and men of the 7th. Fusiliers and Native Infantry being killed and +wounded. After this, the garrison remained on the defensive till +relieved, Ayoub making no serious attack, but endeavouring to starve the +defenders into submission. + +The news of the disaster at Maiwand came upon the Governor of India like +a thunderbolt, and measures were at once taken for the relief of +Kandahar. + +Sir F. Roberts who was at the time with Sir D. Stewart at Cabul, +arranging for the withdrawal of the British troops to India, immediately +offered to march to Kandahar in command of a force of ten thousand men, +and his offer was accepted by the government. General Phayre was to +advance with another force from Quettah, but being delayed by want of a +commissariat train, did not reach Kandahar till after the force from +Cabul had arrived there, though Roberts had a very much greater distance +to march. The army of General Roberts was composed of three Batteries of +Artillery, the 9th. Lancers, 3rd. Bengal Cavalry, 3rd. Punjaub Cavalry, +Central India Horse, under Brigadier-General Gough; 2nd. Battalion 60th. +Rifles, 72nd. and 92nd. Highlanders, 23rd. Pioneers, 24th. and 25th. +Punjaub Infantry, the 15th. Sikhs; 2nd., 4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; 2nd. +and 3rd. Sikh Infantry; forming three brigades, under Brigadiers Baker, +Macpherson, and Macgregor; and about eight thousand camp followers. +Three days only were occupied in preparations, and on August 8th. the +march began, a distance of more than three hundred miles, through a +mountainous and difficult country, peopled with fierce and warlike +tribes, for the most part hostile. + +On August 15th. Ghuznee was reached, and the next day the army passed +over the battle-field of Ahmed Khel, the scene of General Stewart’s +victory in the preceding April. On August 23rd. Sir F. Roberts arrived +at, and relieved the strong fort of Khelat-i-Ghilzie, held by a small +garrison, under Colonel Tanner, one hundred and thirty-six miles from +Cabul. A halt was here made for a day or so, and then taking the +garrison with him, the General pushed on for Kandahar, and on August +27th opened communications with General Primrose by his cavalry. As the +relieving force advanced, Ayoub withdrew from before Kandahar, and took +up a position on some hills near the city, his head-quarters being at a +place called Mazra. + +On August 31st., Sir F. Roberts entered Kandahar, and the same day made +a reconnaissance in force, in which Generals Gough and Macpherson, after +some sharp fighting, carried several of the enemy’s defences at the +point of the bayonet, and fully discovered the positions and strength of +the Afghan army. At half-past five on the morning of September 1st., all +officers commanding brigades were summoned to the tent of the General, +and received his final orders and directions. He informed them that he +meant to attack the south-west part of the ridge occupied by the enemy, +with three brigades of infantry massed in rear of the Piquet Hill, while +his forty-pounders on the right, supported by the 7th. Fusiliers and +Rifles, engaged and silenced Ayoub’s guns posted on the Baba Wali. The +Kandahar garrison were to hold the city and threaten the Murcha Pass, +while Gough’s cavalry were to act on the left and cut off the retreat of +the enemy to Giriskh. The real attack was to be made by storming the +village of Gundi Moollah Sahibdab, turning the Paimal Hill, and finally +taking the Baba Wali in reverse. The General concluded by saying: “If +the ridge of Pie Paimal can be turned then the Baba Wali Kotal will be +untenable. I look, gentlemen, to you to carry out my instructions, and I +leave the details to you.” At nine o’clock, all was ready for the +advance. The village of Gundi Moollah was stormed by the 92nd. and the +2nd. Ghoorkas, in spite of a hot fire from garden walls and windows of +houses; while the 72nd., the 2nd. Sikhs, supported by the 3rd. Sikhs and +the 5th. Ghoorkas, worked round the end of the Pie Paimal and carried +village after village. The fighting among the enclosures with loopholed +walls was desperate in the extreme, as the Ghazis, reckless of death, +fought with the ferocity of tigers, hurling themselves upon the British +rank till their shields clashed with the bayonets, in spite of the +withering volleys poured into them at the distance often of a few yards. +After a very severe contest, the 1st. and 2nd. brigades swept the enemy +through the closely wooded gardens and orchards on the west of the hill, +and the village of Pie Paimal was taken soon after noon. Behind the +northern hill the country is cut up by canals and watercourses, and here +between a river and the slopes, in an entrenched camp the Afghans made +their final stand. This position was taken by a rush of the 92nd., under +Major White,[94] supported by the Ghoorkas and 23rd. Pioneers. Of this +advance, General Roberts said: “Nothing could be finer than the rush +made by the Ghoorkas and the Highlanders, and how well the 23rd. and +24th. worked up in support.” + +In four hours from the time the battle began, the enemy were totally +defeated and in full flight; their camp and all their artillery +(thirty-two guns), including the two taken at Maiwand, being abandoned +to the victors. Their tents, including Ayoub’s, were left standing, and +in front of one of them was found the still bleeding body of Lieutenant +Maclaine, R.H.A., who had been taken prisoner at Maiwand. His ruffianly +captors finding the battle going against them, and their camp taken, had +deliberately cut his throat and fled. Ayoub, leaving about twelve +hundred of his army of thirteen thousand in killed alone behind, fled +towards Herat with a handful of men. + +The British loss was three officers killed, among them Colonel Brownlow, +commanding the 72nd., and eleven wounded; and forty-six men killed and +about two hundred wounded, the 72nd. suffering most severely. After the +battle was over, the General rode up to the head of every battalion, and +personally thanked it for its share in gaining the victory, which +concluded the campaign. + +The relieving force was broken up in September, but before returning to +India, Sir F. Roberts distributed medals for distinguished service to +the men of the 72nd., the 82nd., and the 5th. Ghoorkas. Kandahar, in +accordance with the promise of the Indian Government, was evacuated, and +the Afghan war was ended. The entire force engaged at Kandahar on +September 1st., 1889, was composed of the 9th. Lancers, 3rd. Bengal +Cavalry, 3rd. Bombay Cavalry, 3rd. Punjaub Cavalry, 3rd. Scinde Horse, +Central India Horse, the Poona Horse; the 7th. Fusiliers, 60th. Rifles, +the 66th., 72nd., and 92nd. Foot; 15th., 23rd., 24th. and 25th. Bengal +Infantry; the 1st., 4th., 19th., 28th. and 29th. Bombay Infantry; the +2nd., 4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; the 2nd. and 3rd. Sikh Infantry, and +three Batteries of Artillery. + + + + + THE CHINA MEDALS, + 1840, 1842, 1856, 1860. + + +The first China medal granted for the war 1840–42, by the Indian +Government, and authorised by the Queen, was designed by Wyon, and has +on the obverse the Queen’s head, with the inscription, “Victoria +Regina.” Reverse: A shield bearing the arms of Great Britain, with +cannon, flags, anchor, &c., resting against a palm-tree, with the motto, +“Armis Exposcere Pacem.” In the exergue, “China,” with the date 1842 +underneath.[95] No clasp issued. Ribbon, crimson with yellow edges; +given to both services. + +[Illustration: + + Medal for First Chinese War. + + Medal for Second Burmese War. +] + +The medal for the second Chinese war, 1856–60, was granted by a warrant, +dated March 6th., 1861, and is similar to that given for the first war, +except that the date 1842 on the reverse is omitted. The ribbon is the +same; given to both services. Clasps: “Fatshan, 1857”; “Canton, 1857”; +“Taku Forts, 1858”; “Taku Forts, 1860”; “Pekin, 1860.” An additional +clasp—inscribed “China, 1842”—was issued to those in possession of the +first medal. The clasp for “Fatshan, 1857” was given to the navy and +Marines only.[96] + + + + + FIRST CHINESE WAR. + 1840–1842. + + +In consequence of the Chinese government having commenced summary +measures without sufficient previous notice, the British superintendents +of trade applied to the Governor-General of India for a number of ships +of war and armed vessels for the protection of life and property. +Although the introduction of opium into China was prohibited, the local +authorities did not enforce the law. Ultimately Captain Elliot and the +merchants at Canton were confined to the factories as prisoners, and in +June the Chinese High Commissioner, and other officers proceeded to +Chunhow, near the Bocca Tigris, and commenced destroying vast quantities +of the prohibited drug, besides offering insult to Captain Elliot, R.N., +the Queen’s representative. Hostilities became unavoidable, and the +18th., 26th., and 49th. regiments, a native corps of Bengal volunteers, +and detachments of artillery and sappers from the presidency of Madras, +were embarked under Brigadier-General George Burrell, of the Royal +Irish. It became important to gain possession of a portion of the +Chinese territory as a _point d’appui_ for subsequent operations; and +the governor of Chusan, an island lying off the coast, was summoned to +surrender in the beginning of July. He, however, made dispositions to +defend the place, and on the morning of the 5th. of July the shore, +landing-place, wharf, and adjoining hill were crowded with Chinese +troops. The British shipping silenced the war-junks and batteries; and +the right wing of the 18th. regiment, commanded by Major Henry William +Adams, with the Royal Marines of the fleet, forming the advance, landed. +They were followed by other corps, and the British troops, commanded by +Brigadier-General George Burrell, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 18th., took +up a position in front of the fortified city of Ting-hae-hien, whence a +sharp fire was sustained for some time; but before the following day the +Chinese soldiers fled in a panic, and the city was taken possession of, +but the climate proved injurious to the health of the troops. + +This success was followed by negotiations; the tardy councils of the +Chinese being expedited by the activity of the British naval force, and +in the early part of 1841 they agreed to give up the island of Hong +Kong, pay an indemnity of six million dollars, and open a direct +intercourse for trading upon an equal footing. Accordingly the island +was occupied; but the authorities appeared to have had no intention of +fulfilling the other stipulations of the treaty. Hostilities were in +consequence resumed, and the force embarked in February with the +expedition up the Canton river. In less than an hour the fleet silenced +the batteries of Wantong, and a body of troops, consisting of +detachments of the 26th. and 49th. regiments, Royal Marines, and the +37th. Madras Native Infantry, and Bengal volunteers, commanded by Major +Pratt, of the 26th., landing, the island was captured without the loss +of a man, thirteen hundred Chinese soldiers surrendering prisoners of +war. Continuing the voyage, the fleet arrived at the bar, destroying the +war-junks, the works being stormed and captured by the marines and +seamen. As the expedition pursued its way up the river, the Chinese +abandoned several batteries and armed rafts, and solicited terms of +peace; but procrastination seemed to be their only object, and the +British fleet advanced. The forts in front of Canton soon fell under the +fire of the artillery, the Chinese flotilla was destroyed, and peace was +again requested. While negotiations were pending, bodies of Tartar +troops were arriving at Canton, which shewed the object of the enemy; +and on the 24th. of May the troops landed, and on the following day they +advanced against the fortified heights on the north of the city, when +dispositions were made for the attack. About half-past nine o’clock the +advance was sounded, and by a spirited effort the heights were +carried—the 18th. and 49th. being emulous which should first reach their +appointed goals—and the British colours waved triumphantly on the +captured forts. + +A fortified Chinese camp had been established on the high ground on the +north-east of Canton, and from this bodies of the enemy advanced against +the British troops. The 18th., 49th., and a company of marines, met and +repulsed the principal attack, and, following the fugitives along a +causeway, stormed and captured the entrenched camp in gallant style. It +was afterwards burnt, and the magazines destroyed. + +On the following morning (26th. of May) a flag of truce was seen on the +walls, and hostilities were suspended; but delay still appearing to be +the object of the Chinese, preparations were made to attack the city by +storm, when six millions of dollars were agreed to be paid for the +redemption of Canton, and opening the port for trade. + +Disregarding the stipulations of treaties, the Emperor of China issued a +mandate for the extermination of the British who dared thus to insult +his coasts and capture his towns, offering at the same time, immense +rewards for the heads of the commanders, and even a large sum for that +of a private soldier. His decrees were responded to by depriving him of +a further extent of territory; and on the 22nd. of August an expedition +proceeded against the island and city of Amoy, situated in a fine gulf +in the province of Fokein, the great tea district of China. On the 25th. +of August the fleet arrived before Amoy, which was defended by five +hundred pieces of cannon and a numerous force; but nothing could +withstand the combined efforts of the British naval and land forces. On +the following day the works were bombarded for two hours, and a landing +was effected about three o’clock, when the Chinese and Tartar soldiers +fled in dismay, after firing a few shots. The small island of Koolangsoo +was captured on the preceding day. + +On the 5th. of September the expedition sailed for the recapture of +Chusan, which island had been given up in consequence of the +stipulations of the first treaty. The place was found more strongly +fortified than before, and a resolute but unavailing stand was made by +the Chinese. A landing in two columns was effected on the 1st. of +October; the first, about fifteen hundred strong, was accompanied by +Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, and was under the command of +Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie, of the 55th. foot. The second, about one +thousand strong, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, of the +49th. regiment. + +The expedition proceeded on the 6th. against the city of Chinhae, the +military depôt of the province, situated on the mainland opposite +Chusan, and surrounded by a wall of extraordinary height and thickness. +The troops landed on the 10th. of October, advanced through a difficult +country towards the city, and stormed the works covering the approach to +the place. In this city an extensive arsenal, and cannon foundry, with +military stores, fell into the hands of the captors. The force employed +consisted of detachments of the 18th., 49th., and 55th. regiments, and +of the Royal and the Madras Artillery. + +From Chinhae the expedition proceeded up the river on the 13th. of +October, against the fortified city of Ningpo, where no resistance was +encountered. The troops landed, and formed on the ramparts, and +possession was taken of the second city in the province of Che-Keang, +containing three hundred thousand inhabitants. + +On the 10th. of March, 1842, a large army of Tartars and Chinese made a +sudden attack upon Ningpo, escalading the walls, and forcing some of the +gates, with great spirit, when the few British in garrison, triumphed +over their numerous opponents. A guard of the 18th. Royal Irish +Regiment, consisting of Lieutenant Anthony Armstrong, one sergeant, and +twenty-three rank and file, stationed at the West-gate, being attacked +by large numbers, behaved steadily, and gallantly drove them back, +capturing two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate: +the spirited behaviour of this officer was commended in the public +despatches. + +Five days afterwards the troops embarked from Ningpo, and sailed up the +river to attack the enemy’s posts. On the 15th. of March they were +engaged at Tsekee, and the heights of Segaon, which were captured; the +Chankee-pass was also forced, and the expedition, of which the 18th., +26th., and 49th. formed a portion, returned to Ningpo on the 17th. of +March. This place was evacuated by the British in May, and an expedition +proceeded against the fortified city of Chapoo, where a landing was +effected on the 18th. of May. The 18th. and 49th. regiments composed the +right column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris; and the 26th. and 55th. +regiments were in the left, under Colonel Schoedde; the centre column +under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, comprised detachments of the Royal +and Madras Artillery, and the 36th. Madras Native Infantry. +Lieutenant-Colonel Tomlinson met a soldier’s death at the head of his +regiment, the 18th. Royal Irish. + +In June an expedition sailed up the Yangtse-Keang river, and the +fortified posts of Woosung and Poonshau were captured. The city of +Shanghae was afterwards taken possession of without opposition. +Reinforcements arrived, including the 98th. regiment from England, and +the expedition proceeded against Chin-Keang-foo, one of the strongest +and most important cities of China. The fleet left Woosung on the 6th. +of July, the Chinese troops were driven from Suyshan, and on the 20th. +of July the armament approached Chin-Keang-foo. On the following day, +after the reconnaissance had been completed, and the ships were in +position, the landing commenced. The first brigade, consisting of the +26th., the Bengal Volunteers, flank companies of the 41st. Madras Native +Infantry, and the 98th., was under the command of Major-General Lord +Saltoun; the second (centre) brigade consisting of a detachment of the +Royal Artillery, 55th., 6th. Madras Native Infantry, 36th. Madras +Rifles, 2nd. Madras Native Infantry, and a detachment of Sappers, was +commanded by Colonel, afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir James Holmes +Schoedde, K.C.B., (55th. Foot;) the third brigade comprised the 18th. +and 49th., and the 14th. Madras Native Infantry, and was commanded by +Colonel, afterwards Sir Robert Bartley, K.C.B., (49th. regiment,) both +these officers having the local rank of Major-General. + +Major-Generals Lord Saltoun and Schoedde commenced landing the troops +before daylight, but considerable delay occurred from the rapidity of +the current and the scattered state of the ships. The guns were next +landed, followed by Major-General Bartley’s brigade. Lord Saltoun moved +forward with the troops of his brigade first landed, the 98th. under +Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, (afterwards Lord Clyde), and some companies +of the native regiments, to destroy the encampments, and cut off the +enemy’s communication with the city, between twelve and fifteen hundred +of whom had shewn themselves. The soldiers drove them over the hills and +destroyed the encampments. Major-General Schoedde escaladed the city +walls at the north angle and carried the inner gateway, which was +obstinately defended. + +The 55th. highly distinguished itself on this occasion.[97] Lieutenant +Cuddy, of that regiment, was the first to mount the walls, and was +shortly afterwards severely wounded. Major (afterwards Major-General +Charles Warren, C.B.,) commanding the 55th., after he was himself +wounded, cut down two of the enemy, and was personally engaged with a +third. Every angle and embrasure had to be carried at the point of the +bayonet. Brevet-Major Maclean commanded the storming party, and Captain +Greenward the Royal Artillery. + +Meanwhile the west gate had been blown in by Captain Pears, the +commanding engineer. A body of Tartars having been driven into one +division of the western outwork, refused to surrender, when most of them +were either shot or destroyed in the burning houses, several of which +had been set on fire by the enemy, or by the British guns. Major-General +Bartley subsequently proceeded with a body of troops, consisting of the +18th. and part of the 49th. regiment, when a hot engagement ensued with +about one thousand Tartars, who, under cover of some enclosures, opened +a destructive fire on the soldiers as they were filing round the walls. +The leading division of the 49th. dashing down the ramparts on their +left, while the 18th. pushed on to turn their right, they were soon +dispersed, although some fought with great desperation. + +From the sun becoming so overpowering, it was found impossible to move +with men already fatigued by their exertions, many of whom died from the +intense heat. The troops therefore remained in occupation of the gates +until six o’clock, when several parties were pushed into the Tartar city +and to the public offices. On passing through the city and suburbs the +painful spectacle presented itself of hundreds of the dead bodies of +men, women, and children, lying in the houses, numerous families having +destroyed themselves sooner than outlive the disgrace of their city +being captured by foreigners. + +The Royal Artillery, 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments +shared in this service. + +Sir Hugh Gough proceeded to carry his victorious troops into the heart +of the empire, and attack Nankin, the ancient capital of China, wherein +the fugitives from Chin-Keang-foo had sought refuge. By the 9th. of +August the British naval and land forces environed Nankin, and a great +portion of the troops landed. This decisive step produced the desired +results, and conditions of peace were acceded to; the Chinese paying an +indemnity, and ceding a portion of territory to the British crown. + +In consideration of the gallantry displayed by the troops employed on +the coasts and rivers of China, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to +permit the 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments, and their +linked battalions, to bear on their colours and appointments the word +“China,” and the device of the Dragon. + +The Navy took an important part in the first Chinese war, under +Commodore Sir Gordon Brewer, at the capture of Chusan, and the Bogue +Forts, and in the operations against Canton, in 1840–41. Under Admiral +Sir William Parker, the fleet took the principal share in the capture of +Amoy and Chinhae, in 1841, and in the attack on Woosung in 1842. The +principal ships engaged were—the two-deckers, “Wellesley,” “Blenheim,” +and “Melville”; the “Calliope,” “Samarang,” “Alligator,” “Druid,” and +“Blonde,” frigates; and the steamers, “Queen,” “Sesostris,” +“Phlegethon,” and above all the “Nemesis,” commanded by Master W. H. +Hall. Several other sloops and small craft also were engaged in the +operations. + + + + + SECOND CHINESE WAR. + 1856–1860. + + +The second war against the Chinese arose from various acts of +aggression; amongst which the seizure of the crew of the memorable +lorcha named the “Arrow,” sailing under British colours, was the most +prominent. The operations were at first confined to the navy and +Marines. Admiral Sir Michael Seymour pursued vigorous measures; he +opened fire upon Canton in October, destroyed several Chinese junks on +the 5th. of November, 1856, and the Bogue Forts, mounting upwards of +four hundred guns, were captured on the 12th. and 13th. of that month. +The Chinese made repeated but abortive attempts to destroy the fleet +with fire-rafts and infernal machines, some of which were charged with +three thousand pounds of gunpowder. On December 3rd., a strong fort +called the French Folly, was bombarded by the “Encounter” and +“Barracouta,” and Captains Wilson and Cochrane, at the head of eight +hundred and fifty sailors and marines, attacked and stormed it on the +land side. Thirty guns, some of them sixty-eight pounders, were captured +and destroyed, and the fort blown up. This gave the Admiral command over +the whole river, and his blockade annihilated the trade of Canton. + +An attack was made on the suburbs of the city of Canton on the 12th. of +January, 1857, when a detachment of the 59th., employed in conjunction +with the naval forces, sustained a few casualties. + + + + + FATSHAN CREEK. + JUNE 1ST., 1857. + + +Admiral Sir Michael Seymour having determined on attacking the Chinese +main fleet in Fatshan Creek, consisting of upwards of eighty junks, +manned by six thousand picked warriors, and armed with above eight +hundred guns, many of them being forty-two pounders of European +manufacture; on June 1st., led in person in the little “Coromandel” +tender, a force of eleven gunboats, and between fifty and sixty boats of +the fleet, carrying nearly two thousand men, against the enemy, at +half-past three in the morning. The Chinese had constructed heavy +batteries on both sides of the creek, and believed their position to be +impregnable. The first point of attack was the battery on the right, +which was stormed and taken by a body of seamen and marines, under +Commodore Elliot, with trifling loss. Owing to the receding tide, most +of the gunboats grounded, and the ships’ boats pushed on by themselves, +in face of a well-directed and heavy cannonade, boarded the junks, and +in a short time they were in flames. In the meantime, Commodore Hon. H. +Keppel (now Admiral of the Fleet, Sir H. Keppel), in the “Hong Kong,” at +the head of another division, had attacked the battery on the left side +of the creek. His gunboats taking the ground, he quitted them, and in +his galley led the boats against the junks and boarded the largest +himself. The whole fleet was soon captured, the crews escaping to the +land. Leaving some of his boats in the rear to burn the junks, he pushed +on with the remainder towards another squadron visible in the distance. +After a long pull he came directly upon twenty junks of the largest +size, most of which were aground, but so compactly moored that their bow +guns appeared like the broadside of a heavy frigate, which received him +with a fire, the precision of which exceeded anything yet experienced in +China. Almost every boat was struck, the gig of Captain Cochrane was +disabled, and Keppel’s own boat and the launch of the “Calcutta” sunk. +So great was the confusion, that the flotilla retired a little to +re-form, while the Chinese beat their gongs and uttered loud yells of +triumph. But the tide was now fast flowing, the Admiral sent up a +reinforcement, and Keppel returned to the attack with such vigour, that +in a quarter of an hour the junks slipped from their cables and fled up +the river. They were pursued, gradually disabled and taken; and of the +whole proud Chinese fleet, but three junks escaped. Eighty-nine junks +were destroyed, and the loss of the enemy must have been heavy; that of +the victors was thirteen men killed, and forty wounded. + +An exceedingly graphic and stirring account of the action was written by +the gallant Commodore himself, in a letter to his friends in England, +which proceeds thus:—“When the ‘Hong Kong’ grounded, I led on the boats +in my gig, but as the tide was rising, she kept following us as fast as +she could. The first division of the Chinese fleet was attacked by about +nineteen hundred men, and soon gave way. I did not take up more than a +quarter of that number to attack the second division, which was three +miles higher up the river, in a well-selected place, and evidently the +_élite_ of their fleet. They numbered exactly twenty, in one compact +row, mounting from ten to fourteen guns each, two of them on stern and +bow being heavy 32-pounders. I saw I had all the ‘Raleigh’s’ boats well +up, and determined to push on. They fired occasional shots, as if to +ascertain our exact distance, but did not open their heaviest fire until +we were within six hundred yards, and then I soon saw how impossible it +would be to force our way until I had reinforcements. We cheered, and I +tried to get on, when a shot struck my boat quite amidships, cut one man +in two, and took off the arm of another. Prince Victor (of Hohenlohe) +who was with me, jumped forward to bind the man’s arm with his +neckcloth. While he was doing so, another round shot passed through both +sides of the boat, wounding two others of the crew. The boat was filling +with water, and I got on one of the seats to keep my legs out of it; +just as I stepped up, a third round shot went through both sides of the +boat, not more than an inch below the seat on which I was standing. Many +of our boats had now got huddled together, the oars of most being shot +away. A boat of the ‘Calcutta’ being nearest, we got in, pulling our +wounded men with us. My dog ‘Mike’ refusing to leave the body of the +seaman who had been his favourite, we were obliged to leave him. I then +gave the order to retire on the ‘Hong Kong,’ and re-form abreast of her. +While we were going down a shot cut away all the oars on one side. I +called to Lieutenant Graham to get his boat ready, as I would hoist my +broad pennant, and lead the next attack in his boat. I had no sooner +spoken than a shot disabled his boat, wounding him, and killing and +wounding four others. I saw Graham one mass of blood, but it was from a +marine who stood next to him, and part of whose skull was forced three +inches into another man’s shoulder. When I reached the ‘Hong Kong’ the +whole of the enemy’s fire seemed to be centred upon her. She was +‘hulled’ twelve times in a few minutes; her deck was covered with the +wounded who had been taken on board from the boats. I was looking at +them, when a round shot cut down a marine, and he fell among them. From +our paddle-box I saw that our heavy firing was bringing up strong +reinforcements. The account of my having been obliged to retire had +reached them, and they were pulling up like mad. I ordered a bit of blue +bunting to be got ready to represent my broad pennant; I called out: +‘Let us try the row-boats once more, boys!’ and went over the side into +our cutter. At this moment there arose from the boats, as if every man +took it up at the same instant, one of those British cheers so full of +meaning, that I knew at once that it was all up with John Chinaman. They +might sink twenty boats, but there were thirty others which would go +ahead all the faster! On we went. Three more cheers, and then began an +exciting chase for seven miles. As our shot told on them, they ran +ashore, and their crews forsook them. Seventeen were come up with, and +captured in this way; three only escaped.” + +Soon afterwards the Earl of Elgin arrived at Hong Kong as the British +Plenipotentiary, to negotiate with the Emperor, and if satisfactory +terms were not conceded, to carry on the war with vigour. His lordship +arrived at Hong Kong early in July, 1857, and the news of the terrible +Indian Mutiny having reached him at Singapore, a portion of the force +selected for operations in China was, with a noble patriotism, at once +despatched to Calcutta, the Earl following them soon after with +additional troops from Hong Kong. + +Lieutenant-General the Honourable Thomas Ashburnham, C.B., who had been +appointed to the military command of the force destined for China, +having left for Calcutta, was succeeded by Major-General (afterwards Sir +Charles) Van Straubenzee. Lord Elgin was not able to act effectively +until December, in which month Commissioner Yeh was informed that the +British and French governments were united in their determination to +proceed against Canton until the demands required were conceded. +Operations were eventually prosecuted with increased vigour, in +consequence of the evasive replies of the Chinese Commissioners, which +resulted in the + + + + + CAPTURE OF CANTON. + 29TH. DECEMBER, 1857. + + +A reconnaissance was made on the 22nd. of December, 1857, by a body of +British and French troops, to ascertain the exact position and strength +of the forts to the north of Canton. A similar step was taken in the +course of a day or two, to gain information regarding the eastern side +of the city, and a proclamation was subsequently issued, notifying that +the place, if not surrendered, would be bombarded and stormed. + +After a cannonade, which commenced on the 28th. of December, 1857, the +troops were embarked for Kupar Creek at the south-east of the town, +which was deemed the most convenient for landing the attacking +force.[98] This was composed of British and French troops; the former +had been formed into two brigades; the first, consisting of the first +and second battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry, was under Colonel +Holloway, of that corps; the second, composed of Royal Engineers and +Volunteer Company of Sappers, Royal Artillery, and Royal Marine +Artillery, Provisional Battalion Royal Marines, the 59th. regiment, and +the 38th. Madras Native Infantry, was commanded by Colonel Hope Graham, +of the 59th. The artillery was under Colonel Dunlop. + +The landing having been effected, the enemy was immediately attacked. +The East or Linn Fort was soon gained, the Chinese, after a vigorous +fire, having abandoned it and retreated to Gough’s Fort. The cannonade +continued all day, and throughout the following night, the firing from +the ships being also continued. On the 29th. the east wall of the city +was escaladed by the British and French, and after a considerable +resistance, the enemy was driven along it and out of the eastern gate of +the city, of which possession was at once taken. On this occasion the +59th., under Major Burmester, advanced as the covering party to the +French Naval Brigade and Royal Marines. Major Luard, Brigade-Major to +the second brigade, is stated to have been the first on the walls of +Canton. The casualties were small. + +For a week the allies occupied the walls between Magazine Hill and the +south-east corner of the city, no descent being made into the streets. +All this time everything appeared to be proceeding as usual, the +inhabitants pursuing their avocations with the greatest unconcern, no +offer of submission being made. This was soon changed; on the morning of +the 5th. of January, the troops descended into the streets, when the +governor of the city, the Tartar General, and the celebrated +Commissioner Yeh were soon captured.[99] The latter was subsequently +sent to Calcutta. + + + + + CAPTURE OF THE PEIHO, OR TAKU FORTS. + MAY 20TH, 1858. + + +After the capture of Canton, Lord Elgin and the French Ministers finding +all their proposals treated with evasion and delay by the Chinese, +resolved to transfer the scene of operations to the mouth of the Peiho +river, on which stands Pekin the capital of China. They accordingly +placed the conduct of affairs in the hands of the English and French +Admirals (Sir M. Seymour and Admiral de Genouilly), with directions to +use their efforts to bring about a satisfactory settlement. Sir Michael +and his colleague, with the Ambassadors, arrived off the mouth of the +Peiho at the end of April, and some time was lost in fruitless +negotiations, which the Chinese employed in strengthening their forts +and defences, till they considered them to be impregnable. A final +demand being sent for the surrender of the forts, to be held as a surety +till the conclusion of a treaty, to which no answer was returned, the +Admiral determined on an immediate attack. The works were very +formidable. For nearly a mile earthworks and batteries had been thrown +up on both sides of the river, commanding every part of the Channel, +mounting upwards of 150 heavy guns, besides gingalls; a strong boom was +placed across the river in front, and the sides were staked to prevent +any attempts at landing. In the rear were several camps strongly +entrenched, and filled with picked troops. On the morning of May 20th., +the two Admirals hoisted their flags together on the “Slaney” gunboat, +and at 10 a.m. the signal was made for the attack. Captain Saumarez in +the “Cormorant” led the way, and at full speed went for the boom, which +was composed of five seven-inch bamboo cables. Her men were lying flat +on the deck, no one being visible but her commander and an officer or +two, the three forts opened upon her at once; when with a crash she +shivered the boom, passed through, and directed her fire on the northern +forts. The “Nimrod” followed her, and concentrated her fire on the +southern defences, diverting their attention from the “Cormorant.” Four +French gunboats quickly followed, and for more than an hour the contest +raged, for the Chinese stood well to their guns. Some of their batteries +being silenced, and the fire from all slackening, the landing parties, +which the smaller gunboats had in tow, pushed ashore, and having but a +few yards to traverse, were in the embrasures at once, taking the enemy +entirely by surprise. On seeing the capture of the southern forts, the +defenders of the northern forts fled, and the landing parties entered +them without any opposition. In about two hours from the commencement of +the attack, the whole of the defences at the mouth of the river were in +the possession of the allies, and the Chinese army in full retreat. The +forts were destroyed, the camps taken, and the road to Pekin open to the +conquerors.[100] The arrogance of the enemy was at last subdued, and +convinced of the uselessness of further resistance, a treaty was signed +by their Ministers at Tientsin on the 26th. of June following, in +conformity with the terms proposed by the allies, containing concessions +never before thought possible by a Chinese, nor proposed by a European. + + + + + CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FORTS. + 21ST. AUGUST, 1860. + + +This treaty the Chinese Government refused to ratify, and the British +and French were resolved to obtain that result. In the first instance +persuasion and diplomatic efforts were resorted to, but without success. +Every attempt at negotiation having proved fruitless, recourse was again +had to arms, Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., so +distinguished during the Indian Mutiny, being appointed to the command, +with the local rank of Lieutenant-General. On the 1st. of August the +troops landed at Pehtang, which they quitted on the 12th., and on that +morning Major-General Sir Robert Napier commanding the second division, +encountered the enemy at Sin-ho. In this action the Armstrong guns were +first used in war. The attack of the entrenched fortified camp of Tangku +occurred on the 14th. of August, and on the 20th. orders were issued for +the attack of the North Taku Forts, by a force composed of British and +French troops, about fifteen hundred of each. The 44th., 67th., and +Royal Marines, under Sir Robert Napier represented the British quota; +there was however a heavy train of field artillery, comprising several +eight-inch mortars and two Armstrong batteries. In the evening the +gunboats took up their positions, and the troops having crossed a flat +and muddy plain, the night was employed in throwing up trenches and +batteries. Such alacrity was shewn by the Chinese for the fight, that +early in the morning of the 21st. of August they opened fire upon the +troops an hour before the time fixed upon by the Allies; this was +followed by a tremendous bombardment in reply, aided by the gunboats, +which pitched shell and rockets into the North Fort. The assault then +took place.[101] The place was defended with great determination, +although the grand magazine had exploded from the fire of the British +artillery. At length the regiments before named, in conjunction with the +French, gained a footing on the walls. Even then the Tartars fought with +noble intrepidity, but eventually they endeavoured to take refuge in the +next fort about half a mile distant, although few succeeded in the +attempt. Their loss was at least three thousand; the British casualties +were seventeen killed, and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded; their +allies had about thirty killed and upwards of one hundred wounded. Four +hundred guns were taken, and the capture of this strong fort caused the +Chinese the same afternoon to surrender the others, together with the +province of Pecheli, upon a cessation of hostilities being granted. + + + + + OCCUPATION OF PEKIN. + 13TH. OCTOBER, 1860. + + +Tientsin was reached by the allies on the 6th. of September, when the +Chinese authorities as usual endeavoured to gain time by negociation. On +arrival at the encamping ground, it was found occupied by a large +Chinese army, while batteries had been hastily thrown up; Mr. Parkes, +(accompanied by Lieutenant Anderson, of Fane’s Irregular Horse, Mr. De +Norman, and Mr. Bowlby, the special correspondent of “The Times,” whose +vigorous reports were of such universal interest), proceeded to +Tang-chow to ascertain the reason of this threatening attitude.[102] Mr. +Loch, accompanied by Captain Brabazon, Deputy-Assistant +Quartermaster-General, were afterwards despatched under a flag of truce +to order them to return. Meanwhile the Chinese line opened fire, and an +action ensued, when their troops, far superior in numbers were +dispersed, the enemy losing six hundred men, and seventy-five guns. This +action was fought on the Chow-Ho on the 18th. of September, and another +occurred on the 21st. of September, on which day the 1st. or King’s +Dragoon Guards performed “very excellent service.”[103] The Chinese +entrenched camp was taken, and they were driven back upon Pekin. Nearly +six hundred pieces of cannon were captured by the allies during these +operations. Continuing the advance on that city, a portion of the French +army occupied the famed Summer Palace of the Emperor. On the 7th. of +October the Chinese were informed, that if the prisoners were not +restored, and one of the gates of Pekin delivered up, the city would be +stormed. This was agreed to, and a force of two hundred French and +British took peaceable possession of the gate at noon on the 13th. of +October. This operation concluded the campaign.[104] The crowning result +was that the former treaty was ratified, a large sum of money was paid +by the Chinese, and such prisoners as survived were released. Some of +them, however, died from the savage treatment they experienced, and +amongst them were Mr. De Norman, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. Bowlby, and +Captain Brabazon. £100,000 were paid by the Chinese as a compensation to +the relatives of the murdered prisoners; and Kowloon, a district at the +mouth of the Canton river, opposite Hong Kong, was ceded to the British +Government. + + + + + THE SCINDE MEDALS, 1843. + + +These medals were granted by the Government of India, to those who +served in the Scinde campaign of 1843, and were present at the battles +of Meeanee and Hyderabad, under Sir Charles Napier. There are three +varieties of this medal, the obverse of all being the same; the head of +the Queen with the legend “Victoria Regina,” reverse, No. 1 has the word +“Meeanee” inscribed within a circle of laurel leaves, surmounted by a +crown, and below is the date 1843, awarded to those present at the +battle of Meeanee only. No 2, has on the reverse “Meeanee” and +“Hyderabad,” with the date; given to those who were engaged in both +battles. No. 3 has on the reverse the word “Hyderabad,” with the date; +given to those who were present at Hyderabad only. No clasp. +Ribbon—rainbow pattern. These medals are similar to that granted for +meritorious service, of which an illustration is given in this work; the +names of the battles being inscribed within the wreath, instead of the +words “For Meritorious Service.” Four ships of the Indian navy took part +in this campaign, and their officers and crews received the medal. The +22nd. was the only English regiment to which this medal was granted. + + + + + THE CAMPAIGN IN SCINDE. + + +The withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan was regarded by the Ameer +of Scinde as a sign of weakness, and they consulted how they might +destroy the British power. Being feudatories of the Dooranée empire, +they had been persuaded to take a bold part in what they considered the +common cause. A force was consequently assembled under Major-General Sir +Charles Napier, and its first employment was the destruction of the Fort +of Emaun Ghur, in the desert, on the 14th. and 15th. of January, 1843. + +This service was described by the Duke of Wellington in the House of +Lords, “as one of the most curious military feats he had ever known to +be performed, or had ever perused an account of in his life. Sir Charles +Napier (added his Grace) moved his troops through the desert against +hostile forces; he had his guns transported under circumstances of +extreme difficulty, and in a manner the most extraordinary; and he cut +off a retreat of the enemy which rendered it impossible for them ever to +regain their positions.” + +As Emaun Ghur could only serve as a stronghold in which the Beloochees +might be able to resist British supremacy, Major-General Sir Charles +Napier determined upon destroying the fortress. It was a place of great +strength, and was constructed of unburnt bricks, into which the shot +easily penetrates, but brings nothing down, so that recourse was had to +mining. The place was full of gunpowder and grain, and the former was +employed in blowing up the fortress, which was effected on the 15th. of +January. The 22nd. was the only Queen’s regiment employed in this +service, three hundred and fifty of that corps having been carried on +camels. + +After this difficult and harassing service, the troops returned on the +23rd. of January to Peer-Abu-Bekr, without the loss of a man, or without +even a sick soldier, and the Ameer’s plan of campaign was frustrated. + +On the 14th. of February a treaty of peace was signed by these chiefs, +and directions were sent by them to the British political resident, +Major Outram, to quit Hyderabad, the capital; but before this was +complied with, eight thousand Beloochees, commanded by several Ameers in +person, attempted to force an entrance into the enclosure of the British +residency. After a sharp contest of four hours, the assailants were +repulsed by a small force under Captain Conway, aided by the fire of a +British steamer lying in the river; but the position being untenable was +abandoned, and the resident with his escort arrived safely in the camp +of Sir Charles Napier. + + + + + BATTLE OF MEEANEE. + 17TH. FEBRUARY, 1843. + + +Having thus commenced hostilities, the Ameers assembled a numerous force +to destroy the few British troops in the country. Sir Charles Napier, +trusting to the valour of the force under his orders, advanced to meet +the enemy. On the 17th. of February, twenty-two thousand Scindian troops +were discovered encamped at Meeanee. The position of the enemy had been +chosen with great skill, and they were immensely superior in numbers. +Both their flanks were covered by thick woods, and their front was +protected by the dry bed and steep banks of the Fulailee river. The +British, mustering two thousand eight hundred men, advanced in echelon +of regiments to attack their numerous opponents, and the 22nd., +commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel (now Lieutenant-General Sir John) +Pennefather, led the attack. As soon as the British forces came within +range, a battery of fifteen guns opened upon them, a numerous body of +Beloochees discharged their matchlocks and pistols at the 22nd., and +then rushed forward sword in hand to close upon the British line; but +these bold and skilful swordsmen went down under the superior power of +the musket and bayonet.[109] + +In the stirring words of General W. F. P. Napier—the +Beloochees—“Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they +shook their sharp swords beaming in the sun, their shouts rolling like a +peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures, they dashed forward with +demoniac strength and ferocity, full against the front of the 22nd. But +with shouts as loud, and shrieks as wild and fierce as theirs, and +hearts as big, and arms as strong, the Irish soldiers met them with the +queen of weapons—the musket, and sent their foremost masses rolling back +in blood. These wild warriors continually advanced, sword and shield in +hand, striving in all the fierceness of their valour, to break into the +opposing ranks; no fire of small arms, no thrusts of bayonets, no +sweeping discharges of grape from the guns—could drive the gallant +soldiers back. They gave their breasts to the shot, they leaped upon the +guns by twenties at a time; their dead went down the steep slope by +hundreds; but the gaps in their masses were continually filled up from +the rear; the survivors of the front rank still pressed forward with +unabated fury, and the bayonet and the sword clashed in full and +frequent conflict.” + +After a severe contest of three hours the Scindian army was defeated, +and, on the day following the victory, six of the Ameers delivered their +swords to the British General upon the field of battle. The Beloochees +lost five thousand men, and all their guns, ammunition, and treasure +were taken, together with their camp and standards. + +In the Notification of the Right Honourable Lord Ellenborough, the +Governor-General of India, it was directed, “That the unserviceable +guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent to Bombay, and there cast into a +triumphal column, whereon shall be inscribed in the English, and two +native languages, the names of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., +and of the several officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, +and likewise the names of the several officers, non-commissioned +officers, and privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may +be for ever recorded of those who, at Meeanee, obtained for themselves +that glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier.” +Sir Charles Napier set the example, which has since been more or less +followed, in naming the non-commissioned officers and men who had +specially distinguished themselves.[110] + +The loss of the 22nd. regiment was Captain J. Mc Leod Tew, one sergeant, +and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather, +Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. Mc Murdo and F. P. Harding, +Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one sergeant, one corporal, and +fifty privates wounded. + + + + + BATTLE OF HYDERABAD. + 24TH. MARCH, 1843. + + +The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the chiefs who continued to +resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere Mahomed. The +British advanced from Hyderabad at daybreak on the morning of the 24th. +of March, and about half-past eight o’clock twenty thousand Scindian +troops were discovered in order of battle behind a nullah. Arrangements +were immediately made for commencing the action, and the 22nd. regiment +led the attack. Major Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. +George the regiment, which advanced steadily against the enemy’s left, +exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot until +arriving within forty paces of the entrenchment, when it stormed the +position occupied by the Beloochees. Lieutenant Coote first mounted the +rampart, seized one of the enemy’s standards, and was severely wounded +while in the act of waving it and cheering on his men; Lieutenant Powell +seized another, and the gallant example of the officers stimulated the +men to similar deeds. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. Mc +Cartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson, and J. Oakley shot the +defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, making five of their +opponents prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also +captured colours; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, +taking from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and +artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in +numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers. + +[Illustration: + + The Second Jellalabad Medal. + + The Maharajpoor Star. +] + +Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, “The +battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty’s +22nd. regiment.”[111] + +The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were +taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The +Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere +Mahomed, fled to the desert.[112] Among the killed was the great +promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of +the 22nd. regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Chute, +Coote, Evans, and Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six sergeants, +one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates +were wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad the regiment mustered only five +hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder, being sick and +convalescent, having been left at Sukkur, in Upper Scinde. + +These successes gained for the troops the high honour of the thanks of +Parliament, and the Order of the Bath for several of the officers. + + + + + THE STAR FOR MAHARJPOOR AND PUNNIAR. + 1843. + + +The Government of India, as a mark of their distinguished merit, +presented to every officer and soldier engaged in these battles, a +bronze star of six points, made from the captured guns, faced with a +smaller star of silver. Both stars are similar, the only difference +being that one has “Maharajpoor” on the silver face, the other +“Punniar,” the date being the same—“December 29th., 1843.” They were +permitted to be worn by the Queen’s regiments. The star was originally +issued with a brass hook to fasten it to the breast of the wearer’s +coat, but eventually it was worn with the “rainbow ribbon.” + + + + + BATTLES OF MAHARAJPOOR AND PUNNIAR. + 29TH. DECEMBER, 1843. + + +A force named the “Army of Exercise” was assembled at Agra, in November, +1843, in consequence of affairs in the state of Gwalior, which had for +some time required the attention of the Indian Government, although it +was not anticipated that actual hostilities would take place. The events +which led to the collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of +the once powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow:—Upon the decease of +Maharajah Thunkojee Rao Scindiah, the British Government promptly +acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Tyajee Rao Scindiah, who was +nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose adoption by +the Maharanee, his Highness’s widow, was approved by the chiefs. During +the minority of the Maharajah, the office of regent was to be held by +Mama Sahib. In a short time the regent was compelled by force to quit +the Gwalior state, and the Dada Khasgee Walla succeeded to the +confidence of the Maharanee without possessing generally that of the +chiefs, and by his influence various acts were committed insulting and +injurious to the British Government. The delivery of the Dada being +peremptorily insisted upon as a necessary preliminary to the +re-establishment of the customary relations with the Gwalior state, the +Maharanee at length complied with the request, and the Governor-General, +in order to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed +the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The +Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindiah, and a strong +government having been established at Gwalior, they received orders to +withdraw; but were not destined to return to their own territory without +a severe conflict. Negotiations appeared proceeding to an amicable +issue, but the design of the enemy to gain time to concentrate his +forces became at length so evident, that active measures of hostility +were determined upon. The British army left Agra, between the 12th. and +18th. of December, under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, +who was accompanied by the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, in +person. + +The main division crossed the Koharee river early in the morning of the +29th. of December, and found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of +the village of Maharajpoor, in a very strong position, which they had +occupied during the night, and which they had carefully entrenched. The +British were about fourteen thousand strong, with forty pieces of +artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen thousand men, including +three thousand cavalry, with a hundred guns. Notwithstanding the extreme +difficulty of the country, intersected by deep and almost impassable +ravines, the whole of the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed +positions by eight o’clock in the morning of the 29th. of December. The +action commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler’s column, which +was exactly in front of Maharajpoor; whilst Major-General Valiant’s +brigade took it in reverse, both being supported by Major-General +Dennis’s column, and the two light field batteries. + +Her Majesty’s 16th. Lancers, and the 39th. and 40th. regiments highly +distinguished themselves. The 30th., forming part of Brigadier Wright’s +brigade with the 56th. Native Infantry attacked with such vigour that +they stormed the enemy’s batteries and bayoneted the gunners at their +posts. But the Mahrattas rallied in the village, and after firing their +Matchlocks threw them away, and fought sword in hand with the most +determined bravery. In the meantime General Valiant’s brigade had taken +Maharajpoor in reverse, and by this combined movement twenty-eight guns +were captured, but the Mahratta position was not taken till nearly all +its defenders had been slain on the spot. + +A small work of four guns on the left of the entrenched main position of +Chonda was long and obstinately defended, but subsequently carried; and +the guns captured by the grenadiers of the 39th., under Captain +Campbell, admirably supported by a wing of the 56th. Native Infantry, +under Major Philips. + +Not less distinguished was the conduct of the 40th.; this regiment in +the attack on the enemy’s entrenched positions, had two successive +commanding officers, Major Stopford[113] and Captain Coddington, wounded +at the very muzzles of the guns. Two regimental standards were captured +by the 39th., and four by the 40th. regiment. Major-General Valiant was +also wounded. + +Major-General Churchill, C.B., Quarter-Master General of Her Majesty’s +forces in India, and Captain Somerset of the Grenadier Guards, Military +Secretary to Lord Ellenborough, both received several wounds in personal +rencontres. The former died after amputation of the leg. Major Henry +Havelock, C.B., of the 13th. Light Infantry, Persian interpreter, served +on Sir Hugh Gough’s personal staff. + +Brigadier Cureton’s brigade of cavalry, of which the 16th. Lancers +(under Lieutenant-Colonel Macdowell) formed part, took advantage of +every opportunity, manœuvring most judiciously on the right, and had it +not been for an impassable ravine, would have cut off the retreat of the +whole,. The cavalry division was under the orders of Major-General Sir +Joseph Thackwell, K.C.B. + +In this action fifty-six guns, and the whole of the enemy’s ammunition +waggons were captured. + +Major-General Grey, who had been directed to push on with the left wing +as rapidly as practicable to Punniar, twelve miles south-west of +Gwalior, gained also a complete victory on the same day as the battle of +Maharajpoor was fought, namely, the 29th. of December. + +About four o’clock in the afternoon the enemy was observed to have taken +up a strong position on a chain of lofty hills, four miles eastward of +the camp. The Major-General determined immediately to attack him, and +the 3rd. Buffs, with a company of sappers and miners, were detached to +occupy a position on an opposite ridge, followed afterwards to the right +by five companies of the 39th. Native Infantry, until the troops, +amounting to two thousand and seven men, could be brought up, and an +attack made upon the enemy’s left flank and centre. Owing to the +lateness of the day, it was some time before this force could be +supported. The Buffs, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clunie, and the sappers +attacked the centre, exposed to a galling fire from the guns, and +gallantly carried every position, driving the enemy from height to +height, and capturing eleven of his guns, with a standard. The second +infantry brigade under Acting-Brigadier Anderson, of the 50th., arrived +in time to put a finish to the action; forming on the crest of the hill, +he, by a gallant and judicious movement, attacked the enemy’s left, and +completely defeated him, taking the remainder of his guns. Major Petit +commanded the 50th., and distinguished himself by the charge he made +down the hill at the head of that regiment. The 50th. Native Infantry +shared in the above movement. Major White commanded the latter, and took +the second infantry brigade out of action upon Brigadier Anderson being +wounded. + +A portion of the first cavalry brigade, under Brigadier Campbell of the +9th. Lancers, accompanied the force as far as the ground would admit, +but no opportunity was afforded for actively employing them. General +Grey at once affected a junction with Sir H. Gough under the walls of +Givalin, which capital they occupied unopposed, and the Maharatta army +was disbanded. + +These victories were not gained without severe loss,[114] owing to the +enemy’s force greatly exceeding the British, particularly in artillery, +and to the commanding position of his guns, which were well served and +resolutely defended both by gunners and infantry; the peculiar +difficulties of the country gave also additional advantages to the +gallantry of the Mahratta troops, whose casualties were exceedingly +heavy. + +The regiments engaged at Maharajpoor, were the 16th. Lancers, 39th. and +40th. Foot. Bengal Artillery and Sappers, 1st., 4th., and 10th. Native +Cavalry, 2nd. Skinner’s Horse, and the 14th., 16th., 31st., 43rd., and +56th. Native Infantry. At Punniar; the troops engaged were the 9th. +Lancers; the 3rd. and 50th. Foot; the 8th. Bengal Irregular Cavalry, a +company of Sappers, and five companies of the 39th. and 50th. Native +Infantry. + + + + + THE SUTLEJ AND PUNJAUB MEDALS, FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND SIKH WARS. + 1845–6 AND 1848–9. + + +For the first Sikh War, or Sutlej Campaign, four Silver Medals were +issued, for the four battles of “Moodkee, 1845;” “Ferozeshuhur, 1845;” +“Aliwal, 1846;” “Sobraon, 1846.” By a general order, if a soldier was +present at only one of these battles of the Campaign, he received the +medal with the name of the battle inscribed on the reverse; but if he +had been engaged in more battles than one, he received for each battle +an additional clasp. The medal was designed by W. Wyon, and is +considered a beautiful example of art. Obverse: The diademed head of the +Queen, with the legend “Victoria Regina.” Reverse: A figure of Victory +standing, with a laurel wreath in her right hand, and a palm branch in +her left, at her feet a trophy of Sikh arms. Above is the inscription +“Army of the Sutlej”; and in the exergue, the name and date of the +battle for which the medal was given. Clasps for “Ferozeshuhur,” +“Aliwal,” “Sobraon.” The 31st. and 50th. were the only European +regiments that received the medal with _three clasps_ for the four +battles. Ribbon—dark blue with crimson edges. + +[Illustration: + + The Sutlej Medal. +] + +[Illustration: + + The Punjaub Medal. +] + +By a general order, dated Ferozepore, April 2nd., 1849, a medal (silver) +was granted for the Punjaub Campaign, second Sikh War, 1848–9. Obverse: +same as the Sutlej Medal. Reverse: Lord Gough on horseback, the Sikh +army laying down their arms before him, the British army in line with +colours flying, in the background palm-trees. The superscription is “To +the army of the Punjaub,” and in the exergue the date, MDCCCXLIX. Three +clasps were issued for “Mooltan,” “Chillianwala,” and “Goojerat.” +Ribbon—dark blue, with narrow stripes of yellow at the edges. The medal, +without a clasp, was given to the officers and men of the Indus Flotilla +who took part in the Campaign, and a Naval Brigade of about one hundred +men, received the medal, with a clasp, for Mooltan. Two clasps were the +greatest number worn with any medal. + + + + + THE SUTLEJ CAMPAIGN. + 1845–1846. + + +The Sikh army which had been formed by Runjeet Singh, and trained by +French and Italian refugees in his service, according to European +tactics, had, since the decease of that politic ruler in 1839, become +the dominant power, and finally coerced, or induced the Lahore +authorities to commence hostilities. The Maharajah was an infant, his +advisers powerless; but the soldiers, who styled themselves the “Punth +Khalsajee,” or true believers, accustomed to conquest, and elated by +success, were eager for a contest with the English, whom they were +confident of expelling from Hindostan. Accordingly the Sikh army, having +crossed the Sutlej on the 11th. December, 1845, invested Ferozepore on +one side, and took up an entrenched position at the village of +Ferozeshah, about ten miles in advance of Ferozepore, and nearly the +same distance from Moodkee, the enemy placing in this camp one hundred +and eight pieces of cannon, with a force exceeding fifty thousand men. +Sir Henry Hardinge, the Governor-General of India, had for some time +been aware of the intentions of the Sikhs, and so far from being +unprepared to meet and repel an invasion, before he had been three +months in India, large bodies of troops were marching from different +points towards the North West Frontier, to reinforce the army of +observation on the Sutlej. At the beginning of December, 1845, there +were 10,472 men and 24 guns at Ferozepore, 7235 men with 12 guns at +Loodiana, and nearly 13,000 men with 70 guns at Umballa; in all, nearly +31,000 men and 70 guns, under the command of Sir Hugh Gough. + +The Sikhs remained inactive in the vicinity of Ferozepore for some days, +which may be regarded as a providential circumstance, as instead of +annihilating Major-General Sir John Littler’s weak divisions, they +contented themselves with stopping the dâks, and plundering the country, +until the 17th. of December, when they marched to intercept the approach +of the “Army of the Sutlej,” then advancing to the relief of Ferozepore +from Umballa, under Sir Hugh Gough, with whom was the Governor-General. + + + + + BATTLE OF MOODKEE. + 18TH. DECEMBER, 1845. + + +After a harassing march of one hundred and fifty miles, along roads of +heavy sand, the troops arrived at Moodkee, on the 18th. of December, +having endured every kind of privation; the incessant labour required of +them admitting scarcely an hour’s uninterrupted repose before being +called upon for renewed exertions. About three o’clock in the afternoon, +the army, suffering severely from the want of water, and in a state of +great exhaustion, received intelligence of the advance of the Sikhs on +Moodkee, and the troops had scarcely time to get under arms, and to move +to their positions, before the information was confirmed. The horse +artillery and cavalry were immediately pushed forward, the infantry and +field batteries moving in support. Two miles were scarcely passed, when +the enemy, consisting of about twenty thousand infantry, and an equal +number of cavalry, with forty guns, under Lal Singh, were discovered in +position, which they had either just taken up, or were advancing in +order of battle. The country at this spot was a dead flat, dotted with +sandy hillocks, and covered at short intervals with a low thick jungle, +forming an excellent screen for the infantry and guns of the enemy, from +which they opened a severe cannonade upon the advancing troops, which +was vigorously replied to by the horse artillery under Brigadier Brooke. +After the manœuvres of the cavalry on the left and right flanks of their +opponents, the infantry commenced their participation in the fight, and +advancing under Major-Generals Sir Harry Smith, Walter Gilbert, and Sir +John Mc Caskill, attacked in _echelon_ of lines the Sikh infantry, the +wood and approaching darkness of night rendering them almost invisible. +The great superiority of numbers of the enemy necessarily caused their +extended line to outflank the British, but the movements of the cavalry +counteracted this advantage. Desperate was the opposition experienced, +but the roll of fire from the infantry soon convinced the Sikhs of the +inutility of resistance; their whole force was driven from position to +position with great slaughter at the point of the bayonet; night only +saved them from further disaster, this stout conflict being maintained +for an hour and a half of dim starlight, objects being rendered still +more obscure from the clouds of dust which arose from the sandy plain. +Lal Singh, the Sikh commander, was wounded, and narrowly escaped being +taken prisoner. Darkness alone prevented the pursuit of the foe; and the +force bivouacked on the field for some hours; returning to their +encampment, when it was ascertained that they had no foe before them, as +the enemy fled to their camp at Ferozeshuhur. + +In this manner was achieved the first of a series of victories over the +Sikh troops; troops that had fought with the British army only three +years previously, in the advance on Cabool, and had been thanked in +general orders for their services, sustaining as they did, at the +forcing of the Khyber Pass, a loss equal to that of the Anglo-Indian +force; it appears therefore but reasonable to infer, that much of the +skill evinced by them in the disposition and arrangement of their army +may be in some degree attributed to the experience they gained by their +co-operation in the Afghan campaign; proving themselves unquestionably +at Moodkee, and in the succeeding conflicts, one of the best disciplined +and most powerful antagonists the British had ever encountered in India. + +This victory was not gained without considerable loss; several gallant +officers fell and two hundred men, amongst them the hero of Afghanistan, +Major-General Sir Robert Sale, who, towards the conclusion of the +action, had his thigh shattered with a grape shot, from the effects of +which he died. Major-General Sir John McCaskill, K.C.B., who had served +with the 9th. Foot in that country, was also amongst the slain. + +The troops engaged at Moodkee were the 3rd. Light Dragoons, 9th., 31st., +50th., and 80th. Foot, Skinner’s Horse, 8th. Bengal Irregular Cavalry, +and the 5th., 7th., and 26th. Bengal Infantry. + + + + + BATTLE OF FEROZESHAH OR FEROZESHUHUR. + 21ST. AND 22ND. DECEMBER, 1845. + + +On the 19th. of December the army was concentrated at Moodkee, no +further operations taking place until the 21st., when it moved by its +left on Ferozepore; and having on the march been reinforced by +Major-General Sir John Littler’s division of five thousand men from +that place, General Sir Hugh Gough formed his forces in order of +battle. It was then resolved to attack the enemy’s entrenched camp at +Ferozeshah, or Ferozeshuhur, where they were posted in great force, +and had a most formidable artillery; their camp was a parallelogram, +about a mile in length, and half that distance in breadth, including +within its area the village of Ferozeshuhur, the shorter sides looking +towards the Sutlej and Moodkee, and the longer towards Ferozepore, and +the open country. The plains, as at Moodkee, were covered with low +jhow jungle; this added to the difficulty of the advance, which was +made in four divisions; the left wing under the direction of the +Governor-General, (Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge,) who had +volunteered his services as second in command. The force of the Sikhs +was about 35,000 men, two-thirds of whom were regular troops, with +ninety-eight guns, and another army of 23,000 regulars and sixty-seven +guns, under Tej Singh, was only ten miles distant. Upwards of one +hundred guns of the enemy, nearly one half of battering calibre, +opened a heavy cannonade, which was checked, but not silenced, by the +far less numerous artillery of the assailants.[115] In spite of this +storm of shot and shell, the infantry gallantly advanced, and boldly +carried the formidable entrenchments, throwing themselves upon the +guns, and wresting them from the enemy. These exertions, however, only +partially gained the batteries, and the soldiery had to face so hot a +fire from the Sikhs from behind their guns, that the most heroic +efforts could only succeed in carrying a portion of the entrenchment. +Darkness did not bring a total cessation of hostilities, for about the +middle of the night the Sikhs caused one of their heavy guns to bear +upon that part of the field gained, and on which the troops had +bivouacked. The gun was soon captured by the 80th. regiment;[116] but +the enemy, whenever moonlight revealed the position, still continued +to harass the troops by the fire of their artillery. + +At length the long night wore away, and with daylight of the 22nd. of +December came retribution. The infantry formed into line, supported on +both flanks by horse artillery, whilst a fire was opened from the +centre, aided by a flight of rockets. Here a masked battery played with +great effect, dismounting the pieces and blowing up the tumbrils of the +British, but at this juncture Sir Henry Hardinge placed himself at the +head of the left wing, the right being led by Sir Hugh Gough. Unchecked +by the opposing fire, the line advanced, and drove the foe rapidly out +of the village of Ferozeshah, and the encampment; then changing front to +the left, continued to sweep the camp, bearing down all opposition. +Eventually the Sikhs were dislodged from their whole position. The line +now halted, and the two brave leaders rode along its front, amid the +cheering of the soldiers and the waving of the captured standards of the +Khalsa army. Seventy-three pieces of cannon were also captured. + +The British, masters of the entire field, now assumed a position on the +ground they had so nobly won; but their labours were not ended, for in +less than two hours Sirdar Tej Singh brought up from the vicinity of +Ferozepore fresh battalions, and a large field of artillery, supported +by thirty thousand Ghorechurras, previously encamped near the river. +Driving in the cavalry parties, he made strenuous efforts to regain the +position at Ferozeshah; this attempt was defeated; but the Sirdar +renewing the contest with fresh troops, and a large artillery, commenced +the attack by a combination against the left flank; and after being +frustrated in this attempt, essayed such a demonstration against the +captured village, as compelled the British to change the whole front to +the right. Meanwhile an incessant fire was maintained by the foe without +being answered by a single shot, the artillery ammunition being +completely expended in these protracted encounters. The almost exhausted +cavalry were now directed to threaten both flanks at once, the infantry +preparing to advance in support; this soon caused the Sikhs to +discontinue firing, and to abandon the field, precipitately retreating +towards the Sutlej, large stores of grain and _matériel_ of war being +abandoned by the enemy.[117] + +It is not surprising that the British casualties were numerous; the +total loss being six hundred and ninety-four killed, and one thousand +seven hundred and twenty-one wounded. The entire staff of the +Governor-General was killed or wounded, except his son, Captain +Hardinge, who had his horse shot under him. Within thirty hours an +entrenched camp had been stormed, a general action fought, and two +considerable conflicts sustained with the enemy. Thus in less than four +days, sixty thousand Sikh soldiers, supported by upwards of one hundred +and fifty pieces of cannon, were dislodged from their position, and +received a just retribution for their treacherous proceedings, without +provocation or declaration of hostilities. + +The 3rd. Light Dragoons, 9th., 29th., 31st., 50th., 62nd., and 80th. +Foot; the 2nd. Skinner’s Horse, 8th. Bengal Irregular Cavalry, Bengal +Sappers and Miners, Royal Bengal Fusiliers; 4th., 5th., and 7th. Bengal +Infantry, took part in the battle of Ferozeshuhur. In the official +despatch there were no regiments particularized, for all were equally +exposed during this protracted conflict.[118] + + + + + BATTLE OF ALIWAL. + 28TH. JANUARY, 1846. + + +On the 16th. of January, 1846, the first brigade, with a few guns and +some native cavalry, received sudden orders to march on the following +morning in the direction of Loodiana, under the command of Major-General +Sir Harry Smith. By a forced, march on the 17th., the fort of +Dhurrumkote was surprised, and the garrison, consisting of about three +hundred men, laid down their arms, and were sent prisoners to +head-quarters. On the 20th. of the same month this division was +reinforced near the fort of Jugraon by the 16th. Lancers, the 53rd. +Foot, a detachment of recruits of the Queen’s regiments, and a troop of +horse artillery. The Major-General decided on attempting the relief of +Loodiana, which was but slightly garrisoned, and was threatened by a +large body of the enemy. The troops commenced their march about one +o’clock in the morning of the 21st.; about eleven the enemy was observed +to be drawn up, parallel with the British line of march, in a strong +position at Buddiwal, his front covered by a ridge of low sand-hills, +bristling with forty pieces of artillery, which were so placed that it +was necessary, in order to gain Loodiana, either to risk a battle to +dislodge him from a strong position,—which, with troops fatigued by a +long march, under a burning sun, and greatly inferior in numbers, would +have been a hazardous proceeding,—or to proceed along the entire front +of his position under a galling fire. + +Having a just confidence in the steadiness of his troops, Sir Harry +Smith chose the latter course. The infantry, formed in open column of +companies right in front (the grenadier company of the 31st. leading,) +and ready at any moment to form line, preceded by the artillery, and +covered by the cavalry, marched at a distance of five hundred yards, +along the front of this formidable line, receiving the fire of each +battery as it bore upon them. The Sikh position being passed, and the +enemy declining to follow, by three o’clock in the afternoon the troops +arrived at Loodiana, thus effecting the desired object. + +On the 22nd. and 23rd. the soldiers were permitted to rest themselves +after their late fatigue, and on the 24th. the enemy retired to Aliwal, +a village on the Sutlej. The British moved to the ground lately occupied +by them at Buddiwal, where they were reinforced by the second brigade of +Sir Harry Smith’s division, consisting of the 50th. Foot and 48th. +Native Infantry, with some cavalry and infantry from Loodiana. + +At daylight on the 28th. Sir Harry Smith marched with his whole force to +attack the Sirdar Runjoor Singh and the Rajah of Ladwa in their camps at +Aliwal, the enemy being drawn up in line of battle with his left resting +on the village, numbering about fifteen thousand men, with fifty-six +guns. From information afterwards received, it appeared that the Sikhs +were about to march upon Jugraon that very morning, for the purpose of +getting between Sir Harry Smith’s force and the heavy guns coming up +from Delhi under a very slender escort. The march having been previously +conducted in columns of brigades at deploying distance, each brigade +deployed on its leading company, and thus formed one long line. Abour +ten o’clock in the morning the action commenced by a heavy cannonade +from the Sikh artillery, which was principally directed on the British +centre. The village of Aliwal was filled with infantry, supported by +cavalry in the rear, and further defended by two guns on its left. + +“The enemy,” says Sir Harry Smith, “fought with much resolution, and +maintained frequent encounters with our cavalry hand to hand. In one +charge of infantry upon the 16th. Lancers, they threw away their +muskets, and came on with their swords and targets against the lance.” +But all their bravery was fruitless. The village was carried, and the +two guns were captured,[119] but the line being in consequence somewhat +disarranged, it was quickly re-formed, and advanced in excellent order, +overcoming all opposition. The attack of the enemy by the left wing was +equally successful; the line advanced, making a steady and successful +charge, and the Sikhs, being beaten in every quarter, fled towards the +river in the utmost confusion, leaving their camp, baggage, and stores, +with fifty-two pieces of artillery, as trophies in the hands of the +victors. + +The regiments engaged in this battle were the 16th. Lancers, 31st., +50th., and 53rd. Foot, 3rd. Skinner’s Horse, 1st. and 2nd. Ghoorkas, and +7th. and 13th. Bengal Infantry. + + + + + BATTLE OF SOBRAON. + 10TH. FEBRUARY, 1846. + + +Although the intelligence of the victory of Aliwal, and the sight of the +numerous bodies which floated from the vicinity of that battle-field to +the bridge of boats at Sobraon, apparently disheartened the enemy, and +caused many of them to return to their homes, yet in a few days they +appeared as confident as ever of being able in their entrenched +position, to defy the Anglo-Indian army, and to prevent the passage of +the Sutlej. + +The heavy ordnance having arrived on the 8th. of February, the day on +which the forces under Major-General Sir Harry Smith rejoined the main +body of the army, it was determined at once to storm their +entrenchments, and finally drive them out of Hindoostan. This was no +ordinary undertaking, as, from observations made during the time the +head-quarters of the army were stationed at the village of Nihalkee, it +was ascertained that the position at Sobraon was covered with formidable +entrenchments, and defended by thirty thousand of the _élite_ of the +Khalsa troops; besides being united by a good bridge to a reserve on the +opposite bank of the river, on which was stationed a considerable camp, +with artillery, which commanded and flanked the Sikh field-works on the +British side of the Sutlej. + +About daybreak on the 10th. of February, the mortars, battering guns, +and field artillery were disposed on the alluvial land, embracing within +their fire the enemy’s works. As soon as the sun’s rays cleared the +heavy mist which hung over the plain, the cannonade commenced; but +notwithstanding the admirable manner in which the guns were served, it +would have been visionary to expect that they could, within any limited +time, silence the fire of seventy pieces of artillery behind +well-constructed batteries, or dislodge troops so strongly entrenched. +It soon therefore became evident that musketry and the bayonet must +ultimately decide the contest. + +The British infantry, formed on the extreme left of the line, then +advanced to the assault, and in spite of every impediment, cleared the +entrenchments, and entered the enemy’s camp. Her Majesty’s 10th., 53rd., +and 80th. regiments, with the 33rd., 43rd., 59th., and 63rd. Native +Infantry, moving at a firm and steady pace, never fired a shot till they +had passed the barriers opposed to them, to which was attributed the +success of their first effort, and the small loss sustained by them. +When checked by the formidable obstacles and superior numbers to which +the attacking division was exposed, the second division, under +Major-General Gilbert, afforded the most opportune assistance by +advancing to the attack of the Sikh batteries, entering the fortified +position after a severe struggle, and sweeping through the interior of +the camp. A very severe loss was inflicted by this division upon the +retreating enemy. The same gallant efforts, attended by similar results, +distinguished the attack of the enemy’s left by the first division, +under Major-General Sir Harry Smith, in which the troops nobly sustained +their former reputation.[120] + +Fighting with the energy of desperation, the Sikhs even when some of +their entrenchments were mastered with the bayonet, endeavoured to +recover with the sword the positions they had lost. The cavalry under +General Sir Joseph Thackwell, rode through the openings made by the +sappers, in single file, and re-forming as they passed them, galloped on +and cut down the Sikh artillerymen at their guns. But it was not until +the weight of all three divisions of infantry, in addition to several +regiments of cavalry, and the fire of every piece of field artillery +that could be sent to their aid, had been felt, that the enemy gave way. +The Sikh regiments retreated at first in tolerable order, but the +incessant volleys soon caused them to seek safety in a rapid flight. +Masses of them precipitated themselves on their bridge, which, being +broken by the heavy fire, was incapable to sustain the multitudes +pressing forward; the sudden rise too of the Sutlej rendered the ford +almost impassable, adding another obstacle to their escape. A dreadful +carnage ensued. The stream was red with the blood of men and horses, the +bridge in many places had given way, and it is considered that at least +a third of the Sikh army perished in this battle; sixty-seven of their +guns were captured, together with two hundred camel-swivels +(zumbroorucks,)[121] numerous standards, and vast munitions of war. + +In this manner ended the battle of Sobraon; at six in the morning it +commenced; at nine it became a hand to hand conflict; and by eleven it +was gained. Major-General Sir Robert Dick, K.C.B., the former leader of +the 42nd. Royal Highlanders in Spain, fell at the moment of victory; +Brigadier Taylor, C.B., the beloved commanding officer of the second +division, was also killed. In these several battles the British loss +amounted to six thousand two hundred and seventy-two officers and men +killed and wounded. + +Of the Queen’s regiments, besides those already mentioned, the 31st. and +50th. were described in orders as having greatly distinguished +themselves. The gallant conduct of the 9th., 29th., and 62nd. regiments, +was also specially noticed, and the cavalry were not forgotten.[122] The +3rd. Light Dragoons and the 10th. especially distinguished themselves. + +The following regiments were present at this decisive victory, +namely,—3rd. Light Dragoons; 9th., and 16th. Lancers, 9th., 10th., +29th., 31st., 50th., 53rd., 62nd., and 80th. Foot; their conduct and +that of the officers received the thanks of Parliament, the 1st. Bengal +Europeans; 4th. 5th., 6th., 7th., 8th., 9th., and 26th. Bengal Native +Infantry, and 1st., and 2nd. Goorkhas. + +Ten days after the battle of Sobraon the British arrived before Lahore. +So complete was the discomfiture of the Sikhs, that no further +opposition was experienced: and on the 22nd. of February a brigade of +troops took formal possession of the palace and citadel of Lahore. A +treaty was signed on the 7th. of March, which, while it evinced the +moderation and justice of the paramount power of India, appeared +calculated to secure the frontier against similar acts of aggression. + + + + + THE PUNJAB CAMPAIGN. SIEGE OF MOOLTAN. + + +7TH. SEPTEMBER, 1848, TO 2ND. JANUARY, 1849. + +Major-General Sir John Littler had been selected to command the garrison +of about ten thousand men which had been left at Lahore, to protect the +chief sirdars from their own turbulent countrymen, while re-constructing +the government, with Sir Henry Lawrence as political Resident, and +everything appeared to be progressing in a satisfactory manner, when, in +1848, Moolraj, the Dewan of Mooltan, having apparently agreed to the +arrangement for appointing Sirdar Khan Singh his successor as governor +of that town, Mr. Vans Agnew, of the Civil Service, and Lieutenant +Anderson, of the Bombay Army, who had been sent to Mooltan to install +Khan Singh were treacherously attacked and murdered. This was followed +by a general outbreak at Lahore, and endeavours were made to expel the +British from the Punjab. In this capital Maharaj Singh, a Gooroo or +priest, raising the standard of rebellion, soon collected a numerous +body of the disbanded Sikhs, and thus prevented the British troops at +Lahore from marching against Mooltan, which was occupied by the enemy at +the commencement of hostilities. + +It was at this juncture that Lieutenant Edwardes[123] accomplished that +for which he gained such just renown. By his gallantry and judicious +skill he not only raised forces, but exerted so strong an influence that +he succeeded in holding Moolraj in check until succours could be +afforded; and having united his troops with those of Colonel Cortlandt, +several successful encounters took place with the insurgents. On June +18th., Edwardes and Cortlandt with troops consisting chiefly of Sikhs +and Mohammedans, after an action of 9 hours defeated the army of Moolraj +at Kineyree, with great loss of men and baggage; six guns also were +taken. In July they again attacked Moolraj, who with an army of eleven +thousand men had taken up a strong position at the village of Suddoosam, +and after a fierce fight of six hours drove him to seek shelter within +the walls of Mooltan. Major-General Whish arrived from Lahore on the +18th. of August, 1848, with a force of which Her Majesty’s 10th. Foot +formed part, and on the next day was joined by a column from Ferozepore, +with which was the Queen’s 32nd. regiment. The village of Ramteerut was +taken possession of on the 7th. of September, and the working parties +having made good progress, it was resolved to attack the outworks on the +12th. of that month, when Shere Singh deserted with five thousand Sikhs +to the enemy. This defection made it necessary to raise the siege on the +15th. of that month, and a position was taken up some miles distant. + +Meanwhile Lord Gough was marching into the Punjab, and the advance +force, under Brigadier-General Campbell, C.B., (afterwards Lord Clyde,) +was engaged at Ramnuggur on the 22nd. of November, 1848. Here the +gallant Brigadier-General Cureton, C.B., commanding the cavalry +division, (the flaxen haired boy of the Peninsula,) and +Lieutenant-Colonel William Havelock, K.H., were killed. The brilliant +charges of the 3rd. and 14th. Light Dragoons, and of the 5th. and 8th. +regiments of Light Cavalry, against the enemy’s horsemen, numbering +between three and four thousand men, was specially noticed in general +orders. + +This engagement was followed by the action of Sadoolapoor, on Sunday, +the 3rd. of December, 1848, by the troops under Major-General Sir Joseph +Thackwell, K.C.B., in which the 3rd. Light Dragoons, and the 24th. and +61st. regiments shared. The enemy’s loss was severe, but the British +casualties were comparatively small, amounting to only seventy-three +killed and wounded. + +A gallant and successful attack was made with little loss, on a strong +position of the enemy on the eastern side of the Grand Canal, by the +troops under Brigadier-General F. Markham, on the morning of the 7th. of +November.[124] This is known as the action of Sooroojkhund, in which the +10th. and 32nd. regiments shared, (the latter being commanded by Major +Inglis, afterwards the heroic defender of Lucknow,) when the enemy’s +strongly entrenched position was carried, and four of his guns captured +without firing a shot. + +While these events were occurring Major-General Whish renewed the siege +of Mooltan; and having been joined on the 26th. of December by Brigadier +the Honourable H. Dundas, C.B., of the 60th. Rifles, with the Bombay +column, which, in addition to native corps, comprised the 60th. Royal +Rifles, an attack was made on the entrenchments on the 27th. of +December; and the enemy being driven from the suburbs, a position was +taken up by the British within four hundred yards of the walls. The +gallantry and discipline of the 60th. Rifles were specially noticed; +they had Major Gordon killed, and Major Dennis wounded. Three companies +of the 32nd. shared in the re-occupation of the suburbs on this +occasion. + +By a shell from one of the mortars on the 30th. the principal magazine, +containing 400,000 lbs. of powder, in the citadel was blown up, +destroying the grand musjid and several houses, and costing the lives of +about eight hundred of the garrison. Nowise dismayed by this misfortune, +Moolraj refused to surrender, and continued the defence, saying he had +powder enough left to last him for twelvemonths; but breaches were +effected during the nights of the 30th. and 31st., one near the Delhi +gate, and the other near the Bohur gate. A sortie was made by the +garrison on the last day of the year, but this was repulsed by Major +Edwardes and Lieutenant Lake, the enemy being driven back with severe +loss. The place was eventually stormed in the afternoon of the 2nd. of +January, 1849. + +Colour-Sergeant John Bennett, of the 1st. Bombay Fusiliers, performed a +most gallant act. He planted the Union Jack in the crest of the breach, +standing beside it until the troops had passed. Both colour and staff +were riddled with balls. The suburbs between the Delhi gate and the left +breach were occupied by pickets from the first brigade, under Major +Dennin of the 60th. Rifles, a company of that regiment, under Captain +Douglas, being stationed in the houses opposite the breach is, the +Khoonee Boorj, to cover the advance of the storming party, and two +companies, under Captains Young and Sibthorp, to perform the same office +for the Bengal column. + +Two practicable breaches having been made, orders were issued to storm +the citadel (into which Moolraj had retired) on the 22nd.; and when the +British troops were about to commence, the Sikh chief, with the whole of +the garrison, surrendered.[125] Moolraj was subsequently tried for the +murder of Mr. Agnew and Lieutenant Anderson, but the capital sentence +was changed into imprisonment for life. This siege cost the British a +loss of nearly one thousand two hundred killed and wounded. After this +brilliant success, Major-General Whish proceeded with a considerable +portion of his troops, to join the army immediately under the command of +Lord Gough. + +The 10th., 32nd., and 60th. regiments took part in these operations. +These three regiments, after the fall of the place, proceeded to join +the army under Lord Gough, and by forced marches succeeded in being in +time to share in the final struggle at Goojerat. The Native regiments +present were—the Royal Bombay Fusiliers, 5th. Bengal Cavalry, 1st. and +2nd. Scinde Horse; 3rd., 7th., 9th., and 19th. Bombay Infantry; and +Bengal and Bombay Sappers and Miners. + + + + + BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA. + 13TH. JANUARY, 1849. + + +Lord Gough having received information on the 10th. of January of the +fall of the fortress of Attock, which had been defended for a lengthened +period, by Major Herbert, and of the advance of Chuttur Singh, in order +to unite his forces with those under his son, Shere Singh, resolved to +attempt the overthrow of the Sikh army in his front; and, accordingly, +at daylight on the morning of the 12th., moved on the Dingee from Loah +Tibba, and thence on the following morning towards the village of +Chilianwala, the army making a considerable detour to the right, partly +to distract the enemy’s attention, but chiefly with the view of keeping +as clear of the jungle as possible. The village was reached about noon, +when a strong picket of the enemy’s cavalry and infantry was discovered +on a mound close to it. This was at once dispersed, and from the +elevation was obtained a very extended view of the country and of the +enemy drawn out in order of battle.[126] The ground in front although +not a dense was still a difficult jungle; and as the day was so far +advanced, Lord Gough decided to take up a position in rear of the +village. + +While ground was being selected for the encampment the enemy advanced +some horse artillery, and opened a fire on the skirmishers in front of +the village. Orders were given for this fire to be silenced by a few +rounds from the heavy guns, which was instantly returned by that of +nearly the whole of the enemy’s field artillery, thus exposing the +position of his guns, which had hitherto been concealed by the jungle. +As it was evident that the Sikhs intended to fight, and would probably +advance their guns so as to reach the encampment during the night, the +British were at once drawn up in order of battle. After about an hour’s +fire that of the enemy appeared to be, if not actually silenced, at +least sufficiently disabled to justify an advance upon his position and +guns. + +The left division, under Brigadier-General Colin Campbell (afterwards +Lord Clyde), was then ordered to advance. This had to move over a +greater extent of ground, in front of which the foe appeared not to have +many guns. Shortly afterwards Sir Walter Gilbert was directed to +advance, Brigadier Pope being instructed to connect the flank and +support the movement. Brigadier Penny’s brigade was held in reserve, +while the Irregular Cavalry, under Brigadier Hearsey, with the 20th. +Native Infantry, was ordered to protect the provisions and baggage. + +Brigadier Pennycuick’s brigade having failed in maintaining the position +it had carried, Brigadier Penny’s reserve was ordered to support; but +Brigadier-General Colin Campbell, (to use Lord Gough’s own words,) “with +that steady coolness and military decision for which he is so +remarkable, having pushed on his left brigade and formed line to his +right, carried everything before him, and soon overthrew that portion of +the enemy which had obtained a temporary advantage over his right +brigade.” + +This last brigade mistook for the signal to move in double time the +action of their brave leaders, Brigadier Pennycuick and +Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, who waved their swords over their heads as +they cheered on their gallant troops. This unfortunate mistake caused +the Europeans to outstrip the native corps, which were unable to keep +pace, and arriving, completely blown, at a belt of very thick jungle, +got into some confusion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, heading the +24th., was killed between the Sikh guns. At this moment a numerous body +of infantry, which supported their guns, opened so destructive a fire +that the brigade was compelled to retire, but not before having lost +their gallant leader, Brigadier Pennycuick,[127] and the three other +field officers of the 24th., together with nearly half the +regiment;[128] the native corps also suffered severely. + +In the height of the conflict, from causes never satisfactorily +explained, the cavalry of Brigadier Pope’s brigade, suddenly retreated, +bursting through their own artillery in their course. They were pursued +by the Sikh horse, who charged the artillery, unable to fire without +killing their own cavalry, as friends and foes in the _mêlée_ were +intermixed. Seventy-five of the gunners were cut down, and six guns +captured by the enemy. But the reserve artillery came up, the cavalry +rallied, and the infantry standing firm, the Sikh horsemen were repulsed +with loss, and two of the guns captured retaken. + +Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, on the extreme left and rear, +charged the enemy’s cavalry wherever they shewed themselves, and the +right attack of infantry, under Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert, was +most successful, whilst the left brigade, under Brigadier Mountain, was +highly distinguished. Brigadier Godby ably supported the advance with +the right brigade.[129] + +Lord Gough remained with Brigadier-General Campbell’s division, which +had been reinforced by Brigadier Mountain’s brigade, until nearly eight +o’clock, in order to effect the bringing in of the captured +ordnance,[130] and of the wounded. + +At the close of this battle, which Havelock states:—“was the most +sanguinary, and the nearest approximation to a defeat of any of the +great conflicts of the British power in India,”—Lord Gough, for want of +water, fell back for about a mile, and took up a new position clear of +the jungle. + +The loss of the Sikhs, principally among their old and tried soldiers, +was computed at three thousand killed, and four thousand wounded. With +the exception of Sobraon, it was remarked by Lord Gough that he never +remembered seeing so many of an enemy’s slain upon the same space. The +British casualties were likewise heavy.[131] + +In this battle the “undaunted bravery” of Her Majesty’s 29th. regiment, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Congreve, was specially noticed, and the +conduct of the 61st. was equally distinguished. The regiments engaged at +Chillianwala were the 3rd. and 14th. Light Dragoons, 9th. Lancers, +24th., 29th., and 61st. Foot; Bengal Fusiliers, and 2nd. and 11th. +Bengal Native Infantry. + + + + + BATTLE OF GOOJERAT. + 21ST FEBRUARY, 1849. + + +After the battle of Chilianwala, the enemy occupied their position for +nearly a month, with the British encamped on their left flank, but on +February 12th. they quitted their entrenchments, and took up a position +between Goojerat and the Chenab, with about 61,500 men and fifty-nine +guns, under Shere Singh. It appears to have been their intention to +cross this river, and, after plundering the Rechna Doab, to have marched +to Lahore; but this was prevented by Major-General Whish, who had +detached a brigade to guard the fords above and below Wuzeerabad, in +which direction Lord Gough had moved. + +At half-past seven o’clock in the morning of the 21st. of February, the +army advanced with the precision of a parade movement. The Sikhs opened +their fire at a very long distance, which exposed to the artillery both +the position and range of their guns. For the first time the English +commander was superior in artillery to the enemy, having ninety-seven +guns, some of heavy calibre, but only 24,000 infantry. The infantry was +halted just out of fire, and the whole of the artillery were advanced, +covered by skirmishers. + +The Sikh guns were served with their accustomed rapidity, and the enemy +well and resolutely maintained his position, but the terrific force of +the British fire obliged him, after an obstinate resistance, to fall +back. The infantry were then deployed, and a general advance was +directed, the movement being covered, as before, by artillery. + +Burra Kalra, the left village of those of that name, wherein the enemy +had concealed a large body of infantry, and which was apparently the key +of their position, lay immediately in the line of Major-General Sir +Walter Gilbert’s advance, and was carried in the most brilliant style by +a spirited attack of the third brigade, under Brigadier Penny, +consisting of the 2nd. Europeans, and 31st. and 70th. regiments of +Native Infantry, which drove the enemy from their cover with great +slaughter. A very spirited and successful movement was also made about +the same time against a heavy body of troops in and about the second or +Chotah Kalra, by part of Brigadier Hervey’s brigade, most gallantly led +by Lieutenant-Colonel Franks, of the 10th. Foot. + +The heavy artillery continued to advance, taking up successive forward +positions, driving the enemy from those he had retired to, whilst the +rapid advance and beautiful fire of the horse artillery and light field +batteries, which were strengthened by bringing to the front the two +reserved troops of horse artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brind, +Brigadier Brook having the general superintendence of the whole of the +horse artillery, broke the enemy’s ranks at all points. The whole +infantry line then rapidly advanced, and drove their opponents before +it. The nullah was cleared, several villages stormed, the guns that were +in position carried, the camp captured, and the whole army of Shere +Singh routed in every direction; the right wing and Brigadier-General +Campbell’s division passing in pursuit to the eastward, and the Bombay +column to the westward of the town. + +Thus hotly pursued, the retreat of the Sikhs soon became a perfect +flight, all arms dispersing over the country, rapidly followed by the +troops for a distance of twelve miles, their track strewed with their +wounded, their weapons, and military equipments, which they threw away +to conceal that they were soldiers. + +On the left a most successful and gallant charge was made upon the +Afghan cavalry, and a large body of Goorchurras, by the Scinde horse, +and a party of the 9th. Lancers, when several standards were captured. +The 14th. Light Dragoons and the other cavalry regiments on the right, +regular and irregular, by their bold front and gallant conduct, +contributed much to the success of the day, while their conduct in +following the fugitives received high commendation. + +Thus were defeated the forces brought by the Sikhs into the field, +amongst whom were the _élite_ of the old Khalsa army. Their numbers were +estimated at sixty thousand men of all arms, and fifty-nine pieces of +artillery; under the command of Sirdar Chuttur Singh, and Rajah Shere +Singh, with a body of one thousand five hundred Afghan horse, led by +Akram Khan, son of the Ameer, Dost Mahomed Khan. For the first time had +the Sikhs and Afghans combined together, but the complete victory of +Goojerat showed the futility of the compact. + +Among the fifty-three guns captured were recovered those lost at +Ramnuggur and Chillianwala; and it was also a gratifying fact that the +casualties of the British were less than could be expected. + +For twelve miles did the exulting horsemen pursue the flying foe, and +the shades of evening were falling when they returned weary to camp. The +following morning Major-General Gilbert resumed the pursuit towards the +Jhelum, with the view of cutting off the enemy from the only practicable +gun-road to that river. Another division of infantry, under +Brigadier-General Colin Campbell, advanced on the road to Bimber, +scouring the country in that direction to prevent their carrying off +their guns by that route; and a body of cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel +Bradford, successfully pushed on several miles into the hills, +accompanied by Captain Nicholson, a most energetic political officer, +with the same object; while Lord Gough remained in possession of the +field for the purpose of supporting these operations, covering the fords +of the Chenab, and destroying the vast magazines of ammunition left +scattered in all directions. These combinations were entirely +successful, and by them the power of the Sikhs was completely broken. +The regiments which took part in this decisive victory were, the 3rd., +9th., and 14th. Light Dragoons; the 10th., 24th., 29th., 32nd., 53rd., +60th., and 61st. Foot; the 1st. and 2nd. Bengal European, 1st. Bombay +European; 1st., 5th., 6th., and 8th. Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd., 9th., +11th., and 14th. Irregular Cavalry; Scinde Horse; nine troops Horse +Artillery, four batteries Bombay Artillery; 2nd. and 11th. Bengal +Infantry, and 19th. Bombay Infantry. + +Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert, K.C.B., crossing the Jhelum on the +3rd. of March, came up with a portion of the retreating army, under +Shere Singh and Chuttur Singh, at Hoormuck, where they surrendered on +the 11th. of March; the sirdars and the remainder of his troops, +amounting to sixteen thousand men, laid down their arms at Rawul Pindee +three days afterwards. Forty-one pieces of artillery were given up, and +the Sikhs remaining, after so many fields of slaughter, being given each +a rupee, dispersed to their homes. The Afghans were energetically +pursued through Attock and Peshawur, as far as the Khyber Pass, losing +half their number in the field, and many of the remainder in their +retreat. Dost Mahomed then sued for peace, which was granted to him. + +The Duke of Wellington, then Commander-in-Chief, being dissatisfied with +the conduct of Lord Gough for incurring such heavy losses, superseded +him in his command by Sir Charles Napier, who, selected at a moment’s +notice, had proceeded to India, but found on his arrival that the +British arms had gained the ascendancy in that country, and the +consequence of Lord Gough’s crowning victory was the annexation of the +Punjab. A pension was granted to the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh; and the +celebrated diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, or Mountain of Light, taken from +Shah Sooja by Runjeet Singh, was presented to Her Majesty. + + + + + THE NEW ZEALAND MEDAL. + + +This medal was granted by a general order, March 1st., 1869, to the +troops who had been engaged in the two wars in New Zealand, during the +years 1845–47, and 1860–66. Obverse: Queen’s head, crowned and veiled; +with the inscription, “Victoria, D.G. Britt. Reg. F.D.”; reverse: a +laurel wreath, within which is engraved the years during which the +recipient served, with the words “New Zealand” above and “Virtutis +Honor” below. No clasp issued. Ribbon: dark blue, with broad red stripe +in the centre. Given to both services. Some of the medals were issued +without dates on the reverse, but most with dates varying from 1845 to +1847, and from 1860 to 1866. + +[Illustration: + + The New Zealand Medal. +] + + + + + THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND WAR. + 1845–7. + + +The first actual British settlement in New Zealand was made in 1839, and +in the following year the first Governor, Captain Hobson, concluded the +Treaty of Waitangi with the native chiefs, by which the sovereignty of +the Islands was ceded to Great Britain. Until 1841 all the settlements +in New Zealand were under the Sydney Government, but in that year the +three Islands were constituted an independent colony, with Auckland for +the capital. As the settlers increased, disputes arose between them and +the natives, about the possession of lands; which the settlers asserted +they had purchased, but to which the natives held they had no claim +whatever. These contentions and quarrels were intensified by the +ignorance of both races of the customs and modes of procedure of each +other, as well as by the irregular manner land was bought and sold. In +June, 1843, these disputes culminated in a conflict in the Wairau +Valley, in the province of Nelson; where two chiefs, who had resisted +the survey of their lands, defeated a party sent to arrest them, headed +by the Police Magistrate, killing him and twenty-one settlers in the +fray, or in the general massacre of prisoners which followed it. This +disastrous repulse destroyed the prestige of the English, and the +natives began to boast that they had the settlers at their mercy. +Troops, however, arrived from Australia, the affair was smoothed over, +and for some months peace was undisturbed. Trouble then arose in the +northern Island; a powerful chief, called Hone Heke, who had been +educated by the missionaries, with many of his countrymen, grew +discontented with the customs duties, the high price of tobacco and +blankets, and the absence of the usual whale ships at the town of +Kororareka (now Russell), near which he was residing. Considering that +the British flag, which waved on the hill above the town, represented +the power which fettered the trade and kept away the whalers, and having +a grudge against some of the inhabitants, Heke, on July 8th., 1844, +assembled his men, danced the war-dance at Kororareka, cut down and +burned the flag-staff, plundered several stores, and took possession of +the town for several days. A proclamation was issued by the Governor, +offering £100 for the capture of Heke, who replied by offering a similar +reward for the Governor’s (Captain Fitzroy) head. H.M.S. “Hazard,” with +a detachment of the 96th regiment was sent to Kororareka, the flag-staff +was re-erected, and troops stationed to guard it. As Heke threatened the +flag-staff should not remain, Captain Robertson landed from the “Hazard” +with a gun, a blockhouse was constructed, the inhabitants aroused, and +the town put in a state of defence. At daybreak on March 11th., 1845, +the handful of men guarding the flag-staff were surprised by Heke, and +the staff again cut down. At the same time Captain Robertson was +attacked by two hundred natives, under a chief called Kawiti, and after +a sharp skirmish was compelled to spike his gun and fall back to a +fortified house near the beach. Aided by the guns of the “Hazard,” the +soldiers and inhabitants defended themselves for three hours against the +attacks of the natives, till their magazine exploded. During a truce, +asked by the enemy to carry off their killed and wounded, it was +resolved to abandon the settlement, and the soldiers, with the whole of +the inhabitants, embarking on board the “Hazard,” and other ships which +were lying in the Bay, sailed for Auckland. The town was then plundered +and burnt. + +Reinforcements arriving from Sydney, an expedition, under Colonel Hulme, +96th. Regiment, was despatched to Kororareka, which landed without +opposition, re-hoisted the British flag, and proclaimed martial law. +Heke having taken up a fortified position at Okaihau, a place about +eighteen miles inland, a force, consisting of the 58th Regiment, under +Major Bridge, a detachment of the 96th., some seamen and marines from +H.M. Ships “North Star” and “Hazard,” in all about four hundred men, +under Colonel Hulme, with about the same number of native allies, set +out to attack him. Most of the road lay through a forest; it took four +days to reach the fortification, or “pa,” during which time the rain +fell in torrents. Each soldier carried five days’ biscuit and thirty +rounds of ammunition, and, being without tents, two-thirds of the +ammunition and all the biscuits were unfit for use on arriving at +Okaihau. The “pa” was found to be too strong to be taken without +artillery, and after a fruitless assault, and repulse of a sally made by +the natives, the troops returned to the ships, with a loss of fourteen +killed and thirty-nine wounded. + +More troops having arrived from Australia, another expedition was formed +against Heke, who now occupied a stronghold at Oheawai, a place nineteen +miles inland from the Bay of Islands. It was composed of the 58th. +Regiment, under Major Bridge, detachments of the 96th. and 99th. +Regiments, thirty men from H.M.S. “Hazard” and eighty volunteers from +Auckland, the whole numbering six hundred and thirty men, with four +guns, and about two hundred and fifty natives, commanded by Colonel +Despard, of the 99th. On June 23rd. the force was before Oheawai, a pa +ninety yards by fifty, with projecting flanks, surrounded by three rows +of palisades, between which was a ditch five feet deep, with traverses +and loopholes. On each side of the pa was a ravine with woody hills, and +the adjacent country was thickly covered with trees. Next day the guns +proved to be useless against the stockades, though at last fired at a +range of eighty yards, but Commander Johnstone, of H.M.S. “Hazard,” +bringing up a thirty-two pounder, two breaches were made, and Colonel +Despard ordered an assault. The assault was made on July 1st., by one +hundred and sixty soldiers, under Major Bridge, and forty seamen and +volunteers, under Lieutenant Philpotts, R.N., who bravely strove to +enter the place under a heavy fire, but the inner palisade being +unbroken, the party was forced to retire, with two officers and half +their number killed and wounded. Among the killed were Captain Grant of +the 58th., and Lieutenant Philpotts,[132] R.N., son of the Bishop of +Exeter. + +The troops remained in front of the pa for some days, and were preparing +for another assault, but in the night of July 10th. the enemy abandoned +their position, which was then taken by the British, and the palisades +destroyed. + +After this the war languished for some months, till Capt. (afterwards +Sir George) Grey, replaced Captain Fitzroy as Governor, in November, +when more active measures were taken. The new Governor gave the two +chiefs, Heke and Kawiti, a fixed time to decide for peace or war, and +this expiring without any satisfactory answer from either of them, +Colonel Despard was ordered to renew hostilities. The enemy being in +want of food, divided their forces, Heke remaining at a position he had +fortified at Ikorangi, ten miles from Oheawai, while Kawiti fortified +and garrisoned a place called Ruapekapeka, on the side of a hill in a +forest. The English troops comprised the 58th. Regiment, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, with detachments of the 99th., Royal +Artillery, East India Company’s Artillery, Royal Marines, and +volunteers, under Captain Atkins with a brigade of three hundred and +sixteen seamen from H.M.S. “Castor,” “North Star,” and “Racehorse,” and +the E.I.C.’s ship “Elphinstone”; and a body of natives, with their +chiefs, Walker, Nene, Repa, and Macquarrie. The whole force amounted to +one thousand one hundred and seventy-three Europeans, and four hundred +and fifty natives, with three thirty-two pounders, one eighteen-pounder, +and seven brass guns and rocket tubes. The enemy had improved in the art +of fortification, and Ruapekapeka was found a much stronger place than +Oheawai. The “pa” measured about one hundred and seventy yards by +seventy, well flanked at the sides and angles, surrounded by two rows of +palisades with a ditch between them, with the earth thrown up behind to +form an inner parapet, and inside were huts with underground +excavations. On December 31st. the British opened fire from all their +guns in position and continued it till January 2nd., when the enemy made +a sally which was repulsed. On the 10th. two breaches were made in the +stockade, and the defenders losing heart began to retire. Next day some +of the native allies finding the “pa” almost deserted, crept up to the +palisades, and supported by a detachment of the 58th. Regiment, under +Captain Denny, rushed through the breaches, and the place was taken and +destroyed, with a loss to the victors of thirteen men killed and thirty +wounded. + +This virtually finished the war. Heke was occupied at Ikorangi by a +feigned attack made by Macquarrie, and after the capture of Ruapekapeka, +his followers, and those of Kawiti, began to disperse, and both chiefs +were anxious for pardon and peace. This was granted to them by the +Governor, in January, 1846, and the war in the North Island was at an +end. + +While these events were occurring in the North Island, a harassing +series of surprises and skirmishes was carried on in the southern. On +May 16th., 1847, a party of the 58th. Regiment, under Lieutenant Page, +stationed at Boulcott’s Farm, were surprised an hour before daylight, +and six men killed and four wounded.[133] After a skirmish or two, Major +Last, with a detachment of the 99th. Regiment, attacked a stockade held +by Rangihaeata, the chief of the insurgents in the Southern Island, and +was so far successful that the natives abandoned the position, and were +pursued and dispersed by parties of soldiers, militia, and police. A +determined attack was made on May 19th., on the settlement of Wanganui +by six hundred of the enemy, which was defended by one hundred and +seventy men of the 58th. Regiment, in three block houses, aided by a +gunboat on the river. The attack lasted five hours, in spite of a +constant fire of shot and shell, but in the night the enemy decamped, +dispirited by their losses. + +In the beginning of June they again appeared in force, attacked a party +of the 65th. Regiment, and a day or two after approaching near the block +houses, challenged the soldiers to come out and fight. On the 19th. the +troops made a sally, and drove the enemy into the bush, and on the 23rd. +they sent in a flag of truce and stated their wish for peace. While the +war lasted they were deprived of their usual supplies of tobacco, +blankets, tea, and other things which had become necessary to them, and +their privations disgusted them with a contest by which nothing could be +gained. + +On the 21st. of February, 1848, the principal chiefs met Governor Grey, +at Wanganui; stolen cattle were restored, the natives paid for the lands +in dispute by the Government, a general pardon granted, and peace +concluded. For their services in this war, Captain Sir E. Home, R.N., +Captain Graham, R.N., Colonel Despard, 99th. Regiment, and +Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, 58th. Regiment, were made Commanders of the +Order of the Bath. + + + + + THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND WAR. + 1860–66. + + +The long and desultory second war in New Zealand, lasting with an +interval of peace for some months, from 1860 to 1866, arose like the +first, from disputes with the natives concerning the sale and possession +of land. All the members of each tribe looked upon the land they +occupied as their hereditary property, and if the consent of the whole +tribe was not given to the sale and transfer, they considered the +proceeding invalid and worthless. In the year 1861, the sale of land to +the settlers provoked the natives of Taranaki to take up arms in defence +of what they imagined to be their rights, and the conflict eventually +spread over the greater part of the North Island. The Maoris proved +themselves to be no despicable antagonists; they were well-armed with +double-barrelled guns and rifles, and skilled in their use, and in +bush-fighting; so that the heavily equipped British soldiers found it no +easy task to subdue such wily and active enemies. They were also +extremely skilful in the construction of rifle-pits and fortified “pas,” +which were often so strongly palisaded and entrenched as to be almost +impregnable, even to artillery. + +At the beginning of the struggle the British troops in New Zealand were +but very few in number, and till reinforcements arrived it was as much +as they could do to maintain their ground. + +After some skirmishes, an attack on the Maories at Taranaki, June 13th., +1860, was repulsed with heavy loss to the assailants, but reinforcements +were despatched from Australia, under Major-General Pratt, who defeated +the enemy at Mahoetaki, on November 6th. A chain of redoubts was thrown +up to keep the natives in check, and to protect the town of New +Plymouth, and these being occupied by detachments of different +regiments, almost daily skirmishes took place with the enemy. A +detachment of the 40th. Regiment was stationed in Redoubt No. 7, on the +river Waitara, and on March 18th. a party, under Capt. Richards, was +sent out to discover the Maories, who were known to be lurking in the +bush, which about a thousand yards from the redoubt was in its primitive +condition. The open space was crossed without opposition, but as soon as +the detachment entered the bush, they were received with a heavy fire +from unseen foes. Captain Richards ordered his men to extend in +skirmishing order, and return the fire, which had little effect on their +concealed opponents, by whose deliberate aim several of the soldiers +fell killed and wounded. Lieutenant Rees, the second in command, seized +the rifle of one of the fallen men, and encouraged his men by his +example to keep up a steady fire. In a few minutes the lieutenant fell +wounded, but Sergeant Lucas came to his assistance and sent him to the +rear, while he himself with two men only that remained unwounded in that +part of the field, took shelter behind a tree, and by the spirited fire +they maintained, kept the enemy at bay, amid showers of bullets which +flew on every side of them, till they were rescued by a party from the +redoubt, under Lieutenants Gibson and Whelan, at whose approach the +Maories fled. For his gallant behaviour on this occasion Sergeant Lucas +obtained the Victoria Cross. The natives having previously experienced +several defeats, were convinced of the futility of further resistance, +and this was the last affair in the Taranaki war. Next day, March 19th., +1861, witnessed a general surrender, and the establishment of peace. + +Unfortunately the embers of discord still smouldered, and the hoped-for +peace proved to be but a lengthened truce. On May 4th., 1863, +hostilities were resumed by an attack made by the natives on a military +escort, who were fired upon from the bush, and eight of their number +killed. In consequence of this, an encounter took place at Kuitkara, in +which twenty-four Maories were slain, and the province of Auckland +became again the scene of war. + +The Maories having chosen one of their chiefs to be king, prior to the +beginning of the war, now asserted their intention of driving the +settlers out of the North Island; while General Duncan Cameron, +Commander-in-Chief, by a proclamation declared all natives in arms, +rebels, if they did not surrender in a week. The result of this was, +that they retired with their goods to a place called Kohewa, and taking +up a strongly fortified position at Roherea, a mountainous ridge, two +miles from Kohewa, and near the Waikato river, set the General at +defiance. Here Cameron attacked them; and under a hot fire carried their +rifle-pits, and drove the Maories into the adjacent swamps. + +Previous to this, Volunteers, or Militia, had been raised among the +colonists, four thousand of whom took up arms in defence of their homes, +and redoubts had been erected for the defence of Auckland and other +towns. + +In September, a detachment of the 65th. Regiment was stationed at Fort +Alexandra, in the neighbourhood of Cameron Town, when news reached the +fort, that Mr. Armitage, a magistrate living near, and a number of +friendly natives had been massacred by the enemy. Captain Swift, in +command of the detachment, with Lieutenant Butler, Sergt. McKenna, and a +party of about fifty men, started into the bush in pursuit of the foe. +They crossed swamps and forded rivers, till they suddenly found +themselves exposed in the bush to a heavy fire on both sides. Captain +Swift and Lieutenant Butler were mortally wounded, and the command of +the party devolved on Sergeant McKenna, to whose coolness and +intrepidity the party owed its safety. The skirmish was kept up till +nightfall, when the little band—several of them wounded—began their +retreat, through ten miles of swamp and bush, in the face of three +hundred savages, thirsting for their blood. After a harassed night +march, and more than once losing their path, about eight in the morning +they met a party of their comrades, under Colonel Murray, coming to +their assistance, and were in safety. + +For his intrepid behaviour, Sergeant McKenna received the Victoria Cross +and a Commission. Corporal Ryan, who with four privates had remained +with the wounded officers till they died, and fortunately escaped in +safety at the break of day, also received the Cross, and the four +privates the medal for distinguished conduct in the field. + +This affair was followed by some unimportant skirmishes, in one of +which, at Pontoko, October 2nd., Ensign Down and Drummer Stagpoole, of +the 57th. Regiment, gained the Victoria Cross, for bringing in a wounded +man, under a heavy fire at close range. + +The enemy having retired to a strong “pa” they had erected on an +eminence at Rangariri, midway between the Waikato and a lake, on +November 20th, after a bombardment lasting an hour and a half, the +position was attacked by a force of regular troops—artillerymen, seamen, +and militia—about one thousand in all, commanded by General Cameron. The +outer works and rifle-pits were soon carried, but the stormers on +finding stronger defences still in front of them, hesitated, and fell +back before the fire of the enemy. The militia, though encouraged by +their officers, who placed themselves in the front, remained immoveable, +but the small body of Royal Artillery—about fifty all told—armed with +swords and revolvers, at a word from the General, headed by their +Colonel—Mercer—rushed forward, and gained the parapet of the “pa,” when +their gallant leader fell mortally wounded, and his brave handful of +gunners were repulsed. Two or three of his men in the attempt to rescue +him were shot down, when Surgeon W. Temple, R.A., went to his assistance +and dressed his wound, under showers of bullets, at the risk of his own +life. His noble conduct was witnessed by General Cameron, who +recommended him for the Victoria Cross, which he obtained. + +A body of seamen, commanded by Commander Mayne, of H.M.S. “Eclipse,” +next endeavoured to carry the position, but were also repulsed, and an +attempt made to dislodge the enemy with hand-grenades failed. Luckily +the Maories felt that they had had enough, and at dawn next day they +hoisted a white flag and surrendered. One hundred and eighty Maories +were taken in the “pa,” and forty-five were found there dead. The loss +of the assailants were six officers killed and nine wounded, and one +hundred and twenty men killed and wounded, made up the roll of +casualties. This affair however produced the surrender of the Maori +King, on December 9th., but the war still continued. + +A native stronghold at Rangiawhia was attacked and captured February +21st., 1864. On the 2nd. of April another fortified “pa” at Orakau was +taken by assault, by a force commanded by Major-General Carey, after +three days’ investment; and then for several weeks the Maories, without +interruption by the military, occupied themselves in the erection of a +most formidable “pa” at Tauranga. It was built on the highest part of a +narrow neck of land, well palisaded, and further defended by an +entrenched line of rifle-pits. On both sides were swamps extending to +the water, so that it was secure from a flank attack, and was named the +Gate Pa. On the 28th. of April, General Cameron, after a reconnaissance +of the entrenchments, made preparations for an attack. The forces at his +disposal were the 43rd. and 68th. Regiments, detachments of the 14th., +65th., and 70th., Regiments, a Naval Brigade of over three hundred men +from the squadron of Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, and a detachment of Royal +Artillery, amounting to nearly one thousand seven hundred men of all +ranks, with six Armstrong guns, two howitzers, and eight mortars. The +intention of the General being to cut off the retreat of the enemy, +after dark a feigned attack was made on the front of his position, while +the 68th. Regiment, with some seamen, picked their way through the +swamp, and before morning were posted in the rear of the “pa.” The +Artillery opened fire soon after daybreak on the 29th., and continued +with little intermission till about four p.m., when, the pallisades +being almost destroyed and a practicable breach made, the assault was +ordered. One hundred and fifty of the 43rd., with the same number of +seamen and Marines, led by Commander Hay, of H.M.S. “Harrier” formed the +assaulting column under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Booth, of the +43rd. The remainder of the 43rd., with a body of seamen and Marines, +formed the reserve. Commander Hay led the stormers, who, with a ringing +cheer, crossed the ditch, mounted the embankment, and rushed through the +breach into the “pa,” and, as only a few straggling shots were heard, +the troops outside thought the place was won and the enemy beaten; when +all at once a tremendous fire of musketry accompanied with savage yells, +broke out in the interior of the entrenchment, and after a fierce +conflict of a few minutes, during which Colonel Booth, Commander Hay, +and Captain Glover fell mortally wounded, and almost every officer of +the column was killed or disabled; the storming party was seen pouring +out through the breach in utter confusion. Captain Hamilton at once led +on the supports, but fell shot through the head, the supports became +mixed with the fugitives, and in spite of the exertions of the officers, +the whole body hotly fired on by the enemy, fell back to the nearest +cover.