CHAPTER XV.

We left the 2nd Battalion on board the ‘Himalaya’ at Cape Coast Castle. On January 1, 1874, ‘rouse’ sounded soon after midnight, and the parade was at 1.20 in the morning. The left wing, consisting of four companies (17 officers and 352 men), landed in surf boats, the first company reaching the shore at a quarter after three, the fourth company in about a quarter of an hour afterwards. The whole disembarkation occupied about forty minutes, and elicited the warm approval of the Brigadier, Sir Archibald Alison. The companies fell in immediately on landing, and at once marched for Inquabim, seven miles, which they reached about half-past six; the Battalion heading the advance up the country.

The right wing, consisting of the remaining four companies (16 officers and 300 men) disembarked at about the same hour on the morning of the 2nd, and started for Inquabim, which they reached about half-past five. On this march no men fell out. On their arrival they found an excellent encampment of bamboo huts, 65 men being in each hut.

The left wing had on this day preceded them to Accroful, another march of seven miles, to which the right wing proceeded on the 3rd, starting at half-past four, and arriving at half-past six, without a man falling out. On this day the left wing advanced to Yancoomassie-Fanti.

On the 4th the right wing, starting at the usual hour of half-past four, marched to Yancoomassie-Fanti, a distance of about ten miles and a quarter, where they arrived at eight o’clock. Not a man fell out; but the climate began already to tell on some of the officers, two of whom had to be carried during this day’s march. The left wing had marched to Mansu; and it may suffice, once for all, to state that they preceded the march of the right wing by one day.

On the 5th the right wing started at a quarter to four, and after a fearfully hot march of eleven miles reached Mansu at eight. The road was hilly, the weather extremely close, and four men fell out during the march.

It is well known that it is supposed that horses, mules and animals of carriage or draught will not live in the climate of this part of Africa. This idea is perhaps exaggerated. But its existence caused inconvenience to the mounted officers of the Regiment. Major Stephens, who was in command of the right wing, was obliged to content himself with a donkey, which had been brought up to Accroful by an officer of the Staff.

From Yancoomassie an officer with the Quarter-master-Sergeant started somewhat before the companies, to take over the camping ground. The sergeant started first, but soon returned with a tale that, in the darkness of the morning and of the woods, he had seen a monstrous beast which he took for a rhinoceros; that he had at first intended to shoot it, but had, on the whole, considering the size and probable fierceness of the animal, determined to retire. However, reinforced by the officer who was to accompany him, he started again. Both were determined; both held their revolvers ready to bring down the wild beast which barred the way. But when they came to the corner at which they were to find him, they stalked not a rhinoceros,--but the Major’s charger.

On the 6th the right wing started at twenty minutes after three, and after a very cool and pleasant march of eleven miles, reached Sutah.

On the 7th, having a long march before them, they started at half-past two in bright moonlight. The road was for the first four miles very bad, being across swamps, over which a path had been made of small trees laid down. The cooks had been sent on about six miles to Faisoowah to prepare breakfast, and the men were glad after this fatiguing march to find cocoa and biscuit ready for them. Resuming their march they found the remainder of the road good; the men marched well, and stepped out cheerfully; and they got into their camp at Yancoomassie-Assin at seven. The distance was about thirteen miles.

The right wing halted at this camp until the 19th. The left wing also halted for some days at Barracoo, to which they had marched on the 7th. During this time the Riflemen were engaged in clearing the bush and in other fatigue duties in the mornings and evenings. The desertion of the native carriers, the only means of transport, increased, and threatened serious evil; and the Riflemen were ordered when on sentry over them to have their rifles loaded, and, if necessary, to shoot any carriers attempting to desert. Owing to this halt probably, and the want of interest and activity to the men, fever and dysentery, the scourges of the climate, began to make their appearance.

As it was found that the camp at Barracoo was from its situation particularly unhealthy, the left wing marched on the 17th to Prahsu, a distance of seven miles.

But the right wing did not leave Yancoomassie-Assin till the 19th, when starting at five in the morning they reached their camp at Barracoo at half-past eight. They found it the worst camp they had hitherto occupied; the huts very small, and the position, as has been above stated, very unhealthy. Seventeen men of these four companies were sent back, mostly ill with fever, and they found at Barracoo seven men of the other wing who had been left behind sick.

On the 20th the right wing marched to Prahsu, and the whole Battalion was once more reunited. On their march they heard in the front what they believed to be the report of three cannon, and much wondered why they should be fired. On arrival they found that these were the report of three volleys fired over the grave of Captain Huyshe of the 1st Battalion. He had died the day before of fever and dysentery. The left wing of the Battalion was at Prahsu, and paid the last sad honours to his remains.

He was a man of great promise, and a most well-informed as well as talented officer. The early part of his career had been in the 83rd Regiment, from which he exchanged into the Rifle Brigade. He had accompanied Sir Garnet Wolseley in the expedition to the Red River in 1870, and had written an interesting account of it.[327] He had entered the Staff College, and after a few months’ study there, had, on the Ashantee Expedition being determined on, been offered the post of Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster General of the force, which he most gladly accepted. He had come to the Gold Coast with Sir Garnet Wolseley in September. He had started from Cape Coast with diarrhœa, had exposed himself a good deal to the weather in surveying and sketching country; and dysentery and fever supervened and carried him off. His talents, his fund of information, his sweetness of disposition, and his gentlemanly manners had endeared him to his brother officers, who have erected a handsome memorial to him in the Cathedral of Winchester; but to none more than to the writer of these lines.[328]

Hitherto the Battalion had found at their camping, or rather halting stations, huts built of bamboo, and thatched with plantain or palm leaves. The men’s huts contained about seventy men; those of the officers were, of course, smaller. In all of them were bedsteads, constructed of bamboo, keeping the sleepers about two feet from the ground.

On the 21st the Battalion crossed a narrow bridge, which had been made across the Prah, here about eighty yards wide, and marched to Essiaman, about thirteen miles and a half. Cocoa had, however, been prepared for them at Attobiasse, about half-way. The morning was very dark when they started; but it was cooler, the bush much more open, and the road good. On their arrival, they no longer found the huts which had been prepared for them on the other side of the Prah. At Essiaman the men were in long open sheds, covered with palm leaves, while the officers built themselves shelters of bushes and _tentes d’abri_, in which they could sling their field-hammocks.

On the 22nd, starting at half-past five, the Battalion marched to Accrofoomu, about fourteen miles, which they reached about a quarter to eleven. Some fourteen men fell out, mostly from fatigue; for the heat was excessive and the march long. The sheds here were insufficient to accommodate the Battalion; so that lean-tos had to be built and tents pitched. As at Essiaman, the officers had to construct huts for themselves.

On the 23rd they started at a quarter to six, and marched to Moinsey, at the foot of the Adansi hills, a distance of about eight miles. It was a pleasant march, for the road was good, the bush much more open, and the air cooler. There were no huts nor sheds, and the men had to build them.

The next day they started at the same hour, and ascended the Adansi range. The ascent, which is steep, occupied about half an hour. They halted at the top, and saw the sun rise over the trees below, while the mists hanging between the hills had the appearance of lakes. Resuming their march, they passed through Quisah, a large village about five miles on the way, deserted by the Ashantees. They arrived at Foomanah at about nine. This was a considerable town, containing the house or palace of the King of Adansi. The men and officers were quartered in the so-called houses, built of yellow baked clay, and rather resembling ovens with roofs over them. In some of them were found dead bodies.

An envoy from the King of Ashantee had here met Sir Garnet Wolseley; and the Battalion, with the Naval Brigade, paraded at five in the afternoon, and lined the road north of the town, by which he was to return to Coomassie, the ranks facing inwards.

They halted at Foomanah till the 29th. But on the 25th the Battalion was inspected by Sir Garnet Wolseley, and on the 26th Major Nicholl’s company formed part of a reconnaissance in force to the village of Kiang Boassu, about four or five miles to the front, where Ashantee tom-toms had been heard the day before. The Riflemen on this reconnaissance were under the command of Major Stephens. They started at a quarter to six, and returned soon after nine. The Ashantees fired on them; they returned the compliment, killed two Ashantees, and made two prisoners, besides burning the village.

As usual during a halt, sickness again appeared. Captain Slade was sent down to the coast on the 28th, seriously ill from dysentery, and Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas Scott took command of his company.

On the 29th the Battalion paraded at half-past five, and marched to Ahkankuassie, a distance of about ten miles. Here the men built huts for themselves; while the officers, or some of them, found houses in the village. But these were filthy places, and overrun with lizards. The Battalion furnished an outlying picquet, Major Sotheby’s company, at Adadwassie, about a mile and a half in advance of Ahkankuassie. Rations were served out for the following day, which the men were to carry on the march.

On the 30th the Battalion moved forward to Insarfu, passing through Adadwassie, where the picquet joined them. The distance to Insarfu was only about four miles, and the Riflemen reached it about ten o’clock, having formed the rear-guard of the European brigade.

It being generally expected that the Ashantees would make a stand on the next day, and that there would be a fight, the Captains of the Battalion were assembled at the Commanding Officer’s quarters, to receive instructions for the operations of the morrow. It was explained to them that they were to form the rear face of a hollow square, in which formation the Commanding General intended to advance. Nor was this, they were informed, to be considered less the point of honour than the front, as the tactics of the Ashantees were to envelop the flanks and fall upon the rear. At evening parade these orders were explained by the Captains to the Riflemen, who listened with interest and eagerness to the information. Rations for the next day were issued. The men were camped under _tentes d’abri_ in quarter-distance column in a plaintain ground; the officers, some of them, built huts near their men; some found shelter in the houses in the village, which, if less filthy than those at Ahkankuassie, were only a fraction of a degree nearer cleanliness.

On the 31st the Battalion paraded at twenty minutes after six, and about half-an-hour afterwards marched from Insarfu. The 42nd led, the Rifle Brigade forming the rear of the hollow square or order of battle, which was thus disposed:--

+--------------------------------------------------------------+ | 42nd extended | guns | 42nd extended | | ---------- | I I | ---------- | | supports | | supports | | | | | | Naval | | Naval | | Brigade. | | Brigade. | | | | (Path) | | | | | | | | | | | supports | | supports | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Staff | | | | | | | | 23rd F. | | | +----------+ | | Russall’s | | Wood’s | | Natives. | | Natives. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | supports | | supports | | | | | | | | | | R.B. +----------+ Reserve | | | | | | | | (Path | | | | | | | | from | | | ---- ---- ---- | | ---- ---- ---- | | sections | Insarfu) | in support | ..................... | | .................... | | Rifle Brigade | | in skirmishing order

After advancing about a mile and a half, firing was heard in front, the 42nd having engaged the Ashantees, who were posted on ground rising from a muddy stream, which flowed through a swampy ravine. The action commenced about eight; but it was not till more than an hour and a half later that the Riflemen became engaged. Then Major Nicholl’s company was sent to the right column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, and Major Sotheby’s and Captain Cope’s companies were extended on the east and south-east of Egginassie, fire having been opened by the enemy from the bush in that direction. The bush was dense and thick; consisting of great cotton trees, with a high undergrowth, and interlaced everywhere with creepers, so that the men could not see more than fifteen or twenty yards before them, and had often to cut a way with their swords. Sotheby’s left touched the Bonnymen of the right column, while the connection between his right and the road or path was kept up by Cope’s company, who entered the bush, and threw his right back to the road. These companies were exposed to a heavy fire; and Lieutenant Sherston, one of Sotheby’s subalterns, was very severely wounded through the right shoulder. Captain Cary was sent up to support a native company of the left wing on the left of Egginassie; but on Major Stephens reporting to Sir Garnet Wolseley that there was a gap between the left and centre columns, which ought to be filled, Lieutenant Taylor, with part of Cary’s company, was sent to fill it up; while Captain Cary himself with the remainder moved towards the left flank, to support the native troops, which were hard pressed. Captain Lascelles was directed by Sir Garnet Wolseley to take his company to occupy some heights to the north of Egginassie, and so to connect Wood’s natives with the path. He passed through the bush, which had been partially cleared round the village by the Engineer labourers, and took up this position, extending three sections, and keeping the fourth in support under Lieutenant the Honourable E. Noel.[329]

_To face Plan of Battle._

BATTLE OF AMOAFUL.

ABOUT 10.30 A.M.

_DETAILED DESCRIPTION._

CENTRE COLUMN.

The 42nd carrying the enemy’s main position north of the swamp. Rait’s artillery in action. 23rd in support.

_Rifle Brigade._--No. 1 company in action in the clearing to the east of the path (with the Right Column). No. 3 company leaving Egginassie to support the 42nd. The remainder in action around Egginassie.

RIGHT COLUMN.

Naval Brigade engaged in the clearing east of the main path. (Lieut. Knox’s rockets playing into a hollow to the north-east.)

Wood’s Regiment in action round Egginassie.

LEFT COLUMN.

Russell’s Regiment has taken the heights west of Egginassie.

Col. M’Leod, with the Naval Brigade, is cutting his way to try and connect with the Centre Column.

RIFLE BRIGADE COMPANIES.

1. Nicholl; 2. Sotheby; 3. Somerset; 4. Dugdale; 5. Lascelles; 6. Cope; 7. Slade (Scott); 8. Cary.

Soon afterwards Sir Archibald Alison, who was in the front with the 42nd, asked for ‘a support of half a Battalion of Rifles.’ The half-Battalion being, as we have seen, ‘otherwise engaged,’ Captain Somerset’s company was sent forward by the road or path to him. Starting at the double, this company advanced to the swamp about half a mile in front, where Sir Archibald had fought his way with the 42nd. Here Somerset found Sir Archibald Alison, with the detachment of the 23rd Fusiliers, awaiting his arrival. The company was posted here to keep up communication with the rear, and to advance when required. Sir Archibald crossed the marsh with the Fusiliers, and advanced towards Amoaful. Somerset’s company remained in this position till nearly the close of the day, keeping communication with the Fusiliers, who were some hundred yards to their north, and furnishing occasional escorts to staff officers passing along the path. Somerset’s men were exposed to the fire of Ashantees, who, creeping up to the edge of the bush, discharged their pieces at them. By this fire Lieutenant Smyth was wounded in the thigh, and two other Riflemen were hit. But the Riflemen soon silenced this annoying fire; Sergeant Bills especially making good use of his rifle.

But before Captain Somerset’s company had moved up to the front, about twenty Riflemen had been detached from it, and attached to Major Nicholl’s company, which, as we have seen, was on the right, supporting the Naval Brigade and the native levies under Colonel Wood. By noon the Ashantees had been driven from the ridge which they occupied beyond the stream, their camp had been taken, and the village of Amoaful carried by the 42nd Regiment. The direction of the combat was now changed; and, as far as the front and left faces of the square formation were concerned, it had terminated, and the fire, which had been kept up without cessation from eight in the morning, was now lulled. But about one it began again, and the brunt of the fight now fell on the Riflemen; for the Ashantees, pursuing their usual tactics, swept round and fell on the right flank and rear, attacking the village of Egginassie on the north-east.

