Historical Record of the Thirty-ninth, or the Dorsetshire Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1702, and of its subsequent services to 1853.

Part 10

Chapter 103,093 wordsPublic domain

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 _Maharajpore_ was fought, namely, 29th of December. The Mahratta army were thus placed between two corps capable of supporting each other, should it remain in the vicinity of its capital; or of subdividing that army to repel, or attack, these two columns; the latter alternative was adopted by the enemy, and the consequence was most decisive and honorable to the British arms, and the mutinous troops which had overawed and controlled the government of His Highness the Maharajah Jyajee Rao Scindia, were signally defeated.

These victories were not gained without severe loss, owing to the enemy’s force considerably outnumbering the British, particularly in artillery, and to the commanding position of his guns, which were well served and determinedly defended both by the gunners and infantry; the peculiar difficulties of the country gave also additional advantages to the gallantry of the Mahratta troops, whose loss was exceedingly great;--in the battle of _Maharajpore_ fifty-six guns were captured, together with the whole of the enemy’s ammunition waggons.

The THIRTY-NINTH had Ensign Theodore David Bray, two serjeants, one drummer, and twenty-six rank and file killed. The following officers were wounded:--Major Edward William Bray (severely), Captains Robert Newport Tinley (severely), and Charles Campbell; Lieutenant and Adjutant William Munro (severely); Lieutenants James S. Atkinson (severely), Humphrey Gray (very severely), Robert Hamilton Currie, and Hugh George Colvill (very severely); Ensigns Simon George Newport, and Thomas Scarman (severely); seventeen serjeants, and one hundred and fifty-seven rank and file were wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Wright, of the THIRTY-NINTH, who served os a Brigadier-General, and commanded the brigade of which his regiment formed part, was particularly noticed in the official despatch. Major Bray, who commanded the regiment, Major Charles T. Van Straubenzee, Captain Marmaduke George Nixon (Major of Brigade), Captain Charles Campbell, and Lieutenant Edward Croker, Assistant Quartermaster General, fifth brigade of infantry, were all honorably mentioned.

Lieut.-Colonel Wright and Major Bray were subsequently nominated Companions of the Order of the Bath: the latter officer with Major Straubenzee, received the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel; Captains Nixon and Campbell were promoted to the rank of Major in the army.

The THIRTY-NINTH also received the Royal authority to bear the word MAHARAJPORE on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this victory.

The Governor-General in his proclamation thus alluded to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment:--

“The Governor-General’s especial thanks are due to Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH and Fortieth regiments, to the Second and Sixteenth regiments of Native Grenadiers, and to the Fifty-sixth Native Infantry, which took with the bayonet the batteries in front of _Maharajpore_.

“Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment had the peculiar fortune of adding to the honor of having won at _Plassey_ the first great battle which laid the foundation of the British empire in India, the further honor of thus nobly contributing to this, as it may be hoped, the last and crowning victory by which that empire has been secured.

“Her Majesty’s Fortieth regiment, and the Second and the Sixteenth regiments of Native Grenadiers, again serving together, again displayed their pre-eminent qualities as soldiers, and well supported the character of the ever victorious army of Candahar.

* * * * *

“The Government of India will, as a mark of its grateful sense of their distinguished merit, present to every general and other officer, and to every soldier engaged in the battles of MAHARAJPORE and PUNNIAR, an _Indian Star of bronze_, made out of the guns taken in these battles; and all officers and soldiers in the service of the Government of India will be permitted to wear the Star with their uniforms.

* * * * *

“A triumphal monument commemorative of the campaign of _Gwalior_ will be erected at Calcutta, and inscribed with the names of all who fell in the two battles.”

Major Thomas Ryan, of Her Majesty’s Fiftieth regiment, was attached to the THIRTY-NINTH, and distinguished himself by his cool and gallant conduct at the battle of Maharajpore. Major Ryan and Lieut.-Colonel Wright had their horses shot under them.

[Sidenote: 1844.]

