RECOLLECTIONS OF A
PENINSULAR VETERAN
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[Illustration: _Lt. Col. Joseph Anderson. C.B._]
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RECOLLECTIONS OF A
PENINSULAR VETERAN
BY THE LATE
LT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON
C.B., KNIGHT OF HANOVER
OF THE 78TH, 24TH, AND 50TH REGIMENTS
(1805-1848)
LONDON
EDWARD ARNOLD
1913
(_All rights reserved_)
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INTRODUCTION
THE following pages have been selected from the autobiography of my
grandfather, the late Colonel Joseph Anderson, who was born in
Sutherlandshire, Scotland, on June 1, 1790, and died on July 18, 1877.
It should be stated that this narrative was written only for his own
family. He had never kept a diary—nor even any notes of his adventures
and travels—and only began to write his reminiscences of the long-past
years when he was seventy-four, in the quiet of his beautiful home near
Melbourne, Australia. His memory was perfectly amazing; but if any
slight inaccuracies should be discovered, the reader is asked to excuse
them, on account of his age. He was a “grand old man” in every sense,
and lived in excellent health of mind and body until his eighty-eighth
year. To the very last he was always keenly interested in military
matters, and never failed to attend, in uniform, all the important
volunteer reviews held in Melbourne, where his upright, soldierly figure
attracted universal admiration. His son, the late Colonel Acland
Anderson, C.M.G., was for many years the Colonel-Commandant of the
Military Forces of H.M. Government in Victoria, which appointment he
held till his death in January, 1882. He was the founder of the
Volunteer Organization, as in 1855 he raised a Rifle Corps in Melbourne,
which was not only the first in Victoria but probably the first in
Australia.
ACLAND ANDERSON,
_Captain, late 3rd Dragoon Guards_.
SEPTEMBER, 1913.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
EARLY EXPERIENCES
Born in Scotland—At fifteen years old appointed to the 78th
Regiment—First visit to London—Join regiment at Shorncliffe—Embark
for Gibraltar—Put under arrest—Lieutenant James Mackay
CHAPTER II
THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA
Expedition to Calabria—In General Acland’s brigade—Battle of
Maida—Sergeant McCrae and the wounded Frenchman—Reggio—Capture of
Catrone—Taormina—Syracuse
CHAPTER III
IN EGYPT
Expedition to Egypt—We take possession of Alexandria—Entrapped by
the enemy at Rosetta—A trying retreat
CHAPTER IV
THE EL-HAMET DISASTER
Colonel McLeod’s death and losses of his detachment—Captain Mackay
honoured by Turkish Pasha—Return to Sicily—78th goes to
England—Attack of ophthalmia
CHAPTER V
THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA
Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th Regiment—Embarked for
Portugal—Battle of Talavera—Wounded—Soldiers seize Spanish pigs
CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLE OF BUSACO
Army kindly received in Portugal—Much fighting with French army
under Massena—Lord Wellington’s retreat on the Lines of Torres
Vedras—Battle of Busaco
CHAPTER VII
THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS
Continued fighting—General Beresford knighted—English and French
officers spend evenings together at theatres, etc., with consent of
their commanders—Massena retires to Santarem
CHAPTER VIII
THE LOST REGIMENTAL BOOKS
Story of the lost regimental books and the honesty of the soldiers
CHAPTER IX
THE BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONORO
Much fighting—We drive the enemy across the Mondego at Coimbra—Battle of
Fuentes d’Onoro—I go into the French lines to take away the body of a
friend
CHAPTER X
IN SCOTLAND
On sick-leave in England—In Scotland—Journey of seventy miles in
twenty-four hours on foot after a ball—Appointed to assist at
brigade office, 1813—Appointed captain and brigade-major in the York
Chasseurs
CHAPTER XI
VOYAGE TO BARBADOS
Portsmouth—Guernsey—Sail for Barbados—Honest Henry—Frightful
storm—Adventure at Funchal
CHAPTER XII
ST. VINCENT AND GUADELOUPE
Life in Barbados—I am appointed acting-paymaster—President of a
court-martial—Deputy judge-advocate—At St. Vincent—Expedition to
Guadeloupe—Appointed deputy-assistant quartermaster-general and sent
to Guadeloupe
CHAPTER XIII
DOMINICA
Sent to Dominica—A fatal foot-race—I give up appointment and rejoin
my regiment at St. Vincent—An awful voyage
CHAPTER XIV
AN AMUSING DUEL
Jamaica—Return to England—York Chasseurs disbanded—Trip to France—An
amusing duel
CHAPTER XV
CHASED BY A PIRATE
Appointed captain in the 50th Regiment—Embark for Jamaica—A terrible
storm and a drunken captain—Return to port—Sail again with another
captain—Ship chased by a pirate—Jamaica once more
CHAPTER XVI
LIFE IN JAMAICA
Appointed deputy judge-advocate—Sir John Keane—An interesting
court-martial—Sent with a small detachment to Port Maria—Awful
outbreak of yellow fever
CHAPTER XVII
HOME AGAIN AND MARRIED
Invalided to England—Ship injured on coral rock—Dangerous
voyage—Married on 25th November, 1826—Portsmouth—The Duke of
Clarence—Ireland—Complimented by Sir Hussey Vivian on execution of
difficult manœuvres.