About one o’clock the fire was renewed. Captain Cope’s company was sent into the village, and lined one side; and Captain Cary, with a portion of his company, was sent through Egginassie, and extended to the east of it. This attack of the Ashantees was most determined; they came up in numbers, and were shot down by the Riflemen. The din was tremendous. Besides volleys and file-firing, and the heavy report of the Ashantee guns, tom-toms, horns, and the yells of the Ashantees and of the native troops, made the bush and all the surroundings hideous. In this fire a man of Cary’s company was shot in the face by a slug fired by an Ashantee in a tree; but two of his comrades soon brought his assailant down, and killed him. After about an hour of this work, during which the Ashantees kept up a fire as continuous and heavy as it had been during any part of the fight, their fire slackened. Then an advance was made by Major Sotheby’s and Captain H. Lascelles’ companies, and part of Captain Cary’s. The line advanced towards the north-east up the valley; and pivoting on the left, bringing up the right, moved forward to the edge of a clearing, which had been made by the right column. ‘This was admirably executed. Skirmishing as quietly and steadily as if on parade, the men of the Rifle Brigade searched every bush with their bullets, and in five minutes from the commencement of the advance the Ashantees were in full and final retreat.’[330]

The Ashantees having been thus driven from the high ground to the northward of Egginassie, Captains Lascelles’ and Cary’s companies were withdrawn; and passing by their left, regained the main path, and by it the village of Egginassie, which they at once began to entrench and fortify; the other portion of Cary’s company, which had been detached under Lieutenant Taylor, being called in to assist in this work.

But the day was not over for the Riflemen. Hardly had the firing lulled about Egginassie, when heavy firing was heard in the rear. A large force of Ashantees, sweeping round from the west, had attacked Quarman, about a mile to the south, on the line of communication, which was held by a detachment of the 2nd West India Regiment, and a few Europeans, under Captain Burnett, of the 15th Foot. Captain Dugdale’s company, which formed the rear-guard of the Battalion, was at once ordered to Quarman, and on the way was somewhat exposed to the fire of the detachment there, who did not know of his approach to relieve them, and whose bullets whistled over the heads of the Riflemen as they passed through some low ground on the way. The bush had been cleared round Quarman, and Dugdale at once extended his company, and drove the Ashantees who were attacking it back into the bush with considerable loss. He then entered the village, and being senior officer assumed the command. The position was very important, for it connected the front at Egginassie and Amoaful with Insarfu. Soon after Dugdale had entered Quarman, Captain Slade’s company, under Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott,[331] joined him. The attack was soon renewed; the Ashantees now not venturing into the clearing, but firing from the surrounding bush. This attack had just been repulsed, when Major Sotheby with his company reached Quarman. He had started from Egginassie, escorting a long train of hammocks containing wounded, and also some wounded men who were able to walk, and had passed through Quarman on his way to Insarfu, when he heard firing in his rear. Colonel Colley, who was passing through Quarman at this time, directed Captain Dugdale to take his company out; who, marching about half a mile towards Egginassie, and turning into the bush, outflanked the Ashantees, and fired several volleys which effectually drove them off. Major Sotheby, finding that Quarman was again attacked, turned back when near Insarfu. His bearers flung down the wounded, and fled into the village. Colonel Colley was also attacked as he was bringing up a convoy from Insarfu. As soon as Dugdale knew of this attack, he detached Scott with his company to help him. The enemy occupied the side of the path and kept up a heavy fire, wounding two of Scott’s men. However, he kept up the fight till after six; when, as it was getting dark, Dugdale recalled him to Quarman, which these two companies occupied during the night. Thus Dugdale had saved and retained this important post, connecting the front with Insarfu, whence the supplies were to be drawn, and to which the wounded were to be escorted.[332]

Major Sotheby, finding that it was considered of importance that ammunition should be conveyed to the front from Insarfu, left that place about eight in the evening with his company, and having some carriers with him picked up some of the baggage abandoned by the cowardly bearers, and having parked it at Quarman, reached Egginassie at eleven at night. Here the Head-quarters and, on Sotheby’s arrival, six companies of the Battalion were camped. For Somerset’s company had been about six o’clock withdrawn from the marsh to higher ground in the rear, and had, with Nicholl’s company, rejoined the Battalion about eight, while Cary’s, Lascelles’, and Cope’s companies, after their fight, were employed in clearing the bush about Egginassie. This was very hard work. The men and officers had no food but the biscuit and sausage issued the day before, which they carried in their pockets. But happily there was no hot sun, so that the Riflemen were able to clear a considerable space, and to throw up a breast-work. Three officers, Major Stephens, Lieutenants Smyth and Sherston, and 6 Riflemen, were wounded on this day.

* * * * *

The main position of the Ashantees on this day was at the camp on the ridge north of the stream, which was carried by the 42nd; and they had other advanced positions and smaller camps on the right and left of the path by which the troops advanced. Their design seems to have been, while holding their main position, to turn the flanks and attack the rear. Directly the advance was made on the main position, the Ashantees attacked in strength against the left; failing in this they fell on the right, and made a furious effort to get to Egginassie and so to establish themselves in rear. Foiled at all these points, they attempted to capture Quarman, and cut the line of supplies. This attack was repelled by Captain Dugdale and his company.

Though the central column forced the Ashantee camp and took the village of Amoaful, and so had the most conspicuous share in the events of the day, yet before the fight was over almost all the troops were engaged more or less; the Riflemen heavily and successfully before the close of it.

* * * * *

Six companies, as I have said, camped at Egginassie, Captain Lascelles’ company being on outlying picquet; and two occupied Quarman.

During the night a panic took place among the native carriers, for a native sentry on outpost duty having fired his piece about four in the morning, the carriers were terrified. One officer was awakened by these cowards jumping over him; another sleeping in a hammock was overset by them. They knocked down the piled rifles, and were running in every direction in abject and contemptible terror. At last order was restored.

On February 1 the six companies of the Battalion at Egginassie were extended to line the road from that village to Insarfu (the 42nd continuing the line from Egginassie to Amoaful) in order to allow supplies to be brought up from Insarfu to the front. On the same day the village of Becqua was destroyed by some of the other troops. In this affair the Battalion was to have been employed; but orders had been given to Colonel Warren as soon as he had assembled his six companies at Egginassie to ascertain if there was any force of Ashantees in the bush near the road between Quarman and Insarfu, and if they were found, to clear the bush with his Riflemen. No enemy were there; but in consequence of this delay, the Battalion did not reach Amoaful till after one o’clock, at which hour the expedition to Becqua had started. Part of the 42nd were therefore substituted for the Riflemen.

On their arrival at Amoaful they remained under arms in the broad street or central place until the destruction of Becqua was ascertained. Then they were dismissed; and, after assisting in burying the dead Ashantees, encamped.

On the 2nd the Battalion advanced; Lord Gifford and his scouts preceding with some native troops, Captain Cary’s company guarded Captain Rait’s guns, and Captain Lascelles’ company was in support. These formed the advanced guard under Colonel M’Leod. The Battalion followed, Captain Somerset’s company forming an escort to Sir Archibald Alison. The other regiments brought up the rear. They moved off between six and seven o’clock, and soon came up with the rear of the Ashantees, on whom the native troops immediately opened fire, but with so little effect that Colonel M’Leod halted them and brought up Cary’s company to the front. But the enemy made no stand, merely firing wildly and then flying. The road was strewed with food, clothing, and weapons, evidencing the precipitate flight of the enemy. On the march, Cary’s company still leading, the Riflemen passed through three villages and a camp all deserted by the Ashantees; though in some fires still burning and cooking materials at hand showed how short a time they had been abandoned. As a flank attack was not unlikely, Somerset’s company was extended and searched the forest paths on each side of the road. Sir Archibald Alison, as whose escort they had acted, signified through Captain Robinson, his Brigade-Major, his marked approval of the way in which they had skirmished, and of the individual intelligence of these Riflemen.

The Battalion reached Aggemamu, a distance of eight miles, about three in the afternoon, and halted there.

But Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies were pushed on about two miles and a half to the village of Adwabin, which they occupied.

Sir Garnet Wolseley having resolved to take on his forces to Coomassie as a flying column, determined to leave his baggage at Aggemamu, and to make that place a temporary base, through which his communications might be kept open with the rear. The Battalion was therefore ordered to find a captain to take charge of this post, and the duty fell to Captain Cope. At Aggemamu the roads to Coomassie bifurcate; one leading to the right or east, and one the longer, but it was reported the best road, forking to the left. This Sir Garnet resolved to follow.

‘The importance of Aggemamu could scarcely be overestimated. From it two roads led to Coomassie, by the longer of which we were about to march, disregarding the shorter or easternmost of the two. It was of course of vital importance that the point at the junction of the roads should be securely held, as a base for our flying column, and as a point of support upon which, if necessary, to fall back.’[333]

Lieutenants Bell and Hare, with native labourers, were engaged in the evening of this day, under the superintendence of Captain Home, in making a clearing round Aggemamu.

Sir Garnet Wolseley having thus determined to push on to Coomassie without _impedimenta_, enquired of the soldiers on this evening whether, as it might take six days to advance to Coomassie and to return to Aggemamu, and there were but four days’ rations in hand, they were willing to do the six days’ work on four days’ rations. The response was a unanimous assent. The General told them at the same time that they might probably get a fortnight sooner to the coast by this sacrifice than if they halted at Aggemamu for further supplies to come up. Eventually one day’s additional ration of preserved meat, biscuit, and tea, came up.

On the 3rd the Battalion started at half-past five, Major Nicholl’s company leading, and on reaching Adwabin, the advanced guard, with which were Cary’s and Lascelles’ companies which had passed the night there, were pushed forward. They soon felt the enemy, with whom they became engaged about half-past eight. The first point at which he made a decided stand was in a hollow through which flowed a stream, a tributary of the Ordah. The overloaded guns of the Ashantees carrying high, they chose positions, as in this case, below the attacking force. They were in cover behind a large fallen tree from which they kept up a heavy fire. Nicholl’s company was sent forward to reinforce the two companies already with the advance. On the road was a gun with an escort of part of Lascelles’ company and some natives. On the left of the road was the remainder of Lascelles’ company and Cary’s; further on the left was Nicholl’s company, part advanced beyond the stream and part on its left bank. Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott’s company was afterwards moved up in support, and these four companies were hotly engaged at this point, when about noon a flag of truce came in, and the firing ceased on our side, though the Ashantees continued their fire and actually wounded a native while the envoy was being passed to Head-quarters. However, his mission was fruitless, and he was very soon passed beyond the front. The fire was then renewed, and eventually slackened after lasting for about five hours. The advance then pushed on followed by the other troops; but the progress was slow; for the Ashantees, finding we could beat them fighting in the bush, now tried ambuscades, and a good many men were thus wounded. The other troops followed the advanced guard, which about three o’clock in the afternoon reached the bank of the river Ordah, here about three feet deep and forty yards wide. Here they hutted themselves; Captain Dugdales company being on picquet.

In this affair eight Riflemen were wounded. The men carried their great-coats, which they found an incumbrance in skirmishing in the bush, and on the next day they were handed over to the carriers. Colonel M’Leod, who commanded the advance, praised the manner in which Cary’s company had fought on this day.

Some captive Ashantees had stated that 10,000 of the enemy were around, and every precaution was taken to protect the camp from a sudden assault. A chain of sentries was posted at twenty yards apart at about 100 yards from the camp. A tremendous thunderstorm came on about six in the evening and lasted till two in the morning. The Riflemen had indeed built huts; but as no banana, plantain, or palm leaves were at hand to thatch them, they afforded a very insufficient shelter against the storm. However a cask of rum was brought in about three, and a ration of that spirit helped to revive the soldiers, while fires were lit to dry their clothes.

Meanwhile the Engineers and blue jackets had been busy in making a narrow bridge over the river, which was ready for their advance in the morning.

Accordingly, about seven in the morning of the 4th, the force crossed the bridge; the advance was led by some native troops; a gun with some rockets followed, with three companies of the Battalion; Captain Cope’s commanded in his absence at Aggemamu by Lieutenant Stopford-Sackville, Captain Slade’s under Lieutenant the Honourable T. Scott, and Major Sotheby’s. This advance was under the command of Colonel M’Leod. The rest of the troops followed, the remaining companies of the Battalion leading. Soon after passing the bridge the native troops became actively engaged. But as the native soldiers were firing wildly and ineffectively, Colonel M’Leod halted them, and passed Sackville’s company through them to the front, and ordered him to extend to the right of the road. The gun was also brought up with Scott’s company in support on the road. As the first company was extending two or three men were wounded. One, Brown, was badly hit in the side, but refused for some time to go to the rear, and went on skirmishing. The road or path rose from the river, and after running for some distance along a ridge with ravines on each side, descended again, and finally rose to the village of Ordahsu. The gun having been brought up was fired up the road and into the bush on each side. It was advanced gradually by the native bearers as ground was gained, the Riflemen in support lying down on each side of it while it was in action, and then with it resuming the advance. Colonel M’Leod had asked for and obtained a reinforcement of three companies of the Battalion, and Captain Cary’s company was extended in the bush on the right of Sackville’s. Sotheby’s company was also sent by Colonel M’Leod into the bush on the left of the road.

Major Stephens with Scott’s company pushed steadily on by the road, one section of this company supporting the gun. At last they reached the clearing which surrounded the village of Ordahsu. ‘Then the Rifles gave a cheer, and with a sudden rush cleared the way to the open, and carried the village without a check.’[334] This was Scott’s company, or part of it; and Lieutenant Harington, with the remainder, swept round the edge of the clearing, and having thus outflanked the Ashantees in the village, also rushed into it. The village was held by fifty or sixty of the enemy, who fought bravely, and were most of them killed. Major Stephens, with Scott and his portion of the company, passed through the village and to the edge of the clearing beyond it where the Riflemen lying down kept up a constant fire on the enemy. Sackville also brought up his company, one section being still with the gun, and as Scott’s party had purposely left the road clear the gun made good practice to the front. It was afterwards taken forward beyond the village to where Major Stephens, with Scott and his party, were, and a heavy fire of shell and of rockets was kept up. The Ashantees here made a most determined resistance, coming up to the very edge of the clearing and discharging their pieces. Sackville shot one with one of the men’s rifles. Meanwhile Major Sotheby was steadily advancing through the bush on the left of the road, and soon came up on the left of Scott’s company. Here Private Taylor of Sotheby’s company observed a chief and two other Ashantees in a tree about fifteen yards from him. He shot one man, and the other fled into the bush. The chief tried to hide himself in the leaves, and brought up his piece to his shoulder; but Taylor was too quick for him, and rushing up, ran him through with his sword before he could fire. For this act of valour Taylor received the medal for gallant conduct in the field.

Cary’s company had at the same time been advancing on the extreme right, and was engaged in keeping back the Ashantees who were pressing on to the east of the village. This company was afterwards moved over to the left of the village, and the ground between it and Sotheby’s on the extreme left was occupied by Captain Somerset’s company; which, as well as Major Nicholl’s, Captain Lascelles’, and Captain Dugdale’s, had been pushed on to Ordahsu.