[134] Darkness had now set in, but the troops lay on their arms in +their entrenchment, within a hundred yards of the enemy, furious at +their repulse and fully determined to conquer or die on the morrow. +During the night, which was wet and dark, the enemy evacuated the “pa,” +and stealing in small parties through the swamps eluded the vigilance of +the 68th.; and in the early morning Major Greaves, of the 70th., +creeping up to the breach found the stronghold silent and deserted. +Colonel North[135] and a few privates were found still alive, and to the +credit of the enemy they had not been ill treated during the night, nor +had the bodies of the slain been mutilated. In this sad affair seven +officers of the 43rd. Regiment were killed, or died of their wounds, and +the Naval Brigade had four officers and forty seamen and Marines killed +and wounded. + +When Commander Hay fell, mortally wounded, Samuel Mitchell, captain of +the foretop of H.M.S. “Harrier,” refused to leave his dying officer, +though ordered by him to leave him and look after his own safety. He +raised the commander in his arms, and carried him outside the “pa” +amidst a shower of bullets, and for his gallant conduct deservedly +obtained the Victoria Cross. Surgeon Manly, R.A., also gained the same +distinction for attending to the wounded under a heavy fire. + +The day after the affair at Gate “pa,” a redoubt at Sentry Hill, +Taranaki, held by a detachment under the command of Major Shortt, of the +57th. Regiment, was attacked by a strong body of Maories, who were +repulsed with heavy loss. + +Some weeks later, it being known that the natives were gathering in +force, and engaged in the construction of another stronghold at Te +Ranga, a place about four miles from Gate “pa,” Colonel Green, +commanding the troops at Tauranga, marched with the 43rd. and part of +the 68th. Regiment, against the enemy, whom he found strongly posted in +a chain of rifle-pits, the commencement of a formidable “pa.” After a +smart skirmish for about two hours, being reinforced by the Waikato +Militia, the advance was sounded, and the pits carried by storm in the +most dashing manner.[136] For a few minutes the Maories fought +desperately, but were utterly routed, and pursued for several miles. As +usual, their situation was favourable for their retreat, otherwise few +would have escaped. On the following day the bodies of one hundred and +eight of the enemy were found and buried in their own rifle-pits, but +many more were killed and remained in the ravines. Among the slain were +several powerful chiefs, one of whom, Rawhiri, was the leader at Gate +“pa.” The British loss was small, ten men killed and thirty-three +wounded, considering the heavy fire they were exposed to in advancing to +the attack. + +During the following month, many of the natives laid down their arms and +surrendered; and on August 6th., 1864, most of the chiefs proffered +their unconditional submission to the government: yet the war still +lingered on. In January, 1865, the natives made a daring attack on the +British camp at Nukumaru, and suffered a severe repulse; and in the +month of July following, a force under the command of Lieut.-Colonel +Trevor, consisting of detachments of the 14th. and 18th. regiments, some +colonial troops, and a body of friendly natives, captured the Wereroa +“pa,”—an exceedingly strong position occupied by the Maories, about +three hundred feet above the wooded banks of the Waitotara river, +surrounded by precipices and swamps. + +During the years 1865–66, the war was mostly confined to the West Coast. +In January of the latter year a strong “pa” at Pretahi was captured, and +the Otapawa “pa” was stormed by the 57th. regiment, with the loss of +Lieut.-Colonel Hassard and many brave men; but the contest dwindled to a +fitful series of unimportant skirmishes, and the capture and destruction +of “pas” and villages. After the year 1866, the struggle was carried on +by the colonial forces, commanded by Colonel Whitmore, who had been +military secretary to General Cameron (afterwards General Sir George +Whitmore, K.C.M.G.), who in January, 1869, finally crushed the last +Maori outbreak. + +At the end of the year 1864, the colonial ministry had requested the +home government to withdraw the imperial troops, and to allow them +complete responsibility, but it was not till January, 1870, that the +last British regiment, the 18th., left the colony. The same year the +long and harassing war was brought to a close, and a durable peace +established. + +The regiments engaged in the New Zealand War of 1845–47 were the 58th., +65th., 96th., and 99th. Foot; and in the war of 1860–66 the 1st. +Battalion, 12th. Regiment; 2nd. Battalion, 14th. Regiment; 2nd. +Battalion, 18th. Regiment; and the 40th., 43rd., 50th., 57th., 65th., +68th., and 70th. Regiments. + + + + + THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL. + + +Since the publication of the first edition of this work, the medal +granted for the “Second Burmese War, 1852–3,” and the war with Persia, +1856–7, has been designated the “Indian General Service Medal,” and is +now always given as a reward for the almost perpetual expeditions[137] +against the native tribes on the frontiers of India, and in adjoining +territories. The medal, designed by L. C. Wyon, was first issued in +1854, with a clasp “Pegu,” to commemorate the services against the +Burmese in 1852–3; and was also given for the Persian campaign, 1856–57, +with clasp “Persia.” By a general order, July 1, 1869, the medal with a +clasp inscribed “North West Frontier,” was granted for services on the +North West Frontier of India, dating from 1849 to 1863. On the obverse +of this medal is the diademed head of the Queen, with the legend +“Victoria Regina.” On the reverse is a figure of Victory crowning a +seated classic warrior with a laurel wreath. In the exergue is the lotus +flower, but neither legend nor date. Ribbon: alternate stripes of +crimson and blue. The name and regiment, or ship, are indented on the +edge of the medal. + +[Illustration: + + The Indian General Service Medal. +] + +Generally, but not invariably, where the recipient had served in two +or more expeditions, and had previously gained the medal, a bar or +clasp only was added to those already worn, instead of giving another +medal; but subsequent to 1876 instances occur of men having two +medals, with bars for different campaigns. Since 1869, by a series of +general orders, twelve bars have been issued with this medal, +inscribed—“Umbeyla,”—“Bhootan,”—“Looshai,”—“Perak,”—“Jowaki, +1877–8”—“Naga,”—“Burma, 1885–7”—“Sikkim, 1888”—“Hazara, 1888”—“Burma, +1887–89”—“Chin-Lushai, 1889–90”—“Samana, 1891”—the medal in all cases +being the same. + + + + + SECOND BURMESE WAR. + 1852–53. + + +The King of Ava having refused redress for injuries inflicted on British +subjects at Rangoon, in violation of the treaty of Yandaboo, concluded +at the termination of the first Burmese war, after an ineffectual +attempt at negociation, hostilities commenced. Troops were collected +from Bengal and Madras, and placed under the command of Major-General +Godwin, who had borne a prominent part in the first war with Ava. The +Queen’s regiments which formed part of the force were the 18th., 51st., +and 80th.,[138] and a naval squadron, under the command of Commodore +Lambert, consisting of H.M.S. “Fox” (40), “Serpent” (16), “Rattler” +(11), “Hermes” (6), “Salamander” (6), and a gunboat, with thirteen +vessels of the East Indian Company and Uncovenanted Service, took a very +active part in the operations, afloat and ashore. + +Major-General Godwin embarked with the force under his command on the +28th. of March, 1852, and three days afterwards the destruction of the +stockades on the banks of the river Irrawaddy was effected. The next +service was the attack and capture of Martaban, on the 5th. of April, in +which portions of the 18th. and 80th. shared. Captain Campbell commanded +the wing of the 18th., and Major Lockhart that of the 80th. Captain +Gillespie, in command of the grenadiers of the former regiment was first +on the walls, and the soldier following him received three wounds. About +seven o’clock in the morning the troops landed, and the storming party +was soon under the walls and over them, when Lieutenant-Colonel +Reignolds at once took possession, after some skirmishing, of the pagoda +on the height, and by eight o’clock a.m. Martaban was won. The storming +party from the 80th. was commanded by Captain Christie of that regiment. + +At this period the Madras division (comprising the 51st. regiment) had +not arrived at Rangoon, but by the 7th. of April it reached the +rendezvous at the mouth of the Rangoon river, and on the 11th. (Sunday) +Rangoon was bombarded. The ships silenced and destroyed the stockades at +the mouth of the river, and Commander Tarleton of the “Fox” landed with +a party of seamen and marines, spiked the guns and destroyed their +ammunition. At daybreak on the following morning the troops commenced +landing. They had not proceeded far when some guns were opened on the +British, and shortly afterwards skirmishers showed themselves in the +jungle. This was a new mode of fighting with the Burmese, as no instance +occurred in the former war of their attacking the flanks or quitting +their stockades. Now they were not only good shots, but bold in their +operations, and clever in selecting their ground and covering +themselves. A strong outwork named the White House Redoubt was +assaulted; the storming party, of which four companies of the 51st. +Light Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel St. Maur, formed part, carried +the stockade, but in consequence of the intense heat of the sun, which +occasioned the death of two officers, it was not until the 14th. of +April that the fortified town and pagoda of Rangoon were stormed and +captured. A Naval Brigade of one hundred and twenty men, under +Lieutenant Dorville of the “Fox,” served on shore with the troops, and +worked a battery of heavy guns. + +The 80th. and 18th. formed the advance, and the 51st., under Major +Errington, Colonel St. Maur having been compelled to quit the field from +a stroke of the sun, were in reserve. After an advance for about a mile +the ground became very difficult, barely admitting of the 80th. and +18th. occupying it in close order. The troops also suffered from a heavy +fire, when an immediate assault was determined upon. The storming party +was formed of a wing of the 80th., under Major Lockhart, two companies +of the 18th., under Lieutenant Hewitt, and two companies of the 40th. +Bengal Native Infantry, under Lieutenant White, the whole commanded by +Lieutenant-Colonel Coote, of the Royal Irish; Captain Latter, +accompanying the party to show the road. Captain J. Wood, who was +specially mentioned, commanded the 18th. regiment. The golden pagoda—a +most sacred temple—was soon carried, and all the country fell with it, +the once strong post of Kemmendine having been abandoned and destroyed. + +During the attack and storming of Rangoon, on the 11th., 12th., and +14th. of April, the British had two officers and fifteen men killed, and +fourteen officers and one hundred and eighteen men wounded. The +casualties in the fleet were seventeen. + +General Godwin and Commodore Lambert in May planned an attack on +Bassein, one of the three chief ports of Burmah; and the two commanders, +with four steamers of the East India Company, having on board about +eight hundred men, proceeded to carry their design into execution. On +May 18th. the squadron anchored in front of the town, and the troops +landed under cover of the guns. + +Major Errington with his force, of which four hundred of the 51st. +formed a portion, advanced on the chief pagoda and carried it in grand +style: the citadel, a strong mud fort, was next assaulted by a company +of the 51st. and two of the Madras Native Infantry, under Captains Rice +and Borthwick. Captain Rice, whilst gallantly leading his company, was +shot through the lower part of the neck, when his place was taken by +Lieutenant Carter, who, followed by his men, was the first on the +parapet; here he was struck down by a musket-ball, and rolled over the +exterior slope, but still insisted upon being carried into the work. +Although the defence was obstinate, yet in forty minutes after the +landing, the whole of the works were in possession of the British. +Eighty cannon and wall pieces were captured, and the stockades burnt. +This dashing operation occasioned the officers and men of Captain Rice’s +company to be specially thanked in orders. Major Errington, who +commanded the troops, was wounded. After leaving a garrison in Bassein +the remainder of the troops returned to Rangoon. + +Martaban was attacked by a Burmese force of upwards of one thousand men +on the 26th. of May, but they were gallantly repulsed by the garrison, +consisting of the 49th. Madras Native Infantry, under Major Hall. The +51st. regiment, which had been sent to reinforce the garrison, assisted +in driving back the enemy from the stockade, and pursued him some +distance. + +During the middle of September, the 18th. and 80th. regiments embarked +at Rangoon for Prome, and arrived there on the morning of the 9th. of +October. The troops were landed in the evening in a suburb to the north +of and beyond the town. As they advanced towards the position selected +for the night, a very smart fire of musketry and jingalls was +simultaneously opened from some jungle and houses on the British left, +and a small pagoda in the front. The grenadiers of the 80th. under +Captain Christie, and two companies of the same regiment under Captain +Welsh, accompanied by Brigadier Reignolds, Lieutenant-Colonel of the +18th. regiment, in a short time most gallantly drove the enemy from +their position. The remainder of the troops were landed on the following +morning, when the place was found evacuated by the Burmese. Thus the +important city of Prome was gained, with the small loss of one killed +and eight wounded. + +Captain Loch, H.M.S. “Winchester,” subsequently destroyed several strong +fortifications in the neighbourhood of Prome. One at Akouktoung, armed +with five guns and garrisoned by four hundred men, completely commanded +the river, being situated on a hill three hundred feet high. Captain +Loch with eighty men scaled the hill overgrown with jungle, the enemy +fled, and the battery was taken and demolished. + +On Sunday, the 21st. of November, Pegu was attacked by a force under +Brigadier Mc.Neill, of the Madras Army, composed of the 1st. Bengal +Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Tudor, three hundred; 1st. Madras +Fusiliers, Major Hill, three hundred; 5th. Madras Native Infantry, Major +Shubrick, four hundred; seventy Sappers; and thirty-two Artillery. The +morning was foggy, and the Burmese were taken by surprise. They +retreated to the pagoda, but after some sharp fighting were driven out, +and the city captured. It had been taken by a handful of soldiers and +seamen under Commander Tarleton three months before, but the force being +too small to occupy the place returned to Rangoon. + +When the news of the capture of this city was received at Calcutta, a +proclamation was issued annexing the whole province of Pegu to the +British territories. + +On the 8th. of December the enemy attacked Prome in force, but were +repulsed with loss; the engagement lasted from midnight until four +o’clock in the morning of the 9th. The 51st. shared in this action. + +The small garrison left in Pegu was constantly harassed by the attacks +of the Burmese army, encamped at a short distance, which were gallantly +repulsed by Major Hill, of the Madras Fusiliers. A reinforcement of +twelve hundred men left Rangoon on the 11th. of December, and arrived at +Pegu on the 14th; when, after a toilsome march through a close country +without a road, and an attack from a large body of skirmishers, the +relief was effected. A further advance into the country, with a view to +bring on a general action, was made on the 17th., and an attack +subsequently ensued, when the Burmese rapidly abandoned their entrenched +position and took to flight; after a further march of two days, the +enemy avoiding a general engagement, the state of the commissariat +forced the British general to return to Pegu, and subsequently to Prome. + +An expedition proceeded under Brigadier-General Sir John Cheape, K.C.B., +to the Donabew district of Pegu, in order to reduce the stronghold of +Myat-toon, a robber-chief. The force was actively engaged on the 17th., +18th., and 19th. of March, 1853; after a severe struggle of four hours’ +duration the place was stormed and destroyed. The left wing was +commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sturt, of the 67th. Bengal Native +Infantry, and the right wing by Major Wigstone, of the 18th. Royal +Irish, who was severely wounded. The total loss amounted to twenty-two +killed, and one hundred and eight wounded, fourteen being officers. The +casualties sustained by the 18th., 51st., and 80th. regiments, amounted +to thirteen killed and sixty-five wounded. + +A short time before, a combined naval and military force, commanded by +Captain Loch, of about five hundred men with three guns, had been +repulsed with loss, in an attempt to dislodge this freebooter. In this +affair, Lieutenant Kennedy, H.M.S. “Fox,” and Captain Price of the 67th. +Bengal Infantry were killed, and Captain Loch mortally wounded. + +On the 30th. of June, 1853, the termination of the war was officially +announced, and although the king of Ava refused to sign a formal treaty +of peace, yet as all the concessions demanded were agreed to, the +Governor-General proclaimed that hostilities would not be resumed so +long as the British possession of Pegu remained undisputed. All the +captives in Ava were released, and the navigation of the Irrawaddy was +declared to be free for the purposes of trade between the two countries. + +The British regiments that took part in this war were the 18th., 51st., +and 80th. Foot, also the men of the Naval Brigade. + + + + + THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN. + 1856–1857. + + +A rupture occurred with Persia, in consequence of that power having +taken possession of Herat on the 25th. of October, and war was declared +on the 1st. November following. An expedition accordingly proceeded to +the Persian Gulf, under Major-General Stalker, C.B., and the Island of +Karrack was taken formal possession of on the 3rd. of December without +opposition. The troops landed on the 7th. at Ras Halala, about fifteen +miles below Bushire, and two days afterwards stormed the position at the +old Dutch fort of Reshire, which was taken, the place being carried at +the point of the bayonet.[139] The casualties were principally confined +to the officers, amongst whom was Brigadier James Stopford, C.B., of the +64th., killed. + +On the morning of the 10th. the British marched on Bushire, a walled +town, which surrendered unconditionally, after a bombardment of upward +of four hours. No loss was sustained; sixty-five guns, with large +quantities of ammunition and warlike stores, were here captured. The +garrison, consisting of about two thousand, (a large number having +previously effected their escape, and several drowned in the attempt), +grounded their arms in front of the British line, and were on the +following morning escorted by the cavalry some distance into the +country, and then set at liberty. Her Majesty’s 64th., under Major +Stirling, shared in this success. + +A stronger expedition subsequently proceeded from Bombay, commanded by +Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram; this was composed of two divisions, +one of which was under Brigadier-General Havelock, and the other under +Major-General Stalker; the 78th. Highlanders were added to this force. +On the evening of the 3rd. of February, 1857, Sir James Outram marched +against Sooja-ool-Moolk, strongly posted in an entrenched camp at +Borazgoon. Each man carried his great coat, blanket, and two days’ +provisions, but without any tents or other equipage; the rain fell +heavily, and the nights were bitterly cold. The position was reached in +the afternoon of the 5th. of February, when the Persians rapidly +retreated, leaving their camp, ammunition and equipage in the hands of +the British. + +On the return march during the night of the 7th., the rear-guard was +attacked by the Persians, who were kept in check until daybreak, when +the enemy, amounting to between six and seven thousand men, were +perceived drawn up near Koosh-ab. Two mounds in their centre, on which +they placed their guns, served as redoubts, and some deep nullahs on +their flank were lined with skirmishers. In the action that followed, +the enemy’s guns were silenced by the British artillery; the cavalry +drove his horse from the field; and on the advance of the infantry, the +Persians broke and fled, throwing away their arms and accoutrements in +their flight. By ten o’clock the defeat of the Persian troops was +complete.[140] + +After this victory the British bivouacked for the day close to the +battle-field, and at night, by another route, accomplished a march of +twenty miles, over a country rendered almost impassable by the incessant +heavy rains. After a rest of six hours, the greater portion of the +infantry continued their march to Bushire, which was reached before +midnight, thus performing another most arduous march of forty-four miles +under incessant rain, besides fighting and defeating the enemy during +its progress, within the short period of fifty hours. On the morning of +the 10th. the cavalry and artillery arrived in camp. + +The loss in the action of Koosh-ab on the 8th. of February was limited +to sixteen killed and sixty-two wounded. Lieutenant Frankland, of the +2nd. European regiment, was the only officer killed.[141] This officer, +together with Captain Forbes, commanding the 3rd. regiment of Light +Cavalry, and Lieutenant Doveton Downes Greentree, of the 64th. regiment, +both severely wounded (the latter losing his leg), received special +mention in the Governor-General’s Notification. + +For some months the Persians had been engaged in fortifying their +position at Mohammerah, a place at the confluence of the Karun and +Euphrates rivers. Batteries had been erected of solid earth, twenty feet +thick, and eighteen feet high, with casemated embrasures, armed with +heavy guns, commanding both sides of the river, but Lieutenant-General +Outram resolved to attack them. Their army estimated at thirteen +thousand men, with thirty guns, was commanded by the Shazada, Prince +Khauler Mirza, in person; whilst the Anglo-Indian troops consisted of +about five thousand. This place was bombarded on the 26th. of March by +five steamers and two sloops of war of the Indian navy, under the +command of Commodore Young. The action commenced soon after daybreak, +and the Persians stood to their guns well till 10 a.m., when the +magazine in the north battery blew up. Three more explosions followed; +the enemy’s fire slackened, and by one o’clock was completely silenced. +A fire of musketry was then opened from the batteries, until storming +parties were landed from the ships, who drove out the Persians, and took +possession of their works and guns. Brigadier-General Havelock landed +the troops, but no portion of the military force was actively engaged, +except some European riflemen sent on board the war vessels, as the +Persians fled from their entrenched camp without waiting an attack. +Meanwhile a treaty of peace had been in progress, the ratifications of +which were exchanged at Bagdad on the 2nd. of May, whereby Herat was +agreed to be evacuated, and all interference with the internal affairs +of Afghanistan was to be avoided. + +The regiments employed in this expedition, were the 14th. Light +Dragoons, the 64th. and 78th. regiments, 3rd. Bombay Cavalry, Poonah +Horse, 1st. Scinde Horse, 2nd. Bombay Europeans, Bombay and Madras +Sappers and Miners, and 2nd., 3rd., 4th., 5th., 8th., 11th., 15th., +20th., 22nd., 23rd., 25th., 26th., 28th., and 29th. regiments of Bombay +Infantry. + + + + + NORTH WEST FRONTIER. + 1849–1863. + + +The first of the principal of the expeditions during this period was +into the Eusufzye country, north of Peshawur, December, 1849. This +expedition, under the command of Brigadier Bradshaw, 60th. Rifles, was +despatched to chastise the Hill tribes on the Swat Border, and several +of their villages were captured and destroyed. The British troops +engaged in this affair were the 60th. Rifles and the 61st. Foot. + + + + + AGAINST THE AFRIDIS. + FEBRUARY, 1850. + + +The Afridis are a fierce and warlike tribe inhabiting a series of steep +and rugged hills lying between the Kohat and Peshawur districts. They +are good shots, and if combined, could muster 15,000 to 20,000 fighting +men. The Punjab Government paid them an annual subsidy of 5,700 rupees +in return for their protecting the pass from Peshawur to Kohat. But in +spite of this arrangement, on February 2nd, 1850, a body of Afridis +attacked a body of Sappers making a road in the Kohat pass, killed +twelve of them, and put the rest to flight. To punish them for their +treachery, a column, under the command of Sir Colin Campbell (afterwards +Lord Clyde), who was accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Charles +Napier, forced the pass, in spite of the efforts of the Afridis, routed +them, and burnt their villages. As usual in hill campaigns the heaviest +of the fighting fell on the rear of the retiring force in its march to +Peshawur.[142] The regiments that took part in this expedition were the +60th. Rifles, 61st., and 98th. Foot, besides Native troops. In the +latter part of the year 1851, the Mohmunds, a tribe inhabiting the +Khyber Pass, committed a series of depredations on villages under +British rule, and made an attack on a fort at Shubkuddur. To chastise +them, on October 25th, Sir Colin Campbell left Peshawur with a force of +about 2000 men, including two companies each of the 61st. and 98th. +Foot, and destroyed several of their villages with their stores of +grain. After some skirmishes Sir Colin, leaving garrisons at Shubkuddur +and Dubb, returned to Peshawur in February, 1852. In the same month the +Mohmunds made another inroad, and in March Sir Colin again took the +field against them, with a column of 2500 men, consisting of a troop of +Horse Artillery, the 32nd. Foot, and several Native regiments. On March +20th. the Mohmunds attacked him in force at Pung Rao, but after a hot +action of three hours were repulsed with considerable loss. Another +skirmish took place in April, near Shubkuddur, and on the retreat of the +Mohmunds, Sir Colin, with the Europeans, returned to Peshawur. But the +disturbances on the North West frontier were far from being over. The +Ootman Khail,[143] or tribe, of Afridis, began to make incursions into +British territory, and on the 7th. of May, Sir Colin, with the 32nd. +Foot, a wing of the 53rd. regiment, the Guide Corps, and some regiments +of Punjaubees and Goorkhas, marched against them, and after a few +skirmishes captured and destroyed, with small loss, the strongly +fortified hill village of Praunghur. + +On May 17th Sir Colin attacked about 8000 of the enemy at a village +called Istakote, at the entrance of the Ranize Valley, and a smart +action followed, in which Sir Colin himself headed the cavalry of the +Guides in a charge, with the result that the hill men were driven back +in confusion. They suffered severely, but were not subdued, though +checked for a time. + + + + + AGAINST THE HUSSUNZIES AND BOREE AFRIDIS. + 1852–53. + + +A party of Hussunzies having murdered two British officials, and the +tribe refusing to surrender the murderers, an expedition was dispatched +to chastise them. The Hussunzies occupied the western slopes of the +Black Mountains, a height of about 10,000 feet above the sea level, and +trusted to the inaccessibility of their stronghold, which had hitherto +defied every assailant. In December, 1852, two Brigades took up a +position at the foot of the Black Mountain, and three columns commanded +by Colonel Napier (afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala), Colonel Mackeson, +and Major Abbot, were formed for the assault. After an obstinate +resistance all three columns won their way up the steep ascent, and +bivouacked for three nights on the summit of the so-called impregnable +Black Mountain. The villages of the enemy were burnt in the sight of +their owners, and the columns, with little loss, descended the mountain +and were broken up. No British regiment seems to have been engaged in +this affair. + +In the latter part of the year 1853, the Boree Afridis inhabiting the +country near the Kohat Pass, began to commit depredations, and refusing +any reparation or promise to abstain from similar acts in the future, a +force under the command of Colonel Boileau, with Colonel Napier, was +sent against them in November. The troops comprised the 22nd. Foot, the +Guides, 66th. Goorkhas, and Native Infantry. The expedition was ably +planned and successfully executed; the principal villages of the enemy +were destroyed, and the Afridis taught a lesson which they long +remembered. + + + + + AGAINST THE LURRUCKZAI MOHMUNDS AND MEERANZIES. + 1854–55. + + +To punish the Mohmunds for their raids into British territory, in +August, 1854, an expedition commanded by Sir Sydney Cotton was +despatched against them. After an unimportant skirmish or two the +principal villages of the Mohmunds were taken and destroyed, and the +troops returned. The 22nd. Foot was the only British regiment which took +part in this affair. The Meeranzies, a Pathan tribe, occupying the hilly +country near Thull, for a long time had made incursions into British +territory, sacking the villages, and carrying off the inhabitants for +ransom. At length the Punjaub Government resolved to chastise them, and +in April, 1855, a strong force of 3500 men under the command of +Brigadier (afterwards Sir Neville) Chamberlain, marched towards +Meeranzie. On April 30th. he was attacked by the enemy in Upper +Meeranzie, but after a brief action drove them back in confusion. The +hill men were pursued, their villages and stores of grain destroyed, and +a severe retribution dealt them for their long continuous acts of +hostility against the defenceless inhabitants of the British border. +None but Native troops were employed in this expedition. + + + + + AGAINST THE AFRIDIS AND BOZDARS ON THE DEJERAT FRONTIER. + + +The expedition against these tribes in March, 1857, is generally known +as the Bozdar Hill Expedition. In it Native troops only were employed, +under the command of Brigadier Neville Chamberlain, and Colonels Green +and S. Browne. The principal affair in this campaign was the forcing of +the Khanbund defile.[144] + + + + +AGAINST THE CABUL KHAIL WUZEREES, 1859, AND THE MAHSOOD WUZEREES, 1860. + + +During the year 1859 the Cabul Khail Wuzerees began to grow troublesome, +they made plundering incursions over our border, and in one of them +murdered Captain Mecham. It being determined to send a force into their +country, Brigadier-General Chamberlain marched from Kohat with nearly +4000 native troops of all ranks, in December, and found the enemy posted +in a range of hills near the Kurum river. Here they had removed their +families, flocks, and stores of grain, and had strongly fortified their +position with breastworks. On December 22nd. the attack was made in two +columns, and after two hours hard fighting the Wuzerees were driven from +ridge to ridge, leaving their tents, and as much of their cattle as they +could not remove, in the possession of the assailants. A few days +afterwards their chiefs submitted, and agreed to terms for peace. Three +months had scarcely passed, when the Mahsood Wuzerees, a far more +powerful tribe, who had made forays on British villages for years, +poured down from their hills upon the lands of the Nawaub of Tonk, which +were under British protection, and plundered and burnt in their +customary manner. On hearing of this act of aggression the Indian +Government resolved to teach these freebooters a lesson once for all. +Brigadier-General Chamberlain took the field at the head of about 5000 +Native troops, with Lieut.-Colonel Lumsden as second in command; and on +April 17th., 1860, entered the hills, carrying sixteen days’ provisions. +After traversing a difficult and unknown country, the Brigadier encamped +at Paloseen, and hearing that the enemy was in force near, marched in +search of them, leaving Colonel Lumsden with about 1300 men in charge of +the camp and baggage. The Mahsoods saw their opportunity. On the night +of April 22nd., 3000 of them silently gathered in a depression to the +rear of the British, and early on the following morning drove in the +pickets and furiously assailed the camp. Luckily Colonel Lumsden was on +his guard. Two chieftains of the enemy fell by his hand, and his men, +cheered by their leader’s example, checked the rush of the Wuzerees, and +in ten minutes utterly routed them with heavy loss. General Chamberlain, +finding his information false, returned to Paloseen, and a few days +later forced the Burara Pass, after some severe fighting. He next +assaulted and captured the town of Kaneegoum, situated about 7,000 feet +above the sea level, with trifling loss. On May 11th. he captured +Mukeem, the principal town of the Mahsoods, who suffered heavily. The +place was burnt, the towers blown up, and the troops returned to Bunnoo; +having defeated a tribe which had never before been worsted, and +penetrated a hostile region previously almost unknown. The expedition +was a complete success, and added much to the prestige of the British in +the eyes of the neighbouring clans. For their distinguished bravery in +this campaign six native soldiers were decorated with the Order of +Merit. The operations in the Eusufyze country, in the latter part of the +year 1863, formed part of what is known as— + + + + + THE UMBEYLA CAMPAIGN. + + +The cause of this war was the predatory incursions of a body of +Mussulman fanatics, and rebels, driven from Bengal at the time of the +Mutiny, who occupied the town of Mulkah, on one of the lower spurs of +the Mahabun, a ridge situated on the right bank of the Indus, about +forty miles from Attock. A force of about 5600 men of all arms was +assembled in the Eusufyze country on October, 1863, under the command of +General Chamberlain. On October 19th., with little opposition, he took +possession of the Umbeyla Pass, and established outposts on his flanks +in the mountains on both sides, strengthened with breastworks as far as +possible. The most advanced post on the left flank was called the +“Eagle’s Nest,” and that on the right the “Crag Picket,” and both posts +were invisible from the camp. On October 25th. the enemy made an attack +on the right, but were driven back by Colonel Keyes, and lost one of +their standards. The next day a fierce assault was made upon the +“Eagle’s Nest” post, and after four hours hard fighting the Hill-men +were repulsed with severe loss, but nearly half of the defenders were +killed or wounded. In the early morning of the 30th., the “Crag Picket” +being held by only twelve men, was surprised and taken by the enemy, but +it was splendidly recaptured, after a desperate hand to hand conflict, +by a small party of Pathans, led by Colonel Keyes (who was wounded), and +Lieut. Fosbery, who, for his gallant conduct, received the Victoria +Cross. + +In the meantime an attack had been made on the front of the camp, which +was defeated, the assailants suffering heavily. The bodies of the +British slain were found shockingly mutilated by the enemy, and from +that time no quarter was given on either side.[145] On the night of +November 12th., the “Crag Picket,” held by 160 men, under Colonel +Brownlow, the successful defender of the “Eagle’s Nest,” was again +furiously assailed by about 3000 of the enemy, who made repeated +attempts to storm the works. In spite of heavy loss they made a +determined attack on both sides of the weakest angle of the post, pulled +down the wall, hurling the stones on the defenders, and gained +possession of part of the defences. Colonel Brownlow called for +volunteers, drove the enemy out, rebuilt the wall, and held the post +till morning. Shortly after daybreak the garrison was relieved by a +party of Punjaubees under Captain Davidson. Before they were properly in +position the Hill-men made another assault, killed Davidson and many of +his men, and captured the post, but it was retaken shortly afterwards by +the 101st. Bengal Fusiliers led by Colonel Salusbury. On November 18th. +there was more severe fighting, and on the next day, the enemy, +reinforced by tribesmen from Swat, Bonair, and other places, made +repeated and desperate attempts to recapture the “Crag Picket,” which +was held by 200 men of the 101st. Fusiliers and 20th. Punjaub Infantry. +After a hard struggle for four hours the defenders were driven out, and +for the third time the “Crag Picket” fell into the hands of the enemy. +In this affair two officers and a large number of men were killed. +General Chamberlain ordered the 71st. Highlanders to the front, which +regiment, led by himself and Colonel Hope, without a check, carried the +position at the point of the bayonet, and held it; but both the leaders +were severely wounded in the conflict. General Chamberlain being thus +disabled, General Garvock took the command, advanced against the enemy, +captured and burnt the village of Laloo, and drove the tribesmen back +into their valleys. + +On December 16th. the troops descended from the hills, destroyed the +village of Umbeyla, and offered battle to their opponents on level +ground. Most of them declined the encounter, but a body of 250 Ghazees +made a frantic charge on the column, and were slain to a man, and with +this action the Umbeyla expedition came to an end.[146] In this brief +but sharp campaign of two months, 19 officers and 238 men were killed, +and 47 officers, and 670 men wounded. For his services General +Chamberlain was created a K.C.B. The British regiments employed in these +operations were the 1st. Battalion 7th. Fusiliers, 71st., 93rd., and +101st. Fusiliers. + + + + + BHOOTAN. + 1864–65–66. + + +Bhootan is situated in the north-east of India, and comprises the almost +unknown and mountainous region lying between the Himalayas and the +British Provinces. The inhabitants are a different race from all others +in Hindostan, and apparently of Mongolian origin. They profess Buddhism, +and are ruled by a temporal and spiritual Governor, known as the Deb and +Dhurma Rajahs. The Dhurma Rajah has the most extensive power, and is +always a member of the priesthood. The Bhootanese had made raids into +British territory for years, and refusing to release their captives or +to agree to any terms of pacification, the Indian Government determined +to annex a portion of their frontier and to put an end to their outrages +for the future. In November, 1864, a field force was organised in three +columns, under the command of Brigadier Mulcaster, who operated on the +right from the Assam frontier, and Brigadier Dunsford, C.B., who crossed +the Teesta river and advanced on the left. On December 3rd. General +Dunsford pushed up the Ambiok Valley and captured the post of +Dhalimcote, with trifling loss. Another place called Chamoorchee, +containing a monastery full of sacred books, was assaulted and taken on +the 1st. of January, 1865. In the meantime a column under Colonel Watson +had marched across the Dooar and taken possession of a fort called Buxa, +and General Dunsford having established posts at the foot of the hills, +and completed his arrangements for the annexation of the country lying +between Dhalimcote and the frontier near Darjeeling, returned to his +camp in the plains. The force under General Mulcaster, crossed the +Brahmapootra, advanced up the Darungah Pass and captured the important +hill post of Dewangiri at its summit. This place contained three great +temples, situated on a ridge nearly 2000 feet above the level of the +plains below. A small garrison was left in possession and the annexation +of the Dooars was erroneously supposed to be completed. + +The Government had issued orders for the breaking up of the Dooar Field +Force early in February, and arrangements were made for the civil rule +of the newly annexed territory, in districts, by deputy-commissioners. +But all this time the Bhootanese had been actively preparing for a +general attack upon the whole line of posts from Chamoorchee to +Dewangiri. Before daybreak on the morning of January 30th a furious +attack was made on the garrison of the latter place; but Colonel +Campbell, in command, as soon as the enemy could be seen, charged upon +and routed them. The Bhootanese though repulsed, harassed the garrison +by destroying their supply of water, and at length established +themselves at the mouth of the Darungah Pass, cutting off Campbell’s +communication with Assam. The garrison, not being strong enough to +dislodge the enemy, and being also short of ammunition, Colonel Campbell +evacuated his post in the night,[147] and after many difficulties and +dangers reached head-quarters. Buxa, and the other posts were attacked +in a similar manner, but in most cases the Bhootanese were beaten off, +and the garrisons as far as possible strengthened. The 55th. regiment, +with some companies of the 80th., and two batteries of Royal Artillery +were ordered to the front, and with some regiments of Punjaub Infantry +marched for the north-east frontier, under the command of +Brigadier-General Tombs, V.C., and Brigadier Fraser Tytler. On March +15th., the latter officer with his brigade recaptured Balla, and Buxa +and Chamoorchee a few days afterwards, with small loss. The brigade +under General Tombs marched to recapture Dewangiri, fighting their way +through passes which the enemy had fortified with stockades. The troops +arrived before the place on April 1st., and Dewangiri was carried by +storm the next morning. Being untenable during the rainy season, the +buildings were destroyed, and on April 7th. the force began its return +to India. General Tytler fixed his head-quarters at Gowhatti, and a +series of posts were established from Lower Assam to Darjeeling, which +for the time effectually curbed the Bhootanese. But though defeated they +were not subdued, and in 1866 the Indian Government assembled a force of +about 7000 men, to enter Bhootan in two columns, and to thoroughly +reduce the inhabitants to submission. The troops had scarcely commenced +their march, when the Deb Rajah of Bhootan, overawed by these +preparations, granted all that was demanded of him, and concluded a +treaty with Colonel Bruce, the civil commissioner. The British troops +that took part in these operations were Royal Artillery, the 55th. and +80th. Regiments. + + + + + LOOSHAI. + DECEMBER, 1871–FEBRUARY, 1872. + + +The Looshais, a predatory tribe inhabiting the hilly country to the +north-east of Chittagong, had long been a trouble to the Indian +Government. Their constant raids on villages under British +protection,[148] which they plundered and destroyed, was the cause of an +expedition being sent against them in December, 1871. A force of three +regiments, with Artillery and Sappers, and a Coolie Corps, under the +command of General Bourchier, operated from Cachar, and a smaller +column, under General Brownlow, from Chittagong. The enemy, armed with +old muskets, bows and arrows, spears, and knives, showed a bold front, +and their mode of fighting in their dense jungles and trackless hills +was much in their favour. + +But General Bourchier steadily advanced among steep and wooded hills, by +rugged paths winding along the face of precipices, capturing village +after village by storm, and destroying them with the stores of grain +they contained, till the Looshais begged for a cessation of hostilities. +This was granted, but the enemy suddenly resumed the offensive, and +after a few more skirmishes, in one of which the General was wounded, +the stronghold of Poiboi, the Looshai leader, situated on a hill 8,500 +feet in height, was taken and burnt; and the head men of the tribe +agreed unconditionally to the terms of peace dictated to them by General +Bourchier. + +The column returned to Cachar in March, 1872, and was broken up.[149] No +British troops were engaged in this affair, but the medal and clasp were +given to the Native regiments and their European officers. + + + + + PERAK. + NOVEMBER, 1875–MARCH, 1876. + + +Perak is situated on the west side of the Malay peninsula, to the south +of the Wellesley Province. Being the scene of almost constant strife +between the Chinese and Malays, which often disturbed the peace of the +adjoining British territory, culminating in a civil war between +claimants to the succession as Sultan, Col. Sir W. D. Jervois, Governor +of the Straits Settlements, in 1875, accepted a surrender of the +sovereignty from Ismail, one of the claimants, and appointed Mr. W. J. +Birch, as British Resident in Perak. For some time all went on well, but +in November, Ismail, weary of the restraint of the Resident, and +intending to seize the throne for himself, attacked the Residency at the +head of a band of maurauders, tore down the British flag, and murdered +Mr. Birch in his bath, afterwards shamefully mutilating his body. Most +of the native rajahs joined Ismail, and an attack on a stockade held by +one of them, by Captain Innes, R.E., with a handful of the 10th. +regiment and some Sepoys, was repulsed, and Innes himself killed. + +The news of this disaster reaching Singapore, General Colborne, with +about three hundred men of the 80th. regiment, set out at once for +Perak; artillery was sent from Calcutta, and a squadron consisting of +the “Modeste” corvette, and the gunboats “Thistle,” “Fly,” and +“Ringdove,” came from Hong Kong. An advance was made up the Perak river +by a small party of troops, and a Naval Brigade under Captain Whitlaw of +the 10th. regiment, and Commander Stirling, of H.M.S. “Thistle,” which +captured and destroyed the fortified village of Passir Sala, the hold of +the Maharajah Lela, and with other things gained possession of six guns, +a quantity of small arms, and Mr. Birch’s books and papers. + +General Colborne, commanding in Perak, on hearing that Ismail and Lela +were at a town called Kinta, marched through the dense jungle against +them, storming stockades in his route, and capturing Kinta, which he +occupied with his troops. Ismail and the Maharajah fled into the jungle. + +On January 4th, 1876, Brigadier-General Ross, with a column composed +chiefly of a detachment of the 3rd. Buffs and Goorkhas, attacked and +stormed Kotah Lama, the stronghold of the Malays, but in the affair +Major Hawkins was killed. Kotah Lama, which contained large stores of +rice, was burned, and the troops returned to Qualla Kangsa. On the 19th. +Ismail was attacked and routed with loss, seventeen elephants with all +his baggage being taken; and after much wandering in the jungle, on +March 22nd. he himself was captured and sent to Singapore. + +The war was ended, and Perak has since remained under British +protection. The success of these operations were greatly due “to the aid +given by the Naval Brigades[150] as rocket and gun parties, and in +managing the country boats, which alone could be used.” + +The British troops engaged were: Royal Artillery, 1st. Battalion of the +3rd. Buffs, and detachments of the 10th. and 80th. regiments. + + + + + JOWAKI. + 1877–78. + + +The disturbances in the Malay Peninsular were scarcely settled when the +Indian Government was compelled to despatch an expedition against the +Jowakis, a ferocious tribe of the Afridis, occupying the hills on the +Afghan border to the west of the Indus. During the months of October and +November, 1877, they swept down from their mountains on the plains +below, slaughtered the inhabitants, burnt their villages, and carried +away their cattle and property. In one of these raids they had the +daring to attack a detachment of troops guarding stores near the +frontier, though a few months previously they had been severely +chastised by a small force sent against them under Sir R. Pollock. To +put an end to these continued incursions, and to reduce these +freebooters to submission, a regular force was organised under the +command of Generals Keyes and Ross, the former being Brigadier. General +Keyes with the main body advanced through the defiles, attacked the +Jowakis, destroyed their crops and walled villages, and blew up many of +their fortified towers. On the 1st of December he reached Jummoo, the +principal stronghold of the tribe; a town situated in a fertile and +cultivated valley, watered by a fine stream. The town was captured with +trifling loss, the Jowakis being taken by surprise, abandoned their +goods and dwellings and fled to the mountains. Here General Keyes for a +while halted, while the troops scoured the adjacent valleys, taking away +the cattle and burning the villages. + +About the end of January, 1878, the head men of the Jowakis came into +the camp and made overtures for peace; but on learning the terms on +which it would be granted, declined to accept them, and withdrew. +Hostilities were resumed, and on February 15th., a body of troops, +consisting almost entirely of cavalry, inflicted a crushing defeat on +the tribesmen, which effectually dispersed them, and resulted in their +unconditional surrender. The British regiments employed in this +expedition were the 9th. and 51st. Foot, and 4th. Battalion Rifle +Brigade. + + + + + NAGA. + 1875–1880. + + +In January, 1875, a party of about seventy Sepoys and Coolies, under the +command of Lieutenant Holcombe, were sent by the Indian Government to +survey a wild tract of country in the north-east part of Assam, +inhabited by the Nagas, an uncivilized race, whose name is derived from +_Nag_, the Hindustani word for a snake. As their name implies, these +people are very treacherous, and regardless of human life; but theft +they regard with detestation. Clothing they entirely dispense with, but +fantastically tattoo their totally naked bodies. A premeditated and +sudden attack was made by them on the surveying party, and Lieutenant +Holcombe, and the whole of his men were killed on the spot, or severely +wounded. A force, under Colonel Nuthall, was at once dispatched to +punish the tribe for this massacre, and after seven days’ march the +troops reached the jungle-covered hills of the Nagas. There was very +little fighting, and with the loss of one man, the villages and stores +of grain of the enemy were destroyed, and their flocks and cattle +captured. The effects of this lesson lasted for a long time, but about +the close of the year 1879, the Nagas, of Konoma, renewed their +outrages, and murdered Mr. Damant, the political agent in charge of the +Naga Hills, and were again severely chastised in January, 1880, by a +column commanded by Brigadier-General Nation. + +No European troops were engaged in either of these expeditions, but the +medal and clasp were given to the Native regiments employed, and their +British officers. + + + + + BURMA. + 1885–87, AND 1887–89. + + +The relations between the Indian Government and Burma had for some time +been unsatisfactory, but in 1885, Thebaw, the despotic and extravagant +King of Burma, finding his treasury exhausted, in an endeavour to +replenish it, entered into fruitless negotiations with the French. He +then began to extort money on different pretexts from the “Bombay and +Burma Trading Company,” and on the agents of the Company refusing to pay +the blackmail demanded from them, they were harassed and plundered, and +at last fired upon by some of the King’s troops. Remonstrances having +proved to be useless, the British representative was instructed to break +off the negotiations, and an ultimatum was presented to the King, which +embodied the British demands, one of them being that a British agent +should be received at Mandalay. Thebaw replied by a proclamation, in +which he stated that the British had made ridiculous proposals which he +could not accept, and called on his subjects to fight in defence of +their country and religion. He further declared his intention to conquer +and annex the country of the “barbarians.” + +An expeditionary force was dispatched to Burma under the command of +General Prendergast, who arrived at Thayetmyo November 14th. A British +proclamation declaring the dethronement of King Thebaw was issued to the +Burmese people, and the first hostile act was the capture of one of the +King’s war vessels by two armed launches from H.M.S. “Turquoise,” after +a smart encounter. General Prendergast advanced up the Irrawaddy, and on +November 16th. shelled a position which the Burmese had fortified on the +left bank of the river, and which they abandoned on the landing of the +troops. Next day, another position at Minhla, was attacked and carried +by storm, after a contest of three hours, by three regiments of Native +Infantry, with small loss, and General Prendergast marched for +Mandalay.[151] On November 26th. he reached Ava when he was met by an +envoy from Thebaw, requesting an armistice, and terms of peace. The +General replied that the only terms he could offer were the surrender of +the King, his army, and Mandalay. + +The following day the messenger returned with orders from Thebaw to +accede to all demands. Ava at once surrendered, the garrison laid down +their arms, and on November 28th. Mandalay was occupied by the British +troops without opposition. The day after, the King surrendered to +General Prendergast at Mandalay, and with his queen, and about seventy +members of his court, was put on board a steamer and sent to Rangoon. +Soon after he was removed to a place of security in British India, and +on January 1st., 1886, Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India, announced the +annexation of Upper Burma to the British Empire. + +But Burma for a long time continued in a very unsettled state. The +regular Burmese army for the most part had been disarmed, but swarms of +“dacoits,” or native insurgents, spread over the country, and encounters +between them and the British troops were of constant occurrence. A few +weeks after the annexation there were skirmishes with dacoits at Sagaing +and Kaddoo; and in April a daring attempt was made to burn Mandalay, the +town being fired in four places, and the walled city in two. Hundreds of +houses were destroyed, and the incendiaries escaped with little loss. +The same month, a small force of two hundred men, under Captain Wace, +had a sharp encounter with dacoits, near Bhamo, and was obliged to +retreat; and on June 12th. in an affair at Salen, Captain Durnford of +the 8th. King’s regiment, was killed. On the 26th. of the same month, in +an engagement near Mingyan, Lieutenant Shubrick was slain; and on July +19th., Lieutenant King, with a detachment of the Welsh Fusiliers, at +Shwebo, attacked and defeated a body of eight hundred insurgents with +loss, taking one hundred and eighteen prisoners. + +General Sir Herbert Macpherson, V.C., who had succeeded General +Prendergast in the chief command in Burma, died of fever at Prome, +October 20th., and General Sir F. Roberts proceeded from India and took +the command. + +During the month of November there was some sharp fighting. Colonel +Lockhart assaulted and captured the camp of an insurgent chief, called +the Kemendine Prince, who escaped; and on the 22nd., Colonel Holt of the +2nd. Queen’s regiment, attacked and carried the strong Burmese position +of Puzan Myang, at the point of the bayonet, the Burmese leader being +among the slain. + +On New Year’s day, 1887, a party commanded by Major Jeffreys, Connaught +Rangers, attacked the Kemendine Prince at Meiktela, killing him and +forty of his followers, but the desultory warfare still continued. +Another dacoit leader, called Boshway, gave considerable trouble. His +camp was attacked and captured by a party under Captain Golightly, 60th. +Rifles on January 30th., but Boshway and most of his men escaped. His +good fortune at length deserted him. + +In the month of October following, Major Harvey, 24th. regiment, with a +party of Mounted Infantry, after a forced march of fifty miles, made a +sudden dash on his camp, killed Boshway and dispersed his band. The same +month, Major Kennedy, Hyderabad Contingent, and Captain Beville, +Assistant Commissioner, were killed while leading an attack upon a +village occupied by dacoits. During the whole of the succeeding year, +1888, this guerrilla warfare was carried on, and the British troops were +worn out by incessant skirmishing, and the privations they endured in +scouring fever-haunted jungles in pursuit of dacoits, often with but +little success. At the end of the year a small force of one hundred +Mounted Infantry, one hundred of the Rifle Brigade, and about three +hundred Native Infantry and Sappers, commanded by Brigadier-General +Collett, was sent against a tribe called the Red Karens, who with their +chief Sawlapaw had given much trouble. On January 9th., 1889, Sawlon, +the chief town of the Karens, was captured, and Sawlapaw fled. In the +same month, Lieutenant W. H. Nugent in a daring attempt to carry a +dacoit stockade, with but sixteen men of the 17th. Regiment, was killed. + +About the end of January, a column composed of a company of the 37th. +regiment, and three hundred Sikhs and Goorkhas with two guns, was +despatched against the Kachyins and Lepu tribes, in the north-east of +Upper Burma. After some weeks of toilsome marching and skirmishing, +Khama, the chief town of the Lepu tribe was captured and destroyed, and +the troops returned. + +Upper Burma is still far from being in a quiescent state, and affairs +with dacoits and hill tribes seem to be almost perpetual. + +The European regiments which served in Burma[152] in 1885–87 were Royal +Artillery, 2nd. Queen’s, 8th. King’s, 13th. Somersetshire, 21st. +Fusiliers, 23rd. Welsh Fusiliers, 24th. South Wales Borderers, 51st. +Yorkshire, 67th. Hampshire, 104th. Munster Fusiliers and Rifle Brigade. +In 1887–89—Royal Artillery, 9th. Norfolk, 17th. Leicester, 37th. +Hampshire and Rifle Brigade. The Native troops in the Expedition +were—4th. Punjaub, 81st. Bombay Mountain Batteries, 7th. Bengal Cavalry, +1st. Madras and 1st. Bombay Lancers, 3rd. Hyderabad and 2nd. Madras +Cavalry, eight companies Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Sappers and Miners, +1st., 2nd., 5th., 11th., 12th., 13th., 15th., 16th., 18th., 26th., +27th., and 43rd. Bengal Infantry, 3rd. Goorkhas, 1st. Madras Pioneers; +3rd., 12th., 13th., 15th., 16th., 17th., 21st., 23rd., 25th., and 27th. +Madras Infantry, 2nd. and 3rd. Hyderabad Infantry, 1st., 5th., 7th., +23rd., 25th., and 27th. Bombay Infantry. + + + + + SIKKIM. + 1888. + + +The Thibetians having been for some time endeavouring to annex Sikkim, a +state lying between Nepaul and Bhootan, on the south-eastern slope of +the Himalayas; and treating the remonstrances of the Indian Government +as evidences of want of courage and ability to encounter them; in March, +1888, a field force was organised to expel them from the state, and +bring the dispute to a conclusion. The force consisted of two companies +of the 95th., 2nd. Derbyshire, 32nd. Bengal Pioneers, Goorkhas, etc.; in +all about 2000 men, commanded by Colonel T. Graham, R.A. The operations +lasted from March, with but little result, to September 24th, when +Colonel Graham attacked the Thibetan army of nearly 10,000 men, posted +on the Tukola Ridge, and completely routed it. Colonel Sir B. Bromhead +was wounded, and the total loss of the victors was very small. This +engagement practically ended the Thibetan campaign. A bronze medal and +clasp, similar to that in silver issued to the troops, was given to all +recognised followers who accompanied them. + + + + + HAZARA. + 1888. + + +The operations against the Thibetans were not finished, when an +expedition was despatched against the fierce and warlike tribe of the +Azokais, inhabiting the Black Mountain, a range lying to the north of +Hazara, between the Indus and Cashmere. The tribesmen had been severely +punished for their raids, and their villages burnt, by a force commanded +by General Sir Thomas Wilde, in October, 1868,[153] which reduced them +to sue for peace, and to give hostages for their good behaviour in the +future. For many years they remained quiet, but on June 18th., 1888, a +body of them attacked a surveying party under Major Battye and Captain +Urmston, and massacred the two officers with several of their followers. +To chastise the tribe for this outrage, the Hazara, or Black Mountain +Field Force, comprising the 15th. Bengal Cavalry, a detachment of Royal +Artillery, and a Hazara Mountain Battery, 5th. Northumberland Fusiliers, +18th. Royal Irish, 12th. Suffolk, 107th. Sussex, 78th. Highlanders, +2nd., 3rd., 14th., and 45th. Sikhs, 5th. Goorkhas, 4th., 24th., and +29th. Punjaub Infantry, 34th. Pioneers, and 40th. Bengal Native +Infantry, about 8000 men, all told, commanded by Major-General McQueen, +and Brigadier-Generals Channer, V.C., and Galbraith, made an entrance +into the enemy’s country on October 3rd. Two days afterwards General +McQueen encountered and defeated the mountaineers near Surmulbutspur, +with the loss of Captain Beley, killed, and Colonel Crookshank, who died +of wounds received in the action. On November 2nd., a column under +General Channer, principally composed of the Northumberland Fusiliers +and Khyberees, assaulted and carried the Gorapher Peak, 9,500 feet above +the level of the sea, the most elevated position ever carried by British +troops, with the loss of one man killed and one wounded. Convinced of +the uselessness of further resistance, on November 5th., the tribesmen +unconditionally submitted, and the troops commenced their return march +to Oghi. + + + + + CHIN-LUSHAI. + 1889–90. + + +The tribes inhabiting the Chin Hills and the Lushai country situated +between our Indian and Burmese frontier, had for some years occasionally +made incursions into British territory, culminating, on February 3rd., +1888, in an attack on a surveying party under Lieutenant Stewart, 100th. +Leinster, in which that officer and two of his men were killed, after a +gallant resistance. A punitive expedition was formed, which was divided +into two columns, one operating from Burmah against the Chin tribes, +under Brigadier-General Symons, in chief command; and the other, +commanded by Brigadier Tregear, advanced from Chittagong against the +Lushais in November, 1889. The tribesmen made feeble opposition, but as +the troops were unprovided with tents, owing to the difficulty of +transport, they suffered very severely from sickness, both Europeans and +Natives; the Punjaub Coolies suffering most of all. The jungle, through +which the troops had to make roads, was very unhealthy; a dense greenish +mist being almost always prevalent, and the vegetation soaking wet. +During the month of February some skirmishes took place, and a stockade +or two was captured, but the natural difficulties of the country, and +the climate, were the greatest obstacles to the expedition. The villages +and crops of the tribes being destroyed, and they, finding the troops +gradually closing in around them on all sides, and roads made through +places they had regarded as impassable, grew disheartened and anxious +for peace. Their chiefs hastened to tender their submission, and two of +them who had been implicated in the attack on the party of Lieutenant +Stewart, surrendered (on the assurance that their lives would be +spared), and restored the head of that unfortunate officer, with the +guns and instruments they had taken in their raid. + +A strong fort was erected in a position which commanded the adjacent +country, and being connected with posts garrisoned by the Frontier +Police, would render hostile incursions by the tribes almost impossible +in the future. On April 30th., 1890, the expeditionary force was broken +up, having been completely successful. The only European troops employed +were: 1st. Battalion 22nd. Cheshire, and 1st. Battalion 25th. Scottish +Borderers, in the Burma column. + +The officers and men who had already gained the Indian Medal, received +the clasp only, inscribed “Chin-Lushai, 1889–90,” and a bronze medal and +clasp was given to the authorised Government followers who accompanied +the troops. + + + + + SAMANA. + 1891. + + +Another expedition against the Meeranzies, who were severely chastised +by Sir Neville Chamberlain in 1855, was dispatched from Kohat, April +5th., 1891, under the command of Sir W. Lockhart. The tribesmen were +defeated with severe loss at Mastaon, and reduced to submission. The +operations were perfectly successful, but the British loss was greater +than usual in these frontier expeditions, upwards of one hundred men, +including five European and three Native officers, being killed and +wounded. Some Native regiments were left to garrison Samana, and the +tribes who had recently been fighting against us, readily brought in +grass and supplies. + +The 1st. Battalion 60th. Rifles, and 96th. Manchester regiment were the +only European troops engaged in this expedition, which was ended May +25th., 1891. A bronze medal, as usual, was given to all authorised +Government followers of the troops. + + + + + THE CRIMEAN MEDAL AND CAMPAIGN. + 1854–56. + + +In December, 1854, the Queen was pleased to command that a medal, +bearing the word “Crimea,” with an appropriate device, should be +conferred on all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and private +soldiers of Her Majesty’s Army, who had been engaged in the arduous and +brilliant campaign in the Crimea; and that clasps, with the words “Alma” +or “Inkermann” thereon, were to be also awarded to such as were present +in either of those battles. In February, 1855, Her Majesty granted a +clasp for the action at Balaklava, and in October following, a clasp +inscribed “Sebastopol” was added to the Crimean medal, and was awarded +to all present between the 1st. of October, 1854, the day on which the +Army sat down before the place, and the 9th. of September, 1855, when +the town was taken. Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and Sebastopol, are, +therefore, the services to be most prominently described, as they are +commemorated not only by the clasps above referred to, but likewise by +inscriptions authorized by Royal Authority to be borne on the Regimental +Colours of the corps entitled thereto; those having no standards or +colours bearing these distinctions on their cap or helmet-plates, and +Rifle Regiments on their breast-plates and cap-plates. The following are +the Regiments in question:— + +ALMA.—4 Light Dragoons; 8, 11 Hussars; 13 Light Dragoons; 17 Lancers; +Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Fusilier Guards; 1, 4, 7, 19, 20, 21, +23, 28, 30, 33, 38, 41, 42, 44, 47, 49, 50, 55, 63, 68, 77, 79, 88, 93, +and 95 Foot; Rifle Brigade. + +[Illustration: + + The Crimean Medal. +] + +BALAKLAVA.—4, 5 Dragoon Guards; 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 17 Dragoons; 93 +Foot. + +INKERMANN.—4 Light Dragoons; 8, 11 Hussars; 13 Light Dragoons; 17 +Lancers; Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Fusilier Guards; 1, 4, 7, 19, +20, 21, 23, 28, 30, 33, 38, 41, 44, 47, 49, 50, 55, 57, 63, 68, 77, 88, +and 95 Foot; Rifle Brigade. + +SEBASTOPOL.—1, 4, 5, 6 Dragoon Guards; 1, 2, 4, 6 Dragoons; 8, 10, 11 +Hussars; 12 Lancers; 13 Light Dragoons; 17 Lancers; Grenadier, +Coldstream, and Scots Fusilier Guards; 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18, +19, 20, 21, 23, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, +50, 55, 56, 57, 62, 63, 68, 71, 72, 77, 79, 82, 88, 89, 90, 93, 95, and +97 Foot; Rifle Brigade. + +Two companies of the 46th., which preceded the Regiment, were present at +Alma and Inkermann, and obtained medals for those victories, but the +head-quarters and remainder of the corps did not arrive until the day +following the last-named battle, and therefore did not receive these +inscriptions for the colours. Six officers and two hundred and +twenty-five men were granted the medal for the first-named battle, and +six officers and two hundred and one men obtained the clasp for +Inkermann. + +The Crimean medal, designed by W. Wyon, has on its obverse the effigy of +Her Majesty, from the die of the Peninsular medal, with the legend +“Victoria Regina,” and in the exergue, the date 1854; the reverse has a +figure of Fame about to place a wreath upon the brows of a stalwart +hero, in classic military costume, bearing a round shield on his left +arm, on which is shown the British Lion, with the word “Crimea” on the +right of the figure. The ribbon is of pale blue with yellow edges. The +clasps are of silver, with acorn ornaments, and severally inscribed +“Alma,” “Balaklava,” “Inkermann,” and “Sebastopol.” The name and +regiment of recipient are indented or engraved on the edge of the medal. +A special clasp for “Azoff” was issued to the Navy, and the Marines +received medals with clasps for “Balaklava,” “Inkermann,” and +“Sebastopol.” The medal was also given to a selection of the French, +Sardinian, and Turkish troops engaged in the campaign. + + + + + THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA. + 20TH. SEPTEMBER, 1854. + + +Lord John Russell’s memorable words in the House of Commons, on the +17th. of February, 1854, “May God defend the right,” like those of +Nelson, “England expects every man this day will do his duty,” had an +electrical effect, and made the country nerve itself for the approaching +contest, which, for some time threatening, shortly afterwards commenced. +The nation sympathized with the efforts of the Turks, under their +distinguished commander, Omar Pasha, and after the terrible massacre at +Sinope, hostilities became inevitable. + +Before the end of February the Guards and other regiments had embarked +for the East, the Queen, from the Balcony of Buckingham Palace, bidding +the former farewell. Each regiment as it marched for the port of +embarkation, was greeted with hearty and sympathetic cheers, which +showed the popular opinion in favour of the coming struggle. Lord +Raglan, so long the Military Secretary of the great Duke of Wellington, +and afterwards the Master General of the Ordnance, was appointed to the +command of the British Forces destined for the East. + +The official declaration of war appeared in the London Gazette, on the +28th. of March, and that of the Emperor of the French, the ally of +England, was published simultaneously. The first place of rendezvous was +Malta, and thence the troops proceeded to Gallipoli and Scutari, and +subsequently to Varna, which was reached towards the end of June. After +the gallant defence of Silistria, and the repulse of the Russians, in +which Captain James Armar Butler, Ceylon Rifle Regiment, and Lieutenant +Charles Nasmyth, Bombay Artillery, as volunteers, so highly +distinguished themselves, and where the former, with the brave Turkish +commander, Mousso Pasha, met a soldier’s death, Turkey became no longer +in danger of invasion, and the allied armies, being released from +supporting by their presence the valour of the Ottoman troops;—the +expedition to the Crimea was determined upon. + +On Thursday, the 7th. of September, 1854, the fleet conveying the allied +army, sailed from Baldjick Bay, whither the troops had proceeded from +Varna, for the Crimea. Cholera still prevailed, but the voyage +materially improved the health of the soldiers. The British troops +consisted of one thousand one hundred cavalry, three thousand one +hundred artillery, and twenty-two thousand five hundred and ninety +infantry; making a total, of all arms, of twenty-six thousand eight +hundred men. The French troops, under the command of Marshal St. Arnaud, +amounted to nearly the same numbers, namely, twenty-six thousand five +hundred and twenty-six, which, with seven thousand Turks, under Selim +Pasha, attached thereto, made an aggregate force of sixty thousand three +hundred men, with one hundred and thirty-two guns, of which sixty-five +pieces of ordnance belonged to the British Siege Train. The general +rendezvous was the Isle of Serpents, whence, on the 11th. of September, +the expedition proceeded direct to its destination, and two days +afterwards the fleets halted in the Bay of Eupatoria. The occupation of +Eupatoria was gained without resistance, and the same night the fleet +sailed for Kalamita Bay, and anchored at 8 a.m. on the 14th., at the +position near Old Fort, distant about eighteen miles south of Eupatoria, +which had been ultimately selected as the point of debarkation. + +The soldiers of No. 1 company of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, under +Major Lysons and Lieutenant Drewe, were the first British troops that +landed in the Crimea. Some arabas having been seen in the distance, this +party was at once dispatched by Brigadier-General Airey, +Quartermaster-General, in pursuit of them; after marching some distance +they got within reach of the waggons, and fired a few shots at the +Cossack escort who were endeavouring to save them. These horsemen +forthwith galloped off, leaving fourteen arabas full of fire-wood and +fruit, with their drivers and bullocks; this was the commencement of the +Land Transport of the Army. + +No opposition was offered to the landing, which was effected without any +casualties or accidents, save a few horses drowned. The weather, which +had been fine, changed; in the afternoon it rained, and at night the +troops on shore were deluged, rain coming down in such torrents as could +scarcely be surpassed even in India. With morning the clouds cleared +away, and a bright sunshine made amends for the past night, and the +trials of the first bivouac in the Crimea. + +The morning of the 19th. of September witnessed the commencement of the +march of the allied forces towards Sebastopol, and in the evening +occurred the first actual encounter with the enemy. This took place +between the advanced cavalry of the British, supported by the first +brigade of the light division, and a strong body of Dragoons and +Cossacks with artillery. The Earl of Cardigan’s brigade of Light Cavalry +exhibited most praiseworthy steadiness, his lordship’s coolness and +spirit being specially mentioned in the official despatch, and the +enemy’s artillery was soon silenced by the batteries which Lord Raglan +ordered to be brought into action. Four men only were wounded in this +affair, and the allies bivouacked on the left bank of the Bulganak. This +insignificant stream was most welcome after the wearisome day’s march, +made under a burning sun, and an absence of water. On the morning of the +20th. of September both armies moved towards the Alma. It was arranged +that Marshal St. Arnaud should attack the enemy’s left, by crossing this +river at its junction with the sea, and immediately above it; the rest +of the French divisions were to move up the heights in their front, +whilst the right and centre of the Russian position were to be attacked +by the British. + +By nature the position taken up by the Russians, which crossed the great +road about two miles and a half from the sea, was very strong. The bold +and almost precipitous range of heights, varying from three hundred and +fifty to four hundred feet, that from the sea closely bordered the left +bank of the river, here terminated and formed their left; and turning +thence round a spacious amphitheatre, or wide valley, ended at a salient +pinnacle, where their right rested, and whence the descent to the plain +was more gradual. The front was about two miles in extent. Across the +mouth of this great opening occurred a low ridge of different heights, +from sixty to one hundred feet, distant about six hundred to eight +hundred yards from the river, to which it was parallel. The river, +although generally fordable, had extremely rugged banks, which were in +most parts steep;—the willows along it had been felled to prevent them +from affording cover to the assailants, with the exception of those +below the bridge, which were full of Russian riflemen. + +On the right bank of the Alma, in front of the position, at a distance +of about two hundred yards from the river, is situated the village of +Bourliouk;—the wooden bridge of which had been partly destroyed by the +Russians. + +The key of the position was the lofty pinnacle and ridge before +described, and there consequently the preparations for defence were the +most considerable. Half-way down the height, and across its front, was a +trench extending some hundred yards, to afford cover against an advance +up the even steep slope of the hill. Somewhat retired on the right was a +powerful covered battery, armed with heavy guns, which flanked the +entire right of the position. Artillery was also posted at the several +points which best commanded the passage of the river and its approaches. +On the slopes of these hills, which formed a kind of table-land, were +placed dense masses of the enemy’s infantry, and the heights above were +occupied by his great reserve, the whole variously estimated from thirty +to upwards of forty thousand men. + +Such was the Russian position; but its extraordinary strength only +stimulated the allies to deeds of more than ordinary daring,—on this, +for the first time during many centuries, that British and French +soldiers were to fight side by side. + +Half an hour before the battle is thus vividly described by Mr. N. A. +Woods, in his work entitled “The Past Campaign: a Sketch of the War in +the East, from the Departure of Lord Raglan to the Capture of +Sebastopol”:—“The day was clear and hot: not a cloud in the sky—not a +breath in the air. Except the clank of artillery chains, and the +occasional neigh of a horse, there was a dead silence, which, as your +eye glanced over the glittering masses of soldiers, was solemn and +impressive. The close dark lines of our adversaries at the side of the +Alma were equally steady. So still, so silent, lay both posts, that had +I shut my eyes, I could have imagined myself in a perfect solitude.” + +A change was soon to come over the scene, and the stillness was about to +be broken by the stern alarums of battle. Both armies advanced on the +same alignment, the British in contiguous double columns, with the front +of two divisions covered by light infantry and a troop of horse +artillery; the second division, under Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy +Evans, forming the right, and touching the left of the third French +Division, under His Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon, and the light +division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, the left; the first +being supported by the third division under Lieutenant-General Sir +Richard England, and the last by the first division, commanded by +Lieutenant-General His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. The fourth +division, under Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, +and the cavalry, under Major-General the Earl of Lucan, were held in +reserve, to protect the left flank and rear against large bodies of the +Russian cavalry, which had shown themselves in those directions. + +Upon approaching within range of the guns, whose fire soon became +extremely formidable, the two leading divisions deployed into line, and +advanced to attack the front, the supporting divisions following the +movement. Scarcely had this taken place, when the village of Bourliouk, +immediately opposite the centre, was fired by the Russians at all +points, creating a continuous blaze for three hundred yards, obscuring +their position, and rendering a passage through it impracticable. In +consequence of this, two regiments of Brigadier-General Adams’s brigade, +part of Sir De Lacy Evan’s division, had to pass, under a sharp fire, +the river at a deep and difficult ford to the right; whilst his first +brigade, under Major-General Pennefather, with the remaining regiment of +Brigadier-General Adams, crossed to the left of the conflagration, +opposed by the artillery from the heights above, and pressed on towards +the left of the position with the utmost gallantry and steadiness. +Meanwhile, Sir George Brown, with the light division, effected the +passage of the Alma in his immediate front. The advance was made under +great disadvantages, the rugged and broken banks of the river offering +most serious obstacles, whilst the vineyards through which the troops +had to pass (the men suffering from thirst eagerly seizing bunches of +grapes,[154]) and the felled trees rendered every species of formation +under a galling fire almost an impossibility. Sir George, nevertheless, +persevered in this difficult operation, and the first brigade, under +Major-General Codrington, succeeded in carrying the great redoubt, aided +materially by the judicious and steady manner in which Brigadier-General +Buller moved on the left flank, and by the advance of four companies of +the Rifle Brigade, under Major Norcott. The heavy fire of grape and +musketry to which the troops were opposed, and the casualties sustained +in consequence by the 7th., 23rd., and 33rd. regiments, compelled this +brigade partially to relinquish its hold. The Duke of Cambridge had +succeeded in crossing the river, and had moved up in support; when a +brilliant advance of the brigade of Foot Guards, under Major-General +Bentinck, drove the enemy back, and secured the final possession of the +work. + +Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, with the Highland Brigade, advanced in +admirable order and steadiness up the high ground to the left, +co-operating with the Guards. Major-General Pennefather’s brigade, which +had been connected with the right of the light division, forced the +enemy completely to abandon the position they had taken such pains to +defend and secure, and which was considered almost impregnable. + +The 95th. Regiment, immediately on the right of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers +in the advance, suffered equally with that old corps and the 55th. an +immense loss. The aid of the Royal Artillery in all these operations was +most effectual, whilst the exertions of the field officers and the +captains of troops and batteries to get the guns into action, were +unceasing, and the precision of their fire materially contributed to the +victory. Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England brought his division to +the immediate support of the troops in advance; and Lieutenant-General +Sir George Cathcart was actively engaged in watching the left flank of +the enemy. It likewise appears by Lord Raglan’s despatch, that although +the nature of the ground did not admit of the employment of cavalry, +they succeeded at the close of the battle in capturing some prisoners. + +The cheerfulness with which the regimental officers had submitted to +unusual privations was not forgotten. It being necessary to bring into +the country every available cavalry and infantry soldier, prevented the +embarkation of the baggage animals, so that the officers had nothing but +what they could carry, and were, with the men, without tents or +covering. Not a murmur was, however, heard, for all appeared impressed +with the necessity of the arrangement. “The conduct,” adds his lordship, +“of the troops has been admirable. When it is considered that they have +suffered severely from sickness, during the last two months; that since +they landed in the Crimea they have been exposed to the extremes of wet, +cold, and heat; that the daily toil to provide themselves with water has +been excessive, and that they have been pursued by Cholera to the very +battle-field,[155] I do not go beyond the truth in declaring that they +merit the highest commendation. In the ardour of attack they forgot all +they had endured, and displayed that high courage, that gallant spirit, +for which the British soldier is ever distinguished, and under the +heaviest fire they maintained the same determination to conquer, as they +had exhibited before they went into action.” + +Nor were the Royal Navy omitted, for his lordship continues,—“I should +be wanting in my duty, my Lord Duke, if I did not express to your Grace, +in the most earnest manner, my deep feeling of gratitude to the officers +and men of the Royal Navy, for the invaluable assistance they afforded +the Army upon this, as on every occasion where it could be brought to +bear upon our operations. They watched the progress of the day with the +most intense anxiety; and as the best way of evincing their +participation in our success, and their sympathy in the sufferings of +the wounded, they never ceased, from the close of the battle till we +left the ground this morning, to provide for the sick and wounded, and +to carry them down to the beach—a labour in which some of the officers +even volunteered to participate—an act which I shall never cease to +recollect with the warmest thankfulness.” + +The various episodes of this victory would fill a volume of themselves; +the newspapers were eagerly sought after, and the letters from the +actors in the busy scene of war, and from correspondents of the public +journals proved of untiring interest. Some of the epistles are full of +graphic touches; they show how the Duke of Cambridge roughed it like the +rest, and slept with his head covered by a tilt cart. How Sir George +Brown’s horse, pierced by eleven shots, brought him to the ground, but +rising unhurt, he again led the soldiers on. How Colonel Chester, with +eight officers, fell at the head of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and +how severely the regiment suffered. As Corporal Harwood writes—“Our +artillery kept up a tremendous fire at them for an hour and a half, at +the end of which the order ran through our lines, ‘Light division +advance and take the entrenchments.’ The 23rd. was in the light +division, and on we went, covered by two companies of the Rifle Brigade. +We crossed a vineyard, and were led by Colonel Chester through the +river, the opposite bank of which was very steep. The Colonel went +through with us,—we all shared alike,—and as we clambered out the enemy +gave us a fierce fire, the cannon belching forth murderous volleys of +grape and round shot, and musket-balls fell as thick as hail. The men +fell dead and wounded before me and at my side. They fell in every +direction, and mechanically I still pressed on untouched. Up the hill we +went with the Rifle Brigades, and half-way up the heights we reached the +cannons’ mouths, which were planted on the entrenchments. Our regiment +was about to cross to the stockade in the enemy’s position, when the +word was given, ‘Cease firing, and retire,’ because we were in danger of +firing on the French. Our Colonel rushed in front of us, shouting ‘No, +no, on lads!’ He fell with the word on his lips; he never spoke or +raised his head again. We _did_ retire then, and an unfortunate mistake +it was, for the enemy returned to the guns we had once silenced, and +gave us some terrific volleys; but we soon rallied, and supported by the +7th., 33rd., a portion of the Guards, and the Highlanders, we rushed up +the hill again, and the enemy fled in every direction.” + +This letter refers to an unfortunate mistake which occurred. A mounted +officer called out “Cease firing; you are firing on the French;” the +words ran down the line and caused some hesitation and confusion. The +Russians took advantage of it in a moment, and advancing some heavy +columns, drove the light division back from the redoubt; the first +division, then at some distance in the rear, at once advanced and +re-took the redoubt. The light division rallied, and again pushed on in +a second line, when the key of the enemy’s position having been thus +forced, and his left turned by the French, the foe retreated on all +sides. + +More than ordinary interest was created by the circumstances under which +Captain and Lieutenant Eddington, of the 95th., met their deaths. When +the former dropped, early in the charge, with a ball in his chest, he +was left for a few moments on the hill side, while the regiment fell +back to re-form. A Russian rifleman, kneeling down beside him pretended +to raise his canteen to the wounded officer’s lips, and deliberately +blew his brains out. This was in sight of the regiment, and as they +charged up the hill, the Lieutenant, maddened by the sight, rushed +forward to avenge his beloved brother’s death, but in a few moments met +a similar fate, his breast being absolutely riddled with the storm of +grape shot and rifle balls. + +During the battle the Russians had succeeded in getting away all their +guns but two, one of which, a sixteen-pounder, with two horses to it, +was taken by Captain Bell, of the 23rd., who received the Victoria +Cross. This officer ran up to the driver as he was trying to make off, +and held a pistol to his head; the man jumped off his horse, when the +captain took the gun back to the rear. Captain Donovan, of the 33rd., +scratched his name on the other gun, but there being no horses to it, he +could not remove it. Lieutenant-Colonel Chester and Captain Evans were +killed near the redoubt, and Major Lysons being at the time with the +second division, as Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Campbell next +took the command, but was soon hit, first slightly on the head;—in a few +minutes afterwards he received a ball in the thigh, which obliged him to +go to the rear; the honour of bringing the Royal Welsh out of the action +was thus reserved for Captain Bell. + +In all battles the defence of the colours necessarily forms an +interesting feature, and Alma exhibited several instances. The 33rd., +Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had nineteen sergeants killed or wounded, +chiefly in defence of the colours. Captain Robert William Hamilton, of +the Grenadier Guards, was wounded when carrying the colours, but +continued with them throughout the day. The Scots Fusilier Guards had a +memorable contest for theirs. Lieutenants Lindsay and Thistlethwayte, +who carried the colours, cut their way through the enemy, and though the +broken staff and the marks of sixteen bullets showed the severity of the +struggle, and the colour-sergeants were struck down pierced with +bullets, yet, bearing as it were “a charmed life,” these gallant +officers, unwounded, bore their colours triumphantly to the top of the +hill. + +Lieutenant Anstruther, of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, having been +killed near the redoubt, whilst carrying the Queen’s colour, it was +picked up by private William Evans, No. 8 company, who gave it to +Corporal Luby; it was afterwards carried by Sergeant Luke O’Connor, who +was shot in the breast, and fell, but, recovering himself, would not +relinquish the colour, and carried it till the end of the action +(although urged by Lieutenant Granville to go to the rear on account of +his wound), for which he was praised by Major-General Sir William +Codrington on the field, was recommended for, and obtained his +commission in the 23rd. (in which he is now a captain), on account of +his gallantry, and has received the Victoria Cross and the Sardinian War +Medal.[156] Corporal Luby has also obtained the latter for his services +on this occasion. + +Lieutenant Butler was shot under the regimental colour; Lieutenant +Granville next volunteered to carry it, but there being no officer with +his company, Major-General Codrington, who was riding up and down the +ranks on his grey horse during the whole action, directed a sergeant to +be sent to take it. The honour of carrying the colour out of action fell +to the lot of Sergeant Honey Smith. + +During the action the regimental colour of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers was +found by Captain Pearson (Aide-de-Camp to Sir George Brown), who was +then riding by, in the hands of a soldier lying on the ground, the +officers and sergeants that had carried it having been disabled. He +picked it up, but no officer of that corps being near, Major-General +Codrington desired him to give it to Captain Bell, saying that “it +cannot be in safer keeping than with the Royal Welsh.” The colour was +accordingly placed between those of the 23rd. regiment, and there +carried by a sergeant of the 7th., until the termination of the +battle.[157] + +Lieutenant the Honourable Hugh Annesley, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, +was severely wounded by a ball, which entered the left cheek and went +out at the mouth, taking away the front teeth. So severe a wound did not +damp the spirits of this gallant officer, for in a letter to his mother +(the Countess Annesley), speaking of a friend who visited him and was +scarcely able to recognise him, he expressed a hope that one of his +decayed teeth had gone with the rest of his brethren; and adds that +“there is a good bit of tongue gone also, but the doctors say that will +not signify, and that I shall speak as plainly as ever, or at most with +a _becoming lisp_; so altogether I think even you must allow that I have +every reason to be thankful, and I hope you will not allow yourself to +fret the least about me.” + +In “Letters from Head Quarters,” by an Officer on the Staff, the +termination of the battle is thus graphically told:—“The men were tired, +and many almost exhausted for want of water. Lord Raglan rode up and +down the line of troops, the men cheering him vociferously. There was +such a shaking of hands; one felt very choky about the throat, and very +much inclined to cry, as one wrung the hand of a friend; and “God bless +you, old fellow—so glad to see you all right!” and like expressions, +were heard on every side between brother officers. It was a touching +sight to see the meeting between Lord Raglan and Sir Colin Campbell. The +latter was on foot, as his horse had been killed in the earlier part of +the action. He went up to his lordship, and, with tears in his eyes, +shook hands, saying it was not the first battle-field they had won +together, and that now he had a favour to ask, namely, that as his +Highlanders had done so well, he might be allowed to claim the privilege +of wearing a Scotch bonnet. To this Lord Raglan, of course, gave a +smiling assent; and, after a few more words of friendship on both sides, +they parted to their several duties.” + +The French, with their wonted chivalry, commenced the attack, and +Marshal St. Arnaud’s words evinced that they had not degenerated, and +that “they are the soldiers of Austerlitz and Jena;” and he thus paid a +deserved tribute to the British:—“On our left the English met with large +masses of the enemy, and with great difficulties, but everything was +surmounted. The English attacked the Russian positions in admirable +order under the fire of their cannon, carried them, and drove off the +Russians. The bravery of Lord Raglan rivals that of antiquity. In the +midst of cannon and musket-shot he displayed a calmness which never left +him.” + +By six o’clock in the evening the French Marshal’s tent was set up on +the very spot where that of Prince Menschikoff had stood in the morning; +the Russian commander considered himself so secure of victory, that he +left his carriage there, which Marshal St. Arnaud took possession of; +and it is recorded that a party of ladies had journeyed from Sebastopol, +and were stationed on a hill to witness the destruction of the allies. + +Such a success was not obtained without great loss. The battle commenced +about half-past one, and lasted a few minutes over two hours. The +British casualties were twenty-five officers killed, and eighty-one +wounded; three hundred and thirty-seven non-commissioned officers and +men were killed; one thousand five hundred and fifty wounded, and +nineteen missing. The French casualties were reported as about fourteen +hundred _hors de combat_, Generals Canrobert and Thomas being amongst +the wounded; these are believed to include all those who died in the +Dobrudscha. + +According to Prince Menschikoff’s despatch, the Russians had one +thousand seven hundred and sixty-two killed, two thousand three hundred +and fifteen wounded, and four hundred and five contusions. Amongst the +former were forty-five officers. Major-Generals Karganoff and Shokanoff +(the first was very severely wounded, and did not recover), were taken +prisoners. + +About midnight the Russians crossed the Katcha—the position which it was +reported to the Czar would, if not impregnable, at least be held for +three weeks, having been taken in as many hours. + +The sun went down on the evening of this memorable day upon a scene +which words fail to describe, and scarcely imagination can conceive. For +two days the armies continued on the field,—the time passing rapidly in +tending the wounded and burying the slain. Short as the interval was, +death had been busy,—Brigadier-General Tylden, of the Engineers, died of +cholera on the morning of the 23rd. of September, just as the victors +were leaving the heights of the Alma, on their march to the Katcha. +Spite of warnings the soldiers devoured large quantities of grapes, +apples, and pears, so abundant in the Crimea, which tended to encourage +the disease. The account of victory would be incomplete without the +mention of two volunteers, who remained to attend to the wants of +upwards of two hundred wounded Russians that still lay upon the field; +these were Dr. Thompson, surgeon of the 44th., and his servant; and the +prayers of many a dying foe must have ascended to heaven for these good +men who thus exhibited the highest graces of Christian devotedness. The +noble-hearted Doctor fell a prey to cholera at Balaklava, on the 5th. of +October following, on which day the news of Marshal St. Arnaud’s death +was received in camp. He had been compelled, a week previously, through +ill-health, to resign his command to General Canrobert, and died at sea +on the 29th. of September, his remains arriving at Constantinople on the +following morning, whence they were conveyed to Paris, and honoured with +a public funeral. + +While thanks were being offered on Sunday, the 30th. of September, 1854, +for the plenteous harvest, in every church and chapel of the land, a +telegraphic address announced the news of the glorious victory of the +Alma, and rumour with her thousand tongues volunteered the intelligence +that Sebastopol was taken. It does not appear that the false report was +the result of premeditation, and although the crowning event of the war +was not to take place so speedily, there was a glorious commencement of +the drama, notwithstanding that the fifth act had yet to be played out. +Her Majesty’s gracious approbation of the gallant conduct of the army at +the battle of the Alma, was notified to the troops on the 27th. of +October following, and Lord Raglan particularly adverted to that portion +in which the Queen’s sympathy is expressed for the fallen, the wounded, +and their sorrowing relatives. + +Ultimately the allies proceeded to attack the south side of Sebastopol, +and the combined forces quitted the Belbec (where they had arrived on +the 24th.) on the 25th. of September, leaving a small force to threaten +the northern side of the fortress, in order to cover the celebrated +flank march of the combined armies, suggested by Lieutenant-General +Burgoyne. Whilst on the march through the “Bush,” by McKenzie’s farm, to +the valley of the Tchernaya, the cavalry and artillery fell in with the +rear of a Russian division, which was on its march from Sebastopol to +Simferopol; they captured all its baggage and a great quantity of +small-arm ammunition. The light division was in support of the cavalry +and artillery on this occasion, and the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers were +leading the column; the second battalion of the Rifle Brigade went on in +advance with the guns, and were in immediate contact with the enemy. On +that evening, and the morning of the 26th., the troops arrived at the +plain of Balaklava, having passed through a tract of country densely +wooded, and without regular roads. The small garrison of Balaklava, +consisting of about sixty men, surrendered at the first approach of the +light division, after firing a few shot from some mortars, when this +little town was forthwith entered and placed by the British in a posture +of defence. + + + + + SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.[158] + + +On the 28th. of September, the British Siege Train, consisting of eight +companies of Royal Artillery, commenced disembarking, and +notwithstanding the smallness of the harbour of Balaklava, and the want +of suitable facilities for the reception of the guns, shot, and shell, +the whole _matériel_ was landed in five days, the sailors of the Royal +Navy rendering good service on this and other occasions. + +The basis of operations, in connection with the fleets, being now +attained, the main body of the British army moved forward towards +Sebastopol, and occupied ground on the western side of the plateau, near +the “Maison d’Eau,” General Bosquet’s division taking up a position +beyond Cathcart’s Hill, on the extreme right. The celebrated Redan and +Flagstaff batteries occupied the centre of the position, and ships of +war were moored in the dockyard and careening creeks, and at the head of +the harbour, in order that their broadsides might be brought to bear on +any lines of approach attempted by the storming parties of the allied +troops. Batteries were at once commenced, to be established in order to +reduce the fire of the enemy’s artillery, and an alteration was made in +the relative positions of the French and English forces, with a view of +bringing the former nearer their base of operations at Kamiesh. To +effect this, the British were ordered to carry on the attacks on the +left of the enemy, for which purpose they moved to the right until their +right was beyond the west of the ridge on which the Russians had a large +advanced white tower, afterwards the famed Malakoff. + +It was a busy time for the assailants; guns and siege matériel had to be +brought to the front; ammunition, military stores, and provisions were +conveyed with great labour for seven miles, that being the distance from +the port of Balaklava. Obstacles only nerved the soldiers to increased +exertion, and day by day some new earthwork was completed, some guns +placed, or heaps of ammunition accumulated for the destruction of the +place. Determined efforts at the same time were made by the Russians to +frustrate the efforts of the besieging troops, and their sharpshooters +had frequent skirmishes with the outlying pickets. + + + + + FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +Every heart beat high with expectation on the 16th. of October, for on +the morrow was to commence the first bombardment of Sebastopol, and at +half-past six o’clock on the morning of that day one hundred and +twenty-six pieces of ordnance from the French and British batteries +opened their fire on the fortress. The tower of the Malakoff by ten +o’clock had become untenable, and all its guns had been either damaged +or dismounted, whilst the earthen battery round it had slackened its +fire. Five hours afterwards the Redan was so considerably injured by an +explosion in its rear, that only three guns remained standing; during +the afternoon several explosions occurred in the lines of the army. + +It was not until one o’clock that the allied fleets commenced their +share in the fray. At this period the French batteries had ceased +firing, two of their magazines having exploded, which completely +disabled two of their batteries. Thus the Russians directed their whole +attention to the British lines, and such of their guns, relieved from +the French bombardment, as could be turned against the British batteries +were brought to bear thereon, but the latter did not suspend their fire +until evening. A determined sortie was made by the Russians against the +extreme left of the French, between four and five o’clock in the +afternoon, but, after displaying great gallantry, they were compelled to +retire. + +The ammunition expended from the mortars and guns during the bombardment +of the 17th. of October, amounted to twenty-one thousand eight hundred +and eighty-one rounds, of which two thousand seven hundred and +forty-five were from mortars. Each of the shells from the Lancaster guns +cost about £25, and three hundred and seventy were fired on this +occasion, which alone made it a costly proceeding. + +Shortly after daybreak on the 18th. of October the British batteries +re-opened their fire, and continued it during the day. This was replied +to by a formidable fire from the Russians, who had repaired the works +and re-mounted the guns in the famous Redan. The French were employed in +repairing their batteries, and were therefore not in a position to +assist, so that the British stood alone in this day’s cannonade. On the +following morning, the French having succeeded in that respect, the +whole of the Anglo-French lines renewed the bombardment. It however +became evident that Sebastopol could not be assaulted so early as was at +first anticipated, and consequently many changes in the works of attack +had to be made; the fire of the Russians continued such as to prevent +the principal alterations being effected otherwise than during the +night. + +A naval brigade of over a thousand men, with fifty heavy guns, had been +landed from the fleet, and took part in the bombardment. In the attack +by the fleet it was arranged that the English should take the north side +of the harbour, the French the south, the Turkish ships being in the +centre. The English sailing ships were placed in their proper positions +by steamers lashed alongside; the “Albion” by the “Firebrand,” the +“London” by the “Niger,” “Britannia” by “Furious,” “Queen” by +“Vesuvius,” “Trafalgar” by “Retribution,” “Vengeance” by “Highflyer,” +“Rodney” by “Spitfire,” “Bellerophon” by “Cyclops,” and “Arethusa” by +the “Triton.” The “Terrible,” “Tribune,” “Samson,” “Sphinx,” “Spitfire,” +and “Lynx” took up independent positions, and engaged principally the +forts and earthworks on the cliff to the north of Fort Constantine. The +French ships were first engaged; and about two p.m. the “Agamemnon,” +Admiral Sir E. Lyons, piloted by the steam tender “Circassian,” Master +E. Bale, who had volunteered for the service, anchored, amidst a storm +of shot and shell, about 750 yards from Fort Constantine, in five +fathoms water, and opened her fire. A few minutes afterwards, the +“Sanspareil” (Captain Dacres), and the “London” (Captain Eden), anchored +astern, followed soon after by the “Albion” (Captain Lushington), and +most ably supported Sir Edmund, who from his position was exposed to a +cross fire from the forts. The action became general, but after an +hour’s furious cannonading the Albion and London, much shattered, hauled +off to a greater distance, and the Russians concentrated their fire on +the Agamemnon, but the greater part of their shot (the ship lying so +close to the forts), fortunately struck her rigging instead of her hull. +As it was, she was almost reduced to a wreck, every spar being more or +less damaged, her rigging hanging in shreds, and her main top and +hammock nettings on fire. The “Queen,” “Rodney,” and “Bellerophon,” by +signal, bore down to support her, but the Queen being set on fire by a +shell was towed out again, and the Rodney ran aground under Fort +Constantine, but was got off by the exertions of her own crew, and +Commander Kynaston in the Spiteful. The engagement continued till dusk, +and soon after six p.m. the ships drew off, when darkness had compelled +the combatants to cease firing. The loss in the fleet was forty-four men +killed, and two hundred and sixty-six wounded, and two of the ships, the +Albion and Arethusa, had suffered so much in their hulls and rigging +that they were sent to Malta to be repaired. The French had more ships +disabled, but their loss in men was less, and the Turks escaped with but +trifling damage. The result of the contest was not satisfactory. It was +a trial of strength between stone and wood, and stone proved itself the +stronger. + + + + + ACTION AT BALAKLAVA. + 25TH. OCTOBER, 1854. + + +The toils, difficulties, and sameness of trench life were shortly to be +varied by a conflict which will ever be memorable in British military +annals, occurring to, as it did, on the anniversary of one of England’s +remarkable victories, that of Agincourt. The low range of heights +traversing the plain at the bottom of which Balaklava is situated, was +protected by four small redoubts, hastily constructed. Of these, three +had guns; and on a higher hill, in front of the village of Kamara, in +advance of the right flank of the British, a work of somewhat more +importance was established. No other force being disposable, the several +redoubts were garrisoned by Turkish troops. The only British regiment in +the plain, with the exception of a portion of a battalion of +detachments, composed of weakly men, and a battery of artillery +belonging to the third division, was the 93rd. Highlanders. On the +heights, behind the right, were placed the Marines, who had been landed +from the fleet by Vice-Admiral Dundas. The whole of these, including the +Turkish troops, were under the immediate orders of Major-General Sir +Colin Campbell, who had been taken, with the 93rd. from the first +division. + +At an early hour on the morning of the 25th. of October, the enemy +attacked the position in front of Balaklava. Lord Raglan, in +consequence, withdrew from before Sebastopol the first and fourth +divisions, commanded by Lieutenant-Generals His Royal Highness the Duke +of Cambridge and the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and brought them +down into the plain. General Canrobert subsequently reinforced these +troops with the first division of French infantry and the Chasseurs +d’Afrique. + +The first operation of the enemy was the attack on the work on the +British side of the village of Kamara, which, after very little +resistance, they carried; they likewise obtained possession of the three +others in contiguity to it, being opposed only in one, and that but for +a very short space of time. The farthest of the three they did not +retain, but the immediate abandonment of the others enabled them to take +possession of the guns in them, amounting in the whole to seven. Those +in the three lesser forts were spiked by the one English artilleryman +who was in each. + +Advancing in great strength, supported by artillery, the Russian cavalry +appeared on the scene. One portion of them assailed the front and right +flank of the 93rd., but were instantly driven back by the vigorous and +steady fire of that distinguished regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Ainslie. The other, and larger mass, turned towards the heavy cavalry, +and afforded Brigadier-General the Honourable James Yorke Scarlett, +under the guidance of Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan, the +opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat. +Notwithstanding that the ground was anything but favourable for the +attack of the dragoons, no obstacle could check their advance, and they +charged into the Russian column, which, although far superior in +numbers, soon sought safety in flight. + +No writer has surpassed Mr. Russell’s description of this exciting +scene.[159] “As lightning flashes through a cloud, the Greys and +Enniskilleners pierced through the dark masses of Russians. The shock +was but for a moment. There was a clash of steel and a light play of +sword-blades in the air, and then the Greys and the red-coats +disappeared in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns. In another +moment we saw them emerging with diminished numbers, and in broken +order, charging against the second line. It was a terrible moment. ‘God +help them! they are lost!’ was the exclamation of more than one man, and +the thought of many. With unabated fire the noble hearts dashed at their +enemy. It was a fight of heroes. The first line of Russians, which had +been utterly smashed by our charge, and had fled off at one flank and +towards the centre, were coming back to swallow up our handful of men. +By sheer steel and sheer courage Enniskillener and Scot were winning +their desperate way right through the enemy’s squadron, and already grey +horses and red-coats had appeared right at the rear of the second mass, +when, with irresistible force, like one bolt from a bow, the 4th. +Dragoon Guards, riding straight at the right flank of the Russians, and +the 5th. Dragoon Guards, following close after the Enniskilleners, +rushed at the remnants of the first line of the enemy, went through it +as though it were pasteboard, and put them to utter rout. + +“This Russian horse in less than five minutes after it met our dragoons, +was flying with all its speed before a force certainly not half its +strength. A cheer burst from every lip; in the enthusiasm officers and +men took off their caps, and shouted with delight; and thus keeping up +the scenic character of their position, they clapped their hands again +and again. Lord Raglan at once despatched Lieutenant Curzon, +Aide-de-Camp, to convey his congratulations to Brigadier-General +Scarlett, and to say ‘Well done!’” + +Lord Raglan observed in his despatch, that “the charge of this brigade +was one of the most successful I ever witnessed; it was never for a +moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to +Brigadier-General Scarlett, and the officers and men engaged in it.” + +As the Russians withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily +occupied, Lord Raglan directed the cavalry, supported by the fourth +division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, to move forward +and take advantage of any opportunity to regain the heights. Not having +been able to accomplish this immediately, and it appearing that an +attempt was being made to remove the captured guns, the Earl of Lucan +was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and +try to prevent them from effecting their object. Meanwhile the Russians +had time to re-form on their own ground, with artillery in front and +upon their flanks. + +From some misconception of the instruction to advance, (so runs the +despatch), the Lieutenant-General considered that he was bound to attack +at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major-General the Earl of +Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade. This order was obeyed +in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with the +utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing +squadrons, and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry in +its rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry, +as well as cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much +havoc upon the enemy. This movement was effected in some confusion; and +the loss sustained was severe in officers, men, and horses, only +counter-balanced by the brilliancy of the attack, and the gallantry, +order, and discipline which distinguished it, forming a striking +contrast to the conduct of the enemy’s cavalry, which had previously +been engaged with the Heavy Brigade. + +The casualties in killed, wounded, and missing, in what is popularly +known as “the Death Ride,”[160] amounted to thirty-eight officers and +three hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and men. Three +hundred and eighty-one horses were killed. The 93rd. Highlanders did not +sustain any loss. + +It must not be omitted that the Chasseurs d’Afrique advanced on the +English left, and gallantly charging a Russian battery, checked its fire +for a time, and thus rendered an essential service to the British +cavalry. + +After this the enemy made no further movement in advance, and at the +close of the day the brigade of Guards of the first division, and the +fourth division, returned to their original encampment, as did the +French troops, with the exception of one brigade of the first division, +which was left in support of Sir Colin Campbell by General Canrobert. +The remaining regiments of the Highland brigade also continued in the +valley. Sir George Cathcart, the fourth division being advanced close to +the heights, caused one of the redoubts to be re-occupied by the Turks, +affording them his support, and availed himself of the opportunity to +assist with his riflemen in silencing two of the enemy’s guns. This +redoubt had to be abandoned at nightfall, in consequence of its being so +exposed, from the enemy’s retaining possession of the two others; and +Lord Raglan, seeing that the means of defending the extensive position +which had been occupied by the Turkish troops in the morning, had proved +wholly inadequate, decided, in concurrence with General Canrobert, to +withdraw from the lower range of heights, and to concentrate the force, +which was subsequently increased by a considerable body of seamen. The +Russians, although unsuccessful in their chief object, had by their +occupation of the Turkish redoubts, obliged the British to abandon the +use of the Woronzoff road for the circuitous route by the Col de +Balaklava. + + + + + SORTIE OF THE 26TH. OF OCTOBER. + + +The partial success already described induced the enemy to make a sortie +on the following day; and about noon, on the 26th. of October, an +assault was made on the right flank of the British position at +Inkermann, where the second division was posted under Lieutenant-General +Sir De Lacy Evans, who was attacked by several columns of infantry, +supported by artillery. The division immediately formed line in advance +of the camp,—the left under Major-General Pennefather, the right under +Brigadier-General Adams, whilst Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzmayer, and the +captains of batteries (Turner and Yates) promptly posted their guns and +opened fire. Immediately on the cannonade being heard the Duke of +Cambridge brought up the brigade of Guards, under Major-General +Bentinck, with a battery under Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres. General +Bosquet, with similar promptitude, and from a greater distance, +approached the position with five French battalions; Sir George +Cathcart, with a regiment of rifles hastened to the scene of action, and +Sir George Brown pushed forward two guns in co-operation by the left. +The enemy came on at first rapidly, assisted by their guns, on the mound +hill; but the pickets, then chiefly of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, +resisted them with remarkable determination and firmness. Lieutenant +Conolly, of the 49th., Captain Atcherley and Bayly, of the 30th., all of +whom were severely wounded, greatly distinguished themselves. Great +bravery was also displayed at this point by Sergeant Daniel Sullivan, of +the 30th., who was subsequently appointed to a commission in the 82nd. +regiment. + +Meanwhile, the eighteen guns in position, including those of the first +division, were served with the utmost energy, and in half an hour they +forced the enemy’s artillery to abandon the field. The batteries were +then directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon the Russian columns, +which, being also exposed to the close fire of the advanced infantry, +soon fell into complete disorder, and, taking to flight, were literally +chased by the 30th. and 95th. regiments over the ridges and down towards +the head of the bay. So eager was the pursuit, that it was with +difficulty Major-General Pennefather eventually effected the recall of +the men. The above regiments and pickets were gallantly led by +Lieutenant-Colonel Mauleverer, 30th.; Major Eman, 41st.; and Majors +Champion and Hume, 95th. The Russians were similarly pursued farther +towards the right, by four companies of the 41st., gallantly led by +Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Percy Herbert, Assistant +Quartermaster-General. The 47th. also contributed. The 55th. were held +in reserve. + +Upwards of eighty prisoners were captured, and about one hundred and +thirty of the enemy’s dead were left within or near the British +position. It was estimated that the Russian casualties could scarcely be +less than six hundred. The British loss exceeded eighty, of whom twelve +were killed, and five officers wounded. This affair has received the +name of “Little Inkermann.” + + + + + BATTLE OF INKERMANN. + NOVEMBER 5TH., 1854. + + +Two days after the sortie of the Russians had been repulsed, they were +strengthened by considerable reinforcements, which created an +expectation that an extensive movement would not be long deferred, and +this anticipation was fully realized. According to their own accounts +they had seventy-six thousand men assembled in and near Sebastopol, when +Prince Menschikoff resolved to attack the right wing of the English +position. The plan proposed to be carried out, was for twenty thousand +men, under Prince Gortschakoff, proceeding from Tchorgoun into the plain +of Balaklava, to make a demonstration against that place, and against +General Bosquet’s corps of observation, to prevent any troops being +detached to support the British; a like number occupied Sebastopol, of +whom a portion, under General Timofieff, was ordered to make a strong +sortie against the extreme left of the French, and thereby occupy the +attention of their besieging army; five thousand men were to be in +observation on McKenzie’s Heights; the remaining thirty-one thousand, +divided into two columns of attack, were destined for the immediate +assault of the British position. Lieutenant-General Soimonoff, with his +column of seventeen thousand five hundred men, issued from the Little +Redan before daylight, on Sunday,[161] the memorable 5th. of November, +but instead of ascending the ridge on which he then stood, so as to +assault the Light Division near the Victoria Redoubt, he crossed the +Careening Creek ravine at once upon quitting the town, and with his +three leading regiments proceeded to attack the position of the Second +Division. The two leading regiments of the second Russian column of +thirteen thousand five hundred men, under Lieutenant-General Pauloff, +having crossed the Tchernaya, and finding part of Soimonoff’s column +already occupying a portion of the field of battle, fell upon the +outposts of the Second Division, occupying the Sandbag battery. With +admirable gallantry these pickets defended the ground foot by foot +against the overwhelming masses which poured in upon them, until the +Second Division, under Major-General Pennefather, with its field guns, +which had immediately been got under arms, was placed in position. +Without loss of time the Light Division was brought to the front by +Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, the long slopes to the left towards +Sebastopol being occupied by the first brigade, under Major-General +Codrington; thus protecting the British left, and guarding against +attack on that side; the second brigade, under Brigadier-General Buller, +formed on the left of the Second Division, with the 88th. Connaught +Rangers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jeffreys, thrown in advance. + +The Brigade of Guards, under His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge +and Major-General Bentinck, proceeded likewise to the front, and took up +most important ground to the extreme right on the alignment of the +Second Division, but separated from it by a deep and precipitous ravine, +and posting its guns with those of the Second Division. + +The Brigade of Guards having driven the Russians out of the Sandbag +battery, maintained that post against repeated efforts to acquire +possession. The Grenadiers were in the battery, the Scots Fusiliers on +their left, and the Coldstreams, who arrived afterwards, to the left of +these. The Second Division occupied the ground immediately in front of +their own camp, and repulsed all attempts to force that part of the +position.