RETURN TO ENGLAND
Return to England—Continued in command of the regiment
SOON after we had anchored, I landed to report our arrival, and found to
my great pleasure that our old friend Sir Harry Smith commanded at the
Cape. He was very glad to see us, and at once determined to land the
whole of our detachment from the _Sutlej_, as the ship would require new
masts and thorough repairs, which would take many weeks to carry out.
They were disembarked and accommodated in barracks next morning, and on
that day we all dined with Sir Harry and Lady Smith. Neither of our
ships had seen our other vessel, the _Marlborough_, since the day she
left us at Calcutta. We in the _Queen_ remained in Table Bay for a week,
and continued to receive the greatest kindness and hospitality from Sir
Harry Smith. We then left and steered for St. Helena, which was reached
in about ten days. We anchored there three days, and the officers were
allowed to land daily if they wished. Finally we made all sail for
England, without anything remarkable beyond calms and contrary winds, in
consequence of which we had rather a long passage. We had no sickness on
board, and our evening musical parties and dancing were continued. About
the end of May we sighted the happy land of England, and on the 1st of
June were off the Isle of Wight; on the morning of the 3rd we passed
Deal, and there saw our good ship the _Marlborough_ at anchor and
without any troops on board, so we concluded at once that our detachment
from that ship had landed. This was soon confirmed by a boat which
boarded us and told us that they had disembarked some days before at
Deal, where the depot of the regiment was stationed. Our captain
continued his course according to instructions, and on the 4th of June
we anchored off Gravesend; and now all was excitement and preparation
for landing, and by that day’s post I reported our arrival to the
Adjutant-General of her Majesty’s Forces at the Horse Guards. Early next
day we were boarded by a staff officer from Tilbury Fort; he informed me
he expected the order every minute for our landing, and requested me to
prepare accordingly. We were soon all ready, and the order for our
disembarkation and route for the barracks in Chatham soon came. Boats
were immediately alongside, and in less than an hour the 50th Regiment
was again drawn up on English ground, with the shattered but proud
remains of our colours flying over us, and behind them three large new
embroidered Sikh colours captured by the regiment in the battles of the
Sutlej, and now the glorious trophies of our valour and renown. These,
and the well-known character of the “Fighting 50th,” caused great
excitement and a general gathering of the inhabitants of Gravesend.
There was no end to the cheering and welcomes which greeted us, and in
this way the mass of the crowd followed us nearly to Chatham, and there
we were received with similar honours by the commandant and all the
officers and soldiers of the garrison. We dined with the officers of the
garrison, and our men were feasted, and made much of by the soldiers of
the different depots. Next morning we marched for Canterbury, where we
halted and dined with the 21st Regiment, and went on by rail next
morning to Deal, where we were met by many of our depot officers and
men, and amongst the former my own dear son. We marched to our barracks
and spent a very happy evening.
I had last seen my son on board the mail steamer at Calcutta, starting
for England. I now learnt from him that he and his companions had
stopped a few days at Cairo, and also at Alexandria, and then went on to
Malta, where they remained some days. They next took their passage in a
steamer for Civita Vecchia, thence by _diligence_ on to Rome; they then
went to Marseilles, and thence to Paris. Before they were many days in
the gay capital of France, the Revolution suddenly broke out in all its
horrors, and they managed by stratagem to escape from Paris, and to make
their way with others to Havre, where they at once embarked for
England—thankful, indeed, that they had got away with their lives,
without either wounds or broken bones, considering they were for a time
under fire and exposed to the risk of death. In their hurry to get away
they were obliged to leave most of their clothing and baggage behind.
I was now expecting to be relieved from the command of the regiment.
Colonel Woodhouse was still absent on leave, but was expected to join
shortly. In another week I received an official letter informing me that
I and our supernumerary lieutenants (six) would be placed on half-pay in
a month from that date. This we expected, and I endeavoured to bear it
in the hope of better luck, and that I might again be employed on full
pay some future day—but I determined to stay with my dear regiment till
Colonel Woodhouse joined. I had not to remain long, for in another week
he was with us, and I, of course, handed the command over to him. Poor
man, he was in bad health, and was confined to his house and could see
no one. He was still commanding officer, and the adjutant carried on all
details in his name. I remained packing up and preparing for my final
departure, then took leave of my friends, little expecting to see them
or the regiment again, and started for London.
Some days afterwards I attended the Adjutant-General’s levée at the
Horse Guards. He received me most kindly. After asking a few questions
about the regiment and our voyage, he suddenly said, “Would you, Colonel
Anderson, like to be employed again?” My answer was ready, that most
certainly I should. “Have you been with Lord Fitzroy Somerset?” he asked
(the Commander-in-Chief and Military Secretary). I replied that I had
not. On which he said, “You sit here, and I will see him at once.” He
soon returned, and told me he could not see him then, as the Duke of
Cambridge was with him, but added he would take an early opportunity of
seeing Lord Fitzroy about me. Shortly after this Colonel Woodhouse
retired. We all greatly regretted his loss. He had been nearly forty
years in the regiment, and had commanded it for twenty-five years.
I attended Lord Fitzroy Somerset’s next levée. He received me very
kindly, and I mentioned my desire to be again employed. His lordship
replied, “Very well, Colonel Anderson, I will make a note of it; but you
had better write to me and state your wishes.” He made no allusion
whatever to Colonel Woodhouse, nor did I. Next day I wrote to his
lordship officially, merely requesting that I might be again employed. I
was some days without an answer, but I was not kept very long in
suspense ere I received a letter ordering me to proceed at once to Deal,
to resume the command of the 50th Regiment. This was great and glorious
news, and all that my heart could desire. Next day I arrived at Deal,
and was received most kindly by all. Colonel Petit handed me over the
command, and I was once more at the head of my dear regiment. Colonel
Petit handed me over, amongst other official papers, a letter from the
Adjutant-General intimating that Colonel Woodhouse was placed on
half-pay, and Lieut.-Colonel Anderson ordered to rejoin and take command
of the regiment. From this time all went well, but we had all enough
hard work in distributing our depot men amongst our battalion companies,
preparing our new clothing, and drilling and exercising morning and
evening and making everything ready for our next general inspection.
About the end of July we heard of the arrival of the _Sutlej_ off
Gravesend, with Major Long’s detachment, and in a few days they were
with us. Our colonel-in-chief, General Sir George Gardner, paid us a
visit about this time, and made a general inspection of the regiment. He
was considered a very able and strict officer. He now made a minute
inspection, and after seeing us go through various movements, he closely
inspected our interior arrangements and economy, and finally expressed
himself well pleased.
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