It was now after eleven, and a halt was ordered, in order (it is said) that the baggage might be brought up to the village, and disposition made for its defence. But the enemy, who had been held or driven back until then, at once made a fresh and furious attack, rushing up as before to the very edge of the bush, shouting and yelling, and opening a very heavy fire. The Riflemen who were standing in the village or sheltering from the sun under the trees were at once extended, Dugdale’s company on the right, and Nicholl’s on the left of the village.

Sir Archibald Alison, considering that it would take too much time to withdraw the Riflemen from the bush round the village, and that as the enemy were making a vigorous attack it would be difficult to do so, brought up the 42nd to the front by the road the Riflemen had won, and were still guarding. The leading companies of the Riflemen, on seeing the 42nd advancing, sprang up, believing that a general advance was to be made, and were most anxious to push forward; but they were stopped by Colonel M’Leod, who advanced with his own regiment, the 42nd. But little more was done. The Ashantees had had enough of it; and though the 42nd received some fire by which a few men were wounded, the enemy made no further stand in the front.

Scott, with his company, followed the 42nd. And Lascelles and Sackville also advanced. And the firing about Ordahsu gradually ceased.

In these five hours’ fighting the Battalion had 17 men wounded. Four officers were also hit: Major Sotheby in the face, Sackville in the leg, Scott on the right breast, and Surgeon Wiles. Sergeant-Major Stretch was also slightly wounded. But these officers, not wishing to add up a great list of casualties or to parade their wounds, were not reported as wounded, but went on with their work. One Sergeant (Sumner) was missing. In the hard fighting between the river and Ordahsu he had sent two men to the rear with a wounded comrade; and probably in the gap thus formed in extended order the Ashantees had rushed in and killed him. He was never afterwards heard of.

Sir Archibald Alison, in a dispatch dated Ahkankuassie, February 9, 1874, thus speaks of the conduct of the Battalion at Ordahsu: ‘This was the first day upon which (with the exception of one company) I had the pleasure of seeing the Rifle Brigade in action under my orders. It is needless for me to speak of the steadiness and high discipline of the Rifle Brigade; but I must express my satisfaction at the way in which they were handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, and under him by Major Stephens and Major Glyn.

‘On every occasion when I had an opportunity of seeing it, I had to remark on the excellent way in which the company officers commanded their companies.’

The Riflemen were much fatigued by their five or six hours’ hard and incessant fighting under an African sun, and hungry too; for only a little biscuit had been served out, and few of them had had a meat ration the day before. But Coomassie was to be reached, and they pressed on from Ordahsu. Two rivers were forded in the way, and at the entrance of the town the road was through a marsh, and was covered with filthy water. At last Coomassie was entered about half-past five. Many Ashantees were hanging about, watching the entrance of the English force, but they offered no resistance. Indeed, their courage did not then seem great. For the Battalion on marching in had formed quarter-distance column. When they were to wheel into line, of course they opened out to company-distance on the leading company. But this simple parade manœuvre struck terror into the surrounding Ashantees, who ran back as the rear companies retired.

When the line was formed, Sir Garnet Wolseley rode to the front, and three cheers were given for the Queen, which added wings to the flight of the gazing Ashantees. It was now nearly dark, and after the ceremony, the Riflemen were dismissed, and quarters told off to them, with orders not to leave their quarters, and to be ready to turn out at a moment’s warning. A meat ration was served out, but many of the Riflemen were too tired to cook it. Captain Cary’s company, made up to a hundred men by Riflemen of Captain Somerset’s company, formed a guard over the King’s palace. Captain Brackenbury was the staff officer appointed to accompany Captain Cary with orders for this guard. ‘Some idea,’ he says, ‘of the size of the building, and of its irregularity, may be gained from the fact that we posted thirteen sentries in such positions that they were only just able to protect all the inlets to the building. After having apparently been all round the building once, we again marched round to see whether a sentry could not be economised; and though in one place we were enabled to remove one, we found that the whole of a long gallery, evidently the women’s quarters, had been omitted, and we had to place another at the entrance of this. The guard of 100 men was placed in the great central court.’[335]

Captain Dugdale was the prize Commissioner on behalf of the European troops, and he and the other Commissioners worked all night in securing what articles of value they could find in the palace, or the carriers at their disposal enabled them to remove. Here were found, among other curious and costly articles, the gold masks, of which the 2nd Battalion subsequently purchased and possess one.

In the course of the night fires broke out in two or three places in Coomassie, which were kindled by the native followers, who were prowling about and plundering. Many of the Riflemen were turned out to assist in putting out these fires, and were engaged from two till four in the morning in assisting the Engineers to pull down houses and to extinguish the flames. This was hard work on the soldiers after their hard fight and march of the day before. One section of each company was ordered not to take their belts off, but to be ready to turn out instantly in case of an attack. In the course of the night the palace guard captured an Ashantee chief, who was endeavouring to escape with gold dust, nuggets, and jewels about him.

On the 5th the Battalion paraded at ten o’clock in the street of Coomassie. The wounded were sent down, escorted by Cope’s company, under Lieutenant Sackville, and some native troops.

On the 6th the Battalion paraded at half-past six, and marched out of Coomassie about an hour afterwards. The palace was to be blown up, and the town burned. As soon as the Engineers reported that all was ready at the palace, the guard of the Rifle Brigade was marched off, with orders to rejoin its Battalion, and orders were given for the palace to be blown up.

Heavy rains had now set in. The marsh at the entrance of the town was knee deep, and the rivers, trifling streams on the march up, were now wide torrents, five feet deep in mid-channel. The Engineers made a bridge with a felled tree, but the men had often to wade, almost waist deep. On arrival at Ordah about three in the afternoon, the bridge was found to be submerged some two or three feet deep, and the Riflemen had to wade across it. This was so slow a process that the rear companies did not get over till six. The Battalion then camped on the ground it had occupied on the 3rd.

They started at a quarter-past six on the morning of the 7th, and marched to Aggemamu. The stream before entering this village had been bridged over by Captain Cope, and steps had been cut by him in the steep path ascending from it.

We left him detailed to the charge of Aggemamu on the 2nd. He had with him 17 sick or weakly Riflemen, and 15 sick men of the other regiments, 100 native troops, 50 or 60 labourers, under a sergeant of Engineers, a few native police, and 5 officers. But the men were so ill, that had he been attacked, he could barely have mustered 20 Europeans fit to fight. As soon as the force had marched, he set to work to make his post defensible. He pulled down the greater part of the village, keeping only a small square of houses, which he loop-holed; and built small redoubts and a kind of redan at the fork of the roads, in which he placed his native soldiers. He brought the baggage into his enclosure, and, indeed, used some of it in building his defences. In levelling the outside of the village, the native labourers most foolishly, and in direct violation of his orders, set fire to some houses. The fire came raging towards the intrenchment; but he happily succeeded in making a gap, and thus saving the stockade and the baggage from the flames. Scouts informed him that the Ashantees were in force all round, and that he would most probably be attacked. After the troops had left, he heard heavy firing in front, and his patrols brought in a prisoner, who stated that the king would fight at Kasie.

On the 4th he still continued his work of fortifying his post. No news came to him from the front, but heavy firing was heard to the north and north-west. Five prisoners were brought in. On the 5th he went on with his work, and sent some of his blacks out into the woods to gather plantains for food, thus utilising them as outposts; for on the approach of an enemy they would have fled back, and given the earliest intimation of danger. He was short of rations too, and was obliged to keep his men on half-rations. He had another cause of anxiety, besides being without any intelligence from the front: that though the road was clear to the rear, no convoy of provisions came up; and he feared the troops on their return from Coomassie might find Aggemamu unprovisioned. He sent out a reconnaissance of 30 men, under Lieutenant de Hoghton, 10th Foot, who went three miles along the right-hand road, and brought in a good deal of corn. They burned a large village, but saw no Ashantees.

At last, in the middle of the night between the 5th and 6th, Colonel Colley came in from the front, ‘in thunder, lightning, and in rain,’ with intelligence of the proceedings of the last three days. This was the first communication Cope had received from the front since the troops left Aggemamu on the morning of the 3rd. It was a most anxious time; but his exertions were rewarded, for ‘Sir Garnet on his return complimented Captain Cope much on the measures he had taken for defence; and added that they were so good that he could not have wished him better fortune than to have been attacked.’[336]

‘We found,’ says Colonel Brackenbury, ‘that a perfect fortress had been constructed by Captain Cope, which would have defied the attacks of an army. In the execution of his duty he had spared no person and no thing; and we shall not soon forget the despairing face of one non-combatant officer, who with tears in his eyes complained that his baggage had been built into the fortification, and that he was told he could not have it out.’[337]

In the same way Mr. Henty observes, ‘I found [Aggemamu] changed beyond recognition; the whole place, in fact, having been levelled with the ground, except the principal group of houses, which had upon the way up been used as Head-quarters. These had been loop-holed, and formed an interior citadel, which could have been defended by the garrison had the breast-work round the village been carried.’[338]

On Colonel Colley’s information that the force was on its way back, Captain Cope set his people to build huts for the troops.

On the same day his company came in as escort to the wounded, and on the 7th proceeded to Biposu, and on the 8th to Ahkankuassie. On that day he started from Aggemamu with the Naval Brigade; and leaving them at Amoaful, pressed on and joined his company at Ahkankuassie. This was a march of about eighteen miles, a long one in that climate.

On the 11th he crossed the Prah. And on the 12th reached Barracoo with his convoy, who were thence to proceed by forced marches to Cape Coast, while he was ordered to take his company down by the regular marches by which they had come up to this point. Accordingly he reached Cape Coast at about half-past eight on the morning of the 19th, and at once embarked in surf-boats, and got on board the ‘Himalaya’ at half-past nine, where his company awaited the arrival of the Battalion.

They had moved from the camp at the Ordah as I have stated on the 7th, and marched to Aggemamu; whence, after a few hours’ halt, Captain Somerset’s company was sent forward as an escort of sick to Amoaful. But the convoy being large, and the progress slow, night fell while they were still some miles from Amoaful. And the road being bad, and the night very dark, great difficulty was experienced in getting through the forest.[339]

On the 8th the Battalion left Aggemamu, and proceeding by daily marches, with the same halting or camping-stages as on going up the country, reached Cape Coast Castle at six in the morning of the 22nd, where they embarked immediately on board the ‘Himalaya.’ The whole Battalion, with its baggage, was on board by half-past seven. The total strength of the Battalion on embarkation (including Captain Cope’s company, which was already on board) was 22 officers, and 408 non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, of whom only 16 officers and 277 of other ranks were reported as ‘fit for duty.’[340]

The casualties of the campaign may be thus summarised:

+-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+ | | | Non-comm- | | | | issioned | | | Officers | officers and| | | | privates. | +-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+ | Landed at Cape Coast Castle, fit for duty | 33 | 652 | | Wounded | 3 | 30 | | Died of wounds | | 2 | | Admitted in hospital while on the Coast | 22 | 298 | | Invalided to England | 3 | 47 | | Left sick on board the ‘Victor Emmanuel’ | | 42 | | Left sick at Gibraltar | | 48 | | Died on passage home | | 3 | | Landed in England | 27 | 483[341] | +-------------------------------------------+----------+-------------+

Nor is this statement by any means a perfect record of what the Battalion suffered from this deadly climate. After their return to England, and even after their arrival at Gibraltar, many officers and men suffered from the effects of their African campaign, and some men died.

* * * * *

On the 23rd the ‘Himalaya’ sailed for England at six in the morning.

On March 4 she arrived at St. Vincent, where she remained till the 7th. On the 16th the green clothing was taken into wear again, and on the next day the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Gibraltar. Here the Battalion was welcomed by Major-General Somerset, an old Rifleman, who came off to see them, and during their stay showed them every attention. They left Gibraltar on the 20th. These stoppages had been made, and the rate of speed diminished purposely, in order not to bring the men from so hot a climate into the coldest portion of an English spring.

However, the ‘Himalaya’ reached Spithead about half-past two in the morning of the 26th. She came into harbour in the forenoon; the crews of the various ships manned the yards and cheered, their bands playing ‘Ninety-five.’ The Battalion landed at the Dock-yard Wharf about half-past one, many officers of the 1st Battalion (then stationed in the Gosport Forts) and some old Riflemen being assembled to greet them. They marched thence through streets decorated with flags, and every disposable expression of welcome, to the Governor’s Green,’ where they were welcomed by Lieutenant-General Lord Templetown, Commanding at Portsmouth, the Mayor, and others. Thence they marched to the station, where a repast had been provided for them. They left by special train for Winchester, where an ovation awaited them. A welcome from the Mayor and Corporation at the railway station; streets decorated with every flag, flower, and allusive ornament that could be put into requisition; and escorts of County Yeomanry and City Volunteers.

On the 28th the Battalion was inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who expressed himself much satisfied with the appearance of the Battalion. After they had marched past and formed square, His Royal Highness addressed some kind words to them; congratulating them on their conduct in the field and on their endurance on the march to and from Coomassie, adding that from what he then saw of their appearance, he considered that they were even now fit to go anywhere.

On the 30th the Battalion proceeded to Windsor, where the troops which had been employed in the Ashantee expedition were reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen. The Prince of Wales (Colonel-in-Chief) and His Royal Highness Prince Arthur met the Battalion at the Windsor Station, and in a few kindly words the Colonel-in-Chief welcomed the Battalion home. His Royal Highness marched past at the head of the Battalion. Sir Archibald Alison also addressed the Riflemen, and complimented them on the soldierlike qualities they had shown in the field while under his orders. The Battalion returned to Winchester that night at nine by rail.

Sir Archibald Alison issued the following order on resigning command of the Brigade. After stating that he had amply complimented the 42nd Regiment in an order on board the ‘Sarmatian’ on his return voyage, he proceeds: ‘Before now taking leave of the other regiments of the Brigade, he desires to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn, commanding 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and to Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, commanding 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, his appreciation of the gallantly displayed by their regiments in the field, and his perfect satisfaction with the excellent conduct which characterised them in camp and on the line of march. No words of his could convey more to these regiments than that, in his opinion, they fully sustained at Amoaful and Ordahsu, and throughout the campaign, the historical reputation with which they entered it. In resigning his connection with the Brigade, the Brigadier-General desires to express his warm acknowledgment of the consistent support he has received from all ranks.’

An order was also received from His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, conveying Her Majesty’s approval of the conduct of her troops engaged on the Gold Coast.

On May 16 Sergeant Armstrong and Private Taylor received the Medal for distinguished conduct in the field from the hands of the Queen at Windsor; the former for having with some unarmed natives repelled an attack, and having himself killed two Ashantees on February 2, in the advance from Amoaful; and Taylor for his gallant conduct at Ordahsu, which I have already mentioned.

On May 19 the Battalion, consisting of 20 officers and 493 of other ranks, left Winchester at half-past five in the morning, by rail for Aldershot, and took part, with the 1st and 3rd Battalions, in a review before the Czar of Russia. They returned to Winchester the same evening, arriving at ten o’clock.

On October 24 the Battalion was armed with the Martini-Henry rifle.

They received orders to prepare for embarkation for Gibraltar, and two companies were selected to form the Depôt.