CHAPTER XVIII
TO NEW SOUTH WALES
Dr. Doyle’s sermon—Ordered to New South Wales—Sail for Sydney with
three hundred convicts—Mutiny at Norfolk Island—Appointed
colonel-commandant there
CHAPTER XIX
NORFOLK ISLAND
Life at Norfolk Island—Trial of the mutineers—A fresh
conspiracy—Execution of thirteen mutineers
CHAPTER XX
SUNDAY SERVICES AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 I appoint two convicts (who had
been educated for the Church) to officiate—Find about a hundred
ex-soldiers among the convicts—Separate them from the others, with great
success
CHAPTER XXI
LIFE AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 Solitary case of misconduct among
the soldier gang—I get many pardoned and many sentences
shortened—Theatricals and other amusements—Visit from my brother—Mr.
MacLeod
CHAPTER XXII
MANGALORE CATTLE STATION
Wreck of the _Friendship_—I am attacked by Captain Harrison and
MacLeod—I receive the Royal Guelphic Order of Knighthood—Secure the
sheep and cattle station of “Mangalore” in Port Phillip with my
brother—Leave Norfolk Island—Visit to Mangalore
CHAPTER XXIII
ON MY DEFENCE
Court of inquiry as to my management of Norfolk Island—Major Bunbury
reprimanded by Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for his
unfounded charges
CHAPTER XXIV
ORDERED TO CALCUTTA
50th Regiment ordered to India—Sudden death of one of my boys—Voyage
to India—First experiences of Calcutta
CHAPTER XXV
LIFE AT CALCUTTA
Magnificent entertainments at Calcutta—Dost Mahomet—Wreck of the
_Ferguson_—Preparations for Burmese campaign—Special favour shown to
soldiers of the 50th Regiment
CHAPTER XXVI
AT MOULMEIN
Great welcome to Moulmein—No fighting after all—The Madras native
regiments
CHAPTER XXVII
VOYAGE UP THE GANGES
Return to Calcutta—Much illness in regiment—Boat journey of three
months to Cawnpore—Incidents of the voyage—Death of Daniel Shean
CHAPTER XXVIII
IN COMMAND AT CAWNPORE
Life at Cawnpore—Quarrel between Mowatt and Burke—Court-martial
CHAPTER XXIX
THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN
Expedition to Gwalior—In command of the regiment—Brigadier Black—His
accident—I am appointed to the command of the brigade—Battle of
Punniar—In General Gray’s absence I order a charge on the enemy’s
guns—Severely wounded
CHAPTER XXX
WOUNDED AND MADE MUCH OF
“My brigade had carried all before it”—Painful return to
camp—General Gray’s dispatch
CHAPTER XXXI
RETURN TO CAWNPORE
Slow recovery from my wound—Painful journey by palanquin to
Cawnpore—Am created a C.B.—Other honours and promotions
CHAPTER XXXII
ON LEAVE FOR TWO YEARS
Riding accident at Cawnpore—Foot seriously injured—Get two years’
leave of absence—Voyage to Cape Town—On to Australia—A strange cabin
CHAPTER XXXIII
AUSTRALIA ONCE MORE
Sydney once more—Visit Mangalore—Select land for house near
Melbourne—My War Medal
CHAPTER XXXIV
SECOND VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA
Sail for India—Dangers of Torres Straits—Copang—Arrival at
Calcutta—My son appointed to the 50th Regiment
CHAPTER XXXV
TO CAWNPORE AND BACK
Violent gale at Loodhiana—Two hundred men, women, and children
buried—By river steamer to Allahabad—Rejoin the regiment at
Cawnpore—Return voyage down the Ganges
CHAPTER XXXVI
INDIA TO CAPE TOWN
The guns captured in the Sutlej campaign—Lord Hardinge’s compliments
to the regiment—I secure compensation for the regiment’s losses at
Loodhiana—Voyage to Cape Town
CHAPTER XXXVII
RETURN TO ENGLAND
Return to England—Continued in command of the regiment
CHAPTER XXXVIII
FAREWELL TO THE 50TH REGIMENT
Decide to retire—Return to Australia
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ORDERS AND MEDALS
OF THE LATE
LIEUT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON, C.B., K.H.,
OF THE 50TH (QUEEN’S OWN) REGIMENT,
And of Fairlie House, South Yarra, near Melbourne, Victoria.