The “_Army of Gwalior_” was broken up on the 28th of January 1844. The THIRTY-NINTH remained at Gwalior from the 29th of January until the 4th of March, when the right brigade, with the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Wright, returned to Agra, where it arrived on the 10th of that month.

In addition to the star manufactured from the ordnance captured at Maharajpore, a donation of six months’ batta was granted by the Governor-General in Council to the army employed during the campaign in Gwalior.

The regiment remained at Agra until the 20th of October, when it marched for Dinapore, and arrived at that station on the 13th of December following.

[Sidenote: 1845.]

On the embarkation of the Thirteenth light infantry at Kurrachee for England, two hundred of the men volunteered to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment. These formed a portion of Major-General Sir Charles Napier’s force in his expedition against the mountain desert robbers of Beloochistan in the spring of 1845.

In storming the nearly inaccessible heights of Truckee a serjeant’s party of fifteen men pre-eminently distinguished themselves by their undaunted gallantry, in forcing their way, after a lengthened and sanguinary struggle, to the summit of a hill, which was defended by about a hundred and eighty of the enemy.

This exploit called forth the following letters from His Excellency Sir Charles Napier, and His Grace the Duke of Wellington.

“_Sukkur, 30th March, 1845._ “SIR,

“It will gratify you, and be just to some brave men, who volunteered from the Thirteenth for your regiment, to send to you a copy of my letter to the Commander-in-Chief, relative to a gallant action performed by them on the 8th instant.

“The whole of the volunteers for your regiment have behaved admirably during the five months they have been serving under my own immediate observation; they have shown themselves worthy of the regiment they have left, and of that which is under your command. I have, &c.,

(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_, “_Governor of Scinde_.

“_Officer commanding H. M. 39th regiment._”

“_Camp Sukkur, 25th March 1845._ “SIR,

“It is with regret I have to say that, misled by the report of Captain Beatson, I stated that the six soldiers, who, on the 8th instant, fell on the heights of Truckee, were killed in consequence of their own imprudence. This was incorrect and unjust. They acted in obedience to their orders, and died in the fulness of glory, worthy of the brightest names in our military annals. The enclosed return, received from the orderly room, is more eloquent than any thing I can say. I am convinced that one who has so often witnessed the gallantry of soldiers, will not read unmoved this proud but distressing record of heroism and death.

“The survivors of those who reached the top, merit the honor to have their names laid before His Grace the Duke of Wellington, and it would be very grateful to their feelings if your Excellency would do this. They are men of excellent character; most of them had two, and some three medals. The bold Sepoy of the camel corps is highly praised by them for his courageous conduct.

“Hoping that some mark of approbation may be bestowed on these admirable soldiers, I have, &c.

(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_, “_Governor of Scinde_.”

“_His Excellency_, “_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._, “_Commander-in-Chief in India_. “&c. &c. &c.”

Nominal roll of the serjeant’s party of a detachment of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH, volunteers, which stormed the hill at Truckee on the 8th of March 1845:--

“_Horse Guards_, “_12th June 1845_.

“SIR,

“I have had the honor to receive your letter on the 15th of April, with a letter and its accompanying return from Major-General Sir Charles Napier, setting forth the conspicuous gallantry of a party of Volunteers from the Thirteenth Light Infantry to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, in storming the almost inaccessible hill position of Truckee, occupied by a strong force of the Mountain Desert Robbers; and having laid these papers before the Commander-in-Chief, I am instructed to request that you will cause the expression of his highest approbation to be conveyed to such of these brave men as have survived the attack; and that you will further be pleased to recommend them specially to the notice and protection of the commanding officer of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, and ascertain and report for His Grace’s information whether the Serjeant is qualified to hold a commission in Her Majesty’s service.

“The Duke of Wellington deeply laments the loss of those who fell on this memorable occasion.

“I have, &c. (Signed) “FITZROY SOMERSET.