On November 7 Captain Dugdale’s company embarked on board Her Majesty’s Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ for Gibraltar. And on the 16th and 17th the remaining companies of the Battalion embarked at Portsmouth on board Her Majesty’s Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ and sailed for Gibraltar, where they arrived on the 24th, and on disembarkation were encamped at the North front until the 28th, when they moved to Buena Vista barracks, and were there quartered.

The total strength on disembarkation was 18 officers, 40 sergeants, 40 corporals, 17 buglers, and 585 private Riflemen.

The 3rd Battalion moved from Winchester and Portsmouth by rail-road on March 13, and occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks with the 1st Battalion. They took part in the summer drills held this year in June and July, and were encamped at Woolmer forest from the 20th to the 29th of the latter month. During the June drills the Battalion, with the 1st Battalion, one of the 60th, and a Militia battalion, formed a brigade commanded by Lord Alexander Russell.

The 4th Battalion remained at Umballa during this year, with the exception that, in consequence of an outbreak of fever at Umballa, they were moved out under canvas to camp at Jundlee, and afterwards nearer Umballa, from November 18 to December 12.

On February 24 and 25 they had been inspected by Major-General Percy Hill, and on August 8 by Lord Napier of Magdala, Commander-in-Chief in India.

The 1st Battalion continued at Winchester during the year 1875, moving to Aldershot for the summer manœuvres.

The 2nd Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole of the year.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, commanding the 3rd Battalion, died near Aldershot on March 31, 1875. He had served in the Regiment twenty-eight years, and had accompanied the 2nd Battalion to the Crimea and India, and I have recorded his services and gallantry at Cawnpore and Lucknow, and with the Camel Corps, and the approval of those in command which they elicited. He was deservedly and universally esteemed by his brother officers, and his sudden premature death excited sincere regret. His funeral on April 5, at Hale Church, near Aldershot, was attended not only by the officers of the 1st Battalion, who also sent their band from Winchester, but by many old Riflemen. He was succeeded in the command of the Battalion by Lieutenant-Colonel Maclean, who was promoted from Senior Major.

This Battalion, after taking part in the summer drill and manœuvres near Aldershot in the months of June and July, including a review and march-past for the Sultan of Zanzibar before his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, left Aldershot on July 27 for Chatham, where it occupied St. Mary’s barracks, detaching (in November) one company to Upnor Castle.

The 4th Battalion left Umballa on March 3 for Delhi, where it arrived on the 13th, and formed part of the Governor-General, Lord Northbrook’s, camp, during the durbar held there. It returned to Umballa on the 30th.

On the approach of the visit of the Prince of Wales to India, the 4th Battalion again marched from Umballa on November 26, and arrived at Delhi on December 8, in order to take part in the manœuvres to take place there during the Prince’s stay. While His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief was at Delhi, the Battalion furnished a personal guard of honour of 100 men; and on his visit to Agra a similar guard of honour accompanied him. After the review and march-past on January 12, 1876, the Prince gave a dinner to the men of both his regiments, the 10th Hussars and the 4th Battalion, on the 16th, and dined at the mess of the Battalion on the 13th.

The 1st Battalion left Winchester by rail-road on June 6, 1876, and embarking at Portsmouth on board the ‘Simoom’ Troop-ship, started on the same day for Dublin, where they arrived on the 9th, and occupy the Royal barracks, having a present strength of

Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Corporals. Privates. 33 46 18 40 758

The 2nd Battalion remain at Gibraltar, their strength being

Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Rank and File. 33 39 17 624[342]

The 3rd Battalion left Chatham by rail-road on July 26, and proceeded to Shorncliffe camp, where they occupy quarters. Their strength on July 28, when inspected by Colonel the Hon. F. Thesiger, commanding that camp (who had served in the Regiment), being:--

Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Rank and file. 30 45 19 528

On the conclusion of the manœuvres and the departure of the Prince of Wales from Delhi, the 4th Battalion returned on January 27 to Umballa, where they continue to be stationed; their strength being on the 1st October

Officers. Sergeants. Buglers. Corporals. Privates. 34 49 17 40 801[342]

On October 7, 1876, His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who had served upwards of four years in the 1st Battalion as Lieutenant and as Captain, and had left it in April 1874, took command of that Battalion at the Royal barracks, Dublin, as Lieutenant-Colonel.

On October 31 it was notified that Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to permit the word ‘Ashantee’ to be borne on the plates of the pouch-belts.

I have thus inadequately recorded the services of the Regiment, which as the Rifle Corps, as the 95th, and as the Rifle Brigade, has, in the seventy-five years of its existence, served in the field in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Russia; in South and Western Africa; in North and South America; and in Asia. In these services it has been engaged in 22 General Actions, 30 Lesser Combats, 11 Sieges or Assaults of fortified places, and in skirmishes and affairs of posts too many to enumerate. In them it has won the commendation of all those commanders under whom it has served. Nor have its discipline and conduct in quarters in more peaceful times less elicited the approbation of Generals who have commanded the stations it has occupied. And if I have not always recorded this, it is because I have been unwilling to load my pages with what no Rifleman can doubt, and what can scarcely interest any other reader.

Of the tone and _prestige_ of its officers I need not speak. One honourable fact I must record: No officer of this Regiment has ever been brought to a Court-Martial.

Whatever future services it may be called to, whatever changes regiments or the army may undergo, I am confident that as long as the number 95 or the name Rifle Brigade exist in English Military History, the same love of the green jacket and the same _esprit-de-corps_ which have animated its past, and animate its present, will still animate its future members--officers, non-commissioned officers, and private Riflemen.

FOOTNOTES:

[327] The ‘Red River Expedition,’ London, 1871.

[328] The funeral of Captain Huyshe is the subject of a water-colour picture by M. Norie (from a drawing I believe by Colonel Colley). I am assured by those who were present that it is a faithful representation of the scene and of the surroundings.

[329] This was in every case the position of all these companies of Riflemen acting more or less independently in this fight: a section at least being held in reserve while the greater part extended in skirmishing order.

[330] Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 384.

[331] Captain Slade had been sent back sick from Foomanah.

[332] It is impossible to record this affair at Quarman without noticing that Captain Dugdale remains without any official recognition of his services on this occasion; while the officer whom he so materially assisted, or rather extricated from his dangerous position at Quarman, received the brevet of Major, Captain Dugdale obtained no promotion. The former had then not thirteen years service; Dugdale had served nearly twenty years, and I have on more than one occasion noted in this record his services during the Indian mutiny. As promotion was dealt out with no unsparing hand for the Ashantee campaign, this neglect seems the more remarkable. I may add that I make these remarks on the facts which I have recorded without any communication with Captain Dugdale, with whom, indeed, I am scarcely acquainted.

[333] ‘The Ashantee War,’ by Captain Brackenbury, ii. 199.

[334] Henty’s ‘March to Coomassie,’ 401.

[335] ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 236.

[336] ‘Colburn’s United Service Magazine,’ September, 1874, p. 74.

[337] ‘The Ashantee War,’ ii. 246.

[338] ‘March to Coomassie,’ 417.

[339] This difficulty is graphically described by Mr. Henty, p. 419.

[340] I derive the particulars of the Ashantee Expedition from the letters and journal of my son, Captain Cope; from three papers (‘The Rifle Brigade in the Ashantee Expedition’) in ‘Colburn’s United Service Journal,’ July-September, 1874; and from a detailed MS. Memoir on the Battle of Amoaful, kindly communicated to me by Major Robinson, Rifle Brigade, who has also favoured me with the plan.

[341] Of these ten men were at once sent to Netley Hospital.

[342] Exclusive of Depôt.

APPENDIX I.

COLONELS-IN-CHIEF.

Colonel COOTE MANNINGHAM, August 25, 1800.

General SIR DAVID DUNDAS, August 31, 1809.

Field Marshal ARTHUR, DUKE OF WELLINGTON, K.G., G.C.B., February 19, 1820.

Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT, PRINCE CONSORT, K.G., G.C.B., September 23, 1852.

Field Marshal JOHN, LORD SEATON, G.C.B., December 15, 1861.

General SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B., April 18, 1863.

Field Marshal SIR EDWARD BLAKENEY, G.C.B., August 28, 1865.

Field Marshal H.R.H. ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, K.G., G.C.B., August 3, 1868.

COLONELS COMMANDANT.

_FORBES CHAMPAGNÉ_, August 31, 1809. To 70th Foot, May 21, 1816.

_SIR BRENT SPENCER_, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. To 40th Foot, July 2, 1818.

Hon. SIR WILLIAM STEWART, G.C.B., August 31, 1809. Died January 7, 1827.

_SIR G. T. WALKER_, G.C.B. (_vice_ CHAMPAGNÉ), May 21, 1816. To 34th Foot, May 13, 1820.

_SIR JOHN OSWALD_, K.C.B. (_vice_ SPENCER), July 2, 1818.

_SIR EDWARD BARNES_, K.C.B. (_vice_ WALKER), May 13, 1820. To 78th Foot, August 25, 1822.

SIR ANDREW F. BARNARD, G.C.B. (_vice_ BARNES), August 25, 1822. Died, January 17, 1855.

_SIR T. S. BECKWITH_, K.C.B. (_vice_ STEWART), January 7, 1827. Died, January 19, 1831.

_SIR GEORGE R. BINGHAM_, K.C.B. (_vice_ BECKWITH), June 18, 1831. Died, June 3, 1833.

_SIR J. S. BARNES_, K.C.B. (_vice_ BINGHAM), January 7, 1833. To 20th Foot, April 25, 1842.

SIR D. L. GILMOUR, K.C.B. (_vice_ J. S. BARNES), April 25, 1842. Died, March 22, 1847.

SIR HARRY G. W. SMITH, G.C.B. (_vice_ GILMOUR), April 16, 1847. Died, October 12, 1860.

SIR GEORGE BROWN, G.C.B. (_vice_ BARNARD), January 18, 1855. To 32nd Foot, April 1, 1863.

SIR GEORGE BULLER, G.C.B. (_vice_ SMITH), October 13, 1860.

_SIR CHARLES YORKE_, G.C.B. (_vice_ BROWN), April 1, 1863.

⁂ The names in italics are those of officers who had not served in the Regiment.

APPENDIX II.

ON THE ARMAMENT OF THE REGIMENT.

On the presentation of the report of Colonels Manningham and Stewart (see p. 1), a committee of field officers was directed to assemble at Woolwich on February 1, 1800, in order to select a rifle to be used by the Rifle Corps. The principal gun-makers in England were invited to attend; and rifles from America, France, Germany, Spain, and Holland were produced and tried. This committee reported in favour of a rifle submitted by Ezekiel Baker, a gun-maker in London, which was adopted for the Rifle Corps, and was known as the ‘Baker rifle.’ This arm was 2 feet 6 inches long in the barrel; seven-grooved, and rifled one quarter turn; the balls were 20 to the pound, and the weight of the arm was 9½ pounds. It had, of course, a flint lock. It was sighted to 100 yards, and by a folding sight to 200 yards. This rifle was loaded with some difficulty, and at first small wooden mallets were supplied to the Riflemen to assist in ramming down the ball. These were found inconvenient and an incumbrance to the soldier, and were soon discontinued. The Rifle Corps originally carried a horn for powder, as well as the pouch. The Baker rifle had a brass box in the stock to contain the greased rag in which the ball was wrapped.[343] A picker to clear the touch-hole and a brush were also carried by the Riflemen, suspended by brass chains to the waist-belt.

Ezekiel Baker, the inventor of this rifle, published in 1803 a book entitled ‘Twenty-two Years’ Practice with Rifle Guns;’ a tenth edition of which, expanded from 8 pages of the original _brochure_ to 238, appeared in 1829. His coloured prints of Riflemen aiming standing, kneeling, lying down on the face, and on the back, are curious, though the costume is rather fanciful. He gives diagrams showing that out of 34 shots at 100 yards with this rifle, 32 penetrated a human figure painted on a 6-ft. target; and of 24 shots at 200 yards, 22 penetrated a similar figure. Baker does not mention whether these were fired from the shoulder, or from a fixed rest.

To this rifle a triangular sword bayonet, 17 inches long in the blade, was affixed by a spring.

When the Rifle Corps was first formed, a few rifles were issued to it of the same bore as the musket then in use, viz. 14 balls to the pound; under the impression that there would be an advantage in the Riflemen being able to use the ammunition of soldiers of the line; but this arm was strongly objected to by Colonel Manningham and his officers, and was almost immediately done away with.

Some improvements were subsequently made in the Baker rifle; a chamber was introduced to hold the powder, and a flat-blade sword was substituted for that originally issued. With these and some other trifling changes, the Baker rifle continued till about the year 1837 or 1838. In the year 1836 a Board was assembled at Woolwich to report on various improved rifles. Of this Board Colonel Eeles, then commanding the 1st Battalion, was a member; and Captain Walpole, with a sergeant and twelve Riflemen of that Battalion, was sent to Woolwich to try the rifles submitted to the Board. These men fired daily for some weeks; and eventually the Brunswick rifle was fixed upon for the armament of the Rifle Brigade, and was issued to it (both Battalions being then at home) soon afterwards. This arm was 2 feet 6 inches long in the barrel, which was two-grooved, with complete turn in the length of the barrel; the ball was spherical and belted, and, to ensure the belt dropping into the grooves, two notches were cut at the muzzle. The ball weighed 557 grains, being about 12 to the pound. The rifle weighed nearly 2 pounds more than the Baker, its weight being 11 lbs. 5½ oz. It had a detonating lock; a straight sword, 22 inches long, was affixed to it by a spring. The Brunswick rifle, like the Baker, had a brass box in the stock. It was sighted, by means of a folding sight, to 300 yards; and it was found, in the trials made at Woolwich, that it made as good practice at 300 yards as the Baker at 200.

This rifle continued in use for nearly twenty years; but it was found difficult to load, the belt of the ball being after much firing difficult to force down the grooves; and in action the necessity of fitting the belt to the grooves hindered rapidity of loading, notwithstanding the notches at the muzzle.

While the 1st Battalion were at the Cape, and at the conclusion of the war with the Kaffirs in 1846-7, Lancaster rifles were received at King William’s-town for four or six men in each company. These were two-grooved, like the Brunswick, and of the same bore and length. They had a patent breech; and were sighted to 900 yards. The ball was conical, with a flat base, and a rib on each side to fit the grooves. It was very heavy, and the flight was found to be uncertain. Nevertheless, these rifles were used with good effect against the Boers at Boem Plaatz, and against the Basutos at Berea. In the Kaffir War of 1851-2, the Riflemen armed with this Lancaster were occasionally formed into a party during night-marches, and on the attacks on the Waterkloof.

On the embarkation of the Regiment for the Crimea the Riflemen were armed with the Minié rifle, not differing from those carried by soldiers of line regiments. And while in the Crimea they received the long Enfield and bayonet, the same as those issued to troops of the line. These long weapons were also issued to the 3rd and 4th Battalions on their being raised. But subsequently, and before the embarkation of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions for India, the short Enfield and the sword was substituted. This was the three-grooved Enfield. But this being found an imperfect weapon, the five-grooved short Enfield, Naval pattern, a much superior arm, was issued to the various Battalions about the years 1861-2.

This continued in use till the issue of five-grooved short Enfields converted to breech-loaders on the Snider principle, which were afterwards replaced by the Snider proper, in 1867. The 4th Battalion, however, had received in 1864 Whitworth rifles in place of the short Enfield, and these were retained until the issue of breech-loaders in 1867.

