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
I REMAINED doing duty in Jamaica for some weeks longer, but began to get
anxious to get home, and latterly my health became indifferent. In
February, 1825, I applied for a medical board, which recommended me for
a year’s leave of absence, and with this prospect my health began to
improve. The Government decided to send home a number of invalid
soldiers, and I was commanded to take charge of them. I was not sorry,
for by this chance I was allowed a free passage home. There were several
other officers who were also going home on sick-leave in the _Speake_.
In all there were about two hundred men, a few women and children, and
an assistant-surgeon.
We sailed on the 6th of March, and all went well till the night of the
9th, when, with a beautiful clear moon shining, we suddenly ran aground
on the outer coral rock of the small and low island of Magna.
Fortunately the night was calm, so that we were running not more than
three or four miles an hour. The full moon gave us nearly the light of
day, and before sunrise we could see the island low but distinctly above
the horizon, and then our captain changed our course to steer clear of
the land, but the currents must have got hold of us; yet it seemed to me
the captain and his chief officer were much to blame, for they were both
actually walking the deck when she struck, and had been there for hours
before in a clear night. Had there been a proper look out no such
accident ought to have taken place. We, the passengers, were all asleep
at the time, but the sudden shock and bump of striking roused us all
instantly. Officers, soldiers, and women rushed at once without dressing
on deck, where the confusion and screaming for some minutes became
fearful; but the captain and agent assured us that there was land in
front of us and that come what may we need not be alarmed for our lives,
as we could all be landed with safety. Meanwhile two of the boats were
lowered and carried our anchors astern, and with hawsers from these we
tried to work the ship off the rocks into deep water, and my endeavours
were equally pressing to clear the decks and to get all who were not
wanted for work to go below. It was not till I went down with them and
pledged my word to all that I should not leave the ship until the very
last man of my charge was landed that I got them all to obey me.
Order was then so far restored, and from over the ship’s side we could
distinctly see the coral rocks upon which we were fixed, and soon
afterwards, from the violent bumping, parts of our copper and sheathing
got detached. The low, sandy island, without tree or other vegetation,
was within a few hundred yards of us, and every possible effort was
continued to heave her off, but all to no purpose. The boats and anchors
were then moved first off one quarter and then off the other, and in
each of these positions the heavy pulls and straining moved her head and
stern round a little. It was then clearly shown that she was fixed as on
a pivot in the centre, from which no efforts could move her. The pumps
were then tried, and she was found to be making a little water, but not
sufficient to cause any unnecessary alarm. At the critical moment it was
ascertained that the tide must soon flow inwards, and as both crew and
troops were fairly done up it was determined to wait patiently for the
tide, when, if the ship made no water, she would be sure to float off.
Meantime preparations were made for landing a quantity of provisions and
water in case of necessity, and the officers and men packed their
portmanteaux and knapsacks ready to make the best of the island of Magna
if obliged to land there. About four in the morning the tide began to
make, and by six the good ship was afloat again. She was then towed by
the boats into deep water and the anchors let go, the pumps tried, and a
strict examination made into our condition, when it was found that the
leak and water had increased. For some time the captain and agent were
undecided whether to continue the voyage or to return to Port Royal, but
after waiting for a couple of hours they determined to pass a sail under
the ship’s bottom and haul it as tight as it could be made, and then to
continue the voyage to England. This was done, and we were again
steering our way with a fair wind and fine weather. It was well for us
that our vessel was built of teak, which enabled her to stand the
bumping and thumping, which would at once destroy most ships. We now had
New Providence Island before us in our course, in case of being obliged
to seek shelter, but all went well till we got off Bermuda, when we were
overtaken by a strong gale and heavy sea. The ship laboured much, and
the men at the pumps discovered that the water had increased, but as the
wind was off the land we had no choice but to run on for England. The
pumps kept going during the days and nights. Our commander and our agent
showed the best example by their constant watching and exertions; we
soon began to lose all our fears in the sure hope of a speedy voyage and
a happy end to our troubles, and in another fortnight we were safely
anchored at Spithead.
Our arrival was reported to the authorities in London, and orders came
down directing us to proceed without delay to Sheerness. I got leave to
land and go to London, on the understanding that I should on the
following day go to Sheerness, there to await the arrival of my charge
and proceed with them to Fort Pitt, Chatham, and so to deliver them, and
their accounts, to the authorities at that station. I applied to General
Thornton for leave of absence, but this was flatly refused, until he was
satisfied and could report favourably on the state of my depot. Soon
afterwards I had the chance of repeating verbally my desire for leave of
absence, but as usual he refused, saying it would be a pity to leave my
depot for some time longer, as they were getting on so well. I then told
him frankly that I was engaged to be married for some time past; that he
had obliged me twice already to put it off, and to break my word and my
faith; that if he did so any longer my character and my honour must
suffer. On this he laughed heartily and said, “This alters matters; of
course, you must go immediately. Send me your application, but you need
not wait for an answer—you may start at once.” By that night’s post I
wrote to my beloved one, told her my difficulties were passed, and that
I hoped to be with her soon after she received my letter, and that she
alone could now complete my happiness. Three days more found me in
London, received with open arms, and lodged in Park Street. A fortnight
was allowed to make the necessary dresses and preparations, then my
happiness was made perfect. I was married on the 25th November, 1826, at
St. Pancras Church, London, to Miss Mary Campbell, only daughter of
Colonel Alexander Campbell, by the Rev. Joseph Brakenbury.