_Born July 1st, 1790. Died 18th July, 1877._
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LIEUT.-COLONEL ANDERSON’S SERVICES.
“Expedition to Calabria, including the battle of Maida, and subsequent
operations, and capture of the fortress of Catrone; expedition to Egypt
in 1807; Peninsular War from April, 1809, to January, 1812, including
the battles of Talavera (wounded) and Busaco; retreat to the Lines of
Torres Vedras and various affairs there; with the advance at Espinhal,
battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, and many other affairs and skirmishes. (War
Medal with four clasps.) Served at the capture of Guadeloupe in 1815.
Commanded a brigade at the battle of Punniar (medal), and was severely
wounded at its head when in the act of charging the enemy’s
guns.”—_Hart’s Army List._
1. “MILITARY ORDER OF THE BATH,” founded by King George I, 25th May,
1725.
2. “THE GUELPHIC ORDER” (Hanoverian), founded by King George IV, when
Prince Regent, in the name of his father, George III, on 12th August,
1815.
3. “THE WAR MEDAL,” granted by the Queen, 1st June, 1847, for services
in the Peninsular War (4 clasps):—
1. Maida, July 4, 1806.
2. Talavera, July 27 and 28, 1809.
3. Busaco, September 27, 1810.
4. Fuentes d’Onoro, May 5, 1811.
The War Medal has on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the date,
1848; and on the reverse Her Majesty, as the representative of the
country or people, is in the act of crowning with a laurel wreath the
Duke of Wellington, in a kneeling attitude, as emblematic of the army.
4. MAHRATTA CAMPAIGN OF 1843: “INDIAN STAR OF BRONZE,” made from the
captured guns. Battle of Punniar, 29th December, 1843.
“About four o’clock in the afternoon the enemy was observed to have
taken up a strong position on a chain of lofty hills four miles eastward
of the camp.... The Second Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Anderson,
of the 50th, arrived in time to put a finish to the action; forming on
the crest of a hill, he, by a gallant and judicious movement, attacked
the enemy’s left, and completely defeated him, taking the remainder of
his guns.... Major White took the Second Infantry Brigade out of action
upon Brigadier Anderson being wounded.”—Carter’s “Medals of the British
Army.”
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RECOLLECTIONS OF A
PENINSULAR VETERAN
CHAPTER I
EARLY EXPERIENCES
Born in Scotland—At fifteen years old appointed to the 78th
Regiment—First visit to London—Join regiment at Shorncliffe—Embark
for Gibraltar—Put under arrest—Lieutenant James Mackay
I SUDDENLY and most unexpectedly got my commission as an ensign in the
78th Regiment (27th June, 1805) through the influence of my brother
William, a captain in the same corps, being then only within a few days
of my fifteenth year. But before I go any further I must mention an
amusing incident which took place before I left Banff Academy to join my
regiment, and as in the present day it may not appear much to my credit,
I beg my dear ones who may read this to remember I was still a boy, and
with less experience of the world than most of the youths of the present
day. Out of my pocket money I managed to save six shillings, with which
I purchased an old gun to amuse myself, and to shoot sparrows during our
play hours; and this being contrary to all rules and positive
standing-orders, I kept my dangerous weapon at an old woman’s house a
little way from town. A few chosen companions knew of my secret and
accompanied me one evening to enjoy our sport, but there was one amongst
them to whom I refused a shot, so next day he reported me and my gun to
the second master. I was called up and questioned on his evidence, when
I stoutly and boldly denied every word he said. The good master, Mr.