“_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._, “_Commander-in-Chief in India_. “&_c._ &_c._ &_c._”

In the month of October 1845, four companies, under the command of Captain Wood, were detached to garrison Fort William.

[Sidenote: 1846.]

In the beginning of 1846, in consequence of the great demand for fighting men on the north-west frontier, the regiment was directed to volunteer to the extent of five hundred men: the detached wing rejoined the head-quarters at Dinapore in March. In October 1846, the THIRTY-NINTH again volunteered, preparatory to embarkation for England, when two hundred and seventeen men were transferred to other corps.

On the 30th of December following the remainder of the corps, consisting of about three hundred men, embarked in boats for Calcutta.

[Sidenote: 1847.]

The regiment arrived at Calcutta on the 27th of January 1847; and on the 7th of February, the head-quarters, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Wright, consisting of seven officers, seven serjeants, five corporals, six drummers, and one hundred and eleven privates, embarked in the “Tudor,” and landed at Gravesend on the 9th of June following, losing one serjeant, one corporal, and three privates, during the passage.

The remainder of the regiment, consisting of ten serjeants, nine corporals, eight drummers, and one hundred and forty-five privates, with six officers, under the command of Captain Wilbraham, embarked in the “Pekin” on the 23rd of February, and arrived in England on the 13th of July 1847, losing only one man during the voyage.

On the departure of the THIRTY-NINTH, with other corps, from India, the Right Honorable Lord Gough, Commander-in-Chief in that country, issued the following complimentary orders:--

“_Head-Quarters_, “_Camp Seharunpore_, “_9th February 1847_.

“GENERAL ORDER.

“The Right Honorable the Commander-in-Chief in India avails himself of the opportunity which the approaching departure from India of those distinguished regiments, the Ninth, THIRTY-NINTH, and Sixty-second foot affords, of recording the high sense he entertains of their respective merits, and the admiration with which he has witnessed their uniform good conduct in quarters, and their gallantry in the field.

“Each regiment bears on its colours the names of many hard-fought battles in the “Peninsula,” and each regiment will carry home the record of victories achieved in the wars of this country, nobly gained by their indomitable bravery under his Lordship’s immediate command.

“The Ninth regiment has completed a service abroad of upwards of fourteen years. In 1842 it formed part of the force under Major-General Sir George Pollock in the second campaign of ‘Affghanistan,’ and subsequently had the good fortune to partake in the memorable battles of the Sutlej. The despatches of the former period have testified to its gallantry, its noble bearing, and high spirit under extreme sickness and privation; and upon the latter, Lord Gough has recently in orders and by his despatches, expressed his sense of its valuable services.

“The THIRTY-NINTH regiment, ‘Primus in Indis,’ having obtained imperishable renown in the earlier wars in India, bearing upon its colours the record of its gallantry at ‘Plassey,’ quitted this country in 1758; and after a lapse of seventy-four years, during which it reaped a rich harvest of glory in the ‘Peninsula,’ again returned to India, and has again profited by the opportunities, which a long service in this country has afforded, of adding fresh lustre to its fame. The victory of ‘Maharajpore’ is already recorded on its colours, and nobly did it earn that badge. The distinguished conduct of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment on the 29th of December 1843, could not be surpassed for bravery and determination.

“The Sixty-second regiment gallantly aided in the defence of Ferozepore, when that station was invested by an overwhelming force; and when called into action in the late brilliant campaign, it evinced that indomitable bravery and obedience to orders, for which the British army is justly renowned.

“Lord Gough feels happy in having it in his power to state, that the conduct of these regiments throughout their Indian service has always been such as to merit his warmest commendation. He feels a pride in recording all that he has said in praise of these gallant corps; and in parting with them, begs to assure them that he will always feel a lively interest in their welfare.

“By order of the Right Honorable the Commander-in-Chief.

(Signed) “C. R. CURETON, _Colonel_, “_Adjutant-General H. M. Forces in India_.”