[162] + +The Fourth Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, +having been brought from its encampment, advanced to the front and right +of the attack; the first brigade, under Brigadier-General Goldie +proceeded to the left of the Inkermann road; the second brigade, under +Brigadier-General Torrens, to the right of it, and on the ridge +overhanging the valley of the Tchernaya. The Third Division, under +Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England, occupied in part the ground +vacated by the Fourth Division, and supported the Light Division by two +regiments under Brigadier-General Sir John Campbell, while +Brigadier-General Eyre held the command of the troops in the +trenches.[163] + +So dark was the morning, independent of the drizzling rain, that it was +nearly impossible to discover anything save the flash and smoke of +artillery, together with a heavy musketry fire. It however soon became +evident that the enemy, under cover of a vast cloud of skirmishers, +supported by dense columns of infantry, had advanced numerous batteries +of large calibre to the high ground to the left and front of the Second +Division, while powerful columns of infantry attacked with great vigour +the Brigade of Guards. Additional Batteries of heavy artillery were also +placed by the enemy on the slopes to the British left; the guns in the +field, amounting in the whole to ninety pieces, independently however of +the ship guns and those in the works of Sebastopol. + +Protected by a tremendous fire of shot, shell, and grape, the Russian +columns advanced in great force, requiring every effort of gallantry on +the part of the troops to resist them. At this time two battalions of +French infantry, which had on the first notice been sent by General +Bosquet, joined the English right, and very materially contributed to +the successful resistance to the attack, cheering with the men, and +charging the enemy down the hill with great loss. About the same period +a determined assault was made on the extreme left of the British, and +for a moment the Russians possessed themselves of four guns, three of +which were retaken by the 88th., while the fourth was speedily +recaptured by the 77th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Egerton. In +the opposite direction the Brigade of Guards, under His Royal Highness +the Duke of Cambridge, was engaged in a severe conflict. + +The enemy, under the cover of thick brushwood, advanced in two heavy +bodies, and assaulted with great determination a small redoubt which had +been constructed for two guns, but was not armed. The combat was most +arduous; and the Brigade, after displaying the utmost steadiness and +gallantry, was obliged to retire before very superior numbers, until +supported by a wing of the 20th. regiment of the Fourth Division, when +they again advanced and re-took the redoubt. This ground was afterwards +occupied in gallant style by French troops, and the Guards speedily +re-formed in the rear of the right flank of the Second Division. + +Meanwhile, Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, with a +few companies of the 68th. regiment, considering that he might make a +strong impression by descending into the valley, and taking the enemy in +flank, moved rapidly forward, but finding the heights above him in full +occupation of the Russians, he suddenly discovered that he was entangled +with a superior force, and whilst attempting to withdraw his men, he +received a mortal wound, shortly previous to which Brigadier-General +Torrens, when leading the 68th., was likewise severely wounded. +Subsequently to this, the battle continued with unabated vigour and with +no positive result, the enemy availing themselves not only of the fire +of all their field batteries, but of those in front of the works of the +place, and the ship guns, till the afternoon, when the symptoms of +giving way first became apparent, and shortly after, although the fire +did not cease, the retreat became general, and heavy masses were +observed retiring over the bridge of the Inkermann, and ascending the +opposite heights, abandoning on the field of battle five or six thousand +dead and wounded, multitudes of the latter having already been carried +off by them. + +During the engagement, Major-General Codrington, fearing that the +British position would be forced near the five-gun battery, and that the +camp of the first brigade of the Light Division would be endangered, +sent Major Mc Kenzie back to the camp, to order all the bâtmen, men on +guard, and any sick who could carry arms, to turn out at once. No +officer being in camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Lysons, of the 23rd., who was +at the time recovering from an attack of fever, got up and took command +of the parties of three regiments of the first brigade; every man who +could stand volunteered to go out; they went to the front in support of +comrades, but no serious attack was ever made in the direction of the +Light Division hills, although the fire from the enemy’s field pieces +across the front, especially at the before-mentioned battery (which they +completely enfiladed), and near the old redoubt, was very heavy. + +With the hope of diverting attention from the Inkermann attack, a +Russian column, five thousand strong, made a sortie on the French lines, +and succeeded in spiking several guns, but were gallantly repulsed, and +pursued to the very walls of Sebastopol, the town being entered by a +portion of the French troops, their leader, General Lourmel, meeting his +death in the charge; General Forey experienced great difficulty in +recalling his soldiers, who were carried away by the ardour of the +chase. The Russians lost a thousand men in this attack, and the French +casualties were also considerable. + +Thus terminated one of the most sanguinary contests of modern times. For +several weeks the troops had been subjected to constant labour, and many +of them had passed the previous night in the trenches. A zealous +devotion to duty characterized the gallantry of both French and English, +and, after a hard-fought day, the “soldier’s battle,” as it has been +designated, ended in a victory over, as regards numbers, an infinitely +superior force. + +Nq positive conclusion could be arrived at in regard to the actual +numbers brought into the field by the Russians, as the configuration of +the ground did not admit of any great development of their force, the +attack consisting of a system of repeated assaults in heavy masses of +columns. It was, however, considered, judging from the numbers seen in +the plains after they had withdrawn in retreat, that they could not have +been less than sixty thousand men. The number of British troops actually +engaged scarcely exceeded eight thousand[164] men, whilst those of +General Bosquet’s Division only amounted to six thousand, the remaining +available French troops on the spot having been kept in reserve. + +Prince Menschikoff’s intention was to drive the British from their +position, and to entrench himself at once on the heights, for several +waggons, laden with fascines and gabions, were noticed in the retreating +columns across the Tchernaya. His first attack was made with vigour and +determination but it was completely defeated by the British before the +arrival of the French. No part was taken in the renewed assault by the +Russian regiments composing the above attack, as they could not again be +organized for further offensive operations. + +The casualties were heavy,—the British had forty-three officers killed, +one hundred wounded, and one taken prisoner; five hundred and +eighty-nine non-commissioned officers and men were killed, one thousand +seven hundred and seventy-eight wounded, and sixty-two missing, in all +two thousand five hundred and seventy-three. + +It was stated that the French casualties amounted to about one thousand +eight hundred killed and wounded, whilst those of the Russians were +estimated at fifteen thousand men. + +There is a peculiar feature incident to the battle of Inkermann, for the +British soldiers were nearly all in their grey great coats; this arose +from the fact of their being turned out before daylight, and on account +of the rain, besides which the greater portion of the Guards, and the +Fourth Division, had come from the trenches, in which they had been +employed for twenty-four hours, and were consequently similarly clothed. +It is also worthy of record that the battle was fought fasting by the +British. + +The gallant deeds of the following officers and men at Inkermann, will +appear among the recipients of the Victoria Cross, but their names are +here mentioned to facilitate references:—Colonel the Honourable Hugh +Manvers Percy, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, and Private +Palmer, of the Grenadier Guards; Lieutenant-Colonel Robert James +Lindsay, of the Scots Fusilier Guards; Lieutenant Walker, 30th. +regiment; Brevet-Major Rowlands, 41st.; Private Mc Dermond, 47th.; +Private Thomas Beach, 55th.; Private John Byrne, 68th.; Sergeant John +Park, 77th.; Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable H. Clifford, Rifle +Brigade; and Corporal Prettyjohn, of the Royal Marines. In addition to +these, the list of officers and men who received French and Sardinian +War Medals, will shew the special acts of bravery performed by them +throughout the campaign. + +There is a peculiar interest attaching to the soldiers’ accounts of this +hard-fought battle, and the two following are but types of many others, +all of which are full of natural characteristics. The first is from a +soldier in the Scots Fusilier Guards:— + +“We have had another general engagement, on the 5th. of November. Well +shall I remember that day. I ought never to forget the goodness of God +in bringing me off the ground safe, and without a scratch. + +“And now I will endeavour to give you an account, as far as I am able, +of the battle. But I must tell you that on the night preceding the +battle it was very foggy, and the morning was misty. The Russians +availed themselves of it. A strong force, about forty thousand men (we +are informed) under the command of General Osten-Sacken, from Odessa, +with numerous artillery, got possession of some heights, and when the +mist cleared away opened fire, drove in the outlying pickets, and got +possession of the hills overlooking the Second Division’s tents. It was +about a quarter part six a.m. when the firing commenced. I was just up, +and saw the Second Division falling in. Some men were killed in front of +their tents. We fell in anyhow. We had only six companies—two on picket; +the Grenadier Guards five companies; and, I believe, the Coldstream +Guards seven companies. The brigade of Highlanders are guarding +Balaklava; the Second Division is encamped on our right. We went up, and +a fearful sight it was going through the Second Division’s encampment. +The shells were bursting over our heads, and the cannon-balls rolling +through us, bringing down tents, and poor bât-horses were knocked to +pieces by them. + +“We were, of course, all taken by surprise, finding that the enemy being +so near, and had gained possession of a redoubt; and the Duke of +Cambridge, with only the Guards and two companies of the 46th., said, +‘You must drive them out of it.’ Well, then, they were only twenty yards +from us, and we were firing at each other. The pioneers and drummers, +with the stretchers, were told to find the best shelter they could, and +so I, myself, with our drum-major, were lying down behind a small bush, +and we both expected every moment to be shot, the bullets actually +passing within a few inches of our heads, and breaking off the branches +over us as we lay there. Well, they succeeded in driving the Russians +out of the place, and got them down the hill, when they were ordered to +retire. + +“They retired, and the Russians came up with redoubled strength, and +completely surrounded us. The Russians took possession of the redoubt. +The Duke[165] said, ‘They must come out of it again.’ The Russians +cheered, as also did the Guards. Things now looked desperate, as we had +no support except the Almighty, and He defended the right. + +“At it they went, and for half an hour things seemed to favour the +enemy. We were all surrounded—no getting out. The Grenadier Guards +nearly lost colours; they had only about forty men to defend them. We +gave another cheer, and out of the redoubt they went again, and the +Grenadier Guards managed to keep their colours. We drove them out at the +point of the bayonet down the hill. The Guards were ordered to retire +again, but would not, and, in fact, could not; if they had got down this +steep hill, they could not have got back again well. The brave French +came up to our assistance, and kept them at bay while we retired and got +our ammunition completed; and then the brigade of Guards were formed +into one regiment of six companies, and at it we went again; and by this +time, plenty of assistance coming to us, we managed to do them, but at a +great loss to us. Officers behaved bravely. The Coldstreams had eight +officers killed on the field; the Grenadiers three officers. Only +picture to yourself eleven officers being buried at one place and time! +there was not a dry eye at the funeral. We had Colonel Walker wounded in +three places. Colonel Blair died and was buried to-day. He had only +joined three weeks ago; he was shot in the breast. Our Adjutant, Captain +Drummond, Captain Gipps, Colonel F. Seymour, and Mr. Elkington, were all +wounded. Colonel Ridley and Colonel Dalrymple left us to-day sick. We +have scarcely any officers now left. We had two sergeants, four +corporals, and thirty-one privates killed on the field, and eleven have +died since of their wounds.” + +The second is from a soldier of the 95th., who writes thus:—“On the 5th. +instant, the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, we had a most terrible +day of it. The Russians advanced to attack our position, and drive us +into the sea (as has since been learned), at about six in the morning, +and continued the battle until four in the afternoon. Not once or twice, +but thrice and again did they advance, and endeavour to take our +position; and after our repeated attacks and charges, and our great +losses, they had nearly carried the crest of our position, but were met +by a Division of our brave allies, the French, who formed like the +letter V, and drove them back. The battle was far more desperate than +that at Alma. The Russians fought well, and attempted to advance up the +face of the hill, which was sheer madness, and can only be accounted for +by their state of intoxication, which, I believe, is usual; the custom +being to issue spirits before any enterprise is undertaken. The loss on +our side I cannot as yet inform you of, but in our brigade the killed +and wounded amounted to three hundred and sixty-one. The Guards, I +think, have lost the most of any English regiment, and the point which +they defended shows their prowess—hundreds of Russians lying dead and +wounded (some say a thousand) in that spot alone. It is said that we +have taken a thousand prisoners. I myself saw at least two hundred +wounded brought in to-day of the Russians, and I do not think that all +have yet been brought in.” + +The Staff Officer, in his “Letters from Head Quarters,” a most valuable +and interesting work, relates the following anecdote, regarding the +battle of Inkermann, which shews of what material the British soldier is +made:—“I should also tell you an instance of great self-possession on +the part of a sergeant, I think, of the 7th. Fusiliers. It was towards +the close of the battle, and Lord Raglan was returning from taking leave +of poor General Strangways, and was going up towards the ridge. A +sergeant approached us, carrying canteens of water to take up for the +wounded, and as Lord Raglan passed, he drew himself up to make the usual +salute, when a round shot came bounding over the hill, and knocked his +forage-cap off his head. The man calmly picked up his cap, dusted it on +his knee, placed it carefully on his head, and then made the military +salute, and all without moving a muscle of his countenance. Lord Raglan +was delighted with the man’s coolness, and said to him, ‘A near thing +that, my man.’ ‘Yes, my Lord,’ replied the sergeant, with another +salute, ‘but a miss is as good as a mile.’” + +Not less interesting is the same writer’s account of the poor wounded +horses:—“One of the most painful things during the action was the number +of wounded horses. Some of the poor creatures went grazing about the +field, limping on three legs, one having been broken or carried away by +shot; others galloping about, screaming with fright and terror. At +times, some would attach themselves to the Staff, as if desirous of +company; and one poor beast, who had its nose and mouth shot away, used +to come in amongst us, and rub its gory head against our horses’ flanks; +he was ordered to be killed by one of the escort, which was of course +done.” + +Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, to which rank his lordship was advanced for +this victory, in publishing to the Army in General Orders the despatch +of the Minister of War, conveying the Queen’s entire approbation of the +conduct of the troops at Inkermann, especially drew attention to the +passage, “Let not any Private Soldier in those ranks believe that his +conduct is unheeded. The Queen thanks him—his Country honours him.” + +In addition to the medal and clasps ordered for these successes, the +Queen, as a mark of Her Majesty’s recognition of the meritorious +services of the non-commissioned officers serving in the Crimea, +directed that one sergeant should be selected from each regiment of +cavalry, guards, and infantry, serving under Lord Raglan, for promotion +to a commission, to be dated 5th. November, 1854. The thanks of the +House of Lords and Commons were given for these services, and the same +tribute was conveyed to General Canrobert and the French Army for their +gallant and successful co-operation. This distinction was most highly +prized, and the French Commander, in his general order, gave utterance +to sentiments that found a ready response in every heart, and which, it +is hoped, time will never efface: “You will all feel its value, and I +shall, in your name and mine, assure Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, that it +will, if possible, tighten still more the bonds of good fellowship, +which a mutual high esteem, and the blood we have shed in common, have +established between our British gallant companions in arms and +ourselves.” + +Contrasted with the painful though glorious scenes for which medals were +being gained, stands out the mission of Miss Nightingale, who +exemplified what womanly devotion could effect. The public desire to +alleviate the sufferings endured by the soldiers in the far-off +battle-field, met with a generous response, and the subscription, +originated by the all-powerful “Times,” was liberally responded to, and +a special correspondent of that newspaper, Mr. Macdonald, judiciously +administered its distribution; whilst the devoted widow of the heroic +Colonel Moore, whose husband, preferring the lives of his men to his +own, met his death in the burning troopship “Europa,” thinking the best +consolation for her bereavement would be found in administering +consolation to the sick and wounded, fell a victim to her self-denial, +but left a name which will be associated with Mr. and Mrs. Bracebridge +and Florence Nightingale, and will never be forgotten, for the example +of the Dorcas of the Crimea and her Christian associates will be ever +held up as a noble instance in the holy cause of suffering humanity. The +difficult task which, at the pressing instance of the Right Honourable +Sidney Herbert, Secretary of State for War, she undertook, was deemed by +some at first visionary, but the arduous enterprise was successfully +carried out by these ladies, and their arrival at Scutari at the period +of the battle of Inkermann was most opportune. This was truly designated +as a Christian episode in a Christian war. + +Few will forget the exhibition of the fine arts in aid of the patriotic +fund, to which the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, and Prince +Alfred contributed. The touching picture sent by Her Royal Highness, +wherein the devoted wife has found the dead body of her husband, was as +appropriate as it was truthful. This, and the pen-and-ink sketches of +knightly warriors and kings, furnished by the youthful princes, realized +handsome prices. The patriotic fund reached the munificent amount of +half a million of money, whilst by the “Central Association,” ably +superintended by Major the Honourable Henry Littleton Powys, of the +60th., and the regimental and other funds about two hundred thousand +pounds were obtained. Such appreciation by their country of her gallant +soldiers, and regard for their wives and children, were alike worthy of +the nation and of their noble devotion and patient endurance before +Sebastopol. + + + + + CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE. + + +The day following this victory a council of war was assembled, and it +was resolved to postpone the assault until fresh reinforcements should +arrive, and, at the same time, works for the defence of the Inkermann +position were ordered to be forthwith commenced, as there was then every +probability of the allies having to winter in the Crimea. + +It is calculated that at this time forty-six thousand five hundred and +thirty-seven rounds of ammunition had been expended. It is singular that +Russian shot had been collected by the soldiers, and fired back into +Sebastopol. By the general order, dated 24th. October, 1854, payment was +authorized of fourpence for each small shot, and sixpence for each large +shot brought into camp; but a subsequent order on the 4th. of November +following cancelled the foregoing. A similar circumstance occurred +during the Peninsular war, and it excited the surprise of the Duke of +Wellington.[166] + +At this time the nights became intensely cold, and the incessant rain +caused the roads to be anything but passable; whilst on the 14th. a +tremendous hurricane, tearing many of the tents to pieces, and +scattering their goods, added to the discomforts of the troops. Several +French, British, and Turkish vessels were either lost or damaged from +the same untoward circumstance; and most unfortunately the “Prince” +steamer, with the winter clothing for the English army, and a good +supply of engineer stores and ammunition, was shattered to pieces on the +rocks at Balaklava, and one hundred and thirty-seven souls perished. It +would be difficult to depict the desolation which the hurricane +occasioned in the encampment of the allies, and the next day the +soldiers found ample employment in repairing its ravages. Poor fellows, +they needed nothing further to aggravate the privations already endured. + +During the night of the 20th. of November, an affair occurred which drew +forth the praise not only of Lord Raglan, but also of the +Commander-in-Chief of the French army. The Russian advanced posts in +front of the left attack of the British, having taken up a position +which incommoded the troops in the trenches, and occasioned not a few +casualties, besides taking in reverse the French troops working in their +lines, a detachment of the first battalion of the Rifle Brigade, of two +hundred men, under Lieutenant Tryon, was directed on the night of the +20th. to dislodge the enemy. The caves in which the Russian riflemen had +established themselves, were popularly known as the Ovens. This service +was most gallantly and effectively performed, but at some loss in killed +and wounded. Lieutenant Tryon, who rendered himself conspicuous on the +occasion, was killed; he was considered a most promising officer, and +held in the highest estimation by all. Several attempts were made by the +Russians 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. The detachment received +well-merited praise, and the conduct of Lieutenants Tryon, Bourchier, +and Cuninghame, was highly commended. So highly prized was this little +exploit 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 as Lieutenant Tyron. + +The Russians moved upon the British advanced pickets, in front of the +left attack, on the 12th. of December, in some force, but were instantly +driven back by a detachment of the first battalion of the Rifle Brigade +on the right, and by one of the 46th. on the left. The firing, however, +was kept up for some time afterwards. + +A sortie was made by the enemy on both the right and left attack, during +the night of the 20th. of December, the one being conducted silently, +the other with drums beating, and shouting; the first was probably the +real object of the advance, as nearer to the Inkermann heights. Owing to +the extreme darkness of the night, the Russians were enabled to approach +very near the right attack without being perceived, and, having made a +sudden rush upon the most forward parallel they compelled the men +occupying it to withdraw, until reinforced by a party under Major +Welsford, of the 97th. Regiment, when it was regained possession of, and +the enemy retired, not, however, without occasioning some loss in both +killed and wounded. Lieutenant John Byron, of the 34th., was taken +prisoner. + +On the left attack the enemy were met with great gallantry by Lieutenant +Gordon, of the 38th. Regiment, who, when supported by the covering party +of the trenches, under Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy, of the 50th., succeeded +in at once driving them back. Here the loss was still more severe, Major +Möller of the 50th., falling mortally wounded; Capt. Frampton and +Lieutenant Clarke, both of the 50th., were taken prisoners. The +gallantry and vigilance of these troops, and the distinguished conduct +of Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy, were highly praised. + +The Christmas before Sebastopol will not be easily forgotten; the +time-honoured phrase of wishing a merry one, and a happy new year, must +have sounded almost as a mockery to the suffering troops. During +December the weather became very severe, and the duties more and more +arduous; both officers and men were frequently on duty two and three +nights in succession, without any shelter from the snow and rain; +provisions and forage became scarce, owing to the want of transport; and +the young soldiers, unable to bear the hardships and fatigue, died in +numbers. + +Neither was the commencement of the new year more promising; when the +commissariat transport broke down, it became necessary to send fatigue +parties to carry up rations and warm clothing from Balaklava, a distance +of seven miles; horses and mules were picked up wherever they could be +found, officers’ chargers not excepted. Men were frequently found dead +in the trenches from cold and exhaustion. The sick present and absent at +Scutari on the 11th. January, 1855, amounted to sixteen thousand and one +men.[167] + +Such sufferings excited the public feeling, and Mr. Roebuck’s motion for +a committee of enquiry occasioned a change of ministry, when Lord +Palmerston became Premier, and Lord Panmure was appointed Secretary of +State for War. It is not, however, within the scope of this work to +dwell upon the political view of the campaign; its object being to show +how the Medals were won. No sympathy could have cheered the soldiers +more than that expressed by the Queen in a letter to Mrs. Sidney +Herbert, which fortunately was published.[168] Constant visits of the +Sovereign to the bed-sides of the invalids on their arrival in England, +and substantial acts of kindness in finding occupation for several of +them, shewed Her Majesty’s deep interest in her soldiers. + +In January a railroad was commenced from Balaklava to the camp, which +may be classed as one of the “curiosities of war.” At this period the +French army had been reinforced, and consisted, in round numbers, of +about sixty-seven thousand men. + +The Russians still retain the old style of reckoning, and, during the +night of the 12th. of January, 1855 (their New Year’s Day), they made a +powerful sortie, under protection of a heavy cannonade, along the +Woronzoff Road and the ravine on the extreme left, on the French and +English trenches, but were ultimately forced to retire. The following +morning was the commencement of a severe frost, the snow in some places +on the plain being eighteen inches deep, whilst the drifts were not only +deep, but in many spots dangerous. The old adage that “it’s an ill wind +that blows nobody any good,” was here realized, for the ground became +hardened and consequently improved, by the frost, which aided the +communication to the front: there was, however, a drawback on account of +the difficulty of obtaining fuel for cooking and hospital requirements. +Indeed the scarcity of wood of any kind was great. The brushwood along +the Inkermann ridge had long been used up; the soldiers had even +employed the vine roots to cook their meals. Fortunately large +quantities of charcoal were arriving at Balaklava, and although the +seige works did not improve by the employment of the Turkish troops in +bringing up this necessary article, the comfort of the army was +materially increased. Warm clothing also arrived; but sickness could not +be reduced. + +About the middle of January there was a marked improvement in the +weather, and on the 21st. a French Division afforded valuable relief to +the British by relieving the pickets of the Second and Light Divisions, +and enabled the latter to afford better covering parties for their +batteries. It was fortunate at this period that the enemy was ignorant +of the small number of men employed in their defence.[169] + +The hospitals in Constantinople, from the improvements effected therein +under the superintendence of Florence Nightingale, were already bearing +fruit, by the number of convalescent soldiers constantly returning to +the Crimea. + +On the 2nd. of March occurred the death of the Emperor of Russia, and +the event appeared at first calculated to lead to peace, but that hope +soon vanished. During this month the operations of the siege began to be +more actively carried on; large working parties were employed, and an +approach was made from the middle ravine to the twenty-one gun battery; +a new approach was also made to the right of the advanced work, or third +parallel; this trench was extended to communicate with the new French +right attack against the Mamelon and Malakoff; old batteries were +repaired, and new ones constructed, and the guards of the trenches were +increased. On the 16th. of March, Lieutenant-General Simpson arrived to +undertake the duties of Chief of the Staff, and Sir John McNeill and +Colonel Tulloch, who had been sent out by the government, to report upon +the state of the army, arrived a few days before. + +Frequent night alarms occurred during this month, and on the morning of +the 22nd. of March, the French troops in the advanced parallel moved +forward, and drove the enemy out of their rifle-pits in their immediate +front, but nothing of any importance happened during the day. Early in +the night, however, a serious attack was made upon the French works in +front of the Victoria redoubt, opposite the Malakoff tower. The firing, +which was very heavy, could scarcely be heard in the British camp, the +wind being so boisterous. After attacking the head of the sap which the +French were carrying on towards the Mamelon, the Russians fell in with +two heavy masses on their new parallel, to the rear of which they +succeeded in penetrating, after a gallant resistance. Passing along the +parallel and in rear of it, until they came in contact with the troops +stationed in the advanced parallel, extending into the ravine, from the +right of the British advance, where it was connected with the French +trench, the enemy was there met by detachments of the 77th. and 97th. +regiments, forming part of the guard of the trenches, who although thus +taken suddenly, both in flank and rear, behaved with the utmost +gallantry and coolness.[170] The detachment of the 97th., which was on +the extreme right, and which, consequently first came in contact with +the enemy, repulsed the attack at the point of the bayonet. They were +led by Captain Hedley Vicars, who fell mortally wounded, not before he +had knocked over two Russians. The “Memorials” of this officer are well +known in every English home, and dissipate the prevalent error that +christian and military virtues cannot be united. His life was an +exemplification of the motto of the 97th., “_Quo fas et Gloria ducunt_.” +Lord Raglan stated in his despatch,—“I am assured that nothing could be +more distinguished than the gallantry and good example which he set to +the detachment under his command;” and added, “the conduct of the 77th. +was equally distinguished; and the firmness and promptitude with which +the attack, in this part of our works, was met, were in the highest +degree creditable to that regiment.” + +These troops were under the direction of Major Gordon, of the Royal +Engineers, who was severely wounded by a musket-ball through the arm. +The Russians were finally driven out of the parallel, the repulse being +conducted with great judgment by this officer. + +The attention of the troops in the advanced works having been by these +transactions drawn to the right, the enemy took occasion to move upon, +and succeeded in penetrating into, the left front of the British right +attack, near the battery where two ten-inch mortars had recently been +placed. They advanced along the works until they were met by a +detachment of the 7th. and 34th. regiments, which had been at work in +the neighbourhood, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Tylden, of +the Royal Engineers, who promptly made them stand to their arms, and led +them with the greatest determination and steadiness against the enemy, +who were speedily ejected from their works, and fairly pitched over the +parapet, with but little or no firing on the part of the British. The +French, in retiring from their advanced parallel upon their supports, +speedily rallied, and fell upon the enemy, whom they repulsed with great +loss, and followed so far up towards the Mamelon, that they were enabled +to level and destroy nearly all the “ambuscades,” or “rifle +concealments,” erected along their front. This success was not +accomplished without considerable loss, though that of the Russians was +much greater. + +Meanwhile the enemy in great numbers found their way into the advanced +batteries on the extreme left of the British, which were then not armed, +and immediately obtained possession of them. The working parties were, +however, speedily collected and re-formed by Captain Chapman, of the +20th. regiment, Acting Engineer, and they at once drove the Russians out +of the trenches with the utmost gallantry. Captain Montagu, of the Royal +Engineers, who was superintending the works, unfortunately fell into +their hands. + +There was a suspension of hostilities for about three hours on Saturday, +the 24th. of March, for the purpose of burying those who had fallen in +the late encounters, when it became evident from the number of bodies of +the enemy, and of the French, to whom the last sad offices had to be +paid, that the loss sustained both by the French and the Russians had +been very severe, particularly that of the latter. Some French, too, +were found lying close to the Mamelon, a proof that their gallant spirit +had carried them up to the enemy’s entrenchments. + +At this period of the siege, a sixty-eight pounder manned by the Naval +Brigade, caused so much damage to the Mamelon, that the Russians +specially brought up a gun of similar calibre to dismount it. During the +truce on March 24th., this fact was made known to the British by a +Russian officer, and the next day a regular duel took place between the +two guns. The enemy were confident of success, but after the interchange +of about seventeen shots, the Russian gun was silenced, while that of +the Naval Brigade continued battering the Mamelon as before. + + + + + SECOND BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +During Easter Sunday, the 8th. of April, 1855, the busy hum of +preparation might be heard in the allied camp, the second bombardment of +Sebastopol having been resolved on for the morrow. Showers had been +frequent during the day, and in the evening there was heavy rain; the +trenches in consequence became flooded, and in more than one battery the +drenched soldiers were standing in eight inches of water; this +comfortless position was not improved by the darkness of the night and +the gale which was blowing. A thick fog and drizzling mist heralded in +the morning of the 9th. of April, which prevented the enemy’s works from +being seen; but about half-past five the outlines of the Redan and +Malakoff were discerned, the mist having partially cleared. A few +minutes afterwards and the first gun fired from the British batteries, +was followed almost immediately by the whole of the right and left +attacks, with the single exception of No. 9 battery, right attack; and +on the French attacks commencing, the south side of Sebastopol was +environed by the fire of the allies. The fleet had no share in this +bombardment. + +It was evident that the besieged were taken by surprise, as for a short +interval they did not return a shot, and it was almost six o’clock +before anything like a general fire was opened by the enemy. Heavy rain +fell throughout the day, and the southerly wind driving the smoke from +the allied batteries over the town, completely concealed it and +prevented the effect of the fire being observed. Towards one o’clock a +somewhat brisker fire was opened by the enemy, which was immediately +checked by the British and French batteries. When the mist was somewhat +dispelled, towards three in the afternoon, these works were noticed to +be considerably injured. Towards evening the fire of both parties, as if +by consent, slackened, but at daylight on the following morning the fire +was resumed from all the batteries, to which the enemy vigorously +responded. By ten o’clock, the sun, so long a stranger, burst out, and +the heavy rain subsided. The fire of the Malakoff was considerably +lessened, while that of the Mamelon was soon checked; not so that of the +Redan, which still continued formidable. The fleets advanced at mid-day, +on the 11th. of April, but did not attack. Both officers and men of the +Royal Artillery now became exhausted, having had only two reliefs since +the afternoon of the 8th., and their unparalleled exertions and overwork +began to tell upon them. So swollen were the men’s feet from being +constantly wet that they were fearful of not being able to get on their +boots again if they attempted to take them off. Nevertheless both +officers and men toiled on with persevering resolution, and few gave up, +although many were fitter for the hospital than for these trying duties. + +Another day dawned, and the 12th., as the others, opened with fire. But +the Russians, like the shoes of the dancing princesses in the +fairy-tale, seemed to be as fresh as ever, their resources appearing +inexhaustible; and their courage and determination being fully equal to +the emergency. The mornings of the 13th., 14th., 15th., and 16th. of +April, witnessed the repetition of the previous ones, and the day after +orders were received from Lord Raglan to lessen the fire from all the +batteries, which was nearly confined to that from the mortars, some of +the guns firing daily about eight rounds. The Russians also ceased +firing. + +Thus the second bombardment of Sebastopol terminated without any decided +result. Eight days’ incessant firing had not succeeded in silencing the +fire of the Russians, or in destroying their works, although some of the +heaviest guns and mortars ever employed on a like occasion, had been +served with a precision, zeal, and determination unequalled in any +siege, but had not produced that permanent effect which might have been +anticipated from its constancy, power, and accuracy. The advantages +obtained daily over the Malakoff and Mamelon, were, as before adverted +to, repaired by night, and their fire was not sufficiently subdued to +justify an assault being attempted. Forty-seven thousand eight hundred +and fifty-four rounds of ammunition (thirty-two thousand five hundred +and sixty-eight shot, and fifteen thousand two hundred and eighty-six +shell) had been expended during this second bombardment, which lasted +from the 9th. to the 16th. of April, both days inclusive. + + + + + CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE. + + +Large rifle-pits having been made by the Russians in front of the +advanced works of the British right attack, it became necessary to +dislodge them. One of these rifle-pits was gallantly taken during the +night of the 19th. of April. The resistance of the enemy, although +obstinate, was speedily overcome by the impetuosity of the troops, and +the pit was, without the loss of a moment, connected with the British +approach, thereby furnishing protection to the working party to continue +its labours without interruption for a considerable time. At the +interval, however, of about three hours, the enemy brought a heavy fire +of artillery and musketry upon the party in advance of the pit, into +which they retired, and which they effectually defended and maintained; +but this brilliant achievement was not accomplished without considerable +sacrifice of life. Colonel Egerton, of the 77th., was killed when +forming troops for the support of those on the extreme advance; and +Captain Lemprière, of the same regiment, fell in the first affair; in +which also, Colonel Egerton received a contusion that only incapacitated +him from duty for a few minutes. Five officers were wounded, three of +them dangerously. A second rifle-pit was abandoned by the enemy on the +following night, and not being required, was filled up by the British. +The other rifle-pits were connected with each other and the quarries. + +The “Staff Officer” relates the following characteristic anecdote, in +reference to the rifle-pits.—“A drummer-boy of the 77th. regiment went +with his comrades in the first rush agains the enemy’s pits, when he saw +a Russian trumpet-boy trying to clamber over the parapet in order to get +away. He was immediately collared by our drummer, who, having no arms, +began to pummel him in truly British fashion. The Russian boy, not +understanding this mode of treatment, tried to grapple with him, but in +this he signally failed, as the English boy threw him on the ground, +made him a prisoner and took his trumpet from him. He afterwards gave it +to Sir George Brown, who liberally rewarded him, and praised him much +for his courage and daring. Lord Raglan, hearing of the circumstance, +also made the boy a present.” + +During the night of the 5th. of May, the enemy assaulted the advanced +parallel on the right attack, and some actually got into the trench; but +they were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost gallantry, by +the detachments occupying it, of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, under +Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant +Rochfort, of the latter, who was severely wounded. On the same night +Captain Arnold, of the 4th. Foot, was wounded and taken prisoner whilst +posting the advanced sentries of the left attack, and died of his +wounds. Lord Raglan stated that “the loss of the services of this +officer is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty unremittingly, +and in the most spirited manner, throughout the operations of the +siege.” + +Two serious assaults were made by the enemy upon the most advanced +parallel of the right attack, during the night of the 9th. of May, but +they were, on each occasion, most nobly met, and repulsed with +considerable loss. + +During the following night the Russians opened a powerful fire on the +trenches, and exposed their columns to a heavy musketry fire from the +troops on duty. They did not, however, reach the parapets, nor approach +very near them. + +On the night of the 11th. of May, a very determined sortie was made upon +the advance of the left attack. The enemy moved forward in two columns +from the Woronzoff road. The advanced sentries having slowly retired, +the guard of the trenches was prepared to receive them, and drove them +back in the most determined manner. A few Russians only got into the +parallel, and five were left dead close outside. + +One of the most memorable events of the month was the presentation of +the Crimean Medal by Her Majesty to the officers and men of the troops, +and of the Naval Brigade and Marines, who, from ill-health, or on +account of wounds, had returned from the seat of war. The Queen had +already shown her interest for the wounded, by visiting them in +hospital, and this requital of their valour was a becoming sequel. Never +had such an honour been thus conferred; and it was a most touching sight +to witness the officers and men, many of whom by their pallid +countenances or maimed limbs, affectingly appealed to the sympathy of +all, receiving from their Sovereign’s own hands the well-earned guerdon +of bravery; they represented, as it were, their brethren in arms before +the beleaguered city, and the recital of this day’s proceedings must +have exercised a great effect upon the troops before Sebastopol, +although it was no new thing for them to experience the Queen’s +consideration. + +This interesting ceremony took place on the parade of the Horse Guards, +on the 18th. of May, 1855, in the presence of numerous spectators, +including the members of the Royal Family, and of both Houses of +Parliament, for whom galleries were erected, as well as for the +fortunate persons who were enabled to obtain tickets. Every exertion was +made to accommodate as many as possible, and the ceremony, which was of +a most impressive and affecting character, is not one easily to be +forgotten. + +Colonel Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart., of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, who +lost both his feet at Inkermann, and Captain Sayer, of the 23rd., who +had the ankle joint of his right leg shot away at the Alma, were drawn +in wheeled chairs. Captain Currie, of the 19th. regiment, desperately +wounded at the Alma, approached on crutches, with his disabled leg +supported by a soldier. To these, as to many other officers whose wounds +still crippled them, the Queen addressed expressions of kind +commiseration, and Sir Thomas was appointed one of her aides-de-camp. + +The recipients of the medal were subsequently marched to Buckingham +Palace, in the riding-house of which the men partook of a substantial +repast, during which the Queen and royal party visited them. The +officers were entertained at luncheon in the palace. Until the +announcement of dinner the whole were permitted to walk in the gardens +of the palace, and there, likewise, Her Majesty encouraged them in their +enjoyment by her presence and sympathy. The formation of the troops was +superintended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who had been +compelled, through ill-health, to return to England. + +Renewed exertions were made during this month by the allies, the railway +which had been constructed proving of immense benefit. The enemy at the +same time were actively employed in covering their advanced works; they +constructed a new battery on their left of Mamelon, and troops were +constantly in motion on the north side. A welcome reinforcement had +arrived, in the shape of a portion of the Sardinian troops. The +expedition which had been embarked early in May, for Kertch, and +countermanded, again sailed on the 22nd. of May, and was attended with +complete success. It was composed of British, French, and Turkish +troops, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, and Admiral +Sir Edmund Lyons,[171] the French being under General D’Autremarre. + +The forts were forced, and the magazines were exploded by the Russians +themselves; but all their guns, an immense quantity of corn, grain, +munitions of war, naval stores, and military equipments, fell into the +hands of the troops. A most serious blow to the enemy was thus effected, +and the whole coast of the Crimea became open to the allies, and the +difficult route through Perekop was the only road by which +reinforcements or provisions could be sent to the troops in Sebastopol. + +After leaving a sufficient garrison, principally Turks, in Kertch and +Yenikale, the greater portion of the troops returned to Balaklava on the +15th. of June. It was a matter of congratulation that so much was +effected without loss of life. + +An expedition to Anapa was in course of preparation, when on the 5th. of +June, the Russians withdrew from that place, and thus abandoned their +last stronghold on the coast of Circassia. + + + + + THIRD BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +The third bombardment of Sebastopol was commenced at about half-past two +o’clock in the afternoon of the 6th. of June, instead of at daybreak as +in the two former instances. Circumstances, too, were more favourable, +for on this occasion a summer sky made the works stand out in bold +relief, instead of being veiled in rain and mist. The additional weight +of metal of the British guns, and the increase in the number of mortars, +added to the plentiful supply of ammunition in the several batteries, +augured a speedy termination of the siege. The Mamelon and Malakoff by +half-past four were nearly silenced. + +The firing re-commenced at daybreak on the 7th. of June. The Russians, +with their wonted promptitude, having made good the damage sustained, +kept up a vigorous fire from the Redan and Barrack batteries, and the +Mamelon and Malakoff soon became in the same plight as before. + +It was determined to make the attack on the enemy’s outworks from the +Quarries in front of the Redan, on the Mamelon, and on the Ouvrages +Blancs, during the evening; and at six o’clock, as the Anglo-French +troops formed in the trenches, a crushing fire told with great effect on +the Mamelon, which, in half an hour afterwards, was occupied by the +French. The mortars and guns were then turned on the Malakoff, towards +which the French advanced, but were driven back, and the Mamelon was +again in possession of its original owners, but after a short interval +was once more re-occupied by the French. A heavy fire was then poured +into the Malakoff until dusk. + +Whilst the French had succeeded in their attack upon the Mamelon (so +named from its appearance—a rounded hill), the British had obtained +possession of the Quarries. This success was thus achieved:—On the +evening of the 7th. of June, an assault was made upon these works, +which, as their name implies, were pits from which stone had been +excavated for the buildings in the town. They were situated in front of +the Redan, from the British advanced parallel in the right attack. Their +possession was achieved with great gallantry and determination, and the +ground was maintained, notwithstanding that during the night and in the +morning of the 8th., repeated attempts were made to regain them; but +each terminated in failure, although supported by large bodies of +troops, by heavy discharges of musketry, and by every species of +offensive missile. On these occasions, overpowering numbers succeeded in +re-entering, but were each time driven back at the point of the bayonet. + +The troops employed in storming the Quarries were composed of +detachments from the Light and Second Divisions, and at night they were +supported by the 62nd. regiment. The charge of holding the Quarries, and +of repelling the repeated attacks of the enemy, was confided to +Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Campbell, of the 90th., after he had led the +assault, in which he was twice wounded. Colonel Shirley, of the 88th., +acted as General of the day in the trenches of the right attack. The +55th. regiment received special commendation, and had fifty-three out of +one hundred and sixty killed and wounded. Captain Cure commanded the +party; Lieutenant Stone was killed at the head of his men, charging the +Russians in their trench with the bayonet; Captain Elton was +particularly noticed, and Lieutenants Scott and Williams were likewise +named as most active in performing their duties. + +Shortly before, the French, on the right, had moved out of their +trenches, and attacked the Ouvrages Blancs, and the Mamelon. These were +carried without the smallest check, and their leading column rushed +forward and approached the Malakoff tower. This it had not been +contemplated to assail and therefore the troops were brought back, and +finally established in the enemy’s works, from which the latter did not +succeed in expelling them, notwithstanding that the fire of musketry and +cannon brought to bear upon them was tremendous. Nothing could be more +spirited and rapid than the advance of the French. + +A heavy fire was opened on the morning of the 9th. of June, and it was +continued, with the exception of a truce for the burial of the dead, +which lasted from one till six o’clock. No sooner was the white flag +lowered than both sides again opened fire, the Russians having, during +the interval, mounted additional guns in the Malakoff and Redan. During +the 10th. of June, the Malakoff and Redan rarely fired more than a few +shots at long intervals. Again the bombardment was ordered to terminate, +and it was decided that the attack on the town should be deferred until +the French had established their batteries in the Mamelon. By the 16th. +of June new batteries were completed, which, it was hoped, would enable +the besiegers to resume the offensive with the utmost vigour. From the +6th. to the 14th. of June, thirty-two thousand eight hundred and +eighty-three rounds of ammunition had been expended. + + + + + FOURTH BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +The fourth bombardment commenced on Sunday, the 17th. of June, at +daybreak, when a very heavy fire was opened from all the batteries in +the British and French trenches, and maintained throughout the day. The +effect produced was so satisfactory, that it was resolved the French +should attack the Malakoff on the following morning, and that the +British should assail the Redan as soon after as might be considered +advisable. + +It was originally proposed that the artillery fire should be resumed on +the morning of the 18th., and should be kept up for about two hours, +with a view of destroying any works which the Russians might have thrown +up during the night, and of opening passages through the _abatis_ that +covered the Redan; but during the evening of the 17th., Lord Raglan +received an intimation from General Pelissier, who had in May succeeded +General Canrobert in the command of the French army, that he had +determined, upon further consideration, to cause the French attack to +take place at three o’clock on the following morning. Before that hour +Lord Raglan with the head-quarter staff and other officers assembled at +the appointed post. As day broke the French commenced their operations, +and as their several columns came within range of the enemy’s fire they +encountered the most serious opposition, both from musketry and the guns +in the works which had been silenced the previous evening. Lord Raglan +observing this, at once ordered the British columns to move out of the +trenches upon the Redan. It had been arranged that detachments from the +light, second, and fourth divisions, which were placed under the command +of Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, should be formed into three +columns; the right one to attack the left face of the Redan, between the +flanking batteries; the centre to advance upon the salient angle; and +the left to move upon the re-entering angle formed by the right face and +flank of the work; the first and last preceding the centre column. + +On the signal being given the flank columns at once advanced, preceded +by covering parties of the Rifle Brigade, and by sailors carrying +ladders, and soldiers carrying wool-bags; but they had no sooner shown +themselves beyond the trenches than they were assailed by a most +murderous fire of grape and musketry, and all in advance were either +killed or wounded. + +Major-General Sir John Campbell, who led the left attack, and Colonel +Shadforth, of the 57th., who commanded the storming party under his +direction, were both killed, as was also Colonel Yea, of the Royal +Fusiliers, who commanded the right column. + +“I never before witnessed,” writes Lord Raglan, “such a continued and +heavy fire of grape combined with musketry from the enemy’s works, which +appeared to be fully manned; and the long list of killed and wounded in +the light and fourth divisions, and the seamen of the Naval Brigade, +under Captain Peel, who was unfortunately wounded, though not severely, +will show that a very large proportion of those that went forward fell.” + +By half-past three it was perceived that the French had not succeeded in +their attack upon the Malakoff. All the batteries were ordered to resume +their fire as heavily as possible, but about half-past seven the firing +slackened, in consequence of the attack being relinquished. + +The superiority of the fire of the allies had led both Lord Raglan and +Pelissier to conclude that the anniversary of Waterloo would have been +crowned with a happier result; but the Russians shewed that their +resources were not yet exhausted, and that they had still the power, +either from their ships or from their batteries, to bring an +overwhelming fire upon their assailants. + +Whilst the direct attack upon the Redan was proceeding, +Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England was directed to send one of the +brigades of the third division, under the command of Major-General +Barnard, down the Woronzoff Ravine, with a view to give support to the +attacking columns on his right; and the other brigade, under +Major-General Eyre, still further to the left, to threaten the works at +the head of the Dockyard Creek. + +The success achieved by the third division on this eventful day, was +detailed in a supplementary despatch from Lord Raglan. By this it +appears that the first brigade, under Major-General Barnard, proceeded +down the Woronzoff Road, and was placed in position on the right of the +ravine, ready to co-operate with the columns of attack on the right; +whilst the second brigade, under Major-General Eyre, moved down the +ravine which separated the left of the English from the right of the +French advanced works, for the purpose of attacking the enemy’s +ambuscades, and making a demonstration on the head of the Dockyard +Creek. + +The service was performed with the utmost gallantry, and, +notwithstanding that they were exposed to a most galling fire, the +troops maintained themselves in the position they had taken up during +the day, and in the evening withdrew, unmolested, leaving a post at the +cemetery, which had been one of the objects of the attack in the +morning. + +Between one and two o’clock a.m., Major-General Eyre had moved off with +his brigade, consisting of the 9th., 18th., 28th., 38th., and 44th. +regiments (total strength about two thousand bayonets), and proceeded +down the ravine, on the left, by the French picket-house, for the +purpose of attacking the enemy’s ambuscades, and of making a +demonstration on that side. + +In attacking the first of these ambuscades the troops were anticipated +by the French, who cleverly took the Russians on their left flank as +they advanced in front, and made several prisoners. Beyond this the +French had no instructions to co-operate, and the Major-General +therefore pushed on an advanced guard, under Major Feilden, 44th. +composed of marksmen from each regiment, supporting it on the right by +the 44th. and 38th., and on the left by the 18th. regiment, keeping at +first the 9th. and 28th. in reserve. + +The enemy, whose strength could not be estimated, occupied a strong +position; their right rested on a mamelon, their left on a cemetery. +These points were occupied by marksmen. The intervening ground was +intersected, and the road barricaded with stone walls, which the men +were obliged to pull down, under fire, before they could advance. In +rear of this position, towards the fortress, the Russians occupied +several houses, and there were bodies of them seen in rear, as reserves. +This position, under the fire of the guns of the fortress, was strong, +and it could not be expected to be carried and retained without +incurring considerable loss, and which was experienced both in officers +and men, all most nobly discharging their duty. The 18th. regiment +pushed on, and occupied some houses immediately under Garden Battery. +The 44th. occupied some houses on the right, from whence they kept up a +fire on the enemy’s embrasures. Lieutenant-Colonel Lowth moved on with +his regiment (the 38th.), and after taking possession of some houses in +front, endeavoured to turn the flank of a battery which annoyed the +troops in front. These parties were afterwards from time to time +reinforced or relieved by the 9th. regiment, the 28th. regiment being +drawn up in line in rear, to support the whole. + +Having driven the enemy from these points, they were continued to be +occupied, with the view to ulterior movements, in the event of the +attack on the right being successful, and until it was decided what +portion of the ground should be retained for siege operations. + +The position was held until late in the evening, when the troops, after +being exposed all day to a concentrated fire from the guns of the +fortress, in addition to some field guns brought up by the enemy, were +gradually withdrawn, the ground being too far in advance to be +permanently occupied for siege operations, when Major-General Eyre, who +had received a wound in the head in the early part of the day, gave over +the command of the brigade to Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, of the 28th. +regiment. No attempt was made by the enemy to molest the troops on their +retiring. The losses sustained amounted to thirty-one officers, +forty-four sergeants, and four hundred and eighty-seven rank and file +killed or wounded. + +On the 19th. of June orders were received to discontinue the +bombardment, during which, from its commencement on the 17th., +twenty-two thousand six hundred and eighty-four rounds of ammunition had +been fired against Sebastopol. + +Twenty-two officers were killed and seventy-one wounded. Two hundred and +thirty men were killed, one thousand one hundred and thirty-six wounded, +and twenty-four missing. The French losses exceeded this number. + +On the 28th. of June, 1855, the following extract of a telegraphic +despatch from Lord Panmure was published to the army in the Crimea:—“I +have Her Majesty’s Commands to express Her grief that so much bravery +should not have been rewarded with merited success; and to assure her +brave Troops that Her Majesty’s confidence in them is entire.” This was +the last general order published by Lord Raglan, for about nine o’clock +of the above day his gallant spirit breathed its last. Posterity will +endorse the Minister for War’s expression of Her Majesty’s grief for +this great loss. “The country has been deprived of a brave and +accomplished soldier, a true and devoted patriot, and an honourable and +disinterested subject.” His lordship’s remains were borne to Kamiesch +Bay, and placed on board the Caradoc, for conveyance to England, the +officers and men of both armies vieing with each other in paying the +last honours to the departed warrior. + +In the absence of Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, on account of +ill-health, the command of the forces devolved on Lieutenant-General +Simpson, the next senior officer, upon whom the Queen conferred the +appointment of Commander-in-Chief of the Army in the Crimea. + +At five o’clock on the morning of the 10th. of July, a heavy fire was +opened upon the Redan, by the allied batteries, in order to assist the +advances upon that work, to which the besieged responded, at intervals, +with considerable warmth. This had the effect of checking the musketry +fire, which had proved very annoying. Comparative tranquility reigned in +the batteries until the 17th. of July, when the enemy opened a heavy +fire upon the French in the Mamelon, which was answered by the British +on the Tower and Redan. + +During the night of the 22nd. of July, the Russians opened a heavy fire +of musketry from the parapets of the Malakoff and adjacent works, but +they did not attempt an attack. They opened a similar fire in the course +of the night on the left of the French. It is believed that they +apprehended an attack from the French, and for this reason opened the +above fire, which did no damage to either the works or soldiers. + +Between ten and eleven o’clock at night on the 2nd. of August the enemy +made a sortie in considerable force, by the Woronzoff road. Their +strength was computed to be about two thousand, and their object was to +destroy a heavy iron _chevaux-de-frize_, made across the above road, +between the right and left attacks, and being further supported by heavy +columns in rear, to take advantage of such circumstances as might +present themselves. They advanced with loud cheers and bugling, and were +received with great gallantry by the advanced picket, under the command +of Lieutenant R. E. Carr, of the 39th., who withdrew his men, firing at +the same time upon the enemy, to the main body, under the command of +Captain Leckie, of the same regiment. + +A heavy and well-directed fire was opened upon the enemy by the party +under the latter officer, on the Woronzoff road; as also by the guards +of the trenches on the right of the fourth parallel, under the command +of Captain Boyle, of the 89th., and Captain Turner, of the 1st. Royals, +which, in about ten minutes, caused the enemy to retire from an attack +that, if it had not been so well met, might have been a serious affair. + +Thus passed the time during July and August in repelling sorties from +the enemy, combined with an occasional heavy firing, and in preparations +for a renewal of the bombardment. As the movements of troops in +Sebastopol, and the reliefs moving to and from the Russian works, could +be observed from the deck of the flag-ship of Sir Houston Stewart, +“Hannibal,” which was anchored off the mouth of the harbour, a +telegraphic communication was established between it and a station +erected on the hill in front of the light division. This directed the +fire of the mortar batteries, and caused serious losses to the enemy. + +In the beginning of August the troops had been unceasingly employed in +strengthening and improving the advanced works, which, by the 10th., had +become so close to the enemy, that it was with the greatest difficulty +any approach could be made. Every precaution was taken by the allies to +prevent the Russians forcing them to raise the siege by a vigorous +attack from without, which was anticipated about the middle of this +month. + +The Czar’s last hope of relieving Sebastopol was dissipated by the +battle of the Tchernaya gained over the Russians on the 16th. of August. +This brilliant success was achieved by the French and Sardinian troops, +and the enemy’s attempt to pass the above river, although made with +overwhelming numbers, met with a most decisive repulse. The British +cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir James Yorke Scarlett, were placed +in the plain of Balaklava, prepared to take advantage of any +circumstance that might present itself, but the opportunity did not +arise for calling upon their services. + + + + + FIFTH BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +The fifth bombardment of Sebastopol commenced at daylight on the 17th. +of August, the fire being directed against the Malakoff and Redan, which +continued throughout the day: the Russian fire, which at first replied +briskly became feeble by the evening. The fire[172] from the batteries +of the allies was reported by General Simpson, in his despatch of the +21st. of August, to have been very effective, and the result attained to +have been sufficient to enable the works against the place to progress +satisfactorily. + +On the night of the 30th. of August, the enemy’s pickets made a rush at +the advanced trench, upset a few gabions, and killed Lieutenant Preston, +of the 97th. In this affair Captain Pechell, of the 77th., who commanded +the advanced party, and Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, of the 23rd. +regiment, who commanded the supports, behaved with great gallantry. + +The brightness of the nights prevented a large amount of work being +executed, and what was performed became a task of great difficulty. By +the 1st. of September the head of the sap was about one hundred and +fifty yards from the salient of the Redan, and the garrison interrupted +the work by all possible means. + + + + + FINAL BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. + + +Now arrived the time for the sixth and final bombardment of Sebastopol, +before which the allies had been nearly a year. It was ordered that the +firing should commence steadily on the morning of the 5th. of September, +and as the day progressed it was to be increased, it being so regulated +that a sufficient quantity of ammunition should remain for a very heavy +fire during the assault, which was to take place on the morning of the +8th. The French commenced a tremendous cannonade about five o’clock +a.m., the British batteries opening on the Redan and Malakoff. During +the 6th. and 7th. the bombardment continued, and on the morning of the +8th. the whole of the batteries were in full play. At a few minutes +before noon the French signal was given, and their columns moved to the +front. The Russians were at dinner, and the Malakoff was taken by +surprise without loss. This work was retained by the French, who +repulsed every attack to regain possession of it. The tri-colour planted +on the parapet was the signal for the British to advance; and the fire +of the artillery having made as much of a breach as possible in the +salient of the Redan, it was decided that the columns of assault should +be directed against that part, as being less exposed to the heavy +flanking fire by which the work was protected. + +The arrangement for the attack were entrusted to Lieutenant-General Sir +William Codrington, who carried out the details in concert with +Lieutenant-General Markham. The Second and Light Divisions were to have +the honour of the assault, from the circumstance of their having +defended the batteries and approaches against the Redan for so many +months, and from the intimate knowledge they possessed of the ground. +The assaulting column was to be formed by equal numbers of these two +Divisions, the column of the Light Division to lead, and that of the +Second to follow. + +Leaving the trenches at the preconcerted signal, the troops moved across +the ground, preceded by a covering party of two hundred men, and a +ladder party of three hundred and twenty. Upon arriving at the crest of +the ditch, and the ladders being placed, the men immediately stormed the +parapet of the Redan, and penetrated into the salient angle. Major +Welsford, of the 97th., who led the storming party, was killed, and +Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Handcock, commanding the +regiment, was mortally wounded. Here a most determined and sanguinary +contest was maintained for nearly an hour, but, though supported to the +utmost, and the greatest bravery displayed, it was found impossible to +maintain the position. It was a marvel that any escaped. + +Colonel Windham’s gallantry on this occasion brought that officer’s name +prominently before the public. One of his messages reached the trenches, +and the right wing of the 23rd. was in consequence ordered out by +Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Codrington, when a brilliant advance was +made, and a most severe loss sustained. All was of no avail; the +soldiers of the several corps employed had displayed undaunted courage, +but unfortunately the attack was not successful. + +A loss of twenty-nine officers killed, and one hundred and twenty-five +wounded, together with three hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned +officers and men killed, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two +wounded, and one hundred and seventy-five missing, bore fatal evidence +of the severity of the struggle. + +General Simpson, whilst enumerating the services of the army, did not +omit the sister service; in his despatch it was stated that “The Naval +Brigade, under the command of Captain the Honourable Henry Keppell, +aided by Captain Moorsom, and many gallant officers and seamen who have +served the guns from the commencement of the siege, merit my warmest +thanks.” + +Her Majesty’s navy, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, and ably +seconded by Sir Houstoun Stewart, received special mention. Of the +former it was stated “when at times affairs looked gloomy, and success +doubtful, he was at hand to cheer and encourage; and every assistance +that could tend to advance the operations was given with the hearty +good-will which characterizes the British sailor. Nothing has +contributed more to the present undertaking, than the cordial +co-operation which has so happily existed from the first between the two +services;” also the conduct of the Royal Engineers, and of Major-General +(afterwards Sir Harry) Jones; the latter, although suffering on a bed of +sickness, was conveyed on a litter at the eventful hour of the assault, +to witness the completion of his arduous undertakings. The Royal +Artillery, under Major-General (afterwards Sir Richard) Dacres, the +chief of the Staff, the Adjutant and Quartermaster-Generals, and General +Staff, as well as Generals commanding divisions and brigades, were all +likewise thanked for their cordial co-operation and assistance. + +It was determined to renew the attack on the following morning, with the +Highlanders, to be supported by the Third Division; this was arranged by +General Simpson with Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, who +commanded the Highland Brigade, and Major-General Sir William Eyre +commanding the Third Division. The Highland Brigade occupied the +advanced trenches during the night. About 11 o’clock the enemy commenced +exploding their magazines, and Sir Colin Campbell, having ordered a +small party to advance cautiously to examine the Redan, found the work +abandoned. It was not, however, deemed necessary to occupy it until +daylight. + +During the night extensive explosions were heard, and great fires were +seen in the town. It soon became known that the Russians were retiring +from the south to the north side, by means of the raft bridge recently +constructed, and which was afterwards disconnected and conveyed to the +other side. The men-of-war were all sunk during the night. + +In Mrs. Henry Duberly’s “Journal kept during the Russian War” occurs the +following description of the Redan after the final contest:—“What +wonderful engineering! What ingenuity in the thick rope-work which is +woven before the guns leaving only a little hole, through which the man +laying the gun can take his aim, and which is thoroughly impervious to +rifle-shot! The Redan is a succession of little batteries, each +containing two or three guns, with traverses behind each division; and +hidden away under the gabions, sandbags, and earth, are little huts, in +which the officers and men used to live. Coats, caps, bayonets lay +about, with black bread and broken guns.” + +Thus ended the great siege of Sebastopol. The fortress had fallen, but +Prince Gortschakoff, in his retreat, sustained his well-earned fame. The +following telegraphic message was transmitted to the Commander of the +Forces in the Crimea:— + +“The Queen has received with deep emotion the welcome intelligence of +the Fall of Sebastopol. Penetrated with profound gratitude to the +Almighty, who has vouchsafed this triumph to the Allied Army, Her +Majesty has commanded me to express to yourself, and through you, to her +Army, the pride with which she regards this fresh instance of their +heroism. + +“The Queen congratulates her Troops on the triumphant issue of their +protracted siege, and thanks them for the cheerfulness and fortitude +with which they have encountered its toils, and the valour which has led +to its termination. + +“The Queen deeply laments that this success is not without its alloy, in +the heavy losses that have been sustained; and while she rejoices in the +victory, Her Majesty deeply sympathizes with the noble sufferers in +their country’s cause. + +“You will be pleased to congratulate General Pelissier, in Her Majesty’s +name, upon the brilliant success of the assault on the Malakoff, which +proves the irresistible force, as well as the indomitable courage of our +brave allies. + + “(Signed) PANMURE.” + +With the fall of Sebastopol the “Medal” History of the Campaign in the +Crimea terminates, and it therefore only remains to add, that in October +following Kinburn was captured by the troops under Brigadier-General the +Honourable Augustus Spencer, and the garrison of thirteen hundred men +became prisoners. The troops employed on this successful service +consisted of an escort of cavalry, four guns, the 17th., 20th., 57th., +and 63rd. regiments, and two battalions of Marines. + +The Crimean campaign will be ever remembered for the first employment, +to any extent, of the rifled musket, the use of which has created a +revolution in warfare. Other novelties, before alluded to, were also +adopted. The sacrifice of life during this protracted siege was immense, +but the numbers who died from disease far exceeded those who fell on the +field of battle.[173] + +[Illustration: + + French War Medal. +] + +On the 11th. of November, General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B., +succeeded to the command of the army in the Crimea, General Sir James +Simpson having resigned that appointment. Further proceedings were +deferred in consequence of the commencement of winter, and in February, +1856, a suspension of hostilities took place. This was followed by a +treaty of peace, which was signed at Paris on the 29th. of March. + +By official returns it appears that over two hundred and fifty-one +thousand shot and shell, weighing upwards of nine thousand tons, were +fired during the siege, and that more than one thousand two hundred tons +of powder were used. The expenditure of ammunition was nearly one +million five hundred thousand rounds, or a thousand tons a day. The +position of the Russians extended about fifteen miles, whilst the +trenches of the besiegers were fifty-two miles in length, and comprised +one hundred and nine batteries, armed with eight hundred and six pieces, +the guns and mortars being of a calibre seldom before used in a siege. +For three hundred and thirty-four days the trenches were open, and the +batteries for three hundred and twenty-seven days. + +British valour and endurance were eminently shewn during this campaign, +and the troops, firm to a sense of duty, never disappointed the +expectations of their countrymen. The gallantry of the French soldiery, +too, and the mutual good-will existing between the allied armies, +cemented by dangers and difficulties common to both, will ever be +remembered, whilst the Sardinian forces will dwell upon the battle of +the Tchernaya, and be inseparably linked with the valorous deeds +performed before Sebastopol. + + + + + THE FRENCH MILITARY WAR MEDAL. + + +In addition to the Decoration of the Legion of Honour given to officers +and men of the Army and Navy who had distinguished themselves, the +Emperor of the French sent five hundred of the French Military War Medal +for distribution to a proportion of the British Army. The medal is +silver-gilt, and has on the obverse the head of the Emperor, within a +blue enamelled circle, inscribed “Louis Napoleon,” surrounded by a +laurel wreath. On the reverse are the words “Valeur et Discipline,” +surrounded by a similar circle and wreath; the whole surmounted by the +Imperial Eagle displayed, with a loop for suspension. Ribbon—Orange, +with green edges. Only two officers received this medal, His Royal +Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and Sir Wm. Codrington. + + * * * * * + +The deeds of the following non-commissioned officers and men, who were +selected for recommendation to His Majesty, to receive the above medal, +not only furnish exciting episodes, but are valuable as examples of +military daring, endurance, and kind-heartedness:— + + FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS.—Regimental Sergeant-Major WILLIAM JOYCE, + Sergeant RICHARD COOKE, and Private PATRICK HOGAN; exemplary and + uniform good conduct during the campaign of 1854 and 1855. + Sergeant-Major JOSEPH DRAKE, exemplary conduct in living in the same + tents with, and unremitting attention to, numerous men when ill and + dying of cholera in the Crimea in 1854 and 1855. + + FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS.—Acting Regimental Serjeant-Major J. RUSSELL, + served during the whole Eastern Campaign from May, 1854, until the end + of the war, and was never absent from his duty a single day; he was + present at the Battle of Balaklava, on which occasion he had his horse + killed under him, but procured for himself a second horse, and + immediately rejoined the regiment; he was also present at Inkermann. + Troop Sergeant-Major S. GRIFFITH, served throughout the whole Eastern + Campaign, from May, 1854; whilst the regiment was in Bulgaria, and + cholera raging to a fearful extent, he was most indefatigable in + attending to the wants of the sick; he was present at the battles of + Balaklava and Inkermann, and never absent from duty during the whole + period of the war. Troop Sergeant-Major WILLIAM STEWART, served in the + Eastern Campaign from May, 1854, until the end of the war; was present + at the battle of Balaklava, on which occasion he had two horses killed + under him, but still continued to act, procuring a third horse, and + remaining in action with his regiment; was present at Inkermann, and + never absent from his duty a single day throughout the war. Sergeant + M. DAVIDSON, served throughout the whole of the Eastern Campaign; was + present at Inkermann, Balaklava, and the whole of the siege of + Sebastopol. + + SIXTH DRAGOON GUARDS.—Regimental Sergeant-Major WILLIAM LYONS, and + Private THOMAS EDWARDS; length of service. + + FIRST DRAGOONS.—Troop Sergeant-Major JOHN NORRIS, served as Troop + Sergeant-Major during the whole of the Eastern Campaign; was present + at the action of Balaklava, where he distinguished himself by + defending himself against four Russian Hussars, one of whom he killed, + and whose horse he captured. Troop Sergeant-Major MATTHEW BAILEY, + served as a Sergeant during the whole of the Eastern Campaign; + distinguished himself on patrol duty when his party was attacked by + some Cossacks. Private JOHN SAVAGE, served during the whole of the + Eastern Campaign; distinguished himself on outpost duty, and by his + care and attention to his horse during the severe winter. + + SECOND DRAGOONS.—Regimental Sergeant-Major JOHN GREENE, Troop + Sergeant-Major GEORGE TILSLEY and Private ANDREW WILSON; gallantry in + the field at the battle of Balaklava on the 25th. of October, 1854, + and exemplary good conduct throughout the campaign, and during their + periods of service. Lance-Sergeant JAMES BORTHWICK, gallantry in the + field in the action of Balaklava, and good conduct during the period + he served in the Crimea. + + FOURTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.—Regimental Serjeant-Major JAMES W. KELLY, + Sergeant JOHN ANDREWS, Private THOMAS GUTHRE, and Private GEORGE + MCGREGOR; gallantry and distinguished conduct in the charge of the + Light Cavalry Brigade on the 25th. of October, 1854; served during the + whole campaigns of 1854–5. Were present at the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, Inkermann, Traktir, and expedition to Eupatoria in October, + 1855. + + SIXTH DRAGOONS.—Troop Sergeant-Majors T. J. WAKEFIELD and ANDREW + MORTON, and Trumpeter THOMAS MONKES; gallantry in the field in the + action of Balaklava on the 25th. of October, 1854, and served with + uniform good conduct during the whole of the campaign. Private + HUMPHREY POLKINGHORN; embarked with the first detachment of the + regiment for the East, on the 2nd. of June, 1854. Was present with it + in Bulgaria, and during the first winter in the Crimea. Received + clasps for Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol, and distinguished + himself much in the former action. + + EIGHTH HUSSARS.—Troop Sergeant-Major JOHN PICKWORTH, Sergeant CHARLES + MACAULEY, Corporal JAMES DONAGHUE, and Private JOHN MARTIN; these men + charged with the Light Brigade at Balaklava; were also present in the + ranks at the Alma and Inkermann, and served with the regiment + throughout the war. + + TENTH HUSSARS.—Troop Sergeant-Major WILLIAM FINCH, this + non-commissioned officer was present with his troop, which was engaged + with the enemy near Kertch, on the 21st. of September, 1855, and by + his example and personal bravery was a great support to the officer in + charge of the party. + + ELEVENTH HUSSARS.—Troop Sergeant-Major ROURKE TEEVAN, present at the + battles of the Alma and Balaklava, in which latter he led a troop and + behaved gallantly; was also present at the battle of Inkermann. + Sergeant SETH BOND, battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; at + the Alma, when ordered to pursue and capture prisoners, he exhibited + great subordination in sparing (at the suggestion of a staff officer) + a Russian, who had wounded him; and also at the action of Balaklava + his coolness and gallantry were noticed. Lance-Corporal THOMAS + HARRISON, the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, where he behaved very + gallantly in galloping to the rescue of several comrades who were + fighting against overwhelming odds; was also present at the battle of + Inkermann. Private CORNELIUS TEEHAN, battles of the Alma and + Balaklava, where he behaved gallantly; was also at the battle of + Inkermann. All served the campaign in Bulgaria, in 1854, and were + present at the affair of Bouljanak, and throughout the campaign in the + Crimea from 1854 to 1856. Regimental Sergeant-Major G. L. SMITH, + recommended by the vote of his comrades, who with himself returned + from the Crimea previous to the first issue of the French medal; + served until the 25th. of January, 1856, and was present at the + battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann. + + TWELFTH LANCERS.—Corporal J. W. CANNINGS, and Trumpeter JOHN EARSON; + the former served as orderly and the latter as field trumpeter to the + commanding officer in the actions of Tchourgan and Tchernaya, and the + whole of the operations round Eupatoria, under General d’Allonville. + + THIRTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.—Regimental Sergeant-Major THOMAS G. + JOHNSON, served the Eastern Campaign, including the reconnoissance on + the Danube under the Earl of Cardigan, battles of Balaklava and + Inkermann, siege of Sebastopol, and expedition to Eupatoria. Sergeant + RICHARD DAVIS, and Privates GEORGE DEARLOVE and JOHN FENTON; served + the Eastern Campaign, including the affairs of Bouljanak and + McKenzie’s Farm, battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, siege + of Sebastopol, and expedition to Eupatoria. + + SEVENTEENTH LANCERS.—Regimental Sergeant-Major CHAS. WOODEN, Sergeants + JOHN SHEARINGHAM and JAMES NUNNERLY, and Private CHARLES WATSON; Alma, + Balaklava, and Inkermann, and were never absent from their duties. + + ROYAL ARTILLERY.—Sergeant WILLIAM KEMPTON, landed at Varna with ‘I’ + Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and was present in every skirmish and + action in which the troop was engaged, including the Bouljanak, Alma, + McKenzie’s Farm, Balaklava, Inkermann, etc.; joined “C” troop the + 11th. of June, 1855, and went with the Light Cavalry Brigade to + Eupatoria; present in every affair with the enemy. Sergeant WILLIAM + SCOTT, served with the troop since its leaving Woolwich for service in + the East; present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, + Tchernaya, and siege of Sebastopol. Driver ROBERT SMEATON; present + with the troop since its leaving Woolwich for service in the East; + present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Tchernaya, + and siege of Sebastopol; on the 25th. of September, 1854, this man + gallantly jumped into the river Belbec, and succeeded in saving the + life of a French soldier, who would have been drowned but for the + timely assistance rendered by Driver Smeaton. Gunner and Driver HENRY + WOOD, served in five bombardments with zeal and gallantry, and exerted + himself in bringing in a wounded Croat, under a heavy fire, in the + September bombardment. Gunner and Driver ROBT. BOTFIELD, five + bombardments; one of a spiking party on the 8th. of September, 1855, + as a volunteer. Acting Bombardiers GEORGE GIBSON and WILLIAM J. + BURROWS, skirmish with Russian advanced posts September 19th., 1854; + battle of the Alma, September 20th.; taking of Balaklava, September + 26th.; action of Balaklava, October 25th.; repulse of sortie from + Sebastopol, October 26th.; and battle of Inkermann, November 5th.; + also served in the October, 1854, April and June, 1855, bombardments. + Sergeant FREDK. ILES, present at the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, + and throughout the siege. Gunner and Driver JOHN DOUGLAS, in the + trenches during the October bombardment, and with the exception of one + month, he regularly served in the trenches till the fall of the city, + taking part in every bombardment. Bombardier WILLIAM HEWITT, was + present at the battles of the Alma, and Inkermann, Shell Hill, October + 26th., 1854, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth + bombardments, and the taking of the Quarries, June 7th., 1855; wounded + in the head, June 18th., 1855. Gunner and Driver JAMES CANNELL, + distinguished himself during six bombardments. Gunner and Driver JOHN + M‘ARDLE, volunteered for the spiking parties on the 18th. of June, and + the 8th. of September, 1855; on the 18th. of June, during the storming + of the Redan, Gunner Glass left the advanced trenches of the right + attack with a few men, and advanced towards the Redan; on getting + about half-way he was badly wounded in three places, Gunner M‘Ardle + crept out of the trenches on his hands and knees, managed to get + Gunner Glass on his back, returning with him into the trenches. Gunner + and Driver JOHN HAY, served throughout the whole of the campaign, from + the first landing in Bulgaria, and was never absent from the battery. + Sergeant RICHARD PERKINS, landed in the Crimea on the 26th. of + December, 1854, and present in all the bombardments since that time; + was recommended by Captain Walcot, Royal Artillery, for distinguished + conduct; specially recommended by Captain Oldfield, R.A., and + forwarded by Lord Raglan with his recommendation for conduct in No. 8 + battery, on the 13th. and 14th. of April, 1855. Gunner and Driver + GEORGE DAVIS, served in reserve at the battle of the Alma; at the + battle of Inkermann, as a driver (both his horses killed); in the + siege train from the 12th. of July till the fall of Sebastopol, + including the two last bombardments. Gunner and Driver JOHN POWELL, + distinguished himself in the Sandbag battery; when the embrasure had + caught fire he leaped into it and extinguished the flame under a very + heavy fire; served trench duty from December, 1854, to the 8th. of + September, 1855, and in each bombardment. Sergeant CHRISTOPHER + FITZSIMONS, served in the trenches, without intermission, from the + 6th. of March, 1855, to the reduction of the fortress; present at the + bombardments of the 9th. of April, 8th. of June, 18th. of June, and + 5th. of September, 1855; commanded the Mortar Battery (No. 10) on + three occasions as a subaltern officer; armed the Quarries after they + were captured by the troops. Sergeant JOHN ADAMS, in the trenches from + December, 1854, until the fall of Sebastopol, including intermediate + bombardments. Sergeant JOHN ACLAND, present at the third and fourth + bombardments; wounded in August, 1855; lost an eye. Corporal JAMES + HAMILTON, was engaged at five bombardments; on the 8th. of September, + 1855, he was one of the spiking party in the attack on the Redan; he + also carried a wounded captain of the 3rd. Buffs from the Redan ditch + to the advanced trench; for this act he was recommended for a + distinguished conduct medal. Corporal JOSEPH MILLIGAN, present at the + battle of the Alma and served in the trenches, and was present at all + bombardments. Bombardier JOHN BOWER, one of the spiking party on the + 8th. of September, 1855, for which duty he volunteered, and then + greatly exerted himself in bringing in wounded men, until wounded + himself; he was present in the trenches during five bombardments. + Gunner and Driver MICHAEL O’DONOHUE, served in five bombardments with + zeal; one of the spiking party on the 18th. of June, as a volunteer. + Gunner and Driver MICHAEL MALOWNEY, at the skirmish on the 19th. of + September, 1854; battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; + Tchernaya (in reserve); bombardments of the 9th. of April, 6th. and + 17th. of June, 1855. Sergeant JOHN FAIRFAX and Gunner and Driver JAMES + MAGEE, at the skirmish of the 19th. of September, 1854; battles of the + Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; the former was at the Tchernaya (in + reserve); bombardment of the 9th. of April, 1855; noticed on the field + at battle of Inkermann for his coolness and courage; the latter served + at the bombardments on the 9th. of April, and 6th. and 17th. of June, + 1855. Acting Bombardiers JOHN HAGAN and CHARLES HENDERSON, present at + the bombardments of the 9th. of April, 16th. and 17th. of June, 17th. + of August, and the 5th. of September, 1855; the former volunteered for + the assault on the 18th. of June, and the latter for that of the 8th. + of September following. Acting Bombardier DAVID JENKINS, spiked the + guns in the redoubt on Canrobert’s Hill, on the 25th. of October, + 1854; remained in the work after the Turks evacuated it, and although + the Russians were advancing rapidly up the hill, he did not quit the + place until he had spiked every gun; Lord Raglan mentioned his name in + a despatch, and by Her Majesty’s command the names of Gunner Jenkins + and three others were forwarded to the Horse Guards. Sergeant JAMES + MCGARRITY, present during the whole campaign, including the battles of + the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and the third and fourth bombardments; + took powder to the trenches on the 17th. of October, 1854, under a + very heavy fire. Corporal PATRICK CONWAY, present at the battle of + Inkermann, and was mentioned for very gallant conduct by Major + Boothby, R.A., and Captain Henry, Land Transport Corps, the latter of + whom he assisted in rescuing from the enemy when severely wounded. + Gunner and Driver GEORGE BINES, present at the battle of Inkermann; + third, fourth, and fifth bombardments. Gunner and Driver JAMES + MCGRATH, assisted Sergeant HENRY (who received twelve bayonet wounds + in this service) in limbering-up a gun surrounded by Russians at + Inkermann. Sergeant-Major WALTER FLOCKHART, landed with the siege + train; served in the trenches during five bombardments; present at + Inkermann; was No. 1 of the gun where the parapet was blown out to + allow it to bear on the Russians advancing after the storming of the + Malakoff; slightly wounded in the head. Corporal JAMES BROWNE, ditto; + was present with the eighteen-pounders at Inkermann; volunteered, and + went with spiking party on the 18th. of June, 1855. Bombardier ANGUS + SUTHERLAND, landed with the siege train; served in the first + bombardment; severely wounded in both legs by the bursting of a shell; + served again in the April and subsequent bombardments; at the + explosion of the French gun park was one of the first men to volunteer + to carry away a number of live shell and carcasses. Gunner and Driver + JOHN NORTON, landed in the Crimea with the siege train; served in the + trenches during five bombardments; volunteered to go out with the + rocket tube in front of the twenty-one gun battery. Trumpeter JOHN + M‘CLAREN, came out at the commencement of the campaign; was in Turkey; + present at the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; volunteered and served + as No. 6 of No. 2 gun at that battle, after Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres + had taken his horse, his own having been shot. Gunner and Driver JOHN + VANCE, present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; + engaged on night fatigues during the whole siege, under fire, taking + ammunition to the trenches. Gunner and Driver PATRICK KNIGHT, engaged + in all the bombardments, and rendered himself conspicuous by his + general coolness and gallantry under fire; wounded in the side by the + bursting of a gun in the first bombardment. Corporal MATTHEW FENTON, + in the trenches before Sebastopol from the 1st. of October, 1854, till + the 8th. of September, 1855, and was also present at the battle of + Inkermann. Sergeant Conductor JOB SMITH, landed in the Crimea on the + 30th. of September, 1854; served in the trenches from the 17th. of + October, 1854, to the 8th. of September, 1855, and was present at the + battle of Inkermann with the two eighteen-pounder guns. Sergeant + Conductors JOSEPH BUCHANAN and JAMES BOGGIE, served in six + bombardments. Sergeant JOSEPH SMITH, constant duty in the trenches + from December, 1854. Sergeant JOHN M‘PHERSON, landed at Balaklava in + September, 1854; present during the whole siege and at all the + bombardments; was in No. 7 Battery, left attack, the day it was opened + and knocked to pieces; was slightly wounded on the 20th. of October, + 1854; was at Inkermann. Sergeant HENRY BACCHUS, served throughout the + Crimean campaign; at the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, expedition to + Eupatoria, etc. Gunner and Driver RICHARD WOODBRIDGE, was present at + all the bombardments, and never absent from his duty in the trenches; + particularly distinguished himself at the bombardment of the 18th. of + June, for his zeal and gallant conduct. Sergeant THOMAS WALSH, served + in the trenches from November, 1854, until the fall of Sebastopol, and + displayed on all occasions great bravery and coolness under fire, + setting a good example to young soldiers. Bombardier JOHN TROTTER, + cleared an embrasure in the advanced trenches on the 17th. of August, + 1855, under a heavy fire. Corporal THOMAS BETTS, shewed great zeal and + coolness under fire from the 18th. of April to the fall of Sebastopol. + Gunner and Driver THOS. MARGREE, shewed general zeal and attention to + his duties, and great coolness under fire. Bombardier J. BOWER, + gallant conduct at the assault on the Redan on the 8th. of September, + on which occasion he was wounded; always behaved well under fire. + Gunner and Driver E. O’BRIEN, for gallantry in the trenches, and + volunteering for the assault on the Redan on the 18th. of June and the + 8th. of September. Gunner and Driver HUGH DAVIS, served with gallantry + at the Alma and Inkermann; specially mentioned by Lord Raglan for his + conduct with the two heavy guns at the latter engagement, where he + lost both his arms by a round shot. Sergeant SAMUEL EWING, shewed + great zeal and energy in command of a gun in the June bombardment; + volunteered for a spiking party and lost a leg. Gunner and Driver + WILLIAM HOVENDEN, strongly recommended for his zeal and gallantry + throughout the siege; lost his leg in the trenches. Gunner and Driver + T. REYNOLDS, for gallant conduct throughout the siege; was wounded, + but remained at his gun until ordered away by an officer. Bombardier + WILLIAM RAMSEY, strongly recommended for gallant conduct under fire + and general attention to duty in the trenches. Sergeant J. MCKOWN, + served with great gallantry in all the bombardments since November, + 1854. + + ROYAL ENGINEERS.—Colour-Sergeant KESTER KNIGHT, joined the army at + Scutari, in May, 1854; present at every bombardment, and has received + a medal with two clasps; was specially selected by Colonel Tylden for + important daily duties in the trenches of the right attack, and was + subsequently recommended strongly by him for promotion, which he + received. Corporal JOHN ROSS, served at Bomarsund, and joined the army + in the East in December, 1854; since which time he was never absent + from the army; mentioned specially for distinguished conduct in + Brigade Orders, dated the 22nd. of July, and 24th. of August, 1855, + receiving a pecuniary gratuity on both occasions by order of the + Commander of the Forces. Corporal ROBERT HANSON, joined the army at + the Katcha Bivouac, and was never absent from it; has received a medal + and two clasps; was selected for special duties in the trenches by the + director of the left attack, who reported, at the close of the siege, + that he had conducted the operations entrusted to him with ability and + perseverance, whilst under a heavy fire. Second Corporal WALTER + CONNING, joined the army in the East at the commencement of the war, + and was never absent from it; has received a medal with three clasps. + Private JOHN PERIE, ditto; has received the war medal and four clasps; + distinguished himself by frequent good service in the trenches, and + especially at the assault on the Redan, on the 18th. of June, 1855. + Corporal JOHN MCMURPHY, served in the Crimea five months; was present + at the capture of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855, assault on + the Redan, June 18th., bombardment of the 17th. of August, and capture + of Sebastopol; distinguished himself by carrying into the trenches a + wounded soldier from the open, under a heavy fire from the enemy, + before Sebastopol, in August, 1855, for which act of gallantry he was + awarded the sum of three pounds by the Commander-in-Chief of the + Forces. Corporal WILLIAM JAMES LENDRIM, served in the Crimea from + November, 1854, and was several times recorded as having displayed + great skill and coolness under fire. + + GRENADIER GUARDS, THIRD BATTALION.—Colour-Sergeant CHARLES SARGEANT, + embarked with the battalion in February, 1854; served without + intermission until the close of the war; was present at the battles of + the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann (wounded), siege and capture of + Sebastopol. Private ISAAC ARCHER, volunteered as one of the + sharpshooters of the Brigade of Guards in October, 1854; was present + in every action during the war. Private THOMAS ELGER, served during + the whole of the campaign. Private AARON HALE, present during the + whole of the campaign; favourably reported by the engineer officer for + his conduct on the night of the 24th. of August, 1855. Private JAMES + KING, served throughout the campaign; was present in every engagement. + Private WILLIAM MYERS, distinguished conduct in the trenches in + August, 1855, in volunteering to bring in wounded men from the front. + Private WILLIAM WILLIAMS served through the whole campaign. + Pay-Sergeant ROBERT POWLEY, he went out with the battalion in + February, 1854; he was present at the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, in which latter battle he greatly distinguished himself. + Private WILLIAM NURTON, present at the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann; severely wounded at Inkermann. + + COLDSTREAM GUARDS, FIRST BATTALION.—Sergeant-Major SHEPPARD CARTER, + served with the battalion from its embarkation in February, 1854; + actually engaged in the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and served + in the trenches before Sebastopol. Drill-Sergeant JOHN BURNETT, and + Sergeant WM. REED, embarked with the battalion in February, 1854; + actually engaged at the Alma and Inkermann, and served in the trenches + throughout the siege. Sergeant GEORGE WALDEN, ditto, and was wounded + at the latter battle, which caused him to be absent for a short time. + Privates JOHN WINTER, PHILIP BALLS, and CHARLES TUTT, actually engaged + at the Alma and Inkermann, and did duty in the trenches without any + intermission throughout the siege; Private Winter served since + February, 1854, and Balls and Tutt since July, 1854. Corporal + FREDERICK VILE, for gallant conduct at Inkermann. Private JOHN BOTT, + for general good and gallant conduct during the campaign. + + SCOTS FUSILIER GUARDS, FIRST BATTALION.—Pay and Colour-Sergeants + WILLIAM M‘GREGOR, and JAMES BADENOCH, distinguished themselves both at + the Alma, Inkermann, and in the trenches; conduct exemplary throughout + the whole campaign. Drill-Sergeant JAMES LENNOX, in all the actions, + and in the trenches up to the 28th. of February, 1855, when he was + employed at the sanitorium at Balaklava. Sergeant DAVID MANSON, came + out with the battalion; distinguished himself at the Alma; was present + at the other actions, and throughout the siege. Corporal JOHN JUDD, + present in all the actions, and was conspicuous during the siege for + his unwearied zeal when he was constantly employed on a fatiguing + duty. Acting Corporal JOSEPH COULTER, particularly distinguished + himself at the Alma; continuing to fire on the enemy after being + severely wounded. Private JOHN DRUMMOND, distinguished himself + throughout the whole campaign, and was present in all the engagements. + Pay and Colour-Sergeant GEORGE ATTRILL, served with distinction at the + Alma, Inkermann, and in the trenches before Sebastopol; was also + present at Balaklava; he displayed energy, gallantry, and zeal in the + performance of all his duties until invalided. Assistant + Drill-Sergeant GEORGE SHARP, was present at the Alma, Balaklava, + Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, in all of which his conduct was + very conspicuous. + + ROYAL REGIMENT, FIRST BATTALION.—Sergeant WILLIAM SPARKS, recommended + by officers in charge of covering parties for intrepid conduct and + zealous performance of his duty. Corporal JOHN HORSFALL, and Privates + DANIEL MORAN, and JAMES COLVER, continued faithful service in the + trenches during the whole of the siege operations. Private ANDREW + CAMPBELL, mentioned favourably in orders, through the recommendation + of an engineer officer, for zealous conduct whilst employed on trench + duty. Colour-Sergeant A. J. STEWART, and Corporal W. J. SULLIVAN, + continued devotedness to their duty throughout the siege. + + ROYAL REGIMENT, SECOND BATTALION.—Sergeant-Major STEPHEN HUNTER, + constant, active, zealous, and efficient services in the trenches + before Sebastopol, from the 22nd. of April to the 8th. of September, + 1855. Sergeant JAMES MULVANY, continuous, zealous, and efficient + service in the trenches, from the 22nd. of April to the 8th. of + September, 1855. Private CHARLES PULFER, constant zeal and alacrity in + the performance of his duty in the trenches, from the 22nd. of April + to the 8th. of September, 1855. Private FREDERICK LOCK, distinguished + zeal and activity in the trenches, from the 22nd. of April to the 8th. + of September, 1855. Drummer HENRY CLARKE, present at the attack on the + Quarries, on the 7th. of June, 1855, when he took a rifle and + accoutrements, and performed the duties of a rank and file. + + THIRD FOOT.—Sergeant WILLIAM HEYES, and Privates WILLIAM BROWN, JOHN + CONNORS, JOHN EAGAN, JOHN HALL, and JOHN WALSH, the whole of these men + were repeatedly mentioned for their soldier-like behaviour throughout + the siege; all specially distinguished themselves at the Redan, on the + 8th. of September, 1855. Private John Connors received the Victoria + Cross. + + FOURTH (KING’S OWN) REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM O’GRADY, present + at the head-quarters of his regiment during the whole campaign, and + performed his duty throughout in the most exemplary manner in every + respect. Colour-Sergeant ALEXANDER FLEMMING, ditto, but was absent + from the 2nd. of August, 1855, to the 25th. of December following, + being attached to the commissariat department. Colour-Sergeant ROBERT + MARSHALL, present at the head-quarters of his regiment from the 9th. + of December, 1855; was strongly recommended for zeal and activity in + the performance of his duties in the trenches. Corporal JOHN CLARKSON, + present at the head-quarters of his regiment during the whole + campaign; twice wounded, namely, on the 14th. of April, and the 22nd. + of June, 1855. Lance-Corporal JOHN FITZGERALD, present at the + head-quarters of his regiment during the whole Eastern Campaign; + volunteered and acted as a sharpshooter as long as that force was + employed. Private TEDDY MURRAY, upon volunteers being called for on + the 16th. of October, 1854, to act as marksmen, he was one of the + first to offer his services, and he continued to serve in that + capacity as long as the force was employed. Private JAMES MURPHY, + present at the head-quarters of his regiment during the whole + campaign, and never missed a trench duty until severely wounded on the + 18th. of June, 1855. Sergeant JAMES NEWTH, continuous performance of + his duty during the campaign, and in the trenches before Sebastopol, + from the commencement of the siege until the 5th. of June, 1855. + Private JOHN FITZPATRICK, zealous in the discharge of his duties + before Sebastopol, from the commencement of the siege operations until + the 21st. of June, 1855, when he was severely wounded. + + SEVENTH ROYAL FUSILIERS.—Sergeant-Major JOSEPH BELL, landed in the + Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; engaged at the Alma and + Inkermann, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, and both assaults on + the Redan. Colour-Sergeant JOHN WATTS, landed in the Crimea on the + 14th. of September, 1854; was engaged at the Alma, and brought the + company out of action; engaged with the enemy on the 26th. of October, + 1854, also at Inkermann, on the 5th. of November, 1854, and brought + the company out of action; at the taking of the Quarries, and both the + assaults on the Redan. Sergeants JOHN LAWS and THOMAS POULTON, and + Corporals PATRICK HANLON and WILLIAM MARSHALL, engaged at the Alma and + Inkermann, both assaults on the Redan, in all trench duties, and were + never absent from their regiment; Corporal MARSHALL was wounded on the + 18th. of June, 1855. Private MICHAEL EDWARDS, served at the Alma and + Inkermann, at both the assaults on the Redan, and the capture of the + Quarries; especially mentioned by the officer commanding the regiment + on the latter occasion; and never missed a day’s duty in the trenches. + Sergeant-Major WILLIAM BACON, wounded at the attack on the Redan on + the 18th. of June, 1855; and desperately wounded on the 8th. of + September, 1855. Sergeant WILLIAM WHITE, was present at the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann, and in the trenches; left the Crimea in May, + 1855. + + NINTH FOOT.—Sergeant GEORGE RIPTON, conspicuous for gallantry in the + trenches throughout the siege of Sebastopol. Sergeant EZEKIEL FIRMIN, + exposed himself to great personal risk on the 18th. of June, 1855, in + order to succour Lieutenant-Colonel Lowth, 38th. regiment, when + wounded. Private D. M‘MAHON, exposed himself, and rescued a wounded + comrade in the trenches on the 18th. of August, 1855, when the working + party to which he belonged was driven back by the destructive fire of + the enemy. Private CHRISTOPHER FARRELL, rejoined the 9th. after + volunteering to the 68th. Light Infantry, with which he served with + credit at the Alma, Inkermann, and throughout the siege; volunteered + for and behaved well during the capture of the Quarries on the 7th. of + June, 1855. Private JOHN REDMOND, distinguished himself as a volunteer + for the advance party, during the attack on the Cemetery, on the 18th. + of June, 1855; and generally in the trenches during the siege. + Sergeant ANDREW RIELLY, served with conspicuous zeal in the trenches + throughout the siege, and distinguished himself during the attack on + the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. Corporal MICHAEL MONAGHAN, + rendered valuable service on the 18th. of June, 1855, by conveying a + letter from his commanding officer to the Brigadier-General, under a + most perilous fire, by which he was wounded on his return; again + wounded in the trenches on the 5th. of July, 1855. + + THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant JAMES GODWIN, Senior Sergeant with the + regiment in the trenches during the bombardment, from the 6th. to the + 8th. of September; in command of party in the rifle-pit near 2nd. + Boyau, right attack, where he did good service. Private VALENTINE + CORRY, good conduct in the trenches, and good service in the + rifle-pits, 2nd. Boyau, during the night of the 7th. of September, + 1855. Corporal EDWARD TALLMANN, severely wounded in the advanced + parallel, right attack, on the 7th. of September. Sergeant THOMAS + COOPEN, good conduct when in charge of a detached party in the + rifle-pits, on the night of the 7th. of September, 1855. Private + FREDERICK STOKES, was severely wounded during the bombardment. + + FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant THOMAS COOPER, volunteered with twenty + men to attack a rifle-pit in the Cemetery, left attack, on the 18th. + of June, 1855. Sergeant JOHN MACDONALD, carried off, under fire, from + the open ground in front of the trenches, a wounded man of the 39th. + regiment. Private ROBERT HARRISON, zealous and constant attention to + his duty in the trenches. Private THOMAS CABY, volunteered to go out, + under a heavy fire, to bring in a wounded man from the first Royal + Regiment. Private PATRICK CANTY, a clean and well-conducted soldier in + camp and in the trenches, where he was wounded. Sergeant THOMAS BROWN, + served in the Crimea from the 19th. of January, 1855, to the 6th. of + January, 1856; severely wounded on the 18th. of June, 1855. + + SEVENTEENTH FOOT.—Corporal PHILIP SMITH, distinguished himself by + going out on the glacis of the great Redan several times on the 18th. + of June, 1855, after the assault, under very heavy fire, and bringing + in several wounded men on his back; never missed a duty; present + during the whole time. Private JOHN DAVIS, distinguished himself by + cool bravery and remarkably steady gallantry at the assault on the + great Redan, on the 18th. of June, 1855; reported by the officers and + several men of his company; wounded twice. Private RICHARD HOGAN, + distinguished by his officers and many of his comrades for superior + intelligence in the trenches; present with his regiment during the + whole period of service in the Crimea; wounded. Private THOMAS + LAWLESS, distinguished as one of the seven men who went out on the + glacis of the great Redan at the assault on the 18th. of June, 1855, + under very heavy fire, and brought in the dead body of their Captain, + John Croker. Private BENJAMIN VAUGHAN, distinguished at the assault on + the great Redan, on the 18th. of June, 1855, when orderly to the + commanding officer, for cool courage and steadiness; firelock broken + in his hands by a shot. Sergeant CHARLES COLLINS, highly gallant + conduct in the morning of the 22nd. of March, 1855, in volunteering + and remaining out with the advanced sentries on the Woronzoff Road for + two hours during a sortie made by the Russians that night. + + EIGHTEENTH ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant EDWARD DUNNE, + constant and good services in the trenches. Sergeant JOHN HARVEY, + zealous performance of duty in the trenches. Corporal NEIL O’DONNELL, + service in the trenches, and was remarked for his gallantry at the + assault on the 18th. of June, 1855. Private JOHN COX, great bravery in + the field and in the trenches, and always encouraging others by a + peculiarly cheerful manner of performing his duty. Sergeant JOHN + GLEESON, gallantry on the 18th. of June, 1855, and noted for his + unwearied zeal in the trenches. Private EDWARD LANGTON, gallantry on + the 18th. of June, 1855. Private JOHN BYRNE, great bravery in removing + from the front, and under very heavy fire, wounded men, on the 18th. + of June, 1855; and zeal in the trenches. + + NINETEENTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM JOHN BRITTS, present with + his regiment during the whole of the campaign; distinguished himself + in repulsing the sortie made by the enemy on the night of the 22nd. of + March. Sergeant WILLIAM MURPHY, ditto.; never absent from duty from + sickness; was wounded severely in the attack on the Redan, on the 8th. + of September, 1855, when he distinguished himself. Sergeant THOMAS + MURPHY, did duty with his regiment without intermission throughout the + whole campaign. Sergeant WILLIAM SMITH, ditto; was slightly wounded on + the 8th. of September, 1855. Sergeant HENRY STRICK, ditto; lost the + forefinger of the left hand at the attack on the Redan, on the 8th. of + September, 1855. Private HUGH B. HIGGINS, ditto; was never absent from + duty in the trenches through sickness or any other cause. Private + JAMES DUFFY, ditto; volunteered and was employed as sharpshooter for + three weeks; wounded at the attack of the Redan, on the 8th. of + September, 1855. Sergeant GEORGE ROLINS, for distinguished conduct + when Corporal in the eight-gun battery before Sebastopol, during a + sortie made by the enemy on the night of the 22nd. of March, 1855. + Private SAMUEL EVANS, for voluntarily entering an embrasure, and + assisting the sappers to reconstruct it, under a heavy fire from the + enemy, on the 13th. of April, 1855, before Sebastopol; honourably + mentioned in division orders, and received a gratuity of five pounds, + by order of Field-Marshal Lord Raglan. + + TWENTIETH REGIMENT.—Sergeant JOSEPH MOSS, all these non-commissioned + officers and men landed in the Crimea on the 14th of September, 1854; + was present at the three actions; brought prominently to notice at the + battle of Inkermann, and was through the whole of the siege + operations: Sergeants GEORGE BOXALL and JOHN BROWN were present at the + three actions; through the whole of the siege operations; and were + active and zealous non-commissioned officers in the trenches. Private + JOSEPH BROWN, was present at all the actions, and through the whole of + the siege operations; behaved well at the sortie on the 22nd. of + March, 1855, and also at the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June. + Private GEORGE KIRKHAM, present at all the actions; brought himself to + notice at the battle of Inkermann, and also in repulsing a sortie on + the advance trench; through the whole siege operations. Privates + WILLIAM HENNESSY and HENRY GRAY, present at all the actions, and + through the whole of the siege operations; the former behaved with + great spirit in the trenches, when a live shell fell amongst his + party, depriving one of his comrades of his presence of mind, who + remained standing near it until Private Hennessy rushed out and + brought the man under cover. Private PATRICK CALLAGHAN, was present at + the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and the siege of + Sebastopol; was also one of a party who, under a heavy fire, brought + the body of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart from + the field. Private JOHN LOWE, was present at the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, and Inkermann, and during the whole siege; never absent + from any duty until he left the Crimea, in December, 1855. + + TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS.—Colour-Sergeant JOHN HIGDON, for distinguished + conduct at the battle of Inkermann, and uniform good conduct during + the campaign. Sergeant JAMES SIM, for gallant conduct throughout the + siege, and on the 18th. of June, with the ladder party. Private + TIMOTHY DRISCOLL, for having served without interruption in the + trenches during the whole siege, and for his very good character, he + not having a single entry in the defaulters’ book. Sergeant PATRICK + KELLY, for having served without interruption during the whole siege, + and for his very good character. Private MICHAEL M‘PHELY, for + distinguished conduct during the sortie of the 22nd. of March, 1855, + and for general gallant conduct throughout the siege. Sergeant JOHN + RUSSELL, for gallant conduct at the battle of Inkermann, and + uninterrupted performance of his duties throughout the siege. Private + PETER CROWLEY, for distinguished conduct in having rescued an officer + of another regiment from a Russian soldier, whom he also took prisoner + at the battle of Inkermann; and for uniform good conduct throughout + the siege. Colour-Sergeant RICHARD ELLIS, landed with the regiment at + Old Fort, on the 14th. of September, 1854; present at the Alma; + wounded at Inkermann. Sergeant EDWARD MARSHMAN, served throughout the + campaign in the Crimea; volunteered on the morning of the 23rd. of + March, 1855, when in an advanced trench, to lead a party against a + Russian sortie, and to outflank them, for which service he was + promoted to Corporal, and afterwards Sergeant. + + TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major WILLIAM HANDLEY, recommended for + general good service during the war; shewed great gallantry at the + battle of the Alma, and in the trenches; and especially in the attack + on the Redan on the 8th. of September. Sergeant JAMES COLLINS, + recommended for general good service and great gallantry throughout + the various actions, including the attack of the Quarries and the + final assault of the Redan; mentioned particularly as distinguishing + himself on one occasion by reposting a line of sentries in front of + the five-gun battery, the first line of sentries having been driven + in; present at the Alma and Inkermann. Sergeant CHARLES GODDEN, + recommended for general good service at the Alma and Inkermann, and + throughout the whole period, including the final attack on the Redan; + mentioned particularly as having distinguished himself on the 21st. of + December, 1854, by remaining at his post after the rest of the party + had been driven in from the advanced trenches by the Russians. + Sergeant WILLIAM ANDREWS, distinguished himself particularly in the + final attack on the Redan. Colour-Sergeant JAMES BOYSE, especially for + very distinguished conduct in the attack on the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855, on which day he shewed great coolness in endeavouring + to keep up a fire on the enemy who lined the parapet on the right of + the British attack. Private JOHN BROWN, and Colour-Sergeant CHARLES + COVITON, particularly in the attack on the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855; all were at the Alma and Inkermann, and were + distinguished for general good service. Colour-Sergeant JAMES O’NEILL, + served gallantly at the battle of the Alma, at Inkermann, and was + zealous throughout the siege; also at the assault on the Redan on the + 8th. of September, 1855, where he was severely wounded. Sergeant + WILLIAM PARKINSON, served gallantly at the Alma, and was zealous in + his duties throughout the siege in the trenches; was wounded in the + final assault on the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Private + THOMAS GERRAGHTY, behaved well at the battle of the Alma, and was + wounded at the final assault on the Redan on the 8th. of September, + 1855. + + TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant WILLIAM COOK: the following all + landed in the Crimea with the regiment, and were present at the Alma + and Inkermann; performed excellent duty in the trenches the whole + period, and gave general satisfaction to all officers employed with + him; was in the affair of the Cemetery on the 18th. of June. Sergeant + GEORGE DUNNERY, ditto; present during the whole siege; behaved most + gallantly in the affair of the Cemetery on the 18th. of June. Private + JAMES CARSON, volunteered as sharpshooter under the command of Captain + Mounsell, who spoke in great praise of him; was employed from the + first bombardment till the end of December; present during the whole + siege. Private MICHAEL CONNELL, present in all the siege operations; + behaved gallantly, volunteering for the advanced party of + sharpshooters in the Cemetery, on the 18th. of June, when he was + severely wounded. Private WILLIAM DUNN, engaged in the siege + operations the whole period; volunteered for the advanced party of + sharpshooters on the 18th. of June, in the Cemetery, when he was + severely wounded. Private JOHN BLAKE, present throughout the whole + siege, and was most active, forward, and energetic on all occasions in + the trenches. Private JOHN TOBIN, volunteered as sharpshooter from the + first bombardment to the end of December, 1854; spoken highly of by + Captain Mounsell, who commanded the sharpshooters; present during the + whole siege, and did excellent service; was in the affair of the + Cemetery, on the 18th. of June, 1855. Private JONATHAN HILL, present + at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and performed good duty in + the trenches during the whole winter of 1854, up to the 18th. of June, + on which day he was with the regiment in the Cemetery, and was + severely wounded. Private PATRICK TULLEY, similar service until March, + 1855, when he was sent back to Scutari; volunteered his services as + sharpshooter in the advanced works of the left attack during the + winter of 1854. + + THIRTIETH REGIMENT.—The following, except Private SMITH, who was not + at Inkermann, having been wounded in the sortie on the 26th. of + October, all landed with the 30th regiment in the Crimea, on the 14th. + of September, 1854, and were present at the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, and at the sortie of the 26th. of October. Colour-Sergeant + JOHN RICHARDSON, served regularly in the trenches throughout the + siege; he was mentioned in orders after the battle of the Alma for his + distinguished conduct; he was present at the assault on the Redan. + Sergeant OWEN CURRAN, served in the trenches throughout the siege, and + was present at both assaults on the Redan. Colour-Sergeant THOMAS + M‘DONOGH, at both assaults on the Redan, and throughout the siege; he + was slightly wounded on the 8th. of September, 1855. Lance-Corporal + MICHAEL BYRNE, served in the trenches throughout the siege; was + present at the two assaults on the Redan; was slightly wounded at the + battle of Inkermann. Private WILLIAM NICHOLL, served in the trenches + during the whole siege; was present at both the assaults on the Redan; + was mentioned in orders, for gallant conduct, at the battle of the + Alma; wounded slightly at the Alma, Inkermann, and on the 26th. of + October, 1854, and severely at the assault on the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855. Private CHARLES QUIGLEY, served in the trenches + throughout the siege, and was present at the two assaults on the + Redan; received a medal for distinguished service in the field, for + his conduct at the Alma and Inkermann. Private JOHN SMITH, wounded at + the sortie of the 26th. of October, 1854; served in the trenches from + May, 1855, till the close of the siege, and was present at both the + assaults on the Redan, at the latter of which his gallant conduct was + especially remarked by Lieutenant-Colonel Mauleverer, C.B., and other + officers; he obtained a medal for distinguished service in the field, + for his conduct on the 26th. of October, 1854. Colour-Sergeant + HASTINGS MCALLISTER, landed in the Crimea on the 14th. of July, 1855; + distinguished himself greatly at the storming of the Redan, on the + 8th. of September, 1855, on which occasion he was wounded in five + places. Private THOMAS MCDONALD, landed in the Crimea on the 14th. of + September, 1854; present at the battles of the Alma, the sortie of the + 26th. of October, 1854, and the battle of Inkermann, where he highly + distinguished himself, and was severely wounded. + + THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant JAMES FOLEY, strongly + recommended for his cool and soldier-like bearing on the evening of + the 17th. of June, 1855, when the 31st. regiment occupied the trenches + for the first time, thus setting a good example to the young soldiers. + Privates RICHARD STAPLETON and JAMES RUTH, these two soldiers were + strongly recommended by Captain Rowlands, 41st. Regiment, who + commanded the party engaged in taking the rifle-pits, in the advance + of the right sap, advance trench, on the night of the 4th. of + September, 1855, and their conduct particularly mentioned for great + coolness and bravery in keeping possession of one of the pits till + ordered to retire. Private LACKY RYAN, engaged with Lieutenant Leeson, + 31st. regiment in taking the rifle-pits in the advance of the right + sap, advance trench, on the night of the 4th. of September, 1855, and + particularly noticed for his coolness and bravery. Private JOHN + SPELMAN, this man was one of a party (engaged in taking possession of + the rifle-pits in the advance of the right sap, advance trench, on the + night of the 4th. of September, 1855), whose conduct was particularly + mentioned for coolness and bravery by Captain Rowlands, of the 41st. + regiment, in keeping possession of the pits for half an hour, till + ordered to retire; he was severely wounded on this occasion. + + THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major WILLIAM BARWELL, distinguished + himself very much in the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June, and + served nearly the whole campaign. Sergeant PATRICK WHELAN, served + through the whole campaign; was always a first-rate soldier in the + battle-field and in the trenches, and was one of the first men of the + regiment at the Redan on the 8th. of September. Colour-Sergeant JAMES + BACON, was noticed by Sir William Codrington at the battle of the + Alma, and was wounded at the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June; + served through the whole campaign, never being absent. Private FRANCIS + CROTTY, served through the whole campaign; distinguished himself on + the 18th. of June. Private WILLIAM DOUGLAS, volunteered and served as + a sharpshooter during the first bombardments of Sebastopol; with nine + other men charged a party of Russians and made them retire, at + Inkermann, where he volunteered to join Colonel Waddy, 50th. regiment, + to follow the retiring enemy; was wounded on the 8th. of September, + 1855. Sergeant WILLIAM CRANE, served at the Alma; was noticed by + Captain Drewe, 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who strongly recommended + him for gallantry on the 8th. of September, 1855. Colour-Sergeant + WILLIAM MENAING, served through the whole campaign; present with the + regiment the whole time. Colour-Sergeant PHILIP READ, served through + the whole campaign; volunteered to go with the regiment on the 8th. of + September, at the attack on the Redan, when warned for that duty; was + severely wounded on that occasion. Private PATRICK M‘GUIRE, + volunteered as sharpshooter at the commencement of the siege of + Sebastopol; was taken prisoner on the 20th. of October, 1854, when + employed on that duty, by a party of Russians; killed the two men who + had him in charge, and made his escape; was present during the whole + campaign. + + THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant WILLIAM QUIRK, gallant conduct on the + 7th. of June, 1855, during the attack on the Quarries; also on the + 19th. of April, 1855. Sergeant JOHN HAYDON, general gallant conduct in + the trenches, especially on the 19th. of April, 1855, at the taking of + Egerton’s rifle-pit. Sergeant WILLIAM CARNEY; and Private THOMAS LOFT, + carrying Sergeant Harrison (34th.) in, when wounded, on the 8th. of + September, 1855, under a heavy fire. Corporal WILLIAM COFFER, throwing + a live shell out of a trench on the 29th. of March, 1855. Private + WILLIAM GILL, recommended by Major Gwilt, 34th. regiment, for binding + up his arm when wounded, on the 18th. of June, 1855, under a heavy + fire. Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM SMITH, gallant conduct at the assault on + the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, when he was severely wounded. + Private CLEMENT BROPHY, gallant conduct at the repulse of the Russian + sortie on the 22nd. of March, 1855; severely wounded in the trenches + on the 31st. of August, 1855. and lost his left arm. + + THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—The following all served throughout the war. + Sergeant-Major PATRICK M‘FADDEN, did his duty well in the trenches; + was particularly distinguished in his conduct on the 18th of June, + 1855, in the attack on the Cemetery. Private JOHN WALSH, particularly + engaged in repelling a sortie on the 20th. of December, 1854, when the + conduct of his company was commended in division orders; in advance on + the 18th. of June, 1855. Private ROBERT LONGHEED; did his duty well in + the trenches; volunteered for the advanced guard on the 18th. of June, + 1855. Corporal THOMAS BRENNAN, engaged in the repulse of the sortie of + the 20th. of December, 1854; distinguished particularly on the 18th. + of June, 1855. Sergeant ANDREW CLARKE, distinguished on the 18th. of + June, 1855; wounded; always a good soldier in the field. Private + MICHAEL MURPHY, distinguished himself in the repulse of the sortie of + the 20th. December, 1854; in advance during the whole day of the 18th. + of June, 1855. Private BENJAMIN NEWHALL, was a volunteer as + sharpshooter in the beginning of the siege; was present and wounded in + the attack on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. Private WILLIAM + MOORE, distinguished himself highly on the 18th. of June, 1855; + received three wounds on that day, from one of which he lost his arm + from the socket. Private JAMES BLACKMORE, particularly distinguished + himself on the night of the 20th. of December, 1854, in the repulse of + a sortie. + + THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Private MICHAEL BOYLE, on the 25th. of April, + 1855, he volunteered to bring in a soldier of another regiment, who + was lying wounded outside the advanced line of sentries, beyond the + “Ovens,” a work, at the hour of the day when it was performed, of + considerable danger; was also one of the party on the Woronzoff Road, + on the 2nd. of August, 1855, when a sortie of the Russians, reported + to consist of two thousand men, attacked the _chevaux-de-frize_. + Colour-Sergeant JAMES GARRETT, conduct highly spoken of by all ranks + for conspicuous gallantry, coolness, and intrepidity on all occasions + while on duty in the trenches. Private LAWRENCE LIND, on the evening + of the 18th., of June, when a party of the 39th. was stationed in the + trenches overlooking the Cemetery, which that day had been taken + possession of by the brigade under Sir William Eyre, cries and groans + of a wounded man attracted attention. Lieutenant Smyth, in command of + the party, asked for volunteers to accompany him and ascertain the + cause, when Lawrence Lind, Martin Lyons, and McCluskey of the light + company, cheerfully volunteered to accompany him, and they brought in + a wounded Sergeant of the 38th. regiment, who had been lying for + fifteen hours at some distance from the Cemetery, in advance. The + party attracted the attention of the enemy, and consequently had to + perform the duty under a heavy fire. Sergeant GEORGE PEGRAM, almost + every officer has on various occasions spoken most highly of the + service in the trenches of Sergeant Pegram, as a remarkably brave, + willing, and forward non-commissioned officer; in former years, in + 1843, his conduct attracted attention at Maharajpore, where the + regiment suffered so severely, and he had previously obtained the + character of being a brave soldier under Sir De Lacy Evans, in Spain. + Private MICHAEL RYAN, on the 29th. of March, when a part of the guard + went before it was dark, towards the Woronzoff Road, under Captain + Baird, and brought on a fire from which Colour-Sergeant James Rodd + lost his life, Ryan is reported to have been one of four men who + behaved remarkably well; on the 25th. of April he was on sentry on the + _chevaux-de-frize_ on the Woronzoff Road when the enemy opened a heavy + fire, and remained at his post steadily, and attracted attention by + his good conduct; on the 2nd. of August, on the occasion of the large + sortie referred to in Michael Boyle’s case, Ryan was on sentry, and + when driven in kept retreating up the hill on one side of the ravine, + and continued firing on the Russians till they finally abandoned the + attack; he was wounded on the 23rd. of May, when going to the + trenches, in the thigh, by a splinter from a shell. Corporal THOMAS + OMEALY, distinguished for coolness and intrepidity while under fire, + and duty in the trenches; wounded on the 15th. of July, 1855, while on + duty in the advanced trenches. + + FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM DAVIS, served before + Sebastopol during the greater part of the siege; was conspicuous in + having charged gallantly inside the Redan on the 8th. of September, + 1855. Colour-Sergeant JAMES KELLY, served before Sebastopol during the + greater part of the siege; was conspicuous in having charged gallantly + inside the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Both landed in the + Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; the former was present at the + Alma and Balaklava, and the latter at the Alma and Inkermann. Privates + PATRICK GARVEY, JOHN KENNELLY, THOMAS M‘QUADE, and Corporal CHARLES + NELSON; all landed in the Crimea at the above date, and were present + at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and at the sortie of the + 26th. of October; and all served before Sebastopol during the whole of + the siege. Privates Patrick Garvey and John Kennelly were also + conspicuous in having charged gallantly inside the Redan on the 8th. + of September, 1855. Private MARTIN ROGERSON, landed in the Crimea in + January, 1855, and served before Sebastopol during the remainder of + the siege; was in the trenches on the 18th. of June, and was + conspicuous in bringing wounded men from the glacis of the Redan, + under a heavy fire from the enemy, on the same night. Colour-Sergeant + AMBROSE MADDEN, landed in the Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; + was present at the battles of the Alma, Inkermann, sortie of the 26th. + of October, and served in the trenches before Sebastopol till the + 19th. of March, 1855; headed a party which took prisoners a Russian + officer and fourteen privates, three of whom he personally and alone + captured in the general sortie of the 26th. of Oct., 1854; for this he + received the Victoria Cross. Colour-Sergeant JOHN SMITH, for + remarkable zeal in the field from the date of the landing of the army + in the Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854, till June, 1855; was + present at the battles of the Alma, the sortie on the 26th. of + October, 1854, the battle of Inkermann, and the attack on the Quarries + on the 7th. of June, 1855. + + FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant THOMAS RIDLEY, on the 3rd. of + July, 1855, was one of a working party employed in turning an old + Russian trench in the advanced parallel, the party under fire, and + much exposed; he encouraged the men by working with them himself in + the most exposed position, and it was mainly owing to his example and + good conduct that the work was speedily and satisfactorily done. + Sergeant WILLIAM STRATHERN, on the 11th. of October, 1854, at the + commencement of the siege, when with a covering party on the right + attack, the enemy came out in force and attacked with field pieces, he + volunteered to pass, under a heavy fire, to a party of the Rifle + Brigade, with orders to bring them up to the assistance of the party + in the battery. Lance-Corporal ROBERT M‘NAIR, on the 9th. of August, + when a sentry in front of the advanced trenches, under fire, was + distinguished for his coolness and daring; he was severely wounded on + that occasion, but remained at his post until regularly relieved. + Private DONALD M‘KENZIE, volunteered as a sharpshooter at the + commencement of the siege; was employed on that duty until he was + wounded on the 19th. of October, 1854; on the night of the 18th. of + June, 1855, during a sortie, was distinguished for his good conduct in + encouraging the young soldiers, and by his example giving them + confidence; the next morning he volunteered to go towards the old + Russian trench from the third parallel, to bring in a missing comrade, + supposed to be wounded. Lance-Corporal WILLIAM BENNETT, on the night + of the 18th. of June, 1855, when a sortie was expected and a sudden + alarm given, the men of another regiment, immediately on the left of + where he was, having retired, it was mainly owing to his steadiness + and example that the men of his party kept their ground. Private NEIL + CARMICHAEL, on the night of the 6th. of August, 1855, when a partial + attack was made by some of the enemy’s pickets, he was distinguished + for his good conduct; on the same night an attack was expected from + the Redan; he was one of those who volunteered to go out to the front, + under fire, to watch it closely. Sergeant GEORGE FOX, volunteered as a + sharpshooter at the opening of the siege of Sebastopol; was + conspicuous for his coolness and intrepidity, and continued at that + duty daily till he was severely wounded on the 19th. of October, 1854. + Private ANDREW CROMTIE, on the night of the 18th. of June, 1885, + during a sortie on the trenches, was distinguished for his courage and + daring when in a very exposed position; on the 24th. of June, 1855, + was one of a party sent to dislodge some of the enemy’s riflemen, who + were annoying a working party in the right attack; on this occasion he + received a musket-shot through his wrist. + + FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.—The following all served throughout the + campaign (the first as Colour-Sergeant), except Private James Edlow, + who attended the sick on board ship for three weeks, for which + disagreeable duty he volunteered. Quartermaster-Sergeant DENIS REDDIN, + was noticed for his vigilance and activity on all occasions when in + the trenches, and his gallantry was most conspicuous on the 18th. of + June at the attack on the Cemetery. Sergeant THOMAS BROWN never missed + any duty; was always vigilant and alert in the trenches; was on guard + on the 18th. of June, but volunteered and accompanied the regiment in + the attack on the Cemetery, where his gallantry was noticed. + Lance-Corporal DENIS CANTY, always noticed for his activity and daring + in the trenches, and especially on the 18th. of June at the attack on + the Cemetery. Corporal JOHN DRENON, was one of the few who constantly + remained at their duty; was always active and vigilant in the + trenches; was also present at the attack on the 18th. of June. Private + JAMES EDLOW, was present at the attack on the 18th. of June, and on + all occasions in the trenches, when his activity and readiness for any + duty was noticed; was very forward and active during the whole day of + the 18th. of June, especially in driving some Russians out of an + adjoining house. Private JOHN BURNSIDE, was always ready and willing + for any duty; was present on the 18th. of June at the attack on the + Cemetery. Private THOMAS M‘CARTHY, was present on the 18th. of June at + the attack on the Cemetery, when his gallantry was particularly + noticed, and where he several times exposed himself to a most galling + fire, for the purpose of rescuing his wounded comrades and soldiers of + other regiments; he volunteered and was sharpshooter at the + commencement of the siege, and again on the 18th., of June, when he + was one of the advanced guard. Colour-Sergeant JAMES DONELAN, served + throughout the campaign and siege of Sebastopol till the spring of + 1856, and though never in very good health persisted in remaining with + his regiment. Corporal ROBERT MURRAY, served in the Crimea from the + landing on the 14th. of September, 1854, also during the siege of + Sebastopol, till the 18th. of June, 1855, when he was severely wounded + in the attack on the Cemetery. + + FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant STEPHEN HARBOUR, this sergeant + was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; he + served in the trenches during the whole of the siege. Sergeant GEORGE + BLAGDON, was particularly remarked for his conduct in the trenches + during the whole siege, for which, and his activity in camp, he was + promoted to be corporal, and sergeant. Corporal WILLIAM WATT, was + particularly remarked for his conduct during the sortie of the 11th. + of May, 1855; both landed on the 8th. of November, 1854. Private JAMES + HUNT, landed on the 14th. of September, 1854; was present at the Alma, + Inkermann, and Balaklava, and was particularly remarked for his + conduct during the whole campaign. Private JEREMIAH CONDON, landed on + the 8th. of November, 1854, and was remarkable on all occasions for + gallantry and daring. The above five never missed a duty in the + trenches. Sergeants WILLIAM BROMMELL, and LEONARD GOODING, both these + sergeants landed in the Crimea on the 8th. of November, 1854; the + former was wounded in the trenches before Sebastopol on the 21st. of + December, 1854; leg amputated; was remarkable for zeal and gallantry + in the trenches; the latter never missed a duty in the trenches up to + the 24th. of August, 1855. + + FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant GEORGE M‘DONALD, in holding + the Quarries, on the 7th. of June, the detachment running short of + ammunition, this non-commissioned officer passed through a heavy fire + of grape, shell, and musketry for ammunition, and returned through the + same fire with a barrel of ammunition on his shoulder; served + throughout the siege from November, 1854. Corporal CONNOR O’LOGHLIN, + recommended for distinguished conduct on the 7th. of June, at the + taking of the Quarries, and for having on all occasions throughout the + campaign, attracted the attention of the captain of his company by his + gallantry and good conduct when before the enemy. Colour-Sergeant + GILL, distinguished himself by his gallantry and coolness at the + storming of the Quarries, and repulse of the several attacks of the + enemy on the night of the 7th. of June, and throughout the campaign + and siege generally. Sergeant WILLIAM BOWLER, distinguished himself + when on outlying pickets at the attack on the position of the second + division on the 26th. of October, 1854, on which occasion he was + severely wounded; served well during the siege; present at the Alma. + Private DANIEL FLANAGAN, recommended for volunteering under a very + heavy fire to place sandbags in the embrasures of the twenty-one gun + battery, on the 9th. of April, 1855; assisted in working a gun, and in + every possible way distinguished himself on that occasion. Private + JOHN DILLON, distinguished himself at the capture of the Quarries; + wounded at Inkermann; Privates Flanagan and Dillon were present during + the siege, and at all the engagements. Private JOHN DINNEEN, + distinguished himself at the capture of the Quarries, and served + gallantly on all other occasions. Sergeant ROBERT COURT, present at + the battle of the Alma (wounded); rejoined his regiment on the 19th. + of January, 1855, and Was present in all the affairs from that time + until the end of the siege; distinguished himself by his coolness and + gallantry in assisting to lead and cheer on the men to repulse the + attacks of the Russians on the night of the 7th. of June, after taking + the Quarries (wounded). Private JOHN MCDERMOND, gallant conduct at the + battle of Inkermann in rescuing Colonel Haly, 47th. Foot, when lying + wounded on the ground, from a party of Russians; present and wounded + at the battle of the Alma. + + FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Acting Sergeant-Major S. FRANCIS, for having, + when on duty in the trenches, on the night of the 4th. of June, 1855, + when an alarm was given that the Russians were approaching, and a + sortie about to be made, and when the sentries in advance had retired + in some confusion, supplied their place by a new line of sentries, + which he formed out of a number of volunteers who offered themselves, + and thereby prevented the further advance of the Russians. This took + place under a very heavy fire. On another occasion this + non-commissioned officer conveyed a message from Lieutenant-Colonel + Riky, commanding the 48th. regiment, to the general of the right + attack, regarding the movement of some troops, on the 9th. of June, + 1855, under a heavy fire. Corporal T. KELLY, for having assisted in + working a gun, voluntarily, in the battery in which he was on duty, on + the night of the 7th. of September, 1855, for which he was + particularly brought to notice by the captain of artillery on duty in + the battery; on which occasion he received a severe wound. Corporal T. + GOORLY and Private J. DOWNEY, assisted the Adjutant of the 48th. + regiment, early on the morning of the 19th. of June, 1855, in + endeavouring to bring into the trenches a wounded British soldier who + was lying in a rifle-pit in the Cemetery. The attempt failed, in + consequence of the ground being swept by a cross fire from the enemy’s + works, and from which the men were placed in the most imminent danger, + as the fire was very heavy and well directed. + + FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—The following were all at the Alma, sortie of + the 26th. of October, and at Inkermann. Colour-Sergeant GEORGE VAYNG, + engaged in the trenches throughout the siege; at the capture of the + Quarries, on the 7th. of June, 1855, and with the regiment on the 8th. + of September, 1855; a gallant soldier and most excellent + non-commissioned officer. Colour-Sergeant JOHN M‘COY, present at the + attacks on the Redan on the 18th. of June, and the 8th. of September, + 1855; constantly at his duty in the trenches during the siege. + Lance-Corporal ALEXANDER PENDRIDGE, engaged in the attack and capture + of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855; shewed great gallantry on + the 25th. of August, 1855, when engaged on a working party in the + trenches, in setting a good example, when “breaking ground” under a + very heavy fire from the enemy; present at both attacks on the Redan, + on the 18th. of June, and the 8th. of September, 1855; mentioned in + division orders for gallant conduct on the 26th. of October, 1854. + Sergeant MICHAEL ROONEY, highly distinguished himself at Inkermann, + and refused to go to the rear during action, although seriously + contused by a spent shot; attack and capture of the Quarries on the + 7th. of June, 1855; attacks on the Redan on the 18th. of June and the + 8th. of September, 1855. Colour-Sergeant JOHN THOMPSON, joined his + regiment in the field at Inkermann, having marched that morning, on + hearing the firing, from Balaklava, where he had been on detached + regimental duty; constantly at his duty in the trenches during the + siege; in both attacks on the Redan on the 18th. of June, and the 8th. + of September, 1855. Private ROBERT M‘KENNA, attack and capture of the + Quarries, on the 7th. of June, 1855; both of the attacks on the Redan, + on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, 1855; brought to the + notice of Lieutenant-General Markham, for his gallantry in taking a + rifle-pit on the 20th. of April, 1855. Colour-Sergeant CHARLES BARNES, + landed in the Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; was present at + the battle of the Alma; at the repulse of the sortie by the second + division on the 26th. of October, 1854; was severely wounded on the + 7th. of June, 1855, in storming the Quarries before Sebastopol, up to + which time he had been always at his duty in the trenches, but on + account of his wounds was invalided to England. Corporal WILLIAM + REILLY, present at the battle of the Alma on the 20th. of September, + on the 26th. of October, 1854, battle of Inkermann on the 5th. of + November, 1854; served in the trenches until the 8th. of June, 1855, + when he was wounded, and sent in consequence to England. + + FIFTIETH REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major ROBERT FOLEY, most zealous in + supporting the discipline of his regiment. Private LAWRENCE WARD, a + good soldier on duty, and was remarkable for his conduct at the battle + of Inkermann. Private MICHAEL HANNAN, was distinguished for his + coolness and steadiness at Inkermann. Private JOHN BRENNAN, was + distinguished for gallant conduct in the trenches on the occasion of a + sortie in December, 1854. Private WILLIAM COONEY, gallant conduct in + the trenches on the occasion of a sortie in December, 1854. + Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM TURNER, was very active and attentive to his + duties in the trenches. Sergeant RICHARD W. NEWCOMBE, a most + trustworthy non-commissioned officer; he volunteered to take charge of + the sharpshooters of his regiment in front of the left attack; + Sergeants FOLEY, TURNER, and NEWCOMBE, and Privates HANNAN and BRENNAN + served throughout the whole of the Crimean Campaign. + + FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.—Sergeants HENDRICK, SPENCER, and CAMPION, and + Privates WILSON and WHELAN landed with the regiment in the Crimea on + the 14th. of September, 1854, and were present at the battle of the + Alma, repulse of the sortie on the 26th. of October, and battle of + Inkermann; and served in the trenches to the fall of Sebastopol. + Colour-Sergeant HENRY HENDRICK, present at the taking of the Quarries, + on the 7th. of June, 1855; attack on the Redan, on the 18th. of June + and the 8th. of September, 1855, where he commanded a company (there + being no officer with it); was wounded, and mentioned for his + distinguished conduct in the assault. Sergeant WILLIAM SPENCER + particularly distinguished himself at the storming of the Quarries, on + the 7th. of June, 1855, by his gallantry, and promptness in carrying + orders, and getting up extra ammunition under a heavy fire; present at + the attacks on the Redan, on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September, 1855. Lance-Corporal WILLIAM M‘LACHLAN, with the regiment + in the Crimea from the 24th. of October, 1854; present at the sortie + at Inkermann, on the 26th. of October; battle of Inkermann; served in + the trenches up to the fall of Sebastopol; distinguished himself by + his gallant conduct at the storming of the Quarries, on the 7th. of + June, 1855, and in volunteering to fetch a wounded comrade out of the + enemy’s advanced work under a heavy fire; at the attacks on the Redan, + on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, 1855. Private JOSEPH + WILSON, present at the taking of the Quarries, on the 7th. of June, + and attacks on the Redan, on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September, 1855; distinguished himself by his conduct in the trenches + throughout the whole siege; but particularly at the storming of the + Redan, on the 8th. of September, 1855, on which occasion he was + severely wounded. Sergeant WILLIAM CAMPION, present at the attack on + the Redan, on the 18th. of June, and distinguished himself by his + gallantry at the storming of the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. + Private JEREMIAH WHELAN, present at the attack on the Redan on the + 18th. of June, at the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855, and + particularly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct at the + storming of the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Private THOMAS + JOHNSTONE, landed in the Crimea on the 31st. of December, 1854; served + in the trenches up to the fall of Sebastopol; present at the storming + of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855; attack on the Redan on the + 18th. of June, 1855; and distinguished himself by his gallant conduct + at the storming of the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. + Colour-Sergeant PETER POPE, landed with the 55th. regiment in Turkey + on the 21st. of May, 1854; present at the battle of the Alma, + (wounded), repulse of the sortie at Inkermann on the 26th. of October, + 1854, battle of Inkermann, and served in the trenches during the whole + of the siege; received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his + gallantry at Inkermann; at the storming of the Redan, on the 8th. of + September, 1855, on which occasion he was severely wounded. Private + JAMES DUNN, landed with the 55th. regiment in Turkey on the 21st. of + May, 1854; present at the battle of the Alma, repulse of the sortie at + Inkermann on the 26th. of October, and battle of Inkermann; received a + Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Inkermann, where he + was severely wounded; served during the whole siege of Sebastopol, and + mentioned by Captain J. R. Hume, 55th. regiment, as having + particularly distinguished himself at the storming of the Redan on the + 8th. of September, where he lost his arm. + + FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeants WILLIAM DIBBS and JOSEPH + WHITTAKER, and JOHN LORD and LEWIS HOGAN; fearless and steady conduct + when employed in the trenches; the first on the 29th. of August and + the 1st. of September, 1855; the second on the 29th. of August and the + 2nd. and 5th. of September, 1855; and the third and fourth on the + 29th. of August and the 5th. of September, 1855. Private JAMES BUTLER, + severely wounded whilst doing his duty in the trenches on the 4th. of + September, 1855; right arm amputated. + + FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeants JOHN MCCARDLE and JOHN + COUGHLAN, Sergeant JAMES F. ANDREWS, Corporal THOMAS CONNELL, + Lance-Corporal WILLIAM KINNARNEY, and Private JOHN MURRAY; were + present at the battles of Balaklava on the 25th. of October, and + Inkermann, on the 5th. of November, 1854; assault on the Redan, on the + 18th. of June, 1855; and in the trenches during the siege. + Lance-Corporal Kinnarney and Private Murray were severely wounded on + the 18th. of June, 1855, and the latter was twice wounded in the + trenches during the siege. Colour-Sergeant JOHN JONES, for gallant + conduct at the battle of Inkermann, where he was severely wounded. + Lance-Corporal THOMAS ANDERSON, for gallant conduct during the siege + of Sebastopol. + + SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Sergeant WILLIAM REILLY, and Privates MICHAEL + BROPHY and JAMES MCKEE, served in the trenches from the arrival of the + regiment in the Crimea on the 12th. of November, 1854, till the fall + of Sebastopol, on the 9th. of September, 1855, and were present with + the regiment on all occasions of its being engaged against the enemy + during that period. Privates THOMAS CARNEY and JOHN M‘CARTHY, served + in the trenches from the arrival of the regiment in the Crimea on the + 12th. of November, 1854, till the fall of Sebastopol on the 9th. of + September, 1855, and were present with the regiment on all occasions + of its being engaged against the enemy during that period; the former + was mentioned in General Simpson’s despatch as having volunteered to + bring in wounded men from the front on the 8th. of September, 1855; + and the latter was severely wounded in the attack on the Redan on the + 8th. of September, 1855. Drummer THOMAS FINNIGAN, served with the + regiment from its arrival in the Crimea on the 12th. of November, + 1854, and was present at the attack on the Quarries on the 7th. of + June, 1855, the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, and on + the 8th. of September, 1855. Sergeant JAMES WARREN, captured a French + soldier, who was deserting and going to the enemy; the above was + performed under a heavy fire from the enemy’s advanced post on the + 22nd. of February, 1855; served during the siege of Sebastopol; was + present at the attack on the Quarries on the 7th. of June, and the + assaults of the Redan on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September. + Private JOHN MCSHARRY, wounded in the right shoulder by a musket-ball, + and lost one finger of the left hand on the 8th. of September, 1855, + at the assault on the Redan. + + SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major ROBERT HUGHES, distinguished + himself in the trenches before Sebastopol on the 3rd. of October, + 1855, being with a company of the regiment far in advance to cover a + working party, and the company being exposed to a cross fire; he + shewed great coolness and intrepidity, keeping the men steady and + firm; and subsequently, the colours of the regiment having been + brought from the camp by a company left to guard them, and afterwards + ordered out, he took one of the colours and carried it under a heavy + fire. He was wounded at Inkermann, but notwithstanding was very + instrumental in defending an officer of the regiment who had been + severely wounded; he continued with his regiment the whole war. + Colour-Sergeant JAMES WARD, when in the trenches on a sortie of the + enemy which excited some alarm, immediately went round the sentries + and posted himself with the most advanced one, and took a prominent + part in repulsing the enemy, maintaining the character he had acquired + during previous engagements. Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM MORRIS, at the + battle of Inkermann, finding himself far in advance, with a number of + men, he collected them, took the command, and, though attacked by + superior numbers, he retained his post, repulsing the attacking party. + Sergeant WILLIAM AHERN, during the battle of Inkermann a portion of + the regiment in their ardour having gone beyond their position, and on + their return it being known that Ensign Clutterbuck was killed, and + that his body was left on the field, Sergeant Ahern instantly + volunteered to fetch it, and being accompanied by a private, he went + far in advance and brought in the body; on the same day, the only + officer of his company being wounded, he took the command of the + company, and held it during the charge. Private JOHN MCGOWAN, at the + battle of Inkermann behaved in a particular gallant and bold manner, + charging, forwarding, and being the first to clear a breastwork in + pursuit of the enemy. Private DANIEL SULLIVAN, one of his comrades + being made prisoner at the battle of Inkermann by five of the enemy, + he rushed at them, killed three, and rescued his comrade; he was in + the battle, and on every occasion, whether in the trenches or in open + field, distinguished for his valour and spirit. Lieutenant JOHN + BROPHY, 4th. Lancashire Militia, late Colour-Sergeant 63rd. Foot, was + colour-sergeant of the regiment at the battle of Inkermann, and + accompanied the colours; the regiment and the enemy were engaged in a + hand to hand struggle; Ensign Clutterbuck, who carried one of the + colours, which was separated from the other, was killed; Sergeant + Brophy immediately took it up, and, though severely wounded, defended + it, and brought it safe from the mêlée. Sergeant ARTHUR ROBERTS, at + the battle of Inkermann, carrying one of the colours, the ensign + having been severely wounded, he received a wound which caused him to + fall, he got up quickly, took up the colours, and, refusing to leave + the field, continued to carry the colours until incapacitated by a + second wound. + + SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major JOHN GIBBONS, struck in the + chest by a grape shot at Inkermann, and a bullet through his cap; + particularly distinguished for “discipline.” Sergeant PETER DELANY, + was twice wounded at Inkermann, and did not go to the rear; came back + with a draft from Scutari directly his wounds were well, and went to + his duty. Corporal PATRICK FINNS, particularly distinguished himself + at Inkermann; two musket-balls through the jaw; never went into + hospital, and did his duty in the trenches through the siege. Private + JAMES SIMS, on the 22nd. of November, 1854, in broad daylight, + volunteered, under a heavy fire, to bring in a wounded rifleman from + the pits. Sergeant THOMAS WATSON and Privates WILLIAM FERRIS and + CHARLES ROSS, on the 11th. of May, 1855, during a sortie; the latter + was wounded, but volunteered to leave the hospital on the 18th. of + June. Private JOSEPH MITCHELL, wounded at Inkermann; on return from + Scutari, was wounded a second time. Corporal DONOHUE, wounded in a + sortie on the 11th. of May, 1855, in which the enemy was repulsed with + much loss. + + SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant JAMES HUGHES, and Privates + WILLIAM DON, ROGER MARTIN, and ALEXANDER RATTRAY; service not + specified. Privates JOHN COUSINS and JAMES LAUGHLAN, present in the + ranks from the 22nd. of December, 1854, to the 21st. of March, 1856; + the latter served to the 17th. of May following. + + SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Corporal ARCHIBALD DUNCAN, gallant conduct in + the unfinished portions of the fifth parallel, on the night of the + 18th. of August, 1855. Private THOMAS ALISON, gallantry on outlying + picket, when engaged with the enemy, on the night of the 18th. of + August, 1855, in the Karabelnaia Ravine. Private JOHN HARPER, + gallantry when on out-sentry on the nights of the 22nd. of July and + the 12th. of August, 1855; likewise in assisting to bring in the + wounded on the 8th. of September, under heavy fire, in front of the + Redan. Private SAMUEL MCNEISH, gallant conduct when on sentry, + detached from the outlying picket, under heavy fire, on the 16th. of + July, 1855, above the Woronzoff Ravine; also distinguished for general + good behaviour under fire. + + SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—The following served throughout the war with + gallantry. Colour-Sergeant JAMES TOOHEY, distinguished on various + occasions, more particularly on the night of the 19th. of April, 1855, + at the capture of the Russian rifle-pits, when he was severely + wounded. Drummer THOS. MCGILL, distinguished on various occasions, + more particularly on the night of the 19th. of April, 1855, at the + capture of the Russian rifle-pits, when he was one of the first in the + pits, and took a Russian bugler prisoner. Private ALEXANDER WRIGHT, + distinguished on various occasions, more particularly on the night of + the 19th. of April, 1855, at the capture of the Russian rifle-pits, + where he was severely wounded. Private MURDOCK CHARLESTON, + distinguished on various occasions; he was noticed for conspicuous + bravery at the battle of Inkermann, and at the attack on the Redan on + the 8th. of September, 1855, when, though severely wounded, he refused + to quit the ranks or fall to the rear. Lance-Corporal WILLIAM WILSON, + distinguished on various occasions, more particularly on the night of + the 30th. of August, 1855, in front of the advanced trench. Private + WILLIAM M‘GUIRE, noticed for conspicuous bravery at the battle of + Inkermann, at the capture of the rifle-pits on the 19th. of April, + 1855, and the taking of the Quarries. Private JOHN QUINLAN, noticed + for conspicuous bravery at the battle of Inkermann, at the capture of + the Russian rifle-pits, and at both attacks on the Redan. + + SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeants JAMES SPENCE and ALEXANDER + GOODBRAND, Sergeants COLIN CAMPBELL and WILLIAM DAVIE, Privates ROBERT + BRUCE and JAMES WILKIE; for good and gallant conduct at the battles of + the Alma and Balaklava, and in the trenches before Sebastopol. + Sergeant DAVIE and Private WILKIE, volunteered and acted as + sharpshooters at the early part of the siege. Sergeant WILLIAM GUNN + and Private JAMES SLOAN, present at the Alma, Balaklava, and siege of + Sebastopol; the former volunteered to act in front as a sharpshooter. + + EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant-Major STEPHEN CONYNGHAM, took a very + active part in the attack on the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855, + and was recommended for a medal and £5 on that occasion, but could not + obtain it, the regiment having received the allotted number; was noted + at the Horse Guards. Colour-Sergeant HUBERT KELLY, very distinguished + conduct on the 8th. of September, 1855, in going out of the advanced + trench under a heavy fire and bringing in the body of Colour-Sergeant + Gilmore, who was lying mortally wounded some distance in front. + Colour-Sergeant MAURICE CANTY volunteered to form one of the attacking + party ordered against “Egerton’s Pit” on the 12th. of April, 1855, as + also on several other occasions. Private MICHAEL RYAN, distinguished + himself on the 8th. of September, 1855, in bringing in his officer, + Captain Beresford, who was severely wounded. Both these were present + and did duty during the whole campaign. Private BERNARD M‘NAMARA, was + a sharpshooter at the beginning of the siege, and recommended for a + medal for distinguished service in December, 1854, but did not receive + it, as he was invalided to Scutari. Private THOMAS HANDLEY, + distinguished himself about the night of the 14th. of August, 1855, + when some young sentries were disposed to retire before a body of + Russians, by forcing them back to their posts, and remaining out + himself all night close to a Russian rifle-pit. Private HENRY + SPELLACY, a sharpshooter; on the 22nd. of October, 1855, wounded and + made a Russian officer prisoner; volunteered on all occasions. + Sergeant JOHN MYERS, commanded sharpshooters, and was conspicuous on + the 17th. of October, 1854. Drummer RICHARD GRANNON, gallant conduct + at Inkermann. Acting Corporal HENRY MCKEON, sharpshooter, and shewed + general gallant conduct in the trenches. + + EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant JOHN GRANT, commanded a detached party + of ten men, in a cutting, just over the _chevaux-de-frize_, on the + night it was broken down; held his ground and kept up a very effective + fire on the enemy. Corporal JOHN TREMWITH and Privates PATRICK + KINNEALLY, DARBY LENAGHAN, and WILLLAM HEFFERNAN performed zealous and + constant service in the trenches from the arrival of the regiment on + the 15th. of December, 1854, to the 9th. of September, 1855; did not + miss a single duty; Private Heffernan volunteered to go to the + Cemetery in the day-time, under a heavy fire, to bring in a wounded + man, in August, 1855. + + NINETIETH REGIMENT.—Colour-Sergeant CHARLES SANDERSON.—Brought back + Captain Tinling, on the 8th. of September, 1855, after the Redan was + given up; distinguished conduct generally during the assault and + during the siege. The following never missed a trench duty: Private + JOHN ALEXANDER, present at the capture of Egerton’s pits; present on + the 8th. of June and on the 18th. of June, in the Quarries; on the + 6th. of September, 1855, brought back Captain Buckley, Scots Fusilier + Guards, when mortally wounded; on the 8th. of September, 1855, was one + of the last men in the Redan; generally distinguished. Bugler EDWARD + FLAXMAN, on the 18th. of June, 1855, rescued several wounded men in + front of the Quarries under a heavy fire; on the 8th. of September, + 1855, volunteered for the assault in place of another bugler, and + brought back Lieutenant-Colonel Hancock, and secured his jewellery, + watch, etc.; also brought back Lieutenant Deverill, 90th; generally + gallant behaviour. Private JOHN LAWLESS, present on the 19th. of + April, 1855; assault on Egerton’s rifle-pits; on the 18th. of June, + 1855, present; recommended by Captain Preston for distinguished + conduct, when a working party was assaulted, when he remained with him + after all had retired; on the 8th. of September, at the Redan, took + the first Russian prisoner; brought in a wounded comrade. Private + THOMAS BAYLEY, distinguished conduct during a sortie, when he remained + with his captain, the others, except one, having retired; present on + the 18th. of June in the Quarries, and working party in the Quarries + on the 8th. of September; conduct always gallant and permanent. + Private JOHN GOLDSMITH, attack of rifle-pits, on the 19th. of April, + 1855; defence of Quarries, on the 8th. of June; attack on the Redan, + on the 18th. of June; assault on the Redan, on the 8th. of September; + personal encounter with a Russian soldier while in the act of stabbing + an officer of the 97th. regiment, and wounded through the face and + nose. Corporal HENRY HILL, was in the attack on the Redan on the 8th. + of September, 1855, and wounded in the Redan; generally gallant + conduct. Private MICHAEL WHELAN, was in the attack on Egerton’s + Rifle-pits on the 19th. of April, 1855, and in reserve in the attack + on the Quarries, on the 7th. of June, 1855, and in the attack on the + Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855; was wounded in nine places; + generally gallant behaviour; both landed in the Crimea with the + regiment, on the 5th. of December, 1854, and never missed a trench + duty. + + NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.—The following (except Private LESLIE who was + not present at Balaklava, but was at the other actions,) served + throughout the war, and were present at the Alma, Inkermann, and + Balaklava, and the assaults of the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September, 1855. Colour-Sergeant ALEXANDER KNOX, Colour-Sergeant at + the Alma and Balaklava, and distinguished himself by his coolness and + activity in the trenches. Sergeant ARCHIBALD CRABTREE, was sergeant of + the volunteers of the regiment who entered the Redan on the night of + the fall of Sebastopol. Lance-Corporal WILLIAM M‘KENZIE, was the first + man to step out when volunteers were called for from the regiment to + enter the Redan on the night of the fall of Sebastopol. Private John + Leslie, was severely wounded at the Alma, but refused to leave the + field, and remained fighting in the ranks, although shot through the + right arm, until the battle was over. Private PETER M‘KAY, was the + first man of the volunteers of his regiment who entered the Redan on + the night of the fall of Sebastopol. Private JOHN FORBES was severely + wounded in the trenches on the 14th. of July, 1855, and discharged + from hospital on the 26th. of July, 1855; rejoined his regiment, and + was present at the final assault. Private JAMES DAVIDSON. Sergeant + JAMES KIDDIE and Private JAMES COBB, both present throughout the war, + including the actions of the Alma and Balaklava, till severely wounded + in the trenches, the former on the 16th. of July, 1855, and the latter + on the 8th. of September following. + + NINETY-FIFTH REGIMENT.—The following seven men were present at the + Alma, sortie of the 26th. of October, and Inkermann, and (with the + exception of Privates ENGLISH and JACQUES) served in the trenches + throughout the whole siege. Private JAMES CODY, wounded at Inkermann. + Private PATRICK DOOLEY, volunteered to carry ammunition to the + Quarries on the 8th. of June, 1855, and remained there fighting when + the enemy attempted to retake them. Corporal JAMES LINN, present at + the battle of the Alma, repulse of sortie on the 26th. of October, + 1854, and battle of Inkermann. Corporal SAMUEL WEBB, volunteered to + carry ammunition to the Quarries on the 8th. of June, 1855, and + remained therein when the enemy attempted to retake them; mentioned in + division orders by Sir De Lacy Evans for his gallantry at the Alma. + Private JAMES ENGLISH, served in the trenches nearly throughout the + siege. Private PETER GALLAGHER, served in the trenches throughout the + whole siege. Private JOHN JACQUES, present at the Alma, (wounded in + shoulder and right arm); served in the trenches from March, 1855, to + the end of the siege. Sergeant NATHAN ORMOND, gallantry at the Alma. + Private WILLIAM HARRIS, gallantry in the trenches. + + NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Sergeant PATRICK DONNELLAN, was mentioned in + General Simpson’s despatch on account of his gallant conduct on the + 8th. of September, 1855; he spiked one of the enemy’s guns. Corporal + ANDREW CURRAN, was bugler to the regiment on the above assault, and + behaved in a remarkably cool and gallant manner, and was mentioned in + the despatch. Private HENRY JACKSON, was mentioned in the despatch as + having highly distinguished himself at the assault on the Redan, on + the 8th. of September, 1855, and was wounded. Private JOHN COTTERILL, + was likewise mentioned for his gallant bearing, and was severely + wounded; he was also engaged with the enemy on the 22nd. of March, + 1855. Private PATRICK M‘MILTRY, highly distinguished himself on the + occasion of the assault on the Redan, on the 8th. of September, and + was severely wounded; he was also engaged in the sortie on the 22nd. + of March, 1855, and greatly distinguished himself. Sergeant WILLIAM + NEWMANN, was one of the first to enter the Redan, on the 8th. of + September, and took the Russian captain of artillery prisoner, when, + taking him to the rear, he was so severely wounded that his life was + for a long time despaired of. Colour-Sergeant FRANCIS WEDGEWORTH, + landed with the regiment in the Crimea, and did duty uninterruptedly + until the date of his promotion to the Depôt Companies, on the 22nd. + of February, 1856; was present at the attack on the Redan on the 8th. + of September, and was severely wounded; he was mentioned in General + Simpson’s despatch among those highly distinguished. Private WILLIAM + FITZGERALD, highly distinguished himself on the occasion of the + assault on the Redan, on the 8th. of September, 1855; lost his left + leg. + + RIFLE BRIGADE, FIRST BATTALION.—Each of the following received a medal + and four clasps: Colour-Sergeant JOHN HICKS, was a volunteer for the + attack on the rifle-pits, on the 20th. of November, 1854, under Lieut. + Tryon, by whose side he was when that officer was killed; was one of + the covering party on the 18th. of June, and was distinguished + throughout the siege for his coolness and gallantry. Private BERNARD + M‘MAHON, was serving in the band, and displayed great coolness and + courage on various occasions in bringing in wounded; on the 18th. of + June he joined the ranks (a volunteer) in order that he might take a + more active part in the attack of that day. Privates JOHN KING, + PATRICK M‘CANN, HENRY BAILEY, THOMAS DAVIS, and JOHN GREEN, were in + the attack on the rifle-pits, under Lieutenant Tryon, on the 20th. of + November, 1854; retaking of the third parallel on the 2nd. of + December, 1854; and the sortie on the Woronzoff Road on the 12th. of + December, 1854. Privates King, Bailey, Davis, and Green were also + volunteers for the rifle-pits on the 17th. of October, in advance of + Greenhill, and volunteers to occupy the rifle-pits on the 12th. of + April, 1855. Private Bailey was not at the sortie on the 12th. of + December, but was a volunteer sharpshooter in April, 1855; and Private + Davis was one of the covering party on the 18th. of June following. + Sergeant-Major RICHARD CORNELIUS, present at the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, and Inkermann; Sergeant-Major of the battalion during the + siege of Sebastopol from October, 1854, to October, 1855, and + distinguished for his zeal and activity during the winter of 1854–5; + medal and four clasps. Private WALTER EAGLE, present at the taking of + the rifle-pits on the 20th. of November, 1854; retaking of the third + parallel on the 2nd. of December, 1854; in the sortie on the Woronzoff + Road on the 12th. of December, 1854; volunteer for sharpshooting on + the 12th. of April, 1855; severely wounded, and subsequently + discharged on pension; granted a medal and four clasps. + + RIFLE BRIGADE, SECOND BATTALION.—The following three sergeants were + present at the Alma and Inkermann: Sergeant-Major JOHN WALLER, general + gallant conduct during siege operations; severely wounded on the 8th. + of September. Colour-Sergeant DANIEL FISHER, formed up a party, and + silenced two carronades in the caponnière of the Redan, on the 8th. of + September; went in search of wounded comrades same afternoon, under + heavy fire. Sergeant JAMES HARRYWOOD, good and gallant conduct during + the whole of the campaign; severely wounded in the new sap on the 1st. + of September. Sergeant THOMAS BURGE, present at the Alma, commanded + sharpshooters with much credit during the latter part of the siege; + rendered great service to Lieutenant Blayne, in command of a covering + party, on the 8th. of September. Corporal JOSEPH BRADSHAW, accompanied + Captain Forman in a night reconnaissance to Russian advanced works on + the 16th. of June; volunteered on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September; Alma and Inkermann. Private CHARLES FEOUGH, acted as + volunteer sharpshooter through the whole of the siege; present at the + Alma and Inkermann; general gallant conduct. Private MICHAEL + M‘CORMICK, conspicuous on the 18th. of June in his exertions to assist + the officer in command of the ladder party under very heavy fire, when + the latter was disabled; present at the Alma. Colour-Sergeant C. F. + MUNRO, general gallant conduct in the trenches and at the Alma. + Private MARK BENN, present during the whole campaign; gallant conduct + during the siege and at the Alma. Private CHARLES DENCER, present at + the Alma, and a volunteer sharpshooter during the siege. + + + + + THE SARDINIAN WAR MEDAL. + + +The King of Sardinia, following the example of the Emperor of the +French, presented four hundred war medals for military valour to the +British troops; and fifty to the Royal Navy and Marines. This medal was +distributed both to officers and men. It has a watered, dark blue +ribbon. On the obverse are the arms (white cross of Savoy) and crown of +Sardinia, with a branch of laurel and of palm, and the inscription “AL +VALORE MILITARE,” For Military Valour. The reverse bears two laurel +branches, with the words “SPEDIZIONE D’ORIENTE,” Expedition of the East, +and the date 1855–1856. The following officers and men were selected for +the Sardinian Medal, on account of the services specified against their +names:— + +[Illustration: + + Sardinian War Medal. +] + + GENERAL OFFICERS.—General Sir GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B., commanded the + light division at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and was + severely wounded on the last-named occasion; commanded the expedition + to Kertch; was in command of the light division, except while absent + on account of his wound, and while in command of the expedition to + Kertch; served also during the siege of Sebastopol up to the 27th. of + June, 1855, when he was compelled to return to England by severe + illness. Lieutenant-General Sir RICHARD ENGLAND, G.C.B., commanded the + third division at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and the siege + of Sebastopol, till August, 1855, when he was compelled to return to + England by severe illness. Major-General Sir HENRY JOHN WILLIAM + BENTINCK, K.C.B., commanded the brigade of Guards at the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann, and was severely wounded on the last-named + occasion; on his return to the army he commanded the fourth division + during the remainder of the siege of Sebastopol. Major-General Lord + ROKEBY, K.C.B., commanded the brigade of Guards from February, 1855, + till the end of the siege of Sebastopol; for part of the time also was + in command of the first division. Major-General the Honourable Sir + JAMES YORKE SCARLETT, K.C.B., commanded the heavy cavalry brigade at + the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; subsequently in 1855, the cavalry + division. Major-General Sir HARRY DAVID JONES, K.C.B., Royal + Engineers, commanded the Royal Engineers during the siege of + Sebastopol, from March, 1855. Major-General Sir WILLIAM EYRE, K.C.B., + commanded a brigade at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and + Inkermann, and the siege of Sebastopol. Major-General JOHN EDWARD + DUPUIS, C.B., Royal Artillery, served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, + including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and siege + of Sebastopol. + + STAFF.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE WYNEL MAYOW, unattached; + served as a Staff officer attached to the cavalry in the campaign of + 1854–5, and was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and + Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant-Colonel Honourable + ADRIAN HOPE, 93rd. regiment; served on the Staff of the third + division at the Alma, Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, till + April, 1855, when he was ordered to join his regiment at home, in + consequence of regimental promotion. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel + Honourable LEICESTER CURZON, Rifle Brigade; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5 as Assistant Military Secretary to the Field + Marshall (Lord Raglan); and afterwards, in the same capacity, to + General Sir James Simpson, G.C.B.; was present at the battles of the + Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel KENNETH DOUGLAS MACKENZIE, 92nd. regiment; + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; served at the battles of the + Alma and Inkermann as a brigade-major attached to the light + division; afterwards as an assistant quartermaster-general at + Balaklava. Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel HUGH SMITH, 3rd. regiment; served + the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; at the Alma, Balaklava, and + Inkermann as a deputy-assistant quartermaster-general attached to + the fourth division; afterwards, during the siege of Sebastopol, as + assistant adjutant-general to that division; and in the same + capacity with the expedition to Kinburn. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel + JOSEPH EDWIN THACKWELL, unattached; served the Eastern Campaign of + 1854–5; at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and sortie of the + 26th. of October, 1854, and till August, 1855, as a brigade-major + attached to the second division; subsequently as assistant + adjutant-general to the third division. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel + ROBERT LOCKHART ROSS, served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5 as a + captain with the 93rd. regiment at the battles of the Alma and + Balaklava; and subsequently on the Staff as an assistant + adjutant-general at Balaklava. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel LAWRENCE + SHADWELL, unattached; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; at the + battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and part of the siege + of Sebastopol, as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Colin + Campbell, G.C.B., subsequently, during the remainder of the service, + as an assistant adjutant-general. Lieutenant-Colonel EDWARD BRUCE + HAMLEY, Royal Artillery; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, + including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, sortie + of the 26th. of October, 1854, and the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Honourable AUGUSTUS MURRAY CATHCART, + unattached; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; at the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann as aide-de-camp to Major-General the + Honourable Sir George Cathcart, K.C.B.; during the siege of + Sebastopol as deputy-assistant quartermaster-general to the light + division. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN AGMONDISHAM VESEY KIRKLAND, + unattached; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the + battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, up to + August, 1855, as deputy-assistant adjutant-general. Brevet-Major + VINCENT WING, 95th. regiment; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; + was severely wounded at the battle of the Alma, when he was on the + Staff of Major-General Sir John Lysaght Pennefather, K.C.B.; was + afterwards with his regiment during part of the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major EDWARD FELLOWES, 11th. Hussars; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5 as deputy-assistant quartermaster-general + attached to the cavalry division; was present at the battles of the + Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major JOHN HACKETT, unattached; served the Eastern Campaign + of 1854–5 as deputy-assistant quartermaster-general; was present at + the battles of Balaklava and Inkermann, and the early part of the + siege of Sebastopol, till ordered to proceed to Scutari, where the + services of an officer of the quartermaster-general’s department + were required. Brevet-Major ARCHIBALD HENRY PLANTAGENET STUART + WORTLEY, unattached; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5 as a + deputy-assistant quartermaster-general attached to the third + division; was present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and + siege of Sebastopol, including the attack by Sir William Eyre’s + column on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. Brevet-Major + Honourable GILBERT ELLIOT, Rifle Brigade; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; at the battles of the Alma and Balaklava as + aide-de-camp to Major-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, + K.C.B.; was compelled by ill-health to be sent to England, but + returned after a short absence, and served during the remainder of + the siege of Sebastopol, and till the army broke up, as a + deputy-assistant quartermaster-general. Brevet-Major WILLIAM + FAUSSETT, 44th. regiment; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5 as a + brigade-major attached to the third division; was present at the + battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and during the siege of + Sebastopol, including the attack on the Cemetery by Major-General + Eyre’s column on the 18th. of June, 1855. Brevet-Major ARCHIBALD + CAMPBELL SNODGRASS, 38th. regiment; served the campaign of 1854–5; + was present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, expedition to + Kertch, and siege of Sebastopol, and was severely wounded at the + assault on the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, as aide-de-camp to + Major-General Sir John Campbell, K.C.B.; rejoined the 38th. regiment + on his recovery, and served with it till the conclusion of the war. + Brevet-Major the Honourable WILLIAM JAMES COLVILLE, Rifle Brigade; + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; with the Rifle Brigade at the + battle of the Alma, and subsequently as aide-de-camp to General Sir + James Simpson, G.C.B., during the siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major + ALGERNON ROBERT GARRETT, 46th. regiment; served as brigade-major + attached to the fourth division, during the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major FREDERICK AUGUSTUS THESIGER, Grenadier Guards; served + during part of the siege of Sebastopol with his regiment, and as + aide-de-camp to Major-General Markham till that officer’s return to + England at the end of the siege. Major ANDREW PITCAIRN, 42nd. + regiment; served the campaign of 1854–5; including the battles of + the Alma and Balaklava, expedition to Kertch, and siege of + Sebastopol. Brevet-Major RICHARD GEORGE AMHERST LUARD, 77th. + regiment; served at the siege of Sebastopol from March, 1855, as a + deputy-assistant adjutant-general. Brevet-Major RICHARD LYONS OTWAY + PEARSON, Grenadier Guards; served the campaign of 1854–5 as + aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, G.C.B., + including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, expedition to + Kertch, and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major FREDERICK HAMMERSLEY, + 14th. regiment; served during the siege of Sebastopol, in the early + part with his regiment, and subsequently as a deputy-assistant + quartermaster-general. Brevet-Major CHARLES WILLIAM ST. CLAIR, 57th. + regiment; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the + battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol; was + severely wounded at the attack on the Redan, on the 18th. of June, + 1855. Captain ARTHUR EDWARD VALETTE PONSONBY, Grenadier Guards; + served as aide-de-camp to General Sir George Brown at the expedition + to Kertch, and subsequently at the siege of Sebastopol, till Sir + George Brown’s return to England after the 18th. of June; after + that, till the end of the war, as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General + Sir William Codrington, K.C.B. Captain HENRY CLARKE JERVOISE, + Coldstream Guards; served the campaign of 1854–5 with the 42nd. + regiment at the Alma and Balaklava, and as aide-de-camp to + Major-General Sir Richard Airey, K.C.B., the Quartermaster-General + of the army during the siege of Sebastopol. Captain the Honourable + CHARLES JAMES KEITH, 4th. Light Dragoons; served the campaign of + 1853–5 as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England, + G.C.B.; was present at the battle of Inkermann and during the siege + of Sebastopol. Captain ROGER SWIRE, 17th. regiment; served at the + siege of Sebastopol from December, 1854; was severely wounded at the + assault on the Redan on the 8th. of September; served subsequently + as aide-de-camp to Major-General Wyndham, C.B. Captain CHARLES + EDWARD MANSFIELD, 33rd. regiment; served the campaign of 1854–5 as + aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, G.C.B., + including the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, and siege of + Sebastopol. Captain RICHARD GEORGE ELLISON, 47th. regiment; served + the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma + and Inkermann, and sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854; in the + latter part of the siege as aide-de-camp to Major-General Sir John + Lysaght Pennefather, K.C.B. Captain WILLIAM EARLE, 49th. regiment; + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the + Alma and Inkermann, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, and siege + of Sebastopol; latterly as a Brigade-major attached to the second + division. Captain HENRY HOOPER DAY, 88th., regiment; served at the + battle of Inkermann and siege of Sebastopol, including the attack on + the Quarries and assaults on the Redan on the 18th. of June and the + 8th. of September, 1855; in the latter part of the siege as + aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Shirley. Captain GEORGE MONTAGUE + STOPFORD, Royal Engineers; was present at the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, and Inkermann, and part of the siege of Sebastopol as + aide-de-camp to General Sir John Fox Burgoyne, Bart., G.C.B. + + FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM CHARLES + FORREST, served the campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of + Balaklava and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major + FRANCIS ROWLAND FORSTER, commanded the first squadron of the + regiment at the action of Balaklava, on the 25th. of October, 1854. + Lieutenant-Colonel THOMAS WESTROPP M‘MAHON, C.B., served the + campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, + and Inkermann, and the siege of Sebastopol; served in 1854, as + Assistant Quartermaster-General of the cavalry division, and in + 1855, as Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 5th. Dragoon Guards. + Assistant-Surgeon WILLIAM CATTELL, was present during the whole of + the campaign in the Crimea, and shewed the greatest zeal during the + time of the cholera, and during the action at Balaklava, and + wherever his services were required under fire. Troop Sergeant-Major + JOHN EVANS, displayed gallant conduct at the action of Balaklava, + where he was wounded. Lance-Sergeant JAMES GAMBLE, was under fire a + considerable portion of the day on the 25th. of October, as orderly + to Major-General the Honourable Sir James Yorke Scarlett, K.C.B.; + had his horse shot through the thigh, but procured another, and + returned to his duty immediately. + + FIRST DRAGOONS.—Colonel JOHN YORKE, C.B., served in the Crimea until + the action at Balaklava, when he was so severely wounded in command of + his regiment, as to oblige him to retire from active service. Captain + GEORGE CAMPBELL, displayed gallant conduct under fire in the cavalry + action at Balaklava, on the 25th. of October, 1854, and continued in + command of his troop, although _severely_ wounded, until the regiment + was out of fire. Sergeant JOHN HILL, displayed coolness and + intrepidity when on patrol and attacked by a party of Russians on the + 10th. of October, 1854; and again on the 25th. of October, 1854, when + his horse was shot under him, on which occasion, having captured one + belonging to the enemy, he immediately rejoined his regiment and did + duty with it for the rest of the day. + + SECOND DRAGOONS.—Colonel HENRY DARBY GRIFFITH, C.B.; served the + campaign of 1854–5; commanded his regiment at the battle of Balaklava. + Captain GEORGE BUCHANAN, this officer’s conduct in the heavy cavalry + charge at the action of Balaklava was cool and gallant, and by his + example great execution was done against the enemy; he afterwards + commanded a squadron under fire in support of the light brigade + charge. Sergeant-Major JOHN WILSON, was under arrest for a minor + offence, but on finding the regiment was likely to be engaged, he made + ready his horse, and coming up to the adjutant, said, “I have broken + my arrest, sir, as I could not see my regiment going into action and + remain quiet in camp; I have come to report myself, and wish to join + and do my duty.” In the heavy cavalry charge at Balaklava he fought + most gallantly, using his sword with great execution, and he was + afterwards wounded by a round shot when his regiment went in support + of the light brigade. He was promoted to troop sergeant-major for his + gallant conduct. + + FOURTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.—Colonel Lord GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK PAGET, + C.B., served the campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the + Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, and the + battle of the Tchernaya; in 1854 was in command of the 4th. Light + Dragoons; in 1855 in command of a brigade of light cavalry. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel ALEXANDER LOWE, served the campaign of + 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and + the Tchernaya, and siege of Sebastopol; in 1854 as Major of the 4th. + Light Dragoons; in 1855 in command of the regiment. Brevet-Major + ROBERT PORTAL, served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma, + Balaklava, Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Troop Sergeant-Major + WILLIAM WATERSON, displayed very gallant conduct at the action at + Balaklava, in the light cavalry charge, particularly in the retreat of + the regiment after they had sabred the artillerymen at their guns. + + SIXTH DRAGOONS.—Captain EDWARD D’ARCY HUNT; Captain Hunt was squadron + leader of the second squadron of the 6th. Dragoons, which was detached + under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shute, during the action of + Balaklava, and led the squadron with great steadiness and gallantry. + Trumpeter JOHN HARDY, acted as field trumpeter to Lieutenant-Colonel + White, C.B., during the action of Balaklava, and was consequently more + exposed during the whole of that day than any other man in the + regiment, more particularly during the charge of the heavy brigade. + + EIGHTH HUSSARS.—Lieutenant-Colonel ROBERT DE SALIS, served the + campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, + Inkermann, and Tchernaya, and siege of Sebastopol; also commanded the + cavalry in the expedition to Kertch; in 1854 as Major of the 8th. + Hussars; in 1855 in command of the regiment. Brevet-Major EDWARD + TOMKINSON, advanced with the light brigade to Balaklava, and led the + squadron he commanded with courage and steadiness; he had his horse + shot under him; he was subsequently present at the battle of the + Tchernaya. Trumpeter WILLIAM WILSON, charged with the light brigade at + Balaklava, and evinced great coolness and courage, being then only + sixteen years of age; he was subsequently at the battle of the + Tchernaya. + + TENTH HUSSARS.—Colonel WILLIAM PARLBY, commanded a brigade of cavalry + in the campaign of 1855, before Sebastopol, and at the battle of the + Tchernaya. + + ELEVENTH HUSSARS.—Lieutenant and Adjutant JOHN YATES, was present in + the Crimea from the commencement of the campaign until August, 1855; + was present at the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and behaved + gallantly; acted as brigade-major to Major-General the Earl of + Cardigan, K.C.B., at Balaklava, and for a fortnight previously. + Sergeant ROBERT DAVIES, after having passed through the battery in the + light cavalry charge, perceiving a Russian field-piece limbered up to + retreat, Sergeant Davis called Private John T. Bambrick, who was + riding next him, to follow and endeavour to capture it; in going to + perform this duty he was attacked by two Russian lancers, one of whom + he cut down, the other shot his horse; when on the ground he received + a lance wound on the right thigh; he then caught a loose horse and + rejoined his regiment. + + TWELFTH LANCERS.—Major THOMAS GEORGE ALEXANDER OAKES, commanded a + squadron of the 12th. Lancers, detached as the escort of General La + Marmora, at the battle of the Tchernaya. + + THIRTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.—Captain PERCY SHAWE SMITH, distinguished + conduct in the light cavalry charge at Balaklava, on the 25th. of + October, 1854. Corporal WILLIAM GARDINER, distinguished conduct on the + same occasion. + + SEVENTEENTH LANCERS.—Colonel JOHN LAWRENSON, commanded the 17th. + Lancers at the Alma, and a brigade of cavalry in the campaign of 1855. + Cornet JAMES DUNCAN, served the Eastern campaign of 1854–5 to the end + of the war, including the affair of the Bulganak, the battles of the + Alma, Balaklava (horse killed), and Inkermann (horse killed), and + siege of Sebastopol; was never absent from the regiment. Sergeant A. + RANSON, embarked with the regiment for foreign service; was present at + the battles of the Alma, where he distinguished himself; Balaklava, + where he again distinguished himself by engaging and cutting down a + Russian officer; and Inkermann; siege of Sebastopol; was never absent + from the regiment. + + ROYAL ARTILLERY.—Major FRANCIS BECKFORD WARD, served at the siege and + fall of Sebastopol; commanded the Royal Artillery at the battle of the + Tchernaya. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN CHARLES WILLIAM FORTESCUE, + served at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and + was present during the whole of the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES HENRY MORRIS, C.B., joined the army + in October, 1854, and remained with it until the termination of the + war; was present at the sortie on the 26th. of October, at Inkermann, + and in the trenches; was with Marshal Bosquet at the assault of the + Mamelon and Malakoff. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonels SAMUEL ENDERBY GORDON + and the Honourable EDWARD THOMAS GAGE; served at the battles of the + Alma and Balaklava, and was present during the whole of the siege of + Sebastopol. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES STUART HENRY, the siege + of Sebastopol; was severely wounded (with siege train.) + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel HENRY JOHN THOMAS; the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major PHILIP GOSSET PIPON, the campaign of 1854–5; battles of + the Alma and Balaklava; siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Majors GASPARD LE + MARCHANT TUPPER and CHARLES HENRY INGILBY, the campaign of 1854–5; + Balaklava and Inkermann, where they were wounded; sortie on the 26th + of October, 1854; and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major HENRY PEEL + YATES, the campaign of 1854–5; battles of the Alma and Inkermann; + sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854; and siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major JAMES FARRELL PENNYCUICK, the campaign of 1854–5; battle + of Inkermann and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Majors ALEXANDER CÆSAR + HAWKINS and GEORGE SHAW, served in the trenches to the fall of + Sebastopol, the former from March, and the latter from January, 1855. + Brevet-Major EDWARD MOUBRAY, Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; battle of + Inkermann; siege of Sebastopol; commanded a battery in the Tchernaya. + Brevet-Major WILLIAM WIGRAM BARRY, Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; battles + of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Major JOHN EDWARD MICHELL, Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; the + Alma, Balaklava, and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Majors GEORGE CECIL + HENRY, JAMES SINCLAIR, and LEWIS WILLIAM PENN (with siege train); + Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; Inkermann; and siege of Sebastopol; Major + Sinclair was very severely wounded during the siege. Brevet-Major + EDWARD TADDY, Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma, Balaklava, and + Inkermann; siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major PAGET WALTER L’ESTRANGE, + Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; the siege of Sebastopol (with siege + train.) Brevet-Majors REGINALD HENRY CHAMPION (with siege train), and + WILLIAM GILLY ANDREWS, the campaign of 1854–5; battle of Inkermann and + siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major WILLIAM GEORGE LE MESURIER, the + Alma, Balaklava, and siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenants BENJAMIN GEALE + HUMFREY, Sir JOHN WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Bart., EDWARD JOHN WARD, FREDERICK + AUGUSTUS ANLEY, CHARLES ORDE BROWNE, HENRY BARLOW MAULE, and CHARLES + FYSHE ROBERTS; all served in the trenches to the fall of Sebastopol; + the first, second, fourth, and seventh from March, 1855; the third and + sixth from May; and the fifth from April. Staff-Surgeon WILLIAM PERRY, + served at the battle of the Alma, the repulse of the sortie on the + 26th. of October, 1854, and the battle of Inkermann; was also present + throughout the whole of the siege of Sebastopol. Assistant-Surgeon + ESSEX BOWEN, served at the battle of Inkermann; was also present + throughout the whole of the siege of Sebastopol; served in the + trenches from October, 1854 (the first bombardment) to May, 1855. + Troop Sergeant-Major J. BEARDSLEY, was present during the whole of the + campaign, and served at the battles of the Alma and Balaklava with + great zeal and gallantry. Company Sergeant-Major J. HAMILTON, + recommended for his bravery and distinguished conduct in the trenches; + was also remarkable for the example of coolness and intrepidity he + offered to others; received the medal for distinguished conduct in the + field. Sergeant JOHN HAMILTON, served in the trenches without + intermission from December, 1854, to the fall of Sebastopol. Sergeant + SAMUEL EWING, served in the first, second, third, and fourth + bombardments against Sebastopol; when in command of a gun in the + bombardment between the 6th. and the 10th. of June, 1855, he exposed + himself freely in the embrasures, and encouraged the men; was a + volunteer for the spiking party which left the trenches to assail the + Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, on which occasion he lost a leg. + Sergeant DANIEL DOWLING, afterwards Lieutenant, military train; served + throughout the whole of the Crimean Campaign; was present at the + battles of the Alma, Balaklava, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, + and Inkermann; served as a volunteer in the second and third + bombardments against Sebastopol; was wounded on the 7th. of June, + 1855, and noticed for his gallant conduct on two occasions. Sergeant + GEORGE SYMONS, served with great gallantry with the eighteen-pounders + at the battle of Inkermann, and distinguished himself repeatedly in + the trenches during the siege by his great zeal, gallantry, and good + conduct; was severely wounded in June, 1855. Sergeant MOSES HUNTER and + Bombardier DANIEL CAMBRIDGE, served in the trenches throughout the + whole of the siege of Sebastopol; the former was distinguished for his + good conduct and bravery in the trenches, and the latter formed one of + the spiking party on the 8th. of September, 1855, on which occasion he + was severely wounded; Bombardier Cambridge received the Victoria + Cross. Bombardier W. RAMSEY, served with zeal and distinction in the + trenches throughout the whole siege of Sebastopol; particularly + distinguished himself in the June bombardment in the advanced + batteries of the left attack, where he took charge of the gun on which + the heaviest fire was directed, and performed the duties required of + him in a most gallant and able manner. Acting Bombardier H. COLLIER, + was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and + during the whole of the siege of Sebastopol; as a driver he was + constantly engaged in taking ammunition to the trenches; also + accompanied the expedition to Kinburn. Gunner and Driver EDWARD + O’BRIEN, served in the trenches in five bombardments against + Sebastopol, and with the spiking party (as volunteer) upon two + different occasions, namely, the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September, 1855. Gunner and Driver JACOB M‘GARRY, served at the battle + of the Alma, and was detached with the Turks in one of the advanced + redoubts in front of Balaklava, on the 25th. of October, 1854; upon + the Turks retiring from the redoubts on the advance of the Russians he + remained to spike the guns in his charge, for which conduct he + received the approval of Her Majesty, conveyed through the Secretary + of State for War. Gunner and Driver THOMAS ARTHUR, was present at five + bombardments against Sebastopol, and formed one of the spiking party + of artillery on the 18th. of June, 1855, as a volunteer, on which + occasion he was severely wounded. Gunner and Driver JOHN DEATH, served + in the trenches throughout the whole of the siege of Sebastopol, and + was present with one of the two eighteen-pounders at the battle of + Inkermann. Gunner and Driver JOHN BARRETT, served at the battle of the + Alma, and was detached with the Turks in one of the advanced redoubts + in front of Balaklava, on the 25th. of October, 1854; when the Turks + retired from the redoubts on the advance of the Russians, he remained + to spike the guns in his charge, for which conduct he received the + approval of Her Majesty, conveyed through the Secretary of State for + War. + + ROYAL ENGINEERS.—Colonel JOHN WILLIAM GORDON, C.B., the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5, the battle of the Alma, and the siege of + Sebastopol; was second in command of the Royal Engineers; was severely + wounded on the night of the 22nd. of March, 1855. Colonel FREDERICK + EDWARD CHAPMAN, C.B., and Lieutenant-Colonel EDWARD STANTON, C.B.; the + Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, battles of the Alma, and Inkermann, and + the whole siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES FRANKFORT + MANNERS BROWNE, C.B., the siege of Sebastopol; was engaged at the + capture of the Quarries; was very severely wounded in the trenches on + the 24th. of August, 1855. Major HORACE WILLIAM MONTAGUE, the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; the siege of Sebastopol till taken prisoner on the + 22nd. of March, 1855; rejoined the army shortly before the termination + of the siege. Major FAIRFAX CHARLES HASSARD, the siege of Sebastopol; + expedition to Kertch. Major CHARLES BRISBANE EWART, the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and siege of + Sebastopol. Major FRANCIS HORATIO DE VERE, the Eastern Campaign of + 1854–5; the Alma, Balaklava, and the siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant + WILBRAHAM OATES LENNOX, rendered distinguished service during the + siege of Sebastopol; has received the decoration of the Victoria + Cross. Lieutenant ARTHUR LEARY, rendered distinguished service during + the early part of the siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant FRANCIS EDWARD + PRATT, rendered distinguished service during the siege of Sebastopol. + Private A. M‘CAUGHEY, rendered distinguished service on various + occasions during the siege of Sebastopol, particularly at Egerton’s + rifle-pit. Second Corporal W. BAKER, distinguished for his courage and + coolness on the morning after breaking ground in the trenches before + Sebastopol. Private W. TUMBLE, rendered distinguished service during + the siege in the trenches before Sebastopol, particularly on the 5th. + of November, 1854. + + GRENADIER GUARDS.—Colonel CHARLES WILLIAM RIDLEY, C.B., commanded the + Grenadier Guards for the first six months of the siege of Sebastopol, + in 1855, and subsequently a brigade in the first division during the + remainder of the siege, and till the end of the year. + Lieutenant-Colonel Lord ARTHUR HAY, served during the siege of + Sebastopol from the end of 1854 until the termination of the war; a + great part of the time as assistant adjutant-general to the first + division. Captain CHARLES NAPIER STURT, served during the Eastern + Campaign, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; + at the latter was severely wounded; and siege of Sebastopol. Captain + HENRY WILLIAM VERSCHOYLE, served through the whole of the campaign, + and carried the regimental colours at Inkermann, when surrounded by + the enemy. Captain ROBERT WILLIAM HAMILTON, was wounded when carrying + the colours at the Alma, but continued with them throughout that day; + was with the colours again at Inkermann, when surrounded by the enemy. + Colour-Sergeant RICHARD MINOR, was with the colours when surrounded by + the enemy at Inkermann. Private THOMAS SHARPE, served with distinction + both at the Alma and Inkermann. + + COLDSTREAM GUARDS.—Lieutenant-Colonel CLEMENT WILLIAM STRONG; served + in the Eastern Campaign, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, + and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord + Augustus CHARLES LENNOX FITZ ROY; served at the battles of Balaklava + and Inkermann, and at the latter was very severely wounded; siege of + Sebastopol. Brevet-Majors PHILIP SAMBROOK CRAWLEY and SIR JAMES + DUNLOP, BART.; were present at the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and + the whole of the trench duty. Brevet-Major JOHN AUGUSTUS CONNOLLY; + served during the Eastern Campaign of 1854, with the 49th. regiment, + including the battle of the Alma and siege of Sebastopol; was highly + distinguished and severely wounded at the repulse of the sortie made + on the second division on the 26th. of October, 1854; has received the + decoration of the Victoria Cross. Sergeant G. HAYNES and + Lance-Sergeant F. FILE; were present at the Alma, Balaklava, + Inkermann, and the whole of the trench duty. After the battle of + Inkermann, Lance-Sergeant File was sent with a party of four men to + collect the wounded; having sent the party to camp with the wounded + men, he found, when alone, twenty-nine Russians (three of them + severely wounded) in a quarry; he took them prisoners, without + resistance, and brought them to camp. + + SCOTS FUSILIER GUARDS.—Colonel EDWARD WALKER FORESTIER WALKER, C.B.; + Commanded the Scots Fusilier Guards in the Crimea from the 22nd. of + September to the end of the war; was at the action of Balaklava and + Inkermann (where he was severely wounded), and the siege of + Sebastopol. Brevet-Major the Honourable WENHAM CLARENCE WALPOLE COKE; + served with zeal at the siege of Sebastopol, and distinguished himself + by his coolness under fire in the trenches. Brevet-Major the + Honourable ALEXANDER EDWARD FRAZER; served during the Eastern Campaign + of 1854 and part of 1855, including the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Captain SEYMOUR JOHN + BLANE; served during the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the + action of Balaklava and battle of Inkermann, where he was severely + wounded. Siege of Sebastopol. Captain JOHN SCOTT; served the Crimean + Campaign with distinction, especially at the battle of the Alma; he + was then in the 79th. regiment. He afterwards served before Sebastopol + in the Scots Fusilier Guards, with credit to himself and benefit to + the service. Sergeant JOHN MCBLAIN; served throughout the whole + campaign; he was present at the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and siege + of Sebastopol. Sergeant J. STEWART; distinguished himself by his + gallantry at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and + siege of Sebastopol. + + FIRST REGIMENT, FIRST BATTALION.—Lieutenant-Colonel ALEXANDER BARRY + MONTGOMERY, C.B.; served through the Eastern Campaign of 1854, + including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of + Sebastopol, up to the 23rd. of August, 1855. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel + the Honourable CHARLES DAWSON PLUNKETT; served during the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, + and siege of Sebastopol. Captains WILLIAM FREDERICK JOHN RUDD, and + WILLIAM SPICER COOKWORTHY; faithful, zealous, and active in the + discharge of their duties throughout the whole campaign. Lieutenant + FREDERICK HARRY HOPE; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including + the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + Sergeant-Major R. HENSHALL and Colour-Sergeant WILLIAM M‘DOWELL; + faithful, zealous, and active in the discharge of arduous duties + throughout the whole campaign. + + FIRST REGIMENT, SECOND BATTALION.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel FRANCIS + GREGOR URQUHART; was present at the siege of Sebastopol from the 22nd. + of April, 1855. Major WILLIAM JAMES GILLUM; rendered constant, + zealous, and efficient service in the trenches before Sebastopol from + the 22nd. of April to the 8th. of September, 1855, on which day, + during the attack on the Redan, he was severely wounded (lost a leg). + Private G. WOODHOUSE; rendered constant, active, willing, and + efficient service in the trenches before Sebastopol from the 22nd. of + April to the 8th. of September, 1855. His claims to distinction were + considered to entitle him to receive the French Military War Medal had + there been more for distribution. + + THIRD REGIMENT.—Colonel CHARLES THOMAS VAN STRAUBENZEE, C.B.; served + during the siege of Sebastopol from the 22nd. of April, 1855, and + commanded a brigade of the light division at the assault on the Redan + on the 8th. of September, 1855. Brevet-Major GEORGE JAMES AMBROSE; + displayed conspicuous bravery when in command of a party (two hundred) + of the Buffs on the 7th. of June, 1855, in repelling a sortie of the + enemy in their endeavour to retake the Quarries, when he was + dangerously wounded; was also present at the attack and capture of the + Quarries in the earlier part of the day; promoted to be Brevet-Major + for his services on that occasion; was mentioned in the despatch of + the 20th. of June, 1855. Private JOHN FAHEY; on the night of the 14th. + of August, 1855, was one of a picket posted at the head of a ravine in + front of a working party; the picket was in the open; a very heavy + fire was commenced by the enemy upon the working party; Private Fahey + was the only one of the picket who stood his ground, which he did all + night. + + FOURTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN JOSIAH HORT and Captain + FRANCIS FISHER HAMILTON; served the Eastern Campaign, including the + battles of the Alma and Inkermann and siege of Sebastopol; Captain + Hamilton was wounded at the Alma. Captain AUGUSTUS JOSEPH SYKES; was + present with the head-quarters of his regiment during the whole + Eastern Campaign; was cheerful and zealous in the performance of his + duties during the period of the siege operations. Lieutenant JOHN + HOWLEY; joined the head-quarters of his regiment in the Crimea on the + 8th. of November, 1857; was remarkable for zeal and activity in the + discharge of his duty on all occasions when under fire; remained with + his regiment until the embarkation of the army for England in 1856. + Sergeant J. M‘ARDELL; served continuously with his regiment throughout + the Eastern Campaign; was always most conspicuous for the active, + cheerful, and zealous performance of his duty in the trenches during + the winter of 1854–5; frequently volunteered and went on the trenches + night after night with readiness, when (owing to excessive sickness), + sufficient non-commissioned officers could not be found for duty. + Private THOMAS SCANNELLS; served continuously with his regiment during + the whole of the Eastern Campaign. On the night of the 5th. of May, + 1855, this man was on sentry in front of the advanced trench before + Sebastopol, when a small party of the 4th. regiment, under the command + of Captain Arnold, was surprised by a large body of Russians, who + fired upon them (mortally wounding and taking prisoner Captain Arnold) + and compelled them to retire; when consequent on the surprise and + confusion which existed, some of the sentries on adjacent posts ran + into the trench; Private Scannells, however, remained firm at his + post, and by his example encouraged the other sentries to stand fast. + + SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel REGINALD YONGE SHIPLEY; was + present at the battle of the Alma, where he was very severely wounded. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN ROWLEY HEYLAND; served in the siege of + Sebastopol in 1855; he was very severely wounded at the attack on the + Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Brevet-Major HUGH ROBERT + HIBBERT; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma (wounded), + Inkermann, siege of Sebastopol, assaults on the Redan on the 18th. of + June and the 8th. of September; was wounded in the trenches, and very + severely on the 8th. of September, 1855. Lieutenant WILLIAM HOPE; at + the great explosion of the French siege train, on the 15th. of + November, 1855, Lieutenant Hope was conspicuous for his coolness and + activity when in charge of a fatigue party to cover the mill with wet + blankets; the roof had been blown off, and one hundred and sixty tons + of gunpowder were exposed to the fire of burning materials, rockets, + etc.; he mounted the mill and by his courage and example saved the + magazine, which was momentarily expected to explode, and preserved the + lives of probably hundreds of the light division. He had previously + distinguished himself at the assault and taking of the Quarries. He + received the decoration of the Victoria Cross. Private WILLIAM + BARRACK; volunteered for sharpshooting on the 17th. of October, 1854, + and continued with the sharpshooters until the battle of Inkermann, + where he was severely wounded; on the 17th. of October, 1854, he was + taken prisoner while out with the sharpshooters, and made his escape + the same day. Private JOHN M‘GUIRE; on the 6th. of May, 1855, Private + John M‘Guire, at the risk of his own life, brought in a wounded + comrade who was lying in the Woronzoff road; to perform this + meritorious act he was obliged to cross a considerable space of open + ground, exposed to the fire of the Russian sharpshooters. Private John + M‘Guire was also present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, the + storming of the Quarries, and both the assaults on the Great Redan. + Deserted since he was recommended for the medal, which he, in + consequence, forfeited. + + NINTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel FREDERICK D. LISTER; served during + the siege of Sebastopol, from the 27th. of November, 1854, till the + capture of the place. Captain WILLIAM NUGENT; displayed gallant + conduct in the trenches on several occasions between the 27th. of + November, 1854, and the 8th. of September, 1855; also during the + attack on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. Sergeant P. + DONOHUE; displayed gallant conduct in the trenches on many occasions + during the siege of Sebastopol; also on the 18th. of June, 1855, + during the attack on the Cemetery. + + FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.—Colonel MAURICE BARLOW, Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel + Sir JAMES EDWARD ALEXANDER, and Brevet-Major W. C. TREVOR; served in + the siege of Sebastopol from January, 1855. Colonel Barlow was in + command of a brigade at the fall of the place. Captain JOHN GITTENS + MAYCOCK; was present with the 47th. regiment at the battles of the + Alma, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, and Inkermann; wounded at + the Alma. Sergeant W. HOPKINS; particularly recommended by the + officers of the regiment for zealous and exemplary conduct in the + trenches. + + SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.—Brevet-Major ALEXANDER M‘KINSTRY; displayed + gallant conduct on the 18th. of June, 1855, at the assault on the + Great Redan. Colour-Sergeant H. GIBSON; displayed remarkable + intelligence and general gallantry in the trenches throughout the + whole time the regiment served at the siege of Sebastopol. + + EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN CLARK KENNEDY, C.B.; + served in the siege of Sebastopol from December, 1854, including + the attack on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE FREDERICK STEVENSON CALL; siege + of Sebastopol in 1855. Lieutenant THOMAS DURAND BAKER; displayed + great gallantry on the 18th. of June, 1855, at the assault of + Sebastopol, and zeal in the trenches. Private J. WEIR; displayed + gallant conduct at the assault of Sebastopol on the 18th. of June, + 1855, specially, and on several previous occasions. + + NINETEENTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel ROBERT WARDEN; served the + campaign of 1844 and 1855, including the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, at both of which he was wounded; the whole of the siege of + Sebastopol; and was also engaged at the attack on the Quarries, and on + the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Captain HENRY TURNER + UNIACKE; served the campaign of 1854 and 1855, present at the battle + of the Alma and the whole of the siege of Sebastopol, including the + attack on the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Captain GEORGE + ALEXANDER WARBURTON; landed in the Crimea on the 17th. of January, + 1855; served during the siege of Sebastopol, including the assault of + the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855; was never absent from his + duty during this period from sickness or any other cause. Lieutenant + and Adjutant THOMAS THOMPSON; landed with his regiment in the Crimea; + was present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and during the + siege of Sebastopol, until ordered to England on duty on the 14th. of + February, 1855; was never absent from his duty during the period of + his service with the Eastern expedition. Sergeant JOHN SHERLOCK, and + Private JOHN HALLORAN; served during the whole of the campaign of + 1854–5, during which period they were never absent from duty, from + sickness or any other cause. The former was present at the Alma, + Inkermann, the taking of the Quarries, and at the two assaults on the + Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855, when he was slightly wounded. + The latter was present at the Alma, Inkermann, and the assault of the + 8th. of September, 1855. + + TWENTIETH REGIMENT.—Colonel FREDERICK HORN, C.B.; served the campaign + of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, at the + last of which he was wounded; commanded a brigade during the siege of + Sebastopol. Major WILLIAM POLLEXFEN RADCLIFFE; served the campaign of + 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and the whole + of the siege of Sebastopol. Captain CHARLES EDWARD PARKINSON; landed + in the Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; was present at the + battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and through the whole + of the siege (except twenty-one days’ sick leave at Balaklava); + discharged his duty at all times with zeal and activity. Lieutenant + HECTOR BARLOW VAUGHAN; landed in the Crimea on the 14th. of September, + 1854; was present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and + throughout the whole of the siege of Sebastopol (except ten days sick + on the heights). Colour-Sergeant J. WHYBROW and Private PETER ROWE; + both landed with the expedition on the 14th. of September, 1854, and + were present at all the actions. Colour-Sergeant Whybrow was wounded + at Inkermann, and served through the whole of the siege operations, + performing his duty with zeal. Private Rowe brought himself + prominently to notice at the battle of Inkermann, in a position + against a considerable force of the enemy, where he behaved in a very + gallant manner, and was conspicuously in the front of the small party + of which he was one. Was afterwards severely wounded in the trenches. + + TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Colonel CHARLES RICHARD SACKVILLE (LORD WEST), + C.B.; served the campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma + and Inkermann, and the whole of the siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major + GEORGE NEELD BOLDERO; served the campaign of 1854, including the + battles of the Alma and Inkermann, at the last of which he was + severely wounded, and siege of Sebastopol. Captains HENRY KING and + RICHARD STEPHENS; both landed with the regiment at Old Fort, on the + 14th. of September, 1854. The former was present at the battles of the + Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; was dangerously wounded through the + neck at the latter engagement. The latter was present at the battles + of the Alma and Inkermann, and was very severely wounded (arm + amputated) when carrying the Queen’s colours in the latter battle. + Each did duty in the trenches to the 5th. of November, 1854. Captain + S. H. CLERKE; served in the Crimea from the 14th. of September to the + 26th. of October, 1854, and from the 27th. of December to the end of + the war. Present at the Alma and Kinburn. Sergeant-Major W. FOWLER and + Colour-Sergeant R. ELLIS; both landed with the regiment at Old Fort. + The former was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and + Inkermann; did duty in the trenches, and was present with his regiment + throughout the war. The latter was present at the Alma and Inkermann + (wounded in the arm at the latter), and did his duty in the trenches + till the 11th. of May, 1855. + + TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Colonel DANIEL LYSONS, C.B.; served the + campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, + and the whole siege of Sebastopol; engaged in the assaults on the + Redan on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, 1855; on the + latter occasion he was severely wounded. Major FRANCIS EDWARD DREWE; + for going out to the front under a heavy fire on the evening of the + 8th. of September, 1855, to assist in bringing in Lieutenant and + Adjutant Dyneley, 23rd. Fusiliers, who was lying mortally wounded near + the Redan, where he had fallen during the unsuccessful assault that + day. This voluntary duty Major Drewe performed with the assistance of + Corporal Shields and a party of four other volunteers. Major Drewe + further served with credit throughout the whole of the siege, + including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann; capture of Egerton’s + Rifle-pits; capture of the Quarries; sortie on the 22nd. of March; + assaults on the Redan, the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, + 1855. Wounded on the 8th. of September. Captain SYDNEY CROHAN MILLETT; + served the campaign of 1854–5, the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, + and the whole of the siege of Sebastopol. Was severely wounded on the + 8th. of September, 1855, at the assault on the Redan. Lieutenant LUKE + O’CONNOR and Corporal E. LUBY; services at the Alma as already + detailed; the former also behaved with great gallantry in the assault + on the Redan, the 8th. of September, 1855, where he was severely + wounded through both thighs. The latter served throughout the siege, + and displayed great coolness and courage at the assault on the Redan + on the 8th. of September, 1855, where he acted as Orderly to + Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, and made himself very useful while on the + parapet and in the ditch of the Redan. Corporal THOMAS SYMONDS; for + going out to the front of the trenches, right attack, with another man + (since dead), and bringing in a wounded corporal of the 97th. + regiment. Was mentioned for it by Lieutenant-General Sir William + Codrington, K.C.B., in Divisional Orders, 7th. of September, 1855, as + follows:—“The Lieutenant-General has great pleasure in referring to + the good conduct of two men of the 23rd. regiment, named James Brown + and Thomas Symons, who brought in from the front a corporal of the + 97th. regiment, who had been severely wounded, and left in a very + exposed position, to which they went out most gallantly and humanely + at the risk of their own lives. The Commander of the Forces, in + wishing their names to be publicly noticed, desires they may receive a + gratuity of £3 each.” + + TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Colonel FRANK ADAMS, C.B., and + Lieutenant-Colonel ROBERT JULIAN BAUMGARTNER, C.B.; served the + campaign of 1854–5, the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, the whole + siege of Sebastopol, and engaged in the attack on the Cemetery on the + 18th. of June, 1855. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel EDMUND GILLING + HALLEWELL, unattached; served the campaign of 1854–5, the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann, and the whole siege of Sebastopol. Major + THOMAS MAUNSELL; served with the 28th. regiment in Turkey; landed in + the Crimea on the 14th. of September, 1854; was present at the battles + of the Alma and Inkermann. Volunteered as captain to command the + sharpshooters of the third division; was employed as such from the + opening of the siege before Sebastopol till he was severely wounded on + the 30th. December, 1854. Captain SUSSEX LENNOX AUBREY BEAUCLERK + MESSITER; served the campaign of 1854–5, battles of the Alma and + Balaklava, and the whole siege of Sebastopol. Captain THOMAS LYNDEN + BELL; served with the 28th. regiment in Turkey; landed in the Crimea + on the 14th. of September, 1854; was present at the battles of the + Alma and Inkermann; served at the siege before Sebastopol from the + commencement of the operations till August, 1855, when he was obliged + to leave on account of sickness. Was at the attack and occupation of + the Cemetery before Sebastopol, on the 18th. of June, 1855. Corporal + J. M‘LOUGHLIN and Private W. GLEESON; both served with the regiment in + Turkey; landed in the Crimea on the 14th. September, 1854; were + present at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, the fall of + Sebastopol, and at the attack and occupation of the Cemetery before + Sebastopol on the 18th. of June, 1855. During the whole siege Corporal + M‘LOUGHLIN was never sick or absent from his duty one day, and took + his regular tour of the trench duty. On the 18th. of June he + volunteered to carry a letter to the advanced party from Major-General + Sir William Eyre, then commanding the attack, which duty was performed + in a most gallant manner, under a very heavy and galling fire from the + enemy. Private Gleeson on the same occasion volunteered for the + advanced party as sharpshooter, and distinguished himself by carrying + to the rear, from an advanced post, a wounded comrade, under a very + heavy and galling fire from the enemy. + + THIRTIETH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES THOMAS MAULEVERER, C.B.; + served the campaign of 1854–5; battles of the Alma, Inkermann + (severely wounded); sortie on the 26th. of October; the whole siege of + Sebastopol; and was wounded in the assault on the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel THOMAS HENRY PAKENHAM; + displayed especial gallant conduct in leading his company to the + attack at the battle of the Alma, where he was dangerously wounded. + Major ROBERT DILLON; rendered good and gallant service in the trenches + before Sebastopol, and on Inkermann heights during the winter of + 1854–5. Lieutenant and Adjutant GILBERT HOWARD SANDERS; the siege of + Sebastopol; was twice wounded and lost a leg at the assault on the + Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855. Sergeant T. SHAW; displayed + distinguished conduct in the field in making a Russian mounted officer + prisoner, for which service he was specially thanked in orders, by the + General, on the 13th. November, 1854. Private J. ANDREWS; for + distinguished conduct in the field in having aided Sergeant Shaw to + capture a Russian mounted officer, for which service he (in + conjunction with the Sergeant) was specially thanked in orders, by the + General, on the 13th. of November, 1854. + + THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Colonel GEORGE STAUNTON; served in the siege of + Sebastopol from May, 1855, to the capture of the place. + + THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE VALENTINE EDWARD + MUNDY, C.B.; served the campaign of 1854–5, the Alma, Inkermann, and + the whole siege of Sebastopol; was engaged in the attack on the Redan + on the 18th. of June, 1855. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN ELIAS + COLLINGS; served the campaign of 1854–5, the Alma, Inkermann and siege + of Sebastopol; was engaged in the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of + June. Captain ALEXANDER BRUCE WALLIS; was present with his company at + the battle of the Alma, and was called upon during the action to carry + one of the regimental colours; while so employed he was severely + wounded through the right thigh, and although suffering much he + remained with the colours until the close of the action. Lieutenant + the Honourable R. H. DE MONTMORENCY; on the 8th. of September, 1855, + Lieutenant De Montmorency went most gallantly over the parapet of the + Redan at the commencement of the assault, cheering on the men; and on + the same day he volunteered to lead a party to occupy some rifle-pits, + in order to prevent their being taken by the Russians, which he held + for some time after the attacking party had been withdrawn. + Assistant-Surgeon THOMAS CLARK; served the campaign of 1854–5, battles + of the Alma and Inkermann, and the whole siege of Sebastopol. Private + P. LEARY; was one of the first men to enter the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855, and after having been severely wounded in the head, + he volunteered to assist in taking some rifle-pits, to prevent their + being occupied by the Russians. This man was recommended for the + French Military War Medal. Private JAMES BOND; behaved very gallantly + after the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, by + volunteering to go out between the advanced works and the Redan, under + a very heavy fire, to bring in the Honourable Edward Fitzclarence, of + the 7th. Fusiliers, who was severely wounded. + + THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN SIMPSON and + Brevet-Major JOSEPH JORDAN; both served during the siege of Sebastopol + from the 9th. of December, 1854; the former was engaged at the capture + of the Quarries and assault on the Redan on the 8th. of September, + 1855; and the latter was engaged in the sortie on the 22nd. of March; + at the capture of the rifle-pits, 19th. of April; and assault on the + Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, when he was severely wounded. + Lieutenant ABEL WOODROFFE BOYCE; for having at the assault on the + Redan, on the 18th. of June, 1855, after the troops had retired to the + trenches, gone out in front of the advanced trenches under a heavy + fire of grape, and rendered great assistance in bringing in Lieutenant + and Adjutant Hobson, 7th. Fusiliers, who was lying outside, severely + wounded. Lieutenant FRANCIS PEEL; for cool and gallant conduct at the + assault on the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, on which occasion he + was wounded. Colour-Sergeant J. PRATT; displayed gallant conduct at + the assault on the Redan, in encouraging the men and assisting to + carry a scaling ladder to the _abattis_, on which occasion he was + wounded. Corporal D. COUGHLAN; displayed gallant conduct at the + assault on the Redan on the 18th. of June, 1855, in assisting to carry + a scaling ladder to the _abattis_, when the rest of the bearers first + employed were either killed or wounded. He also brought in a wounded + comrade to the trenches under a heavy fire. + + THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES PATTOUN SPARKES, + C.B., and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM JAMES LOFTUS; Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma and whole siege of Sebastopol; engaged in + the attack on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. Lieutenant + CONSTANTINE WILLIAM SEPTIMUS GAYNOR; rendered good and zealous service + in the trenches before Sebastopol, till he was wounded severely by a + rifle-ball on the 21st. of February, 1855. Lieutenant ARTHUR JOHNSON + ALLIX EWEN; was in advance on the 18th. of June, 1855, in the attack + and capture of the Cemetery by the second brigade, third division. + Privates P. MCGUIRE and T. REYNOLDS; both were in advance on the 18th. + of June, 1855, in the attack and capture of the Cemetery by the second + brigade, third division. Was one of those who reached close under the + Russian batteries. Private M‘Guire, though severely wounded in the + left hand, remained at his post during the whole day, firing on the + Russian embrasures; and Private Reynolds always behaved well in the + trenches during the siege. + + THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Major THOMAS WRIGHT HUDSON; served throughout + the siege of Sebastopol from the 19th. of December, 1854. Lieutenant + and Adjutant THOMAS WESTROPP BENNETT; displayed general zealous and + good conduct in the trenches before Sebastopol during the + bombardments, and was present at the attacks on the 18th. of June and + the 8th. of September, 1855. Private J. M‘CLUSKEY; on the 18th. of + June, 1855, when a party of the 39th. regiment was stationed in the + trenches overlooking the Cemetery, which had that day been taken + possession of by the brigade under Sir William Eyre, cries and groans + of a wounded man attracted attention. Lieutenant Smith, in command of + the party, asked for volunteers to accompany him to ascertain the + cause. This man and another (who has received the French War Medal), + came forward, and they brought in a wounded sergeant of the 38th. + regiment, who had been lying there for several hours. This act was + performed under a heavy fire, and very close to the Russian sentries. + + FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel ROBERT PRATT; served + throughout the siege of Sebastopol, and was wounded at the attack on + the Redan on the 18th. of September, 1855. Major GEORGE SKIPWORTH; + campaign of 1854–5; the Alma, sortie on the 26th. of October, and + Inkermann; the whole siege of Sebastopol. Major HENRY STRATTON BUSH; + for having gallantly led men of his company to an advanced position, + which he succeeded in holding against a superior force, at the battle + of Inkermann (severely wounded.) Captain GEORGE PEDDIE; for having + commanded a working party, under a heavy fire, with zeal, + determination, and courage, on duty, to reverse the enemy’s trenches, + after the taking of the Quarries. Corporal W. CRAWFORD; for having on + the 26th. of October, 1854, volunteered and been conspicuous in + cutting off and taking prisoners a Russian officer and fourteen + soldiers. Private P. COLLINS; for being conspicuous in going to the + front to carry off the late Colonel Carpenter, when mortally wounded, + under a heavy fire, at the battle of Inkermann, and for repeated zeal + in the discharge of a similar arduous duty. + + FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Colonel DUNCAN ALEXANDER CAMERON, C.B.; served + the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; commanded the 42nd. regiment at the + battle of the Alma, and the Highland Brigade at Balaklava, and during + the remainder of the siege of Sebastopol; served on the expedition to + Kertch. Lieutenant-Colonel ALEXANDER CAMERON; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, + and siege of Sebastopol. Captain HENRY MONTGOMERY; served the whole + campaign in the Crimea, the greater part of the time on the Staff as + Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Cameron, C.B. Was present at the battles + of the Alma and Balaklava, and throughout the siege of Sebastopol. + Captain SIR PETER ARTHUR HALKETT, BART.; served with the 42nd. + regiment in the Crimea to the 24th. of October, 1855; was present at + the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and siege of Sebastopol. + Colour-Sergeant D. DALGLEISH and Private E. M‘MILLAN; served the whole + campaign in the Crimea; were present at the battles of the Alma and + Balaklava, and siege of Sebastopol. + + FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.—Colonel the Honourable AUGUSTUS ALMERIC + SPENCER, C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; commanded the + 44th. regiment at the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, + including the attack on the Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. + Commanded the troops on the expedition to Kinburn. Lieutenant-Colonel + CHARLES WILLIAM DUNBAR STAVELEY, C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of + 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, siege of + Sebastopol, and attack on Cemetery on the 18th. of June, 1855. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM M‘MAHON, and Brevet-Major WILLIAM + FLETCHER; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles + of the Alma and Inkermann, siege of Sebastopol, and attack on + Cemetery, on the 18th. of June, 1855. Captain ROBERT BAILLIE; landed + in the Crimea with the 44th. regiment; served throughout the whole + campaign. Was present at the capture of Kinburn. Lieutenant WILLIAM + ARTHUR WOOD; landed in the Crimea with the 44th. regiment; served + throughout the whole campaign with it, until the regiment returned to + England. Was present and in advance at the affair of the Cemetery on + the 18th. of June. Served as Adjutant to the regiment from the 29th. + of January, 1855, till the end of the siege. Private WILLIAM DOOLE; + served throughout the campaign, except for four months, on account of + wounds. Volunteered as a sharpshooter at the commencement of the + siege, and was wounded in October, 1854. He again volunteered on the + 18th. of June, 1855, for the advance guard of Major-General Sir + William Eyre’s brigade, when he was again wounded, and particularly + noticed. Private WILLIAM WOODGATE; served throughout the whole war in + the trenches. He was present at the attack on the Cemetery, where his + gallantry was particularly noticed. Always set a good example to his + comrades by his readiness and cheerfulness under the most trying + circumstances during the bad winter of 1854. + + FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.—Colonel SIR ROBERT GARRETT, K.C.B, K.H.; the + siege of Sebastopol; in command of a brigade in the fourth division + from the 8th. of November, 1854, till the end of the service. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel COLIN FREDERICK CAMPBELL; the siege of + Sebastopol; was wounded in the trenches. Captain NICHOLAS DUNSCOMBE; + landed with the regiment in the Crimea on the 8th. of November, 1854, + and served uninterruptedly till the end of the campaign. Captain + GEORGE HENRY KNAPP; was present at the battles of the Alma, Inkermann, + and Balaklava, and served uninterruptedly till the end of the + campaign. Colour-Sergeant P. CULLEN; landed with the regiment in the + Crimea on the 8th. of November, 1854, and was particularly noticed for + gallantry in the trenches and attention to his duties during the + campaign. Private P. FLINN; never missed a duty in the trenches from + the 8th. of November, 1854, and was remarkable on all occasions for + gallantry and daring. + + FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel RICHARD THOMAS FARREN, + C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, and the + whole siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonels JAMES VILLIERS + and JOHN HENRY LOWNDES; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, + including the Alma, Inkermann, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, + the whole of the siege of Sebastopol, and was engaged in the attack + and capture of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855. Captain the + Honourable BERNARD MATTHEW WARD; distinguished himself on the morning + of the 5th. of November, 1854, in support of the pickets of the second + brigade, second division. The conduct of this officer was particularly + noticed by Lieutenant-Colonel Fordyce, C.B. Captain HENRY JAMES + BUCHANAN; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, the Alma, Inkermann, + sortie of the 26th. of October, 1854, and siege of Sebastopol. + Sergeant W. GRANT and Private EDWARD M‘MAHON; distinguished themselves + particularly on the night of the 7th. of June, 1855, by their cool and + gallant conduct in assisting to drive the enemy from the Quarries, and + repulsing his attacks. + + FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Captain WM. HENRY CAIRNES; for steadiness and + soldier-like conduct whilst in command of a party of his regiment, + sent to relieve and reinforce a party of the fourth regiment on the + night of the 22nd. of June, 1855, in the trenches before Sebastopol. + Sergeant RICHARD BATLIN; for volunteering to join the party above + referred to, and accompanying his captain. + + FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN THORNTON GRANT, C.B.; + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854 and 1855, including the Alma, + Inkermann, sortie of the 26th. of October, 1854, the whole siege of + Sebastopol, and rendered important service in command of strong + working parties of the second and light divisions at the attack on the + Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855. Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN HYNDE + KING; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the Alma, + Inkermann, sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854, the whole siege of + Sebastopol; was engaged in the attack and capture of the Quarries on + the 7th. of June, 1855; was severely wounded at the attack on the + Redan on the 8th. of September (arm amputated.) Captain GEORGE KEMP + CHATFIELD; joined the service companies on the 14th. of November, + 1854, and was present during the whole of the siege of Sebastopol; + also at the assault and capture of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, + 1855. Was mentioned in Field-Marshal Lord Raglan’s despatch on the + 18th. of June, 1855, at the first attack on the Redan. Was wounded in + the trenches on the 7th. of September, 1855. Captain WILLIAM YOUNG; + joined the service companies on the 14th. of November, 1854, and was + present in the Crimea during the whole siege of Sebastopol; the attack + and capture of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855 (wounded); + attacks on the Redan on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, + 1855. Surgeon JOHN DAVIES; landed in the Crimea in medical charge of + the 49th. regiment. Was present at the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol, with the exception of the last + attack on the Redan. During the period the Army occupied Bulgaria, + Surgeon Davies’s unceasing solicitude and attention to the sick of the + regiment was attended with the most beneficial results, and during the + whole of the campaign in the Crimea, up to the month of July, 1855, he + was scarcely ever out of his hospital tending the sick and wounded. + Sergeant-Major R. HOLDEN; was present at the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, and repulse of sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854. Was + with his regiment during the whole siege of Sebastopol. Private J. + GIBBONS; greatly distinguished himself on the 26th. of October, 1854, + in personal encounter with the Russians. Was mentioned in division + orders on the occasion by Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, G.C.B. + Was present during the whole campaign, including the battles of the + Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + + FIFTIETH REGIMENT.—Colonel RICHARD WADDY, C.B., and Lieutenant-Colonel + JOHN LUCAS WILTON, C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, + including the Alma, Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel HENRY EDWARD WEARE; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854 as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, and was + severely wounded at the Alma; also was present at the latter part of + the siege of Sebastopol. Major EDWARD GEORGE HIBBERT; served the + Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant MONTAGUE DE SALIS + M‘KENZIE GEORGE AUGUSTUS CLARKE; this officer was in command of a + company in the advanced trench of the left attack before Sebastopol, + in December, 1854, when the Russians made a sortie. He was engaged in + a personal encounter with a Russian officer, whom he cut down with his + sword, but being wounded in two places, he was overpowered and taken + prisoner. His sword was found next day in front of the trench, broken + in two and covered with blood. Lieutenant JAMES LAMB; this officer + served throughout the Crimean Campaign, and his conduct was + conspicuous on the occasion of a sortie made by the Russians on the + advanced trench of the left attack before Sebastopol in December, + 1854, when a few companies of the 50th. regiment suffered severely in + repelling the attack. Private A. O’LEARY; this man (with another, + since dead) volunteered to go out to look for the body of the captain + of his company, who was supposed to have been killed in December, + 1854, when the Russians made a strong sortie on the advanced trench of + the left attack. The Russians were repelled, but (the night being very + dark) it was some time before it was ascertained that the works were + completely cleared of them. However, this man at once proposed to go + out from the second parallel to look for his captain; he was permitted + to do so. His captain had been taken prisoner. Private THOMAS REGHAN; + served throughout the Crimean Campaign, and was remarkable for his + coolness under fire when in the trenches before Sebastopol. + + FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.—Colonel CHARLES WARREN, C.B.; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854, including the battles of the Alma, and Inkermann + (where he commanded a brigade and was severely wounded), and took part + in the sortie on the 26th. of October, 1854; was present during the + latter part of the siege of Sebastopol in 1855. Lieutenant-Colonel + ALFRED CAPEL CURE; the siege of Sebastopol in 1855. Commanded the + regiment in the assaults on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of + September, 1855. Lieutenant WILLIAM BYRNE JOHNSON; served from the + 22nd. of November, 1854, to the end of the war, including the siege of + Sebastopol and the trenches; was severely wounded at the final assault + on the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855, where he distinguished + himself, as on several other occasions, by his forward gallantry. + Lieutenant JAMES SCOTT; landed in Turkey with the regiment in May, + 1854; served at the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, siege of + Sebastopol, and in the trenches, including the repulse of the sortie + on Inkermann heights on the 26th of October, 1854, and the attack on + the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855; was wounded, and mentioned in + the despatches for his distinguished gallantry. Sergeant J. MEARA; + landed with the regiment in Turkey, in May, 1854; served in the Crimea + during the whole campaign, including the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann; took part in the repulse of the sortie at Inkermann on the + 26th. of October, 1854, and served in the trenches generally; + distinguished himself particularly by his gallantry at the storming of + the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855, where he was severely + wounded. Lance-Sergeant J. O’DONNELL; landed with the regiment in + Turkey, in May, 1854; was present at the battle of the Alma (severely + wounded); served in the trenches, and distinguished himself at the + storming of the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855, when he was + again severely wounded. + + FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN ALFRED STREET, C.B.; + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the + Alma and Inkermann, the whole of the siege of Sebastopol, and + expedition to Kinburn. Brevet-Major GERALD JOHN FORSYTH; this + officer’s conduct on every occasion when under fire, from the 23rd. of + September, 1854, to the end of the siege, on the 8th. of September, + 1855; was most conspicuous for gallantry and coolness. On the 18th. of + June, when one of the assaulting party, he remained with three or four + men of his company close under the _abattis_ of the Redan, awaiting + reinforcements. These men kept up a constant fire at the embrasures, + and Captain Forsyth himself remained with them until the whole of + their ammunition was exhausted, when, finding no support come to their + aid, he retired to the trenches. Lieutenant ALFRED FREDERICK ADOLPHUS + SLADE; this officer volunteered to join the service companies in the + field on the 15th. of November, 1854, and obtained permission to do so + without joining the depôt. His conduct was marked by conspicuous + bravery during his service in the trenches from the above date to the + 18th. of June, 1855, when he was severely wounded in front of the + Redan. Although suffering from a severe wound in the shoulder, and + directed to go back to the trenches, he continued to encourage the men + to advance under a heavy fire from the Russian batteries, until he was + struck again, and, the attack having failed, he retired with the + remainder of the regiment. Drummer M. NORTON; landed with the regiment + at Katcha River on the 22nd. of September, 1854, and was present at + Inkermann, Balaklava, and during the siege of Sebastopol; at the + assaults on the 18th. of June and the 8th. of September, 1855. Private + J. HEALY; was recommended for the medal and gratuity for his very + distinguished conduct throughout the whole period of his service in + the Crimea, namely, from the 23rd. of September, 1854, to June, 1856, + and more particularly at the assault of the Redan on the 18th. of + June, 1855, when he remained in advance of the trenches, with Major + Forsyth and two or three other men, until the whole of his ammunition + was expended. He did not receive the medal on that occasion, because + the whole amount of gratuities allowed the regiment were expended. + + SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Colonel CHARLES TROLLOPE, C.B., and + Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM LENNOX INGALL, C.B.—Both served the siege + of Sebastopol from the 13th. of November, 1854. Colonel Trollope was + in command of a brigade in the second division up to July, and + afterwards as a Brigadier-General; also in command of one in the third + division. Lieutenant-Colonel Ingall was severely wounded at the + storming of the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855. Brevet-Major + CHARLES COOCH and Captain GEORGE HAMPDEN WILKIESON; for long service + in the trenches before Sebastopol. Major Cooch was mentioned in the + despatches of General Sir James Simpson, G.C.B. Sergeant J. WARREN and + Private J. FARRELL; for capturing a French soldier who was deserting + to the enemy from the advanced trenches on the 22nd. of February, + 1855, they being at the time exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy’s + advanced posts, and for which service they received the thanks of the + Commander-in-Chief in the Crimea. + + SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable ROBERT + ALEXANDER GEORGE DALZELL, C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854, + including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, and the first part of + the siege of Sebastopol in 1855. Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES EDWARD + FAIRCLOUGH; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854; the Alma, and + Inkermann; at the latter he was severely wounded. Captain F. T. LOGAN + PATERSON; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles + of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann; siege of Sebastopol; also in + expeditions to Kertch and Kinburn. Private P. CEATON; served the + Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma, + Balaklava, and Inkermann; expedition to Kertch; assault and fall of + Sebastopol; capture of Kinburn. At the battle of Inkermann, Private + Ceaton attacked and stabbed two Russians. Was himself wounded, but + refused to leave the field. + + SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Colonel HENRY SMITH, C.B.; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, + and the whole siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE MACBEATH, + C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of + the Alma and Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant SHEFFIELD + GRACE; under the command of a captain in the 63rd. regiment, + Lieutenant Grace took post at the _chevaux-de-frize_, in front of the + position in the Woronzoff road, with only one man to support him, the + remainder (of a party of twelve) having fallen back in consequence of + the heavy fire. Lieutenant FRANCIS DE LUTTRELL SAUNDERSON; on the + 11th. of May, 1855, Lieutenant Saunderson was actively engaged + repelling a sortie. The night was wet and stormy, and some of the + rifles were difficult to load, and this officer particularly + distinguished himself by assisting the men in loading. Private SAMUEL + BURROWS; on the morning of the 22nd. of November, 1854, in broad + daylight under a heavy fire from the enemy, he proceeded from the + rifle-pits, in company with another man, to bring in a wounded officer + of the rifle brigade. This occurred in the left attack of the siege of + Sebastopol. Private J. MAGNER; when on duty in the trenches before + Sebastopol on the 11th. of May, 1855, during a sortie, when volunteers + were called for by Captain Hamilton to charge the enemy, Private + Magner was one of the first to leap on the parapet, and say, “Here is + one, sir.” He afterwards volunteered to go out on patrol to see that + the enemy had all retired. On another occasion, when on duty in the + fourth parallel, he was wounded in the hip, and though told by an + officer and surgeon to go home, he refused, saying, “The Russians are + coming out, and I would sooner stay with my company.” + + SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.—Captains FREDERICK J. COLIN HALKETT and JOHN + OTWAY WEMYSS; rendered general good service in the trenches before + Sebastopol, and at Kertch. Privates H. GOURLEY and J. CATHCART; + rendered general good service; both slightly wounded. + + SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel PARKE; in the Crimea from + the 13th. of June, 1855, to the end of the war. + + SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE HARRY SMITH + WILLIS and Captain RICHARD BUTLER WILLINGTON; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5, including the battles of the Alma and Inkermann, + and siege of Sebastopol. Assistant-Surgeons ROBERT GRAVES BURTON and + ALEXANDER HUMFREY; for distinguished courage in the trenches during + the whole siege of Sebastopol, where they were exposed, under fire, + and in presence of the enemy, to as much danger as executive officers, + and where their humanity to the wounded was valuable and constant. + Sergeant R. BUSHELL and Lance-Corporal G. BROWN; for conspicuous + courage under fire in the presence of the enemy, in every action, + sortie, or attack during the whole war. + + SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonels JOHN DOUGLAS, C.B., and + RICHARD CHAMBRE HAYS TAYLOR, C.B., and BrevetLieutenant-Colonel ROBERT + DOUGLAS CLEPHANE; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the + battles of the Alma and Balaklava, and siege of Sebastopol. + Lieutenant-Colonels Douglas and Clephane served in the expedition to + Kertch. Captain HENRY HOLFORD STEVENSON; was employed on important + duty in the advanced trenches the night preceding the fall of + Sebastopol, while on the Staff of Lieutenant-General Sir Colin + Campbell, G.C.B. Also present at the battles of the Alma and + Balaklava. Quartermaster R. JAMESON; was present at the battle of the + Alma; acted as a volunteer subaltern at the action of Balaklava; + rendered constant good and gallant service under fire in the trenches + before Sebastopol. Sergeant J. ANDERSON and Private W. CAMPBELL; were + present at the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, and rendered + constant good and gallant service in the trenches before Sebastopol. + + EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.—Colonel HORATIO SHIRLEY, C.B., and + Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE VAUGHAN MAXWELL, C.B.; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; the battles of the Alma and Inkermann; siege of + Sebastopol; attack on the Quarries. The former was general officer in + the trenches at the attack on the Quarries on the 7th. of June, 1855, + and at the attack on the Redan on the 18th. of June, and commanded a + brigade at the assault on the 8th. of September. Lieutenant-Colonel + Maxwell also commanded the 88th. regiment at the assaults on the Redan + on the 18th. of June, and the 8th. of September, 1855, and at the last + he was severely wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel EDWARD JOHN VESEY BROWN + and Brevet-Major THOMAS GORE; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5; + the Alma, Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major EDWARD + GILLING MAYNARD; for leading the men under his orders into the Russian + works (called the Quarries) in a most gallant manner, on the night of + the 7th. of June, 1855. Captain JOHN EDWARD RILEY; for gallant conduct + at Inkermann. He was most active in rallying his men when retreating; + also was most active during the action, as Adjutant. He likewise + behaved exceedingly well on picket, in the Middle Ravine, in the + beginning of October, 1854, when the enemy advanced upon him on a + certain occasion. Lieutenant GEORGE PRIESTLY; was very conspicuous in + the attack on the Redan, leading the Grenadier company in a dashing + manner. Private J. SULLIVAN; displayed general activity and gallantry + during the night of the 7th. of June, 1855, in the attack on the + Quarries. Private W. DURWOODE; this man, with only one other, answered + to the call of Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, to rally round a gun, when + the regiment was repulsed at the beginning of the battle of Inkermann. + He served throughout the whole campaign, and was at last wounded in + the attack on the Redan. + + EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel CALEDON RICHARD EGERTON and + Major ROBERT B. HAWLEY; served the siege of Sebastopol till the end of + the service; the former from the 17th. of December, 1854, and the + latter from the 31st., of January, 1855. Major LESLIE SKYNNER; landed + in the Crimea on the 15th. of December, 1854, and performed good + service in the trenches during the whole campaign. Corporal P. SCOTT; + landed with the regiment in the Crimea on the 15th. of December, 1854. + Never missed a tour of duty in the trenches until after the 5th. of + December, 1855, when he was wounded severely by a piece of shell in + the right knee. + + NINETIETH REGIMENT.—Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel THOMAS SMITH; served the + siege of Sebastopol from the 5th. of December, 1854, till the end of + the service. Brevet-Major JAMES PERRIN; rendered uninterrupted service + with his regiment from its arrival in the Crimea until its embarkation + for England, in June, 1856. Never missed a tour of duty in the + trenches. In reserve during the attack on the Quarries on the 7th. of + June, 1855. Assault on the Redan, on the 8th. of September. Captain + JAMES HERNE WADE; landed in the Crimea with his regiment; was always + present, except during a short period when laid up with fever at + Scutari. Was at the assault of the Redan on the 8th. of September, + 1855, where he was severely wounded. Sergeant-Major A. KIRKLAND; + displayed gallant conduct at the assault of the Redan on the 8th. of + September, 1855, he being one of the first soldiers who entered that + battery. Went to the assistance of Sergeant-Major Moynihan (afterwards + Ensign) and Major Rowlands, 41st regiment, when attacked by five or + six of the enemy, and shot three Russians dead as fast as he could + load and fire. Also went to the assistance of Lieutenant Swift, 90th + regiment. Was wounded in the Redan and left there after the troops had + retired, but subsequently fought his way out. Private W. SMITH; + accompanied his regiment to the Crimea, and served uninterruptedly + till the fall of Sebastopol. Was present at the capture of the + rifle-pits on the 18th. of April, 1855, and at the attack on the Redan + on the 8th. of September, 1855, where he was wounded. + + NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM BERNARD AINSLIE, + C.B.; served the Eastern Campaign of 1854 and part of 1855; the Alma, + Balaklava, and latter part of the siege of Sebastopol. + Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN ALEXANDER EWART; served the Eastern + Campaign of 1854–5; the Alma, Balaklava, and entire siege of + Sebastopol, except while employed in the expedition to Kertch. Captain + JAMES DALZELL, Lieutenant RICHARD AUGUSTUS COOPER, and Colour-Sergeant + G. ALLAN; served without interruption throughout the campaign, and + showed on all occasions conspicuous zeal and gallantry. Lance-corporal + J. ROBERTSON: served throughout the whole campaign, and was + conspicuous as a volunteer upon two occasions, once in repairing + damages in an advanced trench under a heavy fire, and once in + accompanying his captain by night to reconnoitre a trench near the + Redan, believed to be occupied by the enemy. + + NINETY-FIFTH REGIMENT.—Lieutenant-Colonel ALFRED THOMAS HAYLAND, C.B., + served the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5 at the Alma, where he was + severely wounded, and arm amputated; siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Major + JULIUS AUGUSTUS ROBERT RAINES; served with zeal and distinction from + the opening of the Crimean Campaign. Was engaged at the battle of the + Alma; was present at the repulse of a sortie on the 26th. of October, + 1854, and battle of Inkermann as an assistant engineer, and in the + trenches; also at the battle of the Tchernaya. Brevet-Major ALEXANDER + JAMES JOHN MACDONALD; ordered Private James Murphy, who had + volunteered to protect him, when wounded, to retire and leave him, + when overpowered by numbers of the enemy, by whom he was afterwards + wounded in eighteen different parts of the body on the 5th. of + November, 1854. Captain BASIL CHARLES BOOTHBY; served the campaign of + 1854. Severely wounded at the battle of the Alma (foot amputated.) + Colour-Sergeant F. CLUNEY; discovered and dug out of the ground a + number of fougasses laid by the enemy, and by the explosion of some of + which several men were wounded on the 9th. of June, 1855. Private + JAMES KEENAN; seized the Queen’s colours, and planted them in a + Russian battery on the 20th. of September, 1854, the officer who had + previously carried them having been wounded. + + NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.—Major FOWLER BURTON; served in the siege of + Sebastopol from the 20th. of November, 1854. Captain GEORGE HENRY + HIBBERT WARE; for having highly distinguished himself (when + Lieutenant) on the night of the 30th. of August, 1855, having been + ordered out with a party under Captain Brinkley to retake a sap, and + bring in the wounded who were lying under the enemy’s rifle-pits, + which duty he was performing in a gallant manner, when he received a + severe wound which obliged him to retire. This officer did duty in the + trenches from the 28th. of November, 1854, to the 30th. of August, + 1855, under trying circumstances, in a most unflinching manner. + Lieutenant CHARLES HENRY BROWNE; distinguished himself at the assault + on the Redan on the 8th. of September, 1855, having entered that work, + where he was slightly wounded. He did duty in the trenches from the + 4th. of May, 1855, to the end of the siege, and was remarkable for the + soldier-like manner in which he always did his duty, although a young + officer, with but little experience. Sergeants M. KEMMY and W. MOORE; + for having highly distinguished themselves on the 8th. of September, + 1855, at the assault on the Redan, having been severely wounded inside + that work. The former was mentioned in General Simpson’s despatch for + his general gallantry on that occasion; did duty in the trenches from + November, 1854, to the end of the siege, and was distinguished on + several other occasions; and the latter was taken prisoner inside the + Redan. Sergeant Moore likewise did duty in the trenches from November, + 1854, to the end of the siege, and was remarkable for the unflinching + manner in which he did his duty under very trying circumstances. + + RIFLE BRIGADE, FIRST BATTALION.—Colonel WILLIAM SHERBROOK RAMSAY + NORCOTT, C.B.—Served in the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, including the + Alma and entire siege of Sebastopol. Lieutenant-Colonel ALFRED + HASTINGS HORSFORD, C.B., (now Deputy Adjutant-General to the Forces, + and K.C.B.); served in the Eastern Campaign of 1854, including the + Alma and Inkermann, and first part of the siege of Sebastopol, until + compelled to return to England on account of ill-health, after which + he commanded the third battalion. Lieutenant-Colonel ALEXANDER + MACDONELL, C.B., and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES JOHN WOODFORD; + served in the Eastern Campaign of 1854–5, the battles of the Alma and + Inkermann, and siege of Sebastopol. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel LORD + ALEXANDER GEORGE RUSSELL; served in the siege of Sebastopol in 1855. + Brevet-Major the Honourable JAMES STUART; was present with the army + during the whole war, having embarked with the second battalion for + Varna, and was afterwards promoted into the first battalion. He was + present at the Alma as aide-de-camp to Colonel Norcott, in command of + the left wing of the second battalion. Served during the siege in the + first battalion, and commanded the storming party on the 18th. of + June, for which he received his brevet rank. Lieutenant GEORGE ROBERT + SAUNDERS; joined the battalion in December, 1854, before Sebastopol, + and performed his duties without interruption to the end of the war; + was present (under Major Stuart), with the covering party on the 18th. + of June, 1855. Corporal J. RUDLING; was present at the Alma, Inkerman, + Balaklava, sortie on the Woronzoff road, the storming party on the + 18th. of June, and when the advanced party in the graveyard was + attacked; also accompanied Major-General Windham on a reconnoitring + party at the commencement of the siege. Was present at the front with + the battalion from the landing in the Crimea until the withdrawal of + the army. Corporal THOMAS TARRANT; volunteered, on the 17th. of + October, to lie out in front of the works, to keep down the enemy’s + fire. He was present at the sorties on the 13th. of August, 1855, and + served through the whole of the campaign without leaving the front. + + RIFLE BRIGADE, SECOND BATTALION.—Lieutenant FITZ ROY WILLIAM + FREMANTLE; joined in the Crimea on the 1st. of December, 1854, and did + duty in the trenches from that date until the 18th. of June, 1855. Was + present at the last sortie made on the Quarries on the 8th. of June. + Commanded the woolsack party of the right column of attack on the + 18th. of June, 1855, on which occasion he was severely wounded. + Lieutenant JOHN CROFT MOORE; joined in the Crimea on the 10th. of + June, 1855, and served in the trenches until the fall of Sebastopol. + On the attack of the 8th. of September he commanded an advanced party + of about thirty men, which was pushed forward for the purpose of + keeping down the fire of some embrasures on the proper right of the + Redan, which enfiladed the attack. He was mentioned in General + Simpson’s despatch. Sergeant J. CHERRY; two men employed as + sharpshooters having ventured down to the gardens near the Woronzoff + road, in July, 1855, one of them was wounded and disabled. Sergeant + Cherry went to his assistance under a heavy fire, and returned to + report that it was impossible to remove him during daylight. When it + was sufficiently dark, he headed a party, and brought in the wounded + man. Volunteered for secret service on the 6th. of September, 1855. + Was wounded in four places. Served during the whole campaign. Private + E. TARVISH; served with great gallantry during the whole campaign in + the Crimea, especially in the assault of the 8th. of September, 1855, + on which occasion he entered the Redan and was taken prisoner. + +[Illustration: + + Turkish War Medal. +] + + + + + THE TURKISH WAR MEDAL.[174] + + +This medal was distributed generally to the allied forces. On the +obverse are the four flags of France, Turkey, England, and Sardinia, and +beneath is a map of the Crimea spread over a gun wheel, which rests upon +the Russian flag; a mortar and anchor, etc., are arranged alongside. The +word “Crimea,” and the date, 1855, are under all. On the reverse is the +Sultan’s cypher, beneath which is inscribed “Crimea” in Turkish, and +lower still is the year of the Hegira, 1271, written from right to left, +corresponding with the year 1855. Ribbon crimson, with light green +edges. These medals were issued without names, or regiments, engraved, +or indented on them. There is a variation in the arrangement of the +flags; in those medals intended for the Sardinian forces the flag of +that country is next to that of Turkey, and the words “La Crimée,” with +the date, are inserted. This, it is needless to state, is Italian, and +many of the medals first issued to the British soldiers are of that +pattern, arising probably from the demand being greater than the supply, +or from the fact of a number of them being lost in consequence of the +wreck of the vessel conveying them to this country. The medal issued to +the French army has the flag of that nation next to that of Turkey, +corresponding with the Sardinian and British, and inscribed “La Crimée.” +Those supplied to the latter are like the engraving, and although the +difference is but slight, yet the reason of it may not be uninteresting. + + + + + MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THE FIELD. + + +This medal and the gratuity adverted to in the list of recipients of the +Sardinian Medal, and also in the list of the recipients of the French +Medal, were authorized by the Royal Warrant of the 4th. of December, +1854, with the special view of marking the Sovereign’s sense of the +distinguished service and gallant conduct in the field, of the army then +serving in the Crimea, under Field-Marshal Lord Raglan. By its +provisions the commanding officer of each regiment of cavalry was +allowed to recommend one sergeant, two corporals, and four privates; and +the commanding officer of each regiment of infantry, and of each +battalion of the Foot Guards, and of the Rifle Brigade, was permitted to +select one sergeant, four corporals, and ten privates, to receive a +medal and a gratuity of fifteen pounds for a sergeant, for a corporal +ten pounds, and for a private five pounds. The gratuity was to be placed +in the regimental savings’ bank, there to remain in deposit at interest +until the discharge of the soldier, and to be considered his personal +property. On the obverse of the medal are the Royal Arms, surmounted by +a cuirass and helmet, and surrounded with helmets, cannon, shot, drums, +trumpets, muskets, swords, and flags; and on the reverse is inscribed +“For Distinguished Conduct in the Field.” The ribbon is red and ribbed, +with a broad blue stripe in the centre. This medal has since been +awarded to soldiers for services performed during the Indian Mutiny and +subsequent campaigns. The name of the recipient, with his rank and +regiment, are indented on the edge of the medal, and in most cases the +date of the action for which the medal was given. + +[Illustration: + + Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. +] + +[Illustration: + + The Victoria Cross. +] + + + + + THE VICTORIA CROSS. + + +The year 1856 was memorable for the establishment of a decoration to +which all ranks of the army and navy might aspire. It was instituted by +a warrant dated June 29th., 1856, and revised April 23rd., 1881. This +new reward of valour appropriately bears the name of the “Victoria +Cross,” and its value is heightened by the fact of the Queen personally +conferring the distinction, when the recipient happens to be in this +country. It consists of a Maltese cross of bronze, attached by the +letter V to a bar, on which a sprig of laurel is embossed. On the +obverse, in the centre is the British Lion and Crown, and beneath it a +scroll, bearing the inscription “For Valour;” the reverse is plain, the +name and corps of the recipient being engraved on the bar to which the +ribbon is attached, and the date of the act of bravery in the centre of +the Cross. The ribbon for the army is red, whilst for the navy it is +blue. All are placed on an equal footing as regards eligibility for this +decoration, as neither rank, long service, wounds, nor any other +circumstance whatever, save conspicuous bravery, can establish a claim +to the honour. Every non-commissioned officer or soldier is entitled to +a special pension of ten pounds a year from the date of the act by which +the decoration was gained. Should further acts of bravery be performed +by the recipient, which, had he not already received the Cross, would +have entitled him thereto, additional bars attached to the ribbon are +accorded, carrying with them further pensions of five pounds per annum +for each. The same of course holds good for the navy. The names of +recipients are published in the “London Gazette,” and a registry thereof +is kept in the office of the Secretary of State for War. The following +is a list, arranged alphabetically, of the winners of the Cross since +its institution to the present time (1892), giving the date when, and +the campaign in which, the act of bravery was performed, with a brief +notice of the same, and the rank the recipient eventually attained. + + ABLET, Sergeant A., Grenadier Guards. Sept. 2, 1855. Throwing outside + trench a live shell from the midst of a number of ammunition cases, + which burst as it touched the ground. + + ADAMS, Rev. J. W., Bengal Ecclesiastical Establishment, Killa Kazi, + Afghanistan. Dec. 11, 1879. Rescuing from drowning some of the 9th. + Lancers, in the immediate presence of the enemy, under a heavy fire, + and up to his waist in water. + + ADDISON, Private H., 43rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, Jan. 2, 1859. + Defending and saving the life of Lieut. Osborne. Addison received two + wounds and lost a leg in this service. + + AIKMAN, Colonel F. R., 4th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + March 1, 1858. Routing a body of 500 rebel infantry, 200 horse, and + two guns, which he captured, with only 100 of the 3rd. Sikh Cavalry. + + AITKEN, Colonel R. H. M., late of the 13th. Bengal Native Infantry. + Indian Mutiny, 1857. Various gallant acts during defence of Lucknow + Residency, among others saving a powder magazine from explosion, + capturing guns, etc., from June 30 to Nov. 22, 1857. + + ALEXANDER, Private J., 90th. Foot. Redan, June 18 and Sept. 6, 1855. + Bringing in wounded men on two occasions, under heavy fire, one being + Capt. Buckley, Scots Fusilier Guards. + + ALLEN, Corporal W., 2nd. Batt. 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, + Jan. 22, 1879. Severely wounded in defending the hospital till the + patients were removed. _See_ Private F. Hitch. + + ANDERSON, Corporal C., 2nd. Dragoon Guards. Indian Mutiny, Oct. 8, + 1857, and Trumpeter T. Monaghan. Saving the life of Lieut.-Col. + Seymour, C.B., commanding the regiment, when cut down and surrounded + by a body of mutineers. + + ANSON, Brevet-Lieut.-Col. A. H. A., 84th. Regiment. Indian Mutiny, + Sept. 28 and Nov. 16, 1857. For conspicuous bravery at Bolundshahur, + and the storming of the Secundra Bagh at Lucknow. + + ARTHUR, Gunner T., Royal Artillery. Sebastopol, June 7 and 18, 1855. + Carrying barrels of ammunition to the 7th. Fusiliers, several times, + under fire, and volunteering for the spiking party at the assault on + the Redan. + + ASHFORD, Private J., Royal Fusiliers. Candahar, Aug. 16, 1880. + Assisting in removing wounded, under a heavy fire. _See_ Lieut. Chase. + + BAKER, Lieutenant C. G., Bengal Police Batt. Indian Mutiny, Sept. + 27th., 1858. For gallant conduct in an attack on 1000 mutineers at + Suhejnee, near Peroo, which ended in the rout of the enemy. + + BAMBRICK, Private V., 60th. Rifles. Indian Mutiny, May 6th., 1858. For + conspicuous bravery at Bareilly, where he was attacked by three + Ghazees, and though wounded twice, cut down his assailants. + + BANKS, Cornet W. G. H., 7th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, Dec. 31, 1858. + Cross provisionally conferred upon him by the Commander-in-Chief in + India, for his gallantry in thrice charging a body of fanatics, who + had rushed upon the guns near Lucknow, but he died from his wounds + before the recommendation was confirmed. + + BEACH, Private T., 55th. Foot. Inkermann, Nov. 5, 1854. Defending + Lieut.-Colonel Carpenter, 41st., when wounded, from the attacks of + several Russians, two of whom he killed. + + BELL, Captain M. S., Royal Engineers. Ordashu, Ashanti, Jan. 4, 1874. + Gallantry in encouraging an unarmed party of Fantees to work under + fire without a covering party. + + BELL, Private David, 2nd. Batt. 24th. Foot. Island of Little Andaman, + May 7, 1867. For the gallant manner in which, with Surgeon Douglas and + three other privates, he manned a boat, and rowed through a dangerous + surf to the rescue of seventeen officers and men from almost certain + destruction. _See_ Surgeon C. M. Douglas. + + BELL, Captain E. W. D., 23rd. Fusiliers. Alma, Sept. 20, 1854. The + first to capture a Russian gun, which was limbered up and being driven + off. During the battle he succeeded to the command of the regiment, + all his senior officers being killed or wounded. + + BERESFORD, Lord W. L. de la Poer, 9th. Lancers. Umvolosi River, + Zululand, July 3rd., 1879. For his gallant conduct in mounting Sergt. + Fitzmaurice, 24th. Foot, behind him on his horse, and bringing him + off, under a close and heavy fire. + + BERGIN, Private J., 33rd. Foot. April 13, 1868, and Michael Magner, + Drummer of the same regiment. For their gallantry in the assault of + Magdala, being the first to enter the fortress, by climbing a cliff + and forcing their way through a strong fence, and over the wall. + + BERRYMAN, Major J., 17th. Lancers. Alma and Balaklava. For + distinguished conduct in the above battles. At Balaklava, his horse + being shot under him, he remained on the field with Capt. Webb, who + was wounded, under a heavy fire, and refused to leave him till he was + placed in safety. He has also a bar for bravery at Inkermann. + + BLAIR, Colonel J., 2nd. Bombay Light Cavalry. Indian Mutiny, Aug. 12 + and Oct. 23, 1857. For volunteering to apprehend armed rebels at + Neemuch, who had barricaded themselves in a house, the door of which + he burst open. At Jeerum he fought his way through a body of rebels + who had surrounded him, and his sword breaking, he, though wounded, + charged at the head of his men with his broken sword, and routed the + enemy. + + BLAIR, Lieutenant R., 2nd. Dragoon Guards. Indian Mutiny, Sept. 28, + 1857. For attacking a body of about sixty rebel cavalry, with a + sergeant and twelve men. He killed four of the enemy himself, and + though severely wounded, retreated without losing a man. + + BOYLE, Major A. C., 78th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, July 29, 1857. Leading + the way into a loopholed house occupied by the enemy, at Oonao, in + which service he was severely wounded. + + BOOTH, Colour-Sergt. A., 80th. Foot. South Africa, March 12, 1879. In + the Zulu attack on the Intombi river, he rallied a few men, and + covered the retreat of fifty soldiers for three miles, before an + overwhelming force of the enemy. + + BOULGER, Major A., 84th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, 1857. “For distinguished + bravery and forwardness as a skirmisher, in all the twelve actions + fought between July 12 and Sept. 22, 1857.”—_From Orders of + Major-General Sir H. Havelock._ + + BOURCHIER, Colonel C. T., Rifle Brigade. Sebastopol, Nov. 20, 1854. + For distinguished bravery at the capture of the rifle-pits. (His + conduct was recorded in the French General Orders). + + BOYES, D. G., Midshipman, H.M.S. “Euryalus.” Seki, Japan, Sept. 6, + 1864. Carrying the colours in the face of a heavy fire, at the capture + of a stockade, both his colour-sergeants having been wounded (one + mortally). The colours were six times pierced with balls. + + BRADSHAW, Private J., 2nd. Batt. Rifle Brigade. Crimea, April 22, + 1855. With another rifleman carrying a rifle-pit in broad daylight. He + also received the French War Medal. + + BRADSHAW, W., Assist.-Surgeon 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, + Sept. 26, 1857. For his intrepidity, with Surgeon Home of the 90th., + in removing the wounded men of the column that forced its way into + Lucknow; in close proximity to the enemy, and abandoned by the dhooly + bearers. + + BRENNAN, Bombardier J., Royal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, April 3, 1858. + For his gallantry at the assault of Jhansi, in bringing up two guns, + under a heavy fire, and so directing them as to compel the enemy to + abandon their battery. + + BROMHEAD, Major G., 2nd. Batt. 24th. Foot. Zululand, Jan. 22 and 23, + 1879. For his gallant conduct with Lieutenant J. R. Chard, R. E., at + the defence of Rorke’s Drift, against an enormously superior force of + Zulus. + + BROWN, Lieut.-Colonel F. D. M., 1st. Bengal European Fusiliers. Indian + Mutiny, Nov. 16, 1857. For his gallantry at Narrioul, where, at the + risk of his life, he carried off a wounded soldier, under a heavy + fire, with the enemy’s cavalry close upon him. + + BROWNE, Trooper P., Cape Mounted Rifles, Zululand, April 8, 1879. For + carrying water to wounded men at the assault on Moirosi’s Mountain, + under fire, in which service he was severely wounded. + + BROWNE, Captain E. S., 1st. Batt. 24th. Foot. Zululand, March 29, + 1879. Saving life of a soldier at Inhlobana, by twice returning + towards pursuing enemy under heavy fire, and assisting him to mount + his horse. + + BROWNE, Colonel H. G., 32nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, Aug. 24, 1857. + Leading sortie during siege of Lucknow Residency, to spike two guns, + protected by palisades and the embrasures fitted with sliding + shutters. He removed the shutters and spiked the guns. + + BROWNE, Lieut.-General Sir S. J., K.C.B., K.C.S.I., Commandant of the + 2nd. Punjaub Cavalry. Indian Mutiny, Aug. 31, 1858. For attacking at + Seerporah, with one orderly, the gunners of a 9-pounder, and + preventing gun being served until captured by his men. In this service + he was severely wounded, his left arm being severed at the shoulder by + a sword cut. + + BUCKLEY, Captain C. W., Royal Navy. Crimea, May 29, 1855. Twice + undertaking the desperate service of firing Russian stores, at + Genitchi and Taganrog, in a four-oared gig, in the face of 3000 + Russian troops. + + BUCKLEY, J., Assistant-Comm. of Ordnance, Bengal Establishment. Indian + Mutiny, May 11, 1857. Defending Delhi magazine against the mutineers. + + BULLER, Colonel Sir R. H., C.B., K.C.M.G., 60th. Rifles. Zululand, + March 28, 1879. For saving lives of two officers—Capt. D’Arcy and + Lieut. Everett, of the Frontier Light Horse—and one trooper, on the + same day, at the retreat of Inhlobana. + + BURGOYNE, Captain H. T., Royal Navy. Crimea, May 29, 1855. Assisting + to fire Russian stores at Genitchi, in the presence of a strong force + of the enemy. + + BURSLEM, Captain N., 67th. Foot. Capture of Taku Forts, Aug. 21, 1860. + Swimming the ditch, accompanied by Private T. Lane, and obtaining + entrance into the North Taku Fort, during the assault, in which both + were severely wounded. + + BUTLER, Major T. A., 1st. Bengal European Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, + Lucknow, March 9, 1858. Swimming the Goomtee and climbing the parapet + of a work and remaining there, under heavy fire, till the work was + occupied. + + BYRNE, Private J., 86th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 3, 1858. Carrying + in Lieut. Sewell, who was lying wounded, under a heavy fire. + + BYRNE, Private John, 68th. Foot. Inkermann, 1855. For bringing in + wounded soldier under heavy fire, when the regiment was ordered to + retire, and defending entrance of work. + + BYTHESEA, Rear-Admiral J., C.B., C.I.E. Island of Wardo, Baltic Sea, + Aug. 9 and 12, 1854. Assisted by W. Johnstone, stoker, seizing Russian + despatches from five men, three of whom they took prisoners, and + brought on board the “Arrogant.” + + CADELL, Lieut.-Colonel T., late 2nd. Bengal European Fusiliers. Indian + Mutiny, June 12, 1857. For his gallant conduct before Delhi, in + bringing in two wounded soldiers under a heavy fire. + + CAFE, Major-General W. M., 56th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian + Mutiny, April 15, 1858. Bearing away, under heavy fire, the body of + Lieut. Willoughby, assisted by Privates Thompson, Crowie, Spence, and + Cook; and going to the rescue of Spence, who was severely wounded in + this service. + + CAMBRIDGE, Sergeant D., Royal Artillery. Sebastopol, Sept. 8, 1855. + Volunteering for spiking party at assault on the Redan, and remaining + when severely wounded; and bringing in a wounded man under heavy fire. + + CAMERON, Colonel A. S., 72nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, March 30, 1858. For + bravery at Kotah, in heading a small party against a body of armed + fanatic rebels, strongly posted in a loopholed house, which he + stormed. He killed three of the rebels in single combat, and was + severely wounded. + + CARLIN, Private P., 13th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 6, 1858. For + rescuing a wounded Naick of the 4th. Madras Rifles on the field of + battle. + + CHAMPION, Sergeant-Major J., 8th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, Sept. 8, + 1858. For continuing at his duty during the pursuit at Beejapore, + although severely wounded by a ball through his body, and for + distinguished conduct at Gwalior. + + CHANNER, Lieut.-Colonel G. N., Bengal Staff Corps. Perak, Dec. 20, + 1875. In the command of a small party of the 1st. Ghoorka Light + Infantry, he jumped into a strongly fortified stockade, shooting one + man and keeping the rest at bay till his men followed him, and + captured the place. + + CHAPLIN, Colonel J. W., 67th. Foot (afterwards 8th. Hussars). Capture + of Taku Forts, Aug. 21, 1860. Planting the colours of the regiment on + the breach made by the storming party, assisted by Private T. Lane, + and subsequently on the cavalier of the fort, which he was the first + to mount. In doing this he was severely wounded. + + CHARD, Major J. R. M., Royal Engineers. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, 1879, + and Major G. Bromhead. For the defence of Rorke’s Drift against + enormously superior force. _See_ Bromhead, Major G. + + CHASE, Lieutenant W. St. L., Bombay Staff Corps. Candahar, Aug. 16, + 1880, and Private J. Ashford. Carrying off wounded soldier under heavy + fire. + + CHICKEN, Mr. G. B., Indian Navy. Indian Mutiny, Sept. 27, 1858. For + his bravery at Suhejnee, where he charged into the middle of a body of + rebels, and killed five before he was cut down himself. + + CLIFFORD, Major-General Hon. Sir H. H., Rifle Brigade. Inkermann, + 1855. Leading a charge, in which he killed one of the enemy with his + sword, disabled another, and saved the life of a soldier. + + CLOGSTOUN, Captain H. M., 19th. Madras Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + Jan. 15, 1859. For conspicuous gallantry in charging the rebels at + Chichumbah, with only eight men, and compelling them to abandon their + plunder. In this affair he was severely wounded, and seven of his men + were killed. + + COCHRANE, Colonel H. S., 86th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 1, 1858. + Near Jhansi, capturing single-handed a gun under a heavy fire, and + holding it till his company came up. Also for attacking the rear-guard + of the enemy, when he had three horses shot under him in succession. + + COFFEY, Private W., 34th. Foot. Sebastopol, March 29th., 1855. + Throwing live shell over the parapet. + + COGHLAN, Sergeant-Major C., 75th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, June 8 and July + 18, 1857. For penetrating with others into a Serai strongly occupied + by the enemy, and removing Private Corbett, 75th. Regiment, who was + severely wounded. Also encouraging a party to charge down a lane, + raked with a cross fire, at Delhi, and returning under fire for + dhoolies for wounded. + + COGHILL, Lieutenant, 24th. Foot, Zululand, Jan. 22, 1879. + Endeavouring, together with Lieutenant Melville, of the same Regiment, + to save the colours of the 24th. after the disaster at Isandhlwana, in + which duty they were both killed. (Conferred posthumously). + + COLEMAN, Sergeant J., 97th. Foot. Sebastopol, Aug. 30th., 1855. + Defending a new sap until all his comrades had been killed or wounded, + and carrying in a wounded soldier under fire. + + COLLIS, Gunner J., Royal Horse Artillery. Afghanistan, Maiwand, July + 27, 1880. For drawing enemy’s fire from wounded to himself, until they + were removed out of danger. + + COMMERELL, Admiral, Sir J. E., k.c.b. Crimea, Oct. 11, 1855. For + crossing the Isthmus of Arabat, with Wm. Rickard, Quartermaster, and + Geo. Milstone, Seaman, and destroying large quantities of stores on + the Crimean shore of the Sivash, retreating under a heavy fire of + musketry. + + CONOLLY, Lieutenant-Colonel J. A., 49th. Foot. Balaklava, October + 26th., 1854. Personally encountering several Russians when in command + on outlying picket duty, till he fell dangerously wounded. His conduct + was highly praised in General Orders. + + CONNOLLY, Gunner W., Bengal Horse Artillery. Indian Mutiny, July 7th, + 1857. For his gallantry at Jhelum, when he continued to serve his gun + when twice severely wounded, and declined to go out of action. He was + again, soon after shot through the leg, but continued to load until he + fainted from loss of blood. + + CONNORS, Private J., 3rd. Foot. Redan, September 8th., 1855. + Conspicuous gallantry during the assault, and rescuing a officer of + the 30th. Regiment, when surrounded by Russians. Selected by his + company for the French war medal. + + COOK, Major J., Bengal Staff Corps. Afghanistan, Peiwar Kotal, + December 2nd., 1878. For his intrepidity in charging the enemy, who + broke and fled, and rescuing Major Galbraith, who was personally + engaged with an Afghan soldier. + + COOK, Private W., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, January 15th., 1859. At + Maylah Ghaut, when all the officers were killed or wounded, and the + colour-sergeant killed, with Private D. Miller going to the front, and + directing the company. + + COOPER, Boatswain H. Crimea, June 3rd., 1855. Performing desperate + service at Taganrog, landing and firing stores in the presence of the + enemy. + + COOPER, Private J., 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. Little Andaman Island, + May 7th., 1867. _See_ Private D. Bell and Assistant-Surgeon C. M. + Douglas. + + CORBET, Private T., 3rd. Battalion the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. + Egypt, Kafr Dower, August 5th., 1882. Remaining under fire with + wounded officer, and assisting to bring him in. + + CRAIG, Sergeant J., Scots Fusilier Guards. Redan, September 6th., + 1855. For volunteering and collecting volunteers to go out under fire + and search for Captain Buckley, of his regiment, and bringing in his + body, during which duty he was wounded. + + CREAGH, Major O’Moore, Bombay Service Corps, Afghanistan, April 21st., + 1879. Defending the village of Kam Dakka, with 150 men, against 1,500 + Mohmunds, whom he repeatedly repulsed, till relieved. + + CRIMMIN, Surgeon J., Bombay Medical Service. Eastern Karenni, Burmah, + January 1st., 1889. Attending to wounded under fire and murderous + attack of Red Karens, one of whom he killed with his sword. + + CROWE, Lieutenant J. P. H., 78th. Highlanders. Indian Mutiny, August + 12th., 1857. For being the first to enter a redoubt at Bourzekee + Chowkee, an entrenched village. + + CUBITT, Colonel W. G., 13th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + June 30th., 1857. Saving lives of three men of the 32nd. regiment, at + risk of his own, during retreat from Chinhut. + + CUNNINGHAME, Major Sir W. J. M., Bart., Rifle Brigade. Sebastopol, + November 20th., 1854. For his gallantry at the capture of the + rifle-pits. Recorded in French General Orders. + + CUNYNGHAM, Captain W. H. D., Gordon Highlanders. Afghanistan, December + 13th., 1879. For exposing himself to the heavy fire of the enemy at + Shurpur, and by his example encouraging the men who were wavering. + + CURTIS, Boatswain’s Mate H. Sebastopol, June 18th., 1855. Rescuing + wounded soldier. _See_ Rear-Admiral H. J. Raby, c.b. + + DALTON, Assistant-Commander J. L. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, January + 22nd., 1879. For his conspicuous gallantry during the defence, and + saving a man’s life; was severely wounded during the conflict. + + DANAHER, Trooper J., Nourse’s Horse. South Africa, June 16th., 1881. + For attempting to save wounded soldier. _See_ Lance-corporal J. + Murray. + + DANIELS, Midshipman E. St. J., Royal Navy. Inkermann and Redan, + November 5th., and June 18th., 1854–55. Bringing in powder under heavy + fire, and bandaging the arm of his leader, Captain Peel, on the glacis + of the Redan, exposed to a very close and heavy fire. + + D’ARCY, Captain Cecil, Frontier Light Horse. Ulundi, Zululand, July + 3rd., 1879. Endeavouring to save a dismounted trooper, when his horse + had kicked them both off, and the Zulus had closed upon him. + + DAUNT, Colonel J. C. C., 11th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + October 2nd., and November 2nd., 1857. For his bravery at Chota Behar, + where, with Sergeant Dynon, of the 53rd. Foot, he captured two guns; + and gallantry in attacking a large body of mutineers, when he was + dangerously wounded. + + DAVIS, Major-General Gronow, Royal Artillery. Redan, September 8th., + 1855. Gallantry during the attack, and saving the life of Lieutenant + Sanders, 30th. regiment, and other wounded soldiers, under a + “murderous” fire. + + DAVIS, Private James, 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 18th., 1858. + Carrying Lieutenant Bramley’s body from under the very walls of Fort + Ruhya. + + DAY, Captain G. Fiott, Royal Navy. Crimea, October, 1855. Successfully + making two reconnaissances within enemy’s lines at Genitchi, by night, + often up to his knees in water. + + DEMPSEY, Private D., 10th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, August 12th. and March + 14th., 1857–58. For carrying a bag of powder through a burning + village, exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy behind loopholed + walls, and being the first man to enter the village of Jugdispore, + under a very hot fire. + + DIAMOND, Gunner B., Bengal Horse Artillery. Indian Mutiny, September + 28th., 1857, and Gunner R. Fitzgerald. Together working their guns + under heavy fire, and clearing the road of the enemy at Boolundshuhur, + after all their comrades had been killed or wounded. + + DICKSON, General Sir C., K.C.B., Royal Artillery. Sebastopol, October + 17th., 1855. Personally assisting in carrying powder barrels to supply + the batteries, under a heavy fire. + + DIVANE, Private John, 60th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 10th., + 1858. Heading a successful charge on the trenches of the mutineers + before Delhi. Elected by privates of his regiment. + + DIXON, Major-General M. C., Royal Artillery. Sebastopol, April 17th., + 1855. When his battery was blown up by a shell, which destroyed the + parapet and disabled five guns, continuing to defend it till sunset + with one gun. + + DONOHOE, Private P., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, September 28th., + 1857. Going to the support of Lieutenant Blair, who was severely + wounded, and bringing him in through enemy’s cavalry. + + DOOGAN, Private J., 1st. Dragoon Guards. South Africa, January 28th., + 1881. Although himself wounded, he endeavoured, under heavy fire of + the Boers, to induce a wounded officer to take his horse, receiving + another wound while doing so. + + DOUGLAS, Brigadier-Surgeon C. M., M.D., 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. + Little Andaman Island, May 7th., 1867, and Privates T. Murphy, J. + Cooper, D. Bell, and W. Griffiths. For proceeding in a boat, through a + most dangerous surf, to rescue some comrades. _See_ Privates Bell, + Cooper, etc. + + DOWELL, Lieutenant-Colonel G. D., Royal Marine Artillery. Attack on + Viborg, Baltic, July 13th., 1855. Rowing to the assistance of a + disabled rocket-boat of the “Arrogant,” saving three of the crew, and + bringing off the boat under heavy fire of grape and musketry. + + DOWLING, Private W., 32nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, July 4th. and 9th., + and September 27th., 1857. Going out on three occasions to spike guns + under heavy fire from the enemy, and killing a Soubadar by one of the + guns. + + DOWN, Ensign J. F., 57th. Foot. New Zealand, October 2nd., 1863, and + Drummer D. Stagpoole. Bringing in wounded man under close and heavy + fire at Pontoko. + + DUFFY, Private T., 1st. Madras Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, September + 26th., 1857. For his cool intrepidity and daring in saving a + 24-pounder gun from falling into the enemy’s hands. + + DUNDAS, Lieutenant J., Royal Engineers. Bhootan, April 30th., 1865. + For his gallantry in leading attack on a loopholed Blockhouse at + Dewangiri, and entering the place head foremost, through an opening + two feet wide, in the face of 200 desperate men. _See_ Major Trevor. + + DUNLAY, Lance-Corporal J., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., + 1857. For being the first man (surviving) of the regiment to enter the + Secundra Bagh, at Lucknow. Elected by the privates of regiment. + + DUNN, Lieutenant A. R., 11th. Hussars. Crimea, October 25th., 1854. + For saving the lives of Sergeant-Major Bentley and a private, by + attacking and cutting down some of the enemy in the light cavalry + charge at Balaklava. + + DYNON, Sergeant D., 53rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, October 2nd., 1857. For + his distinguished bravery in capturing two guns at Chota Behar, by + shooting the gunners. _See_ Colonel Daunt. + + EDWARDS, Private T., 1st. Batt. Royal Highlanders. Egypt, Tamai, March + 13th., 1884. For his gallantry in defending gun, and, though wounded, + remaining by it. + + EDWARDS, Captain W. W. M., 2nd. Battalion 74th. Light Infantry. Egypt, + Tel-el-Kebir, 1882. For rushing single-handed into a battery of the + enemy, and killing officer in charge. + + ELPHINSTONE, Colonel Sir H. C., K.C.B., Royal Engineers. Crimea, + Redan, June 18th, 1855. For volunteering to command a party of + volunteers to recover ladders left behind after repulse, on the night + preceding, and rescuing twenty wounded men. + + ELTON, Lieutenant-Colonel F. C., 55th. Foot. Sebastopol, August 4th., + 1855. Setting example to his men by personally working under a + dreadful fire in front of the Quarries, and volunteering with a small + party to drive off a body of Russians. + + ESMOND, Lieutenant-Colonel T., 18th. Foot. Redan, June 18th. and + 20th., 1855. For his intrepidity in repeatedly rescuing wounded under + heavy fire, and extinguishing a fire-ball before it could betray the + position of his working party. + + EVANS, Private Samuel, 19th. Foot. Sebastopol, April, 18th., 1855. For + repairing embrasure under a very heavy fire. + + EWART, Sergeant R., 5th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 24th., 1857. + For conspicuous bravery at the Alumbagh, in going to aid wounded + comrade under heavy fire, and bringing him safe into the camp. + + FARMER, Lance-Corporal J. J., Army Hospital Corps. South Africa, + Majuba Mountain, February 27th., 1881. He held a white flag over the + wounded, and when his arm was shot through by the Boers, he called out + that he had “another.” He then held the flag up with the other arm, + until it also was disabled by a bullet. + + FARQUHARSON, Lieutenant F. E. H., 42nd. Highlanders. Indian Mutiny, + March 9th., 1858. Storming bastion and spiking two guns at Lucknow. + + FARRELL, Quartermaster J., 17th. Lancers. Balaklava, October 25th., + 1854. For his devotion in remaining with Captain Webb, when wounded, + and assisting to bring him in, under a shower of shot and shell. + + FFRENCH, Captain A. K., 53rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 16th., + 1857. For his gallantry at the taking of the Secundra Bagh, being one + of the first to enter the building. Elected by the officers of + regiment. + + FITZGERALD, Gunner, R., Bengal Horse Artillery. Indian Mutiny, + September 28th, 1857. For working gun under very heavy fire. _See_ + Gunner B. Diamond. + + FITZGIBBON, Hospital Apprentice A. F., Indian Medical Establishment. + Taku Forts, August 21st., 1860. Attending to wounded under heavy fire, + in which duty he was himself severely wounded. + + FITZPATRICK, Private Francis, 94th. Foot. Sekukuni’s Town, South + Africa. November 28th., 1879, and Private T. Flawn. For carrying out + of action a wounded officer under heavy fire. + + FLAWN, Private T., 94th. Foot. South Africa, November 28th., 1879. + _See_ Private F. Fitzpatrick. + + FLINN, Private T., 64th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 28th., 1857. + For his gallantry in a charge on the enemy’s guns, in which he was + wounded. + + FORREST, Captain G., Bengal Veterinary Estab. Indian Mutiny, May + 11th., 1857. For gallant conduct in defence of Delhi magazine. + + FOSBERY, Lieutenant-Colonel G. V., late 4th. Bengal European Regiment. + India, October 30th., 1863. For volunteering to lead a party to + recapture the Craig Piquet after its garrison had been driven in by + the enemy, and sixty of them killed in desperate hand to hand + fighting. + + FOWLER, Private E., 90th. Foot. South Africa, March 28th., 1879. For + his behaviour at the assault of the Inhlobani Mountain. _See_ + Lieutenant H. Lysons. + + FRASER, Major-General C. C., 7th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, December + 31st., 1858. Swimming, under heavy fire, to the rescue of Captain + Stisted and men of the 7th. Hussars, who were in danger of drowning in + the Raptee, while in pursuit of the mutineers. + + FREEMAN, Private J., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, October 10th., 1857. + Going to the assistance of Lieutenant Jones, who was wounded, and + defending him against several of the enemy. + + GARDINER, Colour-Sergeant George, 57th. Foot. Sebastopol and Redan, + March 22nd., and June 18th., 1855. Rallying covering party which had + been driven in by enemy; and in the attack on the Redan, remaining, + under fire, firing at enemy on the parapet till his ammunition was + exhausted. + + GARDNER, Quartermaster-Sergeant W., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, May + 5th., 1858. For his gallant conduct at Bareilly in saving the life of + his commanding officer, Colonel Cameron, when attacked by three + fanatics, killing two of them. + + GARVIN, Colour-Sergeant S., 1st. Battalion 60th. Rifles. Indian + Mutiny, June 23rd., 1857. Leading a small party, under heavy fire, and + dislodging enemy from the “Sammy House,” also for gallant conduct + during operations before Delhi. + + GIFFORD, Major Lord E. F., 24th. Foot. Ashanti, February 1st., 1874. + For his gallantry at the head of scouts during the war, and especially + at the taking of Becquah. + + GILL, Sergeant-Major P., Loodiana Regiment. Indian Mutiny, June 4th., + 1857. For volunteering with Sergeant-Major Rosamond to bring into + barracks Captain Brown and family from detached bungalow at Benares; + also saving the life of non-commissioned officer, and twice saving the + life of Major Barrett, 27th. Native Infantry. + + GOAT, Lance-Corporal W., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, March 6th., + 1858. For his conduct at Lucknow in twice attempting to recover the + body of Major Smyth in face of the enemy, succeeding the second time. + + GOODFELLOW, Colonel C. A., Royal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, October + 6th., 1859. At the attack on the Fort of Beyt, for recovering, under a + sharp fire, the body of a soldier who was then dead, but whom he + supposed to be only wounded. + + GOODLAKE, Lieutenant-General G. L., Coldstream Guards. Sebastopol, + October 26th., 1854. For holding the Windmill ravine against a much + superior force, and surprising enemy’s piquet. + + GORMAN, Seaman J., Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. Defending the + Lancaster Battery, under a heavy fire, using the muskets of the + disabled soldiers. _See_ Seamen T. Reeves and M. Schofield. + + GOUGH, Colonel Sir C. J. S., K.C.B., 5th. Bengal European Cavalry. + Indian Mutiny, August 15th. and 18th., 1857; January 27th. and + February 23rd., 1858. Distinguished gallantry at Khurkowdah, where he + saved his wounded brother, killing two of the enemy; and for his + intrepid conduct at Shumshabad and Meangunge, where he went to the + assistance of Major O. St. George Anson, and killed his opponent. + + GOUGH, Colonel Sir H. H., K.C.B., 1st. Bengal European Light Infantry. + Indian Mutiny, November 15th., 1857, and November 25th., 1858. + Capturing two guns near Alumbagh, and for charging the enemy’s guns + near Lucknow, where he had two horses killed under him, and was + severely wounded. + + GRADY, Sergeant T., 4th. Foot. Sebastopol, October 18th., 1854. For + volunteering to repair embrasures, under a heavy fire, and refusing to + leave front when severely wounded. + + GRAHAM, Major-General Sir G., Royal Engineers. Redan, June 18th., + 1855. Determined gallantry at the head of a ladder party, and on + several occasions going out of the trenches and bringing in wounded + officers and men, under fire. + + GRAHAM, Private P., 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 17th., 1857. + Bringing in wounded comrade, under heavy fire, at Lucknow. Elected by + privates of the regiment. + + GRANT, Private P., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. + For his gallantry in killing five of the enemy with one of their own + swords, in defence of Colonel Ewart, carrying the colours at the + Secundra Bagh. Elected by privates of regiment. + + GREEN, Colour-Sergeant P., 75th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 11th., + 1857. Rescuing wounded comrade at Delhi, when hotly pressed by the + enemy. + + GRIEVE, Sergeant-Major J., 2nd. Dragoons. Balaklava, October 25th., + 1854. Saving the life of an officer surrounded by the enemy, killing + one, and disabling and dispersing the others. + + GRIFFITHS, Private W., 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. Little Andaman + Island, May 7th., 1867. _See_ Brigadier-Surgeon C. M. Douglas. + + GUISE, Lieutenant-General J. C., C.B., 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, + November 16th. and 17th., 1857. For conspicuous gallantry in action at + Lucknow. Elected by the officers of the regiment. + + HACKETT, Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel T. B., 23rd. Fusiliers. Indian + Mutiny, November 18th., 1857. For rescuing, with Private Monger, at + Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, a wounded corporal, under fire, and removing + thatch from bungalow in order to prevent its being set on fire, under + a heavy fire. + + HALE, Surgeon-Major T. E., M.D., 7th. Foot. Sebastopol, September + 8th., 1855. For remaining with Captain H. M. Jones, who was wounded, + and bringing in wounded under a very heavy fire, after the troops had + retired to the trenches. + + HALL (Coloured) Seaman W., H.M.S. “Shannon.” Indian Mutiny, November + 10th., 1857. _See_ Commander J. Young. + + HAMILTON, Major-General T. de Courcy, 68th. Foot. Sebastopol, May + 11th., 1855. During a sortie, at the head of a small force, recovering + possession of a battery strongly held by the enemy. + + HAMILTON, Lieutenant W. R. P., Bengal Staff Corps. Futtehabad, April + 2nd., 1879. For leading charge (in which his commander, Major W. + Battye, was killed), against a superior force of the Guides, and + rescuing a sowar by cutting down three of the enemy. + + HAMMOND, Major A. G., Bengal Staff Corps. Kabul, December 14th., 1879. + For his distinguished conduct in defending the top of a hill with + rifle and bayonet, covering retiring party, and assisting to carry + away wounded Sepoy under very close and heavy fire. + + HANCOCK, Private T., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, June 19th., 1857, + and Private J. Purcell; before Delhi. Remaining by and assisting in + action Brigadier Grant, his commanding officer, whose horse had been + shot. In doing this he was severely wounded, and Purcell’s horse was + shot under him. + + HARDING, Chief Gunner Israel, H.M.S. “Alexandra,” Alexandria, July + 11th., 1882. For extinguishing fuse of live shell by throwing it into + a tub of water. + + HARRINGTON, Lieutenant H. E., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, 1857, + with E. Jennings (roughrider), J. Park, T. Laughnan, and H. M‘Innes + (gunners.) Elected by officers, non-commissioned officers, and + privates generally, of each troop or battery, for conspicuous + gallantry at the relief of Lucknow, from 14th. to 22nd. November, + 1857. + + HARRISON, Boatswain’s Mate J., Royal Navy. Indian Mutiny, November + 16th., 1857. For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow, in volunteering and + climbing up a tree to reply to the fire of the enemy. _See_ + Rear-Admiral N. Salmon. + + HART, Lieutenant-Colonel R. C., Royal Engineers. Afghanistan, January + 31st., 1879. For running, exposed to the fire of the enemy, some 1200 + yards, and risking his own life to save that of a private sowar of the + 13th. Bengal Lancers. + + HARTIGAN, Pensioned Sergeant H., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, June + 8th. and October 10th., 1857. For distinguished gallantry in rescuing + a wounded comrade surrounded by enemy; also rescuing a comrade from + four of the enemy near Delhi, being disabled in doing so. He ran, + unarmed, to the assistance of Sergeant Crews, who was attacked by four + rebels. Hartigan, with his right hand, seized a tulwar from one of + them, and with his left, hit him in the mouth, then attacking the + other three, he killed one and wounded two. + + HARTLEY, Surgeon-Major E. B., Cape Mounted Rifles, South Africa, + Basutoland, June 5th., 1879. Attended to wounded under heavy fire, and + carrying wounded corporal to place of safety, afterwards returning + under fire to attend again to the wounded. + + HAVELOCK-ALLAN, Lieutenant-General Sir H. M., Bart., C.B., 10th. Foot. + Indian Mutiny, July 16th., 1857. Charging and capturing the last gun + of the enemy at Cawnpore. + + HAWKES, Private D., Rifle Brigade. Indian Mutiny, March 11th., 1858. + Rescuing a wounded comrade under fire. _See_ Corporal Nash and Major + Sir H. Wilmot, Bart., C.B. + + HAWTHORNE, Bugler R., 52nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 16th., + 1857. For his gallantry when forming one of the explosion party at + Delhi, and assisting a wounded officer (Lieutenant Salkeld), under + heavy fire. + + HEAPHY, Major C., Auckland Militia, New Zealand, February 11th., 1864. + For his conduct at the Mangapiko River in assisting a wounded soldier + who had fallen in the midst of the enemy, under a very close and heavy + fire. Five balls pierced his clothes and cap, and he was wounded in + three places. + + HEATHCOTE, Lieutenant A. S., 60th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, 1857. + Volunteering for services of extreme danger, and for gallantry during + the siege of Delhi, June to September, 1857. Elected by officers of + his regiment. + + HENEAGE, Major C. W., 8th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, June 17th., 1858. + With Sergeant J. Ward, Farrier G. Hollis, and Private J. Pearson. For + their bravery in a desperate charge at Gwalior, in which two guns were + captured. Elected by their comrades in the charge. + + HENRY, Captain A., Land Transport Corps. Inkermann, 5th. November, + 1854. Continuing to defend the guns of his battery until he had + received twelve bayonet wounds. + + HEWETT, Rear-Admiral Sir W. N. W., K.C.B. Sebastopol, October 26th., + 1854. Being Mate of H.M.S. “Beagle,” for defending his battery with + one gun against heavy advance of Russians. By mistake an order to + spike the gun was brought, which he disregarded; also for conspicuous + gallantry at Inkermann. + + HILL, Lieutenant A. R., 2nd. Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. + South Africa, Laing’s Nek, January 28th., 1881. Bringing wounded + soldier out of action, then returning and rescuing another, under + heavy fire of the Boers. He had previously attempted to save Lieut. + Baillie, but that officer was again struck and killed while he was + carrying him out of fire. + + HILL, Sergeant S., 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny November 16th. and 17th., + 1857. Saving the life of Captain Irby, his commanding officer, at the + storming of the Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, and going out under a heavy + fire to aid two wounded men; also for his gallant conduct all through + the relief of Lucknow. Elected by the officers of his regiment. + + HILLS-JOHNES, Major-General Sir J., K.C.B., Royal Artillery. Indian + Mutiny, July 9th., 1857. For gallant defence of his post before Delhi. + _See_ Tombs, General Sir H. + + HINCKLEY, Seaman G., H.M.S. “Sphinx.” China, October 9th., 1862. For + his gallant conduct at Fung Wha, in volunteering to carry two wounded + men to place of safety, under heavy fire. + + HITCH, Private Frederick, 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, + Zululand, January 22nd. and 23rd., 1879, and Corporal W. Allen. + Together holding the hospital, a most dangerous post, raked by the + fire of the enemy from a hill, until the patients could be withdrawn. + When prevented by wounds from fighting they continued serving out + ammunition during the night. + + HODGE, Private S. (coloured), 4th. West India Regiment. Africa, June + 30th., 1866. For distinguished bravery at storming and capture of + Tubabecolong, River Gambia. Presented by his commanding officer, + Colonel D’Arcy, to his comrades as the bravest soldier in the + regiment. + + HOLLIS, Farrier G., 8th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, June 17th., 1858. + _See_ Major C. W. Heneage. + + HOLLOWELL, Private J., 78th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 26th., + 1857. Successfully directing defence of a burning house in Lucknow, + against a large force of rebel Sepoys. + + HOLMES, Private Joel, 84th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, October 17th., 1857. + Volunteering to assist in working gun under a heavy fire, by which + almost all the artillerymen were killed. + + HOME, Surgeon-General Sir A. D., K.C.B., 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, + September 26th., 1857, and Assistant-Surgeon W. Bradshaw. Gallantly + defending the wounded left under their charge, for twenty-two hours, + when the troops under General Havelock forced their way into the + Residency of Lucknow. + + HOME, Lieutenant D. C., Bengal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, 1857, and + Lieutenant P. Salkeld and Sergeant J. Smith. Provisionally conferred + upon them by General Sir A. Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., for performing the + desperate duty of blowing in the Cashmere Gate, at Delhi, in broad + daylight, September 14th. None of them survived for the nomination to + be confirmed. + + HOOK, Private Henry, 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, + Zululand, January 22nd. and 23rd., 1879. Defending the hospital and + rescuing eight patients. _See_ Private J. Williams. + + HOPE, Lieutenant W., 7th. Foot. Redan, June 18th., 1855. Assisting in + bringing in wounded officer (Lieut. Hobson), under a very heavy fire. + + HUGHES, Corporal M., 7th. Foot. Sebastopol, June 7th. and 18th., 1855. + Twice fetching ammunition under heavy fire, and bringing in at + different times a wounded officer (Lieut. Hobson, 7th. Fusiliers), and + a wounded private, while so doing he was severely wounded himself. + + HUMPSTON, Sergeant R., Rifle Brigade. Sebastopol, April 22nd., 1855. + With another rifleman capturing rifle-pit occupied by enemy in broad + daylight. For this act he received a gratuity of £5, and was promoted. + + INGOUVILLE, G., Captain of Mast H.M.S. “Arrogant.” Attack on Viborg, + Baltic, July 13th., 1855. Jumping overboard, swimming to and + recovering disabled cutter, which had drifted under enemy’s battery. + + INNES, Colonel J. J. McLeod, Royal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, February + 23rd., 1858. At the action of Sultanpore he was the first up to seize + a gun, and holding another, although quite unsupported and under heavy + fire, till assistance reached him. + + IRWIN, Private C., 53rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. + Although severely wounded he was one of the first to enter the + Secundra Bagh, at Lucknow. Elected by the privates of his regiment. + + JARRETT, Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. T., 26th. Bengal Native Infantry. + Indian Mutiny, October 14th., 1858. For daring bravery at Baroun, with + only four men, in attempting to take possession of a house occupied by + seventy Sepoys, the only approach to which was up a very narrow + street, and under heavy fire. + + JEE, Deputy-Inspector-General J., C.B., 78th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, + September 25th., 1858. For conspicuous gallantry in attending, + protecting, and saving a number of wounded at Lucknow, on the entry of + General Havelock’s relieving force. + + JENNINGS, Roughrider E., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, + November, 1857. _See_ Lieut. H. E. Harrington. + + JEROME, Colonel H. E., 86th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 3rd. and May + 28th., 1858, and Private J. Byrne. For his intrepid conduct at Jhansi, + in bringing in Lieut. Sewell, who was severely wounded, with the + assistance of Private J. Byrne, under very severe fire, and daring + gallantry on other occasions, particularly in an action with a very + superior force of rebels on the Jumna, when he was severely wounded. + + JOHNSTONE, Stoker W., Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Arrogant.” Baltic Sea, April + 12th., 1854. _See_ Rear-Admiral J. Bythesea. + + JONES, Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred S., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, June + 8th., 1857. Capturing one of the enemy’s guns and turning it upon + them. “This was a well conceived act, gallantly executed.”—_Despatch + of Major-General Hope Grant._ + + JONES, Captain H. M., 7th. Foot. Sebastopol, June 7th., 1855. At the + storming of the Quarries, for repeatedly leading on his men to repel + continual night attacks of the enemy, although himself wounded. + + JONES, Private R., 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, January 22nd. + and 23rd., 1879, and Private W. Jones. Defending their post in the + hospital till the last, until six out of seven patients were removed + into the inner line of defence. + + JONES, Private W., 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, 1879. _See_ + Private R. Jones. + + KAVANAGH, Mr. T. H. (“Lucknow Kavanagh”) Assistant Commissioner in + Oudh, Indian Civil Service, Indian Mutiny, November 8th., 1857. + Voluntarily proceeding through the city of Lucknow in disguise, to + camp of Commander-in-Chief, and guiding the relieving force to the + beleaguered garrison in the Residency. + + KEATINGE, Colonel R. H., Bombay Artillery. Indian Mutiny, March 17th., + 1858. At the assault of Chundairee volunteering to lead the column + through the breach, under a heavy cross fire, by a path across the + ditch which he had discovered, receiving two dangerous wounds in the + act. + + KELLAWAY, Boatswain J., Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Wrangler.” Russia, Azoff, + September, 1855. Returning towards enemy to assist Mr. Odevaine, mate, + who had fallen, and endeavouring to rescue him from fifty Russians. + Both taken prisoners after stout resistance. + + KELLS, Trumpet-Major R., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, September 28th., + 1857. For his bravery at Bolundshuhur, in defending his commanding + officer (Captain Drysdale), who was wounded, against numbers of the + enemy and remaining with him till out of danger. + + KENNY, Private J., 53rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. + For bravery at the taking of the Secundra Bagh, at Lucknow, and for + bringing up ammunition under severe cross fire. Elected by the + privates of his regiment. + + KERR, Lieutenant W. A., 24th. Bombay Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + July 10th., 1857. Taking a stronghold near Kholapore, held by a party + of mutineers, by making a dash at a gateway with his dismounted + horsemen, forcing an entrance under fire, and killing and capturing + the whole of the enemy. + + KIRK, Private J., 10th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, June 4th., 1857. + Assisting to rescue officer and family who were besieged by rebels in + a house at Benares. + + KNOX, Major J. S., Scots Guards. Alma and Redan, 1854–55. For his + exertions in re-forming the ranks of the Guards at Alma, and + volunteering for the ladder party in the attack on the Redan, June + 18th. + + LAMBERT, Sergeant-Major G., 84th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, 1857. + Distinguished conduct at Oonao, July 29th., Bithoor, August 16th., and + Lucknow, September 26th. + + LAUGHNAN, Gunner, Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, November, + 1857. _See_ Lieutenant H. E. Harrington. + + LAWRENCE, Major S. H., 32nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, July 7th. and + September 26th., 1857. In a sortie from Lucknow he was the first to + mount a ladder and enter the window of a house strongly held by enemy. + Also charging in advance of his company with two men and capturing a + nine-pounder gun in a sortie. + + LANE, Private T., 67th. Foot. Gallantry at the capture of the Taku + Forts, August 22nd., 1860. _See_ Captain M. Burslem. + + LEACH, Lieutenant-Colonel E. P., Royal Engineers. Afghanistan, March + 17th., 1879. For his bravery in action near Maidanah, in promptly + charging with some men of the 45th. Sikhs a superior force of the + enemy, thereby saving his party from annihilation. In this encounter + he killed two or three of the enemy, and was himself severely wounded. + + LEET, Lieutenant-Colonel W. K., 1st. Battalion 13th. Foot. Zululand, + March 26th., 1879. Rescuing Lieutenant A. M. Smith from Zulus, under + close fire, during the retreat from the Inhlobana. + + LEITCH, Colour-Sergeant P., Royal Engineers. Redan, June 18th., 1855. + Forming a caponière and ramp across the ditch by tearing down gabions + from the parapet, filling and placing them, under heavy fire, until he + was wounded and disabled. + + LEITH, Major J., 14th. Light Dragoons. Indian Mutiny, April 1st., + 1858. For his distinguished conduct at Bretwah, in charging alone, and + rescuing Captain Need from a large number of rebel infantry. + + LENNOX, Major-General W. O., Royal Engineers. Sebastopol, November + 20th., 1854. Establishing a lodgement in rifle-pits, and assisting to + repel assaults. Specially noticed in French general order by General + Canrobert. + + LENNON, Major E. H., 67th. Foot. Capture of Taku Forts, August 22nd., + 1860. For swimming the ditch, and entering the North Fort by an + embrasure during the assault. + + LEQUESNE, Surgeon F. S., M.S. Upper Burmah, May 4th., 1889. For his + gallantry in assisting, while under a close fire from a stockade, + Lieutenant Michel, Norfolk Regiment, who was mortally wounded. Shortly + after he was himself severely wounded while attending to another + wounded officer. + + LINDRIM, Quartermaster-Sergeant W. J., Royal Engineers. Crimea, April + 11th., 1855. Intrepidity in climbing to top of magazine and + extinguishing burning sandbags, and making good the breach, under + fire; also superintending replacing of capsized gabions under very + heavy fire, and for being one of four who volunteered to destroy a + Russian rifle-pit, April 20th. + + LOYD-LYNDSAY, Brevet-Major (afterwards Lord Wantage), _which see_. + + [175]LUCAS, Captain C. D., Royal Navy. Attack on Bomarsund, June 21st, + 1854. Throwing overboard a live shell, which fell on board H.M.S. + “Hector.” + + LUCAS, Colour-Sergeant J., 40th. Foot. New Zealand, March 18th., 1861. + Going to the assistance of Lieutenant Rees, under close and heavy + fire; also remaining at his post guarding arms, though wounded, till + the arrival of supports. + + LUMLEY, Major C. H., 97th. Foot. Redan, September 8th., 1855. For his + bravery at the assault, in which he was severely wounded, being one of + the first inside the work. + + LYONS, Private J., 19th. Foot. Sebastopol, June 10th., 1855. Throwing + live shell over the parapet, which fell in the trenches. + + LYSONS, Lieutenant H., 2nd. Battalion Cameronians. South Africa, March + 28th., 1879, and Private Fowler. Gallantry in dislodging the enemy + from a cave at the assault of the Inhlobane Mountain. + + LYSTER, Colonel H. H., 72nd. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian Mutiny, + May 23rd., 1858. Singly charging and breaking a square of retreating + mutineers from Calpee, killing several of the enemy. + + MCBEAN, Lieutenant-Colonel W., 93rd. Highlanders. Indian Mutiny, March + 11th., 1858. For his distinguished bravery in the breach of the Begum + Bagh, Lucknow, where he killed eleven of the enemy with his own hand. + + MCCORRIE, Private C., 57th. Foot. Sebastopol, June 23rd., 1855. + Throwing a live shell over parapet. + + MCCREA, Surgeon J. F., 1st. Regiment Cape Mounted Police. Transvaal, + January 14th., 1881. For his conduct in attending to the wounded, + under a close and heavy fire, though wounded himself, and carrying a + wounded man to place of safety under a heavy fire. + + MCDERMOND, Private J., 47th. Foot. Crimea, November 5th., 1854. + Rescuing Colonel Haly, lying on the ground, surrounded by a number of + Russians, killing the man who had wounded him. + + MACDONALD, Captain H., Royal Engineers. Sebastopol, April 19th., 1855. + Gallantry in effecting a lodgment in enemy’s rifle-pits, and + persistently carrying on the sap under constant attacks. + + MCDONNELL, Mr. H. T., Magistrate of Sarun, Bengal Civil Service. + Indian Mutiny, July 30th., 1857. Exposing himself to an incessant fire + in order to cut loose the rudder of a boat during retreat of the + troops from Arrah. + + M‘DOUGALL, Private John, 44th. Foot. Taking of Taku Forts, China, + August 21st., 1860. For swimming the ditch. _See_ Major E. H. Lennon. + + MCGAURAN, Sergeant John, 1st. Bengal Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, June + 23rd., 1858. Gallantry before Delhi, when he carried a wounded + comrade, under fire, into camp, at the risk of his own life. + + M‘GAW, Lance-Sergeant S., 42nd. Foot. Amoaful, Ashanti, January 21st., + 1874. Skilfully leading his section through the bush through the whole + day, although severely wounded. + + MCGREGOR, Sergeant R., 2nd. Battalion Rifle Brigade. Sebastopol, April + 22nd., 1855. In the advanced trenches, for crossing open space, under + fire, and dislodging two Russians from a rifle-pit. + + M‘GUIRE, Sergeant J., 1st. Bengal European Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, + September 14th., 1857, and Drummer M. Ryan. At the assault on Delhi + saving many lives at the risk of their own, by throwing burning + ammunition boxes over parapet into the water. + + M‘HALE, Private P., 5th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, October 2nd. and + December 22nd., 1857. For conspicuous bravery at Lucknow, being the + first man, on two occasions, at the capture of a gun from the enemy. + + M‘INNES, Gunner H., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, + November, 1857. _See_ Lieutenant H. E. Harrington. + + MACINTYRE, Major-General Donald, Bengal Staff Corps. Looshai + Expedition, January 4th., 1872. For his gallantry in storming a + stockade at Lalgnoora, under very severe fire, being the first man to + climb over. + + MACKAY, Private D., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. + Capturing the enemy’s colours at the Secundra Bagh, Lucknow. Elected + by the privates of his regiment. + + MCKECHNIE, Sergeant J., Scots Fusilier Guards. Alma, September 20th., + 1854. For his conduct in rallying the men round the colours when the + regiment was disordered. + + MCKENNA, Colour-Sergeant E., 65th. Foot. New Zealand, September 7th., + 1863. For his intrepid coolness in drawing off a small force through a + rugged country while harassed by the enemy, after an engagement near + Cameron Town. + + MACMANUS, Private P., 5th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, September + 26th., 1857. Protecting a party besieged in a house by firing at + rebels from behind a pillar outside; and, with Private J. Ryan, + rushing into the street and rescuing Captain Arnold out of a dhooly, + under close and heavy fire. + + M‘MASTER, Assistant-Surgeon V. M., 78th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, + September 25th., 1857. At Lucknow, for attending to, and bringing in + wounded men under heavy fire. + + MCNEILL, Major-General Sir J. C., K.C.M.G., 107th. Foot. New Zealand, + March 30th., 1864. For his gallantry in rescuing Private Vosper, + thrown from his horse and surrounded by enemy. + + MACPHERSON, Major-General Sir H. T., K.C.B., 78th. Foot. Indian + Mutiny, September 25th., 1857. Distinguished bravery at Lucknow, in + capturing two brass nine-pounders, at the point of the bayonet. + + MCPHERSON, Colour-Sergeant S., 78th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September + 26th., 1857. For rescuing a wounded private lying in exposed + situation, under heavy fire, at the Residency, Lucknow. + + MCQUIRT, Sergeant B., 95th Foot. Indian Mutiny, January 6th., 1858. + For his gallant conduct at the capture of Rowa, when he attacked three + of the enemy single-handed, killing one, and wounding another. In this + service he was wounded by five sabre cuts, and a musket-shot. + + MCWHEENEY, Sergeant W., 44th. Foot. Sebastopol, October 20th. and + December 5th., 1854; and June 18th., 1855. For his conspicuous bravery + in volunteering as a sharpshooter, bringing in wounded men, on two + occasions under a very heavy fire, and volunteering for the advanced + guard on the Cemetery. He was never absent from duty during the war. + + MADDEN, Sergeant-Major A., 41st. Foot. Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. + Heading a party of his regiment and taking prisoners one officer and + fourteen privates, three of whom he took himself, alone. + + MAGNER, Drummer M., 33rd. Foot. Abyssinia, April 13th., 1868, and + Private J. Bergin. For their gallantry at the assault of Magdala, + being the first to enter. _See_ Private J. Bergin. + + MAHONEY, Sergeant P., 1st. Madras Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, September + 21st., 1857. For distinguished gallantry in aiding in the capture of + the colours of the mutineers at Mungulwar. + + MALCOLMSON, Lieutenant J. G., 3rd. Bombay Light Cavalry. Persia, + February 8th., 1857. Saving the life of Colonel Moore in the midst of + a square of the enemy. _See_ Colonel A. T. Moore. + + MALONE, Sergeant Joseph, 13th. Light Dragoons. Balaklava, October + 25th., 1854. Staying by Captain Webb, 17th. Lancers, mortally wounded, + under heavy fire, himself on foot, his horse having been shot. + + MANGLES, Mr. R. L., Assistant-Magistrate, Patna, B.C.S. Indian Mutiny, + July 30th., 1858. As a volunteer; during the retreat from Arrah, + binding up the wounds, and carrying for several miles to the boats, a + wounded soldier, while wounded himself, and under a murderous fire, + which killed or wounded almost the whole detachment. + + MANLEY, Deputy-Surgeon-General W. G. N., Royal Artillery. New Zealand, + April 29th., 1864. At the assault on the Gate Pa, near Tauranga, + risking his life to save Commander Hay, R.N., and others. + + MARLING, Lieutenant P. S., King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Soudan, Tamai, + March 13th., 1884. Saving the life of a wounded soldier at the risk of + his own, by placing him on his horse. + + MARSHALL, Quartermaster-Sergeant W. T., 19th. Hussars. Soudan, El Teb, + February 29th., 1884. Saving life of Colonel Barrow, 19th. Hussars, + whose horse had been killed under him. + + MAUDE, Colonel F. C., C.B., Royal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, July + 12th., 1857. At the head of his artillerymen, one third of whom were + killed in this service, checking advance of the enemy in General + Havelock’s march on Cawnpore. + + MAUDE, Lieutenant-General Sir F. F., K.C.B., 3rd. Foot. Redan, + September 8th., 1855. For remarkable bravery during the attack, and + holding a position till dangerously wounded. + + MAYO, Midshipman A., Indian Navy. Indian Mutiny, November 22nd., 1857. + For his gallantry in leading the advance against two six-pounder guns, + which were keeping up a heavy fire. + + MELVILLE, Lieutenant, 24th. Foot. _See_ Lieutenant Coghill. + + MILLAR, Private D., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, January 15th., 1859, + and Private W. Cook. In the action at Maylah Ghaut, when all the + officers and the colour-sergeant were either killed or wounded, going + to the front and directing the company, displaying a courage which was + admired by all who witnessed it. + + MILLER, Lieutenant-Colonel F., Royal Artillery. Inkermann, Nov. 5th., + 1854. For having personally attacked three Russians, and gallant + defence of guns when surrounded by the enemy. + + MILLER, Conductor J., Bengal Ordnance Department. Indian Mutiny, + November 28th., 1857. Going to assistance of Lieutenant Glubb, who was + wounded, at great personal risk, and carrying him out of action. + + MITCHELL, Captain of the Foretop of H.M.S. “Harrier.” New Zealand, + April 29th., 1864. Bringing Commander Hay out of the Gate Pah when + mortally wounded, although ordered by that officer to leave him, and + seek his own safety. + + MONAGHAN, Trumpeter T., 2nd. Dragoon Guards. Indian Mutiny, October + 8th., 1858. For saving the life of Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour, + commanding the regiment. _See_ Corporal C. Anderson. + + MONGER, Private G., 23rd. Regiment. Indian Mutiny, November 18th., + 1857. _See_ Lieutenant-Colonel B. Hackett. + + MOORE, Colonel A. T., 3rd. Bombay Light Cavalry. Persia, February + 8th., 1857, and Lieutenant J. G. Malcolmson. Colonel Moore leaped his + horse into the enemy’s square, his horse was killed and his sword + broken, and he would have been killed had not Lieutenant Malcolmson + fought his way to his aid and carried him off through a crowd of + enemies. + + MOORE, Colonel H. G., 88th. Foot. South Africa, December 29th., 1877. + For his gallant conduct in an action against the Gaikas, near Komgha, + in endeavouring to save the life of a soldier surrounded by the enemy, + not giving up the attempt till the man was killed, and himself + wounded. + + MORLEY, Private S., Bengal Military Train. Indian Mutiny, April 15th., + 1858, and Private M. Murphy. Bravery in saving the life of Lieutenant + Hamilton, when unhorsed, wounded, and surrounded by enemy. + + MOUAT, Surgeon-General J., C.B., 6th. Dragoons. Balaklava, October + 26th., 1854, and Quartermaster C. Wooden. Going to the assistance of + Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, 12th. Lancers, who was lying wounded in an + exposed situation, and dressing his wounds in presence of the enemy, + under fire. + + MOYNIHAN, Ensign A., 8th. Foot. Redan, September 8th., 1855. + Personally engaging and killing five Russians, and rescuing a wounded + officer under heavy fire. + + MULLANE, Sergeant P., Royal Horse Artillery. Afghanistan, Maiwand, + July 27th., 1880. Carrying a wounded comrade out of action, and + fetching water under heavy fire. + + MUNRO, Colour-Sergeant J., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., + 1857. For gallantry at Secundra Bagh in going to the assistance of + Captain Walsh, who was wounded, and removing him to a place of safety. + + MURPHY, Private M., Military Train. Indian Mutiny, April 15th., 1858. + _See_ Private S. Morley. + + MURPHY, Private T., 24th. Foot. Little Andaman Island, 1867. _See_ + Surgeon-Major C. M. Douglas, Private Bell, etc. + + MURRAY, Lance-Corporal J., 2nd. Battalion Connaught Rangers, and + Trooper J. Danaher, Nourse’s Horse. South Africa, January 19th., 1881. + Attempting to save a wounded private under heavy fire of the Boers, by + which Murray was himself severely wounded. + + MURRAY, Sergeant J., 68th. Foot. New Zealand, June 21st., 1864. For + distinguished bravery in attacking alone a rifle-pit, occupied by + eight or ten Maories, killing or wounding them all. + + MYLOT, Private P., 84th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, July 21st., 1857. Being + first to take possession of an enclosure under a shower of balls, and + gallantry on all occasions. Elected by the privates of his regiment. + + NAPIER, Sergeant W., 13th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 6th., 1858. For + his gallant conduct near Azimghur in protecting a wounded private and + carrying him to a place of safety, under heavy fire. + + NASH, Corporal W., Rifle Brigade. Indian Mutiny, March 11th., 1858. + For his conduct in helping rescue a wounded comrade, though severely + wounded himself. _See_ Major Sir H. Wilmot, Bart., C.B. + + NEWELL, Private E., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, March 19th., 1858. + Gallantry at Lucknow, in assisting comrade whose horse had fallen, and + bringing him away under heavy fire of musketry. + + NORMAN, Private W., 7th. Foot. Sebastopol, December 19th., 1854. When + on sentry, in a post of much danger, capturing two out of three + Russians who were reconnoitring, without alarming the Russian pickets. + + O’CONNOR, Colonel Luke, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Alma and Redan, + September 20th., 1854, and September 8th., 1855. When Sergeant at the + Alma, taking colours from wounded officer and carrying them till end + of action, though himself wounded; and gallantry at the assault on the + Redan, where he was shot through both thighs. + + ODGERS, Seaman W., H.M.S. “Niger.” New Zealand, March 28th., 1860. + Being the first to enter a Pah and assisting to haul down the enemy’s + colours. + + O’HEA, Private T., 1st. Battalion Rifle Brigade. Canada, June 19th., + 1866. For extinguishing fire in a railway car containing ammunition, + between Quebec and Montreal. + + OLPHERTS, General W., C.B., Royal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, September + 25th., 1857. For distinguished bravery in capturing two guns in face + of a heavy fire of grape, in the city of Lucknow, and returning under + fire for limbers and horses to carry them off. + + OSBORNE, Private J., 58th. Regiment. South Africa, February 22nd., + 1881. Going to assist a wounded soldier in the front of a strong body + of Boers, and removing him under a heavy fire. + + O’TOOLE, Sergeant E., Frontier Light Horse. Ulundi, Zululand, July + 3rd., 1879. For his gallantry on several occasions, especially in + assisting Lord W. Beresford to rescue Sergeant Fitzmaurice when almost + surrounded by Zulus. + + OWENS, Sergeant J., 49th. Foot. Sebastopol, October 30th., 1854. + Gallantry in personal encounter with the Russians, and nobly assisting + Major Connolly, Coldstream Guards. + + OXENHAM, Corporal W., 32nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, June 30th., 1857. + Saving the life of Mr. Capper, Bengal Civil Service, under heavy fire. + + PALMER, Private Anthony, Grenadier Guards. Inkermann, November 5th., + 1855. For his gallantry in charging singly a party of the enemy, and + saving Sir C. Russell’s life. _See_ Russell, Sir C. + + PARK, Sergeant J., 77th. Foot. Alma and Inkermann, September 20th. and + November 5th., 1854, and April 19th., 1855. For distinguished bravery + at the battles of Alma and Inkermann, and gallantry at taking of + rifle-pits and at both assaults on the Redan. + + PARK, Gunner J., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, November, 1857. + _See_ Lieutenant H. E. Harrington. + + PARKES, Private Samuel, 4th. Light Dragoons. Balaklava, October 25th., + 1854. Defending Trumpet-Major Crawford in the retreat on two occasions + against overwhelming odds, and saving his life the first time. + + PATON, Sergeant J., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. + For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow, in proceeding alone round the + Shah Nujiff, under fire, and discovering a breach on the opposite + side, to which he conducted his regiment, and the place was taken. + Elected by non-commissioned officers of the regiment. + + PEARSON, Sergeant J., 86th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 3rd., 1858. + Attacking a number of armed rebels at the storming of Jhansi, killing + one and wounding two others; also bringing in a wounded private under + heavy fire, at Calpee. + + PEARSON, Sergeant John, 8th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny. Gwalior, June + 17th., 1858. _See_ Major C. V. Heneage. + + PEEL, Captain W., Royal Navy. The Crimea, 1854–1855. On October 18th., + 1854. For his intrepidity in taking up a live shell from the midst of + several powder cases, outside a magazine, and throwing it over the + parapet (it burst as it left his hands), thereby saving the magazine + and many lives. On November 5th., 1854, at Inkermann, he joined the + officers of the Grenadier Guards in defending the colours of the + regiment. On June 18th., 1855, he volunteered to lead a ladder party + at the assault on the Redan, and carried the first ladder until he was + wounded. + + PERCY, Colonel Hon. H. H. M., Grenadier Guards. Inkermann, November + 5th., 1854. Charging singly into the sandbag battery and extricating + some men who had charged too far, and were surrounded by the enemy. + + PERIE, Sapper J., Royal Engineers. Redan, June 18th., 1855. For + conspicuous bravery in leading the sailors with ladders, and rescuing + a wounded man under fire, although himself wounded. + + PHILLIPS, Ensign E. A. L., 11th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian + Mutiny. Would have received the Victoria Cross for many gallant deeds + during the siege of Delhi had he survived. He captured the Water + Bastion with small party of men at the assault of that city, and was + killed there on September 18th. + + PICKARD, Lieutenant A. F., Royal Artillery. New Zealand, November + 20th., 1863. For gallantry at the assault on Rangiriri, in crossing + and re-crossing a point exposed to a concentrated fire, to procure + water for the wounded, when no one else would perform the service. + _See_ Surgeon-Major W. Temple. + + PITCHER, Captain H. W., 4th. Punjaub Infantry. Umbeyla, India, October + 30th., 1863. For his bravery in leading two assaults to retake the + Crag Piquet, in the latter of which he was severely wounded. _See_ + Fosbery, G. V. + + PRENDERGAST, Major-General H. N. D., Madras Engineers. Indian Mutiny, + November 21st., 1857. For attempting to cut down a Velaitee who was + about to shoot Lieutenant Dew; and for gallantry in the actions at + Ratgurh and Betwa, when he was severely wounded. + + PRETTYJOHN, Corporal J., Royal Marines. Inkermann, November 5th., + 1854. For placing himself in an advanced position and shooting four + Russians. + + PRIDE, T., Captain of Afterguard H.M.S. “Euryalus.” Seki, Japan, + September 6th., 1864. Gallantly supporting Midshipman Boyes when + carrying the colours in action, until wounded. + + PROBYN, Lieutenant-General Sir D. M., K.C.S.I., C.B., 2nd. Punjaub + Cavalry. Indian Mutiny, September, 1857. For several acts of + distinguished gallantry, amongst them capturing a standard in the + midst of a number of the enemy. + + PROSSER, Private J., 1st. Foot. Sebastopol, June 16th. and August + 11th., 1855. Pursuing and capturing, while exposed to two cross fires, + a soldier in act of deserting to the enemy; and assisting to bring in + a wounded man under heavy fire. + + PURCELL, Private J., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, June 19th., 1857. + Assisting Brigadier Grant. _See_ Private T. Hancock. + + PYE, Lieutenant C., 53rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 17th., 1857. + For bringing up ammunition under fire at Lucknow, and gallantry on + every occasion. Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the + regiment. + + RABY, Rear-Admiral H. J., c.b., Sebastopol, June 18th., 1855, and + Captain of Forecastle J. Taylor, and Boatswain’s mate H. Curtis. After + the assault on the Redan, carrying in a wounded soldier under heavy + fire. + + RAMAGE, Sergeant H., 2nd. Dragoons. Balaklava, October 26th., 1854. + Saving the life of a wounded comrade when surrounded by seven + Russians; also bringing in prisoner from the Russian lines, and + carrying to the rear another wounded soldier, under a very heavy fire. + + RAYNOR, Captain W., Bengal Veterinary Estab. Indian Mutiny, May 11th., + 1857. For his gallantry in defence of the magazine at Delhi. + + READE, Deputy Surgeon-General H. T., 61st. Foot. Indian Mutiny, + September 14th. and 16th., 1857. For dislodging with a small force a + party of rebels firing on the wounded, and gallantry at the assault of + Delhi, where he was one of the first up the breach, and helped to + spike one of the guns of the enemy. + + REEVES, Seaman T., Royal Navy. Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. + Defending battery under heavy fire, and repeated attacks. _See_ Seamen + J. Gorman and M. Scholefield. + + RENNIE, Lieutenant-Colonel W., 90th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September + 21st. and 25th., 1857. For his bravery in the advance on Lucknow, and + at that city, in charging guns in advance of his column, in the face + of a heavy fire. + + RENNY, Major-General G. A., Royal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, September + 16th., 1857. For his heroism in preventing the enemy firing the + magazine at Delhi, by climbing to the top of the wall and throwing + lighted shells amongst them. + + REYNOLDS, Surgeon-Major J. H., M.B., Army Medical Department. Rorke’s + Drift, Zululand. January 22nd. and 23rd., 1879. For his attention to + the wounded under fire, and for fetching ammunition for defenders of + the hospital under a cross fire. + + REYNOLDS, Private W., Scots Fusilier Guards. Alma, September 20th., + 1854. For his conspicuous gallantry in rallying the men round the + colours when the line was disordered. + + RICHARDSON, Private G., 34th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 27th., 1859. + For his determined courage at Kewanie, having, when one of his arms + was disabled, closed with and secured a rebel armed with a loaded + revolver. + + RICKARD, Quartermaster W., Royal Navy. Black Sea, October 11th., 1855. + Remaining to assist fallen comrade under close fire. _See_ Admiral Sir + J. E. Commerell. + + RIDGEWAY, Captain R. K., Bengal Staff Corps. Konoma, Eastern frontier + of India, November 22nd., 1879. For his bravery in attempting to + destroy a barricade, under a heavy fire, in which duty he was severely + wounded, at Genitchi. + + ROBERTS, Lieutenant-General Sir F. S., Bart., G.C.B., Bengal + Artillery. Indian Mutiny, January 2nd., 1858. Capturing a standard + from two Sepoys, single-handed, at Khodagunge, and for conspicuous + gallantry on every occasion. + + ROBERTS, Chief Gunner John. Black Sea, May 29th., 1855. Setting fire + to stores, in face of enemy. _See_ Captain Buckley. + + ROBERTS, Private J. R., 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, September 28th., + 1857. Bringing a wounded comrade through a street under heavy fire, in + which he was himself wounded, at Bolundshuhur. + + ROBINSON, Seaman E., Naval Brigade. Indian Mutiny, March 13th., 1858. + For having, at Lucknow, extinguished a fire among the sandbags of a + battery under very heavy fire of musketry. + + RODDY, Lieutenant-Colonel P., Bengal Army. Indian Mutiny, September + 27th., 1857. For charging and cutting down a rebel armed with a + musket, who killed his horse; and other gallant acts. + + RODGERS, Private G., 71st. Foot. Indian Mutiny, June 16th., 1858. For + daring conduct in attacking alone a party of seven rebels strongly + posted, killing one of them, at Marar, Gwalior. + + ROGERS, Colonel R. M., 44th Foot. Capture of Taku Forts, China, August + 21st., 1860, with Lieutenant E. H. Lenon, and Private J. M‘Dougal. For + swimming the ditches, and being the first in the fort, entering + through an embrasure. _See_ Lieutenant Lenon. + + ROSAMOND, Serjeant-Major M., 37th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian + Mutiny, June 4th., 1857. Accompanying Lieutenant-Colonel Spottiswoode + to fire the lines of mutinous Sepoys at Benares, and volunteering to + bring in Captain Brown, his family, and others from a detached + bungalow. + + ROSS, Corporal J., Royal Engineers. Sebastopol and Redan, July 21st. + and August 23rd., 1855. For distinguished conduct in placing and + filling gabions under heavy fire and light balls, and creeping to the + Redan and reporting its evacuation on the night of September 8th. + + ROWLANDS, Major-General H., c.b., 41st. Foot. Inkermann, November + 5th., 1854. Rescuing Colonel Haly when wounded and surrounded by + Russians, and gallantly holding his post on picquet. + + RUSH, Serjeant-Major David, 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, March 19th., + 1858. For conspicuous bravery near Lucknow, in attacking with one man + eight of the enemy, killing three of them. + + RUSSELL, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir C., Bart., Grenadier Guards. + Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. Volunteering to dislodge a party of + Russians from the Sandbag Battery, if anyone would follow him. The + attack was successful. + + RYAN, Private John, 1st. Madras Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, September + 26th., 1857. For his gallantry in saving the wounded from being + massacred at Lucknow. + + RYAN, Lance-Corporal J., 65th. Foot. New Zealand, September 7th., + 1863. For his conduct, with Privates Bulford and Talbot of the same + regiment, in removing Captain Smith, who was mortally wounded, from + the field of action, and remaining beside his body all night in the + bush. + + RYAN, Drummer M., 1st. Bengal European Fusiliers. Indian Mutiny, + Delhi, September 14th., 1857. _See_ Serjeant-Major J. M‘Guire. + + SALKELD, Lieutenant P., Bengal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, September + 14th., 1857. Mortally wounded in the desperate duty of blowing in the + Cashmere Gate. _See_ Lieutenant D. C. Home. + + SALMON, Rear-Admiral N., C.B., Naval Brigade. Indian Mutiny, November + 16th., 1857; and Boatswain’s Mate John Harrison. Climbing, under fire, + a tree, touching the angle of the Shah Nujiff, in order to reply to + the fire of the enemy, when Captain Peel had called for volunteers. + + SARTORIUS, Lieutenant-Colonel E. H., 59th. Foot. Afghanistan, October + 24th., 1879. Leading party of five men of the 59th. Regiment at + Shahjui against enemy of unknown strength, and dislodging them from a + strong position on the top of a hill. In this service he was wounded. + + SARTORIOUS, Lieutenant-Colonel R. W., C.M.G., 6th. Bengal Cavalry. + Ashanti, January 17th., 1874. At Abogov, removing wounded + non-commissioned Houssa officer under heavy fire and placing him under + cover. + + SCHIESS, Corporal, Natal Native Contingent. Rorke’s Drift, Zululand, + January 22nd., 1879. For conspicuous gallantry in repulsing Zulus with + the bayonet; also creeping along a wall and shooting three others who + were firing from the wall which had been abandoned. + + SCHOLEFIELD, Seaman M. Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. _See_ Seamen J. + Gorman and T. Reeves. + + SCOTT, Major A., Bengal Staff Corps. India, July 6th., 1877. Saving + the life of Lieutenant Kunhardt, at Quetta, from some Pathan coolies, + bayoneting two and closing with a third. + + SCOTT, Lieutenant R. G., Cape Mounted Rifles. South Africa, April + 8th., 1879. In the attack on Moirosi’s Mountain, attempting to throw + time shells over a stone barricade amongst the enemy, under a heavy + fire. In the performance of this duty he was severely wounded. + + SEELY, Seaman W., H.M.S. “Euryalus.” Japan, September 6th., 1864. + Daring in ascertaining enemy’s position, and remaining at the front + after being wounded. + + SELLAR, Lance-Corporal G., Seaforth Highlanders. Kabul, December + 14th., 1879. For his bravery at Asmai, being first at top of a hill + and cutting down one of the enemy after fierce fight, in which he was + wounded himself. + + SHAW, Lieutenant-Colonel H., 18th. Foot. New Zealand, January 24th., + 1865. Rescuing a wounded soldier under heavy fire, and with the + assistance of four privates who volunteered, bringing him in, on two + occasions the same day. + + SHAW, Private S., 3rd. Battalion Rifle Brigade. Indian Mutiny, January + 13th., 1858. Attacking and killing a Ghazee with his short sword, + after a desperate struggle, in which he was himself wounded. + + SHEBBEARE, Captain R. H., 60th. Bengal Native Infantry. September + 14th., 1857. At the assault on Delhi, attempting to reorganise his men + before walls of loopholed serai, and conducting rear-guard of retreat + across a canal, though severely wounded. + + SHEPPARD, Boatswain J., H.M.S. “St. Jean d’Acre.” Sebastopol, July + 15th., August 16th., 1855. Twice proceeding into the harbour alone in + a punt, and endeavouring to blow up a Russian man-of-war. + + SHIELDS, Corporal R., 23rd. Foot. Sebastopol, Redan, September 8th., + 1855. Volunteering to go out and bring in Lieutenant Dynely, who was + mortally wounded, under heavy fire. + + SIMPSON, Major J., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 15th., 1858. At + the attack on the fort of Ruhya, bringing in first a wounded officer, + and then a wounded man, under close and heavy fire. + + SIMS, Private J., 34th. Foot. Redan, 18th. June, 1855. Bringing in + wounded under heavy fire, in broad daylight. + + SINNOT, Lance-Corporal J., 84th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, October 6th., + 1857. For distinguished gallantry at Lucknow in going out with + Sergeants Glynn and Mullins, and Private Mullins, to the rescue of + Lieutenant Gibaut, who was wounded, and bringing him in under heavy + fire. Selected by his companions as the most worthy. + + SLEAVON, Corporal M., Royal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, April 3rd., + 1857. At the attack on the fort at Jhansi, continuing to work at head + of sap under heavy fire. + + SMITH, Gunner Albert, Royal Artillery. At Abu Klea, Soudan, January + 17th., 1885. Defending Lieutenant Guthrie, Royal Artillery, who was + mortally wounded. + + SMITH, Colonel F. A., 43rd. Foot. New Zealand, June 21st., 1864. + Gallantly leading his company to attack a position at Tauranga, + although wounded. + + SMITH, Lance-Corporal H., 52nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 14th., + 1857. Carrying away wounded comrade under heavy fire of grape and + musketry at Delhi. + + SMITH, Sergeant J., Bengal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, Delhi, September + 14th., 1857. _See_ Lieutenant Home. + + SMITH, Private J., 1st. Madras Fusiliers (102nd. Regiment). Indian + Mutiny, November 16th., 1857. For having been one of the first to try + and enter the Secundra Bagh, and on the gate being forced, he was + among the first inside. He received immediately three desperate + wounds, but fought his way out, and performed his duties for the day. + Elected by the privates of the regiment. + + SMITH, Corporal P., 17th. Foot. Redan, June 18th., 1855. For + repeatedly going out in front of the trenches and bringing in wounded, + under heavy fire. + + SPENCE, Troop Sergeant-Major, 9th. Lancers. Indian Mutiny, January + 17th., 1858. Rescuing a wounded comrade from a number of rebels, at + Shumsabad. + + SPENCE, Private E., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 15th., 1858. He, + with Lance-Corporal Thomson, would have been recommended for the + decoration, for having covered retreat of the party bringing in the + body of Lieutenant Willoughby, under heavy fire, but he died from + wounds received when doing so. + + STAGPOOLE, Drummer D., 57th. Foot. New Zealand, October 2nd., 1863. + Has also the medal for distinguished service in the field. _See_ + Ensign J. T. Down. + + STANLOCK, Private W., Coldstream Guards. Sebastopol, October, 1854. + For volunteering to crawl up within six yards of Russian sentry, + thereby enabling officer in command of reconnoitring party to effect a + surprise. + + STEWART, Major W. G. D., 93rd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, November 16th., + 1857. For his gallantry at Lucknow in leading attack and capturing two + guns. Elected by the officers of the regiment. + + STRONG, Private George, Coldstream Guards. Sebastopol, September 1855. + Throwing away live shell which fell in the trenches. + + SULLIVAN, Chief Boatswain J. Sebastopol, April 10th., 1855. Placing + flag on a mound at great risk, so as to enable fire to be opened on a + concealed Russian battery. + + SUTTON, Bugler W., 60th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, September 13th., 1857. + Reconnoitring the breach at Delhi the night before the assault, and + rushing over trenches when the enemy was attacking in force, and + killing a bugler who was about to sound. Elected by the privates of + the regiment. + + SYLVESTER, Assistant-Surgeon H. T., 23rd. Foot. Redan, September 8th., + 1855. Going out under heavy fire to dress the wounds of Lieut. Dynely, + who was laying mortally wounded, and assisting the wounded under fire + on other occasions. + + SYMONS, Lieutenant G., Military Train. Sebastopol, June 6th., 1855. + Unmasking battery under terrific fire, in which act he was severely + wounded. + + TAYLOR, J., Captain of the Forecastle. Sebastopol, June 18th., 1855. + _See_ Rear-Admiral H. J. Raby, C.B. + + TEESDALE, Colonel C. C., Royal Artillery. Defence of Kars, September + 29th., 1855. Driving the enemy from a redoubt, the key of the + position, and rallying Turkish artillerymen when driven from their + guns, and inducing them to return to their post; and also, at great + personal risk, saving many of the wounded Russians from the fury of + the Turks. + + TEMPLE, Surgeon-Major W., Royal Artillery. New Zealand, November + 20th., 1863; and Lieutenant A. F. Pickard. For their devoted conduct + in assisting the wounded under heavy fire, during the assault of + Rangiriri. + + THACKERY, Lieutenant-Colonel E. T., Bengal Engineers. Indian Mutiny, + September 16th., 1857. For daring in extinguishing a fire in the + magazine at Delhi, under close musketry fire, and at imminent risk of + being blown up. + + THOMAS, Bombardier J., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, September + 27th., 1857. Carrying away wounded comrade under heavy fire, during a + sortie from Lucknow. + + THOMSON, Lance-Corporal A., 42nd. Foot. Indian Mutiny, April 15th., + 1858. Volunteering to assist in bringing in an officer’s body under + heavy fire. _See_ General Cafe. + + THOMPSON, Private J., 60th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, July 9th., 1857. For + saving the life of his captain (Wilton) when surrounded by a party of + Ghazees, and gallantry on all occasions. Elected by the privates of + the regiment. + + TOMBS, Major-General Sir H., K.C.B., Bengal Artillery. Indian Mutiny, + July 9th., 1857. Twice going to the assistance of Lieutenant Hills, + before Delhi, killing his man on each occasion. _See_ Lieutenant + Hills. + + TRAVERS, General J. Indian Mutiny, July 1st., 1857. For his bravery in + the attack on the Presidency at Indore, when, supported by only five + men, he charged the guns of the mutineers, and by this act saved the + lives of many European fugitives. + + TREVOR, Colonel W. S., Royal Engineers. Bhootan, April 30th., 1865; + and Lieutenant J. Dundas. Gallantry in leading attack on a loopholed + blockhouse at Dewangiri. _See_ Lieutenant Dundas. + + TREWAVAS, Seaman J., H.M.S. “Beagle.” Straits of Genitchi, July 3rd., + 1855. Cutting hawsers of the floating bridge at Genitchi under heavy + fire, in which he was wounded. + + TURNER, Private S., 60th. Rifles. Indian Mutiny, June 19th., 1857. At + Delhi, during a severe fight with the mutineers, he carried off on his + shoulders Lieutenant Humphreys, who was mortally wounded, and was + himself wounded in so doing. + + TYTLER, Lieutenant-Colonel J. A., 60th. Bengal Native Infantry. Indian + Mutiny, February 10th., 1858. For charging rebel guns in advance at + Choorpoorah, and engaging gunners alone hand to hand, till the guns + were carried. In the action he was severely wounded. + + VOUSDEN, Major W. J., Bengal Staff Corps. Kabul, December 14th., 1879. + Charging with a small party through and through superior force of + retreating Kohistanees, backwards and forwards several times, on the + Asmai heights. + + WADESON, Colonel R., 75th. Foot. Indian Mutiny, before Delhi, July + 18th., 1857. Twice saving a soldier’s life when attacked by rebel + sowars. + + WALKER, Major-General M., 30th. Foot. Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. + By his example encouraging his comrades to repulse a superior force of + Russian Infantry. + + WALLER, Colour-Sergeant G., 60th. Rifles. Indian Mutiny, September + 14th. and 18th., 1857. For conspicuous gallantry at Delhi, in charging + and capturing guns. Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the + regiment. + + WALLER, Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. F., 25th. Bombay Light Infantry. + Indian Mutiny, June 20th., 1858. For distinguished bravery in + capturing Gwalior by storm, with a handful of men. Lieutenant Rose, + the only other European present, was killed in the assault. + + WALTERS, Sergeant G., 49th. Foot. Inkermann, November 5th., 1854. + Rescuing Brigadier-General Adams when surrounded by the enemy, one of + whom he killed. + + WANTAGE, Lord (Loyd-Lindsay, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir R. J., K.C.B.), + Scots Fusilier Guards. Alma and Inkermann, 1854. At the Alma, + re-forming the line, and standing firm with the colours; and at + Inkermann, charging and repulsing a strong body of Russians with a few + men. + + WARD, Private H., 78th. Highlanders. Indian Mutiny, September 25th. + and 26th., 1857. Escorting and protecting Lieutenant H. M. Havelock, + and a private, who were wounded, through heavy cross fire, to a place + of safety, at Lucknow. + + WARD, Sergeant J. 8th. Hussars. Indian Mutiny, June 17th., 1858. For + gallantry at Gwalior. _See_ Major C. W. Heneage and Private Pearson. + + WASSAL, Private S., 80th. Foot. Zululand, Isandhlwana, January 22nd., + 1879. Rescuing comrade from drowning, under heavy and close fire, in + the Buffalo river. + + WATSON, Major-General J. C. B., 1st. Punjaub Cavalry. Indian Mutiny, + November 14th., 1857. For distinguished conduct in attacking rebel + cavalry in advance of his men, and dismounting their leader in single + combat. + + WHEATLEY, Private F., Rifle Brigade. Sebastopol, November 10th., 1854. + Throwing live shell over parapet of the trenches. + + WHIRLPOOL, Private F., 3rd. Bombay European Regiment. Indian Mutiny, + April 3rd. and May 2nd., 1858. Bringing in wounded under heavy fire, + at the attack on Jhansi, and going to the rescue of Lieutenant Donne, + who was wounded, at Lohari. In this service he received _seventeen_ + wounds, but his gallant example greatly contributed to the success of + the day. + + WHITE, Lieutenant-Colonel G. S., 92nd. Foot. Afghanistan, October + 7th., 1879, and September 1st., 1880. For his gallantry at Charasiah, + in dislodging overwhelming numbers of enemy from fortified hill, with + only two companies of his regiment. His men exhausted with climbing, + he advanced alone and shot the enemy’s leader, causing the rest to + retreat; also dashing forward on another occasion and capturing a gun + at Candahar. + + WILKINSON, Bombardier Thomas, Royal Marine Artillery. Sebastopol, June + 5th., 1855. For his conduct in the advanced trenches, in repairing + work under heavy fire. + + WILLIAMS, Private John, 2nd. Battalion 24th. Foot. Rorke’s Drift, + Zululand, January 22nd. and 23rd., 1879, and Private H. Hook. + Gallantly defending and rescuing hospital patients. _See_ Privates + Hitch, Jones, etc. + + WILMOT, Major Sir Henry, Bart., C.B., Rifle Brigade. Indian Mutiny, + March 11th., 1858; and Corporal W. Nash and Private D. Hawks. For his + gallantry in covering retreat of three of his men, who were carrying + away a wounded comrade exposed to the fire of the enemy. + + WILSON, Captain A. K., H.M.S. “Hecla.” Soudan, El Teb, February 29th., + 1884. Engaging, in defence of a Gardner gun, several of the enemy, + single-handed and wounded. + + WOOD, Major-General, Sir H. E., K.C.B., 17th. Light Dragoons. Indian + Mutiny, October 19th., 1858. Attacking and routing almost + single-handed, a body of rebels at Sindwaho; and with two soldiers + rescuing a Potail from band of robbers, near Sindhora. + + WOOD, Colonel J. A., Bombay Staff Corps. Persia, December 9th., 1856. + At Bushire he was first on the parapet, and although struck by seven + bullets, he cut down the leader of the enemy, and established himself + in the place. + + WOODEN, Quartermaster Charles, 17th. Lancers. Balaklava, October + 26th., 1854. Saving life of Colonel Morris. _See_ Surgeon-General J. + Mouat, C.B. + + WRIGHT, Private A., 77th. Foot. Crimea. For conspicuous gallantry + throughout the whole war. He greatly distinguished himself on several + occasions, and was twice wounded. + + YOUNG, Commander J., Royal Navy. Indian Mutiny, November 10th., 1857, + and Captain of Foretop, W. Hall, H.M.S. “Shannon.” Gallantry in + working a 24-pounder gun brought up to the angle of the Shah Nujiff, + at Lucknow. + +Since the above list has been in type, three officers have won the +Cross, for the distinguished bravery shown by them during the recent +operations in the Hunza and Nagar Country, on the Gilgit frontier, in +December, 1891; namely, Captain F. H. Aylmer, of the Royal Engineers, +and Lieutenants G. H. Boisragon and J. M. Smith, of the Indian Staff +Corps. Capt. Aylmer and Lieutenant Boisragon gained the decoration for +their conspicuous gallantry in the assault and capture of the Nilt Fort, +December 2nd., 1891. Captain Aylmer accompanied the storming party, and +blew open the inner gate of the place with gun cotton, and, though +severely wounded, continued fighting till he fainted from loss of blood. +Lieutenant Guy H. Boisragon led the assault, and returned for +reinforcements, under a heavy cross fire. The Cross was given to +Lieutenant J. M. Smith for the gallantry with which he led the storming +party at the attack and capture of a very strong position near Nilt, in +the Hunza-Nagar country, December 20th., 1891, which had stopped the +advance of the force for seventeen days. + +[Illustration: + + The Indian Mutiny Medal. +] + + + + + THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL. + 1857–1858. + + +This medal, which is by L. C. Wyon, Esq., was granted by a General +Order, dated August 18th., 1858. The obverse has the Queen’s head, +diademed, with the superscription “Victoria Regina,” and on the reverse +Britannia is represented in an erect position, instead of being seated. +In her right hand, outstretched, is a laurel wreath. An oval shield with +the crosses of the Union is on the left arm, and in the hand are other +wreaths. The British Lion forms an appropriate background, above is the +word “India,” and in the exergue the date 1857–1858. The ribbon is +French-white, with two red stripes. It was granted to all engaged in +operations against the rebels or mutineers, and was also conferred on +non-military persons who had borne arms as volunteers against them. +There are five bars attached, respectively inscribed “Delhi,” “Defence +of Lucknow,” “Relief of Lucknow,” “Lucknow,” and “Central India.” The +first clasp was granted to the troops employed in the operations +against, and at the assault of, Delhi; that for the “Defence of Lucknow” +was conferred on all of the original garrison, under Major-General +Inglis, and to those who succoured them, and continued the defence under +Major-Generals Sir Henry Havelock and Sir James Outram, until relieved +by Lord Clyde; “Relief of Lucknow” was given to the troops engaged in +the operations against that place, under the immediate command of Lord +Clyde, in November, 1857; and the clasp of “Lucknow” was awarded to the +force engaged under his lordship’s immediate command in March, 1858, in +the final capture of the town, and in all operations connected +therewith; “Central India” was granted to the column under Major-General +Sir Hugh Rose, G.C.B., engaged in the operations against Jhansi, Calpee, +and Gwalior, and also to the troops, which, under the command of +Major-Generals Roberts and Whitlock respectively, performed such +important service in Central India. Four was the greatest number of bars +issued with any one medal, and the medal was given to the Naval Brigade, +without a bar, and with bars, for “Relief of Lucknow,” and “Lucknow.” + + + + + SIEGE OF DELHI. + 30TH. MAY TO 14TH. SEPTEMBER, 1857. + + +Sunday, the 10th. of May, 1857, will never cease to be remembered in +India. An outbreak, for some time contemplated, broke out at Meerut in +the afternoon of that day. A century had elapsed since Clive’s +celebrated battle of Plassey, the forerunner of so many victories gained +in India, by the valuable co-operation of the Native troops, when the +latter, forgetful of their former glories and of their loyalty, burst +out into mutiny, with the view of overthrowing British supremacy in the +East; the outbreak of Vellore, in the Madras Presidency, in 1806, having +been the only exception to the long-continued fidelity of the Sepoy +soldier. During the operations against Persia the Court of Delhi had +entered into correspondence with the Shah, and Dost Mahomed, the +Sovereign of Cabool, had been urged to invade the Punjab when, by the +secession of the Bengal native army, the time should be opportune. The +grievance of the greased cartridges was indeed urged, but the +combination had been for some time forming, and the name of the King of +Delhi, over eighty years of age, was imagined to be a “tower of +strength” in the endeavour to be made to restore the supremacy of the +Mogul dynasty. + +There is no doubt the rebellion was prematurely commenced; but scenes of +the most heart-rending descriptions occurred, and several officers, +ladies, and even children fell victims to the brutality of the Sepoys. +Outbreaks occurred at Allahabad, Jhansi, Azimghur, Bareilly, Lucknow, +Cawnpore, Benares, and other places; the European women and children +being, in many cases, murdered, and the several mutinous regiments all +made for Delhi, hastening thither, as a central point, from all +quarters, and committing the greatest outrages. + +When the mutineers had seized Delhi, and proclaimed a descendant of the +Mogul as king, their next object was to gain the chief magazine in that +city. After a gallant defence it was exploded by order of Lieutenant +Willoughby, who died of his wounds. Sculley and Buckley were the two +gunners, and the former, who fired the train, escaped, together with the +other heroes Lieutenants Forrest and Raynor. + +At this momentous period the Commander-in-Chief in India was General the +Honourable George Anson, who had proceeded to Simla to escape the heat +of the plains. Immediately upon receiving intelligence of the mutiny, he +hurried to Umballa, and collecting all the available troops,[176] +marched on Delhi, but died of cholera at Kurnaul on the 27th. of May. +His successor was Major-General Reed, who on the day following quitted +Rawul Pindee, and arrived early in June at the camp of Major-General Sir +Henry Barnard, K.C.B., at Aleepore, where a numerous force had been +collected. + +While Brigadier-General Archdale Wilson hastened with a body of troops +from Meerut to join the former, the mutineers from Delhi attempted to +intercept his march. He was attacked on the 30th. of May at +Ghazee-ood-deen-nuggur, when seven hundred British soldiers defeated a +disciplined force more than seven-fold their number. This is considered +as the commencement of operations before Delhi. + +On the following day (Whit-Sunday) the attack was renewed, and the enemy +was again repulsed, twenty-six guns being captured. The 6th. Dragoon +Guards and first battalion 60th. Rifles have reason to be proud of their +deeds performed this day. No further opposition was encountered, and +Brigadier-General Wilson joined Sir Henry Barnard at Aleepore. The +united forces commenced their march shortly after midnight, and +Brigadier-General Reed being unable from sickness to proceed with the +army, the command devolved on Major-General Sir Henry Barnard. + +At dawn on the 8th. of June the British arrived before Badlee-ke-Serai, +a fortified position, when the enemy opened fire. Brigadier Hope Grant, +C.B., with his column, consisting of portions of the 9th. Lancers, 6th. +Dragoon Guards. 75th., first battalions 60th. and 87th. were highly +distinguished. On the regimental colour of the 75th. appeared the Royal +Tiger, gained in former fields in India, and they added to their +well-earned reputation by charging the enemy with the bayonet, who +abandoned the whole of his guns. + +This entrenched position being carried, Sir Henry Barnard divided his +army into two columns, one of which proceeded along the main trunk road +under Brigadier-General Wilson, while the other marched under his own +command to the site of the Delhi cantonments, before they were burnt. +Here on an eminence the mutineers were posted, which position was taken +by Sir Henry Barnard, the enemy being forced to abandon their guns; +while this rapid flank movement to the left, by Brigadier Wilson’s +column forcing its way through gardens with high walls, compelled the +foe to take refuge in Delhi, the two commanders meeting at a place named +Hindoo’s Rao’s House. + +In these actions the Ghoorkas, evinced that gallantry which was so +prominent during every subsequent encounter with the enemy. + +After these events the British army took up a position before Delhi. The +force at this period comprised the following Queen’s regiments:—two +squadrons of the 6th. Dragoon Guards (Carabineers), the 9th. Lancers; +head-quarters and six companies of the 60th. Rifles; head-quarters and +nine companies of the 75th. Regiment; in addition to these were three +troops of horse artillery; a company of foot artillery, a detachment of +sappers and miners, the first Bengal Fusiliers; and the head-quarters +and six companies of the second Fusiliers, and the Sirmoor battalion. + +A strongly-built residence, named Hindoo Rao’s House, on the top of a +high eminence about half a mile in advance of the camp, offered an +excellent position for bombarding the town, and from the three batteries +erected thereon a constant fire of shot and shell was kept up. Between +Hindoo Rao’s House and the Grand Trunk Road the ground was rough and +rocky, covered with brushwood and enclosed gardens, over which the +Sepoys frequently crept up in skirmishing order, availing themselves of +the shelter thus afforded, but they were always repulsed by the guides +and riflemen, being at times pursued nearly to the city walls. Every +mutineer who was captured was at once shot or bayoneted. + +The lines of defence were gradually advanced, and the rebels were driven +from the Subzee Mundee, formerly used as a market for vegetables, and +the Serai, a large building in front of it, which the British strongly +fortified, together with the Pagoda opposite the Moree Gate. + +Early in June cholera appeared in the camp; this added to the trials of +the troops; there being in consequence of the small force scarcely any +rest by night, as the limited numbers barely admitted of relief, +lessened as they were by those required for picket duty. Fighting by +day, and being on the alert for a renewal of the conflict by night, +occasioned great fatigue, and shewed what British troops can endure; +besides which the ammunition supplies were not very plentiful for heavy +ordnance.[177] Another large Serai, near the Ajmeer Gate, was gallantly +taken on the 17th. of June, by a body of troops under Major Tombs, of +the artillery. + +In consequence of a prophecy that the 23rd. of June, the centenary +anniversary of Plassey, was to be fatal to British rule in India, a +determined effort was made by the mutineers on that morning, who +advanced from the city in large bodies, and attacking the batteries, +kept up a sustained and vigorous fire throughout the day. Their prophets +proved false, for the enemy was beaten as usual. + +This victory of the 23rd. of June occasioned much rejoicing in the camp. +Frequent skirmishes occurred towards the end of the month, and during +July. The besieging force had now been strengthened by a wing of the +8th. Foot and of the 61st. Regiment. + +Early in July Sir Henry Barnard died of cholera, when the command +devolved on Major-General Reed, who, although the senior, had +relinquished it to him upon the decease of General Anson. Reed, on +account also of ill-health, was soon compelled to give over the command +to Brigadier-General Wilson. The 8th. and 61st. Regiments suffered +severely from cholera, attributed to their long march during the height +of the rainy season. The former, in four months, from July to October, +lost one hundred and thirty-three men, and the deaths in the latter +during the same period amounted to two hundred and forty-six. + +A sortie was made by the enemy on the 9th. of July. During the forenoon +of the 14th. another attack occurred in which Brigadier-General +Chamberlain, the Adjutant-General, was severely wounded; Captain Norman, +of the 31st. Native Infantry (frequently thanked in the dispatches for +his services), the second in the department, was appointed to carry on +the duties of this arduous office. On the 18th. and 23rd. other sorties +took place, and the rebels were again repulsed. + +Two dense columns of the enemy attempted, on the 31st. of July, to gain +the rear of the British camp, but the bridges having been destroyed, +they were unable to cross the canal, and after a brisk cannonade the +troops returned to the city. An attack sustained with great +determination occurred on the 1st. of August, the anniversary of the +great Mahomedan festival, commemorating Abraham’s sacrifice, not of +Isaac, but of Ishmael, when the mutineers received a severe punishment. +Brigadier Showers, on the 12th. of that month, succeeded in capturing +four of the enemy’s guns. Four days previously Brigadier-General +Nicholson reached the camp in advance of his column, which had been +employed in disarming rebellion in the Punjab;[178] his force consisting +of two thousand five hundred men, Europeans and Sikhs, was a welcome +addition to the army before Delhi. + +Brigadier-General Nicholson gained a brilliant victory over the enemy at +Nujjuffghur, twenty miles from Delhi, on the 25th. of August, and thus +prevented an attack upon the rear of the British camp. + +For some time the siege train from Meerut had been anxiously expected, +and on the morning of the 4th. of September it arrived. + +A crisis was now fast approaching; fifty-four siege guns were placed in +position in several batteries, and on the 11th. of September an +incessant fire was opened, and sustained, upon the line of defence +between the Water and Cashmere Gates. The latter was in ruins on the +13th., and shortly after three o’clock on the following morning, the +assaulting columns prepared to advance. There were four columns of +attack; Brigadier-General Nicholson commanded the first; +Brigadier-General Jones the second; Brigadier Campbell the third; and +Major Reid the fourth. There was also a fifth reserve column under +Brigadier Longfield. + +It being necessary to blow open the Cashmere Gate, in order that the +attacking force might effect an entrance into the city, this desperate +duty was performed by Lieutenants Home and Salkeld,[179] of the +Engineers. The latter died of his wounds, and the former was shortly +afterwards killed by an explosion, whilst blowing up a fort abandoned by +the rebels in Bolundshuhur. + +Brigadier Nicholson with the first column of attack, consisting of three +hundred men of the 75th., two hundred and fifty of the 1st. European +Bengal Fusiliers, and five hundred of the 2nd. Punjab Infantry was +ordered to assault the breach in the Cashmere Curtain Gate. A portion +escaladed the left face of the bastion of the gate, while the remainder, +covered by the fire of the 60th., rushed up the breach made upon their +left of the gate. After reaching the Cabool Gate, so destructive a fire +was opened by the enemy, that the advancing troops were compelled to +desist. Their gallant commander, Nicholson, whilst inducing the men to +renew the attempt, here fell mortally wounded, and died nine days +afterwards. Colonel Herbert, of the 75th., was previously wounded on the +glacis, and the command of this portion of the assaulting column +devolved on Captain William Brookes, of that regiment. + +Brigadier William Jones with the second column, composed of the 8th., +2nd. European Bengal Fusiliers, and 4th. Sikh regiment of infantry (the +storming party consisted of seventy-five men of these corps, and the +assault was led by Brevet-Major R. S. Baynes, of the 8th. Foot, who was +dangerously wounded), covered by the fire of the skirmishers of the +60th. Rifles, advanced through the breach in the bastion at the Water +Gate, and gained possession of the walls as far as the Cabool Gate +without meeting any check. Upon reaching the latter the troops turned +one of the guns immediately on the Lahore Gate, from which the foe was +firing grape and round shot. + +Colonel George Campbell, of the 52nd. Light Infantry, proceeded with the +third column of assault, consisting of two hundred and forty of the +52nd., five hundred of the 1st. Punjab Infantry, and two hundred and +sixty of the Kumaon battalion, and when the Cashmere Gate had been blown +open by the explosion, the stormers rushed in, and in a short time the +column gained possession of the main guard, where so many murders had +occurred at the outbreak of the mutiny and at once advanced to the +attack of the great mosque, the Jumma Musjid, situated about the centre +of the city. When almost close to the mosque, it was found that there +were no means of gaining an entrance, the force being without +powder-bags or artillery; and having to sustain a concentrated musketry +fire from the surrounding houses, the column was eventually compelled to +withdraw. + +Major Reid, of the Sirmoor Battalion, who led the fourth column +(consisting of fifty men of the 60th. Rifles, two hundred Sirmoor +Battalion, one hundred and sixty 1st. Fusiliers, two hundred Guides, +twenty-five Coke’s Corps, sixty-five Kumaon Battalion, eighty 61st. +Regiment,—seven hundred and eighty in all), was severely wounded; his +fall checked the advance of the Goorkhas; Captain D. D. Muter, of the +1st. battalion of the 60th., succeeded to the command; and the rush of +the Rifles and Fusiliers placed them for a moment in possession of the +breastwork at the end of the Serai of Kishengunge, but being +unsupported, were unable to maintain the position, under the heavy +flanking fire to which they became exposed. + +Meanwhile the cavalry brigade (consisting of two hundred of the 9th. +Lancers, and four hundred and ten Natives from the Guides, 1st., 2nd., +and 5th. Punjab Cavalry, and Hodson’s Horse; with three guns of the +first Troop Horse Artillery, and four guns of the second, under Major +Toombs), commanded by Brigadier Hope Grant, forming in front of the +walls, proceeded to the Cabool Gate, and although exposed to a heavy +fire, did excellent service by preventing the mutineers, who came out in +great numbers through the gardens, from attacking the British batteries. +During the operation on the 14th. of September the casualties amounted +to eleven hundred and seventy killed, wounded, and missing. + +Lieutenant-Colonel Deacon, of the 61st., succeeded in capturing the +magazine in the city of Delhi, on the 16th. of September. Not a word was +spoken, not a trigger pulled, until the stormers and the support had +reached the summit of the breach and the magazine yard, when a cheer and +a charge were given and made, on which the enemy, taken most completely +by surprise, fled precipitately, throwing down the port-fires at their +guns. Several of them were bayoneted close to the breach, the others +were closely pursued by the 61st. and the 4th. Punjab Infantry. A party +under Lieutenant-Colonel Rainey, of the former (under the guidance of +Captain H. W. Norman, Assistant-Adjutant-General), having passed through +the magazine, turned to their left, and spiked a gun, which was in +position on the eastern wall of the city, and which was pointed at the +College Garden Battery; here the enemy fought desperately. +Assistant-Surgeon Reade and Colour-Sergeant Mitchell, both of the 61st., +also spiked a gun. One hundred and seventy guns, together with stores of +all descriptions, were found in the magazine. During the fore and +afternoon attacks were made by the rebels, which were repulsed on every +occasion by the troops then within the walls, under Lieutenant-Colonel +Farquhar, of the Belooch Battalion. + +A determined opposition was kept up for a few days in the city, and only +slow progress was made; but on the morning of the 20th., possession was +secured of the Lahore Gate, and the troops then advanced upon the other +bastions and gates, until the entire defences of the city were acquired. +The enemy, unable to withstand the uninterrupted and vigorous fire from +the guns and mortars, from the first entrance of the city by the +British, and the steady and persevering advance of the troops, at length +took to flight, abandoning their camp, property, and several of their +sick and wounded, besides the greater portion of their field artillery; +some four or five thousand fled across the bridge of boats into the +Doab, or country between the Jumna and the Ganges, and the rest along +the right bank of the former river. + +After the gate of the palace had been blown in, it was occupied by the +troops about noon on Sunday, the 20th. of September, and the +head-quarters of Major-General Wilson were established therein the same +day. The rapid advance upon the Jumna Musjid by Major Brind, of the +artillery, with a detachment of fifty men of the 8th. Foot, and twenty +of the 1st. Bengal European Fusiliers, under the command of Captain +Bannatyne, of the former regiment, an entrance into which was forced +about an hour and a half prior to the assault upon the palace, +contributed towards the success of the operations, and the complete +occupation of the city. At sunrise on the 21st. a royal salute +proclaimed that Delhi was again under British rule; the aged Sovereign, +after a trial, being sent a prisoner for life to Rangoon.[180] + +When the capture of Delhi was completed, a flying column, under the +command of Lieutenant-Colonel E. H. Greathed,[181] consisting of the +9th. Lancers, 8th. and 75th. Regiments, the 2nd. and 4th. Punjab +Infantry, two hundred of Hodson’s Horse with the 1st., 2nd., and 5th. +Punjab Cavalry and Horse Artillery, proceeded on the morning of the +23rd. of September, from Delhi in a south-easterly direction upon +Bolundshuhur and Allyghur, with a view of cutting off the mutineers on +the right bank of the Jumna, in their endeavour to pass the river into +the Doab. At Bolundshuhur, on the 28th. of September, the column +defeated a body of the enemy, and afterwards destroyed the fort of +Malaghur; here, Lieutenant Home, who shared in the blowing open of the +Cashmere Gate at Delhi, met an accidental death by an explosion of +gunpowder. While on the march along the Great Trunk road to Allyghur, +the rebels were again encountered and scattered. + +Pursuing this successful course the troops arrived at Agra, after a +night march from Hattrass; fatigued as they were, and while preparing to +encamp, an attack was suddenly made upon them on the 10th. of October, +by a numerous body of the enemy. In the action which ensued, the 9th. +Lancers were specially mentioned. Lieutenant-Colonel Cotton, commanding +at Agra, at once repaired to the camp, and assumed the command, but +Lieutenant-Colonel Greathed was not aware of his presence for some time. +The attack was soon overpowered, and turned into a complete rout, +notwithstanding several ineffectual attempts to make a stand, and the +pursuit was continued during the rest of the day for a distance of +eleven miles, the whole of the enemy’s guns, twelve in number, being +captured. This was effected under the rays of an Indian sun, and with +comparatively small loss, but the casualties of the enemy were immense. + +Lieutenant-Colonel Greathed having crossed the Jumna was joined, on the +14th. of October, by Brigadier Hope Grant,[182] who, as senior officer, +took the command. After dismantling the fort of a rebel Rajah of +Mynporee, who did not attempt any resistance, the column put to flight a +body of fugitives from Delhi, killing many of them. Possession was +gained of the fort of Jhujjur by Brigadier Showers, on the 17th. of +October, which is regarded as the close of the operations against Delhi. +Brigadier Grant, continuing his march, arrived at Cawnpore on the 28th. +of October, and on the 30th. crossed the Ganges, reaching the vicinity +of the Alumbagh on the 8th. of the following month. + +The troops engaged at Delhi were—Artillery (European and Native); 6th. +Dragoon Guards; 9th. Lancers; 1st. and 2nd. Hodson’s Horse; and 1st., +2nd., and 5th. Punjaub Cavalry; 8th., 52nd., 60th., 61st., and 75th. +Royal Bengal Fusiliers; Bengal Sappers and Miners; 32nd. Bengal +Infantry; 1st., 2nd., 4th. and 24th. Punjaub Infantry; 2nd. and 3rd. +Ghoorkas; 4th. Sikh Infantry; 27th. Bombay Light Infantry; Irregular and +Guide Cavalry and Infantry; and the Belooch Battalion. + + + + + DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW. + 29TH. JUNE TO 25TH. SEPTEMBER, 1857. + + +Sir Henry Lawrence, having received information in the evening of the +29th. of June, that a body of rebels were about to march upon Lucknow +from the village of Chinnahut, distant about eight miles from the town, +determined on making a reconnoissance. This was accordingly commenced on +the following day. Misled by the reports of wayfarers, who stated that +there were few or no men between Lucknow and Chinnahut, the troops +proceeded a greater distance than was originally intended, and suddenly +fell in with the enemy, who had up to that moment eluded the vigilance +of the advanced guard by concealing themselves, in overwhelming numbers, +behind a long line of trees. + +For some time the foe was held in check by the force, composed of three +hundred of the 32nd., and portions of the 13th., 48th., and 71st. Native +Infantry, with the howitzer; but the Oude artillerymen and drivers were +traitors, and they overturned their six guns into ditches, cut the +traces of their horses, and abandoned them, notwithstanding the +remonstrances of their own officers, and of those on Sir Henry +Lawrence’s staff, the Brigadier himself heading them, and drawing his +sword upon the caitiffs. Thus exposed to a vastly superior fire of +artillery, and completely outflanked on both sides by the enemy’s +infantry and cavalry, which actually penetrated to the rear, the British +were forced to retire with the loss of three pieces of artillery, and +with a sad list of killed and wounded. + +By this untoward event the whole available force was so far diminished, +that there was not a sufficient number of men remaining to occupy the +Residency and the fort named Muchhee Bhowun, an old dilapidated edifice +which had been hastily put in repair, although the defences were far +from complete, and were moreover commanded by many houses in the city. +The Brigadier-General therefore, on the 1st. of July,[183] signalled the +garrison of the Muchhee Bhowun to evacuate and blow up that fortress in +the course of the night. The orders were ably carried out, and at twelve +p.m. the troops marched into the Residency with their guns and treasure, +without the loss of a man; and shortly afterwards the explosion of two +hundred and forty barrels of gunpowder and six millions of ball +cartridges, which were lying in the magazine, announced to Sir Henry +Lawrence and his officers—who were anxiously waiting the report—the +complete destruction of that post, and all that it contained. If it had +not been for this wise and strategic measure, no member of the Lucknow +garrison, in all probability, would have survived to tell the tale: for, +as the Muchhee Bhowun was commanded from other parts of the town, and +was moreover indifferently provided with heavy artillery ammunition, +while the suffering and loss which the Residency garrison (even with the +reinforcements thus obtained) endured in holding the position, proved +that if the original intention of holding the two posts had been adhered +to, both would inevitably have fallen. + +A sad calamity occurred at the outset. On the first of July, an +eight-inch shell burst in the room of the Residency in which Sir Henry +Lawrence was sitting. The missile burst between him and Mr. Couper, +close to both, but without injury to either. The whole of his staff +implored Sir Henry to take up other quarters, as the place had then +become the special target for the round shot and shell of the enemy. +This, however, he jestingly declined to do, observing that another shell +would certainly never be pitched into that small room. On the very next +day, however, he was mortally wounded by the fragment of another shell +which burst exactly in the same spot, and Captain Wilson, +Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, received a contusion. Sir Henry +Lawrence terminated his distinguished career on the morning of the 4th. +of July, having previously directed Brigadier-General Inglis to take the +command of the troops, and Major Banks to succeed to the office of chief +commissioner. + +Scarcely had the garrison recovered this shock, when it had to lament +the death of Major Banks, who received a bullet through his head while +examining a critical outpost on the 21st. of July. + +When the blockade was commenced only two of the batteries were +completed, and the defences were in an unfinished condition, the +buildings in the immediate vicinity, which gave cover to the enemy, +being only partially cleared away. Indeed the heaviest losses were +caused by the fire from the enemy’s sharpshooters, stationed in the +adjoining mosques and houses of the native nobility, the necessity of +destroying which had been repeatedly pressed on Sir Henry by the staff +of engineers, but his invariable reply was, “Spare the holy places, and +private property as far as possible;” and the garrison consequently +suffered severely from this tenderness to the religious prejudices, and +respect to the rights, of the rebellious citizens and soldiery. + +Then ensued a defence as heroic as any in the annals of war. The +narrative of Brigadier Inglis, simple and earnest, will never be +forgotten by his countrymen. By it the reader will see that not a +building within the walls of the Residency was safe;[184] the wounded +were shot while in hospital, and ladies and children met the same fate +in houses considered secure. The enemy, while working the guns concealed +by the trenches, were shielded from the fire of the garrison, upon whom +an incessant cannonade was kept up until the 20th. of July, at ten +o’clock, on which morning the besiegers, in great numbers, after +exploding a mine within the British defences, attempted to storm the +Residency, and did not cease their efforts until two o’clock in the +afternoon, being driven back by the gallant defenders, who were +sustained by the consciousness of the mighty trust committed to their +charge. + +It was not until the 10th. of August that another assault was attempted, +although during the interval the forlorn garrison became exposed to a +constant fire, with famine staring it in the face. This second attempt, +similar in its features to the first, commencing with the springing of a +mine close to the brigade mess, although repeated at various points, met +with a like result; in some instances the defenders, acting like +grenadiers of a former time, dislodged the foe with hand-grenades. On +the 18th. of August another mine was sprung in front of the Sikh lines +with deadly effect, burying alive eleven men beneath the ruins, whence +it was impossible to extricate them, owing to the tremendous fire kept +up by the enemy from houses distant less than ten yards in front of the +breach. Captain Orr, unattached, and Lieutenants Mecham and Soppitt were +blown into the air, but, wonderful to state, received no further injury +than a severe shaking. A general assault followed the explosion, which +was soon repulsed; but the enemy succeeded in establishing themselves in +one of the houses of the British position, from which they were driven +in the evening by the bayonets of the 32nd. and 84th. regiments. + +Fresh mines were sprung on the 5th. of September, when the last serious +assault was made. It was in vain; all these repeated attacks met +everywhere with defeat. Thus ended the four great struggles which +occurred during the siege. For eighty-seven days and nights officers and +men stood or slept under arms. + +Notwithstanding all the hardships experienced, the garrison made no less +than five sorties, in which two of the enemy’s heaviest guns were +spiked, and several of the houses, from which a harassing fire was +experienced, were blown up. Cholera, small pox, and an unknown, but +fatal disease, added to the loss sustained from the enemy’s fire. +Delicate women, some whilst in their earliest grief for the loss of +their husbands, assisted in nursing the sick and wounded. The names of +Birch, Polehampton, Barbor, and Gall, will descend to posterity as +worthy imitators of Florence Nightingale. + +The conduct of the 32nd. (reduced to less than three hundred), and the +detachment of the 84th. was splendid. The loyalty of the native troops, +but especially the 13th., was never surpassed. The other regiments were +the 48th. and 71st. Native Infantry,[185] the European and Native +Artillery, and the Sikhs of the respective corps.[186] The number of +artillerymen was so reduced, that on the occasion of an attack, the +gunners, although aided by men of the 32nd. regiment, and by volunteers +of all classes, had to run from one battery to another, wherever the +enemy’s fire was hottest, there not being nearly sufficient men to serve +half the number of guns at the same time. Eventually the number of +European gunners was only twenty-four, while, including mortars, there +were no less than thirty guns in position. So near too were the heavy +guns of the assailants, that their taunts and threats addressed to the +native defenders could be easily heard; besides which many of the +British military airs, such as “Brighton Camp,” “See, the Conquering +Hero Comes,” and the “National Anthem,” were, with matchless effrontery, +frequently played by the enemy. + +In general orders it was announced that “There does not stand recorded +in the annals of war an achievement more truly heroic than the defence +of the Residency at Lucknow. The good services of H.M.’s 32nd. regiment +throughout this struggle have been remarkable.” + +“LUCKNOW” has been authorized to be borne on the regimental colour and +appointments of the 32nd., which for its gallantry, has been constituted +light infantry; and the Queen’s officers and men of the garrison were +allowed to reckon one year’s additional service. + +While the force, under Brigadier Inglis, afterwards advanced to the rank +Major-General, and appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath, had been +defending the Residency of Lucknow, the eyes of Europe were directed to +the efforts made for its relief by Brigadier-General Havelock, who, +after his Division in Persia had been broken up, proceeded to Bombay, +and thence to Calcutta. He was immediately selected to command a +moveable column, and hearing that the mutineers were proceeding from +Cawnpore[187] towards Futtehpore, a forced march, under a burning sun, +was made upon that place. Major Renaud joined him on the road with about +eight hundred troops, the latter having been actively engaged in +suppressing the mutiny in the neighbourhood. This column consisted of +the third company eighth battalion of the Royal Artillery, seventy-six; +1st. Madras Fusiliers, three hundred and seventy-six; 64th. regiment, +four hundred and thirty-five; 78th. Highlanders, two hundred and +eighty-four; 84th. regiment, one hundred and ninety; detachment of the +Bengal Artillery, twenty-two; Volunteer Cavalry, twenty; total British, +one thousand four hundred and three. The native troops:—The Regiment of +Ferozepore, four hundred and forty-eight; 13th. Irregular and 3rd. Oude +Irregular Cavalry, ninety-five; Galundauze, eighteen; total native +troops, five hundred and sixty-one; in all, one thousand nine hundred +and sixty-four. It is computed that the mutineers numbered three +thousand five hundred, and they occupied a strong position at +Futtehpore, with twelve guns. + +Pushing forward two of their guns, they commenced, on the 12th. of July, +a cannonade on the British front, while a body of infantry and cavalry +threatened the flanks. The enemy had imagined an easy victory over Major +Renaud’s force, but they found Brigadier-General Havelock ready to +receive them. Astonished by the precision of the fire of the guns under +Captain Maude, of the Royal Artillery, and the deadly aim of the Enfield +rifles, they fell back upon Futtehpore in disorder, leaving three of +their cannon. Here they endeavoured to make a stand, but were compelled +to take to flight, abandoning twelve guns. This victory, in Havelock’s +order of the day, was attributed “to the British Artillery, to the +Enfield rifle, to British pluck, and to the blessing of Almighty God.” + +Brigadier-General Havelock continued his march upon Cawnpore, and on the +15th. of July was twice engaged with the mutineers, first at the village +of Aeng, and next at the bridge over the Pandoo Nuddee. Successful in +both instances, the column pushed on, having captured the two guns with +which it had been intended to defend the bridge. After it had been +carried, information was received that Nena Sahib occupied a position at +Ahirwa; this position was a very strong one, and in order to save the +troops from the fire of his heavy guns, the British General make a flank +movement, which resulted on the 16th. in a direct charge with the +bayonet. The 78th. Highlanders, gallantly led by Colonel Hamilton, +supported by the Madras Fusiliers, succeeded in turning the enemy’s left +flank; while the 64th. and 84th., and the Regiment of Ferozepore, broke +the right: the mutineers were driven headlong on Cawnpore, leaving a +twenty-four pounder on the field. + +The victors bivouacked on the ground, from which the roofless barracks +at Cawnpore could be perceived. When Nena Sahib[188] saw that nothing +could withstand the advance of the avenging column, he gave directions +on the 17th. for the massacre of the women and children in his power, +and with savage barbarity caused their bodies to be thrown into a well. + +Early on that morning a heavy explosion was heard, arising from the +blowing up, by the enemy, of the magazine at Cawnpore, when Nena Sahib +was withdrawing thence upon Bithoor. Cawnpore was at once occupied, and +the troops were horrified at the traces which remained of the massacre. +The capture of the castellated palace of Nena Sahib at Bithoor, where he +was unable to make a stand, was effected without firing a shot, and +twenty guns were taken. + +Upon Brigadier-General Neill’s arrival at Cawnpore, from Benares, he was +left in command of the former place, whilst Brigadier-General Havelock +commenced his march upon Lucknow. Having passed the Ganges into Oude, +the mutineers were next encountered near Unao, on the 29th. of July. The +action was commenced by the 78th. Highlanders and the 1st. Fusiliers, +with two guns. Afterwards, the 64th., commanded by Colonel Wilson, were +ordered up. Patrick Cavanagh, a private of that regiment, was hewn in +pieces by the Sepoys whilst exhibiting to his comrades an example of the +highest gallantry. This valiant soldier had he survived would have +received the Victoria Cross. At the narrow pass between the village and +the town of Unao the mutineers were discovered in great force, but, +after an obstinate contest, they sought safety in flight. Subsequently +the troops pushed on towards Busherut Gunge, a walled town, with wet +ditches, which was captured by the 1st. Fusiliers, 64th., and 78th. +regiments. + +Major-General Havelock’s[189] force was not of sufficient strength to +continue the advance upon Lucknow, cholera having broken out amongst +them; and he fell back on the 2nd. of August, on Munghowar. On the 5th. +he again attacked the enemy at Busherut Gunge, driving them out of the +town with great slaughter. Preparations were next commenced for passing +over the Ganges to Cawnpore. The baggage had already been forwarded +across the river, when he resolved, on the 11th. of August, to attack +the mutineers a third time at Busherut Gunge, where they had once more +collected in great force, and again defeated them. + +Returning to their former position at Munghowar, the troops, on the +12th. and 13th. of August, crossed the Ganges to Cawnpore, where they +arrived, nearly worn out by fatigue, sickness, and constant exposure to +an Indian sun. Almost immediately, however, they struck another +effective blow on the mutineers. A large body of them had collected at +Bithoor, and were menacing Brigadier-General Neill at Cawnpore. +Major-General Havelock, uniting his force with the former, marched on +Bithoor, and gained another victory. During these several encounters +forty guns had been taken, and sixty more recovered for the government. +Great loss had been inflicted on the enemy, while the British casualties +were comparatively small. + +The British column afterwards remained at Cawnpore waiting for +reinforcements, and on the 16th. of September, Major-General Sir James +Outram arrived with the welcome aid; although the senior officer, he +nobly relinquished to Major-General Havelock the honour of relieving the +Lucknow garrison, and accompanied the column as Chief Commissioner of +Oude, proffering his military services as a volunteer. + +On the 19th. and 20th. of September, the relieving force, amounting to +about two thousand five hundred men, and seventeen guns crossed the +Ganges. The 5th. Fusiliers, 84th., detachments of the 64th. and 1st. +Madras Fusiliers, composed the first infantry brigade, under +Brigadier-General Neill; the 78th. Highlanders, 90th. Light Infantry, +and the Sikh Ferozepore regiment, made up the second brigade, under +Brigadier Hamilton, of the 78th.; Major Cooper commanded the artillery +brigade, consisting of Captains Maude, Oliphant, and Major Eyre’s +batteries; Captain Borrow commanded the Volunteers and Irregular +Cavalry. + +Only a feeble resistance was offered by the enemy, who retired upon the +old position of Munghowar. Here they were attacked on the morning of the +21st. of September, and after an obstinate contest were routed, two of +the four guns captured, being taken in a cavalry charge led by Sir James +Outram. + +Continuing the march on Lucknow, the rebels were discovered on the +23rd., in a strong position, with their left resting on the enclosure of +the Alumbagh, an isolated building to the south-east of the city of +Lucknow, and about three miles from the Residency, their centre and +right being drawn up behind a chain of hillocks. Five guns were taken by +the British on this day, but the relieving force was incessantly +cannonaded throughout the 24th. The enemy’s cavalry, one thousand +strong, made a sudden irruption upon the baggage massed in the rear; +when the soldiers of the 90th. Light Infantry forming the baggage guard +gallantly dispersed the whole body, but not without losing some brave +officers and men. + +As the troops had been marching for three days under a perfect deluge of +rain, irregularly fed, and badly housed in villages, the assault on the +city was deferred until the 25th. On that morning the baggage and tents +were deposited in the Alumbagh, and the force advanced. The gratifying +object of relieving the garrison was the result, but great loss was +sustained by the constant fire from the flat-roofed and loopholed +houses, the gallant Brigadier-General Neill being shot dead; but every +obstacle was at length overcome, and the troops established themselves +within the enclosure of the Residency.[190] It was not, however, until +the following evening that the remainder of the force, with the sick and +wounded, constantly exposed to the attacks of the foe, could be brought +in. This succour is regarded, in respect to the medal-clasps, as a +continuation of the defence of Lucknow. + + + + + RELIEF OF LUCKNOW. + 17TH. NOVEMBER, 1857. + + +Sir Colin Campbell,[191] who, like Sir Charles Napier, had proceeded at +a moment’s notice to India, did not find the task completed, as was the +case in the Punjaub emergency. There was work to be done, and how nobly +and successfully it was performed is now matter of history. Troops +constantly arrived from England at Calcutta, and were moved up to +Cawnpore as speedily as possible, but owing to the want of transport, +only slow progress was made, and Sir Colin was not prepared to proceed +therefrom for the final relief of the garrison at Lucknow before the +9th. of November. By a rapid march he joined, on the same day that he +quitted Cawnpore, the column under Brigadier-General Grant in camp at +Buntara, about six miles from the Alumbagh. Remaining there for +reinforcements until the 12th. of November, he advanced on the Alumbagh, +which he reached in the evening, after having captured the guns of a +body of the enemy who had attacked his vanguard. As the direct road from +the Alumbagh to the Residency was through the heart of the city of +Lucknow,[192] wherein every street was a fortification, the houses being +loopholed and filled with desperate men, Sir Colin determined to make a +detour to the right, and after forcing his way through the Dilkoosha +park and the Martinière, to cross the canal to the east of Lucknow, and +then arrive at the Residency by a circuitous route round the north-east +corner of the city. Very great assistance was afforded to the military +operations at Cawnpore and the vicinity by the Naval Brigade, under +their gallant leader, the late Captain (afterwards Sir William) Peel. +The Brigade consisted of about five hundred and eighty officers and men +the crew of H.M.S. “Shannon,” with six 8-inch guns from the ship. With a +small military force of about seven hundred men, under Captain Powell, +they were engaged on the 1st. of November at Kadjwa, twenty-four miles +from Futtehpore, and succeeded in routing with severe loss, the +mutineers, amounting to four thousand men. On the loss of Captain +Powell, who was killed in this encounter, the command fell upon Captain +Peel. The duties were very arduous; after this battle, with the +exception of a day’s rest for the footsore men, who had marched +seventy-two miles in three days, besides gaining the above victory, +daily marches had to be made in order to join the column before Lucknow, +where the brigade arrived on November 12th. At the attack on the +Secundra Bagh, Midshipman Daniel and three or four of the brigade were +killed, and Lieutenant Salmon and above a dozen men wounded. On January +2nd. the brigade took part in the battle of Kallee-Nuddee, in which the +mutineers were severely defeated; and on the 3rd. of March was before +Lucknow, and shared in the capture of the Dilkoosah. Captain Peel was +wounded on March 9th. and died of small pox on his way to Calcutta. With +the capture of Lucknow the active services of the brigade ended, and on +September 15th. following, the “Shannon” sailed for England. Another +Naval Brigade, under Captain Sotheby, of H.M.S. “Pearl,” numbering about +two hundred and fifty officers and men, known as the “Pearl Brigade,” +served for about fifteen months with the Goruckpore Field Force, and +took part in several engagements with the mutineers. + +On the 15th. of November, as the troops approached the park, the leading +men were met by a long line of musketry fire; the advanced guard was +quickly reinforced by a field battery and companies of infantry, when +after a running fight of nearly two hours, the rebels were driven across +the garden and park at the Martinière, and far beyond the canal. Both +the park and the latter building were at once occupied by the troops, +when they sustained an attack in front, and promptly driving back the +enemy, pursued them across the canal. + +Early on the morning of the 16th. of November, the victorious troops +proceeded to attack the Secundra Bagh (garden or plantation), a high +walled enclosure of strong masonry, one hundred and twenty yards square, +and carefully loopholed all round. This post was numerously defended. +Opposite to it, at a distance of one hundred yards, was a village which +was likewise loopholed, and filled with men. As the head of the column +advanced along the lane to the left of the Secundra Bagh, a fire was +opened on it by the enemy, which was hotly maintained for an hour and a +half on both sides. A small breach having been made, it was determined +to storm the position, and this was effected by the remainder of the +Highlanders and the 53rd. and 4th. Punjaub Infantry, supported by a +battalion of detachments under Major Barnston.[193] + +After this brilliant commencement Captain Peel’s Royal Naval Siege Train +proceeded to the front, and advanced towards the Shah Nujjeef, together +with the field battalion and some mortars, the village to the left +having been cleared by Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope and +Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon. This position was resolutely defended against +a heavy cannonade of three hours. It was then stormed in the boldest +manner by the 93rd. Highlanders, under Brigadier Hope, supported by a +battalion of detachments under Major Barnston, who was wounded. Captain +Peel gallantly led up his heavy guns within a few yards of the building, +to batter the massive stone walls. This concluded the day’s operations, +and about three o’clock in the afternoon of the 17th. a building named +the “Mess House,” after being cannonaded by Captain Peel, was stormed by +a company of the 90th. under Captain Wolseley, and a picket of the +53rd., under Captain Hopkins, supported by Major Barnston’s battalion of +detachments under Captain Guise of the 90th., with some of the Punjaub +Infantry under Lieutenant Powlett. The place was immediately carried, +and the troops pushed forward with great vigour, and lined the wall +separating the Mess House from the Motee Mahal. Here a final stand was +made, but after an hour’s fighting, during which openings had been +broken in the wall, the opposition was overcome, and the soldiers +pouring through with a body of sappers, accomplished the communications +with the Residency. Shortly afterwards Sir Colin had the gratification +of greeting Sir James Outram and Sir Henry Havelock, who came out to +meet him before the action was terminated. + +While the final relief of the besieged garrison had been thus achieved +by the indomitable gallantry of the army under Sir Colin Campbell, the +garrison within the walls had not been inactive. The mines which had +been driven under the outer wall of the garden in advance of the palace, +already breached in several places by the enemy, and also under some +buildings in its vicinity, were exploded as soon as it was ascertained +that the Commander-in-Chief was assailing the Secundra Bagh; at the same +time two powerful masked batteries poured shot and shell into the +palace. When the advance sounded the effect was electrical; pent up for +six weeks, and subjected to constant attacks, the soldiers felt that the +hour of retribution had arrived. It was impossible to withstand them, +and in a few minutes the whole of the buildings were in their +possession, were armed with cannon, and steadily held against all +attacks. + +It was now Sir Colin Campbell’s great object to effect the removal of +the non-combatants from the Residency, including the sick and wounded, +without subjecting them to the enemy’s fire. By a series of masterly +arrangements, which may be regarded as a perfect example of such +combinations, the desired object was attained. A fire was opened upon +the Kaiserbagh on the 20th., and when the foe was led to believe that an +immediate assault was contemplated, orders were issued for the garrison +to withdraw through the line of pickets at midnight on the 22nd. +Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope so ably carried out the +dispositions to cover the movement, that the mutineers were completely +deceived, and instead of following, they commenced firing on the old +positions, many hours after they had been quitted by the British. + +During all these operations from the 16th. of November, the remnant of +Brigadier Greathed’s brigade closed in the rear, and again formed the +rear-guard as the troops retired to Dilkoosha, which was reached by the +whole force by four o’clock in the afternoon of the 23rd. of November. +On the previous day that valued soldier whose name is so identified with +Lucknow, the gallant Sir Henry Havelock, died of an attack of dysentery, +to the universal regret of the army, and of his country. + +The troops which took part in the relief of Lucknow, were the Naval +Brigade; 9th. Lancers; 1st., 2nd., and 5th. Punjaub Cavalry; Hodson’s +Horse; Bengal Horse and Field Artillery; Punjaub Sappers and Miners; the +8th., 53rd., 75th., and 93rd. Foot; 2nd. and 4th. Punjaub Infantry. + + + + + LUCKNOW. + 2ND. TO 21ST. OF MARCH, 1858. + + +Sir Colin Campbell, leaving a portion of his army at the Alumbagh, under +Sir James Outram, commenced his march upon Cawnpore on the 27th. of +November, 1857, and arrived at Bunnee that evening. On the following +morning he received intelligence of the attack made upon Major-General +Windham,—who had been fiercely engaged with the Gwalior rebels. That +officer on the 26th. attacked one of the enemy’s Divisions, eight miles +from Cawnpore, routed them and captured all but one gun. Next morning, +being reinforced, they returned to the assault, forced the British +within their lines at Nuwabgunge, burning down the camp of three +regiments. The Rifle Brigade under Colonel Walpole, supported by the +88th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, which suffered very severely, +were highly distinguished. On the 28th. the renewed attempts of the +enemy were triumphantly defeated.[194] Then followed the decisive battle +of the 6th. of December,[195] when the Commander-in-Chief utterly routed +the rebel army, which had been augmented by four regiments from Oude, +and the followers of Nena Sahib, estimated at not less than twenty-five +thousand men, with about thirty-six guns. + +After this action Sir Colin Campbell continued at Cawnpore until the +beginning of 1858, employed in restoring order in the stronghold of the +mutiny, and in preparing to advance on Lucknow. Several assaults were +made by the rebels to dislodge Sir James Outram from his position at the +Alumbagh, before he could be aided by Sir Colin Campbell; especially on +the 12th. and 16th. of January, and subsequent months, but they were all +defeated. The first portion of the army crossed the Ganges at Cawnpore +on the 4th. of February. Brigadier Franks, while on his road to Lucknow, +on the 19th., defeated two separate bodies of the enemy, at Chanda and +Amereepore, and on the 23rd. of that month gained a decisive victory +over their united forces, when attempting to capture Badshahgunge, a +strong fort near Sultanpore. In this action the enemy lost twenty-one +guns and nearly two thousand men. The loss of the victors was _eleven_. + +Being joined on this day by the siege train from Agra, and all the +requisite arrangements having been completed, Sir Colin Campbell +proceeded direct from Cawnpore to the Alumbagh, where the army arrived +on the 1st. of March. The Divisions under Brigadier-Generals Sir Hope +Grant and Walpole, who had been employed watching the mutineers, had +meanwhile rejoined, and on the following morning the Dilkoosha palace +was seized after a skirmish, in which a gun was captured from the +enemy.[196] This palace was at once occupied as an advanced post on the +right, and the Mahomed Bagh on the left, heavy guns being placed at each +point to keep down the fire of the rebels. The remainder of the siege +train and additional troops arrived on the next and succeeding days: the +right of the British line now rested on Bibiapore and the river Goomtee; +the left stretching in the direction of the Alumbagh. Brigadier-General +Franks, C.B., joined with his division on the 5th. of March,[197] after +a march of one hundred and thirty miles, during which four actions had +been fought, with the small loss of thirty-seven killed and wounded. +Thirty-four pieces of ordnance were captured. + +Sir James Outram was withdrawn from the Alumbagh, and having crossed to +the left bank of the Goomtee[198] on the 6th. of March, at once pushed +on to turn the first line of the works abutting on the river, and on the +morning of the 9th. attacked the position, driving the enemy before him +at all points, until he was enabled to occupy the Fyzabad road, and +plant his batteries so as to enfilade the works on the canal. + +Meanwhile a heavy fire was kept up by the British on the Martinière, +from the batteries at the Dilkoosha palace; and in the afternoon of the +9th. of March the former was stormed by the troops under Brigadiers Sir +Edward Lugard[199] and the Honourable Adrian Hope. The regiments were +the 42nd., 53rd., and 90th. Next came into operation the second part of +the plan of attack against the Kaiser Bagh, which was to use the great +blocks of houses and palaces extending from Banks’s house to the former +as the approach, instead of sapping up towards the front of the second +line of works. By these means the Commander-in-chief was able to turn +towards his own left, at the same time that the enemy was enfiladed on +the right by Sir James Outram’s advance. The latter had received orders +to plant his guns with a view of raking the position of the rebels, to +annoy the Kaiser Bagh with a vertical and direct fire,—also to attack +the suburbs in the vicinity of the iron and stone bridges shortly after +daybreak, and to command the iron bridge from the left banks. These +instructions were carried out with the most marked success, but the +enemy still clung pertinaciously to his own end of the iron bridge, on +the right bank, and heavy cannonading ensued from both sides, until the +bridge was subsequently taken in reverse. On the 11th. Sir Edward Lugard +pressed forward in like manner. As the operation had now become one of +an engineering character, the most earnest endeavours were used to save +the infantry from being hazarded before due preparation was made. The +chief engineer, Brigadier Napier, placed the batteries so as to breach +and shell a large block of the palaces designated the Begum Kotee. At +four o’clock in the morning the latter were stormed with great gallantry +by the 93rd. Highlanders, supported by the 4th. Punjaub Rifles and one +thousand Ghoorkas, led by Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope, under +Brigadier-General Sir Edward Lugard’s direction. The whole block of +buildings was secured by the troops, who inflicted a heavy loss on the +enemy, and the attack was pronounced by Sir Colin Campbell to have been +“the sternest struggle which occurred during the siege.” + +The chief engineer pushed forward the approach with the greatest +judgment through the enclosures, by the aid of the sappers and heavy +guns, the troops immediately occupying the ground as he advanced, and +the mortars being moved from one position to another, as the ground was +won on which they could be placed. The buildings to the right, and the +Secundra Bagh, were taken early in the morning of the same day, without +opposition, and during the night of the 12th. Sir James Outram was +reinforced with a number of heavy guns and mortars, and directed to +increase his fire upon the Kaiser Bagh, while the mortars placed in a +position at the Begum’s house never ceased playing on the Imambarrah, +the next large palace it was found necessary to storm, between the Begum +Kotee and the Kaiser Bagh. + +Upon Brigadier-General Franks, C.B., who had relieved Sir Edward Lugard, +and the second division with the fourth, on the 12th. of March, devolved +the duty of attacking the Imambarrah. For this purpose a column of +attack was formed on the morning of the 14th., by Brigadier David +Russell, who at the second relief of Lucknow had been severely wounded. +The Maharajah Jung Bahadoor too had joined, with a force of about nine +thousand men and twenty-four field guns, drawn by men, and took up his +position in the British line on the 12th., and moved close to the canal +on the following day. His Highness passed the canal and attacked the +suburbs in his front, and considerably to the left of Banks’s house, at +the request of the Commander-in-chief; his troops were thus most +advantageously employed in covering Sir Colin Campbell’s left for +several days, during which, from the nature of the operations, it was +necessary to mass all the available strength of the British force +towards the right in the joint attack carried along both banks of the +Goomtee. + +Early on the 14th. the Imambarrah was carried, and the Sikhs of the +Ferozepore Regiment, under Major Brasyer, pressing forward in pursuit, +entered the Kaiser Bagh, the third line of defences having been turned +without a single gun being fired from them. Supports were quickly thrown +in, and all the well-known ground of former defence and attack, the Mess +House, the Tara Kotee, the Motee Mahul, and the Chutter Munzil, were +rapidly occupied by the troops, while the engineers devoted their +attention to securing the position towards the south and west. The +doomed city was now hastily evacuated by the enemy, thousands of +fugitives being seen to escape to the north and west. Flying columns +were sent after them, and building after building which had been +occupied as a defence, was successively taken, until all save the city +itself was in the hands of the British. + +A combined movement was organized on the 19th. of March. Sir James +Outram moved forward directly on the Moosa Bagh, the last position of +the foe on the line of the Goomtee; the latter was cannonaded from the +left bank by Sir James Hope Grant, whilst Brigadier Campbell moved round +the western side from the Alumbagh, preventing retreat in that +direction. The rout was complete, great loss being inflicted on the +enemy by all these columns. + +Major-General Sir Edward Lugard was directed to attack, on the 21st., a +stronghold in the heart of the city, held by the Moulvie. This he +occupied after a sharp contest, and it then became possible to invite +the return of the inhabitants, and to rescue the city from the horrors +of this prolonged struggle. Brigadier William Campbell, of the 2nd. +Dragoon Guards, attacked the enemy with his cavalry, when retreating +from the city in consequence of Sir Edward’s advance, occasioning them +heavy loss, and pursuing the fugitives for six miles.[200] Two days +after, Sir Hope Grant defeated a strong body of rebels, twenty miles +from the city, and captured their guns, and with this action the +recapture of Lucknow was completed. + + + + + CENTRAL INDIA. + JANUARY TO JUNE, 1858. + + +Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B., at the end of January, 1858, +captured Rathghur, a strong fort in Central India. For two whole days, +the 26th. and 27th. of January, the guns of the British played upon the +walls, and when a practicable breach had been effected, the garrison, on +the 28th., endeavoured to escape by using ropes to aid them in their +descent. Meanwhile an attempt was made by the enemy outside to relieve +the fort by an attack on the rear of the camp; this was, however, soon +frustrated, and the place was taken. On the 31st. of January a victory +was gained over the insurgents, near Baroda. + +An advance was next made by Sir Hugh Rose upon Saugor, where several +Europeans, amongst whom were about a hundred women and children, had +been closely besieged since July, 1857. The British general arrived +before the fort on the 3rd. of February, 1858, and effected its +immediate relief. Meanwhile Major-General Whitlock, commanding the +Madras column, had been marching towards Saugor with the same view, and +reached Jubbulpore on the 7th. of that month. Thus the Bombay and Madras +troops were gradually sweeping the country before them: and compelling +the mutinous bands to withdraw towards the line of the Jumna, where at +Calpee and Gwalior they mustered strongly. + +On the 10th. and 11th. of February the fort at Garakota was captured and +demolished, when Sir Hugh Rose withdrew to Saugor, which he quitted on +the 27th. of February, and marched upon Jhansi. + +The forts of Serai, Marowra, and Thal Behut, next fell into the hands of +the British. Brigadier C. S. Stuart, with the first brigade, took by +assault the fort of Chandairee on the 17th. of March; the impetuous rush +of the stormers of the 86th. Foot, and the 25th. Bombay Native Infantry, +carried everything before them; the loss before this place amounted only +to two killed and twenty-eight wounded, nineteen of these casualties +falling on the first-named regiment. The Brigadier having effected a +junction with Sir Hugh Rose, was sent on with a body of cavalry and +artillery to invest the fortress of Jhansi, a place of great strength +both natural and artificial, defended by a garrison of about twelve +thousand men, headed by a determined Amazon, the Ranee of Jhansi. Sir +Hugh Rose with the rest of the troops arrived before this stronghold on +the 21st. of March. + +On the 1st. of April, the so-called army of the Peishwah, under Tantia +Topee, advanced across the Betwa to relieve the place, but this attempt +was defeated, and the enemy was pursued some distance beyond the river. +This was a remarkable action, and was fought by the small force left in +camp[201], without relaxing in the least the arduous siege and +investment of Jhansi. The victory was gained with the small loss of +fifteen killed and sixty-six wounded; seven died of wounds. The +casualties of the 14th. Light Dragoons were the greatest, namely, five +killed and twenty-four wounded. Fifteen hundred of the enemy were +killed, and all his artillery, stores, and ammunition were captured. +Captain Need’s troop of this regiment was specially commended, and +Lieutenant Leith gained the Victoria Cross for having charged alone, and +rescued that officer when surrounded by a large number of rebel +infantry. + +The assault was made on the 3rd. of April, the storming parties being +divided into two columns, one of which formed the right, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Lowth, of the 86th., and the other the left attack. +The latter was led by Major Stuart, of the same regiment, and making its +way partly through the breach and partly by escalading a bastion into +the city, penetrated to the palace; here it was met by the right column, +which had advanced along the streets in the midst of a galling fire from +the houses on each side.[202] The conduct of the 86th. received high +commendation. Possession having been gained of a large portion of the +city by the 3rd. Europeans and 86th. Foot, these two corps occupied with +pickets commanding houses, and several hand to hand combats +occurred.[203] + +Preparations were being made for the continuance of the attack, when +intelligence reached Sir Hugh Rose that the Ranee had during the +preceding night fled from the fortress, attended by a small escort; she +was seen mounted on a grey horse, and although hotly pursued, was not +overtaken; this was succeeded by a general abandonment of the place by +the rebels, who proceeded in a north-easterly direction. Jhansi was +taken possession of without further opposition, when nothing could +exceed the humanity shewn by the victorious troops. + +In the meantime Awah, in Rajpootana, a strongly fortified town, had been +taken by Colonel Holmes, on the 24th. of January, and Major-General +Roberts in March advanced against Kotah, the Rajah of which was friendly +to the British, but was coerced by his followers. + +Two hundred men of the 83rd., and the Rifle Company of the 13th. Native +Infantry, under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly, of the former +regiment, were sent by Major-General Roberts, commanding the Rajpootana +Field Force, on the 26th. of March, into the portion of the town held by +the Maha Rao, who had been assaulted on two successive mornings by the +rebels; the service rendered by Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly with this +detachment on this occasion, and up to the time of the assault was +prominently noticed. Late on the evening of the 28th., the 8th. Hussars, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Salis, arrived. + +On the 30th. of March the place was carried with the greatest gallantry, +the 72nd. and 95th. regiments[204] leading the way. The first column, +under Brigadier Parke, of the 72nd. was composed of two hundred and +fifty men from each of the following regiments, namely, the 72nd., under +Major Thellusson, 13th. Native Infantry, under Captain Adams, +accompanied by a party of Sappers, under Lieutenant Paterson, Royal +Engineers. The second column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes, comprised +a like number of the 83rd. under Major Steele, and of the 12th. Native +Infantry, under Lieutenant Howison; and the third column, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Raines, of the 95th., was similarly made up of the +95th., under Major the Honourable Eyre Massey, of that regiment, and the +10th. Native Infantry, under Lieutenant Roome, each accompanied by a +party of Sappers, under an engineer officer. The reserve under Brigadier +Macan, consisted of two hundred and fifty of the 83rd., under +Lieutenant-Colonel Heatly, and of the 13th. Native Infantry, under +Captain Steuart. + +By the explosion here of a magazine fired by the rebels, after the +capture of the city, Captain Robert Bainbrigge, of the 23rd. Bombay +Light Infantry, Brigade-Major of the first brigade of the Rajpootana +Field Force, and Captain Evelyn Bazalgette, of the 95th. regiment, were +unfortunately killed. + +From the 23rd. to the 30th. of March the British casualties amounted to +fourteen killed and forty-six wounded—a small loss when compared with +the importance of the capture. The cavalry and Colonel Blake’s troop of +Horse Artillery were sent in pursuit. + +Major-General Whitlock, in command of the Madras column, gained a +decisive victory at Banda, on the 19th. of April, over the troops of the +Nawab of that place. The battle lasted four hours.[205] The enemy +mustered about seven thousand, including one thousand mutinous Sepoys of +the Bengal army, and their loss amounted to five hundred men and several +guns.[206] Banda surrendered at once, and the Major-General then moved +on towards Calpee to co-operate in the attack intended to be made by Sir +Hugh Rose upon that stronghold. The latter on the 7th. of May, attacked +and captured the fort of Koonch. Marching thence to Golowlie on the +Jumna, three miles distant from Calpee, a determined attack was there +made by the insurgents upon the British, on the 22nd. of May, and the +enemy sustained another defeat. On the 23rd. Sir Hugh Rose moved upon +Calpee. Seized with a panic, the mutineers, after firing a few shots +fled from the town, which was at once occupied; here was discovered a +subterraneous magazine, containing five hundred barrels of gunpowder, +and vast quantities of ordnance; besides which were four foundries for +cannon, several guns used by the enemy having been cast there. Owing to +the intense heat, the flying column sent after the rebels to the fort of +Sheerghur, whither they had retired, was compelled to relinquish the +pursuit; but they were subsequently overtaken on the road, and between +five and six hundred of them killed. + +The work of the gallant Central India Field Force was now considered to +be terminated, and it was announced in orders that it was about to be +broken up, but there was further employment for the troops. Tantia +Topee, the leader of the rebels at Calpee, had given proofs of being the +most active and vigorous opponent of the British during the mutiny, +being nearly the only rebel leader who had gained anything approaching +to a military reputation, having defeated with great adroitness all +attempts to capture him. Prior to the capture of Calpee he retired +therefrom towards Gwalior, and after his arrival at the capital of +Scindiah’s territory, endeavoured to gain over the Maharajah’s troops. A +numerous body of the enemy retreated westward in the direction of +Gwalior; Scindiah attacked them at the Morar cantonment, near the +capital, on the 1st. of June, and sustained a complete defeat; his men +deserted during the action, and he was obliged to take refuge in the +British cantonments at Agra. After this success the rebels placed upon +the musnud or throne of Gwalior, Rao Sahib, a nephew of Nena Sahib. + +Upon receiving this intelligence Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, recalling +his detachments, marched to Sassowlee, where he arrived on the 15th. of +June. Meanwhile the insurgents at Gwalior, after making themselves +masters of the treasure in the capital, commenced deserting in great +bodies. Even the Nawab of Banda and Tantia Topee left the place, but the +valorous Ranee of Jhansi remained, attired in male costume, to head the +Sepoys and the Gwalior contingent, who alone remained to abide the +fortune of war. + +On the 16th. of June, Sir Hugh Rose advanced upon Gwalior, and on that +day, in the action upon Morar, Lieutenant Neave of the 71st., which +regiment well maintained its historical renown, was killed. Brigadiers +Smith and Orr, with additional troops, arrived on the 17th. at +Kota-ki-Serai, ten miles from Gwalior, where they defeated some of the +advanced posts. The charge through the enemy’s camp of the 8th. Hussars +and the conduct of the 95th., were most highly spoken of. The infantry +was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Raines, of the latter regiment. In a +hand to hand contest the stout-hearted Ranee of Jhansi was killed, and +as her body could not be discovered, it is supposed to have been burnt. +Sir Hugh Rose subsequently arrived, and a fierce attack was made on the +19th. by the insurgents, who were repulsed, and after a severe contest +on the plain between the town and the heights, were completely defeated. +Next day, Lieutenant W. F. Waller and Lieutenant Rose, with a handful of +men, captured the fortress of Gwalior in a most gallant manner. Climbing +on the roof of a house, they shot down the gunners opposed to them, and +carried the fort, killing every man in it. In this daring action +Lieutenant Rose was killed, these two officers being the only Europeans +present. Gwalior was then occupied, and the Maharajah Scindiah was once +more restored to his throne. + +After this decisive battle the Central India Field Force was broken up, +and was distributed in the garrisons of Gwalior, Jhansi, and other +places. Sir Hugh Rose afterwards returned to the Bombay Presidency, +prior to which, in general orders, the Commander-in-chief in India +thanked him and Major-Generals Roberts and Whitlock for their eminent +services. + +Such is a brief account of the special services for which clasps have +been awarded, which naturally divide into five acts the exciting drama +of the Indian Mutiny; there are, however, several episodes which alone +would fill a volume.[207] In this campaign there were many separate +columns, which afforded officers greater opportunities of distinguishing +themselves than in ordinary cases. So various were the military +operations that it is almost impossible to condense them into one +connected whole. + +Amongst the most determined opponents of the British was the ex-Queen of +Oude, commonly known as the Begum, under whom many of the fugitives had +rallied. She endeavoured to gain over that active ally Jung Bahadoor, +but without success. Moveable columns successfully effected the objects +intended. Beni Madho, a powerful chieftain, whilst Lieutenant-Colonel +Carmichael was in pursuit, was intercepted and driven across the +Goomtee, by Brigadier (now Sir Alfred) Horsford, who, at the head of a +separate column, had highly distinguished himself. On the 30th. of +December, Nena Sahib and his followers were attacked and driven through +a jungle which they endeavoured to defend; afterwards across the Raptee, +the 7th. Hussars entering that river with the fugitives. The Nena +escaped punishment for the time, but although not taken by the British, +there is no reason to doubt the certainty of his death. Tantia Topee, in +pursuit of whom so many long marches had been made, was ultimately +captured and hanged. + +Thus may the contest be said to have terminated, and the resistance of +one hundred and fifty thousand armed men overcome; in no campaign had +greater exertions been displayed, and more honour acquired by the +British soldier. + +Besides the names of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, Major-Generals +Sir Henry Havelock, Sir Hugh Rose, Roberts, Whitlock, Sir Archdale +Wilson, Sir James Hope Grant, Sir William Rose Mansfield, Sir Thomas +Harte Franks, Sir Edward Lugard, Windham, and Sir John Michel, the +campaign produced a number of Brigadier-Generals, such as Neill, the +Honourable Adrian Hope, Walpole, Sir Robert Napier, Russell, Nicholson, +Horsford, Barker, Wetherall, Jones, Parke, Rowcroft, and others, who are +intimately associated with the military operations by which an extensive +country may be said to have been re-conquered, and peace restored. + +[Illustration: + + The Abyssinia Medal. +] + +Lord Canning, the able Governor-General of India, and the Earl of Elgin, +who nobly diverted the troops ordered for China, are inseparably +connected with these events; and if difficulty has been experienced in +doing justice to individual officers during the mutiny, it is enhanced +when attempting to record the deeds of him who, linked with military +services extending over half a century, brought this momentous struggle +to a successful termination. In other times enemies had to be +encountered in India, and great battles had been won, but in this +instance the men had been armed and disciplined by their conquerors. Ho +words can be more applicable than those of His Royal Highness the Duke +of Cambridge, when the vote of thanks to the Army in India was proposed +in the House of Lords, on the 14th. of April, 1859:—“As to Lord Clyde it +would be preposterous in me to sing his praises; they are not only +patent to every nobleman present, but they are known throughout the +length and breadth of this country of the continent, and in other parts +of the world.” + +The regiments that received the medal for the Indian Mutiny were:—Royal +Artillery, 3rd. and 6th. Dragoon Guards, 7th., 8th. and 14th. Hussars, +and 9th. and 12th. Lancers. The 4th., 5th., 6th., 8th., 10th., 13th., +19th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 32nd., 34th., 35th., 37th., 38th., +42nd., 43rd., 52nd., 53rd., 54th., 61st., 64th., 70th., 71st., 72nd., +73rd., 74th., 75th., 78th., 79th., 80th., 81st., 82nd., 83rd., 84th., +86th., 87th., 88th., 89th., 90th., 92nd., 93rd., 95th., 97th., 101st., +102nd., 104th., 107th., 108th., and 109th. Foot; 60th. Rifles, and Rifle +Brigade. + + + + + THE ABYSSINIAN MEDAL. + + +This medal is smaller and altogether different in design to those +usually issued, granted by a General Order, dated March, 1869, and +designed by Messrs. Wyon. Obverse, a crowned and veiled head of the +Queen, surrounded by a star of nine points, containing the letters A. B. +Y. S. S. I. N. I. A. Reverse, a laurel wreath, with inner circle, within +which, in raised letters, is the recipient’s name, rank, regiment, or +ship; above the medal is a crown, with a ring for suspension. Ribbon, +crimson, with broad white edges. Twenty thousand of the medals were +struck, and given to both services. + + + + + THE ABYSSINIA EXPEDITION. + OCTOBER, 1867, TO APRIL, 1868. + + +Since the time of Bruce, Abyssinia remained almost a _terra incognita_ +to Europeans till nearly the middle of the nineteenth century. Soon +after 1850, missionaries and traders who visited the region, reported +that a chieftain, who claimed descent from King Solomon, and professed +the Christian faith, had by a series of victories over the Gallas +tribes, the Shoans, and other half-savage races, made himself master of +Tigré and Amhara, the principal provinces of Abyssinia, and aspired to +the sovereignty of the whole country. In the year 1855, this ruler, a +fierce, but able and ambitious man, assumed the title of Theodore, +Emperor of Abyssinia, fixed his capital at Magdala, a steep and lofty +height which he deemed to be impregnable, and had a seal engraved with +the motto “King of Kings.” An ancient prophecy existed that a King +Theodore would establish the Christian religion in Abyssinia, and become +the ruler of the world; and this, and his successes, excited the vanity +of Theodore almost to insanity, he looked upon himself as the destined +monarch, and expected an alliance with England on equal terms. He was +desirous of having Europeans about him, his grand chamberlain was an +Englishman; English and German missionaries settled in the country, with +artizans of various nations, who were employed by the king in the +manufacture of cannon and muskets. + +The English Government in 1861 appointed Captain Cameron as Consul to +Abyssinia, who, on his arrival at Massowah, on the shore of the Red Sea, +was welcomed by Theodore with letters and presents. In October of the +same year, Theodore despatched a letter to the Queen, stating that his +mission was to subjugate the Gallas and Turks, his enemies, and asking +for her friendship and support. The letter was forwarded by Captain +Cameron, but for a long time it lay unnoticed at the Foreign Office, and +in the reply of Earl Russell to the Consul, was not mentioned. This +circumstance, and a visit which Cameron made to a frontier province, +excited the suspicions and anger of Theodore; his vanity was wounded by +his letter remaining unanswered, and in the Consul’s expedition he +suspected a desire to assist the Egyptians, who he believed were +preparing to invade Abyssinia. In revenge for what he regarded as +insults and injuries, the half-savage potentate made prisoners of the +Consul, and all the Europeans he could seize in his territories. The +missionaries and workmen were also imprisoned in wretched huts—some put +in irons—and treated alternately with kindness and severity, according +to the caprice of Theodore, who removed them from place to place, and +generally kept most of them strictly guarded in his camp. + +Mr. Rassam, who was partly of African descent, with Lieut. Prideaux and +Dr. Blane, was then sent by the British Government to endeavour to +obtain the release of the captives. At first they were received with +some show of respect, but almost before the negociations were begun, +they were also made prisoners and taken to Theodore’s camp. The good +offices of the Armenian patriarch were employed in vain, and every +effort to induce Theodore to release his prisoners proving useless, the +English Government determined to send an expedition to compel their +deliverance. + +The difficulties of the undertaking were well known and counted on. +Colonel Merewether, the Resident at Aden, was sent in command of a +reconnoitring party to select a place for the landing of the troops, and +he fixed on Annesley Bay as best suited for the base of operations. Sir +Robert Napier, Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay army, was appointed to +command the expedition, and Major-General Sir Charles Staveley was +second in command, having under them a force of nearly twelve thousand +men, and about fourteen thousand camp followers. Most of the troops were +natives belonging to the Bombay Establishment, but four thousand of them +were British. + +Piers and storehouses were constructed by the sailors at Annesley Bay, +wells were dug, mules and cattle purchased for the transport service, +and guides procured from the tribes who were in rebellion against +Theodore. + +On January 3rd., 1868, Sir Robert Napier arrived on board H.M.S. +“Octavia,” and found a port formed on a desert shore, a road made +through a rugged mountain pass, friendly relations existing with tribes +who had been notorious robbers, and his advance force firmly established +at Senafé, on the highlands of Abyssinia. The advance pushed on to +Antalo, where it halted for nearly a month, when the operations for +keeping open communication with the transports and supplies being +complete, on March 12th. the march on Magdala began in earnest. The +pioneer force, under Brigadier-General Field, with whom was Colonel +Phayre, Quartermaster-General, led the advance, and formed part of the +First Division, under Major-General Sir Charles Staveley. The rest of +the troops were divided into two Brigades, commanded by Brigadiers +Schneider and Wilby. + +The country traversed was extremely rough and mountainous, with +difficult passes, and ravines filled with loose boulders and rocks. +Often before any advance, a road had to be made for the mules, and men, +carrying besides their accoutrements, fifty-five pounds weight each, +more than half the load of a mule. All superfluous baggage was left +behind, and tents, except for hospitals, were reduced to the smallest +number practicable. The rations were of the roughest description, no +spirits and scarcely any tea were procurable, and the officers fared the +same as the private soldiers. + +Day after day the troops toiled on, over mountains eleven thousand feet +above the sea level; during the day oppressed by the heat, and suffering +often severely from the cold after sunset. + +During this time Theodore had been strengthening his stronghold at +Magdala, and making all possible efforts by forming roads, to transport +his heavy guns into that place. + +Sir Charles Staveley arrived with the Second Brigade at Santara, at the +end of March, and on the 1st. of April the three Brigades were formed +into two, the whole numbering about four thousand men, and in addition +fourteen hundred and four men were advancing to reinforce these two +Brigades.[208] + +Magdala was now almost reached. It stands among a sea of hills, its +sides frowning and precipitous, at a height of more than 9,000 feet +above the level of the sea, on the eastern part of a crescent; of which +the hill called Fahla is the western extremity, while midway between the +two rises the peak of Sellasye, looking in the distance like a triple +topped mountain. Sellasye and Magdala are connected by a saddle about a +mile long, flanked by precipices sloping down to ravines 3,000 feet +below the level of the stronghold. On April 8th. the British Army +encamped on the Talanta plateau, in full view of Magdala, and by the +close of the next day the preparations for storming the fortress were +complete. The army of Theodore, with his heavy guns, were posted on the +flat-topped hill of Fahla, behind which rose his stronghold, towering on +three sides precipitously from the plain. Between these hills and the +British camp was a deep ravine, through which flows the muddy stream of +the river Bashilo. While waiting for the arrival of the 2nd. Division, +in the afternoon of April 10th., a reconnoitring party, with a mountain +battery, under Colonel Milward, crossed the Bashilo, and advanced up the +pass. The head of the baggage train was just reaching the plateau from +the ravine below, when suddenly Theodore’s guns on Fahla opened fire on +Colonel Milward, and several thousand men yelling defiance, led by +chiefs on ponies, rushed furiously down the slopes of the hill. Part +advanced across the plain but a large body hastened to attack the +baggage train. Sir R. Napier sent the Punjab Pioneers to the assistance +of Colonel Milward, and the Naval Brigade sent rocket after rocket among +the Abyssinians, which for a time checked their progress, the missiles +being new and strange to them; which enabled the 4th. regiment to get +into line, and open fire with their Snider rifles, here for the first +time used in actual warfare. The fire of the 4th. made terrible havoc in +the ranks of the enemy; their General—Gabri[209]—fell, shot through the +head, and the shattered remnant of his troops fled in confusion. In the +ravine, the attack on the baggage train was more serious. The baggage +guard defended themselves gallantly, but the Abyssinians pressed forward +till the Punjaubees took them in flank, and after firing volley after +volley into them, charged with the bayonet, and drove them back with a +loss of more than 500 in killed alone. As the enemy retreated, the Naval +Brigade again plied them with rockets, till they fled in all directions, +few returning to Magdala. The blue jackets then turned their attention +to the guns on Fahla, near which stood Theodore himself, and sent a +shower of rockets among them with so accurate an aim that they were +speedily deserted, and were quietly taken possession of a day or two +afterwards by six men of the 33rd., two artillerymen, and three +officers. The action only lasted about half an hour, and ended in a +tempest of rain and thunder. + +After this defeat Theodore made overtures for peace, and on the morning +of the 11th. Mr. Flad and Lieutenant Prideaux were sent into the British +camp to propose terms. None could be offered but those of unconditional +surrender, with honourable treatment for himself and family. With this +answer the envoys returned to Magdala. Great fears were entertained for +their safety, as only two days before Theodore had butchered over three +hundred native political prisoners, slaying some with his own hand, and +throwing their bodies half-way down a precipice. The tyrant refused to +surrender, but in the evening the captives were released and arrived in +the British camp. Theodore then sent in a present of cattle, but finding +no better terms could be obtained, gave way to despair, and attempted to +escape from his stronghold. But the British were in front, and the +Gallas, his most inveterate enemies, encircled Magdala on all other +sides, rendering escape impossible. The greater part of his followers +had also disbanded, or refused to obey his orders. On Easter Monday, +April 13th., Magdala, naturally one of the strongest fortresses in the +world, was carried by storm. The 33rd. regiment led the assault, and +gained the top of Fahla, where some thousands of natives were found, who +tendered their submission without a shot being fired. The men were +disarmed, and all then allowed to depart, while the troops marched on +over the shoulder of Sellasye towards Magdala. About two o’clock a fire +of shot, shell, and rockets was opened on the huts and gateway of the +fortress, and the 33rd., with a company of Engineers and Sappers, +advanced to the attack. The ascent was by an extremely steep and narrow +path, crowned by a rude gateway which had been filled up with stones; +the approach to which was defended on both sides by a thick hedge, with +stakes. A few determined men could have held the position against the +assault of an army. The column reached the gate keeping up a continuous +fire with their sniders, receiving but a few scattered shots in reply, +by which not a man was killed, and only ten wounded; when the right hand +companies planted their ladders, broke through the bushes, and entered +the place. A few dead bodies were lying near the gate, which after some +trouble was opened from inside, and the rest of the stormers rushed in. +All resistance then ceased. Theodore was found about fifty yards from a +second gate, lying shot through the head. In the moment of his utter +defeat, resolving never to be taken alive, he had discharged a pistol +into his mouth. His body was buried in a church within the precincts of +the fortress, the huts of which were burnt, the gates blown up, and all +the guns burst and destroyed. Theodore’s Queen, with her son, placed +herself under the protection of the British, but the Queen died during +the return march. Her son was brought to England, when he was carefully +educated, but died a few years after of consumption. The return of the +expedition was as successful as its advance, and before the end of June, +the last man had left Annesley Bay. + +For his services Sir R. Napier was raised to the peerage by the title of +Lord Napier of Magdala, with a pension; and a large number of +Commanderships and Companionships of the Bath were distributed among the +other officers who took part in the operations. The total expense of the +expedition was between eight and nine millions. + +The following regiments received the medal:—3rd. Dragoon Guards; Royal +Artillery and Engineers; the 4th., 26th., 33rd., and 45th. Foot; the +Naval Brigade; Scinde Horse; 3rd. Bombay Cavalry; 10th. Bengal Lancers; +12th. Bengal Cavalry; Bombay and Madras Sappers and Miners; 1st., 2nd., +3rd., 10th., 18th., 21st., 25th., and 27th. Bengal Native Infantry. + + + + + THE ASHANTEE MEDAL. + + +This Medal was granted by a General Order of June 13th., 1874, to all +officers and men who had served on the Gold Coast between the 9th. of +June, 1873, and February 4th., 1874. Obverse, head of the Queen, veiled +and crowned, with the inscription “Victoria Regina.” Reverse, a bush +fight, in relief, from the design of E. J. Poynter, R.A., the name and +regiment, or ship, of the recipient, with the date, “1873–4,” are +engraved on the edge of the medal. A clasp inscribed “Coomassie” was +added. Ribbon, alternate stripes of yellow and black. Given to both +services. About eleven thousand of this medal was issued. + +[Illustration: + + THE ASHANTEE MEDAL. +] + + + + + THE ASHANTEE WAR. + 1873–74. + + +Cape Coast Colony is situated on the west coast of Africa. The town, +called Cape Coast Castle, has been in the possession of the British +since the 17th. century, and a tract of country extending back eighty +miles from the coast to the river Prah, is under their protection. To +the west of Cape Coast Castle is the Dutch post of Elmina. North and +west of the river Prah, is the country of the Ashantees, a fierce and +warlike tribe, who had conquered or driven out all their neighbours, and +founded Coomassie as their capital, about one hundred and forty miles to +the north of Cape Coast Castle. Their religion is the most degraded +fetishism, and hundreds of human beings were slaughtered yearly as +sacrifices by their king. + +The Ashantees had a communication with the sea through Elmina, and the +Dutch were in the habit of sending their king an annual present—or +tribute as he considered it—but the Dutch having exchanged Elmina with +the British for some ports higher up the coast, in 1868, the transfer +gave great offence to the black potentate, who asserted that the place +belonged to him, and that the Dutch had no right to dispose of it. + +The unwarlike Fantis inhabiting the country between Cape Coast Castle +and the Prah, were regarded with utter contempt by the Ashantees, who +also held the fighting powers of the British in no high estimation, for +in the year 1824, Sir Charles Macarthy, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, +crossed the Prah with a small force, against them, and being deserted by +the Fantis, was surrounded and completely destroyed—three white men only +escaping. This defeat had never been avenged, and encouraged the +Ashantees, in 1873, to cross the Prah with the intention of capturing +Elmina. A small force comprising seven companies of the 2nd. West India +Regiment, with a large body of Fantis under Lieutenant Hopkins, +endeavoured to stop their advance, but after a short skirmish the Fantis +fled, and the Lieutenant was obliged to retreat. The Ashantees took +possession of Dunquah, and threatened to attack Elmina and Cape Coast +Castle, and had they pushed on, both places would probably have fallen +into their hands. At this juncture H.M.S. “Barracouta,” Captain +Fremantle, arrived on the coast, having on board a detachment of one +hundred and ten marines, commanded by Colonel Festing, R.M.A. The +marines landed at Cape Coast Castle June 9th.; Colonel Festing took +command of the troops, and martial law was proclaimed. + +The native inhabitants of Elmina joined the Ashantees, a strong body of +whom advanced on the town, which was bombarded and burnt by the +“Barracouta.” Colonel Festing, with the marines, a detachment of the +2nd. West India Regiment, a body of Houssas, a party of sailors from the +“Barracouta,” “Druid,” “Seagull,” and “Argus,” under Capt. Fremantle, +attacked the enemy, and drove them back with a loss of two hundred men. + +More skirmishes followed; the “Simoon” arrived with a strong body of +marines, also Commodore Commerell in the “Rattlesnake” from the Cape of +Good Hope, who assumed the command of the marine forces; but shortly +after in an advance up the Prah with the boats of the squadron, he was +fired upon by the enemy concealed in the bush, and so severely wounded +that he was ordered at once to return to the Cape. + +On October 2nd. Sir Garnet Wolseley landed at Cape Coast Castle, with +some twenty British officers, but no troops, having called at Sierra +Leone _en route_, and made arrangements for raising men from the tribes +on the coast. Efforts were immediately made to form an army of Fantis, +but after a month’s experience, Sir Garnet gave up the attempt as +hopeless, and wrote to England for a force of disciplined troops. A body +of Houssas were trained as gunners by Captain Rait and Lieutenant +Wilmot, R.A., who performed their duties admirably throughout the +expedition, and two regiments of natives from the bravest tribes, of +about four hundred men each, were raised and well drilled by British +officers. One of these regiments was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Evelyn +Wood, the other by Major Russell, and the men on all occasions behaved +well and courageously. + +Captain Glover, formerly of the Royal Navy, also raised a large Native +force, with which he prepared to make the river Volta his base of +operations, and to march on Coomassie from the east. Glover had been +administrator at Lagos, and possessing a thorough knowledge of the +native tribes on the coast, his undertaking proved to be completely +successful. + +In the meantime, Sir G. Wolseley, with a body of marines, sailors, and +Houssas, made an attack on the Ashantees occupying villages near Elmina, +and put them to flight. A camp had been formed at Abrakampa, a place of +much importance, which had been a missionary station, surrounded by +thick woods. It was garrisoned by Major Russell with his black regiment, +and a body of seamen and marines, who totally defeated a determined +attack made on the position by the enemy, who after this repulse began +to retreat across the Prah. + +The invasion of the Protectorate had failed, and the invaders were +driven across the frontier, by native levies, “admirably conducted by +British officers, without the assistance of any English troops except +the marines and blue jackets who were on the station.” + +Major Home, R.E., now commenced a road twelve feet in width, towards the +Prah. A camp was formed at Prahsu to accommodate two thousand European +troops, with a hospital and storehouses, which on January 3rd., 1874, +was occupied by a Naval Brigade of about two hundred and eighty men, +under Commodore Hewett and Captain Grubbe. + +On new year’s day, the 42nd. Highlanders, the Rifle Brigade, with +detachments of the 23rd. Fusiliers, Royal Engineers, and Royal Artillery +disembarked at Cape Coast Castle, numbering in all two thousand five +hundred and four men. Early in January the whole of the British troops +reached Prahsu, and on the 20th., a bridge across the Prah being +completed by the sailors and engineers, the march on Coomassie began. + +Lord Gifford, in command of a party of native scouts, led the advance, +and was followed by the two regiments of natives, under Colonels Wood +and Russell. The country through which the troops marched was almost +entirely covered by trees, with an undergrowth of dense scrub and +creepers, through which it was impossible to pass, unless where natural +paths existed, or a way had been cut by the pioneers. Marshes also lay +in every direction, which emitted exhalations destructive to the health +and lives of Europeans exposed to their noxious influence. Fommanah, a +village thirty miles from Coomassie, was entered without opposition, +January 24th. + +Koffee Kalkalli, the Ashantee king, alarmed by the British advance, sent +in some German missionaries, whom he had kept for some time as +prisoners, and dispatched letter after letter asking for peace. His +object being only to gain time, and the demand of Sir G. Wolseley for +hostages being disregarded, the troops continued their march, and the +reply sent to the king was, the British meant to go to Coomassie. + +Information that the Ashantees were posted in great force in the +villages of Amoaful and Becquah, being received by the General, he +resolved to attack them immediately. On the morning of January 31st. was +fought the battle of Amoaful, about twenty miles from Coomassie, where +Amanquatia, the best Ashantee General, had concentrated an army of +twenty thousand warriors. The British force consisted of the 42nd. +Highlanders, under Major Macpherson; 2nd. Battalion Rifle Brigade, under +Lieutenant-Colonel Warren; and a detachment of the 23rd. Fusiliers, +under Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn. These regiments formed the “White +Brigade,” commanded by Brigadier Sir A. Alison. The other troops +consisted of the Naval Brigade, under Captain Grubbe; a detachment of +the 2nd. West India regiment, under Lieutenant Jones; the Houssa +Artillery, under Captain Rait, R.A.; and the native regiments of Russell +and Wood. The 42nd. led the attack, with the Naval Brigade and Russell’s +and Wood’s natives on the flanks; the Rifle Brigade being held in +reserve. The enemy fought most stubbornly, and the thick bush favouring +their mode of fighting, for some time but little advance was made. +Though the village of Agamassie had been carried, the Ashantees still +held the bush not two hundred yards from it, and made desperate efforts +to retake the place, while so heavy was the fire they maintained that +the air seemed literally alive with slugs. Two companies of the Rifles +were sent up as reinforcements. Rait’s Artillery poured round after +round of grape into the bush, till the fire of the enemy slackened, and +they fled before the rush of the 42nd. At the top of the hill they again +made a stand, and contested every foot of ground, but gave way at +another charge, and the British gained the open clearing in which the +village of Amoaful was situated. A fire was opened from the houses, but +the 42nd. drove the Ashantees out of the place, and all resistance in +that quarter was at an end. But the enemy were not yet beaten. When the +battle seemed to be over they made a final and furious attempt to turn +the flank of the British, and retake the village of Agamassie. The Rifle +Brigade marched back and met them, and after a sharp contest of an hour +the Ashantees rapidly retreated, and the day was won. The action +altogether lasted twelve hours, the British casualties being Captain +Buckle, R.E., and three men killed, and twenty-one officers and one +hundred and seventy-three men wounded. Nearly every fourth man of the +42nd. had been hit, among them being Major Macpherson. The loss of the +enemy was estimated at between two and three thousand, including their +General Amanquatia. The troops took up their quarters for the night at +Amoaful. + +Next day the village of Becquah was taken, and the advance continued to +a place called Aggemamu, fifteen miles from Coomassie. The General now +stated his intention of making a dash on the capital, and the men were +asked if they would make their rations for four days last for six, if +required. Their answer was “Most willingly.” Over streams and through +swamps they pushed on, disregarding a message from King Koffee, without +hostages, and reached the river Ordah, over which the Engineers at once +commenced to make a bridge. By daybreak on February 4th. the bridge was +finished, and the troops passed over, the Naval Brigade being left to +guard the passage. The enemy immediately fired on the advance, but with +a dash the village of Ordashu was carried by the Rifles, and held in +spite of repeated efforts of the Ashantees to retake it. About noon, the +42nd., supported by the Rifles and Rait’s Artillery, moved direct on +Coomassie, and disregarding repeated flank attacks and ambuscades, +carried position after position; till the enemy finally broke and fled +in complete disorder, leaving the ground strewn with umbrellas, +war-chairs of chiefs, drums, muskets, and killed and wounded. An halt of +about an hour was then made, when the whole force again advanced, +crossing the pestilential swamp which surrounds the town, and entered +Coomassie without opposition about half-past five p.m. A party was sent +to the palace, who found the King and Princes had fled. To remain at +Coomassie was impossible, owing to the lack of supplies, and the rains +having commenced the rivers would soon become impassable. Sir G. +Wolseley therefore determined to destroy the town and palace, and return +to the coast.[210] + +Next morning the return march began. The King’s palace was blown up, and +the town set on fire and destroyed. So thorough had been the defeat of +the Ashantees that the troops were not molested on their return, and on +February 12th., during a halt at Fommanah, ambassadors from King Koffee +overtook the army, bringing with them one thousand ounces of gold, as a +portion of the indemnity of the fifty thousand ounces demanded, and +returned with a treaty of peace which the King eventually signed. The +chief terms dictated by Sir G. Wolseley were, besides the indemnity, the +abolition of human sacrifices, and perpetual peace. So salutary has been +the effects of this successful expedition on the Ashantees, that they +have never since disturbed their neighbours across the Prah. About a +week after Sir G. Wolseley had left Coomassie, Captain Glover, at the +head of nearly five thousand natives, entered the town, having marched +from the Volta river. King Koffee sent him by an ambassador, a plateful +of gold as a sign of submission, and Glover then proceeded southwards +with his forces into friendly territory, having performed his arduous +undertaking with the utmost daring, judgment, and success. A day or two +before, Captain R. Sartorius, of the 5th. Bengal Cavalry, was dispatched +by Captain Glover[211] to report to Sir G. Wolseley that he was within +eighteen miles of the capital. He started on his adventurous errand with +forty natives, but without provisions, as he expected to meet the +General at Coomassie. At the close of the first day he halted at a +village, seven miles from the capital, when he heard that the place was +burnt and the English gone. Fully aware of his danger he determined to +push on, and the next morning rode through Coomassie, which he found +destroyed and deserted. Night found him at Amoaful, and the day +following he reached the head-quarters at Fommanah, having travelled +fifty-five miles through the heart of the Ashantee country. Not a shot +was fired at him throughout his journey, and he saw but few Ashantees, +who fled at his approach. + +For this and other services, Captain Sartorius deservedly gained the +Victoria Cross. The troops, with the Major-General and his staff, +reached Cape Coast Castle on February 19th. In the actions during the +march on Coomassie the total number of officers and men killed and +wounded was two hundred and sixty-nine. Eight only were killed, and +about one hundred and sixty were but slightly wounded, but many of the +troops and Naval Brigade died of fever. + +Thirty-three officers engaged in the expedition received the Order of +the Bath; Lord Gifford received the Victoria Cross, and Captain Glover +was made a Knight of St. Michael and St. George. Sir G. Wolseley, who +declined a baronetcy offered him, was voted a sum of £25,000 in +recognition of his services.[212] + +The cost of the war was estimated at £900,000. + +The troops who served in this campaign were the 23rd. and 42nd. Foot; +2nd. Battalion Rifle Brigade; 2nd. West India Regiment; the Houssa +Artillery; and Naval Brigade. + + + + + THE EGYPTIAN AND SOUDAN MEDALS. + + +By a General Order in October, 1882, a medal was granted to all troops +who landed in Egypt, and served there, between July 16th. and September +14th., 1882. Obverse, head of the Queen, veiled and crowned, with the +inscription, “Victoria Regina et Imperatrix.” Reverse, a Sphinx, on a +pedestal, above which is the word “Egypt” and the date “1882” below. The +name and regiment, or ship of the recipient, are engraved on the edge. +Ribbon, alternate stripes of blue and white. Two clasps were issued with +this medal, “Alexandria,[213] 11th. July,” and “Tel-el-Kebir.” The first +was given to the seamen and marines engaged in the action of July 11th., +and who landed in Alexandria after the bombardment; and the other to all +who were present at Tel-el-Kebir—soldiers, sailors, and marines. + +At the end of the first Soudan War, 1884, a similar medal, but without a +date, was given to all men of both services who took part in the +operations against the Arabs in the neighbourhood of Suakim, from July +19th. to March 26th., 1884. Ribbon, blue and white. Four bars were +issued with this medal:—“Suakim, 1884”; “El Teb—Tamaai”; to those who +were present at both these battles; “El Teb,” to those present there +only; and “Tamaai,” to those who were only in that action. + +[Illustration: + + The Egyptian Medal. +] + +By a General Order in 1885, at the close of the second Soudan campaign, +the same medal was granted to the troops and Naval Brigade, with five +additional bars. Ribbon, the same. The order specified that—“Individuals +already in possession of the decoration will only be eligible to receive +such of the clasps specified hereafter, as they may be entitled to. All +officers and soldiers who served south of Assouan on or before March +7th., 1885, will be held entitled to the medal, except those who are +already in possession of it. All officers and soldiers who were on duty +at Suakim between 27th. March, 1884, and 14th. May, 1885, will also be +entitled to the medal, except those already in possession of it. Her +Majesty has further approved of clasps being issued as follows: a clasp, +inscribed ‘The Nile, 1884–85,’ to those officers and soldiers who served +south of Assouan on or before March 7th., 1885. A clasp, inscribed ‘Abu +Klea,’ to those officers and soldiers who took part in the action fought +there on 17th. January, 1885, under the late Major-General Sir H. +Stewart, K.C.B. A clasp, inscribed ‘Kirbekan,’ to those officers and +soldiers who took part in the action fought there on the 10th. February, +1885, under the late Major-General Earle, C.B. A clasp, inscribed +‘Suakim, 1885,’ to those officers and soldiers who were engaged in the +operations at Suakim between the 1st. March and 14th. May, 1885, both +inclusive. A clasp, inscribed ‘Tofrek,’ to those officers and men who +were actually present at the action fought there on the 22nd. March, +1885.” No medals were issued with single clasps for Tofrek, Abu Klea, or +Kirbekan, as all who were present at Tofrek received also the clasp for +Suakim, 1885; and all present at the other two actions, were given the +clasp for the Nile, 1884–5. The medals without a bar, dating from 1882 +to 1885–86, were also given to the captains of all ships employed as +transports, and to others who shared in the campaign, not belonging to +the service. The whole number issued was forty-four thousand. The medal, +without clasp, was also given to all officers and soldiers who served +at, and to the South of Wady Halfa, between November 30th., 1885, and +January 11th., 1886, under Lieutenant-General Sir J. Stephenson, if they +had not received it for any previous campaign. + +A General Order of January 2nd., 1890, granted a further issue of the +Soudan medal, with a clasp, inscribed “Gemaizah, 1888,” to all troops +who were at Suakim before December 20th., 1888, and who were present at +the action on that day. By the same order, the medal was given to all +troops who were employed on the Nile, at, and south of Korosko, on +August 3rd., 1889, and a clasp, inscribed “Toski, 1889,” was given to +all who were present at that action on August 3rd. of the same year. The +total number of clasps already issued with this medal is thirteen.[214] + +The Khedive of Egypt gave a bronze star, to every officer and man of +both services who was entitled to the English medal. The star is +five-pointed, and suspended by a ring and bar, on which is a small star +and a crescent. On the obverse is a Sphinx, with the Pyramids in the +background, surrounded by a band, with the word “Egypt,” and the date +1882, 1884, or 1884–6 above, and the same in Arabic below. On the +reverse is the Khedive’s monogram in a circle, surmounted by a crown. +Ribbon, dark blue. The decoration was issued without names, but some of +the recipients had their names and regiments engraved on the reverse at +their own expense. + + + + + THE EGYPTIAN WAR. BOMBARDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. + + +JULY 11TH., 1882. + +Early in the year 1882, what may be styled a revolution took place in +Egypt. The army, headed by Arabi Pasha, set aside the authority of the +Khedive, and assumed the supreme power, with the intention of +emancipating the country from all foreign control. Arabi had entered the +Egyptian army, and had risen from the ranks to the position of colonel. +Being the idol of the ignorant soldiers, he imprisoned the Khedive in +his own palace, and compelled him to bestow the post of Minister of War +on himself. He next made himself Pasha, and the bulk of the Egyptian +people supporting the army, Arabi became the head of the national +movement, and inscribed on his banners: “Egypt for the Egyptians.” These +proceedings were viewed with apprehension in England. The Khedive had +always been favourable to British interests, and the support afforded +him by the British so excited the hostility of Arabi and his party, that +they threatened to seize the Suez Canal, and so block the highway to +India. The Egyptians beginning to show the greatest animosity towards +all foreigners, an English and French fleet appeared before Alexandria, +to give moral support to the Khedive, and to protect the European +inhabitants. In June, serious riots broke out in the city, many +Europeans were killed and wounded, and the remainder driven to seek +shelter on board the ships in the harbour. Preparations for war were +made on both sides. The fortifications of Alexandria were strengthened, +new batteries constructed, and the garrison increased. Sir Beauchamp +Seymour, the British Admiral, ordered the Egyptians to discontinue these +operations, with no effect; upon which he sent in an ultimatum +threatening an immediate bombardment, unless the working on the +fortifications was suspended, and the forts surrendered to him. No +attention was paid to this demand, and the fleet prepared for action. + +[Illustration: + + The Khedive’s Star. +] + +The French fleet had already left Alexandria; all neutral vessels were +warned to leave the harbour, and the British fleet steamed out and took +its position opposite the outer forts. On the evening of July 10th., the +“Invincible” (10), “Monarch” (6), and “Penelope” (10), anchored to the +west of Fort Mex, and by daybreak on the 11th. all the other ironclads +were in the positions assigned to them. At 6.30 all the ships cleared +for action, which was begun by the “Alexandra” pitching a shell into +Fort Ada. It was immediately replied to, upon which all the ships and +the forts opened fire, and the engagement became general. The “Sultan” +(13), “Alexandra” (12), “Superb” (4), and “Inflexible” (4), were opposed +to the forts at Pharos Point and Ras-el-Tin, and the “Téméraire” (8), +supported the Invincible, Monarch, and Penelope, in the attack on Fort +Mex, and the adjoining batteries. The gunboats “Bittern,” “Condor,” +“Decoy,” “Cygnet,” and “Beacon” were placed in a second line behind the +ironclads, with orders to hold themselves at the disposal of the +Admiral. + +The wind was favourable to the Egyptians, and after the first broadside +or two a thick cloud of smoke enveloped the ships, making it impossible +to see the effects of their firing, which could only be directed from +the tops. + +The gunboats were not willing to remain idle spectators, so, without +orders, the “Cygnet” opened fire, and the “Condor,” with two +64-pounders, and one 7-inch rifled gun, steamed away to the west, and +alone engaged the Marabout Fort, armed with two 18-ton, and two 12-ton +guns, twenty 32-pounders, and five mortars; for nearly two hours. Sir B. +Seymour, seeing the disproportion of force, signalled the “Bittern” and +“Beacon” to join her, and the other gunboats also moved off to assist +the “Condor.” + +About 8.30, Fort Marsa-el-Kanat was blown up by shells from the +“Invincible” and “Monarch,” and by nine o’clock, the “Téméraire,” +“Monarch,” and “Penelope” had disabled all the guns but four, in Fort +Mex. It was difficult through the smoke to hit on the locality of these +guns, but by 11 a.m. the Fort was almost in ruins, and silent. About the +same time the gunboats had silenced Fort Marabout, and joined the +ironclads before Fort Mex, which was entered by a small party of +volunteers from the “Invincible,” covered by the “Bittern” and “Condor,” +and found deserted by all but the dead. The guns in the Fort were blown +up and destroyed, and the party returned to the ships without loss. + +The Egyptians stood to their guns well, but before five o’clock all +their guns were disabled, and soon after all firing from the fleet +ceased, and the ships drew off the shore. The “Alexandra” suffered the +most, she was hit fourteen times in her hull, and a shell burst in the +captain’s cabin. All the ships except the “Monarch” were struck more or +less, but none of the projectiles of the enemy pierced the armour of one +of them. The casualties of the British were five men killed and +twenty-seven wounded, those of the Egyptians were estimated at nine +hundred or a thousand. + +During the night Alexandria was seen to be in flames. The convicts had +been liberated, and with the Arabs, had set fire to, and plundered the +European quarter, and massacred all the Europeans they could find. + +Next day, a force of six hundred seamen and marines landed, and found +that Arabi with his troops, and most of the inhabitants, had left the +town. Captain Lord C. Beresford, of the “Condor,” was appointed chief of +the British forces acting as police in Alexandria, the streets were +cleared of rioters, all incendiaries shot on the spot, and natives +entering the place, disarmed[215] For his services, Admiral Sir F. B. +Seymour received the thanks of both Houses, and was raised to the +peerage by the title of Lord Alcester, with a grant of £25,000. + + + + + TEL-EL-KEBIR. + SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1882. + + +Sir Archibald Alison commanded the troops at Alexandria, and kept the +Egyptians at bay till the arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley from England, +on August 15th., who at once changed the base of operations from +Alexandria to the Suez Canal. Leaving a division of troops under Sir E. +Wood to protect the town, on August 19th. the fleet and army sailed for +Port Said,[216] and proceeded up the Suez Canal to Ismailia, which place +was occupied without resistance, and the army disembarked. Owing to the +difficulties of transport there was considerable delay before the troops +were able to advance, and in the meantime Arabi had collected a large +army at a strongly fortified position at Tel-el-Kebir. On August 28th. a +most determined attack was made on the British advanced force at +Kassassin; consisting of under two thousand men, including the Marine +Artillery, commanded by General Graham, by about ten thousand of the +enemy, with twelve guns; but after a day’s hard fighting, the cavalry, +under General Drury Lowe, charged the Egyptians in the rear, and routed +them with loss. By September 11th., the whole expeditionary force, +including the Indian contingent,[217] commanded by General Sir H. +Macpherson, was assembled at Kassassin, and the next day General +Wolseley having carefully reconnoitered the enemy’s position, explained +to his officers his plan of attack. This was, to move with his whole +force at nightfall, and marching eight miles through the desert, to +attack the Egyptian entrenchments with the bayonet at daybreak. + +The enemy’s position was defended by sixty guns, and a disciplined force +of about twenty thousand men, besides several thousand irregular troops. +The British army consisted of eleven thousand infantry, two thousand +cavalry, and forty-two guns, including the Indian contingent. In the +evening the camp was struck, and the troops moved out, piled their arms, +and lay down on the sand till one o’clock in the morning, when they +silently fell into rank and advanced. Marching across the desert, guided +by the light of the stars, with occasional halts; as day began to break +the dim outlines of the entrenchments of Tel-el-Kebir became visible. On +the extreme right were the Cavalry and mounted Infantry, with two +batteries of Horse Artillery; next was General Graham’s Brigade, with +the Guards in support; in the centre was massed the Artillery, forty-two +guns, and on the left the Highland Brigade, supported by the 46th., 3rd. +Battalion 60th. Rifles, and a Battalion of Royal Marine Artillery; on +the line of railway was the Naval Brigade, with a forty-pounder on a +truck, and on the other side of the canal the 72nd. and the Indian +troops. So silent was the advance of the assailants in the early dawn +that they were not perceived by the enemy till they were within three +hundred yards of the works. Then suddenly a terrific fire flashed along +the line of sand-heaps, and a storm of bullets swept over the heads of +the advancing troops. Not a shot was fired in reply, but a wild cheer +broke from the Highlanders as they dashed at the enemy’s trenches. The +first line of entrenchments was carried, but from a second line the +enemy opened a heavy fire. For a few minutes the Highlanders replied, +and then, making another rush, a hand to hand contest followed, till +some of the force penetrated between the redoubts and opened a flank +fire on the Egyptians, who soon broke and fled. Graham’s brigade was +vigorously opposed on the other flank. The enemy here were not taken by +surprise, and for a while held their ground stubbornly. The 18th. Royal +Irish were sent to turn their left, and with a yell they went straight +at the works, and carried them at the bayonet’s point. The 18th. were +followed by the 84th. and 87th., but the Egyptians, though outflanked, +clung to an inner line of trenches, and at every angle and redoubt, +rallied and sustained the fight. But they fell in scores before the +bayonet charges, the inner entrenchments were won, the Highlanders were +in the midst of their camp, and the enemy, losing heart, fled in +confusion, pursued by the cavalry. + +Within an hour from the commencement of the attack the Egyptian army was +in complete rout. The whole of their guns (sixty-six) and military +stores, several trains of ammunition, and other _matériel_, fell into +the hands of the victors. The British pressed on in pursuit. Zagazig was +occupied in the afternoon, and the next day, General Drury Lowe, with +fifteen hundred Cavalry and a battery of Horse Artillery, entered and +took possession of Cairo, containing twenty-seven thousand fanatics and +its citadel garrisoned by ten thousand men. At ten o’clock the same +night, Arabi surrendered himself to General Lowe, and on September +15th., Sir Garnet Wolseley, with a portion of his infantry, entered the +city,[218] and telegraphed to London—“The war is over, send no more +troops to Egypt.” The British loss in this battle was nine officers and +forty-eight non-commissioned officers and men killed[219]; twenty-seven +officers, and three hundred and fifty-three non-commissioned officers +and men wounded; and twenty-two men missing; total of casualties, four +hundred and fifty-nine. The loss of the enemy, exclusive of prisoners, +was over two thousand killed and wounded. + +The regiments which shared in this decisive victory were detachments of +1st. and 2nd. Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards; 4th. and 7th. Dragoon +Guards, and 19th. Hussars; a battalion each of Grenadier, Coldstream, +and Scots Guards; the 18th., 42nd., 46th., 60th., 72nd., 74th., 75th., +79th., 84th., and 87th. Also a Naval Brigade of about two hundred men; a +battalion of Marine Artillery and Light Infantry, and the Indian +Contingent. + + + + + THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN. BATTLE OF EL TEB. + FEBRUARY 29, 1884. + + +The Khedive, Tewfik, had been reinstated in Egypt, the English army of +occupation had been reduced, and preparations made for the evacuation of +the country, when in 1883, a formidable insurrection against the +Egyptian rule broke out in the Soudan. It was headed by a fanatic who +assumed the title of the Mahdi, or Messiah, and who was regarded by the +Soudanese as the successor of Mahomet, and their deliverer from the yoke +of the Egyptians. An Egyptian army sent against him under Hicks Pasha, +was almost annihilated on November 3rd., and his followers then overran +the Soudan, and besieged the Egyptian garrisons in the towns they +occupied. One of the chiefs of the Madhi, called Osman Digma, had +invested the towns of Sinkat and Tokar, and was threatening the port of +Suakin, on the Red Sea. Admiral Sir W. Hewitt was ordered to protect +Suakin, and with the “Ranger,” “Spynx,” “Decoy,” and “Euryalus,” took +his station off the town, landed a body of seamen and marines, and +effectually defended it against Osman Digma and his followers. Valentine +Baker Pasha, with an ill-disciplined force of 5000 Egyptians, was then +sent to relieve the beleagured garrisons. He landed at Trinkitat, and +marched towards Tokar, but was attacked by the tribesmen of Osman Digma +at El Teb, on February 1st., and disastrously defeated, with the loss of +more than half his men; nearly all the British officers accompanying him +being slain. + +The Egyptian garrison of Sinkat, finding themselves without hope of +relief, and their provisions exhausted, then gallantly marched out, and +endeavoured to cut their way to the coast, but were surrounded, and +exterminated, not a man escaping to tell the tale. + +English troops were then sent from Egypt and Aden, and a force was +assembled at Suakin under Major-General Graham, which proceeded by sea +to Trinkitat, and disembarked there February 23rd. A day or two before, +the garrison of Tokar surrendered and joined the enemy. By February +26th., most of the stores being landed, the bulk of the troops marched +out of Trinkitat and encamped at Fort Baker, about two miles on the road +towards Tokar, where a supply of food and water for three days had been +provided. The 65th. regiment having arrived from Aden, the next morning, +February 29th., the advance towards Osman Digma’s position at El Teb +began in earnest. Numbered roughly, the column consisted of about 4000 +men. The advance was made in a hollow square, the transport animals and +hospital equipment being in the centre. In front was the 75th. +Highlanders; in rear the 42nd.; on the right the 89th. and 60th. Rifles; +on the left the 65th. Royal Marine Artillery, and Light Infantry. +Intervals were left at the angles for the guns and gatlings; the Naval +Brigade of one hundred and sixty-two men, under Commander Rolfe, of the +“Euryalus,” occupying the front and the Royal Artillery the rear angles. +Two squadrons of the 10th. and 19th. Hussars were in the front and on +the flanks, the rest of the cavalry in the rear, under Colonel Stewart. +With the troops were Admiral Sir W. Hewitt, General Baker Pasha, in +charge of the Intelligence Department, and Colonel F. Burnaby. The +square advanced over the track taken by Baker’s ill-fated troops a few +weeks previously, whose bodies lay about in hundreds, polluting the air. +The position of the enemy was on a low ridge, marked by a number of +banners, and at several points along the line, which extended nearly a +mile, guns could be seen placed. As the troops neared the enemy, who +were seen to be in great strength, General Graham determined to turn +their position and take it in reverse. The square continued to march +obliquely past the left front of the enemy, when a sharp fire of +musketry broke out, and two Krupp guns opened upon it with case shot and +shell. This was about 11 o’clock. The square halted, the men ordered to +lie down, and four guns of the Royal Artillery and the machine guns were +brought into action. The Krupp guns which had been captured from Baker’s +force, and were now worked by Egyptian artillerymen from Tokar, were +well handled, many men were struck, and General Baker wounded in the +face by a piece of a shell; but the machine guns of the Naval Brigade +poured such a stream of bullets upon them, that the two guns were +silenced, being taken in reverse, and the gunners killed, or driven from +them. Then the order was given to advance, the bagpipes struck up, the +men sprang to their feet with a cheer, and went straight at the enemy’s +position. From every bush and pit the Arabs leaped up, and rushed on the +advancing troops. The brunt of their attack fell on the 42nd., the +65th., and the Naval Brigade. Swept away by the deadly fire of the +machine guns and rifles, the Soudanese came on again with their spears +and cross-hilted swords, in groups of twenty and thirty, and sometimes +alone, but not one broke through the line of bayonets. The Cavalry then +swept round the right flank of the square, and charged in three lines, +over the broken ground, swarming with Arabs; who crouching among the +scrub, hamstrung the horses as they passed over them, and then speared +the dismounted troopers. + +In this conflict Major Slade, Lieutenants Probyn and Freeman, were +killed; and Colonel Barrow, commanding the 19th. Hussars, severely +wounded, and his life only saved by the gallantry of three of his men. +The position of the enemy was carried, their guns captured and turned +against them, but they still fiercely contested every foot of ground +till the village of El Teb, with its wells, were taken by the +Highlanders; when they gave up the contest and sullenly retired in the +direction of Tokar. The British loss was thirty killed, including four +officers, and about one hundred and sixty officers and men wounded, +several of whom, including Lieutenant Royds, of H.M.S. “Carysfort,” +afterwards died. Colonel Burnaby had his horse shot under him, and a +bullet through one of his arms. The loss of the Arabs was over two +thousand, and four Krupp guns, two brass howitzers, and a Gatling gun +were captured. The next day, Tokar, eleven miles distant, was occupied +without opposition, and a quantity of rifles and ammunition destroyed. +The force then returned to Trinkitat, and re-embarked for Suakin. + +The troops engaged at El Teb were the 10th. and 19th. Hussars; 6th. +Battery First Brigade Royal Artillery; 26th. Company Royal Engineers; +the 42nd., 65th., 1st. Battalion 60th. Rifles, 75th., 89th. Foot; a +Battalion of Royal Marine Artillery and Light Infantry; and the Naval +Brigade. + + + + + TAMAAI. + MARCH 13TH, 1884. + + +The power of Osman Digma, though shaken, was yet far from destroyed. The +victors of El Teb, had scarcely reached Suakin, when they were again put +in motion against a strong body of Arabs, reckoned to be about eight +thousand, which he had collected at a place called Tamaai, and with +which he threatened utter destruction to all unbelievers. On March 11th. +General Baker marched out to Baker’s zareba, seven miles from Suakin, +and the next day continued his advance towards Tamaai. At nightfall the +troops bivouacked in a hastily constructed zareba, within two miles of +the enemy’s position, which Commander Rolfe, R.N., after darkness had +set in, alone set out from the zareba to reconnoitre, and saw the Arabs +asleep around their fires. About one o’clock the enemy opened a random +fusilade on the British camp, which they kept up the remainder of the +night, but fortunately with little effect. At eight on the morning of +March 13th., the troops formed in front of the zareba in two brigades. +On the left was the 2nd. Brigade, commanded by General Davis, consisting +of the 42nd., 65th., Marines, and Naval Brigade, with machine guns. Then +came the Artillery, under Major Holley, and on the right the 1st. +Brigade, commanded by General Buller, comprising the 75th., 89th., and +60th. Rifles, with a battery of Artillery. Two squadrons of cavalry were +sent to the front as skirmishers, and a brisk fire began on both sides; +but the enemy advancing, the cavalry fell back, and the brigade opened a +heavy fire of rifles and machine guns on the Arabs. The 42nd., who were +in front, with a cheer charged the enemy at the double, but this +movement leaving a gap between them and the 65th., the Arabs seeing +their advantage, rushed like a torrent on the right side of the square, +and for a time all was confusion.[220] The 65th. wavered, and fell back +on the Marines, and the Naval Brigade surrounded by a mass of soldiers +mixed in a wild _mêlée_ with the foe, were unable to use their guns and +compelled to abandon them, with the loss of three officers and many +seamen. But Buller’s brigade advancing on the right rear in perfect +order, by its terrible fire prevented the enemy from coming to close +quarters,[221] and the 42nd. and the Marines fighting back to back +checked further disaster, and the brigade was re-formed. The two +brigades now advanced abreast, the captured Gatlings were recovered, and +turned by the seamen with great effect on a fresh body of Arabs, who +charged out of a deep ravine in force, till their masses seemed to melt +away under the tremendous fire poured into them. The ravine was carried, +and a ridge beyond it; the bravest men of the enemy had fallen, and the +rest lost heart and fled. After a brief halt General Graham pushed on to +the wells of Tamaai, three miles from the battle-field, and occupied the +camp of Osman Digma. Next day, the camp, with the village of Tamaai, was +destroyed, and the troops returned to Suakin. + +The British casualties were five officers—Lieut. Montressor, H.M.S. +“Carysfort”; Lieut. Almack, H.M.S. “Briton”; Lieut. H. Stewart, H.M.S. +“Dryad”; Major Aiken, 42nd., and Capt. Ford, 65th. regiment; and one +hundred and four men killed; and eight officers and one hundred and +twenty men wounded and missing. The 42nd. had no less than eight +sergeants killed. The loss of the Arabs was estimated to be at least +three thousand in killed alone. + +The troops present at Tamaai were—10th. and 19th. Hussars; Royal +Artillery; the 42nd., 60th., 65th., 75th., and 89th. Foot; Royal +Marines; and Naval Brigade. + + + + + SUAKIN. + 1884. + + +After his defeat at Tamaai, Osman Digma was reported to be occupied in +the Tamanieb Valley, about four miles from the last battle-field, in +collecting more tribesmen to oppose the British. A party of the 75th. +and 19th. Hussars were sent to occupy Handoab, on the road to Berber, +and native spies brought the information that Osman was encamped near +Tamanieb with two thousand men, who were all willing to fight again. On +March 25th. General Graham, with the 10th. and 19th. Hussars, 42nd., +60th., 65th., 75th. Mounted Infantry and Marines, marched out from +Suakin once more against the Lieutenant of the Mahdi; Admiral Sir W. +Hewitt landing two hundred seamen to hold the town in the absence of the +troops. The heat was intense, causing the men much suffering, and there +were many cases of sunstroke. The troops bivouacked at night in an +oblong square, and slept in all their accoutrements. In the morning the +cavalry and mounted infantry were sent out in advance, and two or three +skirmishes took place during the day, but the enemy fired at a distance, +and did not come to close quarters. At half-past four a.m. on March +27th., the troops fell in, and at six, advanced up the valley, the +cavalry being out all round as scouts. At seven the enemy showed +themselves, but were driven back by the mounted infantry, and they were +dislodged from a height on which they attempted to make a stand, by the +fire of the artillery. Osman’s camp, or the remains of it, was committed +to the flames, and the column returned unmolested to Suakin on March +28th. Soon after, Sir G. Graham and the bulk of the troops, sailed for +Cairo and England. + + + + + THE NILE, + 1884–85. + + +The British Government having decided to abandon the Soudan, General +Gordon, C.B., R.E., of Chinese celebrity, and who had been Governor of +the equatorial provinces of Africa, under the Khedive, was sent to +Khartoum to withdraw the Egyptian garrisons from the country, and to +make the best arrangements he could for its future government. He had no +connection with the Egyptian Government, which he declined to serve +under any circumstances. He was accompanied by Colonel J. D. Stewart, +who had been at Khartoum in the preceding year. On February 18th. they +reached Khartoum, where they were received by the inhabitants with the +greatest joy and enthusiasm. But General Gordon soon found that his +mission to carry out the evacuation of the Soudan by the Egyptian +garrisons, numbering about thirty thousand men, was impracticable. In +March, the whole country south of Berber declared for the Mahdi; in May, +Berber was taken by the enemy, and Gordon, with Colonel Stewart and Mr. +Power, the British Consul, was closely besieged in Khartoum. For months +he defended himself with the greatest skill and valour against +overwhelming odds, but it was not until August that the British +Government decided to despatch an expedition for his relief, under the +command of General Lord Wolseley. + +Regiments were then ordered from India, Malta, and other places, to +Egypt; eight hundred boats, at a cost of £75 each, were built in England +for the conveyance of the troops up the Nile; steam pinnaces and light +steamers were provided for towing purposes; and five hundred Canadian +boatmen, and three hundred Kroomen, were engaged to navigate the boats +and steamers over the cataracts of the river. British troops were pushed +on to Wady Haifa, and on September 10th. Lord Wolseley reached +Cairo,[222] with instructions to advance up the Nile and bring away +General Gordon and Colonel Stewart from Khartoum, and to undertake no +further offensive operations of any kind. + +On his arrival at Cairo the General formed a camel corps from volunteers +from the Guards and Cavalry, consisting of over one thousand two hundred +officers and men, divided into three bodies, called, the Guards, Heavy, +and Light camel regiments. These chosen men sailed from England on +September 26th., and by their conduct in the desert march to the Nile, +in January following, amply justified their organization. For nearly +four months a British army of nine thousand men, with their baggage and +_matériel_ were toiling hundreds of miles up the broken and tortuous +course of the Nile, tugging at the oar, transporting stores, and +dragging boats by main force through rapids and over cataracts.[223] On +November 3rd. Lord Wolseley and his Staff reached Dongola, and on +December 16th. arrived at Korti, one thousand two hundred and fifty +miles from Cairo. The situation of Khartoum was known to be critical, +and on December 30th., 1884, General Sir Herbert Stewart was despatched, +with about one thousand six hundred men and two thousand camels, across +the desert to Metammeh, on the Nile, one hundred and seventy miles from +Korti; from whence he was to proceed in Gordon’s steamers to Khartoum, +one hundred miles further up the river. + +Sometime previous, Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power had been sent by Gordon +down the Nile to Dongola, to endeavour to open communications with the +British, but their steamer was wrecked near Berber on October 6th., and +the two Europeans with most of their party were massacred by the +natives. Two days before Lord Wolseley reached Korti, on December 14th., +Gordon wrote in his diary—“Now mark this: If the Expeditionary Force—and +I ask no more than two hundred men—does not come in ten days, the town +may fall, and I have done my best for the honour of our country. Good +bye.”[224] + + + + + ABU KLEA. + JANUARY 17TH, 1885. + + +Sir H. Stewart, after a long and waterless march, reached Gakdul, about +one hundred miles from Korti, on January 2nd. Here, water was found in +abundance, and a halt of some days was made. On the 14th. the march to +the Nile was resumed, but on approaching Abu Klea, two short marches +from Metammeh, the scouts of the 19th. Hussars reported the enemy to be +encamped in force near the wells. The troops were in need of water, but +formed a zareba about four miles from the Arab camp, and slept on their +arms, exposed to a desultory fire all night, by which five or six men +were wounded and several camels killed. As soon as it was daylight, on +the morning of January 17th., General Stewart began his preparations for +an advance, his object being to drive the enemy from the wells of Abu +Klea. A strong body of skirmishers with the guns were sent out, who +engaged the enemy at long range, but failed to draw them from their +position, though a brisk fire was kept up for some time by both sides. +At about half-past eight o’clock, leaving most of the camels and the +sick and wounded in the zareba, with a guard of Mounted Infantry, and +one hundred and twenty-five men of the 35th. regiment, the troops +advanced against the enemy in a square, which was formed as +follows:—“Left front face, two companies Mounted Infantry; right front +face, two companies Guards, with the three guns Royal Artillery in the +centre; left face, two companies Mounted Infantry; one company Heavy +Camel Regiment; rear face, four companies Heavy Camel Regiment, with +Naval Brigade with Gardner gun in the centre.” The 19th. Hussars, +numbering one hundred and twenty men, under Colonel Barrow, were +stationed on the flanks. The square moved towards the left flank of the +enemy, under a hot fire from the sharpshooters, and was nearly abreast +of their position, when several thousand Arabs, with loud yells and +beating of tom-toms, rushed down on the left and left rear of the +square. The three guns of Captain Norton, and a heavy rifle fire was +opened on them, but did not check their advance; the British skirmishers +came racing for life into the square, while with waving flags the enemy +rushed on like a vast black wave of surf. “By twos and threes our +skirmishers had now reached our lines, and the left face being nearly +clear, a volley was sent into the enemy at one hundred and fifty yards, +as they rose over the last crest between our opposing fronts. A hundred +or more Arabs dropped, and for a moment I saw the force waver and halt, +as a man stops to gasp for breath. Had that volley been promptly +repeated, there would have been little more of the battle to tell.” The +Gardner gun of the Naval Brigade[225] was brought into action at the +left flank, but after a few rounds had been fired, the gun jammed, and +was rendered useless, and Lieutenants Piggott and De Lisle with several +seamen were killed. Many of the rifles were also rendered temporarily +useless from the same cause, the jamming of the cartridges. Colonel F. +Burnaby, who had arrived a few days before from Korti, called on the +Heavies to meet the Arab charge, and riding out to assist two or three +skirmishers, was surrounded and slain, and the enemy closed in upon the +square, throwing its left face into confusion. So furious was their rush +that many of them penetrated to the middle of the square, where they +killed the camels and slew the wounded in their litters, but none of +them returned, being all slain to a man. Meanwhile the Guards and +Mounted Infantry poured such a heavy fire into the dense crowds of the +Arabs, that after a few minutes they began to waver and recoil, and at +length took to flight, under a fire of rifles and shell from the guns; +and followed by the Hussars and Mounted Infantry. + +The hard-fought battle was won, the square re-formed and presently +advanced, while the Hussars pushed on and took possession of the wells +at Abu Klea, at which place, the whole force, with the wounded, arrived +at the close of the day. + +The British loss was Colonel Burnaby, Major Carmichael, 5th. Lancers, +and seven other officers killed; nine officers wounded (Lord St. Vincent +and another, mortally); sixty-five non-commissioned officers and men +killed; and eighty-five wounded. The total Arab force was estimated at +over twelve thousand men, and of these more than two thousand were +killed and wounded. “Five or six hundred of the enemy lay heaped in +front of, and around our dead camels.” + +The troops present at Abu Klea, were detachments of 19th. Hussars; Royal +Artillery, with three seven-pounders; the Guards, and Heavy Camel Corps; +Mounted Infantry; 35th. Regiment; a detachment of Royal Engineers; Naval +Brigade of fifty-two officers and men, under Lord C. Beresford; and +Departmental Corps. + +At four p.m. on January 18th., the column pushed on for the Nile, +marching all night, and found at daybreak it was still six miles from +the river, with the enemy, in force, barring the way. Sir H. Stewart +halted near Abu Kru, and formed a zareba under a continual fire, which +caused many casualties. The General himself fell, severely wounded, and +the correspondents of the _Standard_ and _Morning Post_ were killed. + +Sir Charles Stewart then took the command, and it was decided that if +the Arabs did not attack by two p.m., to march out and cut a passage to +the Nile. About three hundred men with the guns were left in the zareba, +under Lord C. Beresford and Colonel Barrow; and the rest of the column, +in square, pushed on for the river, under a heavy rifle fire from the +scrub. The accurate fire of the British guns scattered the masses of the +enemy, and prevented many from joining in the attacks; but a body of +several thousands made a furious rush on the square, about two miles +from the zareba, and were repulsed with fearful loss. The Arabs then +retreated to Metammeh, and the wearied troops reached the Nile at about +five in the evening. + +The British losses in the battle of Abu Kru, or Gubat, were two officers +and twenty-two men killed, and nine officers and ninety-two men wounded, +many severely. Next day the bulk of the column returned to the zareba, +the dead were buried, the wounded removed, and at night the whole force +was encamped on the bank of the Nile. + +On the following morning, January 21st., a reconnaissance in force was +made towards Metammeh, the column being joined by two hundred and fifty +of Gordon’s men, with four guns. These, with four steamers, had been +waiting the arrival of the relief force for some weeks on an island a +little way above Metammeh. The place was cannonaded with little effect, +and being considered too strong to be taken by assault, the troops +retired. On the 24th., Sir. C. Wilson started for Khartoum with two of +Gordon’s steamers, but on approaching the town he was met by so heavy a +fire from rifles and Krupp guns, that he was compelled to return, with +the knowledge that the expedition had failed in its object, and that +Khartoum was in the possession of the Mahdi. + +Information was soon received that on the night of January 26th. the +place had fallen through treachery, and the heroic Gordon, with many of +his followers, had perished. On his return down the river the two +steamers of Sir Charles were wrecked by the treachery of the pilots, +about thirty miles from the British camp, and Sir C. Beresford was sent +with another steamer to rescue him and his party. In this service +Beresford’s steamer was for a time disabled by a shot from the enemy, +but after many dangers and difficulties, Sir C. Wilson and his men were +taken on board, and all reached Gubat in safety. As the recovery of +Khartoum was impracticable, General Sir Redvers Buller was dispatched by +Lord Wolseley to withdraw the troops from Gubat to Korti. On February +14th. the return commenced, and after a smart skirmish at Abu Klea, the +column reached Gakdul without further opposition. Here many of the sick +and wounded died, among them, on February 16th., the gallant Sir Herbert +Stewart, to the unfeigned regret of every officer and man. By March 9th. +the whole of the troops returned to Korti, and a few weeks after, the +expedition was broken up. + +Khartoum had fallen after a noble defence of over ten months, maintained +by the pluck and endurance of a single Englishman, who scorned to desert +his post; and the efforts and lives of his countrymen who bravely +struggled in the face of countless perils and difficulties to effect his +deliverance, were fruitlessly thrown away. As Gordon had written months +before, the expedition was “just too late.” + + + + + KIRBEKAN. + FEBRUARY 10TH, 1885. + + +While the fate of Khartoum was trembling in the balance, and the battles +of Abu Klea and Gubat were being fought, another column was dispatched +up the Nile, under Major-General Earle, C.B., to punish the Monassir +tribe for the treacherous murder of Colonel Stewart and his companions +in the preceding September. As already stated, Stewart was sent by +General Gordon from Khartoum to Dongola, but his steamer was wrecked +near Berber, and most of the party massacred. General Earle was also +ordered afterwards to push on to Berber, and after capturing it, to take +part in any further operations at, or beyond Khartoum. Leaving Korti, +Earle concentrated his troops—consisting of the 38th. and 42nd. Foot, a +squadron of 19th. Hussars, and the Egyptian Camel Corps, with two +guns—at Handab. On January 24th. he began his advance, but the +difficulties of the river were many, and his progress slow, so that he +did not reach the vicinity of Kirbekan, near Dulka Island, seventy miles +from Merawi, till February 9th. The enemy had fallen back as he +advanced, but now, reinforced by a body of Dervishes from Berber, were +encamped on a rocky range of hills near the Nile, and prepared for an +obstinate resistance. The front of their position was very strong, and +fortified in places with loopholed walls. At sunrise on the morning of +February 10th. the assault commenced. Leaving two companies of the +38th., with his two guns in front, to make a feigned attack, the General +with the bulk of his troops made a detour, and turning the left of the +enemy’s position attacked them in the rear. The Arabs, being taken by +surprise, but having the advantage of the ground, fought most +desperately, and contested the possession of every rock and boulder, +till the British by rushes gained fastness after fastness, and dislodged +the defenders at the point of the bayonet. A determined band of the +enemy made a frantic charge on the 42nd., but were all killed or driven +into the Nile, save some who took possession of a stone built hut. +General Earle, though warned that the building was full of Arabs, +attempted to enter it, and was immediately shot dead by one of them. The +door of the hut being strongly barricaded, it was set on fire, and all +the enemy within were shot down or burned alive. Another steep hill, on +which the Soudanese made their last stand, was stormed by the 38th., and +in the meanwhile the Hussars had captured their camp, three miles in the +rear. This ended the battle of Kirbekan, after a contest of five hours. + +The loss of the British, besides their General, was Colonel Eyre, of the +38th.; Colonel Coveny, V.C., of the 42nd.; and seven men killed; and +about fifty of all ranks were wounded, some severely. The loss of the +enemy was heavy. Many were drowned in the Nile, and, as Lord Wolseley +wrote, “Scarcely any can have escaped.” Their force was estimated at +above two thousand men. + +General H. Brackenbury assumed the command on the fall of General Eyre, +and pushed on towards Abu Hamed, in the direction of Berber, but was +recalled to Korti by Lord Wolseley, acting on orders from England. Soon +after, the force returned to Cairo, with the exception of a detachment +left on the frontier of Egypt proper. + + + + + SUAKIN. + 1885. + + +The news of the fall of Khartoum and the death of General Gordon caused +a profound impression in England, and the Government, influenced by +public opinion, resolved on another campaign for the recovery of the +Soudan. Troops were dispatched from England, Cairo, and India, to +Suakin, to break the power of Osman Digma; and it was determined, at an +enormous expense, to construct a line of railway in the face of the +enemy, from Suakin to Berber, a distance of two hundred and eighty +miles. From this place it was contemplated to operate with Lord +Wolseley, in his projected march from Korti to Khartoum; which, owing to +a change of purpose of the Government, was never carried out. The force +collected at Suakin, consisting of a brigade of Guards and an Indian +contingent, was commanded by General Sir G. Graham. The Engineers having +selected some hills near the village and wells of Hasheen, about +fourteen miles distant, as the site of an entrenched camp, after a +reconnaissance, March 20th., General Graham moved out of Suakin to +occupy the place in force. He advanced in a square formation, the 49th. +and 70th. regiments and Marines, in the front, on the right the Guards, +on the left the Indian Contingent, with the guns and camels in the +centre. The cavalry scouted in front and on the flanks. + +The first ridge of hills were reached without opposition, the outposts +of the enemy falling back as the troops advanced, and the sappers began +to throw up redoubts on two of them. The square pushed on through a +pass, into a plain surrounded by rugged bills, on one of which, on the +left, the enemy were seen to be posted in strength. Their sharpshooters +opened a hot fire from among the rocks and scrub; the Marines and 49th. +were sent against them, and climbing some hills on the right, after a +smart contest dislodged the Soudanese, who in their retreat were charged +by the Indian Cavalry. But the Arabs being reinforced, rallied, and +closed in upon the Indians, to whose movements the broken ground was +altogether unfavourable, and forced them to retire upon the Guards, +formed in square. Over two thousand of the enemy, in pursuit of the +cavalry, led by a youth on a white camel, rushed with loud yells +straight on the square, but were received by such a withering fire, that +not an Arab was able to reach the outer line of levelled bayonets by +several yards. The cavalry having re-formed, again charged the now +disordered enemy and scattered them in all directions. Another body of +Arabs then came round on the right, with the most daring bravery, but +were received by such a hot fire from rifles and the artillery that they +were unable to concentrate for a charge, and withdrew in confusion, +followed by the British. + +At half-past ten a.m. all the hills had been cleared of the enemy, and +about one o’clock the force was on the point of being withdrawn, but the +Soudanese made another furious onset on the 17th. and 28th., but were +driven back after a hotter contest than any during the day, and pursued +by the 5th. Lancers. The 70th. Regiment was left to hold the redoubts in +the hills, and the rest of the troops returned to Suakin, after an +engagement which lasted nearly seven hours. In this affair Captain +Dalison, Scots Guards, and twenty-two non-commissioned officers and men +were killed, and about fifty officers and men wounded. + +Four thousand was the estimated strength of the enemy, and of these, +three hundred were killed. After the battle, the bulk of them retreated +southwards in the direction of Tamaai. + +Little more than a week afterwards the New South Wales contingent, of +about eight hundred officers and men, landed at Suakin, and were +welcomed with enthusiasm. The railway was pushed on to Otao and Tambouk, +about fifteen miles on the road to Berber, but the enemy made almost +nightly attempts to destroy it, and, by orders from England, it was +presently abandoned. + +Osman Digma being reported to be again occupying Tamaai in force, on +April 2nd., General Graham, with about eight thousand men, including the +Australian contingent, marched from Suakin to meet him. After a +fatiguing march of five hours Tesilah was reached, where a zareba was +constructed, and on the following morning the troops advanced to Tamaai, +which they found to be unoccupied, and which they burnt. During the +advance some skirmishing took place, in which two men were killed and +fourteen men (including two Australians) wounded; but on its return to +Suakin the column was not molested by the enemy. A strong body of Arabs +having taken up a position at Dhakdul, with the intention of harassing +the British outposts and destroying the railway, two flying columns were +despatched from Suakin and Otao to disperse them. The columns, +consisting of the Camel Corps, Lancers, Hussars, and Mounted Infantry, +left Suakin at midnight, and, marching all night, reached Dhakdul at +daybreak on the morning of May 7th. The troops advancing upon the place +from two directions, the enemy were completely taken by surprise, and +after a running fight fled to the hills, abandoning their flocks and +herds, pursued by the cavalry. The expedition was well planned and +executed; about one hundred and fifty Arabs were killed, and above two +thousand cattle, horses, camels, and sheep captured; the casualties of +the British being only two or three men wounded. Dhakdul was destroyed, +the wells there blown up with gun cotton, and the force returned to +Suakin. The heat now became almost unbearable, and the troops suffered +much from sickness. + +On May 2nd. Lord Wolseley arrived at Suakin, and on the 7th. proceeded +with his Staff to Otao and Handoub, and inspected the troops. A few days +afterwards he inspected and thanked the Australian contingent, and on +May 16th. he issued his last general order to the “Soldiers, Seamen, and +Marines of the Army of the Soudan,” at Suakin. The place was then +evacuated by the British troops except the 53rd., a battery of +Artillery, and some Engineers, which, with the Indian contingent of +three regiments of Infantry and one of Cavalry, held the place till May, +1886, when they were replaced by an Egyptian garrison, under Watson +Pasha (Major Watson, R.E.). + +The troops engaged in the operations at and around Suakin, were a +battalion each of the Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards; Royal +Artillery; 5th. Lancers; 19th. Hussars; Engineers; 49th., 53rd., and +70th. Foot; the New South Wales contingent; the Indian contingent, +comprising the 9th. Bengal Lancers, three battalions of Native Infantry, +and a company of Sappers; Mounted Infantry; Royal Marines; and Naval +Brigade. + + + + + TOFREK. + MARCH 22ND., 1885. + + +Two days after the engagement at Hasheen, Major-General Sir John +McNeill, V.C., an officer who had served in India, New Zealand, and in +the Ashantee Expedition, moved out of Suakin at daybreak, with a +squadron of the 5th. Lancers, the 49th. Regiment, a battalion of +Marines, the three Infantry Regiments of the Indian Contingent (under +Brigadier-General Hudson), a detachment of Engineers, and a Naval +Brigade, with four Gardner guns, in the direction of Tamaai. His purpose +was to construct some zarebas, about six miles out, to be garrisoned by +the 49th., while the other troops were to return to Suakin. Though the +enemy were seen to be in force on the hills, and spies and prisoners had +reported the intention of Osman Digma to attack the British advanced +zarebas, no intimation of this seems to have reached General McNeill. + +Between ten and eleven o’clock in the morning the troops commenced +making their zarebas, a large one in the centre for the camels, and two +on the angles of this, each to contain a battalion, and two Gardner guns +manned by the Naval Brigade. So little was an attack expected, that one +zareba being completed, with the guns mounted, and the others in +progress of formation, the camels and baggage animals which brought the +supplies, were beginning to slowly to move off on their return to +Suakin, and a portion of the troops were at breakfast. The working +parties were in the bush hacking at the tough underwood, with a picket +or two and a few cavalry scouts thrown out, but none more than about +thirty yards in advance, when suddenly the outposts came rushing in, +breaking through the working parties, with the enemy at their heels +uttering the most frightful yells. “Stand to your arms” resounded on all +sides, but the men were scattered, many working at a distance from the +piles of arms, but all did their best to get into proper position and to +form in squares. Everything was in favour of the enemy, before whose +furious onset the whole assemblage of transport animals plunged forward +upon the zareba. “There was a multitude of roaring camels heaped one +upon the other, with strings of screaming mules entangled in one moving +mass. Crowds of camp followers were carried along by the huge animal +wave—crying, shouting, fighting. Mingled with this mass of brutes and +terrified natives, which swept all before it, were the Arab swordsmen, +hewing and slashing at men and animals with the ferocity of demons. They +hamstrung every animal they could reach and cut the helpless camp +followers to pieces, amidst a shower of bullets from all sides, and +there can be little doubt but that many men and camels were killed by +our own fire in the confused _mêlée_.” The British force found itself +suddenly engaged in a most desperate hand to hand conflict with masses +of a fanatical and fearless enemy. The 17th. Native Infantry gave way +before the terrific rush of the Arabs, their commanding officer, Major +Von Beverhoudt, being killed in an attempt to rally his men; and sixty +of the enemy got inside the square of the Marines, to be all shot or +bayonetted. Half of the 49th. were in the zareba, and the remainder in a +rallying square outside. On the first rush of the enemy about one +hundred and twenty of them entered the zareba at the corner, and were +all killed after a desperate conflict. The Gardner guns, under +Lieutenant Paget, now came into action, and checked the advance of the +enemy by a rain of bullets, while a steady fire from the zareba and the +squares outside, mowed down the charging masses of the Arabs like grass. +The Soudanese saw that their attack had failed, and sullenly withdrew, +vanishing into the bush from which they had so suddenly burst forth. + +In this brief but furious action the 49th. had Lieutenant Swinton and +twenty-five men killed; the Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Seymour and six +men; the Engineers, Captain Romily, Lieutenant Newman, and thirteen men +killed; the total casualties (exclusive of the loss of the Indian +contingent) being five officers and ninety-four men killed; six officers +and one hundred and thirty-six men wounded; and one officer and seventy +men missing. The Indians had about one hundred and twenty men killed and +wounded, and the Departmental Corps and camp followers suffered heavily. +Upwards of eight hundred camels and transport animals were also killed. + +When the clouds of smoke and dust had cleared away, the ground in and +around the zarebas was seen to be thickly strewn with the bodies of the +enemy, in every conceivable attitude. It was computed that nearly one +thousand five hundred Arabs lay there, for the most part dead.[226] +Outside the zareba the dead and wounded camels and baggage animals lay +literally in heaps. The enemy still swarmed in the bush, and were active +all night in removing their slain and wounded, and searching for their +standards, of which three were captured[227] during the fight. + +The next morning General Graham arrived from Suakin, with the Guards and +Mounted Infantry, and a new zareba was constructed away from the +vicinity of the reeking battle-field. The wounded were sent in the +afternoon to Suakin, escorted by the Grenadier Guards and Indians, and +were taken on board the hospital ship “Ganges.” + +The withdrawal of the Nile expedition commenced in May, 1885, and on the +25th., the advanced post of Merawi was evacuated by the 42nd. Regiment. +Garrisons of British troops and Egyptians however held various places in +Upper Egypt, which presently were attacked by the Dervishes. In +December, three thousand of them attacked Mograkeh, occupied by the +79th. and two hundred Egyptians, but were repulsed with heavy loss. On +the 30th. of the same month, General Sir F. Stephenson, with a force of +British and Egyptian troops, consisting of about four thousand five +hundred men, moved out early in the morning and attacked the Arabs, +about six thousand strong, who were entrenched at Ginnis. With General +Stephenson, were Generals Grenfell, Butler, and Huyshe, and Colonel +Ardagh. The action commenced at six a.m., and by nine o’clock the enemy +were totally defeated and their position captured, with four guns and +twenty banners. + +The British loss was trifling. Lieutenant Soltau, of the 49th. Regiment, +was killed; and one officer and twenty-one men wounded; and of the +Egyptians about twenty men were killed and wounded. The loss of the +Arabs was computed to be about six hundred killed. In these operations +the 19th., 38th., 49th., 79th., and 106th. Foot, were engaged. + + + + + GEMAIZAH. + DECEMBER 20TH., 1888. + + +The Arabs having again advanced in force on Suakin, and preparing by the +construction of trenches and redoubts to invest the place, General +Grenfell, commanding the British and Egyptian troops there, resolved to +attack them. The men were under arms before dawn on December 20th., and +at half-past five the action commenced by H.M.S. “Racer” opening fire on +the trenches of the enemy. The garrison batteries and forts also poured +a heavy fire on the enemy’s redoubts, which was hurriedly returned. +General Grenfell and his _aide_, Captain Maxwell, then rode to the +front, and having made a hasty inspection, ordered the troops to +advance. The first brigade, under Colonel Kitchener, of three regiments +of Soudanese, was on the right, and the second, under Colonel Holled +Smith, consisting of Soudanese and two Egyptian regiments, were on the +left. The cavalry, comprising the 20th. Hussars, and Egyptian Mounted +Infantry, numbering about three hundred men, with the 25th. and 41st. +Regiments, were held in reserve about five hundred yards in the rear. +The advance was made about seven o’clock, the British Infantry opening +fire to cover the Soudanese, who rushed on the Arab entrenchments. They +were received with a hot fire, and the enemy brought a heavy gun to bear +on them, but the Soudanese dashed at the gun, and drove the Dervishes +out of their trenches. At the same time the redoubts in spite of a +determined resistance were carried, and the Arabs were completely +routed, and pursued by the Hussars. H.M.S. “Starling”[228] and the +Egyptian steamers then shelled the wells. At half-past eight the +fighting was over, and the enemy dispersed, with the loss of about four +hundred men, all their _matériel_, and camp. The British casualties were +four men of the 20th. Hussars killed, and two officers and three men +wounded. The loss of the Egyptians was also trifling. + + + + + TOSKI. + AUGUST 3RD., 1889. + + +The Nile Expedition having been withdrawn, and the Soudan, with the +exception of Suakin, practically abandoned by the British and Egyptians, +the Dervishes resolved on an invasion of Egypt proper. In June 1889, an +army of them, about fourteen thousand strong, crossed the frontier, and +steadily advanced northwards. Near Wady Halfa they were met on the first +of July, by an Egyptian force under Colonel Wodehouse, R.A., and, after +a smart action, defeated with the loss of five hundred men. + +This failed to stop their progress, but Wodehouse’s column harassed them +by constant attacks during their advance of fifty miles in the Egyptian +territory. + +On the morning of August 3rd. they had pushed on to within six miles of +Toski, a place about three miles from the Nile, occupied by Sir F. +Grenfell, Sirdar, or Commander-in-Chief, of the Egyptian army. The +General sent out his mounted troops, consisting of the 20th. Hussars, +the Egyptian Cavalry, and the Camel Corps, to skirmish with the enemy, +who rapidly advanced, their riflemen driving back the mounted troops, +who slowly withdrew in the direction of Toski, keeping up an incessant +fire. The enemy were drawn on step by step till two guns came up at a +gallop, and opened fire on them with great effect, giving time for the +infantry to arrive and take a position on a ridge of hills lying almost +due east and west, completely checking the movement of the Dervishes +northwards. Thus out-manœuvred, they formed in order of battle on +several small hills, which they covered with waving flags and thousands +of spears glittering in the morning sun, their riflemen being extended +in an attempt to turn the Egyptian right. A hot fire was kept up on both +sides, but the enemy finding themselves enfiladed on their left, charged +down the hill, and were literally mown down by the volleys poured into +them. The first brigade was then ordered to advance direct on the +hillocks held by the Arabs, and at the same time the second brigade +advanced on the extreme left, and took their position in flank. The +enemy for a time held their ground with the utmost bravery, and though +driven from post to post, charged again and again in the most fearless +manner. But they were beaten from the hills in disorder to the plain +below, where they were repeatedly charged by the Hussars and the +Egyptian Cavalry. + +Their chief, Wadj-el-Njumi, and every Emir of importance but one was +killed, and the Dervishes, completely overwhelmed, fled in confusion, +closely pursued by both infantry and cavalry for some miles. The enemy’s +force was entirely broken up, upwards of fifteen hundred of them being +killed, and nearly three thousand spears and swords, one gun, one +hundred and fifty rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and over three +thousand prisoners being taken. + +The British loss was one private of the 20th. Hussars and sixteen +Egyptians killed; and one hundred and thirty men wounded, including six +British. + +This action closes the long list of the generally useless, and almost +profitless fields of bloodshed and slaughter which crimsoned the sands +of Egypt and the Soudan. + + + + + THE NORTH WEST CANADA MEDAL. + 1885. + + +This medal was given by the British Government to the Canadian Militia, +Volunteers, and Mounted Police, for the suppression of the rebellion of +Louis Riel in the North West of Canada, March to May, 1885. The obverse +of the medal is the same as the medal for Egypt, and on the reverse are +the words “North West Canada, 1885,” within a wreath of maple leaves. +With the medal was given a clasp inscribed “Saskatchewan,” to all those +who had been under fire. The medal without the clasp, was given to the +troops called out to suppress the revolt, but who were not present at +any of the engagements. It was issued without names. Ribbon, dark blue, +with two red stripes. No English troops were engaged in the operations. +The rebels were mostly French half-breeds and Indians. The force which +suppressed them numbered about five thousand men, under the command of +Major-General Sir F. D. Middleton. Battleford was besieged by the +Indians, and relieved by a force under Colonel Otter, who routed the +rebels with a loss of 150 killed and wounded. Riel entrenched himself at +Batoche, where he was attacked and defeated by General Middleton on May +11th., and this action virtually ended the rebellion. Riel was +afterwards tried and executed. + + + + + THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL. + 1891. + + +Since the pages of this work describing the actions for which the Indian +General Service Medal and Clasps have been given, were written, three +additional clasps have been granted, inscribed “Hazara, 1891,” “N. E. +Frontier, 1891” and “Hunza, 1891”—making a total of fifteen clasps +issued to the present time (1892). Officers and men who already +possessed the medal received the new clasps only; and a bronze medal and +clasp of similar pattern was given to all authorised Government +followers. + +The force operating against the Hazara tribes, under Major-General +Ellis, advanced from Derband, on March 12th., and defeated the tribesmen +at Dilari on March 23rd. All active operations ceased by May 16th., and +before the end of the month the tribes surrendered unconditionally, and +their chiefs accepted the terms imposed on them by General Ellis. The +78th. Highlanders, and 23rd. Welsh Fusiliers, were the British regiments +engaged in this affair. + +The clasp inscribed “N. E. Frontier,” was given to the native troops +employed in the Manipur Expedition, between the dates of their advance +from Tamu, March 28th.; Silchar, April 15th; and Kohimar, April 20th.; +to May 7th., 1891; when the operations were ended, by the submission of +the Rajah, and the punishment of the officials who had incited the +attack on the British Resident. + +The clasp for “Hunza, 1891,” was granted to all troops employed in the +Hunza-Nagar Expedition, between the 1st. and 22nd. of December, 1891, +both dates inclusive. + +The Hunzas are a nation of robbers and slave dealers, inhabiting an +almost inaccessible country. The expedition against them was commanded +by Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Durand, who, after some sharp fighting, +stormed the strongly fortified fort of Nilt, on the Hunza river, +December 2nd. In this service he was severely wounded. Only Indian +troops were engaged in these operations. + + + + + MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT. + + +This Medal was first instituted by King William IV., on July 30th., +1830, for non-commissioned officers and men who had been discharged in +receipt of gratuities, under the provisions of the Royal Warrant of +November 14th., 1829. The men recommended must have served twenty-one +years in the Infantry, Artillery, or Engineers, or twenty-four years in +the Cavalry, with irreproachable characters. A gratuity not exceeding £5 +for a European soldier, or £3 for a black soldier, is given to each +recipient. On the obverse of the medal is a military trophy, with a +shield bearing the royal arms, with a smaller shield in the centre +bearing the arms of Hanover. The reverse has the inscription “For long +service and good conduct.” Ribbon: crimson, suspended by a steel loop. +The name and regiment of the recipient, with the date, were indented on +the edge of the medal. After the accession of Queen Victoria the arms of +Hanover were omitted on the medal, and some years subsequently, but +before the Crimean War, the steel suspender was replaced by a silver +clasp, similar to other medals. + +By a Royal Warrant of January 16th., 1860, the medal, _without +gratuities_, was in future to be given to such soldiers as might fulfil +the conditions previously required, but who were precluded from becoming +recipients of the medal with a gratuity, in consequence of the aggregate +amount to be annually awarded having been already appropriated. No +soldier is entitled to the medal unless he has specially distinguished +himself, or has, at least, three good conduct badges. A record of the +recipients of these medals is kept in the office of the Secretary of +State for War. + +[Illustration: + + Meritorious Service Medal. + + The Cape Medal. +] + + + + + THE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. + + +By a Royal Warrant, dated December 19th., 1845, it was ordered that a +sum, not exceeding £2000 per year, should be distributed in annuities, +as rewards for distinguished or meritorious service, to Sergeants +recommended by the Commander-in-Chief, either while serving, or after +discharge, with, or without pension, in sums not exceeding £20 in each +case. + +By a Warrant of June 4th., 1853, the sum to be distributed was increased +to £4000 per annum; and by another Warrant dated December 4th., 1854, it +was ordered that one sergeant of each regiment of Cavalry and Infantry, +and one from each battalion of Foot Guards and Rifle Brigade, should be +selected for the annuity, as a reward for their services in the Crimea. +The obverse of the medal bears the Queen’s head, crowned, with the +legend “Victoria Regina” and date of issue. The reverse has the +inscription “For Meritorious Service,” surrounded by laurel, with a +crown above. Ribbon: crimson. The name and regiment of the recipient are +engraved on the edge of the medals. The annuity and medal are also given +to Sergeants of the Marines, and worn with a blue ribbon. If an +annuitant is promoted to a commission the medal may be retained, but the +annuity must be relinquished. + +A sergeant on becoming an annuitant, is required to relinquish the +gratuity of which he may be in possession, making a declaration in +writing that he does so voluntarily. The medal inscribed for +“Meritorious Service” cannot be held together with that for “Good +Conduct and Long Service;” but the latter must be surrendered on receipt +of the former. Neither can two medals for “Distinguished Conduct” be +held by the same individual, but a sergeant, on becoming an annuitant, +must relinquish one of them. An annuitant may, however, hold the +“Meritorious Service” medal, or that for “Good Conduct and Long +Service,” together with the medal for “Distinguished Conduct in the +Field.”[229] + + + + + EAST INDIA COMPANY’S MEDALS. + 1848. + + +By a General Order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General of +India, dated “Fort William, May 20th., 1848,” medals for Long Service +and Good Conduct, and for Meritorious Service, were granted to the +troops of the East India Company. On the obverse of the medal is a +shield bearing the Arms of the East India Company, surrounded by +military trophies; and on the reverse, the words “For Long Service and +Good Conduct” in a circle, within which is engraved the name, rank, and +regiment of the recipient. Ribbon, red. The medal for Meritorious +Service was given to non-commissioned officers, with an annuity not +exceeding £20 in any case. On the obverse is the head of the Queen, with +the words “Victoria Regina,” and the date “1848.” On the reverse are the +Arms of the East India Company, surrounded by the words “For Meritorious +Service.” The name and regiment of the recipient are engraved on the +edge of the medal. Ribbon, red. A medal for Long Service and Good +Conduct was struck with the intention of giving it to the men of the +Company’s Navy, but it was never distributed. A few were issued by +mistake to the Army. On the obverse is the head of the Queen, and on the +reverse the words “For Long Service and Good Conduct,” with a crown and +anchor, surrounded by oak leaves. Ribbon, red. + + + + + THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. + + +Was instituted by Royal Warrant, dated September 6th., 1886. It is given +to officers of the Navy, Land Forces, Marines, and Indian and Colonial +Naval and Military Forces, who have been specially mentioned in +despatches for meritorious or distinguished services in the field before +the enemy. This Order ranks next after the Order of the Indian Empire. +The badge consists of a gold cross, enamelled white, edged with gold. On +the obverse in the centre, within a wreath of laurel, enamelled green, +is the Imperial crown in gold, upon a red ground. On the reverse, within +a similar wreath, and on a similar red ground is the Imperial and Royal +cypher—V.R.I. It is worn on the left breast, with a red ribbon, edged +with blue. + + + + + THE INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT. + + +A similar decoration to the Victoria Cross, called the Order of Merit, +is given to native officers and men of the Indian Army, for personal +bravery only. It is an eight-pointed star, having, on a blue enamelled +ground, two crossed swords, surmounted by the words “Reward of Valour,” +within a gilt laurel wreath. It is divided into three classes: the +first, or senior star is gold; the second silver; and the third also +silver, without the gilding. Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. The +third class is to be obtained by any conspicuous act of gallantry on the +part of any native officer or soldier in the field, or in the attack or +defence of fortified places. The second class is to be obtained by those +only who already possess the third, and for similar services. The first +class is to be obtained in like manner, only by those who already +possess the third and second classes. Every member of the Order of Merit +is entitled to additional pay, and on his death his widow receives this +allowance for three years. + + + + + MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY MEDALS. + + +A medal was struck by the Scottish Darien Company in 1700, to reward the +services of Colonel Alexander Campbell, of Finab, and his surviving +companions, for their services against the Spaniards in that unfortunate +settlement. Campbell was an old soldier who had served in Flanders under +William III. On learning the distressed state of the new settlers, +Campbell was sent to Darien to take the command there. With two hundred +men and forty Indians, he attacked and totally routed a body of one +thousand six hundred Spaniards, at a place called Toubocanti. In spite +of this success the colonists were compelled to surrender to the enemy, +and Campbell, with a few others, were all that ever returned to +Scotland. The Darien Council ordered a gold medal of the value of £16 to +be struck for Campbell, and silver ones of the value of ten shillings +for his companions. The medal was designed by M. Smeltzing. On the +obverse, is Campbell with sword and shield, advancing to storm a fort in +the distance, on a scroll above are the words “Quid non pro patria,” and +in the exergue, “Toubocanti—Ubi 1600, Hispan. fudit, Dux Alexander +Campbell, MDCC., 8 Feb., M.S.” Reverse, a shield with the arms of the +Scottish African Company, above—on the scroll the words “Qua panditur +orbis,” below, “Vis unita fortior.” + +The Caribs, or natives of the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies, +instigated by the French settlers, rebelled against the English in 1772, +but, after a severe struggle, were reduced to submission by +Major-General Dalrymple, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, in +February, 1773. The troops engaged in this campaign were the 14th., +31st., and 70th. Foot, and a strong force of local Militia and +Volunteers. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Legislative Assembly +voted that silver medals should be given to the local troops as a +reward. The medal is of large size, having on the obverse the bust of +George III. in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III. M.B. Rex.” and +on the reverse, Britannia standing, with her right hand on her shield, +and offering with her left an olive branch to a Carib, who has laid his +gun and bow and arrows at her feet. Above are the words “Peace and +prosperity to St. Vincents,” and in the exergue the date 1773. Worn with +a red ribbon. For a subsequent war in the same island, in 1795, with the +French and Caribs, a bronze medal was given to the native troops who +took part in it. This has on the obverse a figure of Victory, with the +legend “St. Vincent’s Black Corps,” and on the reverse a negro soldier +with a musket. + +During the American War of Independence, large and handsome medals in +silver were struck and presented to the chiefs of the North American +Indians, as rewards for their loyalty and good service to King George +III. They were of various sizes, and with some were given silver chains +for suspension. One of the largest bears on the obverse a laureated bust +of George III., in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III., D. G. M. +Bri. Fra. et Hib. Rex. F. D.” Reverse, an Indian and European sitting +under a tree, with their hands clasped, and the Indian offering his pipe +to his companion as a token of friendship. In the background are +wigwams, and above, the words “Happy while united.” The loop for +suspension is formed of the wing of an eagle and the calumet of peace, +placed crosswise. Another specimen has on the obverse the bust of the +King, and on the reverse the arms of Great Britain[230]; and another, of +large size, with an obverse almost similar, bears on the reverse the +British lion—reclining, watching a snarling wolf (America); in the +background, is a church with trees. + +To commemorate the long and successful defence of Gibraltar, 1779–1783, +against the combined forces of France and Spain, a large medal was +struck in silver. On the obverse is a bird’s-eye view of Gibraltar, with +the words “Battering ships destroyed” in a scroll above, and in the +exergue, “September 13th., 1782.” On the reverse is inscribed “By a +zealous exertion of patience, perseverance, and intrepidity, after +contending with unparalleled succession of dangers and difficulties in +the defence of Gibraltar during a blockade and siege of almost four +years; the Garrison, under the auspices of George III., triumphed over +the combined powers of France and Spain”; surrounded by a wreath +springing from a pedestal, on which reclines the British lion, holding a +shield charged with a castle and key, and below which, in the exergue, +is the inscription “Blockade commenced June 21st, 1779; siege terminated +Feby. 11th., 1783.” This medal was not worn as a decoration, but another +of smaller size was struck in silver by General Elliott, and given to +the officers and men of the Hanoverian Brigade who took part in the +defence. The English troops did not receive this medal, but specimens in +gold were struck for George III. and the Royal Family. Obverse, a view +of Gibraltar, besieged, with the Spanish fleet in the fore ground; above +are the words “Per tot discrimina rerum,” and in the exergue “13th. +September, 1782.” On the reverse, within a laurel wreath, are the names +of the principal officers “Reden, Lamotte, Sydow, Eliott,” surrounded by +the German motto “Bruderschaft.” This medal was designed by L. Pingo. + +In 1794 a gold medal was given by Pope Pius VI. to twelve officers of +the 12th. Light Dragoons (now 12th. Lancers) as a mark of his +approbation of their conduct while stationed at Civita Vecchia. On the +obverse is a bust of the Pope, with the legend “Pius Sextus Pont Max. A. +XVII.” Reverse, a figure of Ceres, seated, with a cornucopia in her +right hand, her left arm extended, and a wreath on her head; above are +the words “Aero Pomptin Colonis Rest,” and in the exergue, the date +“1791.” Two or three Naval officers also received this medal, which was +originally struck to commemorate the restoration of the harbour of +Civita Vecchia by the Pope, and not specially as a reward to the British +officers. + +A large and handsome gold medal and chain was presented by the Emperor +of Germany, Francis II., on May 1st., 1798, to eight officers of the +15th. Light Dragoons, for the gallant conduct of the regiment at the +action of Villiers-en-Couché, near Cambray, April 24th., 1894; by which +the Emperor was preserved from being taken prisoner by the French. There +were but two squadrons of the 15th. engaged, but they, with a small body +of German Cavalry, attacked and routed several thousands of the enemy, +and captured three guns. The medal weighs 4 ozs. 7 dwts., with a gold +chain of the same weight. On the obverse is a laureated head of the +Emperor, with the words “Imp. Caes. Franciscus. II., P. F. Aug.”; +beneath the head is the name of the engraver, J. N. Wirt, F. On the +reverse “Forti Britanno in Exercitu. Foed. ad Cameracum, XXIV. Apr., +MDCCXCIV.,” with laurel branches beneath. + +The officers who received the medal were, Major William Aylett; Captains +Edward Pocklington, and Edward M. Ryan; Lieutenants Thomas G. Calcraft, +Wm. G. Keir, and Thomas B. Blount; Cornets Edward G. Butler, and Robert +Wilson.[231] Only nine medals were struck in gold, and one of these was +deposited in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna. + +In 1835 a body of English Volunteers, called the Anglo-Spanish Legion, +commanded by General Sir de Lacy Evans, was raised by permission of the +Government, for service in Spain, on the side of the Queen, Doña +Isabella, against Don Carlos. A Naval force of seamen and Marines, under +Lord John Hay, also took part in the operations on the north coast of +Spain. A medal was given by the Spanish Government to the officers and +men of the British Volunteers present at the action near San Sebastian, +May 5th., 1836. The medal was made of white metal, or pewter; but the +officers, on their return to England, in 1837, had a similar medal +struck in silver for themselves, by Messrs. Loewenstark, of London. On +the obverse is a lion, statant, surrounded by the collar of the Golden +Fleece. Reverse, a Maltese cross, with crowns in the angles; in the +centre within a wreath, the words “San Sebastian, 5 de Mayo, 1836.” It +was worn with a dark purple ribbon with two yellow stripes. + +About twenty officers and men of the Royal Artillery were given a small +gold cross for their services at Bilbao in 1836, and a detachment of +Royal Artillery and Marines received the Order of Maria Isabella Luisa. + +The East India Company, in 1837, gave a medal to the chiefs of the loyal +Coorgs, who had suppressed an insurrection in the Canara country. The +two principal Dewans each received a gold medal and chain, valued at 400 +rupees; twelve Subadars, medals valued at 200 rupees each; twenty +medals, without chains; and ten, valued at 50 rupees each, were given to +leaders who had distinguished themselves; and two hundred silver medals, +without chains, of the value of 10 rupees each, were bestowed on the +inferior leaders and distinguished Ryots. On the obverse is a Coorg +warrior in a fighting attitude, surrounded by an inscription in +Canarese, “For a Memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East +India Company, in suppressing disturbances during the months of April +and May, 1837.” Reverse, a trophy of Coorg arms, suspended in a laurel +wreath, surrounded by the words “For distinguished loyalty to the +British Government, Coorg, April, 1837.” The medals were struck at the +Calcutta Mint, and are two inches each in diameter, but of varying +thickness. + +General Sir H. G. Smith, commanding the troops in South Africa, in 1851, +to express his approbation of the conduct of a detachment of Cape +Mounted Rifles and colonial levies, presented each man with a silver +medal. On the obverse is a lion, statant; above, a wreath of laurel; and +below, in the exergue, the date “1851.” On the reverse, in raised +letters, “Presented by His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.B., to —— for +gallantry in the field.” Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. Only about +thirty of this medal were issued. + +By an Army Circular in 1869, a medal was instituted to be given +annually, with a gratuity of £20, to the best shot in the Army. It was +at first struck in bronze, but afterwards in silver. Only sixteen of +these medals were issued, the last being given in 1883, when the system +was altered. In the years 1875 and 1876 two medals were given, one to +the best shot with the Martini-Henry, and the other to the best shot +with the Snider rifle. Private G. Bryant, of the 62nd. Foot, won the +medal and gratuity two years in succession, in 1870 and 1871. The +obverse is the same as the Ashantee medal. The reverse, which was +designed by E. J. Poynter, R.A., bears a figure of Victory rising from a +throne on a pedestal, in the act of crowning an ancient warrior with a +wreath of laurel; in his right hand is a bow, and in his left a shield +transfixed with three arrows. The medal is worn on the right breast, +with a red ribbon edged with black and white stripes. + + + + + REGIMENTAL MEDALS. + + +Towards the end of the last century the officers of a few regiments +instituted Orders of Merit, and gave medals to their men as rewards for +particular acts of gallantry, distinguished service in the field, long +service, good conduct, etc. These medals were not issued by the +Government, but were presented by the officers of the different +regiments at their own expense. They were generally discontinued on the +institution of the medal for long service and good conduct by William +IV. in 1830. + +Subjoined is a List of the principal Regimental Medals known. It is not +exhaustive, and exigences of space compel the omission of detailed +descriptions of each medal. Of some of them, especially those struck in +gold, and given as a reward for a special act of bravery, but a single +specimen was ever issued, and of many of those in silver but one or two +specimens are known. When bestowed as a reward for gallant conduct, the +names of the battles in which the recipient had been engaged were +usually engraved on the medal. They were generally in silver, but were +sometimes struck in bronze and white metal. + +One of the first regiments to introduce a system of honourable +distinction in its ranks was the 5th. Fusiliers. The medals were of +three classes—worn, suspended by a green ribbon, from a button-hole of +the left lapel. The first, or lowest class, which was given to such men +as had served irreproachably for seven years, was made of bronze, having +on the obverse the badge of the regiment, St. George and the Dragon, +with the motto “Quo fata vocant”; and on the reverse, within a laurel +wreath, “Vth. Foot, Merit, March 10th., 1767.” The second class was +silver, having on the reverse the words “Reward of fourteen years’ +Military Merit.” The third was similar to the second, but was inscribed +with the name of the individual whose conduct had earned it,—“A. B., for +twenty-one years’ good and faithful service as a soldier, has received +from his commanding officers this honourable testimony of his merit.” +These medals were bestowed only upon soldiers who, for the respective +periods of seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years, had never incurred the +censure of a court-martial. They were given by the commanding officer at +the head of the assembled battalion; and if, which rarely happened, the +owner of a medal subsequently forfeited his pretensions to enrolment +among the men of merit, his medal was cut from his breast by the +drum-major as publicly as he had been invested with it. Those who +obtained the third, or twenty-one years’ medal, had also an oval badge +of the colour of their facings on the right breast, embroidered round +with gold and silver wreaths, and inscribed in the centre with the word +“Merit” in gold letters.[232] + +The 5th. Fusiliers being one of the earliest, if not the first regiment +to reward meritorious soldiers with medals, has been placed first in the +list, as a typical example how regimental decorations were commonly won +and conferred. + + ROYAL ARTILLERY.—In 1813 a troop of the Royal Horse Artillery was + armed with rockets, and served in the battle of Vittoria, and + afterwards at Leipsic, in the German Allied Army, against the French. + A silver medal was given to the men of the rocket troop, who were + present at these battles, inscribed “Vittoria and Leipsic,” but by + whom is not known. + + NINTH LANCERS.—1837. Silver. Two sizes. Ribbon, red with blue edges. + + TENTH HUSSARS.—1843–46. Silver. Ribbon, dark blue. + + TWELFTH LANCERS.—Silver. + + FOURTEENTH HUSSARS.—1812. Silver. Ribbon, red. + + SIXTEENTH LANCERS.—1813. A large Maltese cross. Silver. Given by + Lieutenant-General Sir J. Vandeleur. + + SEVENTEENTH LANCERS.—A small engraved gold medal, presented by the + non-commissioned officers and privates of Captain Willett’s troop to + Troop Sergeant-Major Farley. + + TWENTY-SECOND LIGHT DRAGOONS.—“Reward of Merit.” 1815. Silver. Ribbon, + yellow. + + FIRST FOOT.—1847. Silver. Ribbon, red. + + SECOND FOOT.—A Maltese cross, in bronze for six years’ service; in + silver for ten years. Ribbon, dark blue. + + THIRD BUFFS.—Gold medal given to Lieutenant Latham. (See page 129). + + SEVENTH FOOT.—1788. Silver and bronze. Ribbon, dark blue. + + NINTH FOOT.—Silver. Ribbon, yellow. + + TENTH FOOT.—“For Expertness in Ball-firing.” Bronze. Ribbon, yellow. + + THIRTEENTH FOOT.—Medal of Merit. Gold for twenty years’ good conduct; + silver for fourteen, ten, and seven year. Also a silver badge of a + bugle and sphinx. Ribbon, yellow with red edges. + + SIXTEENTH FOOT.—1838. A Temperance Medal. Silver. + + SEVENTEENTH FOOT.—1816. Reward of Merit. Silver. Ribbon, blue. + + TWENTIETH FOOT.—1838. Gold and silver, with an ornamental clasp. + Ribbon, yellow. The silver medal was a reward for good shooting. + + TWENTY-SECOND FOOT.—Order of Merit. 1785. Silver gift for twenty-one + years’ good conduct; silver for fourteen years; and bronze for seven. + Ribbon, blue or yellow. + + TWENTY-THIRD FOOT.—1816. Silver. Engraved. Ribbon, red, blue edges. + + TWENTY-SIXTH FOOT.—1823. Silver and bronze. Ribbon, red with yellow + edges. + + THIRTY-FIRST FOOT.—In 1804 a gold medal was presented to Private W. + Pentency and his two companions, for their bravery in extinguishing a + fire in the powder magazine at St. Heliers, Jersey. + + THIRTY-FOURTH FOOT.—1836–43. Silver, of large size, with a bar. + + THIRTY-SEVENTH FOOT.—1843. Gold and silver for the best marksmen. Also + a large oval badge. Silver. Ribbon, red, with blue edges. + + THIRTY-EIGHTH FOOT.—Silver and bronze. + + FORTIETH FOOT.—Silver. Struck to commemorate the gallant defence of + German Town, a village six miles from Philadelphia, and repulse of the + Americans, by this regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave. + October 4th., 1777. Suspended by a narrow dark blue string. + +[Illustration: A line drawing showing the obverse and reverse of a +circular military medal. The left side features a laurel wreath with +text '40 Regt GERMAN TOWN OCT 4 1777'. The right side depicts a battle +scene at a large house with 'Reward of Merit' inscribed above.] + + FORTY-SECOND FOOT.—1819. Silver. Three varieties.[233] Ribbon, red, + with blue edges; also a circular badge in the form of a garter, given + to the best marksman. + + FORTY-THIRD FOOT.—Medal “Presented by the officers of the regiment to + Private Henry Wharton,”—who served seven campaigns in Spain and + France. + + FORTY-FOURTH FOOT.—1812. Silver. A Forlorn Hope medal. + + FORTY-FIFTH FOOT.—A gold oval medal, presented by the inhabitants of + Wexford, 1793, to Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver Nicolls. + + FORTY-SIXTH FOOT.—Silver. + + FORTY-EIGHTH FOOT.—1819. Silver. Engraved. Ribbon, red with blue + edges. + + FORTY-NINTH FOOT.—1837. Silver. A temperance medal. + + FIFTY-SECOND FOOT.—1812–13. Silver. A Forlorn Hope medal, given to + volunteers in the assault on Badajoz and San Sebastian. Ribbon, red, + with blue edges. + + FIFTY-THIRD FOOT.—1812. A silver plate, with an engraved clasp. + Ribbon, blue and red. This decoration was given to fifteen sergeants + for distinguished conduct in the Peninsula. + + FIFTY-FIFTH FOOT.—A small Maltese cross. Silver. Given to marksmen. + + FIFTY-SIXTH FOOT.—Silver. A temperance medal, with a bar. + + FIFTY-SEVENTH FOOT.—1798. A social medal for officers. + + FIFTY-EIGHT FOOT.—“Gibraltar, 1782.” A gilt medal. + + SIXTY-SECOND FOOT.—Silver. A good conduct medal. + + SEVENTIETH FOOT.—Silver. Given to marksmen. + + SEVENTY-FIRST FOOT.—Silver. Given for long service. Four varieties. + Also, a silver star—a prize for marksmen. Ribbon, red with blue edges. + + SEVENTY-THIRD FOOT.[234]—Silver. “Prize for the best marksman.” + + SEVENTY-FOURTH FOOT.—1814. Silver. Given in three classes. First, to + men who had been in eight or nine general actions. Second, to those + present in six or more. Third, to those who had been in four or + upwards. The different classes vary slightly in size, and the names of + the battles are engraved on the medal. Specimens were also issued in + bronze. Ribbon, yellow. Permission was granted by the + Commander-in-Chief to wear this medal. + + SEVENTY-SIXTH FOOT.—1837. Silver. Prize for best shot. + + SEVENTY-SEVENTH FOOT.—1818. Silver. For services in the Peninsula. + Ribbon, red, with blue edges. + + SEVENTY-NINTH FOOT.—1819. Silver, for fourteen years’, and bronze for + seven years’ good conduct. Ribbon, dark green. + + EIGHTY-EIGHTH FOOT.—1818. Silver. In three classes. First class, a + large Maltese cross, given to men present in twelve general actions; + the names of the battles being inscribed on the arms of the cross. + Second class, a medal bestowed on men present in six to eleven general + actions. Third class, a similar medal, but smaller, given to men + present in six, or less number of actions. All the medals had a bar + for suspension. Ribbon, red, with blue edges. Seventy first class + crosses, one hundred and forty-five second class, and two hundred and + seventeen third class medals, were issued. + + NINETY-FOURTH FOOT.—Silver; with a clasp inscribed “Peninsula,” + Ribbon, red, with blue edges. + + NINETY-FIFTH FOOT (Rifle Brigade).—1807–13. Silver medals were given + to eleven sergeants for their gallant conduct at the storming of Monte + Video, 1807. A Forlorn Hope medal for San Sebastian, 1813. Also, a + Maltese cross (silver), a prize for marksmen. + + NINETY-SIXTH FOOT.—A silver star. Prize for the best marksman. + + NINETY-SEVENTH FOOT (Queen’s German Regiment).—1801. Silver. + + ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST FOOT (First Bengal Europeans).—1837. Silver. + Good conduct medal. + + ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH FOOT.—1780. Silver. + + SECOND WEST INDIA REGIMENT.—1846. Bronze, silver-gilt. + + + + + MEDALS OF THE MILITIA, YEOMANRY, AND VOLUNTEERS. + + +About the end of the last century, and the beginning of the present, +England was in constant danger of invasion, and regiments of volunteers +started into existence all over the country. The inhabitants of every +town and village turned out to defend their homes and property, and in +the years 1803–4, the number of the Volunteers in Great Britain amounted +to nearly three hundred and eighty thousand men. Most of them were +disbanded after the battle of Waterloo, in 1815. Medals and prizes were +freely given by the officers of each regiment, as rewards for merit and +good shooting, and there was scarcely a single corps that did not +decorate some of its members. The shapes and designs of these medals +were various, and the dates of their issue are generally from about 1790 +to 1814. + +Appended is an alphabetical list of corps that issued medals, but with +no pretensions to completeness. + + ACROTORMENTARIAN SOCIETY OF RIFLEMEN.—1816. Brass. + + ARTILLERY COMPANY, LONDON.—1803. Silver. Oval shape. + + BANK OF ENGLAND VOLUNTEERS.—1805. Gold. + + BANTRY GARRISON.—1797. + + BARRACK LIGHT COMPANY.—Dublin, 1803. Silver. Oval. + + BETHNAL GREEN VOLUNTEERS.—1803. Silver, by P. Wyon. + + BIRMINGHAM LIGHT HORSE.—1798. Bronze and white metal. + + BIRMINGHAM VOLUNTEERS.—1802. Silver. + + BREADALBANE HIGHLANDERS.—1798. Silver. + + BRISTOL VOLUNTEERS.—1814. Silver. + + BUCKS YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1821. Silver. Given to the men who formed the + royal escort at the coronation of George IV. + + CAMBERWELL VOLUNTEERS.—1805. + + CARMARTHEN MILITIA.—1798. Silver. + + CARMARTHEN YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1827. Silver. + + CORK TRUE BLUES.—1745. (A hundred gentlemen, equipped at their own + expense.) + + CORK (ROYAL) VOLUNTEERS.—1776. Silver. Oval. + + DRUMKEEN INFANTRY.—1797. Silver-gilt. + + DUKE OF CUMBERLAND’S SHARPSHOOTERS.—1803. “The first Volunteer Rifle + Corps in Great Britain” (now the Victoria Rifles). Silver and bronze; + given by Colonel Beaumont. + +[Illustration: A circular line drawing of a commemorative medal +featuring the profile of a man with curly hair and sideburns, with the +name BARBER BEAUMONT inscribed around the edges.] + + EDINBURGH ROYAL VOLUNTEERS.—1803. Silver. Oval. + + ESSEX LIGHT DRAGOONS.—1820. Bronze. + + FERMOY CAVALRY.—1798. Silver-gilt. + + GODLEY VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.—1804. Silver. Oval. + + IRVINE VOLUNTEERS.—1820. Silver. + + JOHN OF GAUNT’S BOWMEN.—1795. Silver. Large oval. + + LIBERTY RANGERS.—Dublin, 1797. Silver-gilt. + + LIMERICK MILITIA.—1798. Silver. (The Colooncy medal, given to the + Militia for defeating the French, near Sligo.) + + LIVERPOOL VOLUNTEERS.—1806. Silver-gilt. + + LONDON (LOYAL) VOLUNTEERS.—1st., 1803. Silver. 5th., 1805. Gold. 6th., + 1805. Silver. 7th., 1804. Silver. Oval. + + LOUTH VOLUNTEERS.—1755. Silver. + + MANCHESTER RIFLE REGIMENT.—1804. Gold. + + MANCHESTER AND SALFORD VOLUNTEERS.—Light Horse, 1802. Gold, white + metal, and bronze. + + MANCHESTER AND SALFORD VOLUNTEERS.—Grenadier Company, 2nd. Battalion. + Gold, silver, and bronze. + + MID-LOTHIAN (ROYAL LOYAL) YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1808. Silver. Oval. + + MID-LOTHIAN 3RD., THE WESTERNS.—1803. Silver and bronze. + + MONTGOMERYSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1820. Silver. + + NEWCASTLE VOLUNTEERS.—1801. Silver. + + NITHSDALE VOLUNTEERS.—1805. Silver. Oval. + + NORFOLK (LOYAL) YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1796. Silver. + + NORFOLK (EAST) MILITIA.—1804. An oval badge. Gilt. + + NORTH SOMERSET YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1814. Gold and silver. Also, a + silver-gilt cross, given in 1800. + + NOTTINGHAMSHIRE RIFLEMEN.—1810. White metal. + + PENRHYN VOLUNTEERS.—1794. Bronze. + + PRINCE OF WALES’S LOYAL VOLUNTEERS.—1804. Large. Silver-gilt. + + RATHDOWN CAVALRY.—1796. Silver. + + RENFREWSHIRE YEOMANRY.—1804. Silver. + + RUTLAND YEOMANRY.—1819. Silver. Oval. + + RUTLAND LEGION RIFLEMEN.—1796. Silver, suspended from a clasp, + inscribed “Good conduct.” + + SADBOROW YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1823. Silver. + + SHERWOOD RANGERS (YEOMANRY).—1821. Bronze. + + SOUTH DEVON MILITIA.—1799. Silver. Given by the citizens of Waterford. + + SOUTH CIRCULAR ROAD INFANTRY.—1808. (Dublin). Silver. Large oval. + + STIRLINGSHIRE VOLUNTEERS (East Battalion).—1804. Silver. Oval. + + SUFFOLK LOYAL YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1795. Silver and bronze. + + SURREY VOLUNTEERS (1ST).—1808. Silver-gilt. Large oval. + + SUTHERLAND VOLUNTEERS.—1802. Silver-gilt. Large oval. + + SUTTON’S (CAPTAIN) RIFLE COMPANY.—1806. Silver. Large size. + + TYRONE MILITIA (ROYAL).—1797. Silver and bronze. + + TYRONE VOLUNTEERS (ROYAL). Silver. Oval. + + WESTMINSTER LOYAL VOLUNTEERS.—1803. Silver-gilt. + + WEST AND EAST HAM LOYAL UNITED VOLUNTEERS.—1798. Silver-gilt. + + WEST SOMERSET YEOMANRY CAVALRY.—1820. Silver, and silver-gilt. + + WICKLOW MILITIA.—1797. Silver. Presented by the Westmeath Grand Jury. + + WORLINGWORTH VOLUNTEERS.—(Suffolk), 1798. Silver. + +These very interesting decorations are now almost the only memorials +existing of the patriotic exertions of the people of the British Islands +at an important epoch in the history of their country. It is to be +regretted that of many medals issued, not a single specimen can now be +found, having probably been consigned to the melting pot, and any +descriptions of their designs, if such there were, have equally +disappeared.[235] + +The brave men who served in the campaigns of the latter half of the +19th. century, have been honoured by a far more lavish distribution of +medals and clasps than were ever granted to the veterans, who, after a +contest of years, vanquished Napoleon by sea and land; but the list of +the glorious deeds of these, though unrewarded by medal or cross, form +with the no less distinguished actions of their successors, a chronicle +of achievements which none of their countrymen can regard but with +feelings of pride and exultation, and which will ever be regarded as +examples for imitation by the British Army. + + + THE END. + + + + + INDEX. + + + Abercrombie, Sir R., Death of, 66. + + Abu Klea, Battle of, 619. + + Abyssinian Medal, 587. + + „ Expedition, 588. + + Afghanistan Medals, 233. + + Afghan War, first, 235. + + „ „ second, 258. + + Afridis, Expedition against, 356, 359. + + Ahmed Khel, Battle of, 272. + + Abu Kru, Battle of, 622. + + Albuhera, Battle of, 124. + + „ Medal for, 130. + + Alexandria, Battle of, 63. + + „ Bombardment of, 604. + + Allan, bugler, noble conduct of, 337. + + Allighur, Capture of, 17. + + Ali Musjid, Action of, 260. + + Aliwal, Battle of, 315. + + Alma, Battle of, 380. + + Amoaful, Battle of, 598. + + Argaum, Battle of, 31. + + Arrah, Defence of, 585. + + Artillery, Royal, Gallant Conduct of, 426. + + Ashantee Medal, 594. + + „ War, 595. + + Assaye, Battle of, 22. + + Australian, Contingent at Suakin, 627. + + Ava, War in, 41. + + + Badajoz, Capture of, 138. + + Balaklava, Battle of, 398. + + Barrosa, Battle of, 112. + + Basuto War, 21. + + Battles fought on Sundays, 405. + + Beresford Lord Charles, Dispatch of, 620. + + Bhootan Expedition, 364. + + Bhurtpore, Storming of, 50. + + Bilbao Cross, 644. + + “Birkenhead,” Wreck of the, 210. + + Black Mountain Expedition, 375. + + Booth, Sergeant, Gallant Conduct of, 227. + + Bourbon Medal, 9. + + Burmese War, second, 347. + + „ „ third, 371. + + Burmah, Annexation of, 372. + + Burnaby, Col. F., death of, 621. + + Busaco, Battle of, 107. + + “Buffs” at Albuhera, 127. + + Byrne, Corporal J., and Sergeant Murray, Anecdote of, 334. + + + Cabul, Actions at, 268. + + Campbell, Sir C., Anecdote of, 568. + + Canada, North West, Medal, 634. + + Cannon Shot, rewards for picking up, 417, 549. + + Canton, Capture of, 290. + + Cape Medal, 200. + + Carib Medals, 640. + + Cashmere Gate blown in at Delhi, 552. + + Cavalier Badges, 5. + + Cavanagh, Private, death of, 565. + + Cawnpore, Evacuated, 563. + + Central India Campaign, 578. + + Ceylon Medal, 8. + + Charasia, Battle of, 264. + + Chateauguay, Action of, 165. + + Chilianwala, Battle of, 325. + + China Medals, 278. + + Chinese War, the first, 279. + + „ „ second, 286. + + Chin-Lushai Expedition, 376. + + Chrystler’s Farm, Action of, 169. + + Ciudad Rodrigo, Storming of, 135. + + Civita Vecchia Medal, 642. + + Colooncy Medal, 651. + + Colours of the 78th. Regiment at Argaum, 31. + + Coomassie, Capture of, 600. + + Coorg Medal, The, 644. + + Corunna, Battle of, 89. + + „ Last Survivor of, 95. + + Corygaum, Defence of, 40. + + Crimean Medal, 378. + + Cromwell, O., Letter of, 4. + + Cross of the 88th Regiment, 650. + + + Darien Company’s Medal, 640. + + Deccan Medal, 7. + + Deig, Battle of, 24. + + „ Capture of, 35. + + De Lancey, Sir W., Death of, 191. + + Delhi, Battle of, 20. + + „ Siege of, 546. + + “Die Hards” at Albuhera, 127. + + Distinguished Service Order, 639. + + Doab Field Force, 363. + + Duke of Cumberland’s Sharpshooters’ Medal, 651. + + + Earle, General, Death of, 624. + + East India Company’s Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct, and + Meritorious Service, 638. + + Edwardes Medal, The, 322. + + Egyptian Medal, 8, 58. + + Egyptian Campaign (1801), 59. + + Egyptian and Soudan Medals, 602. + + Elliott’s Gibraltar Medal, 642. + + El Teb, Battle of, 610. + + Eusufzye Expeditions, 356, 360. + + + Fatshan Creek, Action of, 287. + + „ „ Commodore Keppel’s Account of, 288. + + Ferozeshuhur, Battle of, 312. + + Fifty-second Regt. at Busaco, 110. + + Fordyce, Col., Death of, 209. + + Forlorn Hope Medal, 2. + + Fort Detroit, Capture of, 144. + + French War Medals and Recipients, 446. + + Fuentes d’Onor, Battle of, 117. + + „ „ Medal for, 122. + + + Galekas and Gaikas, Campaign against the, 213. + + Gate Pah, Action at, 342. + + Gawilghur, Storming of, 32. + + Gemaizah, Battle of, 631. + + German Town Medal, 648. + + Ghuznee, Capture of, 237. + + „ Recapture of, 256. + + Ginnis, Battle of, 631. + + Glover Capt., March of, 600. + + Gonine, Battle of, 255. + + Goojerat, Battle of, 329. + + Gordon, General C., at Sebastopol, 423. + + „ „ „ Entry in his Diary, 619. + + „ „ „ Death of, 622. + + Griquas, Campaign against the, 216. + + + Hackett, Major, at Kambula, 227. + + Hardinge, Viscount, Letter of, 314. + + Harwood’s, Corporal, Account of the Battle of Alma, 387. + + Hazara Expedition, 375, 635. + + Honorary Colours of the 76th. Regiment, 21. + + Howell, Private, Gallantry of, 324. + + Hullock, R., Anecdote of, 61. + + Hunza Expedition, 635. + + Hyderabad, Battle of, 302. + + + Indian War Medal, 54. + + Indian General Service Medal, 346, 635. + + Indian Mutiny Medal, 545. + + Indian Order of Merit, 639. + + Inkermann, Battle of, 404. + + Isandhlwana, Action of, 221. + + + Java, Capture of, 131. + + „ „ Medal for, 135. + + Jellalabad, Defence of, 242. + + Jones, Capt. J., Anecdote of, 110. + + Jowaki Expedition, 369. + + + Kaffir War, the first, 201. + + „ „ second, 204. + + „ „ third, 206. + + Kandahar, Defence of, 253. + + „ March to, 274. + + Kelat-I-Ghilzie, Defence of, 254. + + Kendal Medal, 2. + + Kirkee, Battle of, 37. + + Kirbekan, Battle of, 623. + + + Laswarree, Battle of, 28. + + Latham, Lieut., at Albuhera, 128. + + Light Brigade, March of, 102. + + Looshai Expedition, 366. + + Lucknow, Defence of, 557. + + „ Relief of, 568. + + + Magdala, Storming of, 593. + + Maharajpore and Punniar, Battles of, and Star for, 304. + + Maheidpore, Battle of, 39. + + Maida, Battle of, 70. + + „ „ Gold Medal for, 73. + + Main, Lieutenant, Gallant conduct of, 252. + + Manipur, Expedition to, 635. + + Martinique and Guadaloupe, Capture of, 105. + + McCabe, Sergeant, Gallantry of, 319. + + Medals, mode of wearing, 104. + + Medal for Distinguished Conduct, 510. + + Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, 636. + + Medal for Best Shot in the Army, 644. + + Meeanee, Battle of, 299. + + Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteer Medals, 650. + + Mohammerah, Bombardment of, 355. + + Moodkee, Battle of, 310. + + Mooltan, Siege of, 321. + + Moore’s, Sir J., Campaign, 80. + + „ „ Death of, 93. + + „ „ Sword of, 93. + + Mysore Medal, 7. + + + Naga Expedition, 370. + + Nagpore, Capture of, 38. + + Napier, Sir C., 94. + + „ „ wounds of, 94. + + Napoleon’s opinion of Medals, 5. + + Nepaul Medal, 10. + + „ War in, 36. + + New Zealand Medal, 322. + + „ „ War, the first, 333. + + „ „ second, 338. + + Nile Expedition, 617. + + Ninety-Second Regiment at the Pass of Maya, 152. + + Nivelle, Passage of, 167. + + Nive, Passage of, 171. + + North American Chiefs Medal, 641. + + + O’Connor, Col., at the Alma, 389. + + Old Ninety-fourth Regiment, 14. + + Orthes, Battle of, 174. + + + Paget, General, Anecdote of, 86. + + Pearl Brigade, 570. + + Peiho or Taku Forts, Capture of, 292, 293. + + Peiwar Kotul, Battle of, 231. + + Pekin, Occupation of, 295. + + Peninsula Medal, 54. + + „ „ Notes on, 59, 180. + + „ Gold Cross and Clasps, 161. + + Perak, Naval Brigades at, 368. + + Persian War, 352. + + Phillpotts, Lieutenant, R.N., Death of, 335. + + Picton, Sir J., Remains of, 190. + + Pyrenees, Battles of, 151. + + + Quatre Bras, Battle of, 181. + + “Queen’s,” the losses of, 208. + + + Red Karens, Expedition against, 373. + + Regimental Medals, 645. + + Roleia and Vimiera, Battles of, 74. + + „ „ „ Gold Medals for, 80. + + Rorkes Drift, Defence of, 224. + + Royal Irish, winners of prize, 619. + + + Sahagun and Benevente, Actions of, 81. + + Salamanca, Battle of, 141. + + „ Anecdotes of, 143. + + „ Conduct of the 11th. and 61st., Regts. at, 127. + + Samana Expedition, 377. + + San Sebastian Medal, 643. + + Sardinian War Medal and Recipients, 478. + + Scinde Medals and Campaign, 298. + + Sebastopol, Bombardments of, 395, 397, 425, 431, 433, 439. + + Sekukuni, Operations against, 231. + + Seringapatam, Capture of, 13. + + Seventy-third Regt. in Ceylon, 649. + + Shannon Brigade, 569. + + Sikkim Expedition, 374. + + Sittana Expedition, 360. + + “Slashers,” The, at San Sebastian, 160. + + Smith’s, General Sir. H. G., Medal, 644. + + Sobraon, Battle of, 318. + + Stewart, General Sir. H., Death of, 623. + + Stopford, Brigadier, Noble Conduct of, 306. + + St. Sebastian, Capture of, 158. + + Suakin, Battle at, 626. + + Sutlej and Punjaub Medals, 308. + + + Talavera, Battle of, 95. + + „ Gold Medal for, 103. + + Tamaai, Battle of, 614. + + Tel-el-Kebir, Battle of, 607. + + Thibetan Army defeated, 375. + + Tofrek, Battle of, 628. + + Toski, Battle of, 632. + + Toulouse, Battle of, 176. + + Tryon, Lieutenant, Death of, 418. + + Turkish Medal, 70. + + Turkish War Medal, 509. + + Twenty-eighth Regt. in Egypt, 66. + + + Ulundi, Battle of, 229. + + Umbeyla Campaign, 361. + + Uylett, Sergeant, Noble Conduct of, 245. + + + Victoria Cross, 511. + + „ „ Winners of, 512. + + Villiers-en-Couché Medal, 642. + + Vittoria, Battle of, 147. + + Vittoria and Liepsic Medal, 647. + + + Walsh Medal, 3. + + Waterloo, Battle of, 186. + + „ Anecdotes of, 194. + + „ Medal for, 196. + + Wives of Infidels, 610. + + Wood, Sir E. Speech of, 229. + + Wood, Captain J. A., Anecdote of, 353. + + Wyatt-Rawson, Lieutenant, R.N., Death of, 610. + + + Zulu War, 218. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + These Medals were of silver, and oval in shape, having on one side the + head of the Queen, and on the other an Ark on the Sea, + inscribed—_Sœvas tranquilla per undas_. + +Footnote 2: + + See Naval Medals. + +Footnote 3: + + Both are in the British Museum; one is in gold and the other in + silver; there is an aperture at the top for the ribbon. + +Footnote 4: + + It is recorded that when Napoleon surrendered himself on board the + Bellerophon, he was received by a captain’s detachment of the Royal + Marines. After acknowledging the salute, he minutely inspected the + men, and having remarked that they were very fine and well appointed, + the ex-emperor added, “are there none amongst them who have seen + service?” Upon being told that nearly the whole of them had seen much + service, he exclaimed, “What! and no marks of merit.” The officer + explained that it was not customary to confer medals, except upon + officers of the highest ranks. The conversation terminated by Napoleon + remarking, “Such is not the way to excite or cherish the military + virtues.” + +Footnote 5: + + See Naval Medals. + +Footnote 6: + + These medals were almost invariably given to the Native troops only. + +Footnote 7: + + As the 12th. Foot moved forward, a large body of Mysorean cavalry + formed in the shape of a wedge, having an elephant with a howdah on + his back in front, appeared advancing to charge the regiment, and the + British line halted to receive the attack. Immediately afterwards two + other very large bodies of the enemy were discovered in two topes or + woods, preparing to support the first charge. Lieutenant-General + Harris, seeing the danger which menaced the regiment, placed himself + in its rear, frequently repeating the words, ‘Steady, Twelfth!’ + ‘Steady, old Twelfth!’ and when the wedge approached within a hundred + yards of the line, the Mysoreans discharged their carbines and + pistols, but without doing execution. The 12th. remained steady, with + their muskets at the recover, until the enemy arrived within about + thirty yards, when a well-directed volley, followed by rapid file + firing, carried destruction into the enemy’s ranks; a rampart of + killed and wounded men and horses lying along the front of the + regiment. The rear of the wedge were embarrassed by the killed and + wounded in front, and could not continue the charge. The elephant was + severely wounded, his conductor killed, and the chiefs on his back had + fallen, when, turning round, he directed all his fury on the + Mysoreans, overturning everything in his retrograde movement, and + producing great havoc with a prodigious chain, which he swayed. A few + Mysorean horsemen broke through the regiment, but they were instantly + shot in its rear, and the British artillery arriving, and opening its + fire, the enemy’s cavalry fell back; at the same time the line + advanced, and decided the fate of the day at that part of the field; a + distant cannonade, however, indicated that the battle was raging + elsewhere. + +Footnote 8: + + Eight stand of colours were captured by the 12th. Foot. A forlorn hope + of each attack consisted of a sergeant and twelve Europeans, followed + by two subaltern’s parties; that of the right column, under Lieutenant + Hill, of the 74th., and that of the left column, commanded by + Lieutenant Lawrence, of the 77th., the father of sons subsequently + memorable in Indian annals, and especially during the mutiny. + +Footnote 9: + + This was the old 94th., and not the present regiment which was only + ordered to be raised in December, 1823, now known as the 2nd. + Battalion Connaught Rangers. The former was known for years, as the + Scots Brigade, before receiving its numerical title on the 25th. of + December, 1802. This corps had been formed in 1568, for service in + Holland against the oppression of Spain. Being a British corps, it was + demanded from the United Provinces by King James II, on the rebellion + of the Duke of Monmouth, in 1685, after the suppression of which it + returned to Holland. It again embarked for England with the Prince of + Orange, at the revolution of 1688, and remained there until the + Protestant cause had been established, when it re-embarked for + Flanders in 1691, and served in the campaigns of King William III. It + remained in the service of Holland until 1793, until it was decided by + King George III., upon the application of the British officers + remaining in it, to require the corps to return to Great Britain. It + was taken on the British establishment on the 5th. of July, 1793. It + then consisted of three battalions; in 1795 it was reduced to two + battalions, and embarked for Gibraltar. In 1796 it was formed into one + battalion, and embarked for the Cape of Good Hope; it proceeded in + 1798 to the East Indies, from whence it returned to England in 1808. + It embarked for Cadiz and Lisbon, and served in the Peninsula War from + January, 1810, to July, 1814. It was disbanded at Belfast on the 24th. + of December, 1818. + +Footnote 10: + + For the specimen of the ribbon of the Seringapatam medal I have to + acknowledge my obligations to Albert Woods, Esq., Lancaster Herald, + and Inspector of Regimental Colours, who has furnished me with much + valuable information on this and other points. From a letter addressed + to him by the gallant General Sir James L. Caldwell, G.C.B, now in his + 91st. year, in reply to a query on this subject, the following + interesting particulars have been afforded:—When the medal was issued + no ribbon accompanied it, but the recipients were given to understand + that it was to be of a deep yellow colour, and about an inch in width. + This colour was adopted in reference to the tiger, selected by the + Sultan Tippoo as his favourite insignia, the golden throne found in + the palace being constructed on the back of that animal, and his + chosen Sepoys being clothed in tiger jackets. The head of this animal + of the throne is now at Windsor Castle, having been obtained by the + Marquis of Wellesley, from the prize agents, together with the ideal + and fictitious bird termed the “Huma,” supposed to ensure perpetual + royalty to the person over whose head it is suspended, and being + regarded as a bird of Mahomedan Paradise: it is shewn to strangers + under the misnomer of the Seringapatam Peacock. The above information + was accompanied by a piece of the ribbon, the colour of which + resembles the light fur of the tiger. It may be added that the name + Tippoo signifies Tiger, and that the tiger-stripe was adopted in the + uniform of the Sultan’s infantry. In the United Service Museum, + amongst other oriental curiosities, are two of Tippoo’s pistols, + having a tiger’s head at the end, and also the dress he wore when + killed. The famous organ of Tippoo representing a tiger tearing a + prostrate British soldier is in the East Indian Museum, together with + his suit of chain armour. When the handle of the organ is turned + sounds are emitted similar to the shrieks of a human being and the + growl of the animal. + +Footnote 11: + + “I think that General Lake’s capture of Allighur is one of the most + extraordinary feats that I have heard of in this country. I never + attacked a fort that I did not attempt the same thing, namely, to blow + open the gates; but I never succeeded. I have always taken them by + escalade, which appears to have been impossible in this + instance.”—_Wellington Dispatches._ + + This practice of blowing open the gates has since, on more than one + occasion, been successfully practised in India. + +Footnote 12: + + The 19th. Dragoons (since disbanded), the 74th. and 78th. regiments, + had honorary colours for Assaye conferred by the Governor-General of + India. In consequence, however, of the inconvenience occasioned by + taking a third officer from his duty to carry it, the 74th. received + the orders of the Commander-in-Chief on the 31st. of August, 1830, to + discontinue the use of the third colour in the field, and to carry it + only at reviews, inspections, and on gala days. + +Footnote 13: + + The 19th. Light Dragoons, who had their commanding officer, + Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, killed, and the 74th. and 78th. regiments + received honorary colours as stated in note at page 22. In the latter + part of the action Major-General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley had a + horse killed under him close to the 78th. Nearly all the mounted + officers lost horses, some having two and even three killed. No part + of the Mysore or Mahratta allies were engaged; their infantry were + left with the baggage, and the cavalry not being in uniform, it was + apprehended that mistakes might have arisen had they been brought into + action. + +Footnote 14: + + Colonel Thomas Pakenham Vandeleur rode a celebrated race-horse, of a + jet-black colour. Long after the melancholy fate of his rider, this + horse kept his place with the regiment, and afterwards became the + property of Cornet Burrows, who took great care of him until the + regiment left India, when he was shot, that he might not fall into + unworthy hands. + +Footnote 15: + + The following officers were engaged in this brilliant affair:—_Madras + Artillery._—Lieutenant Chisholm, killed; Assistant-Surgeon Wylie. + _2nd. Battalion 1st. Regiment Bombay Native Infantry._—Captain + Staunton; Lieutenant and Adjutant Pattinson, died of wounds; + Lieutenant Connellan, wounded; Lieutenant Jones, 10th regiment, doing + duty with the 2nd battalion 1st. regiment; Assistant-Surgeon Wingate, + killed. _Auxiliary Horse._—Lieutenant Swanston, Madras Establishment, + wounded. + +Footnote 16: + + Additional troops proceeded from Madras in the autumn, and before the + close of the year His Majesty’s 47th., with the governor-general’s + body-guard, had joined the expedition, which then amounted to about + thirteen thousand men. + +Footnote 17: + + “All their artillery, stores, and reserve depôts, which had cost them + so much labour to get up, with a great quantity of small arms, gilt + chattahs, standards, and other trophies fell into our hands. Never was + victory more complete or decided, and never was the triumph of + discipline and valour, over the disjointed efforts of irregular + courage and infinitely superior numbers, more conspicuous. Majors + Dennie and Thornhill, of the 13th. Light Infantry, and Major Gore, of + the 89th., were distinguished by the steadiness with which they led + their men.”—_Brigadier-General Sir A. Campbell’s despatch._ + +Footnote 18: + + In the same general orders it was announced that “Medals also, bearing + a suitable device, are to be distributed to the native troops which at + any period during the war, were employed under the command of + Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, including the officers and men + of the gunboats serving in the Irrawaddy.” This medal, also designed + by William Wyon, Esq., contained on the obverse a quaint device—the + Asiatic elephant crouching to the British Lion. It was not conferred + on the regiments of the Crown, and therefore does not come within the + scope of this work. When the medal for services in India from 1803 to + 1826 was authorized, a bar inscribed Ava was granted. + + The 1st., 13th., 38th., 41st., 44th., 45th., 47th., 54th., 87th., and + 89th. King’s regiments were permitted to bear the word AVA on their + colours, in commemoration of their gallantry during this service. + +Footnote 19: + + In consequence of the scarcity of European infantry with the infantry, + it was deemed necessary to call for volunteers from the cavalry, each + King’s regiment to furnish three officers and eighty rank and file. + This number was at once obtained. The officers’ names were Captain + Browne, Lieutenant Windus, and Comet Pearson, of the 11th. Dragoons, + and Captain Luard, and Lieutenants McConchy and Walker, of the 16th. + Lancers. Viscount Combermere had formerly served in the latter + regiment. + +Footnote 20: + + From the 24th. of December, 1825, to the 18th. of January, 1826, the + expenditure of shot and shells during the twenty-six days was as + follows:—Shot 42,215, shells 17,060, shrapnells 1,096, grape 693, case + 404, carcasses 4; in all 61,472. + +Footnote 21: + + One officer wrote:—“It is very vexatious to honourable feelings, when + we go into society at home and abroad, to meet foreigners of all + nations covered with medals and orders, when we, who have had the + pleasure of licking them in every part of the world, have neither + orders nor medals.” + +Footnote 22: + + Long before this order was issued, the majority of these old warriors, + the survivors of a hundred fights, had fallen before the irresistible + scythe of Time, with no mark of their glorious services, except the + honourable scars which they had received on the field of battle. + +Footnote 23: + + As to the rarity of the Peninsula medal, it is very uncommon to meet + with any having more than eight or nine bars, and if any of the bars + should have inscribed on them the actions of “Fort Detroit.” + “Chateauguay,” or “Chrystler’s Farm;” the value of the medal is + greatly enhanced. The clasps for the cavalry actions of “Sahagun” and + “Benevente,” in the Peninsula; and the bars for “Maida,” “Martinique,” + “Guadaloupe,” and “Java,” are also of rare occurrence. The old 45th., + Sherwood Foresters, bore more Peninsula honours on their colours than + any other regiment. + +Footnote 24: + + As the soldiers were burying a Highlander of the 42nd. regiment, who + was supposed to be dead, Captain David Stewart, of Garth, requested + them to take him out of the grave, and carry him to the surgeon; he + soon recovered of a swoon, his wound was cured, and he resumed his + duty shortly afterwards. It is to be hoped that this soldier did not + evince his gratitude like the private of the 31st. regiment, mentioned + in the following anecdote:—In 1799, the 31st. regiment was serving in + Holland, and at Egmont-op-Zee crossed bayonets with the French + regiment bearing the same number; a ball fired during the retreat of + the latter, passed through the jaws of a soldier of the former, named + Robert Hullock; in the course of the afternoon he was buried in the + sand-hill where he had fallen, by a soldier of his regiment named John + Carnes. During the night Hullock having been but lightly covered with + sand, crept out and crawled to a picket of his corps posted near. He + was sent to hospital, recovered, and was serving with his regiment in + Malta, in 1809. His face having been much disfigured, and his voice + scarcely intelligible, (a part of his tongue and palate having been + carried away,) he had for some years served as pioneer to his company; + a soldier of it died, and Hullock, as a part of his duty, dug the + grave, in which he was found, on the arrival of the body for + interment, still at work, though then nearly ten feet deep. On being + drawn out he was asked for his reason in making it so unusually deep, + he replied, “Why, Sir, it’s for poor John Carnes, who buried me, and I + think, Sir, if I get him that deep, it will puzzle him to creep out as + I did.” On the burial service being read, he proceeded to fill up the + grave, and actually buried the man who ten years previously had buried + him. Hullock was discharged and pensioned in 1814. + +Footnote 25: + + When the standard was delivered up to Major Stirling, of the 42nd., he + gave it in charge to a sergeant to remain close to the gun which that + corps had captured, but in a subsequent charge, this non-commissioned + officer was ridden over by the French Dragoons, was stunned in + consequence, and when he returned to consciousness the standard of the + “Invincible Legion” was gone. It was afterwards recaptured from the + French by Private Anthony Lutz, of the Minorca regiment in the British + service, was sent to England, and placed in the Royal Military Chapel, + Whitehall, and subsequently in Chelsea Hospital. + +Footnote 26: + + The Highland Society, at London, in grateful acknowledgment, and + commemoration of the valour of their countrymen, on this day, + presented the 42nd. regiment with a piece of plate, value one hundred + guineas, inscribed with an appropriate motto and designs. A silver + medal was also struck, in commemoration of the capture of Buonaparte’s + invincible standard; one to be given to each private as well as + officer in the regiment, or, if killed or dead, to their nearest + surviving relations. The cool and intrepid courage of Colonel + Stewart’s foreign corps, and of the 28th. and 42nd. regiments, on whom + the fury of the enemy principally fell, it is agreed on all hands, was + also, on this important day, particularly distinguished. In this + battle, the 28th., now the 1st. Gloucestershire regiment, gained the + privilege of wearing their badge on the back and front of their + helmets. The regiment while in line, was attacked in front by + infantry, and in the rear by cavalry, under cover of the mist. There + was no time to form in square, the rear rank went to the right about, + and thus back to back, the 28th. repulsed both attacks of the enemy. + +Footnote 27: + + The regiments which proceeded from India were the 10th., 80th., 86th., + and 88th. regiments; a troop of the 8th. Light Dragoons and the 61st. + regiment embarked from the Cape of Good Hope, joined the army, under + Major-General Baird, at Cosseir, in July, 1801, and proceeded through + the desert to Kenna, on the Nile, where the troops afterwards embarked + for Cairo. + +Footnote 28: + + The 22nd. Light Dragoons, 20th. (two battalions,) 24th., 25th., and + 26th. Regiments, the Ancient Irish Fencibles, and the foreign corps of + De Watteville and Chasseurs Britanniques, joined the Army in Egypt, in + July, 1801. + +Footnote 29: + + The same incident is related in the “Record of the 52nd. Light + Infantry,” edited by Captain Moorsom, late captain of that regiment, + by which it appears there were three men, one a straggler from the + artillery, another from the guards, and the third a man named Lewis, + of the 52nd. Lewis generally contrived to have an attack of rheumatism + soon after getting into action, and thus got out of sight of his + officers, for the purpose of filling his havresack. Although a sad + plunderer, he was a gallant soldier, and was afterwards killed at + Orthes, by the side of the late Duke of Richmond. + +Footnote 30: + + “The rear regiments of the reserve only were present when the money + was cast away, and certainly not a man of those left their ranks in + the hope of obtaining a portion. This discipline, however, did not + extend to the ‘followers,’ who, as soon as they arrived at the spot + where the dollars were rolling over the mountain side, at once began a + scramble, in which the wife of the regimental master-tailor, Malony, + (who was a merry one, and often beguiled a weary march to the men with + her tales,) was so successful that her fortune was apparently made. + The poor woman went through all the subsequent perils and hardships of + the retreat, but on stepping from the boat to the ship’s side on + embarking at Corunna, her foot slipped, and down she went, like a + shot, and owing to the weight of dollars secured about her person she + never rose again.”—_Historical Record of the 52nd. Light Infantry._ + +Footnote 31: + + “Our baggage animals were all left on the beach. Major Browne was + fortunate enough to get a pig in exchange for a horse. The Major was + rather unlucky with his pork; for in the hurry of embarkation, piggy + was taken on board one ship, and the Major on board another.” + + —_Lieutenant-Colonel Cadell’s Narrative._ + +Footnote 32: + + This sword is now in the possession of the Officers’ Mess of the 43rd. + Regiment (Oxford Light Infantry). It was presented to the regiment by + General Lynedoch Gardiner. + +Footnote 33: + + The following remarkable circumstance occurred in the 2nd. + Foot:—“Samuel Evans, a private in the Grenadier Company of the 2nd. + Foot, was carried off amongst the wounded at Corunna. He arrived in + England, and died in the military hospital at Plymouth, on the 30th. + of January, 1809. On a _post mortem_, examination being made, it was + discovered that he had been shot through the heart, and yet had + survived sixteen days.”—_Curiosities of War._ + +Footnote 34: + + Major (afterwards Sir Charles) Napier received five terrible wounds at + Corunna, and but for the aid of a generous French drummer, would there + have been killed; he was made a prisoner, and his fate being long + unknown, he was mourned for as dead by his family. In the battle of + Busaco, a bullet struck his face, and lodged behind the ear, + splintering the articulation of the jawbone; yet with this dreadful + hurt, he made his way, under a fierce sun, to Lisbon, more than one + hundred miles! Returning from France, after the battle of Waterloo, + the ship sunk off Flushing, and he only saved himself by swimming to a + pile, on which he clung until a boat carried him off, half drowned, + for the pile was too large to climb up; he had caught it during the + recession of a wave, and was overwhelmed by each recurring surge. He + escaped Cholera, and a second shipwreck off the Indus, and + marvellously recovering from the stroke of a rocket at Kurrachee, was + again firm on horseback, and conducted a dangerous war to a glorious + termination. On the 13th. of December, 1842, whilst in Scinde, he was + observing the practice of a rocket-train, when one of the fiery + missiles burst, rocket and shell together, and tore the calf of his + right leg open to the bone; but neither the bone itself nor the great + artery were injured, and the wound was instantly stitched. His decease + did not occur until some years afterwards. + +Footnote 35: + + The last survivor of the victory of Corunna, Thomas Palmer, of the + 32nd. Regiment, died April 20th, 1889. + +Footnote 36: + + These two battalions were formed on the 1st. February, 1809, and + consisted of detachments that had been left in Portugal, belonging to + the regiments composing the division of the army which had marched + into Spain under the orders of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore. + +Footnote 37: + + The 43rd. and 52nd. are now known as the 1st. and 2nd. Battalions of + the Oxford Light Infantry, the old 95th. being the present Rifle + Brigade. + +Footnote 38: + + Some of the general officers applied to Viscount Wellington to + ascertain whether, upon ordinary occasions, they might not wear the + ribbon of the medal at the button-hole, instead of round the + neck;—“This,” his lordship remarked, “would be a more convenient way + of wearing it, and they would consequently wear it more frequently, + which would be desirable.” In the reply to the general officers, dated + Cartaxo, 3rd. February, 1811, his lordship acquainted them that an + answer had been received from Lieutenant-Colonel Torrens, Military + Secretary, “stating that the General Officers should wear the ribbon + of the medal at their button-hole, the same as the Field Officers, in + undress; but when the medal is worn itself, it should be round the + neck.” + + The medal for Maida was worn at the button-hole, and that mode is + alluded to in a letter from the Marquis of Wellington to Earl + Bathurst, dated Grenada, 20th. April, 1813. “To Earl Bathurst.—We must + have the orders of the Secretary of State for any alteration in the + mode of wearing the medal by the General Officers. It may do very well + for an admiral to wear his medal round his neck on his quarter-deck, + but we on horseback ought to wear it always at our button-hole. Indeed + this is the common practice in all distributions of this description, + and was the rule at first on the grant of the medal for the battle of + Maida; and I don’t know why it was altered.” + +Footnote 39: + + “Several prisoners were taken by the regiment, and amongst others + the French General Simon. He surrendered himself to Private James + Hopkins, of Captain Robert Campbell’s company, who received a + pension of twenty pounds per annum, as the reward of his bravery on + this occasion. Private Harris, of the 52nd., also shared in the + capture, and a pension was awarded to him in 1843, by the late + Viscount Hardinge, then the Secretary at War, on the representation + of Lieutenant-General Sir J. F. Love, who was present at the capture + of General Simon, and who delivered him as a prisoner to + Brigadier-General Craufurd.”—_Historical Record of the 52nd. Light + Infantry, by Captain Moorsom._ + + Captain Moorsom also relates the following _medal_ incident:—“When the + head of Simon’s column appeared in the act of deploying, and the 52nd. + advanced to charge, Captain William Jones, more commonly known in the + division by the name of “Jack Jones,” a fiery Welshman, rushed upon + the Chef de Bataillon, who was in the act of giving the word to his + men, and killed him on the spot with a blow of his sword. Jones + immediately cut off the medal with which the major was decorated, and + appropriated it to himself.” + +Footnote 40: + + In the midst of the engagement, Sergeant Patrick Masterson, of the + 87th., seized and kept possession of the eagle of the 8th. French + regiment of light infantry, (which was the first taken in action since + the commencement of the Peninsula war,) and for this His Royal + Highness the Prince Regent promoted him to an ensigncy in the Royal + York Light Infantry Volunteers; he was subsequently removed to the + 87th. regiment, now the 1st. Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. + +Footnote 41: + + An interesting anecdote has been preserved of this officer’s canine + friend:—“After the battle of Barrosa, the wounded of both nations + were, from want of means of transport, necessarily left upon the field + of action the whole night and part of the following day. General + Rousseau, a French general of division, was of the number; his dog, a + white one of the poodle kind, which had been left in quarters upon the + advance of the French force, finding that the general returned not + with those who escaped from the battle, set out in search of him; + found him at night in his dreary resting-place, and expressed his + affliction by moans, and by licking the hands and feet of his dying + master. When the fatal crisis took place, some hours after, he seemed + fully aware of the dreadful change, attached himself closely to the + body, and for three days refused the sustenance which was offered him. + Arrangements having been made for the interment of the dead, the body + of the general was, like the rest, committed to its honourable grave; + the dog lay down upon the earth which covered the beloved remains, and + evinced by silence and deep dejection his sorrow for the loss he had + sustained. The English commander, General Graham, whose fine feelings + had prompted him to superintend the last duties due to the gallant + slain, observed the friendless mourner, drew him, now no longer + resisting, from the spot, and gave him his protection, which he + continued to him until his death, many years after, at the general’s + residence in Perthshire.”—_Maxwell’s Victories of the British Army._ + +Footnote 42: + + The following British troops were engaged at the battle of + Albuhera. Cavalry, under Major-General the Honourable Sir William + Lumley:—3rd. Dragoon Guards, 4th. Dragoons, and 13th. Light + Dragoons. Second division, Major-General the Honourable W. + Stewart:—3rd. Foot, first battalion, 31st., second battalion, + 48th., second battalion, 66th., second battalion 60th., one + company fifth battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Colborne; 29th. Foot. + 48th., first battalion, 57th., first battalion 60th., one company + fifth battalion, Major-General Hoghton; 28th. Foot, second + battalion, 34th., second battalion, 39th., second battalion, + 60th., one company fifth battalion, Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel + Abercromby. Fourth division, Major-General the Honourable Lowry + Cole: 27th. Foot, first battalion, 40th., first battalion, 97th + Queen’s Own 60th., one company fifth battalion, Colonel Kemmis; + Fusilier Brigade,—7th. Foot, first and second battalions, 23rd., + first battalion, Brunswick Oels, one company. First and second + light battalions German Legion, Major-General Baron Charles Alten. + +Footnote 43: + + No description can surpass that given by Sir William Napier:—“Such a + gallant line issuing from the midst of the smoke, and rapidly + separating itself from the confused and broken multitude, startled the + enemy’s heavy masses, which were increasing and pressing onwards as to + an assured victory; they wavered, hesitated, and then vomiting forth a + storm of fire, hastily endeavoured to enlarge their front, while a + fearful discharge of grape, from all their artillery, whistled through + the British ranks. Myers was killed, Cole, and the three colonels, + Ellis, Blakeney, and Hawkshawe fell wounded, and the Fusilier + battalions, struck by the iron tempest, reeled and staggered like + sinking ships. But suddenly and sternly recovering, they closed on + their terrible enemies, and then was seen with what a strength and + majesty the British soldier fights. In vain did Soult, by voice and + gesture, animate his Frenchmen; in vain did the hardiest veterans, + extricating themselves from the crowded columns, sacrifice their lives + to gain time for the mass to open out on such a fair field; in vain + did the mass itself bear up, and, fiercely striving, fire + indiscriminately upon friends and foes, while the horsemen, hovering + on the flanks, threatened to charge the advancing line. Nothing could + stop that astonishing infantry. No sudden burst of undisciplined + valour, no nervous enthusiasm weakened the stability of their order; + their flashing eyes were bent on the dark columns in their front; + their measured tread shook the ground; their dreadful volleys swept + away the head of every formation; their deafening shouts overpowered + the dissonant cries that broke from all parts of the tumultuous crowd, + as slowly, and with a horrid carnage, it was pushed by the incessant + vigour of the attack, to the farthest edge of the height. There the + French reserve, mixing with the struggling multitude, endeavoured to + sustain the fight; but the effort only increased the irremediable + confusion; the mighty mass gave way, and like a loosened cliff, went + headlong down the steep. The rain flowed after in streams discoloured + with blood, and fifteen hundred unwounded men, the remnant of six + thousand unconquerable British soldiers, stood triumphant on the fatal + hill.” + +Footnote 44: + + Mustering the living and recording the dead became afterwards our + melancholy duty. On reckoning our numbers, the 29th. regiment had only + ninety-six men, two captains, and a few subalterns remaining out of + the whole regiment; the 57th. regiment had but a few more, and were + commanded out of action by the adjutant; the first battalion of the + 48th. regiment suffered in like manner; not a man of the brigade was + prisoner; not a colour was lost, although an eloquent historian most + unwarrantably stated that the 57th. had lost theirs—the 57th. lose + their colours!—never! Major-General Hoghton, commanding the brigade, + and Lieutenant-Colonel Duckworth, of the 48th. regiment, were killed; + Lieutenant-Colonel White, of the 29th. regiment, mortally wounded; + Colonel Inglis, of the 57th., and Major Way, of the 29th. regiments, + very severely. In fact, every field officer of the whole brigade was + either killed or wounded, so that at the close of the action the + brigade remained in command of a captain of the 48th. regiment, and + singular enough, that captain was a Frenchman (Cemetiere.) + +Footnote 45: + + “During the operations on the right, Colonel Gillespie pursued his + advantage to the left, carrying the enemy’s redoubts towards the rear, + and being joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander M‘Leod, of the 59th., + with part of that corps, he directed him to attack the park of + artillery, which that officer carried in a most masterly manner, + putting to flight a body of the enemy’s cavalry that formed and + attempted to defend it. A sharp fire of musketry was now kept up by a + strong body of the enemy, who had taken post in the lines in front of + Fort Cornelis, but were driven from them, the fort taken, and the + enemy completely dispersed. They were pursued by Colonel Gillespie, + with the 14th. regiment, a party of Sepoys, and the seamen from the + batteries under Captain Sayer, of the Royal Navy. By this time the + cavalry and horse artillery had effected a passage through the lines, + the former commanded by Major Travers, and the latter by Captain + Noble; and, with the gallant Colonel at their head, the pursuit was + continued, till the whole of the enemy’s army was killed, taken, or + dispersed. Major Tule’s attack was equally spirited, but, after + routing the enemy’s force at Campong Maylayo, and killing many of + them, he found the bridge on fire, and was unable to penetrate + further.”