The Snider was replaced by the Martini-Henry, which was issued to the several Battalions towards the close of the year 1874.

The various changes in the uniform of officers and men are sufficiently indicated by the plates in this volume, taken from the drawings deposited in the Adjutant-General’s office, or from original drawings or portraits in my own possession.

The pouch-belt originally had only a whistle and chain affixed to a lion’s head. I do not know when the Maltese cross was first adopted; probably when the names of victories were first granted to the Regiment. It was at first surmounted with a sitting figure of Fame; and it appears, from Sir W. Stewart’s correspondence, that in 1821 it was in contemplation to replace this (which he calls an Angel) by ‘an Eagle, or Britannia, or Minerva, or Amazon.’[344] An Eagle was, I believe, adopted for a time; but the Cross was soon after surmounted with a Royal Crown. When the present Imperial Crown was substituted I do not know. It has been in use, however, for forty years.

FOOTNOTES:

[343] The powder horn and the brass box in the stock are shown in Plate I. The Regulations for the exercise of Riflemen, issued in 1803, do not mention the mallet, which had probably been already discontinued; but they do mention ‘the powder measure and the loose ball:’ _i.e._ using the powder-horn in loading.

[344] Cumloden Papers, 131.

APPENDIX III.

ACTIONS AND CASUALTIES OF THE REGIMENT.

Colonel Leach, in concluding his ‘Brief Sketch of the Field Services of the Rifle Brigade,’ observes:--‘I regret exceedingly that I am not in possession of returns of losses sustained by my old Corps in its numerous actions with the enemy, and by sickness. Such a document would have, perhaps, but few (if any) parallels in the Service; and it would be seen, moreover, that the Peninsular army had other formidable enemies to contend with besides the sword, in the form of pestilential fevers, ague, &c.’

No means, I believe, exist of giving any account of the losses of the Regiment by climate or disease; but I will endeavour to give an approximate return of the losses in the field, and at the same time I shall be able to enumerate the various actions in which the Regiment has been engaged.

+------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ | | | Officers | Other ranks | | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ |August 25, 1800 |Ferrol | | 1 | | | |August 26, 1800 |Ferrol | | 3 | | 8 | |April 2, 1801 |Copenhagen | 1 | | 2 | 6 | |January 16, 1807 |Maldonado | | 1 | 1 | | |January 20, 1807 |Suburbs of Monte | | | | | | | Video | | | 5 | 25 | |February 3, 1807 |Monte Video | 1 | 2 | 10 | 19 | |July 2, 1807 |Passo Chico | | 1 | 3 | 22 | |June 7, 1807 |San Pedro | | 2 | | 27 | |July 4, 1807 |Suburbs of Buenos | | | | | | | Ayres | | 2 | 2 | 4 | |July 5, 1807 |Buenos Ayres | 1 | 9 | 90 | 129 | |August 17, 1807 |Near Copenhagen | | | 1 | 2 | |August 29, 1807 |Kioge | | A | few. | | |August 15, 1808 |Obidos | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |August 17, 1808 |ROLEIA | | 3 | 17 | 30 | |August 21, 1808 |VIMIERA | | 4 | 37 | 43 | | +------+-------+------+--------+ | Carried forward | 4 | 30 | 169 | 321 | +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+

+------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ | | | Officers | Other ranks | | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ | Brought over | 4 | 30 | 169 | 321 | |January 3, 1809 |Cacabelos | 1 | 1 | 19 | | |January 4, 1809 |Between Villa | | | | | | | Franca | | A | few. | | |January 5, 1809 |Constantino | | | 1 | | |January 10, 1809 |Near Betanzos | | | 1 | | |January 12, 1809 |El Burgo | | | | | |January 16, 1809 |Corunna | 1 | | 11 | | | Returned to England | | | | 33 | |July 31, 1809 |Near Flushing | | 1 | | 10 | |August 9-15, 1809 |Flushing | | 2 | 11 | 21 | |March 19, 1810 |Barba del Puerco | 1 | | 3 | 10 | |July 4, 1810 |Bridge of Marialva | | | | | |July 24, 1810 |The Coa | 3 | 9 | 11 | 55 | |August 23-24, 1810|Celorico to Busaco | | | | | |August 25, 1810 |Mala Morta | | | | | |August 26, 1810 |Sula | | | | | |August 27, 1810 |BUSACO | | | | | |September 10, 1810|Alemquer to Arruda | | | | | |September 18, 1810|Alcalá de Gazules | | | | | |October 14, 1810 |Sobral | | 2 | Several | |November 19, 1810 |Valle | | Slight loss. | | |December 20, 1810 |Tarifa | | | 2 | 16 | |December 31, 1810 |Tarifa | | | 1 | 1 | |March 5, 1811 |BARROSA | 1 | 5 | 19 | 76 | |March 8, 1811 |Paialvo | | | | | |March 9, 1811 | | | | | | |March 11, 1811 |Pombal | | 1 | | | |March 12, 1811 |Redinha | | 2 | 4 | 9[345]| |March 14, 1811 |Casal Nova | 2 | | | [345] | |March 15, 1811 |Foz d’Aronce | | 2 | | [345] | |March 18, 1811 |Ponte da Murcella | | | | | |March 28, 1811 |Freixadas | 1 | | | [345] | |April 3, 1811 |Sabugal | 1 | 2 | 2 | 14 | |April 12, 1811 |San Pedro | | | 1 | | |April 23, 1811 |Bridge of Marialva | | | | | |May 2, 1811 |Fuentes d’Onor | | 1 | | 9 | |May 5, 1811 |FUENTES D’ONOR | 1 | | 3 | 13 | |May 12, 1811 |Near Espeja | | | | | |September 27, 1811|Near Aldea de Ponte| | | | | |January 8, 1812 |San Francisco | 1 | | 1 | 7 | |January 19, 1812 |CIUDAD RODRIGO | 1 | 5 | 9 | 47 | |March 19, 1812 |Before Badajos | | 1 | | | |March 26, 1812 |La Picurina | | | | | |April 6, 1812 |BADAJOS | 9 | 14 | 57 | 225 | |June 17, 1812 |Rueda | | | | | |July 17, 1812 |Castrejon | | | | | |July 19, 1812 |On the march | | | 1 | | |July 22, 1812 |SALAMANCA | | | 3 | 24 | | +------+-------+------+--------+ | Carried forward | 27 | 78 | 329 | 891 | +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+

+------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ | | | Officers | Other ranks | | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ | Brought over | 27 | 78 | 329 | 891 | |July 23, 1812 |Near the Tormes | | | | | |August 24, 1812 |San Lucar | | | | | |August 26, 1812 |Seville | | | | | |October 29, 1812 |Aranjuez | | 1 | 3 | 8 | |Nov. 15-19, 1812 |Retreat to Portugal| | | 3 | 11 | |June 12, 1813 |Near the Hormuza | | | | | |June 18, 1813 |San Millan | | 1 | 4 | 13 | |June 21, 1813 |VITTORIA | 1 | 6 | 11 | 61 | |June 23, 1813 |Echarri-Aranaz | | | | | |June 24, 1813 |On the Araquil | | | | | |July 15, 1813 |Sta. Barbara | | | | | |August 1, 1813 |Bridge of Yanci | | 1 | A few. | |August 2, 1813 |Echalar | | | | | |August 31, 1813 |ST. SEBASTIAN | | 2 | 8 | 16[345]| | ” ” |Bridge of Vera | 1 | 4 | 18 | 53 | |October 7, 1813 |Pass of Vera | 3 | 6 | 31 | 161 | |November 9, 1813 |Nivelle | 1 | 10 | 11 | 76 | |November 23, 1813 |Arcangues | | 1 | | 6 | |December 10, 1813 |Nive | 1 | | 9 | 75 | |December 13, 1813 |Bussassari | | | | | |January 13, 1814 |Before Antwerp | | | 1 | 1 | |February 1, 1814 |Donk | | | | | |February 2, 1814 |Merxem | | 4 | 3 | 6[345]| |February 4, 1814 |Sortie from Antwerp| | | | | |February 24, 1814 |Villeneuve | | | | | |February 27, 1814 |ORTHEZ | | | | | |March 20, 1814 |TARBES | 1 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |March 27, 1814 |Tournefeuille | | | A| few. | |April 18, 1814 |Toulouse | | 1 | 14 | 26[345]| |December 22, 1814 |Before New Orleans | | 3 | 23 | 59 | |December 28, 1814 |Before New Orleans | | | 1 | 4 | |January 1, 1815 |Before New Orleans | | | 1 | | |January 8, 1815 |LINES OF NEW | | | | | | | ORLEANS | 1 | 6 | 11 | 94 | |June 16, 1815 |QUATRE BRAS | 2 | 3 | 8 | 51 | |June 18, 1815 |WATERLOO | 3 | 31 | 57 | 339 | |December 31, 1846 |Near the Kei river | | | 1 | | |January 11, 1847 |Near the Kei river | 2 | | | | |February, 1847 |Patrol on the Fish | | | | | | | river | | | | | |August 29, 1847 |Boem Plaatz | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |April 29, 1852 |Mundell’s Krantz | | 1 | | 5 | |May 17, 1852 |Mundell’s Krantz | | | | 3 | |May 29, 1852 |Ingilby’s farm | | | | 4 | |July 8, 1852 |Waterkloof | | | 1 | | |July 24, 1852 |Waterkloof | | | | 2 | |September 14, 1852|Waterkloof | | | | | | +------+-------+------+--------+ | Carried forward | 44 | 172 | 559 | 2048 | +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+

+------------------+-------------------+--------------+------+--------+ | | | Officers | Other ranks | | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ | Brought over | 44 | 172 | 559 | 2048 | |December 20, 1852 |Berea | | | 3 | | |September 20, 1854|THE ALMA | | 1 | 11 | 38 | |October 14, 1854 |Picquet | | | | 2 | |October 25, 1854 |BALAKLAVA | | | | 1 | |October 26, 1854 |Careenage ravine | | | | 5 | |October, 1854 |In the trenches | | 1 | 11 | 27 | |November 5, 1854 |INKERMAN | 3 | 3 | 30 | 58 | |November 20, 1854 |THE OVENS | 1 | | 9 | 17 | |April 9, 1855 |Rifle pits | | | 5 | | |June 18, 1855 |THE REDAN | 2 | 3 | 33 | 89 | |July 3, 1855 |In the trenches | | | 8 | 5 | |September 1, 1855 |In the trenches | 1 | | 1 | 15 | |September 8, 1855 |SEBASTOPOL | 2 | 8 | 23 | 137 | |November 15, 1855 |Explosion | | 1 | 3 |Several.| |1854-5 |In the trenches, or| | | | | | | not otherwise | | | | | | | accounted for | | | 175 |143[346]| |November 26, 1857 |Cawnpore | | | 1 | | |November 27, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | | 6 | |November 28, 1857 |Cawnpore | 1 | 2 | 5 | 19 | |November 29, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | 3 | 5 | |December 1, 1857 |Cawnpore | | | | | |December 6, 1857 |Cawnpore | | 1 | 1 | 19 | |December 25, 1857 |Putarah | | | | | |December 29, 1857 |Etawah | | | | 3 | |January 1858 |Near Allahabad | | | | | |January 1858 |On the Ramgunga | | | | | |March 6-11, 1858 |LUCKNOW | 2 | | 2 | 17 | |March 23, 1858 |Koorsie | | | | | |April 13, 1858 |Baree | | | | | |May 11, 1858 |Nuggur | | | 1 | | |May 22, 1858 |Goolowlie | | | 3 | | |May 23, 1858 |Calpee | | | 3 | | |June 13, 1858 |Nawabgunge | | 1 | | 15 | |August 20, 1858 |Nassreegunge | | | | | |August 20-29, 1858|Sultanpore | | | | | |September 6, 1858 |Surajpore | | | | | |September 8, 1858 |Jamo | | 1 | | 3 | |September 13, 1858|Mandaula | | | | | |September 21, 1858|Fort of Birwah | 1 | 1 | 3 | 27 | |October 20, 1858 |Sukreta | 1 | | 4 | 5 | |October 21, 1858 |Khooath Khas | | | | | |October 23, 1858 |Khurgurh | | | | | |November 26, 1858 |Hydergurh | | | | | |December 3, 1858 |Fort of Oomria | | | | | |December 6, 1858 |Futtehpore | | | | | | +------+-------+------+--------+ | Carried forward | 58 | 197 | 897 | 2704 | +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+

+------------------+-------------------+--------------+---------------+ | | | Officers | Other ranks | | Date | Action +------+-------+------+--------+ | | |Killed|Wounded|Killed|Wounded | +------------------+-------------------+------+-------+------+--------+ | Brought over | 58 | 197 | 897 | 2704 | |December 6, 1858 |Byram Ghât | | | | | |December 26, 1858 |Near Churdah | | | | | |December 27, 1858 |Fort of Mejidia | | | 1 | 6 | |December 31, 1858 |Bankee | | | | 1 | |February 9, 1859 |Sidka Ghât | | | | 1 | |March 16, 1859 |Near Supree | | | | | |April 12, 1859 |Akouna | | | | 1 | |April 25-26, 1859 |Jugdespore jungles.| | | | | | | Not otherwise | | | | | | | accounted for | | | | | | | to this date[347]| | | 2 | 2 | |October 27, 1859 |Mitharden | | | | | |December 11, 1859 |Shahgurh | | | | | |January 2, 1864 |Shubkudder | | | | | |January 31, 1874 |Amoaful | | 3 | | 6 | |February 2, 1874 |Between Amoaful | | | | | | | and Aggemamu | | | | | |February 3, 1874 |Near the Ordah | | | | 8 | |February 4, 1874 |Ordahsu | | | | 19 | | Died of wounds | | | 2 | | | +------+-------+------+--------+ | Total | 58 | 200 | 902 | 2748 | +--------------------------------------+------+-------+------+--------+

NOTE.--In instances where no casualties are entered, it does not necessarily follow that there were no killed or wounded; but that I have been unable to ascertain their number. In skirmishes (and occasionally in greater actions) aggregate returns have frequently been made, in which it was impossible to separate the losses of the Regiment. I have noted occasions only where the Riflemen have been engaged or under fire.

FOOTNOTES:

[345] Return imperfect.

[346] Return of wounded imperfect. 648 Riflemen died of disease in the Crimea and in Turkey.--‘Medical and Surgical History,’ i. 449-57.

[347] Two Officers and 132 Riflemen of other ranks of the 2nd Battalion died of disease during the Indian Mutiny Campaign.

APPENDIX IV.

NAMES OF OFFICERS AND OTHER RIFLEMEN WHO HAVE OBTAINED SPECIAL MARKS OF DISTINCTION FOR SERVICES IN THE FIELD.