In the August following his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, as Lord
High Admiral of England, visited Portsmouth and honoured the 50th
Regiment by presenting us (on Southsea Common, in presence of all the
troops in garrison) with new colours, accompanied by a most flattering
speech. After the review his Royal Highness, the Duchess of Clarence,
and the Colonel-in-Chief, General Sir James Duff, and many of the county
families of Hampshire, were entertained at a luncheon in Portsmouth by
the officers of the regiment. Lady Duff and my dear wife had the honour
of receiving our guests, and about three hundred sat down.
I must here mention a remarkable instance of his Royal Highness’s
memory. On his arrival at Portsmouth I was introduced to him by General
Sir James Lyons, commanding the garrison, and on mentioning our wish
that he should do us the honour to present our new colours he said,
“Yes, I shall be very happy; I know the history of your regiment quite
well, but you may bring me a memorandum on a card of the different
actions it has been in.” Next morning I returned to his Royal Highness
with a neatly written card showing the battles in which the regiment had
been engaged, commencing with Minden, August, 1759. Looking at it, he
said, “Sir, you had not a man at Minden; your regiment was then
quartered at Haslar barracks.” I answered, “I beg your Royal Highness’s
pardon, but we always thought our regiment, or some portion of it, was
at Minden, and I have myself seen an old breast-plate with the word
‘Minden’ on it, but I will have another card made out and omit the
word.” “Quite unnecessary,” he said, and, taking his pen, he scratched
it out. I then observed that a very old gentleman who was once in the
regiment was then living near Portsmouth, and that I would go and see
him, as he might perhaps give me some information on the subject. I took
my leave and returned to barracks, and told my colonel and the other
officers about my conversation with his Royal Highness; they all
laughed, and maintained that our flank companies were at Minden, and
urged me to go at once and see old Captain Thompson. I found him, and he
in like manner maintained that our flank companies were at Minden. I
returned in triumph, fully believing that his Royal Highness was wrong,
and on waiting on him next day I mentioned my interview with Captain
Thompson; but again he said, “No, no; you had not a man there,” so I
took my leave to prepare for the morrow’s parade. We decided on writing
to the Army Agents, Messrs. Cox & Co., begging them to go at once to the
War Office and request an immediate inspection of the public returns of
that period, and of the troops employed at the battle of Minden. In due
course we received their answer stating that we had not a man of the
50th Regiment there. His Royal Highness remained at Portsmouth ten days
longer, and was entertained daily during that time.
We embarked in a steamer at Liverpool on the 29th June, 1830, and landed
on the following forenoon at Dublin. Next morning the 50th Regiment
marched in two divisions, headquarters and six companies, under Colonel
Woodhouse, for Waterford, and four companies under my command to
Clonmel, and in a few months we moved on to Templemore, with detachments
at Thurles and Roscrea; and here we enjoyed ourselves very much, Sir
Henry Garden and other residents in the neighbourhood having shown us
every attention. I was for some time in command of the regiment at
Templemore, and it was here that I first had the honour of forming the
acquaintance of Lieut. General Sir Hussey Vivian (afterwards Lord
Vivian), who then came to us on a tour of inspection, and who expressed
himself much pleased with the regiment. He was very fond of introducing
field movements of his own, and on this occasion asked me to “change
front from open column to the rear on a centre company.” I told him
there was no such movement in the book—but that I would at once do it.
He said, “Stop, until I explain it to you.” I begged he would not, but
allow me to proceed, and without hesitation I ordered the right centre
company to wheel on its centre to the rear, the left wing to go to the
right about, and then ordering the right centre company to stand fast,
and all the others to form line on that company, by right shoulders
forward, the left wing halting and fronting by companies, as they got
into the new line, followed by independent file firing from the centre,
and by each company as they got into the new alignments, supposing this
sudden change of front to be occasioned by the unexpected appearance of
an enemy from a wood in our former rear. This fire was kept up for some
time, and then we charged the supposed enemy and carried all before us.
Sir Hussey was much pleased, and when our manœuvring was over he ordered
me to form the regiment into hollow square, and then addressed us, and
complimented me very much, saying I was the first commanding officer who
at once took up his ideas of providing against a sudden surprise from an
enemy, and that he “should not fail to make a special report of my
efficiency.” And I know that afterwards he did so, and that when he got
next day to Birr barracks, to inspect the 59th Regiment, he called upon
the colonel of that regiment to do the same manœuvre, in which that
officer altogether failed, and then Sir Hussey again spoke of how “Major
Anderson and the 50th had performed his wishes without the slightest
hint or hesitation.” I have mentioned this at length, because it was
much talked of at the time, and I was really proud of the opinion of so
able and distinguished an officer, and because, as I shall hereafter
show, this trifle led to much good to me some years afterwards.
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