The THIRTY-NINTH regiment, on arrival in England, was stationed at Canterbury, and on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December 1847, proceeded to Gosport by railway.

[Sidenote: 1848.]

On the 15th of March, 1848, the regiment moved over to Portsmouth, and at the end of the same month proceeded to the northern and midland districts, the head-quarters and three companies occupying the citadel at Hull, with detachments at Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and Halifax.

The regiment proceeded by railway on the 22nd and 23rd of June to Preston, in Lancashire.

[Sidenote: 1849.]

During the year 1849 the regiment remained at Preston.

[Sidenote: 1850.]

On the 25th, 26th, and 27th of April, 1850, the regiment proceeded from Preston, in three divisions, by railway to Fleetwood, and embarked for Belfast. Previous to the departure of the THIRTY-NINTH from Preston for Ireland, the mayor of that borough forwarded a complimentary resolution to Lieut.-Colonel Wright from the magistrates, relative to the excellent conduct of the regiment while stationed in the neighbourhood of Preston.

The regiment was stationed at Belfast from the 28th of April to the 16th of November 1850, when it proceeded to Newry.

[Sidenote: 1851.]

On the 17th of July 1851 the regiment proceeded from Newry to Dublin, and was quartered in the Linen Hall barracks.

[Sidenote: 1852.]

Lieut.-General George Burrell, C.B., was appointed Colonel of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment on the 11th of February 1852, in succession to General Sir Frederick Philipse Robinson, G.C.B., deceased.

In February and March nine companies were removed to Richmond barracks, Dublin; in consequence of the want of accommodation at the head-quarters, a portion of the regiment proceeded to Island Bridge barracks.

On the 15th of July five companies of the regiment, under the command of Major William Munro, proceeded from Dublin to Cork, there to be stationed during the elections. A company of the regiment, under Major Robert Newport Tinley, detached at Drogheda, proceeded on the 21st of July to Balbriggan, in aid of the civil authorities during the elections in that town, and subsequently joined the head-quarters at Dublin.

Towards the end of July the head-quarters received orders to move from Dublin to Clonmel, and proceeded to that station by railway on the 5th of August, where they arrived on the same day.

The five companies on election duty at Cork were detached, on the removal of the head-quarters from Dublin to Clonmel, to the following stations: two companies to Carrick-on-Suir, one to Clogheen, one to Dungarvon, and one to Cappoquin; the latter returned to head-quarters on the 23rd of September.

[Sidenote: 1853.]

Major-General Richard Lluellyn, C.B., was appointed Colonel of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment on the 17th of January 1853, in succession to Lieut.-General George Burrell, C.B., deceased.

The regiment proceeded from Clonmel to Cork in February 1853, where it was stationed on the 30th of June, the date to which this Record has been brought.

_Note._--The compiler of the Regimental Records feels it his duty to acknowledge the assistance which he has received in the compilation of the History of the THIRTY-NINTH and certain other regiments, from Mr. Thomas Carter, of the Adjutant-General’s Office, who, by much labour and research, has endeavoured to supply the deficiencies in the manuscript narratives transmitted by regiments, particularly in the details of their earlier services.

1853.

FOOTNOTES:

[6] The regiments of infantry which were raised in 1702, and since retained on the establishment of the army, commenced with the _Twenty-eighth_, and ended with the THIRTY-NINTH regiment.

[7] The THIRTY-NINTH formed part of the garrison of Gibraltar when that fortress was besieged by the Spaniards in 1727, and it also shared in the memorable defence made by General Eliott, afterwards Lord Heathfield, from 1779 to 1782.

[8] A tradition has been preserved in the THIRTY-NINTH, that the regiment was present at the battle of _Almanza_ on the 25th of April 1707, and that it was for some years known as “_Sankey’s Horse_,” in consequence of its being said to have been mounted on mules for the purpose of expediting its advance. The regiment, however, did not embark for Portugal until the 22nd of May 1707, and therefore was not present at the battle of Almanza.