+------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+ | | | Action or | | Name and Rank | Honour received | Campaign for | | | | which granted | +------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+ | ANDREWS, Sergeant J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | | ANSON,[348] Lieut.-Col.| Medjidie Crimea | | | Hon. A. H. A. | | | | ARMSTRONG, Sergeant | Medal for distinguished | Ashantee | | | conduct in the Field | | | ARTHUR, NATHANIEL[349] | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | BAILEY, H. | French military Medal | Crimea | | BALVAIRD, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula | | WILLIAM | C.B. | | | BARNARD, Gen. Sir A. F.| Gold Medal[350] and 4 | Peninsula and | | | Clasps, G.C.B., G.C.H., | Netherlands | | | Maria Teresa (Austria), 4th| | | | class St. George (Russia) | | | BECKWITH, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal | Toulouse | | CHARLES | C.B | Waterloo | | BECKWITH, Lieut.-Gen. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula | | Sir T. S. | K.C.B., Knight Commander | | | | of Tower and Sword | | | | (Portugal) | | | BEN, Corporal M. | French military Medal | Crimea | | BLACKETT, Lieut.-Col. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | | E. W. | | | | BOURCHIER, Col. C. T. | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | The ‘Ovens’ | | | of Honour, Medjidie | | | BRADSHAW, JOSEPH | =Victoria Cross=, French | Rifle-pit, | | | military Medal | Sebastopol | | BRAMSTON, Capt. T. H. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | BRETT, Lieut.-Col. J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | | BROWN, Gen. Sir GEORGE | G.C.B., Grand Cross of | Crimea | | | Legion of Honour, 1st | | | | class Medjidie, Sardinian | | | | Medal | | | BROWN, J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | BULLER, Gen. Sir GEO. | G.C.B., Commander of | Kaffraria and | | | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | | 2nd class Medjidie | | | BURGE, Sergeant T. | French military Medal | Crimea | | BURROWS, Sergeant J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | CAMERON, Major-Gen. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula and | | Sir Alexander | K.C.B., St. Anne 2nd class | Netherlands | | | (Russia) | | | CHERRY, J. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | CLEMENTS, Corporal T. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | CLIFFORD, Col. Hon. | =Victoria Cross=, C.B., | Crimea | | H. H. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | | | COLVILLE, Col. Hon. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie, | Crimea | | W. J. | Sardinian Medal | | | COLLINS, TIMOTHY | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | CORNELIUS, Sergt.-Major| French military Medal, | Crimea | | | Distinguished conduct Medal| | | COX, Major-Gen. John | K.H. | Peninsula and | | | | Netherlands | | COX, Major-Gen. William| K.H. | Peninsula | | CULLUM, Sergeant | Silver Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | | in the storming of | | | CUNINGHAME, Major Sir | =Victoria Cross=, Medjidie | The ‘Ovens’ | | W. J. M., Bart. | | | | DAVIES, T. | French military Medal | Crimea | | DENSER, CHARLES | French military Medal | Crimea | | DILLON, Col. MARTIN | C.B., C.S.I. | India, China, | | | | and Abyssinia| | EAGLE, W. | French military Medal, | Crimea | | | Distinguished conduct Medal| | | EELES, Lieut.-Col. W. | K.H. | Peninsula, | | | | Holland, and | | | | Waterloo | | ELLIOT, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | Hon. GILBERT | | | | ELRINGTON, Major- | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | General F. R. | Medjidie | | | FAIR, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | FISHER, Colour-Sergt. | French military Medal | Crimea | | D. | | | | FITZMAURICE, Major-Gen.| K.H. | Peninsula and | | W. | | Netherlands | | FITZROY, Capt. C. V. | Medjidie | Crimea | | FRASER, Surg.-Gen. J. | Legion of Honour | Crimea | | | C.B. | India | | FREMANTLE, Lieut.-Col. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | FITZROY | | | | FULLERTON, Col. J. | C.B., K.H. | Waterloo | | FYERS, Col. W. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | | | C.B. | India | | GILMOUR, Major-Gen. | Gold Cross, K.C.B. | Peninsula | | Sir D. L. | | | | GLYN, Major-Gen. J. R. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | | | C.B. | India | | HAINES, G. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | HANNAN, HUGH | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | HARDINGE, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie | Crimea | | H. | | | | HARRINGTON, Quarter- | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | Master Sergeant | | | | HARRYWOOD, Sergeant J. | French military Medal | Crimea | | HARVEY,[351] | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | Paymaster-Sergeant H. | | | | HAWKES, DAVID | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | | HAWKESFORD, Sergt. T. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | HAWKINS, E. | French military Medal | Crimea | | HICKS, Colour-Sergt. J.| French military Medal | The ‘Ovens’ | | HILL, Major-Gen. PERCY | C.B. | India | | HIMBURY, Sergt. JOHN | Silver Medal and Clasp | St. Sebastian | | | for gallantry at | | | HOGGER, S. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | HOPE, Lieut.-Col. J. C.| K.H. | Peninsula and | | | | Netherlands | | HORSFORD, Lieut.-Gen. | G.C.B., Medjidie, | Crimea and | | Sir A. H. | Sardinian Medal | India | | HOUGH, CHARLES | French military Medal | Crimea | | HOULT, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | HUMPSTON, R. | =Victoria Cross= | Rifle-pit, | | | | Sebastopol | | INGRAM, HENRY | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | KING, J. | French military Medal | Crimea | | KINGSCOTE, Capt. FITZ- | Medjidie | Crimea | | H. | | | | KNOX, Capt. J. S. | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | Crimea | | | of Honour | | | LAWRENCE, Lieut.-Gen. | K.C.B., Officer Legion of | Crimea | | Sir A. J. | Honour, 3rd class Medjidie | | | LEGGE, Hon. G. B. | Medjidie | Crimea | | LEIGHFIELD, J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | LEWIS, P. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | MCCANN, P. | French military Medal | Crimea | | MCCORMICK, M. | French military Medal | Crimea | | MCGIBBON, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | MCGREGOR, RODERICK | =Victoria Cross= | Rifle-pit, | | | | Sebastopol | | MCKAY, Sergeant. | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | MCKECHIE, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | MCLEOD, Major-Gen. | C.B | Corunna | | NORMAN | | | | MCMAHON, B. | French military Medal | Crimea | | MACDONELL, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | A. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | | MANNERS, Lieut.-Col. | K.H | Peninsula and | | H. H. | | Walcheren | | MARRIOTT, E. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | MILLER, Col. GEORGE | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula and | | | | Netherlands | | MITCHELL, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, | Peninsula and | | SAMUEL | C.B. | Netherlands | | MOORE, Capt. J. C. | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | MUNRO, Colour-Sergt. | French military Medal | Crimea | | C. F. | | | | MURPHY, Colour-Sergt. | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | J. | Distinguished conduct Medal | | | NASH, Corporal W. | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | | NESBITT, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | NEWDIGATE, Col. E. | Legion of Honour, Medjidie | Crimea | | NIXON, Lieut.-Col. | Medjidie | Crimea | | A. J. | | | | NORCOTT, Major-Gen. | Medal and Clasp, C.B., | Peninsula and | | Sir AMOS G. | K.C.H., St. Anne (Russia), | Netherlands | | | Maximilian Joseph | | | | (Bavaria) | | | NORCOTT, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | W. S. R. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | | NUTT, Sergeant JAMES | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | O’HARE, Major P. | Gold Medal | Peninsula | | O’HEA T., | =Victoria Cross= | Danville | | | | Station | | PERCIVAL, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula and | | W. | C.B. | Netherlands | | PROMBY, Corporal H. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | RAINES, CHARLES | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | ROSS, Major-Gen. Sir | Cross, K.C.B., St. Wladimir | Peninsula and | | JOHN | 4th class (Russia), Wilhelm| Netherlands | | | 4th class (Netherlands) | | | ROSS, Colonel JOHN | Medjidie | Crimea | | | C.B | India | | ROSS, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | RUSSELL, Major-General | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | Lord A. G. | | | | SAUNDERS, Capt. G. R. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | SCOTT, Surgeon J. | Medjidie | Crimea | | SHAW, Corporal SAML. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | | =Victoria Cross= | Nawabgunge | | SMALL, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | SMITH, General Sir H. | G.C.B. | India and | | G. W. | | Kaffraria | | SMYTH, Major-General, | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | Hon. L. | Medjidie, Sardinian Medal | | | SOMERSET, Major-Gen. | C.B., Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | E. A. | Medjidie | | | STAPLES, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | STEWART, Major ARCHI- | K.H. | Peninsula and | | BALD | | Netherlands | | STEWART, Lieut.-Col. | Gold Medal and Clasp, C.B. | Peninsula | | Hon. J. H. R. | | | | STEWART, Major John | Gold Medal | Busaco | | STEWART, Lieut.-Gen. | Gold Medal and 2 Clasps, | Peninsula | | Hon. Sir W. | G.C.B. San Fernando | | | | (Spain), Tower and Sword | | | | (Portugal) | | | STRUCK, H. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | STUART, Lieut.-Colonel | Medjidie, Sardinian | Crimea | | Hon. J. | Medal | | | TAINST, EDWARD | Sardinian Medal | Crimea | | TAYLOR | Distinguished conduct Medal | Ashantee | | THORPE, Sergeant | Medal for gallantry | Monte Video | | TILBEY, T. | Distinguished conduct | Crimea | | | Medal | | | TRAVERS, Major JAMES | K.H | Peninsula and | | | | New Orleans | | TRAVERS, Major-Gen. | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula | | Sir R. | | | | TURNER, Corporal W. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | | | | | WADE, Colonel H. | Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula | | WALKER-MYLN, Lieut.- | Medjidie | Crimea | | Col. H. | | | | WALLER, Sergt.-Major | French military Medal | Crimea | | WALPOLE, Lieut.-Gen. | K.C.B | India | | Sir R. | | | | WARREN, Lieut.-Col. A. | Medjidie | Crimea | | F. | C.B | Ashantee | | WHEATLEY, FRANCIS | =Victoria Cross=, Legion | Trenches, | | | of Honour | Sebastopol | | | Distinguished conduct Medal | | | WILKINS, Lieut.-Col. G.| Gold Medal, C.B. | Peninsula and | | | | Netherlands | | WILMOT, Major Sir | =Victoria Cross= | Lucknow | | HENRY, Bart. | | | | WISEMAN, Corporal R. | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | WOOD, JOSEPH | Distinguished conduct Medal | Crimea | | WOODFORD, Lieut.-Col. | Legion of Honour, | Crimea | | C. J. | Sardinian Medal | | | YORKE, Gen. Sir CHAS. | G.C.B | Peninsula and | | | | Waterloo | +------------------------+-----------------------------+---------------+

NOTE--The non-commissioned officers and men of a detachment of the Rifle Corps engaged at Copenhagen in 1801 were presented with a Silver Medal specially given by Lord Nelson.

FOOTNOTES:

[348] Colonel Anson received the =Victoria Cross= for gallantry at Bolandshuhur, shortly after he had left the Rifle Brigade. I have noted only in this list the honours obtained by Riflemen while in the Regiment.

[349] Where no rank is indicated, the name is that of a Private Rifleman.

[350] These medals and crosses were granted to general and field officers (according to the recommendation of the Duke of Wellington), ‘for important actions only, and to those engaged in them in a conspicuous manner,’ Despatches, viii. 94. I have of course not recorded medals which were granted indiscriminately to all present in an action or campaign.

[351] Captain Harvey, Paymaster.

INDEX.

Acland, F. G. Dyke, 467

‘Adventure,’ troop-ship, faulty engines of, 364

Africa, South, 245; West Coast, 482

Aggemamu, 495, 502, 503, 504

Akouna, fight at, 422

Alba de Tormes, 118

Albert, Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, 295; death of, 457

Aldershot, Camp, 342, 344, 345, 453, 469, 470, 478, 481, 508

Alemtejo, sojourn of the 95th there, 48, 88

Alexander, Boyd Francis, 357, 399, 400; wounded, 403

Alison, Sir Archibald, 480, _et seq._

Allix, W., killed, 107

Allygurh, 368

Alma, battle of the, 306

Alten, Baron Charles, 112

Amatolas, expedition to, 253

Americans attempt to induce Riflemen to desert; replies of the Riflemen forcible rather than courteous, 190

American commandant, excellent advice given to, 193

American officer, while plundering, shot by a Rifleman, 191

Ames, F., 390

Amethie fort, 404-406

Amoaful, battle of, 488-493

Amphlett, J., 216

Andrews, J., 523

Anson, the Hon. A. H. A., 333, 523

Aranjuez, 120

Araquil, skirmish near the, 139

Arbuthnot, Hon Duncan, killed, 82

Arcangues, 157, 162

Armstrong, Sergeant, 507, 523

Army of Occupation in France, 212-215

Arrhunes, 153; La Petite, carried, 154

Arthur, Nath., 523

Ashantee expedition, 480

Atherley, F. R., 352, 353, 354, 374, 388, 393

Austin, G. L., 381, 437

Backhouse, William, killed, 190

Badajos, siege, 102; stormed, 104; casualties at, 107; events after, 108-111; plunder of, sold or burned, 112, 113

Bailey, H., 523

Baillie, H. D., 338, 384, 390

Balaklava captured, 311; battle of, 316

Balfour, W. F., 337, 338

Balvaird, W., 523; wounded, 107

Barba del Puerco, fight at, 51

Baree, fight at, 381

Barker, Brigadier, 399, 400

Barker, Robert, wounded, 190

Barnard, General Sir Andrew, 42, 96, 112, 523; wounded, 69, 156, 208; his care for the wounded, 199, 211, 225; death, 331

Barrosa, battle of, 68

Basutoland, expedition to, 290

Battalion, 2nd, its formation, 10; services in India, 427-8

Battalion, 3rd, its formation, 42; disbanded, 216; again raised, 332, 343

Battalion, 4th, raised, 346

Bayou Catalan, landing at, 182

Bear’s farm, camp at, 274-279

Beckwith, Charles, wounded, 208; account of, 210, 211, 523

Beckwith, Lieut.-Colonel Sidney, 261, 305; death of, 310

Beckwith, Sir Thomas Sidney, 7, 19, 21, 29, 52, 80, 228, 523; his magnanimity, 11; his system of command, 53; his coolness in action, 82; gives up command of the 1st Battalion, 92; his character, 112; his death, 230

Bedell, W. D., 104; wounded, 97, 107

Beni Madhoo, pursuit of, 382, 406, 414

Benn, M., 523

Bennett, L. H., killed, 39

Berea, battle of, 292-294

Bermuda, 240

Bewar, crossing the, 448

Bikrumgunge, 439

Birmingham, riots at, 236

Birwah, fort captured, 400

Blackett, E. W., 523; wounded, 336

Blakeney, Sir Edward, Colonel-in-Chief, 465; death of, 469

Blatchington, Rifle Corps trained at, 4

Boemplaats, battle of, 258, 259

Boers, rebellion of, 257

Boileau, C. A. P., 335; death of, 336

Borough, R., wounded, 338; death of, 341

Bourchier, Claude T., 323, 324, 334, 346, 378, 524

Bradford, Major-General W. H., 311, 332, 334, 344

Bradshaw, Joseph, 333, 346, 376, 524

Bramston, T. H., 524

Brett, Lieut.-Col. John, 320, 329, 524

Brown, Sir George, 301, 302, 524; colonel-commandant, 331; Colonel-in-Chief, 460; death of, 465