Simpson, then said, “You have told a lie, sir, and I must punish you; so
down with your breeches.” I at once resisted, and said, “I am an officer
and won’t submit.” He then called two or three boys to assist him in
clearing for action, but I still resisted, and kicked and thumped them
all round, until the noise became so loud that the good old rector came
in from his room and said, “What is all this?” On his being told, and
also my reasons for resisting, he laughed most heartily and said, “I
will not disgrace you, sir; you are an officer, and I will not disgrace
you.” So I was allowed to escape and to go back to my seat. Many years
afterwards I returned to Banff, and the rector and I had many laughs
over this frolic, and at the same time I met Mr. Simpson, but found it
difficult to convince him of my continued good will, and that I never
forgot the good and salutary lesson he gave me.
Six weeks after this I received a letter from my brother ordering me to
join my regiment, then stationed at Shorncliffe barracks in Kent, and
directing me at the same time to go in the first instance to my uncle,
Dr. Anderson, at Peterhead, to receive an outfit, and then, without
being allowed to go home to see my father, I was shipped off for London
in one of the trading sloops of that day, and consigned to another
friend of ours, Mr. Tod, who was married to my only aunt. They received
me most kindly, and here I found a number of young ladies, my cousins,
who were about my own age, and with whom I soon became happy and
intimate. I remained with them for a fortnight, and during that time Mr.
Tod took me to his tailor, who furnished me with all my necessary
regimentals, and not a little proud was I on finding myself for the
first time dressed out in scarlet and gold. Mr. Tod took me also to many
of the public places and streets of London, and to this day I cannot
forget how the good old man laughed at my surprise and remarks about all
the pretty women who unblushingly stared at me.
On the 18th August, 1805, I took my leave, and by coach proceeded to
join my regiment at Shorncliffe barracks. My brother William received me
on my arrival, and then took me to the colonel to introduce me, and
afterwards to the adjutant to report my arrival, and then to my future
home for a time, his own house at Sandgate; and with him I remained for
two months, until we marched for Portsmouth to embark for Gibraltar. In
the meantime I attended all daily parades, morning and evening, and was
drilled and instructed in a squad with the men.
But before I go any further I must mention that soon after joining the
regiment my brother told me I was never regularly gazetted to my
ensigncy. That appointment had been given to my brother John, who at the
same time got a cadetship in the Madras Army, which my father considered
the best appointment of the two, and consequently wrote to my brother
William to use his interest with General McKenzie Fraser, the full
colonel of the 78th (from whom the ensigncy was procured), to say that
his brother John was provided for, but that he had another brother,
Joseph, to whom he hoped he would kindly transfer the commission; and
this the general at once consented to do, and so I was ordered to join,
and for nearly two years after my name appeared “... Anderson” in the
Army List. Such chances do not happen nowadays.
We arrived at Portsmouth at the beginning of October, and embarked on
the following day for Gibraltar. The transports of those days were
wretched, and their provisions were even worse, and in the miserable tub
_Neptune_, to which I was doomed, we were so crowded that I, as the
youngest subaltern, had neither berth nor cot allowed me, and I was
obliged to double up with another young ensign, and to make the best I
could of it. Yet we were very jolly, and all went on well until we got
off Lisbon, about the 19th of October, when the commodore of all the
other ships-of-war in charge of the convoy made the signal, “An enemy in
sight, put in to port in view,” and this was immediately answered by
every ship in the convoy. The whole fleet then went about and steered
direct for Lisbon, and so we continued with every sail set, until on the
same evening, and following day, we were all safely at anchor in the
Tagus. We heard soon after, that the enemy we discovered in time was
part of the French fleet then making for Trafalgar, and in a few days
more we had the great and glorious news of Nelson’s splendid and
complete victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape
Trafalgar, on the 21st October, 1805, and of their almost complete
capture and destruction. But, alas! how great was the price of this
national success, for Nelson fell, and many gallant officers, soldiers,
and sailors with him.