—_Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty’s despatch._ + +Footnote 46: + + After the capture of Java the 14th. regiment remained on the island + for some time. The Sultan of Mataram, who governed a portion of the + interior, trusting to his power, and the strength of his fortified + palace, at Djocjocarta, meditated the expulsion of all Europeans from + the island, and committed aggressions of which it became necessary to + stop the progress. To effect this, his palace was captured by storm on + the morning of the 20th. June, 1812; on which occasion the 14th. had + another occasion of distinguishing themselves. Lieutenant-Colonel + Watson (now General Sir James Watson, K.C.B., and Colonel of the + 14th.) commanded the main attack, and the grenadiers of the regiment + headed the assault with their usual gallantry. + +Footnote 47: + + “Lieutenant Gurwood, (afterwards the editor of the Wellington + Dispatches,) of the 52nd., who led the forlorn hope, took the French + Governor, General Barrié, prisoner in the citadel. Lord Wellington + presented Lieutenant Gurwood with the sword of General Barrié on the + breach by which Gurwood had entered,—a fitting and proud compliment to + a young soldier of fortune!” + +Footnote 48: + + At its head marched the 45th. regiment, supporting the advanced + storming party, composed of the flank companies of the division and + the 83rd. regiment. Few more desperate conflicts are on record than + that which took place. After repeated assaults the escalade was + effected, and the place carried. + + Lieutenant M‘Pherson, of the 45th., though wounded previous to his + ascending the ladders in the escalade, was distinguished in hauling + down the French flag from the staff of the citadel, which being + brought to Major Greenwell, who commanded the regiment, he ordered a + jacket of the 45th. to be substituted, in its place, acting upon the + well-known adage of—“exchange no robbery.” It had been a point of + emulation amongst the different regiments during the siege, which + should have the honour of striking the French flag, and spiking a + certain gun in the castle, which had been particularly offensive + during the operations; the 45th. had the good fortune to do both. + +Footnote 49: + + On the enemy’s commencing to give way, a French officer picked up a + firelock, thrown down by one of his men, and levelled it at + Major-General the Honourable Edward Pakenham; the piece missed fire, + when the intrepid officer snatched up another, and presented it, on + which Corporal Patrick Cavanagh, of the 45th., advanced out of the + ranks, shot the officer, and saved the general; but both parties were + now so near, that in the act of firing the Corporal was himself shot. + +Footnote 50: + + The 11th. and 61st. regiments specially distinguished themselves on + this occasion; evening was fast approaching, and the legions of + Napoleon were retreating in much disorder, when the French division, + commanded by General Maucune, made a determined stand to cover the + retreat of the broken battalions; then ensued a desperate musketry + action in the dark. The difficulty of the ascent gave the enemy’s + division, formed on the summit, a decided advantage; but at length + Maucune’s battalions were forced from the height. Of Major-General + Hulse’s brigade, (the 11th., 53rd., and 61st.,) only nine officers and + three hundred men remained, which were formed on the following day + into one battalion. A round shot (probably fired at the colours of the + 11th.,) took the heads off the two sergeants, posted between the + colours, and of a black man who beat the cymbals in the band, and who + was in rear of them, without injuring either of the officers carrying + the colours; one of them (Ensign Scott) was afterwards killed. The + colour party of the 61st. regiment, being all shot down, the colours + were seized by Privates Crawford and Coulson, who carried them till + the close of the battle. Crawford was made a sergeant on the field, + and the same rank was offered to Coulson, who declined it, saying that + he was already over rewarded by the cheers and congratulations of his + comrades. The regiment went into action with 27 officers and 420 men, + and at the close of the fight had only 3 officers and 78 men left. + +Footnote 51: + + Southey thus describes the bâton:—“It was rather more than a foot + long, and covered with blue velvet, on which the imperial eagles were + embroidered; and it had been tipped with gold, but the first finder + had secured the gold for himself. The case was of red morocco, with + silver clasps, and with eagles on it, and at either end the Marshal’s + name imprinted in gold letters.” + +Footnote 52: + + In this desperate combat in the Pass of Maya, the 6th., 28th., 34th., + 50th., 71st., 82nd., and 92nd. regiments had opportunities of + distinguishing themselves. The latter having been hotly engaged for + ten successive hours, and in want of ammunition, was ordered by + Lieutenant-General the Honourable William Stewart not to charge, and + the gallant Highlanders, for the first time, disregarded orders, not + only charging, but leading the charge. Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, of + the 92nd., who commanded the first brigade, was permitted by his + Sovereign to bear on his shield the word Maya in commemoration of this + action. The 92nd. had thirty-four men killed and two hundred and + sixty-eight men wounded; one officer was killed, and eighteen officers + were wounded, one of whom died of wounds. Sir William Napier, in his + history of the Peninsula War, has remarked that “so dreadful was the + slaughter, especially of the 92nd., that it is said the advancing + enemy was actually stopped by the heaped mass of dead and dying. The + stern valour of the 92nd., principally composed of Scotchmen, would + have graced Thermopylæ.” + +Footnote 53: + + “Although our wounded are numerous, I am happy to say that the cases + in general are slight, and I have great pleasure in reporting to Your + Lordship that the utmost attention has been paid to them by the + Inspector General, Dr. M‘Grigor, and by the officers of the department + under his directions.”—_Marquis of Wellington’s despatch._ + +Footnote 54: + + Just before the assault was given, a sergeant of the 28th. regiment, + named Bull, being sent with a party to the coast from Roncesvalles, to + make purchases for the officers, placed the money entrusted to him, + 2000 dollars, with a Commissary, and took a receipt. He then persuaded + his party to join the stormers, so, as he said, that the ‘Slashers’ + should be represented, and took part in the assault, which he + survived, reclaimed his money, made his purchases, and rejoined his + regiment. Singularly this gallant little party did not sustain any + loss. + +Footnote 55: + + The illustration is copied from the Cross and Clasp conferred upon the + late General Sir George Scovell, G.C.B. Gold medals were struck to + commemorate the battles of Roleia, Vimiera, Corunna, Talavera, Busaco, + Barrosa, Fuentes d’Onor, Albuhera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, + Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse, the capture of Java, Martinique, Guadaloupe, + etc. These were only granted to superior officers, and worn with a red + ribbon with blue edge. For example, see plate of “Talavera Gold + Medal.” + +Footnote 56: + + “Richoso, 1st. October, 1811.—Adverting to your Lordship’s despatch of + the 3rd. September, regarding the grant of medals to the officers of + the army, it occurs to me that an improvement might still be made in + the system; for instance, many officers, in the course of service, + become entitled to two or three or more medals. In my opinion, they + should receive but one; but for every additional action deemed worthy + of the medal, in which any officer having a medal should be present, + he should be warranted to have the name of that action engraved on his + medal, and that in that case the fresh medal for that action should be + given to the officer next in command in the regiment, who was present + and distinguished in the action.”—_The Wellington Dispatches._ + + “To the Earl of Liverpool.” + +Footnote 57: + + Some correspondence had taken place on the subject with the Marquis of + Wellington, as appears by the following:— + + “Freneda, 16th. March, 1813. + + “I have received your letter of the 24th. February, in regard to the + medals, and I concur entirely with you regarding all the + improvements you propose on the subject. You have provided a remedy + for a difficulty which I could never get over in a way at all + satisfactory to myself. I likewise agree with you in the propriety + of having a cross with eight bars, or a star with eight points, for + those who are entitled to more than seven distinctions. I am not + certain that it would not be best that all general officers, as well + as others, should wear the medal or cross at the button-hole, till + they should receive the last distinction. It is very awkward to ride + in round the neck.” + + “To Earl Bathurst.” + + _The Wellington Dispatches._ + +Footnote 58: + + It appears that the Duke of Wellington was in favour of a more general + distribution, for in a letter dated Vera, 6th. November, 1813, + addressed to Marshal Sir William Carr Beresford, K.B., in reference to + his claim for the Ciudad Rodrigo medal, he remarked, “In regard to the + medals, I have always been of opinion, that government should have + extended the principle more than they did; and in executing their + orders, I believe it will be found that, whenever a medal could be + given to an individual under the orders of government, I have inserted + his name in the return. However, my decision on this or any other + subject is not final; and if anybody doubts, I wish he would apply to + superior authority.”—_The Wellington Dispatches._ + +Footnote 59: + + Whilst the British were in position on the banks of the Nive, in + November, 1813, the French used to meet the English officers at a + narrow part of the river, and chat over the campaign. One of the + latter, in order to convince them of the reverses of Napoleon in + Germany, rolled a stone up in the _Star_ newspaper, and endeavoured to + throw it across the stream. The stone, unfortunately, went through it, + which made it fall into the water. The French officer thereupon + remarked, in pretty fair English, “Your good news is very soon + damped.” + +Footnote 60: + + “This attack, led by the 52nd. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel + Colborne, and supported on their right by Major-General Brisbane’s and + Colonel Keane’s brigades of the third division, and by simultaneous + attacks on the left by Major-General Anson’s brigade of the fourth + division, and on the right by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, + with the remainder of the third division, and the sixth division, + under Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, dislodged the enemy from + the heights, and gave us the victory.”—_Wellington’s despatch._ + +Footnote 61: + + “I walked down to the bridge with Lord Wellington yesterday (6th + March, 1814,) and found him limp a little, and he said he was in + rather more pain than usual, but it was nothing. At dinner yesterday, + he said he was laughing at General Alava having had a knock, and + telling him it was all nonsense, and that he was not hurt, when he + received this blow, and a worse one in the same place himself. Alava + said it was to punish him for laughing at him.”—_Larpent’s Journal._ + + In “Recollections, by Samuel Rogers,” recently published, there is a + remark of Wellington’s in allusion to the above circumstance:—“The + elastic woven corselet would answer very well over the cuirass. It + saved me, I think, at Orthes, where I was hit on the hip. I was never + struck but on that occasion, and then I was not wounded. I was on + horseback again the same day.” + +Footnote 62: + + The 7th. Hussars, who highly distinguished themselves in this battle + do not bear “Orthes” on their accoutrements; though Wellington in his + despatches, said, “The charge of the 7th. Hussars under Lord E. + Somerset, was highly meritorious.” + +Footnote 63: + + The following statement gives the number of troops employed in Spain + and the South of France, at the periods of the several actions + mentioned:— + + ┌──────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ + │ Actions. │ Number of Troops. │ + ├──────────────┼─────────────────────────┬───────┬───────────┬────────┤ + │ „ │Present and fit for Duty.│ Sick. │On Command.│ Total. │ + ├──────────────┼─────────────────────────┼───────┼───────────┼────────┤ + │Roleia │ 14,871│ │ │ │ + │Vimiera │ 18,903│ │ │ │ + │Talavera │ 28,987│ 48,827│ 1596│ 35,410│ + │Busaco │ 29,138│ 7,079│ 2526│ 38,743│ + │Fuentes d’Onor│ 34,647│ 9,298│ 4912│ 48,857│ + │Ciudad Rodrigo│ 37,014│ 12,392│ 4217│ 53,623│ + │Badajoz │ 36,025│ 12,711│ 4433│ 53,169│ + │Salamanca │ 38,531│ 13,891│ 5004│ 57,426│ + │Vittoria │ 47,927│ 9,605│ 4294│ 61,826│ + │Pyrenees │ 41,263│ 12,698│ 4916│ 58,877│ + │Nivelle │ 45,104│ 13,658│ 4425│ 63,187│ + │Nive │ 43,680│ 14,732│ 5007│ 63,419│ + │Orthes │ 42,959│ 12,972│ 4690│ 60,621│ + │Toulouse │ 42,807│ 12,907│ 5638│ 61,352│ + └──────────────┴─────────────────────────┴───────┴───────────┴────────┘ + +Footnote 64: + + A few notes on the Peninsula Medals may be given in addition to that + on page 59. Of the _Gold_ Medals, large and small, given only to + General Officers, four hundred and sixty-nine were issued. Of these, + one hundred and forty-three had _one_ clasp, seventy-two _two_ clasps. + Sixty-one gold Crosses were awarded; forty-six with _one_ clasp, + eighteen with _two_, seventeen with _three_, eight with _four_, seven + with _five_, three with _six_, two with _seven_, and one only with + _nine_ clasps, given to the Duke of Wellington, for thirteen general + engagements. To the cavalry which served during the war, the highest + number of bars issued with any medal was _eleven_, and only _four_ + medals with this number. There were only _six_ survivors to claim the + medal with _fifteen_ bars in 1847. _Two_ medals only with _two_ + bars—“Fort Detroit” and “Chrystler’s Farm”—were issued; one of these + was sold in 1887 for £25 10s. 0d. A medal with the bar “Chrystler’s + Farm” was sold in 1878 for £6 6s. 0d. A medal with _fourteen_ bars was + sold for £14. A medal with clasp for “Nive” was given as recently as + March, 1889, to an old veteran, Capt. Gammell, who as an ensign was + present at the sortie from Bayonne; but leaving the army soon + afterwards, and neglecting to forward his claim in 1847, did not + receive this recognition of his services till _seventy-five_ years had + elapsed, when nearly all his companions in arms had long been in their + graves. + +Footnote 65: + + “As the 42nd. regiment advanced through a field of rye, which reached + nearly to the men’s shoulders, a body of cavalry was seen approaching, + which was supposed to be either Prussians or Flemings, but which + proved to be French. The mistake was not discovered in time to + complete the proper formation to receive the charge; the regiment, + however, attempted to form square, and while in the act of so doing, + the French lancers galloped forward with great impetuosity, being + assured of victory when they saw the unprepared state of the regiment. + The regiment suffered severely; but the lancers were repulsed with + loss. When the enemy’s ardour was cooled and the attacks had become + less frequent and fierce, the regiment completed its formation. It had + sustained a severe loss in killed and wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir + Robert Macara, K.C.B., had fallen, and the command of the regiment + devolved on Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir Robert Henry) + Dick.” + +Footnote 66: + + “The Duke, on this occasion, was very nearly overtaken by the French + cavalry; and being obliged to gallop towards the 92nd. Highlanders, he + called out to the nearest men to lie down in the ditch, when he fairly + leaped over them.”—_Captain Siborne._ + +Footnote 67: + + “It is only recently that the remains of Sir Thomas Picton were + removed to St. Paul’s. In the _Times_ of Thursday, May 5th, 1859, + appeared a letter from W. Brewer, Esq., of 21, George Street, Hanover + Square, stating that in the vaults of the burying ground in the + Bayswater road, might be seen the thick chest or oak box, in which the + remains of this general, as they were packed up in the village of + Waterloo, and sent to England, were deposited. As these vaults were + just closed by order of the Privy Council, and the brickwork to close + in the coffins was at once to be commenced, this gentleman appealed to + the country that the body of this illustrious warrior might be + deposited in some distinguished mausoleum:—the result of this appeal + was that the remains of this gallant general were removed on the 8th. + of June, 1859, to St. Paul’s, and the following account of the + ceremony appeared in the _Morning Post_ of Thursday, June 9th., 1859:— + + “Yesterday morning, according to arrangement, the remains of the late + Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton were removed from the cemetery + belonging to the parish of St. George, Hanover Square, to St. Paul’s + Cathedral. + + “The coffin was placed on a gun-carriage, drawn by eight horses, It + was covered with a rich silk Genoa velvet pall with richly emblazoned + armorial bearings of the late general, and with the union-jack. The + procession was under the direction of the Royal Artillery. The first + carriage contained Mr. J. Picton, the Hon. Colonel Vereker, Colonel + Bagot, and General Wood. The second contained the Rev. Henry Howarth, + rector of St. George’s, Hanover Square, Mr. Stanley, and Dr. Brewer. + In the third were Mr. Cooper, Mr. Westerton, and Treherne. Then + followed the carriages of Lord Strafford, the Right Hon. Mr. Estcourt, + the Home Secretary, Lord Gough, General Sir F. Stovin, Sir John + Burgoyne, Sir Hew Ross, Sir Robert Gardiner, and Sir James Coleman. + + “Amongst the others who appeared as mourners was the Rev. Dr. Macnab, + of Canada, representing his uncle, Captain Alexander Macnab, of the + 30th. Regiment of Foot, who was aide-de-camp to General Picton, and + who fell at the battle of Waterloo. + + “The procession moved slowly through the principal streets to St. + Paul’s Cathedral. When the body reached St. Paul’s Cathedral, some + time was taken up in removing the ponderous mass from the + gun-carriage, and bearing up the steps on the south side into the + Cathedral. It was there met by the Very Rev. the Dean Milman, + Archdeacon Hale, the Rev. W. Murray and several other prebendaries and + minor canons, who preceded the body to the crypt, where a vault had + been constructed not far from the tomb of Wellington, the illustrious + chief of the noble hero. At that moment the organ began to play the + ‘Dead March in Saul.’ Followed by the old comrades of the illustrious + general, the body was conveyed, in the most solemn silence, to the + tomb, where it was received and lowered into the grave in the presence + of Colonel Vereker, Mr. J. Picton, and a large number of private + mourners.” + +Footnote 68: + + Lady de Lancey, a sister of Captain Basil Hall, carefully attended her + dying husband, Sir William de Lancey, in a peasant’s cottage at + Waterloo, for seven or eight days after the battle, in which he had + been severely wounded, and, in fact, was at first returned as killed. + In “Recollections, by Samuel Rogers,” the following account is given + by the Duke:—“De Lancey was with me when he was struck. We were on a + point of land that overlooked the plain, and I had just been warned by + some soldiers, (but as I saw well from it, and as two divisions were + engaging below, I had said, ‘Never mind,’) when a ball came leaping + along _en richochet_, as it is called, and striking him on the back, + sent him many yards over the head of his horse. He fell on his face, + and bounded upward and fell again. All the staff dismounted, and ran + to him; and when I came up he said, ‘Pray tell them to leave me, and + let me die in peace.’ I had him conveyed into the rear: and two days + afterwards, when, on my return from Brussels, I saw him in a barn, he + spoke with such strength that I said, (for I had reported him among + the killed,) ‘Why, De Lancey, you will have the advantage of Sir Condy + in Castle Rackrent; you will know what your friends said of you after + you were dead.’ ‘I hope I shall,’ he replied. Poor fellow! We had + known each other ever since we were boys. But I had no time to be + sorry; I went on with the army, and never saw him again.” + +Footnote 69: + + ┌────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐ + │ │ Cav. │ Art. │ Guns. │Infantry.│ + ├────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤ + │British │ 5843│ 2967│ 78│ 15,181│ + │King’s German Legion│ 1997│ 526│ 18│ 3,301│ + │Hanoverians │ 497│ 465│ 12│ 10,258│ + │Brunswickers │ 866│ 510│ 16│ 4,586│ + │Nassausers │ │ │ │ 2,880│ + │Dutch Belgians │ 3205│ 1177│ 32│ 13,402│ + ├────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤ + │ Total │ 12408│ 5645│ 156│ 49,608│ + └────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘ + +Footnote 70: + + The Life Guards and Blues were without cuirasses at Waterloo; and the + 1st. Foot Guards received the royal authority to be styled Grenadier + Guards, to commemorate their having been victorious over the Imperial + Guard. + +Footnote 71: + + In an interesting paper, entitled “APSLEY HOUSE,” which appeared in + the “Quarterly Review,” for March, 1853, descriptive of a visit to the + late Duke’s residence, the writer thus alludes to this medal,—“His own + Waterloo medal, engraved ‘Arthur, Duke of Wellington,’ and much worn + by use, with the ring cobbled and mended by himself, is indeed a + relic.” + +Footnote 72: + + At this period the Fingo tribes placed themselves under the protection + of the British government; great care was ordered to be observed that + they should not be taken for the enemy. Their warriors were + distinguished from the Kaffirs, by carrying shields. + +Footnote 73: + + At this period the 27th. Foot joined. On the arrival of the regiment + at Graham’s Town, on the 8th. of September, a provisional battalion, + consisting of four hundred Hottentots, divided into four companies, + and officered by colonists, was attached to the corps. The 72nd. and + 75th. regiments had similar battalions attached to them. + +Footnote 74: + + “The conduct of the troops has well maintained the character of + British soldiers, and the losses sustained by the 2nd. Queen’s Royal + Regiment, will stand prominent on the Regimental Records of the former + achievements of this gallant corps.”—_Cape General Orders._ + +Footnote 75: + + “At the moment he was hit, he was giving directions to a company of + his own well-loved corps, which was skirmishing in the bush, and the + position of which he wished to alter a little. Whilst raising his arm + to indicate the ground he alluded to, a huge Hottentot stepped rapidly + from a thick clump close by, and delivered the fatal shot; observing + with characteristic cunning the irreparable mischief he had done, he + screeched out, in hellish accents, ‘_Johnny, bring stretcher_,’ and, + turning on his heel, dived into the clump again before the infuriated + 74th. could wreak their vengeance upon him. + + “Fordyce lived a quarter of an hour after receiving his death-wound. + The ball had passed through his abdomen; and, as he was borne away in + the consciousness of approaching death, he was just able to utter, in + faint accents, the words—‘_Take care of my poor regiment_—I AM READY,’ + when he passed placidly away.”—_United Service Magazine, April, 1852._ + +Footnote 76: + + The “Birkenhead,” an iron steam transport, sailed from Queenstown for + the Cape, with drafts of the 12th. Lancers, 2nd., 6th., 12th., 43rd., + 45th., 60th., 73rd., 74th., and 91st. Regiments; the whole under the + command of Lieutenant-Colonel Seton of the 74th. Off Simon’s Bay, on + 26th. February, 1852, she struck on a sunken rock, and shortly + afterwards sank. Out of six hundred and thirty-eight souls on board, + only 184 were saved. Colonel Seton and his men exhibited an example of + the highest coolness and self-possession, and died at their post with + the courage and resolution of British soldiers. A graceful tribute has + been paid by the Queen to his memory, and that of the officers, + non-commissioned officers, and men who perished in the wreck. Her + Majesty, desirous of recording her admiration of their heroic + constancy and unbroken discipline, has caused to be placed in the + colonnade at Chelsea Hospital, a tablet in commemoration of this + event. When the ship struck, Colonel Seton called all the officers + about him, and impressed upon them the necessity of preserving order + and silence among the men, and intimated to the soldiers by his + sergeant-major, that he would be the last to quit the ship. After + placing the women, children, and sick, in the over-crowded boats, with + his men drawn up on the deck, as if standing on parade, they all went + down together with the wreck; one of the noblest examples of heroism + ever recorded. As a splendid instance of heroic constancy, the late + William I., Emperor of Germany, then King of Prussia, ordered the + glorious story to be read on parade at the head of every regiment in + his service. + +Footnote 77: + + The body of Sandilli was found in the bush, and was brought on a horse + into the British camp. As he lay on the ground wrapped in a piece of + old sail cloth, the Fingoes marched past, and each shook his assagai + in the face of the dead chief. He was then interred by them in the + presence of the troops. + +Footnote 78: + + Some time after, a Zulu chief in speaking of the battle at + Isandhlwana, said: “The red soldiers killed many of us with their + bayonets; when they found we were upon them, they turned back to back. + They all fought till they died, they were hard to kill. Not one tried + to escape.” Another said: “Ah, those red soldiers, how few they were, + and how they fought! They fell like stones, each man in his place.” + +Footnote 79: + + “He was last seen with his back to a rock, six Zulus lying dead at his + feet, his empty revolver in his left hand, a bloody sabre in his + right, and two assegais quivering in his body.” + +Footnote 80: + + One of the wounded officers was the gallant Major Hackett, V.C., of + the 90th. Perthshire Regiment, who led his men into action with a pipe + in his mouth. He was shot through the head, but recovered with the + loss of both eyes. + +Footnote 81: + + On the preceding evening, Sir E. Wood paraded his men, and thus + addressed them, to their great encouragement:—“This is the last of the + laagering business. The Zulus think we cannot beat them in the open, + and we are going to try. I have conversed with Oham’s men and others + who were at Isandlhwana, and they all state that the Zulus would never + have beaten those companies of the 24th., but that they got in rear of + them. Now, I want you, to-morrow, to pay attention to your officers, + as we are going to fight them in square, and I have every confidence + in you, providing you keep shoulder to shoulder, fighting back to + back. I cannot promise all will return, but that we shall be victors I + am sure.” + +Footnote 82: + + This Medal was struck at the Government Mint in Calcutta. + +Footnote 83: + + The first Jellalabad medal is also very scarce. Since 1842 it has been + the custom with medals granted for service in India to present them to + the legal representatives of deceased officers and soldiers. + +Footnote 84: + + A gold Maltese cross, on a larger cross of silver, supported by two + crossed swords, in the centre, a circle of pearls, worn with a red and + green ribbon. + +Footnote 85: + + The 44th. regiment arrived at Jellalabad in January 1841, and was + moved to Cabool in May following. On the 1st. of October of that + year, the strength of the regiment in Afghanistan was 25 officers, + 35 sergeants, 14 drummers, and 635 rank and file. The number killed + at Cabool, and during the retreat, amounted to 22 officers and 543 + men; three officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Shelton, and Lieutenants + Evans and Souter, and 51 men were taken prisoners. The officers + killed between the 10th. of November, 1841, and the 13th. of + January, 1842, were Lieutenant-Colonel Mackrell, Major Scott, + Captain Swayne, McCrea, Leighton, and Robinson; Lieutenants Dodgin, + Collins, White, Wade, Hogg, Cumberland, Raban, Cadett, Swinton, + Fortye, and Gray; Paymaster Bourke; Quartermaster Halahan; Surgeon + Harcourt, and Assistant-Surgeons Balfour and Primrose. + + Lieutenant Souter, severely wounded, preserved the colours of the + 44th. by tying them round his waist. 102 officers were killed at + Cabool, and during the retreat. + +Footnote 86: + + This was the place where the massacre of the British troops occurred, + and not as too frequently stated, in the _Khyber_ pass, which had they + been able to reach, being on the Indian side Jellalabad, they would + have been safe. + +Footnote 87: + + It is remarkable that the Sikhs, afterwards such formidable opponents + during the Sutlej and Punjab campaigns, were able supporters at this + period, and during the recent Indian Mutiny they sustained their + former character, the Sikh regiments being most valuable allies. + +Footnote 88: + + One of these officers, Lieutenant Mein, was thus alluded to in + reference to his conduct, while serving with the army on its retreat + from Cabool, by Sir Robert Peel, on moving the vote of thanks to the + army employed in Afghanistan:—“I have said that, in the course of this + campaign, instances of the most generous devotion, of friendly + sympathy, and of desperate fidelity, were displayed, which deserve at + least a passing notice. Lieutenant Eyre says: ‘Lieutenant Sturt + (son-in-law to Sir Robert and Lady Sale) had nearly cleared the + defile, when he received his wound, and would have been left on the + ground to be hacked to pieces by the Ghazees, who followed in the rear + to complete the work of slaughter, but for the generous intrepidity of + Lieutenant Mein, of Her Majesty’s 13th. Light Infantry, who, on + learning what had befallen him, went back to his succour, and stood by + him for several minutes, at the imminent risk of his own life, vainly + entreating aid from the passers by. He was, at length, joined by + Sergeant Deane, of the Sappers, with whose assistance he dragged his + friend, on a quilt, through the remainder of the Pass, when he + succeeded in mounting him on a miserable pony, and conducted him in + safety to the camp, where the unfortunate officer lingered till the + following morning, and was the only man of the whole force who + received Christian burial. Lieutenant Mein was himself at this very + time suffering from a dangerous wound in the head, received in the + previous October; and his heroic disregard of self, and fidelity to + his friend in the hour of danger, are well deserving of a record in + the annals of British valour and virtue; I think, Sir, it is but just + that the name of Lieutenant Mein should be mentioned with honour in + the House of Commons, and I do not regret having noticed this + circumstance, as it has called forth so generous, and general an + expression of sympathy and approval.’” + + The name and sufferings of Lady Sale will be ever connected with the + disasters in Afghanistan. Her Journal is one of exciting and absorbing + interest. + +Footnote 89: + + A General Order of October, 1842, announced: “To every officer, + non-commissioned officer, and private present within Kelat-i-Ghilzie, + and forming part of the garrison during the late investment, will be + presented a silver medal,” &c. The garrison consisted of 600 of the + Shah’s army and three companies of the 12th. Bengal Native Infantry. + No Queen’s regiment took part in the defence, but there were present + forty European artillery and sixty Sappers and Miners, the whole being + under the command of Captain John Craigie. + +Footnote 90: + + On the south face of the fort was a large bastion, close to which was + an open space which had been converted into a burial ground; here the + remains of Colonel Dennie, with many other gallant soldiers were laid, + and the engineer officer in mining the bastion caused the whole mass + to be thrown by the explosion over the graves, thus leaving a lasting + and appropriate monument over them, and effectually preventing the + bodies being disturbed by the Afghans. + +Footnote 91: + + The shots were fired by two Pathan soldiers in the 29th. to rouse + their neighbours, the Afghans, at the top of the Pass. A native + officer detected them at the time by smelling the barrels of their + rifles, but, to screen his co-religionists, kept his knowledge to + himself, and made no report to his superior of the matter. The + traitors were subsequently discovered and tried by court-martial; one + was condemned to death and hanged, and the other imprisoned for two + years with hard labour. The native lieutenant was also sentenced to + transportation for seven years. + +Footnote 92: + + Among the guns captured were seventeen Armstrongs, and an old brass + Dutch piece, with the date 1625. How it got to Cabul is a mystery. + +Footnote 93: + + The Rev. J. W. Adams, Chaplain to the Force, who had accompanied the + troopers, gained the Victoria Cross for rescuing some men of the 9th. + Lancers, who had fallen into a deep ditch, he being all the time under + a heavy fire, and up to his waist in water. Haying dismounted in order + to give more effectual assistance, he made his escape on foot, when + the Afghans were within a few yards of him. + +Footnote 94: + + In this charge, Major White shouted to his men: “Just one charge more + to settle the business.” + +Footnote 95: + + The first design for this medal showed the Chinese Plenipotentiaries + signing the treaty, and on the cloth of the table was an embroidered + pattern representing the British Lion trampling on the Chinese dragon. + So much was this part of the design approved of, that it was adopted + for the reverse, instead of the whole, with the motto as above, and + “Nankin, 1842,” underneath; but the present medal was ultimately + struck, the first being deemed offensive to the feelings of the + conquered people. + +Footnote 96: + + There was but one medal for the second Chinese war, _issued with five + clasps_, to a Royal Marine artilleryman. When first issued, the ribbon + of the medal was blue, yellow, red, white and green, in stripes, but + afterwards changed to crimson and yellow. + +Footnote 97: + + “The grenadier company of H. M. 55th. Foot, and two companies of the + 6th. regiment of M. N. I., with the Sappers carrying the ladders, + under the command of Brevet-Major Maclean, 55th. Foot, advanced + against the north-east angle. The Sappers, commanded by Lieutenant + Johnstone, with the greatest steadiness and gallantry reared their + ladders against the wall, and in a few minutes the grenadiers of the + 55th. had mounted, and dividing into two parties, proceeded to clear + the ramparts, one party turning to the right, under Brevet-Major + Maclean, and another to the left, under Lieutenant Cuddy, + 55th.”—_Major-General Schoedde’s despatch._ + +Footnote 98: + + The 59th. regiment, Royal Sappers and Miners, first landed, then the + French Naval Brigade, followed by that of the Royal Marines, and later + in the day by the British Naval Brigade. The numbers amounted to five + thousand six hundred and seventy-nine, namely, eight hundred troops; + Royal Marines, two thousand one hundred; Naval Brigade, one thousand + eight hundred and twenty-nine; and French Naval Brigade, nine hundred + and fifty. The _mot d’ordre_, or parole, throughout the operations was + “France and England.” Shortly after the landing, Lieutenant Hacket, of + the 59th., aide-de-camp to Colonel Graham, whilst carrying an order, + was surprised by a party of Chinese, who inhumanly beheaded him, and + then made off. Two of them were shot, and a third was afterwards + hanged. + +Footnote 99: + + Yeh was captured while endeavouring to escape, by a party of blue + jackets, under the command of Captain Key, who took the Commissioner + with his own hand. He was eventually sent as a prisoner to Calcutta, + where he died in the month of April following. + +Footnote 100: + + The loss in this brilliant affair was trifling, 21 English being + killed and wounded, and 67 on the side of the French, principally + through the explosion of a magazine in one of the forts after its + capture. + +Footnote 101: + + The storming party consisted of a wing of the 44th., under + Lieutenant-Colonel Mac Mahon, and one of the 67th., under + Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas, supported by the other wings of those two + regiments and the Royal Marines, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gascoigne. A + detachment of the latter, under Lieutenant-Colonel Travers, carried a + pontoon bridge for crossing the wet ditches, and Major Graham, of the + Royal Engineers, conducted the assault. The whole were commanded by + Brigadier Reeves; who, although severely wounded in three places, did + not quit the field until he had conducted his men into the fort. + +Footnote 102: + + Mr. Parkes and all his companions, with Mr. Loch and Captain Brabazon, + were made prisoners; the whole number being twenty-six British, and + twelve French subjects. Twenty of them died from the horrible + treatment of the Chinese. The remains of Lieutenant Anderson, Messrs. + de Norman, and Bowlby were subsequently delivered up by their captors, + or rather murderers, and were publicly and solemnly interred in the + Russian cemetery, within the walls of Pekin. + +Footnote 103: + + The late Lord Herbert, in his first speech in the House of Lords, in + moving the vote of thanks to the Forces in China, alluded to this + service:—“The Tartar cavalry had posted themselves upon an eminence, + which had a sudden fall at the foot of it, and in the deepest part + they had made a ditch. They evidently thought our cavalry could not + pass this ditch, and that they should be able to pick off our men as + they came up with the greatest ease with their matchlocks. The spot + has been described to me by an eye-witness as what would be called, in + hunting phraseology, “a very ugly place,” one which very many would + have looked at twice, and which very few would have gone at. The + probability is that the majority of the field would have gone round, + and attained their object in some other way. The 1st. Dragoon Guards + however rode at it, and so successfully, that they cleared the place + without more than one or two of the men getting out of the ranks. This + struck dismay into the Tartars, who had no conception such a feat was + possible, and they instantly scattered themselves all over the plain. + A Chinese force afterwards attempted to clear the place, as our men + had, but they utterly failed, and fell back into the ditch. It is said + to have been singular to witness the great respect the enemy always + paid to our cavalry, whether regulars or irregulars, but the alarm + depicted in their countenances, and their sudden change of tactics + whenever our Dragoon Guards afterwards came into the field, was + something remarkable.” + +Footnote 104: + + As a lesson to the Emperor and his officials, and as a punishment for + their perfidy and cruelty towards these unfortunate gentlemen, the + summer residence of the Emperor, called Yuen-ming-yuen, which extended + for six or seven miles, was plundered and burnt. Some idea of its + extent may be given in the fact that it took two days to set fire to + and destroy all the buildings. The grounds were more than ten miles in + diameter, and the palace consisted of thirty distinct residences with + appendages. + + Corps employed against Canton, in 1857, and the Taku Forts and Pekin, + in 1860. Those present at Canton, Taku Forts, Pekin, (as shewn by the + figure 1,) have been authorised to bear the names of these places on + their regimental colours; the 60th., being Rifles, have them on their + appointments. The Artillery, Engineers, and Marines have a general + motto, and do not receive such distinctions:— + + ┌────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬──────┬──────────────┐ + │ CORPS. │Canton.│ Taku │Pekin.│ │ + │ │ │Forts.│ │ │ + ├────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼──────┼──────────────┤ + │Royal Artillery[105] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ │ + │Madras Artillery │ │ 1│ │Two Companies.│ + │Royal Engineers[106] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ │ + │Madras Engineers │ │ 1│ │Two Companies.│ + │1st. King’s Dragoon Guards │ │ 1│ 1│Two Squadrons.│ + │1st. Sikh Irregular Cavalry, now│ │ 1│ 1│Head-quarters.│ + │ 11th. Bengal Cavalry │ │ │ │ │ + │Fane’s Horse, now 19th. Bengal │ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │ Cavalry │ │ │ │ │ + │1st. Battalion Military Train │ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │1st. (Royal) Regt., 2nd. batt. │ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │2nd. (Queen’s) Regt., 1st. batt.│ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │3rd. (Buffs) Regt., 1st. batt. │ │ 1│ │ „ │ + │31st. Regiment │ │ 1│ │ „ │ + │44th. „ │ │ 1│ │ „ │ + │59th. „ │ 1│ │ │ „ │ + │60th. „ 2nd. batt. │ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │67th. „ │ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │99th. „ │ │ 1│ │ „ │ + │Royal Marines[107] │ 1│ 1│ │ │ + │8th. Punjaub Infantry, now 20th.│ │ 1│ 1│Head-quarters.│ + │15th. „ now 22nd.│ │ 1│ 1│ „ │ + │38th. Madras Native │ 1│ │ │ │ + │ Infantry[108] │ │ │ │ │ + └────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴──────┴──────────────┘ + +Footnote 105: + + Three batteries at Canton, nine at Taku Forts, five at Pekin. + +Footnote 106: + + Half a Company at Canton, two and a half companies at Taku and Pekin. + +Footnote 107: + + Three Battalions at Canton, one at Taku Forts. + +Footnote 108: + + Detachment of two officers and forty men; being so small a portion of + the corps, the word “Canton” was not authorised for the regiment. + +Footnote 109: + + The only Queen’s regiment at Meeanee was the 22nd., and the following + extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles Napier testify + the part borne by it in this victory:—“Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather + was severely wounded, as, with the high courage of a soldier, he led + his regiment up the desperate bank of the Fulailee. Major Wyllie, + Captains Tucker and Conway, Lieutenants Harding and Phayre, were all + wounded while gloriously animating their men to sustain the shock of + numbers. Captains Meade, Tew, and Cookson, with Lieutenant Wood, all + fell honourably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour. Major + Poole, of the 22nd., and Captain Jackson, of the 25th. Native + Infantry, who succeeded to the command of those regiments, proved + themselves worthy of their dangerous posts. The Acting Assistant + Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of the 22nd. regiment, had + his horse killed, and, while on foot leading some soldiers in a + desperate dash down the enemy’s side of the bank, he cut down a + chieftain. He has greatly assisted me by his activity and zeal during + the whole of our operations. Innumerable are the individual acts of + intrepidity which took place between our soldiers and their opponents, + too numerous for detail in this despatch, yet well meriting a record.” + +Footnote 110: + + Major Poole, commanding the 22nd. regiment, in consequence of + Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather having been severely wounded, stated in + his report, respecting the soldiers of the regiment under his command, + who had distinguished themselves in the battle of Meeanee, “that the + officers generally assert that they feel difficulty in making + selections, where the conduct of every man of their companies was so + satisfactory. In so general a field of action and persevering + exertion, I equally feel at a loss where to draw a distinction; but it + may be proper to mention the names of Private James O’Neill, of the + light company, who took a standard whilst we were actively engaged + with the enemy, and Drummer Martin Delaney; the latter shot, + bayoneted, and captured the arms of Meer Whullee Mahomed Khan, who was + mounted, and directing the enemy in the hottest part of the + engagement.” + +Footnote 111: + + The words “Meeanee,” “Hyderabad,” and “Scinde,” were authorised to be + borne on the colours of the 22nd. regiment. + +Footnote 112: + + In the pursuit of Meer Shere Mahomed, the following men of the 22nd., + concealing their wounds received in the battle of Hyderabad, marched + with their regiment the next day, thinking another action was at + hand:—Sergeant Haney, John Durr, John Muldowney, Robert Young, Henry + Lines, Patrick Gill, James Andrews, Thomas Middleton, James Mulvey, + and Silvester Day. + +Footnote 113: + + Brigadier Stopford, C.B., of the 64th., who was killed on the 9th. of + December, 1856, at the attack on Reshire, in Persia, commanded the + 40th. at Maharajpoor, and fell whilst leading on his regiment, + dangerously wounded, at the very muzzles of the enemy’s guns. For this + service he was made Lieutenant-Colonel and a C.B. He lay for a + considerable time wounded on the field, among the dying and the dead, + men and horses, and might have fallen a victim to his own generosity. + When his dooly or stretcher was sent for him from the rear, and he + perceived Major-General Churchill lying near him mortally wounded, + with both legs carried away by a cannon ball, like another Sidney, he + said, “Oh! General you are worse than I am, you’ll bleed to death, you + must go on this dooly.” Colonel Stopford was at last carried to the + rear, and was only in time to bid farewell to the general who died + immediately afterwards. + +Footnote 114: + + The total casualties, including the Native corps, exceeded a thousand + killed and wounded. + +Footnote 115: + + The British army consisted of 5,674 Europeans and 12,053 natives, with + sixty-five guns. + +Footnote 116: + + “Near the middle of it, one of their heavy guns was advanced, and + played with deadly effect upon our troops. Lieutenant-General Sir + Henry Hardinge immediately formed Her Majesty’s 80th. Foot and the + 1st. European Light Infantry. They were led to the attack by their + commanding officers, and animated in their exertions by + Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blucher Wood (Aide-de-Camp to the + Lieutenant-General), who was wounded in the outset, the 80th. captured + the gun, and the enemy dismayed by this counter-check, did not venture + to press on further.”—_General Sir Hugh Gough’s Despatch._ + +Footnote 117: + + A vivid picture of this sanguinary struggle was given by the late + Viscount Hardinge, in a letter to a member of his family, which was + quoted by Sir Robert Peel, when the vote of thanks to the army was + proposed in Parliament. “It was the most extraordinary of my life. I + bivouacked with the men, without food or covering, and our nights are + bitter cold. A burning camp in our front, our brave fellows lying down + under a heavy cannonade which continued during the whole night, mixed + with the wild cries of the Sikhs, our English hurrah, the tramp of + men, and the groans of the dying. In this state, with a handful of + men, who had carried the batteries the night before, I remained till + morning, taking very short intervals of rest by lying down with + various regiments in succession, to ascertain their temper and revive + their spirits. I found myself again with my old friends of the 29th., + 31st., 50th., and 9th., and all in good heart. My answer to all and + every man was, that we must fight it out, attack the enemy vigorously + at daybreak, beat him, or die honourably in the field. The gallant old + General, kind-hearted and heroically brave, entirely coincided with + me. During the night I occasionally called upon our brave English + soldiers to punish the Sikhs when they came too close, and were + imprudent; and when morning broke we went at it in true English style. + Gough was on the right. I placed myself, and dear little Arthur by my + side, in the centre, about thirty yards in front of the men, to + prevent their firing, and we drove the enemy without a halt from one + extremity of their camp to the other, capturing thirty or forty guns + as we went along, which fired at twenty paces from us, and were served + obstinately. The brave men drew up in an excellent line, and cheered + Gough and myself as we rode up the line, the regimental colours + lowering to me as on parade. The mournful part is the heavy loss I + have sustained in my officers. I have had ten aides-de-camp _hors de + combat_, five killed and five wounded. The fire of grape was very + heavy from 100 pieces of cannon. The Sikh army was drilled by French + officers, and the men the most warlike in India.” + +Footnote 118: + + “The Governor-General’s thanks are due to all the infantry regiments + of Her Majesty, and to the 1st. European Light Infantry of the East + India Company’s service, all of which regiments distinguished + themselves by the most devoted courage in braving the destructive fire + of the enemy’s batteries, and valiantly capturing their guns. The + Governor-General offers his thanks more especially to Her Majesty’s + 3rd. Dragoons, who on all these occasions, sought opportunities of + useful conflict with the enemy, and fought with that superiority over + their opponents which skill and discipline impart to brave and + determined men.”—_General Orders by the Right Honourable the + Governor-General._ + +Footnote 119: + + Shortly after the storming of the village of Aliwal, an European + officer in the Sikh service was given in charge to the 31st. regiment, + having surrendered himself as a prisoner to an officer of one of the + cavalry regiments in the Company’s service. He said his servant had + galloped off with his charger, and, being rather stout, preferred + giving himself up to the chance of running away; his name was John + Potter, a native of Maidstone, in Kent; he had deserted from the + Company’s artillery twenty years before, and was now a Colonel of + artillery in the Sikh service, having a native wife and family at + Lahore. The Governor-General afterwards permitted him to hold an + appointment in the Sikh service. + +Footnote 120: + + A most gallant act was performed by Sergeant Bernard McCabe, of the + 31st. Foot. Lieutenant Tritton, bearing the Queen’s colour, was shot + through the head, and Ensign Jones, who carried the regimental one, + was nearly at the same time mortally wounded. The regimental colour + falling to the ground, was seized by Sergeant McCabe, who rushing + forward, crossed the ditch, and planted it on the highest point of the + enemy’s fortifications, maintaining his position under a most + tremendous fire, the colour being completely riddled with shot. The + men, cheering, scrambled into the works as best they could, and drove + the enemy into the river, Lieutenant Noel bearing the Queen’s colour, + the staff of which shivered in his hand. Sergeant McCabe was appointed + to an ensigncy in the 18th. Royal Irish Regiment, on the + recommendation of the late General Sir Harry Smith, who pronounced + this deed to be one of the most daring he ever witnessed, and which he + considered tended much to shorten the struggle. Captain McCabe, of the + 32nd., to which regiment he was afterwards promoted, died of wounds, + received while leading his fourth sortie, at Lucknow, on the 1st. of + October, 1857. + +Footnote 121: + + Guns mounted upon camels, and carrying shot about one pound in weight. + +Footnote 122: + + “Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell has established a claim on this + day to the rare commendation of having achieved much with a cavalry + force, where the duty to be done consisted entirely of an attack on + field works, usually supposed to be the particular province of + infantry and artillery. His vigilance and activity throughout our + operations, and the superior manner in which our outposts duties have + been carried on under his superintendence demand my warmest + acknowledgements.”—_General Sir Hugh Gough’s despatch._ + +Footnote 123: + + A superb gold medal, designed by William Wyon, Esq., was presented to + this officer by the Honourable East India Company. The obverse bears + the head of the Queen, superscribed VICTORIA REGINA, and on the + reverse are Victory and Valour crowning the arms of Major Edwardes; + these figures are resting on the lotus flower, and beneath is the + infant Hercules strangling the serpents, in allusion to the youth of + the hero; within the border thus formed is the following + inscription:—FROM THE EAST INDIA COMPANY TO LIEUTT. AND BREVT.-MAJOR + H. B. EDWARDES, C.B., FOR HIS SERVICES IN THE PUNJAB, A.D. + MDCCCXLVIII. + +Footnote 124: + + Brevet-Major Edwardes, C.B., in his despatch to Major-General Whish + giving such details of the action of the 7th. of November as concerned + the Irregular Auxiliary Force under his command, and Lieutenant Lake, + stated:—“I regret to say that the head of the British line reached the + east side of the nullah as our Irregulars arrived at the passage in + the canal, which connected the entrenchments on the east and west, and + a party of Sheikh Emamoodeen’s Rohillas, disregarding the heat of the + action the orders they had received to keep on their own side of the + nullah, crossed over and had captured a gun on the eastern bank, when + they were mistaken by the Sepoys for Moolraj’s troops, and two were + shot down before the error could be explained. + + “I deem it my duty to bring to your notice the noble conduct of a + private of Her Majesty’s 32nd. Foot, who at this juncture, perceiving + what was going on, leaped down the canal, and putting himself in front + of my Pathans, faced the British troops, and waved his shako on the + end of his bayonet as the signal to cease firing. Thus many friendly + lives were saved. The name of this brave man is Howell.” + +Footnote 125: + + During this siege, the first Naval Brigade was organised. It consisted + of about one hundred men from Captain Powell’s steamers of the Indus + flotilla, who worked a battery of eighteen-pounders, in the most + effective manner. + +Footnote 126: + + The Sikhs “were magnificently placed, on a low hill surrounded by a + thick jungle, equalling the British in number of guns, and more than + doubling them in troops.”—_Letter from Officer engaged in the battle._ + +Footnote 127: + + When Brigadier Pennycuick fell mortally wounded, a Sikh was mangling + the body; on seeing which his son rushed forward, dealt an avenging + blow, and across his father’s corpse endeavoured to protect the + remains; but it was in vain, and the heroic youth fell overpowered by + numbers. + + Another father and son met a like fate in this campaign. Colonel + Cureton was killed at Ramnuggur, and his son, Lieutenant A. J. + Cureton, of the 14th. Light Dragoons, fell at Chilianwala. + +Footnote 128: + + The loss of the 24th., which advanced on the Sikh guns with unloaded + muskets, and blown by the run, was fearful; it was the central + regiment of the fifth brigade, under Brigadier Pennycuick, which + formed the right brigade of the third division, under + Brigadier-General Colin Campbell. Lieutenants-Colonels Brookes and + Pennycuick, C.B., Major Harris, Captains Lee, Travers, Harris, and + Shore, Lieutenants George Phillips, Payne, Woodgate, and Ensigns + William Phillips, Collis, and Pennycuick were killed; Major Paynter, + Captains Brown and Bazalgette, Lieutenants Williams, Croker, Berry, + Thelwall, and Hartshorn (Adjutant), Macpherson, and Archer (96th. + Foot,) were wounded. Of the men the casualties were returned as four + hundred and ninety-seven killed or wounded; two hundred and + twenty-seven of these were killed in action, and nine subsequently + died of their wounds. + +Footnote 129: + + “This division nobly maintained the character of the Indian Army, + taking and spiking the whole of the enemy’s guns in their front, and + dispersing the Sikhs wherever they were seen.”—_Lord Gough’s + despatch._ + +Footnote 130: + + Forty guns, twelve of which were brought into the British camp. + +Footnote 131: + + Thirty-eight officers and five hundred and sixty-four men killed, + ninety-four officers and one thousand five hundred and fifty-seven men + wounded, and one hundred and four missing. + +Footnote 132: + + Lieutenant Philpotts having been some time on the station was well + known and respected by Heke and the natives. At the head of his men, + while endeavouring to hew down the palisades with an axe, the + defenders called to him by name, and told him to go away, or they + should shoot him. This he disregarded and fell. His body being left in + possession of the Maories, was by them cooked and partly eaten. + +Footnote 133: + + The loss would have been greater but for the noble conduct of Allen, + the bugler of the detachment, a mere lad: who when struck on the right + arm by a tomahawk in the act of sounding the alarm, seized the bugle + with his left, and gave a blast which effectually roused his sleeping + comrades, when another stroke laid him dead on the ground. + +Footnote 134: + + The soldiers blamed the sailors for the miscarriage of this affair, + who retaliated by making a similar charge against the military. The + day was closing when the assault took place, and it appears that when + the party led by Commander Hay got into the interior of the “pa,” + nothing could at first be seen but a few wounded Maories lying about, + and concluding the place to be abandoned, some of the men began + straggling in search of plunder. The enemy, who had lain concealed and + secure from the bombardment, in holes dug out of the earth covered + with turf and brushwood, suddenly rose up on all sides, and poured in + such close and withering volleys that the stormers seeing their + officers all shot down, were seized with a panic, and discipline was + at an end. + +Footnote 135: + + General Cameron wrote in his despatch “The 43rd Regiment: the Service + have sustained a serious loss in the death of Lieut.-Colonel Booth, + which took place on the night after the attack. I have already + mentioned the brilliant example shown by the officers in the assault; + and when I met him on the following morning as he was being carried + out of the work, his first words were an expression of regret that he + had found it impossible to carry out my orders.” + +Footnote 136: + + Corporal J. Byrne, V.C., of the 68th., when the order to charge was + given, was the first man of his company into the rifle-pits; a Maori, + whom he ran through with his bayonet, seized his rifle with one hand, + and holding it firm, with the bayonet through his body, tried to cut + down the corporal with his tomahawk, but his life was saved by + Sergeant Murray, who for his distinguished bravery on the occasion was + awarded the Victoria Cross. Sergeant Murray charged a rifle-pit + containing from eight to ten of the enemy, and, single-handed, killed + or wounded every one of them. + +Footnote 137: + + So numerous were these expeditions, that no less than _fifteen_ + occurred between the years 1849 and 1855 inclusive. + +Footnote 138: + + 18th., eight hundred and fifty men; 51st., nine hundred; 80th., four + hundred and sixty; Artillery, five companies, five hundred and + seventeen; Native Infantry, three regiments, two thousand eight + hundred; Gun Lascars, seventy; Sappers and Miners, one hundred and + seventy; in all five thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven men. + +Footnote 139: + + Captain John Augustus Wood, of the 20th. Bombay Native Infantry, + gained the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on the 9th. of December. + On that day he led the grenadier company, which formed the head of the + assaulting column. He was the first man on the parapet of the fort, + where he was instantly attacked by a large number of the garrison, who + suddenly sprang on him from a trench cut in the parapet itself. These + men fired a volley at Captain Wood and the head of the storming party, + when only a yard or two distant; although struck by no less than seven + musket-balls, he at once threw himself upon the enemy, passed his + sword through the body of their leader, and, being closely followed by + the men of his company, speedily overcame all opposition, and + established himself in the place. His wounds compelled him to leave + the force for a time; but with the true spirit of a good soldier, he + rejoined his regiment, and returned to his duty at Bushire before the + wounds were properly healed. + +Footnote 140: + + Lieutenants Arthur Thomas Moore (Adjutant), and John Grant Malcolmson, + of the 3rd. Bombay Light Cavalry, here gained the Victoria Cross. On + the occasion of an attack on the enemy on the 8th. of February, 1857, + led by Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes, C.B., Lieutenant Moore, the Adjutant + of the Regiment, was, perhaps, the first of all by a horse’s length. + His horse leaped into the square, and instantly fell dead, crushing + down his rider, and breaking his sword as he fell among the broken + ranks of the enemy. Lieutenant Moore speedily extricated himself, and + attempted with his broken sword to force his way through the press; + but he would have assuredly lost his life had not Lieutenant + Malcolmson, observing his peril, fought his way to his dismounted + comrade through a crowd of enemies, and, giving him his stirrup, + safely carried him through everything out of the throng. + +Footnote 141: + + “To Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, and to his brave companions + in arms, the Governor-General in Council desires to offer an early + assurance of the warm approbation and thanks which they have so well + merited. These are especially due to Major-General Stalker, C.B., and + to Colonel Lugard, C.B., chief of the staff, who are described by Sir + James Outram as having guided the troops to victory in the time—most + happily not of long continuance—during which he was disabled by a + severe fall from his horse.”—_Fort William, March 12th, 1857._ + + Major-General Stalker and Commodore Ethersey both destroyed themselves + at Bushire, while labouring under mental aberration; the former on the + 14th. of March, 1857, and the latter three days afterwards. + +Footnote 142: + + Sir Charles Napier, in a General Order of February 16th., 1850, thus + speaks of these operations. “The fighting and labour fell on those who + had to scale precipices to secure the camp, and when marching to + protect the front, flank, and rear of the column while passing through + a dangerous defile, thirteen miles in length, under a constant fire of + matchlock men. It is said that in making this march Runject Singh lost + 1,000 men. The Commander-in-Chief does not know whether this story is + correct or not, but Brigadier Sir Colin Campbell has not lost twenty, + nor was there one bit of baggage taken by our enemies, though they are + renowned for being the most daring and dexterous plunderers in the + world.” + +Footnote 143: + + The Afridis are divided into eight principal Khails, or tribes, which + are nearly always at war with each other. Each tribe has a debtor and + credit account with its neighbour, life for life, and consider revenge + the strongest of all obligations, but among them hospitality is the + first of virtues. + +Footnote 144: + + In 1858, a force under Sir Sidney Cotton was despatched to Sittana, on + the Eusufyze border, against a body of Hindostanee Wahabee fanatics, + who had committed depredations on British villages. The 81st. and + 98th. Regiments were the only British troops employed in this + expedition, which was successful. + +Footnote 145: + + “An officer seeing a stir upon the hill side amongst the European + troops sent out to the scene of an action fought two days before, and + a large group assembled about some object on the ground, ascended a + rock above them to learn the cause. A curious sight presented itself. + In the centre lay the mutilated body of a slain comrade, and at its + head stood a non-commissioned officer with a Testament in his hand. + Man after man came up, and to each was administered a solemn oath that + from that day they would neither save nor spare, but pay that debt to + the uttermost. That oath was afterwards well kept.”—_Fosbery’s Umbeyla + Campaign._ + +Footnote 146: + + The Umbeyla expedition was scarcely ended, when the Mohmund tribe made + a raid into British territory at Shubkuddur, and killed an officer of + the Irregular Cavalry who opposed them. To punish the tribe, the Doab + Field Force was formed under Colonel Macdonnel, who encountered and + severely defeated the Mohmunds near Shubkuddur, January 2nd., 1864. + The European troops engaged in this affair were three troops of the + 7th. Hussars, and 3rd. Battalion Rifle Brigade; who, twelve years + afterwards, were given the Indian Medal, with the “North West + Frontier” clasp. + +Footnote 147: + + Two guns and a number of wounded were abandoned during the retreat, + the men of the 43rd. Bengal Infantry refusing to carry them; but to + the honour of the Bhootan General, Tongso Punlow, he treated all the + wounded very kindly, fed them, and sent them to the British camp, each + man with a small present. + +Footnote 148: + + In one of their raids the Looshais carried off an English girl from a + plantation, which was one cause of the expedition being organised + against them. At the end of war the girl was given up by the Looshai + chiefs. + +Footnote 149: + + The following is a portion of the farewell order issued by General + Bourchier, on the breaking up of the force:—“From the beginning of + November to the present time, every man has been employed in hard + work, cheerfully performed, often under the most trying circumstances + of heat and frost—always bivouacking on the mountain side, in rude + huts of grass or leaves; officers and men sharing the same + accommodation, marching day by day over precipitous mountains,—and + having made a road fit for elephants from Luckipur to Chipoune, a + distance of 103 miles. The spirits of the troops never flagged; and + when they met the enemy, they drove them from their stockades and + strongholds, until they were glad to sue for mercy.” + +Footnote 150: + + Three Naval Brigades were employed in these expeditions. One, under + Captains Butler and Singleton, co-operated with General Colborne on + the Perak river; another, under Commander Garforth, comprising + officers and men of the “Philomel,” “Modeste,” and “Ringdove,” + co-operated with the column under Brigadier-General Ross; and a third, + under Commander Stirling, was engaged on the Perak and Lakut rivers. + The brigade under Captain Butler, was for one month without vegetables + or bread, and lived on tinned meats, varied occasionally by the flesh + of a wild buffalo. During the ten days advance to Kinta, the men + frequently marched through stagnant water waist-deep, under torrents + of rain, and slept in the open-air without cover of any kind. The + officers and crews of H.M.S. “Egeria,” “Charybdis,” and “Hart” also + took part in the operations. + +Footnote 151: + + A Naval Brigade, under Captain Clutterbuck, captured a Burmese + position at Mayangyan on November 23rd. + +Footnote 152: + + By a General Order issued January 3rd., 1888, the Indian Medal of + 1854, with a clasp inscribed “Burma, 1885–87” was granted “to the + troops engaged in the operations between November 14th., 1885, and + April 30th., 1887.” A bronze medal and clasp, of a similar pattern was + given to all recognised Government followers who accompanied the + troops so engaged. Another Order of December 3rd., 1889, notifies—“the + Queen’s command, that the grant of the Indian Medal of 1854, with a + clasp inscribed “Burma, 1887–89,” shall be extended to all troops + engaged in the military operations in Upper Burma, and to those + actually engaged in Lower Burma, between the 1st. of May, 1887, and + the 31st. of March, 1889. A medal and clasp of similar pattern, but in + bronze, is to be issued to all authorised Government followers, who + accompanied the troops. Officers and men who already possess the + Indian medal, including those wearing the clasp “Burma, 1885–87,” will + receive the clasp only.” The medal was struck in England, but the + clasp was made in Calcutta. The names of the recipients and their + regiments are engraved on the edge of the medal. + +Footnote 153: + + The European regiments engaged in this expedition were the 1st. + Battalions of the 6th. and 19th. Foot, who received the Indian Medal, + with the “North West Frontier” clasp. + +Footnote 154: + + A parallel circumstance is found in the campaigns in Spain, during the + reign of Queen Anne. The day before the battle of Saragossa, which was + fought on the 20th. August, 1710, several men who were so pressed with + hunger and thirst as to venture to gather grapes in a vineyard + situated between the two armies, were shot by the enemy’s outposts. + +Footnote 155: + + As an instance of this, the following circumstance has been narrated + to the author by an officer, who, on following the second division up + the heights after the battle, found a poor fellow that had escaped + untouched by the enemy’s fire, dying of cholera. He offered the man a + drop of brandy, who refused it, saying, “It’s too late, sir, there is + no use wasting it on me.” + +Footnote 156: + + This officer also behaved with great gallantry at the assault on the + Redan, 8th. September, 1855, where he was shot through both thighs. + +Footnote 157: + + For this and other interesting information the author is indebted to + Colonel Lysons, C.B., who served throughout the Crimean Campaign, and + is now employed as Assistant Adjutant-General upon the Staff of + Lieutenant-General Sir James Frederick Love, K.C.B., Inspector General + of Infantry. + +Footnote 158: + + It cannot be too generally known that there is an excellent model of + the Siege of Sebastopol deposited in the Museum of the United Service + Institution, Whitehall Yard, which forms a worthy companion to that of + the Battle of Waterloo, by Captain Siborne, also to be seen there. The + Sebastopol model owes its origin to the following circumstances:—While + the war in the Crimea was still being carried on, His Royal Highness + the Prince Consort, as a mark of the continued interest he has always + taken in the above Institution, presented to its Museum, in November, + 1855, a model of the Siege of Sebastopol, based upon the best + information that could at that time be procured in England. His Royal + Highness, on presenting it, made a stipulation that the council would + take steps to mark (in colour or otherwise), the exact position of the + attacks of the allies, and of the Russian defences at the time of the + capture of the place. + + The council lost no time in inviting some officers who had lately + returned from the Crimea, to undertake the completion of the model, + according to His Royal Highness’s wishes; difficulties, however, + presented themselves in endeavouring to carry this out in a + satisfactory manner, which it was found impossible to overcome. In the + meantime, at the expiration of the war in 1856, the officers of the + Royal Engineers and of the Quartermaster-General’s department had + completed their official surveys of the country, and, with His Royal + Highness’s concurrence, it was resolved to construct a new model, + based upon the latest and most accurate information. Colonel F. W. + Hamilton, C.B., of the Grenadier Guards, who was wounded at the Battle + of Inkermann, undertook the execution, the officers of the Army and + Navy being invited to subscribe to a fund for defraying the necessary + expenses, the Prince Consort heading the list with a donation of £50. + The model is constructed to a horizontal scale of eleven inches to one + mile, or one inch to four hundred and eighty feet. A succinct but + valuable description of the model by Colonel Hamilton has been + printed, from which the above particulars have been extracted. + +Footnote 159: + + All inventions and resources were pressed into service during the war: + photography lent its aid; a telegraph and a railroad were ultimately + constructed; and Soyer made his culinary campaign; but from the first + the leading public journals had their representatives in the field. + The letters of Mr. W. H. Russell, the special correspondent of “The + Times,” were eagerly read by all, and the above has been extracted + from that gentleman’s work, “The British Expedition to the Crimea.” + +Footnote 160: + + “The English cavalry, commanded by Lord Cardigan, had attacked our + brigade of hussars (6th. Cavalry Division), with extraordinary + impetuosity, but being themselves assailed in flank by four squadrons + of our combined regiment of Lancers, they were thrown back, while the + artillery of the 12th. and 16th. divisions fired after them with + canister, and the Lancers with their carbines.” + + “The English cavalry, while charging our hussars, succeeded in + penetrating to the battery of Don Cossacks, No. 3, and cut down some + of its gunners.”—_Extract from Prince Menschikoff’s despatch, dated + 25th. October, 1854._ + + “The enemy’s attack was most pertinacious; he charged our cavalry in + spite of the grape fired with great precision from six guns of the + light battery, No. 7, in spite of the fire of the skirmishers of the + regiment “Odessa,” and of a company of the fourth battalion of + “Tirailleurs,” that stood on the right wing, and even unheeding the + artillery of General Yabokritski.”—_General Liprandi’s report to + Prince Menschikoff, 26th. October, 1854._ + +Footnote 161: + + In the “Curiosities of War,” are shown the numerous battles which have + been fought on Sundays, especially on Palm, Easter, and Whit Sundays. + From the Wars of the Roses to the time of Wellington, Sunday has been + memorable in English military annals. It is a stern necessity, that + offers so strong a contrast to the prayer which then is ascending from + ivied village church or stately city fane, to preserve us “from battle + and murder, and from sudden death.” The Peninsular War was fruitful in + Sunday fighting, and the following instances in that and more recent + campaigns are here inserted, as being intimately connected with the + “Medals of the British Army.”—The second battle in Portugal, that of + Vimiera, was fought on Sunday, 21st. August, 1808. The battle of + Fuentes d’Onor was gained on Sunday, the 5th. of May, 1811. On Sunday + evening, 10th. January, 1812, Lord Wellington issued the brief and + determined order, that “Ciudad Rodrigo must be carried by assault this + evening, at seven o’clock.” The battle of Orthes was fought on Sunday, + the 27th. of February, 1814, and that of Toulouse—the last general + action of the Peninsular War—occurred on Easter Sunday, the 10th. of + April following. The Battle of Waterloo was also decided on Sunday, + the 18th. of June, 1815. The second Burmese War afforded two + examples:—Easter Sunday the 11th. April, 1852, the attack on the lines + of defence at Rangoon; and the attack and capture of Pegu, on Sunday, + the 21st. of November, 1852. The victory of Inkermann, as above + narrated, was achieved on Sunday, the 5th. of November, 1854. And it + was on Sunday, the 10th. of May, 1857, that the terrible Indian Mutiny + broke out at Meerut. + +Footnote 162: + + “Every bush hid a dead man, and in some places small groups lay + heaped. In a spot which might have been covered by a common bell-tent, + I saw lying four Englishmen and seven Russians. All the field was + strewn; but the space in front of the two-gun battery, where the + Guards fought, bore terrible pre-eminence in slaughter. The sides of + the hill, up to and around the battery, were literally heaped with + bodies. It was painful to see the noble Guardsmen, with their large + forms and fine faces, lying amidst the dogged, low-browed Russians. + One Guardsman lay, in advance of the battery, on his back, with his + arms raised in the very act of thrusting with the bayonet; he had been + killed by a bullet entering through his right eye. His coat was open, + and I read his name on the Guernsey frock underneath—an odd + name—‘Mustow.’ While I was wondering why his arms had not obeyed the + laws of gravity, and fallen by his side when he fell dead, a Guardsman + came up and told me he had seen Mustow rush out of the battery and + charge with the bayonet, with which he was thrusting at two or three + of the enemy, when he was shot. In their last charges the Russians + must have trodden at every step on the bodies of their + comrades.”—_“The Story of the Campaign of Sebastopol,” by + Lieutenant-Colonel E. Bruce Hamley, Royal Artillery._ + +Footnote 163: + + The first notice of the advance of the Russians was given by Sir + Thomas Troubridge, who commanded the outposts of the first brigade of + the Light Division. After relieving the advanced sentries, he went + down before daybreak towards the Mamelon, and, sweeping the ground + with a field-glass, descried the enemy on the opposite side of the + ravine. + +Footnote 164: + + Some misapprehension having arisen regarding the numbers then actually + belonging to the army in the Crimea, in consequence of the above + statement in Lord Raglan’s despatch, the following return of the + strength on the 4th. of November, 1854, is inserted:— + + Cavalry. Artillery and Infantry. + Sappers & Miners. + Under arms 1,417 3,154 17,436 + Detached on command, Bâtmen, and 449 260 4,353 + otherwise employed + Sick { Present 149 50 1,131 + Sick { Absent 512 130 5,104 + ————— ————— —————— + 2,527 3,594 28,024 + Officers 107 147 708 + Total officers and men, 4th. November, 1854 35,107. + + The brigade of Highlanders, upwards of 2,000 men, was at Balaklava; + the third division of 3,400 men occupied the heights in rear of the + trenches, a sortie from the town being expected: and about 3,600 were + in the trenches; these, deducted from 17,436, the “Infantry under + arms,” leave 8,436, nearly agreeing with the number given in the + despatch. + +Footnote 165: + + “At one time, while the Duke was rallying his men, a body of Russians + began to single him out, and to take shots at him in the most + deliberate manner. A surgeon, Mr. Wilson, 7th. Hussars, who was + attached to the brigade, perceived the danger of his Royal Highness, + and with the greatest gallantry and coolness, assembled a few men of + the Guards, led them to the charge, and utterly routed and dispersed + the Russians. The Duke’s horse was killed in the course of the fight. + At the close of the day he called Mr. Wilson in front of the regiment + and publicly thanked him for having in all probability saved his + life.”—_“Expedition to the Crimea,” by W. H. Russell, L.L.D._ + +Footnote 166: + + The incident is thus alluded to in a letter written on the day + following the escape of the French garrison of Almeida, by the Duke of + Wellington to Viscount Beresford:—“Villa Formosa, 11th. May, 1811. You + will hardly believe that we were obliged to pick up the French shot in + our camp to make up ammunition for Arentschild’s guns, his reserve + having been left behind at Saragossa.” + +Footnote 167: + + Non-commissioned officers and men, 11th. January, 1855:— + + Cavalry. Artillery and Infantry. + Sappers & Miners. + Under arms 1,086 2,971 17,050 + Bâtmen, & otherwise employed 306 100 3,040 + On command 242 206 2,029 + Sick { Present 193 564 4,821 + Sick { Absent 576 673 9,174 + ————— ————— —————— + 2,403 4,514 36,114 + Officers 111 161 832 + Total officers and men, 11th. January, 1855 44,135. + +Footnote 168: + + “Would you tell Mrs. Herbert that I begged she would let me see + frequently the accounts she receives from Miss Nightingale or Mrs. + Bracebridge, as I hear no details of the wounded, though I see so many + from officers, etc., about the battle-field, and naturally the former + must interest me more than anyone. Let Mrs. Herbert also know that I + wish Miss Nightingale and the ladies would tell these poor noble + wounded and sick men that no one takes a warmer interest, or feels + more for their sufferings, or admires their courage and heroism more + than their Queen. Day and night she thinks of her beloved troops; so + does the Prince. Beg Mrs. Herbert to communicate these my words to + those ladies, as I know that our sympathy is much valued by these + noble fellows.—VICTORIA.” + +Footnote 169: + + “The covering party for the entire right attack (upwards of a mile in + extent) never had exceeded, at this period of the siege, three hundred + and fifty men, and on the night of the 21st. of January it numbered + only two hundred and ninety men. The guards for the other attacks were + equally small.”—_Major Elphinstone’s “Journal of Operations conducted + by the Royal Engineers.”_ + +Footnote 170: + + “The gallant old 7th. Fusiliers had to run the gauntlet of a large + body of the enemy, whom they drove back _à la fourchette_. The 34th. + regiment had an enormous force to contend against, and their Colonel, + Kelly, was carried off by the enemy. In the midst of the fight, Major + Gordon, of the Royal Engineers, displayed that cool courage and + presence of mind which never forsook him. With a little switch in his + hand, he encouraged the men to defend the trenches, and standing up on + the top of the parapet, unarmed as he was, hurled down stones upon the + Russians. He was struck by a ball, which passed through the lower part + of his arm, and at the same time received a bullet through the + shoulder. All rejoiced that he was not dangerously wounded.”—_The + British Expedition to the Crimea, by W. H. Russell, L.L.D._ + +Footnote 171: + + The British ships employed in this expedition were the “Royal Albert,” + “Agamemnon,” “Hannibal,” “Algiers,” “St. Jean d’Acre,” “Princess + Royal,” ships of the line; and twenty-seven frigates and gunboats. The + land forces amounted to nearly 16,000 men, with six batteries of + artillery. + +Footnote 172: + + “From the 13th. to the 19th. of August, inclusive, the expenditure of + ammunition amounted to twenty-six thousand two hundred and seventy + rounds, and that of powder to about eighty-one tons.”—_Artillery + Operations, compiled by Captain and Brevet-Major W. E. M. Reilly, + C.B., Royal Artillery._ + +Footnote 173: + + Number killed, wounded, etc., of the British army in the Crimea, from + the date of embarkation for the East, to the 30th. April, 1856. + + ┌────────────────────┬───────────┬───────────┬───────────┬────────────┐ + │ │ Cavalry. │Artillery. │Engineers. │ Infantry. │ + ├────────────────────┼─────┬─────┼─────┬─────┼─────┬─────┼─────┬──────┤ + │ │Offi-│N.-C.│Offi-│N.-C.│Offi-│N.-C.│Offi-│N.-C. │ + │ „ │cers.│O. & │cers.│O. & │cers.│O. & │cers.│ O. & │ + │ │ │Men. │ │Men. │ │Men. │ │ Men. │ + ├────────────────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ + │Killed in action │ 9│ 114│ 11│ 121│ 9│ 32│ 125│ 2331│ + │Died of wounds │ 4│ 26│ 1│ 52│ 6│ 23│ 73│ 1832│ + │Died of disease, │ 23│ 1007│ 10│ 1298│ 5│ 175│ 105│13,414│ + │ etc. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ + ├────────────────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ + │ Total deaths │ 36│ 1147│ 22│ 1471│ 20│ 230│ 303│17,577│ + ├────────────────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ + │Wounded { severely │ 12│ 113│ 6│ 632│ 7│ 31│ 254│ 5186│ + │Wounded { slightly │ 14│ 124│ 24│ „ │ 6│ 55│ 181│ 5220│ + ├────────────────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ + │ Total wounded │ 26│ 237│ 30│ 632│ 13│ 86│ 435│10,406│ + ├────────────────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ + │Number who suffered │ 1│ 22│ 1│ 32│ 2│ 7│ 34│ 810│ + │ amputation │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ + └────────────────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┘ + +Footnote 174: + + The “Turkish General Service Medal,” instituted by Mahomet II., in + 1831, was given by the Sultan, to Colonel (afterwards General Sir J. + Lintorn) Simmons, two officers, and sixteen men of the tenth company + Royal Engineers, and to two officers, and thirty men forming the crew + of a gunboat, for services in the Danube in 1854. The medals given to + Colonel Simmons and Commander Carr-Glyn, were in gold, the others in + silver. On the obverse is the Sultan’s cypher, within a circle, + surmounted by the crescent and star, on the sides are flags and laurel + branches. The reverse has a large elliptical star, surmounted by + another of six points, below is a scroll with a Turkish inscription, + signifying Medal, or Mark of Honour. Ribbon: red, with green edges. + Medals—one in gold, and the others in silver—were also given to seven + British officers in command of Turkish troops at the successful + defence of Silistria, in 1854; and a silver medal was given to General + Sir F. Williams and the officers under him for the defence of Kars, + 1855. + +Footnote 175: + + The first act of bravery for which the Cross was given. + +Footnote 176: + + Queen’s Regiments in India on the 1st. of May, 1857:—6th. Dragoon + Guards, 9th. and 12th. Lancers, and 14th. Light Dragoons, 8th. Foot, + 10th. (first battalions), 24th., 27th., 29th., 32nd., 35th., 43rd., + 52nd., 53rd., 60th. (first battalion), 61st., 64th., 70th., 74th., + 75th., 78th., 81st., 83rd., 84th., 86th., and 87th. Regiments. + Strength:—seven hundred and fifty-seven officers and twenty-two + thousand four hundred and seventy-one men. The East India Company’s + troops raised this force to two hundred and seventy-seven thousand + seven hundred and forty-six; the Native Troops included therein + amounting to two hundred and thirty-two thousand two hundred and + twenty-four, and the Europeans to forty-five thousand five hundred and + twenty-two. + +Footnote 177: + + The following fact is significant of the scarcity of this kind of + ammunition:—In one of the field force orders it was notified that two + annas would be given for each of the enemy’s twenty-four pounder round + shot that might be brought into camp, to be again used up. Similar + instances occurred during the siege of Sebastopol, and in the + Peninsula, as noticed in the account of the War in the Crimea, at page + 417 of this work. + +Footnote 178: + + Sir John Lawrence, the able chief commissioner of the Punjab, by his + wise and prompt measures secured the tranquility of that portion of + India. The necessary steps to disarm the Native Regiments were ably + carried into effect by the 81st., the only Queen’s regiment at Lahore. + Putteeala, a powerful Sikh chieftain, also gave zealous aid, not only + by sending troops to replace those who had marched from Umballa to + join their comrades before Delhi, but also by affording protection to + fugitives, and exercising his influence to keep his countrymen + faithful to the British; his relative, the Jheend Rajah also proceeded + to Delhi with a body of his own troops, and bore an active share in + the subsequent operations. The authorities at Peshawur, where fourteen + thousand men were stationed, only about one-fourth being Europeans, + were on the alert; the fort of Attock was at once provisioned for a + siege, the 57th. Queen’s regiment forming the garrison, and the 64th. + Native Infantry were distributed in the frontier forts, the treasure + being deposited at Peshawur. The Guides were sent to join the army + before Delhi, where they arrived in June, after a march of about six + hundred miles, pronounced by Sir Henry Barnard to be without a + parallel. Colonel Edwards, of Punjab fame, also by his appeals caused + several bodies of Sikh troops to uphold British rule, and they were + found most welcome at Delhi, above all, the great object of disarming + the suspicious regiments was carried out. Colonel Ellice with three + companies of the 24th. regiment, had an affair with the 14th. Native + Infantry, at Jhelum on the 7th. of July; in which he himself was + dangerously wounded; and a flying column, under Brigadier-General + Nicholson, encountered the mutineers about noon on the 12th. of July, + as they were crossing the Ravee; in this action the 52nd. Light + Infantry, under Colonel Campbell, maintained their high character. + After another attack on the 16th. of that month, the Brigadier + proceeded to several disturbed parts of the country, and eventually + joined the troops before Delhi on the 14th. of August. The column from + the Punjab comprised the 52nd. Light Infantry, a wing of the 61st., + No. 17 Light Field Battery, 2nd. regiment of Punjab Infantry, a wing + of the 7th. Punjab Police Battalion, 4th. Sikh Infantry, two hundred + and fifty Mooltanee Horse, with siege guns and ordnance stores. The + 52nd. were six hundred and eighty strong, with six sick, but on the + 14th. of September, owing to the ravages of fever and cholera, they + only mustered two hundred and forty effectives of all ranks. + +Footnote 179: + + In addition to these two officers there were Sergeants John Smith and + A. B. Carmichael, and Corporal F. Burgess, _alias_ Joshua Burgess + Grierson, of the Sappers and Miners; Bugler Hawthorne, of the 52nd. + Light Infantry, and twenty-four Sappers and Miners, viz.:—fourteen + Native and ten Punjabees. Covered by the fire of the 60th. Rifles, + this party advanced at the double towards the Cashmere Gate; + Lieutenant Home, with Sergeants John Smith and Carmichael, and + Havildar Madhoo, all of the Sappers, leading and carrying the + powder-bags, followed by Lieutenant Salkeld, Corporal Burgess, and a + section of the remainder of the party. Sergeant Carmichael was killed + whilst laying his powder, and Havildar Madhoo was wounded. Whilst + endeavouring to fire the charge Lieutenant Salkeld was shot through + the leg and arm, and handed over the slow match to Corporal Burgess, + who fell mortally wounded just as he had successfully performed his + duty. Havildar Tiluk Singh, of the Sappers and Miners was wounded, and + Ram Heth, Sepoy, of the same corps, was killed during this part of the + operation. The demolition having been most successful, Lieutenant Home + then caused the bugle to sound the regimental call of the 52nd. as the + signal for the advance of the column; this was repeated three times, + as it was feared that amidst the noise of the assault the sound might + not be heard. The bugler, Robert Hawthorne, after performing his own + dangerous duty, humanely attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, and + after binding up that officer’s wounds under a heavy musketry fire, + had him removed without further injury. For this deed, pronounced to + be “as noble as any that has ever graced the annals of war,” he + received the Victoria Cross. + +Footnote 180: + + Well might the Governor-General, in his “Notification,” remark, that + “Before a single soldier, of the many thousands who are hastening from + England to uphold the supremacy of the British power, has set foot on + these shores, the rebel force, where it was strongest and most united, + and where it had the command of unbounded military appliances, has + been destroyed or scattered by an army collected within the limits of + the North-western Provinces and the Punjab alone.” + +Footnote 181: + + At one time there were three brothers of this name before Delhi, the + 8th. Foot being in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Greathed at the + assault on that city; this was the elder; the other, H. H. Greathed, + Esq., Commissioner and Political Agent of the Bengal Civil Service, + died of cholera on the 19th. of September, the day previous to its + capture; and the youngest, Brevet-Major William Wilberforce Harris + Greathed, C.B., of the Bengal Engineers, was severely wounded in the + storming of Delhi. + +Footnote 182: + + Afterwards General Sir Hope Grant, G.C.B. + +Footnote 183: + + The strength of the Lucknow garrison on the 1st. of July, 1857, + consisted of one thousand six hundred and eighteen officers and men, + “effective, fit for duty”; the sick and wounded amounted to eighty + officers and men. + +Footnote 184: + + One of the most remarkable relics of the siege that I have seen was + the mess plate of the 32nd. regiment. The spoons were twisted by the + effect of the enemy’s shot, and the soup tureen presented a singular + appearance, the handles being nearly wrenched off. These battered + articles were sent to Windsor Castle for the inspection of Her + Majesty. + +Footnote 185: + + The native non-commissioned officers and men who formed part of the + garrison, received the Indian Order of Merit, and were permitted to + count three years of additional service. The 13th., 48th., and 71st. + regiments of Native Infantry were afterwards formed into one corps, + designated the “Regiment of Lucknow.” + +Footnote 186: + + The garrison of Lucknow, from the 30th. of June to the 26th. of + September, 1857, had one hundred and forty officers and men, + Europeans, killed, and one hundred and ninety wounded; Natives, + seventy-two killed and one hundred and thirty-one wounded. + +Footnote 187: + + Cawnpore unfortunately occupies a prominent place in the history of + the mutiny. General Sir Hugh Wheeler, seeing the state of the native + troops, which composed part of the garrison, formed an entrenched camp + round the hospital barracks, and collected a supply of provisions. + Owing to the defection of the native corps, some of which at first + appeared faithful, the force ultimately consisted of the first company + sixth battalion of artillery, sixty-one; 32nd. regiment, eighty-four; + 1st. European Fusiliers, fifteen; 84th. regiment, fifty; in all, two + hundred and ten. To these may be added the officers of the three + native infantry regiments, and others, amounting to about one hundred. + The non-combatants amounted to five hundred and ninety, one hundred + and sixty women and children being included in the latter number, in + all nine hundred. Considering the defenceless state of the camp, it + was wonderful that the garrison could withstand the enemy for a single + day. The Sepoys commenced their attack on the 7th. of June, and + continued an almost constant fire on the camp until the 24th. The + garrison had only eight guns, while some opposed to them were + twenty-four pounders. Frequent attempts were made to carry the + enclosure by storm, but they were unsuccessful, the Sepoys being + driven back each time. The sufferings of the garrison were so extreme, + that on the 25th. of June, arrangements were entered into with Nena + Sahib for the evacuation of the place. The result is but too well + known. While the unfortunate people were proceeding towards Allahabad, + the treacherous mutineers fired upon all in the boats; the one in + which General Wheeler (who had been severely wounded) was in they + brought back to Cawnpore. Only a few escaped, one of whom, Lieutenant + Delafosse, has given a narrative of what he witnessed. All who were + not killed in the boats were carried back to Cawnpore; the men being + shot, and the females detained prisoners. + +Footnote 188: + + This miscreant’s real name was Doondoo Punt, and he was the adopted + son of Bajee Kao, the ex-Peishwah of Poona. After the death of the + latter, in 1852, he made claim to the pension which had been allowed + to that chief by the treaty of 1818, when he gave himself up to Sir + John Malcolm. The refusal of the Indian authorities to recognise his + right made him commence his vindictive course. He had been permitted + to keep up a retinue of two hundred soldiers, and had a fortified + place of residence at Bithoor, ten miles from Cawnpore. + +Footnote 189: + + Promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 30th. of July, 1857, and + was afterwards appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath; also created + a baronet, but dying before the patent was sealed, the dignity was + conferred upon his son, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry M. Havelock, + Bart., of the 18th. Royal Irish regiment. + +Footnote 190: + + Captain William Robert Moorsom, of the 52nd. Light Infantry, rendered + most important service in guiding Havelock’s second column. This young + officer had been selected in 1856 to conduct a scientific survey of + Lucknow, and having preserved rough copies of it, his knowledge of the + city proved of the highest importance, not only on this, but + subsequent occasions, his gallantry being repeatedly mentioned in the + despatches. Captain Moorsom met a soldier’s death at the early age of + twenty-four, at the head of a column of attack on the rebel parts of + the city of Lucknow, on the 11th. of March, 1858, and the 52nd., + feeling that the career of this young officer, who had been engaged in + nine pitched battles and numerous skirmishes, having been twice + wounded, was an honour to the regiment, erected a monumental tablet to + his memory in the cathedral of Rochester. The Division of Sir James + Outram also erected in Westminster Abbey a memorial window to their + youthful Quartermaster-General. + +Footnote 191: + + Captain Oliver J. Jones, R.N., in his “Recollections of a Winter + Campaign in India, 1857–8,” gives the following amusing anecdote of + his first peep at the Commander-in-Chief. The author was wandering + through the rooms of a “strongish place” taken from a Rajah.—“In one + of them I found a couple of glass candlesticks, not worth sixpence a + piece; but as my establishment only sported an empty porter bottle, I + thought they would make a handsome addition, and took them. Coming + down stairs, I met Forster—poor fellow! he is now dead—one of the + Chief’s aide-de-camps, who said,—‘By Jove, old fellow, you’d better + not let Sir Colin catch you looting—here he comes!’ upon which I + dropped them, as Paddy says, like a hot murphy; and in a couple of + minutes after saw a Sikh walking off with my elegant candlesticks. + Soon afterwards I saw the Chief serving out _bamboo backsheesh_ to + some Sikhs who had passed him with loot, with a big stick, and I + rejoiced at the warning my friend Foster had given me, else, perhaps, + in his wrath, he might have broken my head too.” + + The promising young officer above referred to, namely Captain W. F. + Godolphin Forster, of the 18th. Royal Irish Regiment, son of + Major-General W. F. Foster, K.H., Military Secretary at Head Quarters, + died at Lucknow on the 14th. of May, 1858, and up to that date had + accompanied Sir Colin Campbell in all his battles and operations + against the mutineers. + +Footnote 192: + + Mr. Thomas Henry Kavanagh, Assistant Commissioner in Oude, when + serving under the orders of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, in + Lucknow, on the 8th. of November, 1857, volunteered on the dangerous + duty of proceeding through the city to the camp of the + Commander-in-Chief, for the purpose of guiding the relieving force to + the beleaguered garrison in the Residency,—a task which he performed + with chivalrous gallantry and devotion. + + A highly interesting work has been written by this gentleman, showing + how he won the Victoria Cross, which was conferred upon him under the + Royal Warrant of the 13th. of December, 1858; by which this high + distinction was accorded to certain non-military persons, who, as + Volunteers, had borne arms against the mutineers in India. + +Footnote 193: + + “There never was a bolder feat of arms, and the loss inflicted on the + enemy, after the entrance of the Secundra Bagh was effected, was + immense,—more than two thousand of the enemy were afterwards carried + out. The officers who led the regiments were Lieutenant-Colonel L. + Hay, H.M.’s 93rd. Highlanders, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, H.M.’s 93rd. + Highlanders; Captain Walton, H.M.’s 53rd. Foot; Lieutenant Paul, 4th. + Punjaub Infantry (since dead); and Major Barnston, H.M.’s 90th. + Foot.”—_Sir Colin Campbell’s despatch._ + +Footnote 194: + + “The fighting on the 28th. was very severe. On the left advance, + Colonel Walpole with the Rifles, supported by Captain Greene’s + battery, and part of the 82nd. regiment, achieved a complete victory + over the enemy, and captured two eighteen-pounder guns. The glory of + this well-contested fight belongs entirely to the above-named + companies and artillery.”—_Major-General Windham’s Despatch._ + +Footnote 195: + + Force employed on the 6th. of December:—Brigadier Greathed’s + Brigade—8th., 64th., and 2nd. Punjaub Infantry. Artillery Brigade—two + troops Horse Artillery; three light field Batteries; guns of the Naval + Brigade; heavy field Battery Royal Artillery. Cavalry Brigade—9th. + Lancers; detachments 1st., 2nd., and 5th. Punjaub Cavalry and Hodson’s + Horse. 4th. Brigade—53rd. Foot; 42nd. and 93rd. Highlanders; 4th. + Punjaub Rifles. 5th. Infantry Brigade—23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers; + 32nd. and 82nd. Regiments. 6th. Brigade—second and third battalions + Rifle Brigade; detachment 38th. Foot. Engineer Brigade—Royal + Engineers, and detachments Bengal and Punjaub Sappers and Miners + attached to the various brigades of Infantry. + +Footnote 196: + + Troops employed:—Head-quarters of the division of Artillery and of the + Field Artillery brigade under Major-General Sir A. Wilson, K.C.B., and + Colonel D. Wood, C.B. Royal Horse Artillery: Lieutenant-Colonel + D’Aguilar’s troop, Royal Horse Artillery; Lieutenant-Colonel Toombs, + C.B., and Lieutenant Bishop’s troops; Bengal Horse Artillery, under + Lieutenant-Colonel Turner; two twenty-four pounders and two eight-inch + howitzers of the “Shannon’s” Naval Brigade; two companies Punjaub + Sappers and Miners. Head-quarters of the Cavalry division and the 1st. + Cavalry Brigade, under Brigadier-General Sir J. H. Grant, K.C.B., and + Brigadier Little. 9th. Lancers; 2nd. Punjaub Irregular Cavalry; + detachment of 5th. Punjaub ditto; 1st. Sikh Irregular Cavalry. Second + division of Infantry, under Brigadier-General Sir E. Lugard, K.C.B., + consisting of third brigade, Brigadier P. M. M. Guy, 34th., 38th., and + 53rd. Foot; fourth brigade, Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope, + 42nd. and 93rd. Highlanders and 4th. Punjaub Rifles. + +Footnote 197: + + The force under Brigadier-General Franks consisted of one hundred and + forty European and one hundred and seven Native officers, and five + thousand six hundred and forty-six men, and was composed of two + companies of Royal, one of Bengal, and one of Madras Artillery; + detachments of Benares Horse; Lahore Light Horse, Pathan Horse, and + third Sikh Irregular Cavalry; Her Majesty’s 10th., 20th., and 97th. + regiments, and six battalions of Ghoorkha infantry and artillery. A + dashing cavalry combat occurred at Nyapoorwa, on the 1st. March, in + which Captain Aikman, commanding the 3rd. Sikh cavalry, was greatly + distinguished; and on the 4th. of that month, the fort of Dhowrara was + captured. + +Footnote 198: + + Force sent across the Goomtee under Sir James + Outram:—Lieutenant-Colonel D’Aguilar’s troop Royal Horse Artillery; + Major Remmington’s and Captain McKinnon’s troops Royal Horse + Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel F. Turner; Captains Gibbons’ and + Middleton’s Light Field Batteries; Royal Artillery and head-quarters + Field Artillery Brigade; head-quarters Cavalry Division and of first + Cavalry Brigade; 2nd. Dragoon Guards; 9th. Lancers; 2nd. Punjaub + Cavalry, detachments 1st. and 5th. Punjaub Cavalry, under Captains + Watson and Sanford; third Infantry Division under Brigadier-General R. + Walpole; fifth Brigade, Brigadier Douglas, C.B., 23rd. Royal Welsh + Fusiliers, 97th. Highlanders, and 1st. Bengal Fusiliers; sixth + Brigade, Brigadier Alfred Horsford, C.B., second and third battalions + Rifle Brigade, and 2nd. Punjaub Infantry. + +Footnote 199: + + Promoted Major-General for his services on this occasion, and also + when in command of the force employed at the relief of Azimghur, in + April, 1858. + +Footnote 200: + + From the 2nd. to the 25th. of March, 1858, the British had one hundred + and twenty-seven officers and men killed, and five hundred and + ninety-five wounded. + +Footnote 201: + + Force employed at the Betwa.—Artillery, three siege guns, sixteen + light field guns; 14th. Light Dragoons, two hundred and forty-three + rank and file; Hyderabad Cavalry, two hundred and seven sabres; 86th. + Regiment, two hundred and eight rank and file; 3rd. Bombay European + Regiment, two hundred and twenty-six rank and file; 24th. Bombay + Native Infantry, two hundred and ninety-eight rank and file; and 25th. + Bombay Native Infantry, four hundred rank and file. + +Footnote 202: + + Several standards were captured, together with a silk Union Jack which + had been given by Lord William Bentinck to the grandfather of the + Ranee’s husband, with permission to have it carried before him as a + reward for his fidelity, a privilege accorded to no other Indian + Prince. The soldiers who had so bravely won this flag of their + country, asked permission to hoist it on the place,—a request to which + Sir Hugh Rose at once acceded. + +Footnote 203: + + See Recipients of the Victoria Cross. + +Footnote 204: + + Lieutenant Cameron, of the 72nd., received the Victoria Cross for + conspicuous bravery on this day, in having headed a small party of + men, and attacked a body of armed fanatic rebels, strongly posted in a + loopholed house, with one narrow entrance. He stormed the house, and + killed three rebels in single combat. This officer was severely + wounded, having lost the half of one hand, by a stroke from a tulwar. + +Footnote 205: + + In addition to four killed and fourteen wounded, the 14th. Light + Dragoons had eighteen cases of sunstroke, two proving fatal. The 71st. + Highland Light Infantry suffered from the same cause, eight out of the + nineteen cases dying from the intense heat, one day in the shade it + rose to 130 degrees. Sir Hugh Rose stated in his despatch, that when a + wing of the 71st. was prostrated by sun-sickness, the only complaint + he heard in the field hospitals from these gallant fellows, was that + they could not rise and fight. + +Footnote 206: + + Troops employed in the action at Banda:—Horse Artillery, European and + Native; 12th. Lancers (left wing); one squadron Hyderabad Cavalry, one + hundred and thirty-six; detachments Royal Artillery; Madras Artillery; + Sappers and Miners; 3rd. Madras European Regiment; 1st. Regiment of + Native Infantry; Detachment 50th. Native Infantry. + +Footnote 207: + + One of these, the defence of Arrah, is most remarkable. Sixteen + Europeans and fifty Sikh soldiers, made a noble stand against three + thousand mutineers. The Europeans were Mr. Littledale, judge; Mr. + Bombe, collector; Mr. Wake, magistrate; and Mr. Boyle, railway + engineer—all civilians. The first attempt to relieve them failed; on + the 27th. of July portions of the 10th. and 37th. regiments, and some + Sikhs, about four hundred in all, were sent up the river from Dynapore + in two steamers, one of which grounded: this caused a delay, but in + the evening of the 29th. the troops were disembarked. Captain Dunbar + pushed on until he reached the outskirts of the town, when the Sepoys + suddenly opened a destructive fire of musketry from the wood, a great + number, including himself, being killed, the survivors being hotly + pursued to the steamer. Major Vincent Eyre, of the Bengal Horse + Artillery (author of the well-known work on the disasters at Cabool), + who was in command of a flying force, on hearing of this event + advanced from Shawpore, a distance of twenty-eight miles, and on the + 2nd. of August encountered the rebels near Goojerajunge; and although + the odds were twenty to one, gallantly defeated them. Mr. Ross Lowis + Mangles, Assistant-Magistrate at Patna, and Mr. William Fraser + M‘Donell, Magistrate of Sarun, both of the Bengal Civil Service, + received the Victoria Cross for their services; the former for + volunteering to serve with the above, having, on the morning of the + 30th. of July, after Captain Dunbar’s death, during the retreat, with + signal gallantry and generous self-devotion, and notwithstanding that + he had himself been previously wounded, carried for several miles, out + of action, a wounded soldier of the 37th. regiment, bore him in safety + to the boats, after binding up his wounds under a murderous fire, + which killed or wounded almost the whole detachment; and the latter + for great coolness and bravery on the same day and occasion, in having + climbed, under an incessant fire outside the boat in which he and + several soldiers were, up to the rudder, and with considerable + difficulty cut through the lashing which secured it to the side of the + boat; on this being cut the boat obeyed the helm, and thus thirty-five + European soldiers escaped certain death. In this feat of arms, by + which the gallant garrison was relieved, one hundred and fifty-four + men of the 5th. Fusiliers, under Captain L’Estrange, maintained the + ancient fame of their regiment, and shared with the first company of + the 5th. battalion of the Bengal Artillery, and the Buxar Gentlemen + Volunteers, in this important result; so honourable to them and to + their daring commander. Captain Scott, Ensigns Lewis Oldfield + (wounded), and Mason, and Assistant-Surgeon Thornton, were the other + officers of the detachment of the 5th. Fusiliers. + +Footnote 208: + + The First Brigade, with whom was Sir Robert Napier, consisted of the + third Scinde Horse; head-quarters 12th. Bengal Cavalry; a battery + 21st. Brigade Royal Artillery, with steel 7-pounder guns; + head-quarters 10th. Company Royal Engineers; 4th. King’s Own; 23rd. + Punjaubees, and wing of 27th Beloochees, also a Naval Brigade of + eighty-three men under Commander Fellowes, H.M.S. “Dryad,” with twelve + 12-pounder rocket tubes, divided into two batteries. The Second + Brigade comprised four troops 3rd. Bombay Cavalry; a battery of the + 14th. Brigade Royal Artillery, with four 12-pounder Armstrong guns; + detachment 5th. battery 25th. Brigade R.A., with two 8-inch mortars; + battery 21st. Brigade, with steel 7-pounders; company of Sappers and + Miners; 2nd., 3rd., and 4th. Companies of Bombay Sappers and Miners; + the 33rd. Regiment, and wing of the 10th. Bombay Native Infantry. The + reinforcement consisted of six companies of 45th. Regiment; wing of + 3rd. Native Infantry; wing of the 27th. Native Infantry; one troop + 3rd. Cavalry; wing of 3rd. Dragoon Guards; and a squadron of 10th. + Bengal Cavalry. + +Footnote 209: + + “The body of Fitaurari Gabri could be distinguished from the remainder + of the fallen by its gorgeous attire. He had been one of the first to + fall, and seven chiefs who had attempted to bear away his body were + laid in a heap around him. On the left, where the pioneers and baggage + guard had been engaged, the dead lay thickest. Along the ravine where + the bayonet charge was made men and horses were heaped in tens and + twenties. In addition to those that lay there, hundreds had been + carried into the fortress during the night.”—(LIEUT. SHEPHERD, + correspondent of the _Daily News_). + +Footnote 210: + + “Nothing was left us but to leave marks of our power or vengeance, + which would long be remembered. No more utterly atrocious Government + than that which has thus, perhaps fallen, ever existed on the face of + the earth. Their capital was a charnel-house, their religion a + combination of cruelty and treachery, their policy the natural outcome + of their religion.”—_Despatch of Sir G. Wolseley to Lord Kimberley._ + +Footnote 211: + + Among the small body of British officers with Captain Glover, besides + Captain Sartorius, were Lieutenants Cameron and Barnard, 19th. + regiment; Commander Larcom, Lieutenant Moore, Dr. Rowe, and Dr. + Bailey, R.N., and three master gunners of the Royal Artillery. + +Footnote 212: + + The plunder captured at Coomassie, consisting chiefly of the gold + ornaments of the King’s wives, was sold at Cape Coast Castle, and + realised nearly £6,000. Among it was an ivory-hilted sword, having on + one side of the blade the following inscription, “From Her Majesty + Queen Victoria to the King of Ashantee.” This sword which was found in + the King’s bedchamber, was purchased by the Officers of the Staff, and + presented by them to Sir Garnet Wolseley. On the reverse of the blade + is another inscription, “Major-General Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley, + K.C.B., from the Officers of his Staff. Coomassie, 4th. February, + 1874.” + +Footnote 213: + + Only one military officer, Colonel A. B. Tulloch, C.B., Chief of the + Intelligence Department, who was present at the bombardment, received + this clasp. + +Footnote 214: + + The greatest number of bars given with any single medal was six, and + but four were issued with this number, to four men of the 19th. + Hussars. The medals were supplied by the Mint, but a Birmingham firm + assisted in their production. All the officers above the rank of + captain, who served in the campaign of 1882, received the Order of the + Medjidie from the Khedive. + +Footnote 215: + + The Naval Brigade held Alexandria till the end of July, by which time + so many troops had arrived, that the services of the seamen on shore + were no longer required, with the exception of those serving in + Captain Fisher’s moveable armoured battery. The marines remained on + shore, and took the chief part in a smart engagement near Ramleh, on + August 5th. + +Footnote 216: + + Port Said was seized by Captain Fairfax, R.N., and Ismailia occupied + by Captain Fitzroy, R.N. On August 20th. the seamen and marines of the + “Seagull” and “Mosquito,” with two hundred of the 72nd. Highlanders, + attacked and carried an entrenched position at Chalouf. + +Footnote 217: + + The troops from India consisted of 1st. Battalion 72nd. Highlanders; + 7th. Native Infantry; 29th. Punjaubees; 29th. Beloochees; a battery of + seven-pounder screw guns; and the 2nd., 6th., and 13th. Bengal + Cavalry. + +Footnote 218: + + The Highland Brigade, on entering Cairo, was first quartered in the + Citadel, but removed and occupied a camp without the walls during the + months of October and November. One night in October a curious + incident happened. A large number of Bedouins were prowling around the + city and encampment, into which they now and then fired. The dress of + the Highlanders completely puzzled the Arabs, and imagining them to be + the wives of the Infidel soldiers in Cairo, they made a dash at the + tents, hoping to capture some of the damsels to enliven their homes in + the desert. They were undeceived by being saluted with a volley that + stretched forty of them on the ground, and the survivors sought safety + in flight. + +Footnote 219: + + Among the officers killed was the gallant Lieutenant Wyatt-Rawson, + R.N., who had guided the Highland Brigade by the stars, throughout the + night, and was among the first to enter the Egyptian works. He was + Naval _aide-de-camp_ to Sir G. Wolseley, to whom his last words were + “Didn’t I lead them straight, General!” Major Strong and Captain + Wardell, of the Royal Marines, were both shot dead while leading and + cheering on their men up the glacis, within twenty yards of the enemy. + +Footnote 220: + + When the order to charge was given, the 42nd. charged instantly, and + the 65th. after a short interval, and more quickly than the flank half + battalion. This inequality of movement left the right corner and part + of the right flank of the square open. Worse still, the charge was + made, to quote the common expression in the camp “at nothing.” The + line stopped short, and in a few moments came the Arab rush, and the + Highlanders and 65th. were so closely jammed together that they had + hardly elbow room to use their weapons. Only three or four of the + enemy got inside the square, and they were killed as soon as they + entered. + +Footnote 221: + + “The formation of the Arabs, which was like a half moon, overlapped + the front and right face of the 1st. Brigade. Buller had his men well + in hand, just as if they were at a review. He commenced firing volleys + at them. The Arabs, who were in irregular formation, and from three to + ten deep, came along at a run, and it was just like a big black wave + running up a beach. It began to break on the crest, the white foam + being represented by the men that fell simultaneously with every + volley, and the wave began to grow less and less the more it neared + the square. Within two hundred and fifty yards it nearly ceased, and + not one man could get near enough to use his spear.”—_Wylde’s—In the + Soudan._ + +Footnote 222: + + With Lord Wolseley were Major-General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., Chief + of the Staff; Colonel W. F. Butler, C.B., Assistant Adjutant-General; + Colonel Sir C. W. Wilson, R.E., Chief of Intelligence Department; and + Colonel Sir H. Stewart, K.C.B. Colonel H. Brackenbury, R.A.; Colonel + R. Harrison, R.E.; Colonel Webber, R.E.; and others, for special + service. + +Footnote 223: + + The advance of the troops up the Nile was difficult and onerous in the + extreme. Some of the cataracts extended for two and three miles, and + all the stores had to be taken out of the boats and carried miles + round, over broken and rocky ground, and then shipped again beyond the + obstruction. It often took seventy men to haul one boat through the + rapids, and some days the whole progress made was under a mile. Many + of the boats were capsized and wrecked, and fifty men of the + expedition, including ten Canadians, were drowned before reaching + Dongola. + +Footnote 224: + + The troops which proceeded up the Nile were detachments of the 1st. + and 2nd. Life Guards; the Horse Guards; 2nd., 4th., and 5th. Dragoon + Guards; 1st. and 2nd. Dragoons; 5th. and 16th. Lancers; and 3rd., + 4th., 7th., 10th., 11th., 15th., 18th., 19th., 20th., and 21st. + Hussars. Most of them served as mounted infantry, or in the camel + corps. Detachments of Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards; 13th., + 21st., and 94th. Foot, 60th. Rifles and Rifle Brigade, and the 18th., + 35th., 38th., 42nd., 46th., 50th., 56th., 75th., 79th. Foot; Royal + Marines; and Naval Brigade. The 18th. Foot were the winners of Lord + Wolseley’s prize of £100 in the race up the Nile to Debbah. + +Footnote 225: + + “Immediately I perceived the enemy coming down, I ran the gun to a + position in the centre of the left flank, and commenced firing. After + about thirty rounds the gun jammed. The enemy then were about two + hundred yards from the muzzle of it. The captain of it, Will Rhoods, + and myself, unscrewed the plate to clean the barrel, when the enemy + were upon us. Rhoods was killed by a spear; Miller, drummer, I also + saw killed at the same moment. I was knocked down in rear of gun, but + uninjured, except a spear scratch on left hand. As I struggled up I + was carried against the face of the square, which was literally + pressed back by sheer weight of numbers. The crush was so great, that + at the moment few on either side were killed, but fortunately this + flank of the square was forced up a very steep little mound, which + enabled the rear rank to open a tremendous fire over the heads of the + front rank men. This relieved the pressure, and enabled the front rank + to bayonet or shoot those of the enemy nearest them. The enemy then + turned to the right and streamed away along the rear face of the + square, where, I afterwards heard they effected an entrance. None of + them got into the square at the place I indicated, where the crush + was, which was held by the Mounted Infantry.”—_Despatch of Lord + Charles Beresford, R.N._ + +Footnote 226: + + All the Arabs killed belonged to the Hadendowa tribe, and among them + were several women, clad as men. Their fanaticism was amazing. As an + eye-witness wrote—“When our men went out to bring in the wounded + rebels lying in the bush, these latter crept bleeding on all fours, + with the spears in their mouths to stab them, and even hobbled on + broken legs to attack them.” + +Footnote 227: + + One of the standards had this inscription—“From the Mahdi, the true + Prophet of God. Whoever fights under this banner shall be victorious.” + +Footnote 228: + + The Soudan Medal, with the clasp “Gemaizah, 1888,” was given to the + officers, seamen, and marines of H.M.S. “Racer” and “Starling” who + belonged to those vessels on December 20th., 1888, the date of the + action. + +Footnote 229: + + Medals granted for service in the field, as well as medals and + gratuities, and medals and annuities, for good conduct, are forfeited + by soldiers on conviction of desertion or felony, or being sentenced + to penal servitude, or on discharge with ignominy. They are also + liable to forfeiture by sentence of court-martial, on conviction of + disgraceful conduct; or, in case of sergeants, on reduction to the + ranks. Medals thus forfeited are transmitted to the Horse Guards, in + order to their being returned to the Mint. Under certain regulations + lost medals are replaced; if the loss be proved to have occurred from + carelessness or neglect, the loser may be recommended to the + Commander-in-Chief for a new medal, at his own expense, after two + years’ absence from the regimental defaulters’ book. In order to + justify the replacement of a medal at the public expense, the loss + must be shewn to have occurred while on duty, or by some accident + entirely beyond the control of the loser; in all other cases, such as + the loss of a medal cut from a tunic, or stolen from the person, the + soldier has to pay for it himself. In cases wherein the clasps are not + lost, they are forwarded to the Adjutant-General to be attached to the + new medal. When medals are designedly made away with, or pawned, the + soldier is to be tried by court-martial, and, if convicted, put under + stoppages, the amount being credited to the public. After five years’ + absence from the regimental defaulters’ book, the offender may be + recommended for a new medal, on again paying the value thereof. + +Footnote 230: + + A somewhat similar medal was given to the Indian chiefs who had + distinguished themselves by their loyalty, at the close of the war + between America and England, in 1814. On the obverse is a laureated + bust of George III., in the mantle and collar of the garter, with the + legend “Georgius III. Dei Gratia, Britannarum Rex. F. D.”; and on the + reverse, the Royal Arms, with the date 1814 in the exergue. All these + medals are of extreme rarity. + +Footnote 231: + + Two years afterwards, in November, 1800, the Emperor further rewarded + the eight officers of the 15th., by conferring on each of them the + Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa, permission to accept and wear the + insignia being granted by George III. At the Greg sale, May 16, 1887, + the medal and chain, with the cross of Maria Theresa, given to Cornet + E. G. Butler, were sold for £240. + +Footnote 232: + + This “Order of Merit” having attracted the attention of the local + military authorities, the commanding officer was called upon by Lord + Hill, to explain under what regulations and arrangements it was + conferred. The explanation produced the following letter:— + + Horse Guards, 20th June, 1832. + + Sir,—I have had the honour to submit to the General Commanding in + Chief your letter of the 4th. instant, with its enclosure, on the + subject of the “Order of Merit” existing in the 5th. Foot, and am + directed to acquaint you, that the explanation afforded by + Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, shews that the order in question is + dispensed under the most laudable regulations, and has been + productive of the best effects, during the long period since its + original establishment in the regiment. + + It is considered highly desirable, however, that both officer and + soldier should, under all circumstances, be taught to expect + professional honours from the Sovereign alone; and under this + impression, Lord Hill has been induced to recommend to the King to + give the royal authority for the confirmation and continuance of + this regimental badge of distinction, an arrangement which, while it + bestows upon it legitimate existence, will, at the same time, no + doubt enhance its value in the estimation of those on whom it is + conferred. + + You will, therefore, be pleased to communicate this decision to + Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, and acquaint him that he is at + liberty to proceed in the distribution of the medals and badges as + heretofore. + + I have, etc., + JOHN MACDONALD, + Adjutant-General. + + Lieutenant-General + Sir Wm. Houstoun, G.C.B. and G.C.H., + Commanding at Gibraltar. + +Footnote 233: + + This medal was struck in Dublin, and issued to those entitled to wear + it, at their own expense. + +Footnote 234: + + In the year 1818, the 73rd. were engaged in suppressing a rebellion of + the Candians in Ceylon. A small party of the regiment, in charge of + Lance-Corporal R. McLoughlin, while on a march, was attacked by a + numerous body of the enemy, and two men were killed. As the Candians + generally mutilated the remains of British soldiers, the little party + of the 73rd. divided; part remaining to guard the bodies, and the + other part, at an equal risk, forcing their way to Badulah, a few + miles distant. From this place they returned with a reinforcement, + drove back the enemy, and carried off the bodies of their slain + comrades. To reward this gallant conduct, a medal was struck by the + Ceylon government for presentation to Corporal McLoughlin, and three + privates, but they all died of fever before it was issued. + +Footnote 235: + + The following account of the presentation of medals to a body of + Volunteers, on their disbanding, appeared in the _Morning Chronicle_ + of April, 1802, just after the signing of the Treaty of Amiens:— + + “Yesterday the Hon. John Henniker Major met his respectable corps of + Suffolk Volunteers, in that county; and, after thanking them, in an + elegant and appropriate speech, for the zeal and activity that they + had manifested in the defence of their country, delivered to each of + them a silver medal, decorated with military devices, as a mark of the + high sense he entertained of their services; after which, Mr. Major + informed them they were now disbanded, conformably to the regulation + of the Government, with a reward the most gratifying, viz., their + Sovereign’s approbation of their conduct.” + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + Page Changed from Changed to + + 160 the conflict raged at the the conflict raged at the + breaches, when an explosion beaches, when an explosion + destroyed destroyed + + 376 divided into two columns, one divided into two columns, one + operating from Burmah agains operating from Burmah against + + 578 direction. The route was direction. The rout was + complete, great loss being complete, great loss being + inflicted inflicted + + ● Fixed typos; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Renumbered footnotes and moved them all to the end of the final + chapter. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Images without captions use HTML alt text. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78811 *** |