Brown, J., 524

Brussels, 197

Buckley, C. E., 381

Budgen, J. R., wounded, 152

Buenos Ayres, 17

Buildings erected by Riflemen, 261

Búlganak, 305, 306

Buller, Coote, wounded, 321, 322, 334

Buller, Lieut.-Gen. Sir George, 244, 252, 254, 258, 260, 261, 280, 296, 454, 524; wounded, 259

Bunbury, Ralph, killed, 24

Burge, T., 524

Búrliúk, 306

Burrows, J., 524

Busaco, battle of, 59, 61

Byram Ghât, 408

Cacabelos, fight at, 33

Cadoux, D., 65; wounded, 18; killed, 150

Caledon River, 291

Calpee, 431; capture of, 434

Camel corps formed, 380; operations of, 429-450; Sikhs added to, 435; arduous duties of, 450; broken up, 450

Camel drivers, 431, 435

Camels, drill in riding, 429-431

Cameron, Sir Alexander, 94, 104, 106, 110, 177-178, 524; his address to the 1st Battalion, 127; wounded, 138, 208

Cameron, D., wounded, 208

Campbell, Alexander, killed, 152

Campbell, L., killed, 138

Campbell, W., wounded, 69

Canada, dangerous voyage to, 457; service in, 246, 465

Canning, Lord, 428

Canrobert, General, 301; his general order about the ‘ovens,’ 325, 326 _n._

Cape Coast Castle, 481

Cape of Good Hope, 243

Cartwright, A. A., killed, 321

Cary, A., killed, 107, 108

Cary, G., 158

Cary, L. S. T. M., 337; wounded and death, 338

Cary, L., 489, 498

Casal Nova, skirmish at, 75

Cathcart, Hon. Sir George, 277, 280, 282, 285, 290, 318, 319; his regard for the Riflemen, 283, 290, 303, 319

Cawnpore, battles of, 349, 363

Chawner, E., wounded, 13, 208

Cherry, J., 524

Chinhut, 374; camp at, 385; panic at, 394

Chobham, camp at, 297

Christmas dinners, 366, 410

Chumbul, crossing the, 447

Church, J., taken prisoner, 160; escapes, 178 _n._; wounded, 178

Churchill, C. H. S., 329

Churdah, fight near, 411

Circular directing the formation of a Rifle Corps, 1

Ciudad Rodrigo, siege, 91; casualties at, 97; stormed, 94

Clements, T., 524

Clifford, the Hon. H., 346, 524

Clyde, Lord, 409, 410, 428

Coa, combat at the, 56

Coane, A., wounded, 57

Coane, J., wounded, 16

Cochrane, R., wounded, 149, 205

Cochrane, Thomas, 26; wounded, 62

Colbert, General, picked off by a Rifleman, 34

Colborne, Col. (Lord Seaton), 152, 206, 243; Colonel-in-Chief, 457; death of, 460

Collins, 524

Colours not to be carried by Riflemen, 456

Colville, Hon. W. J., 524

Connaught, Duke of, joins as lieut., 469; as lieut.-col., 510

Coomassie, 500-502

Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, 262

Cooper, L. E., 376; killed, 378

Cope, A., 488, 495, 502-504

Copenhagen, 7, 20, 22

Cornelius, Sergeant-Major, 524

Coronation of Queen Victoria, Riflemen at, 235

Corunna, retreat to, 30; battle of, 38; casualties during retreat, 39; revisited, 342

Cox, John, 524; wounded, 97, 170

Cox, William, 524; wounded, 28, 156, 170

Coxen, E., 104; wounded, 208

Cragg, C. W., 388, 400, 403

Crampton, J., 92, 104; wounded, 107

Craufurd, Major-General Robert, 15; his severity, 30, 31; his strict standing orders, 44; his complimentary orders on Barba del Puerco, 52; defended by Riflemen, 91; his last address to the, 95; his death and funeral, 97; anecdotes of him, 98

Creagh, J., killed, 57, 58

Crimean war, 299-342

Croudace, C., killed, 107, 108

Cullum, Sergeant, 524

Cuninghame, Sir William, 323, 324, 346, 524

Curragh camp, 456

Curzon, George, 350, 376, 381

Curzon, Hon. Leicester, _see_ Smyth.

Davies, T., 524

Deedes, William, 334, 376

Denmark, expedition to, 19

Denser, Charles, 524

Dickenson, Captain, killed, 14

Diggle, T. A., 104; killed, 107

Dilkoosha, 373, 385, 427, 429

Dillon, Martin, 374, 390, 417, 419, 524; wounded, 354

Dinner, first regimental, 147; second, 213

Dixon, F., wounded, 170

Doyle, killed, 156, 171

Drummond, A. M., 334

Dublin, 456, 477

Dugdale, H. G., 350, 377, 491, 492, 501

Duncan, John, killed, 170, 171

Eagle, W., 524

Eaton, Charles, wounded, 156

Eccles, W. H., wounded, 338, 341, 356, 379

Echalar, capture of the hill of, 145, 146

Eeles, Charles, 33; wounded, 39, 62; killed, 209, 211

Eeles, William, 143, 176, 205, 212, 228, 524; wounded, 178; death of, 234

Egginassie, 489, 494

El Burgo, skirmish at, 37

Elder, Sir George, wounded, 16

Elliot, the Hon. G., 334, 524

Elrington, Major-General F. R., 318, 334, 346, 477, 525

Engineers, 336, 365, 374

Erroll, Earl of, 334; wounded, 309

Etawah, 366

Etteridge, 404, _n._

Executions, military, 101

Explosion before Sebastopol, 340

Eyre, H., 375, 381, 432-438; wounded, 338

Eyre, R. C., wounded, 209

Eyre, Sir William, 290-294

Fair, Sergeant, 525

Farmer, W. J. G., wounded, 107, 170, 185

Felix, O., wounded, 208

Fenian raid into Canada, 467

Fensham, D., wounded, 156

Ferey, General, 51; his death, 119; buried by Riflemen, 119

Ferguson, R., 227

Ferozeshah, pursuit of, 447

Ferrol, expedition to, 3

Fisher, D., 525

Firman, E. R., killed, 336

Fitzgerald, R. H., wounded, 178

Fitzmaurice, J., 74, 96, 137, 198, 525; wounded, 107, 199

FitzRoy, C. V., 525

Flinn, shoots a hare at Sabugal, 82; shoots Frenchman at Fuentes d’Onor, 85

Flower, C. T., 327

Flushing, siege of, 49

Flying columns, 469, 470, 471

Foomanah, reconnaissance from, 486

Forbes, Daniel, wounded, 185

Forster, J. G., wounded, 107

Foz d’Aronce, skirmish at, 76

France, south of, 163, 164

Fraser, J., 525

Freixadas, skirmish at, 79

Fremantle, FitzRoy, 372, 376, 410, 419, 422, 423, 525; wounded, 336

Fremantle, Mr. W. H., his opinion of the Rifle Corps, 3

French officers, conversations with, 86, 154

Fry, J., wounded, 152, 209

Fryer, E. J., 419

Fuentes d’Onor, skirmish at, 84; battle, 84

Fukes, Sergeant Thomas, turns the tables on an American hero, 192, 193

Fullerton, J., 176, 525; wounded, 205, 209

Futtehpore, skirmish at, 416

Fyers, Colonel W., 308, 311, 314, 315, 336, 338, 347, 348, 351, 352, 356, 366, 376, 383, 384, 525

Gairdner, J. P., wounded, 131, 208

Gallipoli, 301

Gardiner, J., 116; wounded, 107, 161, 199

Gardner, T. C., 5; wounded, 16 _n._

Genappe, 200

Germany, expedition to, 11

Gibbons, G., killed, 152

Gibraltar, service at, 463, 508

Gibson, J., his death, 249

Gilmour, Sir D. L., 525

Glasgow, 217; riots at, 220, 345

Glyn, J. Plumtre C., 479, 500

Glyn, Major-General Julius, 259, 357, 365, 388, 392, 415, 429, 479, 525

Glyn, R. R., 374, 384, 417, 421

Godfrey, Arthur William, wounded, 275, 316; death of, 328

Gogra, crossing the, 395, 409, 417, 424, 425, 426

Gold Coast, embarkation for, 479

Goolowlie, battle of, 433

Goomtee, crossing the, 374, 397

Gosset, John, wounded, 190

Grant, J. A., his death, 7

Grant, Sir J. Hope, 373 _et seq._, 389, 428

Gray, C. G., wounded, 107

Gray, Loftus, wounded, 170

Green, A., wounded, 398, 399

Grey, G. H., 356, 366, 377, 379

Guns taken by Riflemen, 137, 140, 350, 354, 384, 418

Haggup, W., wounded, 82, 133, 156

Haines, G., 525

Hallen, William, gallant defence of his picquet near New Orleans, 184

Hamilton, William, wounded, 97, 147

Hammond, Maximilian, killed, 338; account of, 339

Hannan, Hugh, 315, 525

Hardinge, H., 334; wounded, 259

Hares shot in action, 82 _n._, 382, 391

Harrington, Quarter-Master-Sergeant, 525

Harrywood, J., 337, 525

Hart, J. B., 104; wounded, 149

Harvey, H., 389, 391, 525

Hastings, 231

Hawkes, David, 525

Hawkesford, T., 525

Hawkins, E., 525

Hawksley, R., killed, 93

Herbert shoots a Russian at long range, 314

Hewan, Michael, wounded, 174

Hewitt imposes on the Russians, 319

Hicks, J., 327, 525

Higgins, William, 320, 321

Hill, Sir D. St. L., wounded, 28

Hill, John, killed, 152

Hill, Major-Gen. Percy, 340, 343, 366, 369, 390, 392, 411, 413, 418 _et seq._, 423, 424, 464, 525

Himbury, John, 148 _n._, 525

Hogger, S., 525

Holland, expedition to, 176

Hope, J. C., 212, 235, 525

Hopwood, J., 62; wounded, 69, 72, 138; killed, 160

Hormuza, slight affair at, 131

Horsford, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Alfred, 244, 281, 305, 319, 320, 329, 334, 344, 360, 370, 379, 387, 392, 417, 420, 469, 525; wounded, 321, 361

Horsham, Rifle Corps first formed at, 2

Hough, Charles, 525

Hoult, Sergeant, 525

Hovenden, T., wounded, 69; killed, 107

Howell, Assist.-Surgeon, 249

Huebra River, 124

Humbley, William, captures a French picquet, 49; wounded, 170, 208, 212

Humpston, R., 333, 346, 525

Hussars, 7th, 389, 408, 414, 420, 462

Huyshe, G. L., death of, 484

Hydergurh, fight at, 407

Île au Poix, landing at, 182

India, service in, 454, 455

Indian Mutiny, 347-425

Ingilby’s farm, 276

Inglis, J. C., 334

Ingram, Henry, 526

Inkerman, battle of, 318

Insarfu, 487, 492, 494

Ionian Islands, service in, 231, 235, 241

Ireland, service in, 217, 228, 239, 241, 346, 476

Irish insurgents routed by Riflemen, 224, 227

Ishmaelgunge, 374

Jamo, 398

Jeames, E., 381

Jenkins, J., 65; killed, 238

Jenkinson, Captain, killed, 18

Jones, Loftus, wounded, 156

Johnson, J., wounded, 28

Johnston, E. D., wounded, 208; killed, 210

Johnston, William, 94; wounded, 107, 208

Journey from St. John’s, N. B., to Rivière de Loup, 458, 459

Jugdespore jungles, operations in, 424, 442

Jumna, crossing the, 432

Kaffir War, 1846-1848, 245-261; 1851-1852, 269-294

Kalamita Bay, landing at, 303

Kamara, 330, 331

Kamishli, 304

Kataree fort, 405

Katchka, 309

Kemp, Sergeant, recommended for the Victoria Cross, 336

Kempt, Sir James, 112

Kentúgan, 304

Khooath Khas, 443

Kincaid, Sir John, 75, 94, 108; wounded, 77

King, J., 526

Kingscote, Fitz-H., 526

Kioge, 21

Kirkman, J., wounded, 156

Knipe, W. H., killed, 69

Knox, J. S., 526; wounded, 336, 346

Kokral, 374 _et seq._

Koorsie, expedition to, 38

Kurroundea, camp at, 438

Lane, G. C., 412, 413

Lascelles, H. A., 489, 496

Lawrence, Sir Arthur J., 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 313, 526

Lawson, S. H., wounded, 107

Lawton, H., wounded, 391

Layton, J., 199

Leach, Jonathan, 90, 202, 204

Legge, Hon. G. B., 327, 328 _n._, 526

Leighfield, T., 526

Lewis, P., 526

Lindsay, Henry Gore, 294, 334

List of the first officers of the Regiment, 5

Lister, W., killed, 199

Llewellyn, H., wounded, 149, 152

Logan, J., 212

Lucknow, 373-379

Lynam, J., wounded, 209

McCann, P., 526

McCormick, M., 526

M’Cullock, J. G., wounded and taken prisoner, 56 _n._; wounded, 18, 77, 208; account of, 210

M’Dermid, J., wounded, 107

Macdonald, Peter, 234

Macdonald, Robert, 232, 237

Macdonell, Alexander, killed, 107, 108

Macdonell, Major-Gen. Alexander, 338, 377, 379, 462, 526

McGibbon, Sergeant, 526

MacGregor, R., 333, 346, 526

M’Gregor, A., 104; wounded, 97

McKay, Sergeant, 526

McKechie, Sergeant, 526

Mackenzie’s farm, 310, 311

MacLeod, J. M. D., wounded, 18; killed, 57

M’Leod, N., 526

McMahon, B., 526

Macnamara, T., 92; wounded, 14

M’Pherson, D., wounded, 107; his death, 108

Madden, E. M., wounded, 152

Madrid, 120, 121

Maldonado, landing at, 13

Maloney, Sergeant, 404 _n._

Malta, 227-231, 238-241, 452, 453

Mandaula fort, 300

Manners, H. H., 104, 526; wounded, 28, 107

Manningham, Coote, proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, 1; is appointed colonel of the Rifle Corps, 5; delivers and publishes lectures, 10; account of, 40

Manœuvres, autumn, 473, 476, 480, 481, 508, 509

Mansel, W., 398, 401; wounded, 403

March of the Light Division from Navalmoral to Talavera, 44, 45; march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore, 351, 359, 360, 364; march from Cheenee to Cawnpore, 358; march to Nawabgunge, 387; march to Sultanpore, 395; march to Bankee, 412

Marialva, bridge of, skirmish at, 83

Markham, W. T., his picquet at Inkerman, 317

Marriott, E., 526

Massena, Marshal, his retreat from Portugal, 62, 71

Medals for Copenhagen, 8; for Monte Video, 14

‘Megæra,’ troop-ship, 269, 270

Mejidia, fort captured, 411

Merxem, fights at, 177, 178

Miller, G., 526; wounded, 170, 205

Milles, Hon. Lewis, wounded, 356

Mitchell, Samuel, 526; wounded, 57, 97; taken prisoner, 185, 194, 224

Mitharden, fight at, 449

Mohmunds, expedition against, 461

Mohuneea, 437

Mohurs, gold, found in the corpse of a Sepoy, 373

Molloy, J., wounded, 208

Monte Video, 13

Moore, Sir John, commands the camp at Shorncliffe, 9; proceeds to Sweden, 22; in Portugal, 28; his partiality for the Riflemen, 36