A few days after receiving this great news we again sailed from Lisbon
for Gibraltar, and beyond Cape Trafalgar we came up with our own partly
dismasted and disabled ships, and all which could be safely brought away
of the enemy’s captured vessels, the former proudly distinguished by
their English tattered flags, and the latter humbled by the British
ensign flying triumphantly over the national emblems of France and
Spain. This was indeed a proud sight, and a lasting day of triumph and
renown to old England, for from that time to the present hour the might
of the Spanish navy was crushed and the French navy never appeared
formidable to us again. We soon passed our noble heroes and their
prizes, and our fleet reached Gibraltar a few days afterwards.
The regiment landed next day, and occupied Windmill Hill and Europa
Point barracks. There were no less than four other regiments there when
we arrived, and I liked that gay station very much. But there for the
first and only time of my military life I was put in arrest, and became
so alarmed that I cried bitterly, and thought I was going to be hanged
at least! The other ensigns of the regiment were all many years older
than I, and one of them in particular used to bully and annoy me
constantly, so that on one of these occasions I made use of most
insulting and ungentlemanlike language to him. Our kind and parental
colonel (Macleod of Guinnes) was then in the habit of inviting all the
young officers to breakfast with him, and on the following morning I
went as usual in full dress to his house, about a mile from our
barracks, and there on entering I found Cameron seated with others. The
colonel soon appeared, and wished all good morning in his accustomed
kind manner and asked us to take our seats. Breakfast passed over as
usual. As soon as the table was cleared Colonel Macleod stood up and
called us all to him, and then, addressing me, said, “Mr. Anderson, Mr.
Cameron has reported to me that you have been making use of most
improper language to him, and as you seem to forget you are no longer a
schoolboy, but an officer, I must put you under arrest, and send you
home in disgrace to your family. Leave your sword there, sir [on the
table], and go to your barracks immediately.” Poor me! I at once showed
I was still but a schoolboy, for I cried and sobbed fearfully, and
returned to my barracks with a broken heart.
The same evening a dear friend of my family, Captain John Mackay of
Bighouse, called on me (no doubt at the request of the colonel), and
frightened me more than ever, for he told me again that I would be
brought to a general court-martial and deprived of my commission. I now
cried more than ever, and I told him all that had passed between me and
Cameron, and the constant insults and liberties he attempted to take
with me in the presence of the other officers. I was glad to see from my
friend’s remarks that he began to think Cameron was more to blame than I
was, yet he still told me I must prepare for the worst, and so he left
me to my own misery. I shall never forget my sufferings that night.
However, next day I was ordered to attend at the colonel’s quarters, and
there found most of the officers assembled, Cameron amongst them. The
colonel then addressed us, and said, “Mr. Anderson, I have been
inquiring into your conduct, and find that you, Mr. Cameron, most
grossly insulted this young gentleman, and by your daring,
unwarrantable, and most unofficerlike conduct provoked a young boy to
forget himself. You, sir, are many years older and ought to know better;
I consider you therefore far more culpable and blameable in every
respect than Mr. Anderson. You have both acted very improperly, but for
the present I shall take no further notice of your conduct than with
this reprimand to warn you both to be more careful and correct for the
future; and now, Mr. Anderson, you are released from your arrest, and
will return to your duty.” Off I went in joy to my barracks, thankful
indeed for this proper support and friendly admonition, and from that
day I enjoyed myself and felt happy with my brother-officers.
I was at this time attached to a company commanded by an old and
experienced officer, Lieutenant James Mackay, a most studious man, and
an acknowledged scholar, whose pride, next to his profession, was in his
books. His instruction and care did me more good than any previous or
subsequent opportunities I ever had for study. I was quartered with him
at Europa Point, and he made me rise early and visit our men’s barracks
at Windmill Hill, two miles distant, every morning. I then returned to
breakfast with him, after which we went to our public parade, which was
no sooner over than we got home, and then he made me sit down to certain
books and studies which he gave me. This he made me continue daily while
we remained at Gibraltar, although (at the instigation of the other
officers) I often tricked him, and tried hard to get off from such
control and (as I then thought) drudgery. Being a perfect master of the
French language, he was one of the British officers sent with Napoleon
Bonaparte to the island of St. Helena, and afterwards recalled by our
Government on the suspicion of being too intimate with the ex-Emperor.
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