Moore, J. C., 526; wounded, 338

Morgan, Hon. F. C., 320

Moshesh, 291-294

Mount Misery, 247, 248, 250

Mundell’s Krantz, fights at, 275, 280

Munro, C. F., 526

Murphy, T., 526

Murray, A. S., killed, 259

Nana Sahib, pursuit of, 371

Napier, Charles, 7

Nash, W., 526

Nawabgunge, battle of, 388

Nelson, Lord, praises the Rifle Corps, and gives them medals, 8

Nepaul, operations in, 418

Nesbitt, Sergeant, 526

Netherlands, embarkation for, 195

New Brunswick, service at, 230

Newdigate, E., 334, 526; wounded, 322

Newdigate, H. R. L., 381, 400, 437

New Orleans, expedition to, 181; attack on the lines before, 187

Nicholl, C. R. H., 354, 421, 488, 496

Ninety-fifth, the Rifle Corps numbered, 9

Nive, battle of, 159

Nivelle, battle of, 155

Nixon, A., 334, 361, 376, 381, 432-450, 467, 526; death of, 508

Noble, C., wounded, 16; killed, 38

Noel, Hon. E., 489

Nonadee, 443 _n._

Norcott, Major-Gen. Sir Amos G., 14, 16, 17, 33, 34, 37, 67, 526; wounded, 170, 205, 208, 212

Norcott, Major-Gen. W. S. R., 304, 307, 308, 309, 311, 313, 335, 338, 340, 527

Noseley, G. R., taken prisoner, 321

Nova Scotia, service in, 226-233, 241

Nuggur, fight near, 383; panic at, 384

Nutt, James, 527

Obidos, 24

O’Hare, Major P., 18, 51, 71, 527; killed, 107

O’Hea, I., 466, 527

Oomria, fort captured, 415

Orange river, 291

Ordah, fight near, 495; crossing the, 496

Ordahsu, fight at, 497, 499

‘Orinoco,’ steamship, 299; on fire, 300

Orthez, battle of, 166, 167

Oude Field Force, 370

Outposts of Riflemen, their good understanding with their opponents, 47, 61, 74, 75, 86, 158, 161; sometimes interrupted, 161, 162

Outram, Sir James, 374 _et seq._

‘Ovens’ taken, 323, 327; maintained, 327, 328

Oxenden, C. V., 252, 392, 400, 403, 414

Paialvo, skirmish at, 71

Pakenham, Hon. H. R., wounded, 24

Pandoo Nuddee, fight at the, 349

Paris, Riflemen enter, 213

Passo Chico, skirmish at, 16

Patrols in Kaffraria, 289

Pellew, Hon. B. R., wounded, 338

Perceval, James, wounded, 147

Percival, L., 388, 400

Percival, William, 109, 527; wounded, 62

Piper, F., 413

Pitt, Sergeant, killed, 384

Playne, F. C., 354; wounded, 339

Plunket, T., shoots General Colbert, 34

Pombal, skirmish at, 72

Ponte da Murcella, skirmish at, 78

Prah, crossing the, 485

Pratt, M., killed, 57, 58

‘Prince Consort’s Own,’ Rifle Brigade designated, 458

Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, 469; address to, 474; and answer, 475; Guard of Honour furnished by Riflemen in India, 509

Promby, H., 527

Puente Larga, defence of, 120

Putarah, 365

Pyrenees, 143

Quarman, 491, 492

Quatre Bras, 197, 199

Quebec, fire at, 466

Raglan, Lord, 309, 311; letter, 324; general order, 325; his kindness to the Riflemen, 333; his funeral, 337

Rains, Charles, 527

Ramgunga, operations on, 368

Raptee, fight at the, 413; operations on, 418 _et seq._

Redan, attack on the, 334, 335

Redinha, skirmish at, 73

Reilly, P., killed, 57, 58

Reserve battalion formed, 241; disbanded, 267

Retreat to Portugal, 123-125

Return of the Rifle Corps on its formation, 2

Reviews by the King of the Netherlands, 180; by the Allied Sovereigns, 215; by the Duke of Clarence, 229; after the coronation of Queen Victoria, 235; by French generals, 301, 341; by Russian generals, 341; by the Shah of Persia, 478; by the Prince of Wales, 480, 509; by the Czar of Russia, 481; by the Sultan of Zanzibar, 509. _See_ Victoria

Reynolds, John, wounded, 190

Ribton, Sir John, wounded, 170, 190

Richards, H. E., 398, 399; killed, 402, 403

Ridgway, J. A., wounded, 152, 208

Rifle, Baker, 238, 515; Brunswick, 238, 516; Lancaster, 292, 516; Minié, 299, 516; Enfield, long, 332, 452, 517; Enfield, short, 347, 452, 517; Whitworth, 464, 467, 517; Snider, 467, 517; Martini-Henry, 507, 517

Rifle Corps, its formation, 1-4

Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers, 408; on horses, 71

Riley, F. A., wounded, 338

Roleia, 25

Rooper, E., 305, 320; wounded, 321; death of, 322

Rose, Sir Hugh, _see_ Strathnairn

Ross, Sir J., 527; wounded, 205, 209, 212

Ross, Col. John, 307, 311, 312, 334, 359, 379, 381, 429, 450, 462, 477, 527

Ross, Sergeant, 527

Rowles, J., 334

Rueda, 115

Russell, Lord A. G., 340, 452, 480, 481, 508, 527

Russian picquet _relieved_ by Riflemen, 329

Ryder, H. S., killed, 338; account of, 339

Sabugal, combat of, 80; panic at, 87

St. Sebastian stormed, 147

Salamanca, battle of, 118; retreat to, 121; Lieut. Firman killed there, 122

San Francisco stormed, 92

San Millan, skirmish at, 133

San Munoz, fight at, 124

San Pedro, 16 _n._

San Pedro, in Portugal, 83

Sasseram, 438

Saugur, 448

Sault Ste. Marie, Riflemen shipwrecked at, 262

Saunders, G. R., 335, 527

Scanlan, C., wounded, 14

Scott, Henry, wounded, 156

Scott, J., 527

Scott, Hon. T. C., 491, 495, 498

Scriven, H. A., 381, 435; killed, 443

Seaton, Lord, _see_ Colborne

Sebastopol, 312

Seville, skirmish at the bridge, 120

Shaw, S., 391, 527

Shenley, G. H., wounded, 209

Shenley, William, wounded, 208

Shergotty, 438

Sherston, C. D., wounded, 489, 493

Shots, remarkable, by Riflemen, 34, 103, 314, 355

Shubkudder, fight at, 462

Sidka Ghât, fight at, 418

Simmons, George, 62, 89, 95, 96, 103, 108, 124, 151, 156, 164, 197, 199, 210, 211 _n._; wounded, 57, 170, 208

Simmons, Joseph, 124

Simpson, Sergt.-Major, obtains a commission, 77

Sinde, crossing the, 448

Singer, J., 412, 421

Small, Sergeant, 527

Smith, Sir Harry, 110, 193, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 265, 266, 527; wounded, 57; last inspection of Riflemen, 451; death of, 454

Smith, Lady, 110, 111

Smith, Major P. (of the Bays), killed, 374; his body recovered by Riflemen, 375

Smith, Thomas, 97, 99, 100, 149, 150, 212, 213; wounded, 57

Smith, Charles, 195

Smyth, C., wounded, 156; killed, 199

Smyth, Hon. Leicester, 290, 294, 527

Smyth, W. J., wounded, 490, 493

Sobral, skirmish at, 62

Soita, retreat to, 91

Somerset, A. H. T. H., 489, 494

Somerset, Major-General Edward, 320, 329, 338, 340, 345, 452, 527

Sotheby, F. E., 408, 419, 425, 488, 492

Soult, Colonel, captured by Riflemen, 72

Soult, Marshal, 235

Spaniards recruited for Riflemen, 128; their ferocity, 138

Standing orders of the Regiment, 6

Staples, Sergeant, 527

Stephens, A. H., 400, 486, 489, 500; wounded, 493

Stewart, Archibald, 527

Stewart, Allen, wounded, 208, 211 _n._

Stewart, D., wounded, 107

Stewart, James, 52; his death and character, 79

Stewart, Hon. J. H. K., 56, 527

Stewart, Major John, 527; killed, 75

Stewart, the Hon. W., proposes the formation of a corps of Riflemen, 1; account of him, 6-8 _n._, 43, 49, 515, 527; his death, 228

Stilwell, J., killed, 208

Stokes, J. M., killed, 107

Stopford-Sackville, L. R., 497

Storey, Assist.-Surgeon, 404

Strathnairn, Lord, 430 _et seq._

Strode, Lieut., killed, 75

Struck, H., 527

Stuart, the Hon. James, 335, 527

Subhadar’s tank, 362

Suddlers, Corporal, 350

Sufferings of Riflemen, 322, 330, 331, 332, 362, 363, 387, 392, 396, 426

Sukreta, fights at, 441, 442, 443

Sundeehlah, 397

Sunstroke, 392, 433

Supper, French, eaten by Riflemen, 77

Surtees, William, 11, 29 _n._, 30 _n._, 109, 169, 172; wounded, 170

Sweden, detachment of Riflemen embark for, 22

Swinley, Rifle Corps encamped there, 3

Tainst, Ed., 527

Tantia Topee, pursuit of, 445; captured, 446; hanged, 447

Tarbes, battle of, 169

Tarifa, 65

Tarsac, combat of cavalry at, 168

Taylor, 498, 507, 527

Taylor, M. B. W., 489

Tchernaya, 310, 311

Tents first provided in the Peninsula, 129

Thorpe, Sergeant, 528

Thynne, W. F., killed, 378

Tilbey, T., 528

Torres Vedras, 61

Toulouse, battle of, 173

Tournefeuille, skirmish at, 172

Travers, James, 92, 182, 192, 528; wounded, 190

Travers, Nicholas, wounded, 150, 190

Travers, Sir Robert, 3, 5, 16, 23, 27, 29, 528; wounded, 18

Travers, W. S., wounded, 352

‘Trent’ affair, 456

Tryon, Henry, 320, 323, 324, 325, 326

Turner, Brigadier, 437 _et seq._

Turner, P., killed, 18

Turner, W., 528

Uniacke, J., wounded, 84; killed, 96; his funeral, 97; his character, 97

Uniform, change of, 231, 333, 381, 435, 455, 470, 474, 479

Vandeleur, Sir H., 112

Varna, 300, 302

Vera, bridge of, defended by Riflemen, 149

Vera, pass of, forced, 151

Vickers, Gentle, wounded, 152

Victoria, Queen, guards furnished by Riflemen, 239, 262; distributes Crimean medals to Riflemen, 334; reviews them, 235, 238, 343, 346, 478, 506

Victoria Cross won by Riflemen, 314, 324, 327, 333, 366, 378, 391; distributed by the Queen to eight Riflemen, 346; recommendations for, 309 _n._, 319 _n._, 336, 466

Victories, names of, to be borne, 221, 509, 460, 510

Vimiera, battle of, 27

Vittoria, battle of, 135

Wade, Hamlet, 10 _n._, 19, 29, 48, 66, 196, 528

Walcheren, expedition to, 48; effects of the climate of, 50

Wales (South), disturbances in, 238, 239

Walker-Myln, H., 528

Waller, Sergt.-Major, 528

Walpole, Sir Robert, 355, 365, 370, 378, 528

Walsh, J. P., wounded, 209

Warren, A. F., 334, 356, 378, 407, 412, 421, 479, 494, 500, 528

Waterkloof, 277, 279, 286

Waterloo, 201 _et seq._

Webb, Vere, wounded, 209

Wellington, Duke of, first service of Riflemen under, 19, 20; praises them, 21, 24, 27, 53, 58, 73, 77, 82, 85; present with them in action, 61, 118, 123, 133, 136, 198, 204, 205, 206, 207; orders them rations, 76; orders them into houses, 58, 83; inspects them, 92, 113, 215, 235; for the last time, 269; protected by Riflemen, 74, 116; severe order after the retreat from Portugal, 126; escorted by Riflemen, 158, 159, 295; appointed Colonel-in-Chief, 218; certifies the names of their victories, 221; his death, 295; his body guarded by Riflemen, 295; his funeral attended by them, 295

Weymouth, Rifle Corps trained there, 8

Wheatley, Francis, 314, 346, 528

Wilbraham, Richard, 234

Wilkins, G., 528; wounded, 208

Wilmot, Sir Henry, 365, 378, 528

Windham, General, 349 _et seq._

Wiseman, R., 528

Wives of Riflemen outraged, 223

Wolseley, Sir Garnet, 479 _et seq._

Wood, J., 528

Woodford, Charles J., 347, 348, 350, 351, 528; wounded, 338; killed, 354, 355, 357

Woodford, E. S. G., killed, 336

Worsley, T. T., wounded, 107, 209, 210

Wright, William, 178, 180 _n._; wounded, 208

Yanci, bridge of, fight at, 144, 145

Yellow bungalow, 375, 377

Yorke, General Sir Charles, 528

LONDON: PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE AND PARLIAMENT STREET

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Footnote [325] is referenced three times from page 479. Footnote [342] is referenced twice from page 510. Footnote [345] is referenced seven times from pages 519, 520.

Footnote [111] is referenced from inside Footnote [110]. Footnote [127] is referenced from inside Footnote [126].

The Table on page 4 had many column headings, printed sideways; this has been rendered as a two-column list in this etext.

The Table on page 298 had many column headings, printed sideways; this has been split into two parts with the first column duplicated.

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained: for example, rear-guard, rear guard; McCleod, Macleod, M’Leod; farm-house, farmhouse; midday, mid-day; inspirited; sate; woful; havresack; pannelled; hackeries.

Pg xvii: ‘Tom Plunkett’ replaced by ‘Tom Plunket’. Pg 22 Footnote [41]: ‘died April 31, 1835’ is an invalid date; unable to ascertain the correct date. Pg 44: ‘moved to Gaviaō’ replaced by ‘moved to Gavião’. Pg 48: ‘Maravaō, after’ replaced by ‘Maravão, after’. Pg 61: ‘rains, proceded to’ replaced by ‘rains, proceeded to’. Pg 215: ‘through Aberchicourt’ replaced by ‘through Auberchicourt’. Pg 261 Footnote [205]: ‘of the Roya United’ replaced by ‘of the Royal United’. Pg 300: ‘a time wa very’ replaced by ‘a time was very’. Pg 429: ‘(p. 38)’ replaced by ‘(p. 381)’. Pg 439 Footnote [314]: ‘in April, 185’ replaced by ‘in April, 1858.’. Pg 454: ‘5 ” Oomao’ replaced by ‘5 ” Oonao’. Pg 468: ‘Murree to Abottabad’ replaced by ‘Murree to Abbottabad’. Pg 479 Footnote [325]: ‘officer required’ replaced by ‘officers required’. Pg 515 Footnote [343]:‘the using the’ replaced by ‘using the’.