_Nahn_; the enemy evacuating the fortifications as the British
approached, and retiring to another ridge of mountains of much
greater elevation. On the 27th of December the flank companies of
the regiment were engaged in driving back the enemy's outposts, in
order to make lodgments for besieging some fortified places on the
Jampta heights, and had one serjeant and eight rank and file killed.
[Sidenote: 1815]
In 1815 the Nepaulese were brought to submission, and the regiment
marched from the camp in the mountains to the banks of the Ganges,
where it embarked in boats and proceeded down the river to
Berhampore, where it landed on the 30th of August, and was joined
by a strong detachment from the second battalion, under the command
of Major Giles. On the 20th of October the regiment again embarked
in boats, and proceeded to Calcutta, where it remained until
December, when it embarked for Madras.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In January, 1816, the first battalion marched from Madras to
Wallajahbad; but in March three companies returned to Madras,
and seven proceeded to the Naggery Pass, to keep in check the
plundering bands of _Pindarees_, who infested the British
territory in India at this period. These marauding tribes having
been driven from British India with severe loss, the seven
companies marched to Bangalore, where they were joined by the
detachment from Madras in June; also by a detachment from Europe.
In November the battalion commenced its march for Trichinopoly,
where it arrived on the 12th of December, after a march of two
hundred and seven miles.
[Sidenote: 1817]
On the 14th of February, 1817, Lieut.-General Sir John Abercromby,
G.C.B., died at Marseilles, in the south of France, at which
place he had resided some time for the benefit of his health. The
high military character and private virtues of this distinguished
officer, with his attachment to, and the lively interest he took in
every thing connected with, the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, occasioned
his death to be much regretted. He was succeeded by Lieut.-General
Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., from the ninety-fourth regiment.
Colonel Mawby commanded the regiment in cantonments at
Trichinopoly; and in June the flank companies were detached, under
the command of Major Giles, to join a flank battalion forming
at Darwah, to serve with a division of the army under Colonel
Pritzler, which was called to take the field in consequence of
several native chiefs having prepared to wage war against the
British power in India.
While the flank companies were in the field, the strength of the
regiment was augmented by the detachment from the second battalion,
and a number of volunteers from the eightieth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1818]
In 1818 the regiment sustained great loss from the cholera.
[Sidenote: 1819]
The flank companies were actively employed with the field force
under Brigadier-General Pritzler, who reduced several fortified
places to submission to the British authority, and among others
the fort of _Copaul Droog_, the garrison of which place made a
desperate defence. The excellent conduct of the troops employed
in this service was made known in general orders dated the 22nd
of June, 1819. The flank battalion led the assault of the place;
and the conduct of Captain Cuppage, and Lieutenant Silver of the
FIFTY-THIRD regiment, was particularly noticed. Lieutenant Silver
was wounded.
[Sidenote: 1820]
Leaving Trichinopoly in January, 1820, the regiment commenced its
march for Bellary, a distance of about three hundred and ninety
miles, under the orders of Colonel Mawby. The cholera broke out in
the regiment on the march, and it lost a highly esteemed officer,
Lieut.-Colonel Fehrszen, who had distinguished himself while
serving with the second battalion in Spain and the south of France;
he was buried with military honours at Salem. Lieutenant George
FitzGerald, who had also served with reputation in the Peninsular
War, died a few days afterwards, and was buried at Nimdydroog.
While passing through the Mysore, the cholera disappeared; and on
the 25th of February the regiment arrived at Bellary; having lost
two officers and eighteen soldiers on the march.
Colonel Mawby having been promoted to the rank of major-general,
the command of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Mansel.
After halting at Bellary five months, the regiment commenced
its march for Bangalore, where it arrived on the 1st of August.
Lieutenant John Wilton, a gallant and meritorious officer, died on
the 28th of August, much regretted.
The flank battalion, under Major Giles, had continued to perform
much arduous and valuable service, under Brigadier-General
Pritzler; but the necessity for its continuing in the field
having ceased, the several companies marched to join their
respective regiments. The companies of the FIFTY-THIRD arrived at
head-quarters on the 30th of November. The gallant, zealous, and
exemplary conduct of these companies, during the three years and
a half which they had been employed on field service, was highly
commended in orders. The regiment was at this period commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Edward Carey Fleming.
[Sidenote: 1821]
Major John Giles, who had commanded the flank battalion on
field service with reputation, died on the 2nd of May, 1821, at
Cannanore. Quarter-master Robert Blackie died soon afterwards; he
had risen by merit from the ranks of the regiment, and had held the
commission of quarter-master nineteen years: he was much respected
in the regiment.
[Sidenote: 1822]
In May, 1822, the regiment quitted the Mysore, having first
received the thanks of Lieut.-General Bowser, in division orders,
for its exemplary conduct, and proceeded to Fort St. George, where
it arrived on the 5th of June; having lost, on this march of two
hundred miles, fifteen men by cholera. Major Wheeler Coultman also
died on the 22nd of May.
The forty-first regiment arriving from England in July, the
FIFTY-THIRD marched out of Fort St. George and encamped at a
village on the Poonamallee Road, and were placed under orders for
embarkation for England.
[Sidenote: 1823]
Seven hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers
volunteered to transfer their services to other corps, and to
remain in India; twenty-one old soldiers were placed on the
out-pension of Chelsea Hospital, and permitted to reside in India;
and the regiment embarked from Madras on the 9th of March, 1823,
after a service of eighteen years in India.[10] It landed at
Gravesend on the 8th of July, and marched to Chatham, where it
halted a few days, and afterwards proceeded to Hilsea barracks. It
was subsequently removed to Weedon barracks, and active measures
were adopted for recruiting its numbers.
[Sidenote: 1825]
[Sidenote: 1826]
In 1825 the regiment proceeded to Chatham, and afterwards to
Portsmouth, where it was inspected and reviewed by its colonel,
General Lord Hill, in May, 1826, and elicited his Lordship's
approbation. It afterwards marched into Lancashire, and in October
embarked at Liverpool for Ireland: it landed at Dublin, and marched
from thence to Templemore.
[Sidenote: 1827]
Leaving Templemore in the spring of 1827, the regiment proceeded to
Cork; and in the autumn the head-quarters were removed to Kilkenny.
[Sidenote: 1828]
[Sidenote: 1829]
In April, 1828, the regiment marched to Dublin; and in the spring
of 1829 to Birr, where it was formed into _six service and four
reserve companies_, preparatory to the former proceeding to a
foreign station.
The service companies proceeded to Cork, where they embarked on
the 2nd of November for Gibraltar, and arrived at that important
fortress in December.
[Sidenote: 1830]
A pair of new colours bearing the words "NIEUPORT," "TOURNAY," "ST.
LUCIA," "TALAVERA," "SALAMANCA," "VITTORIA," "PYRENEES," "NIVELLE,"
"TOULOUSE," and "PENINSULA," having been received, the regiment was
formed on parade on the 12th of January, 1830, under Lieut.-Colonel
James Considine's command; the colours were consecrated by the
Rev. J. S. Pering, the garrison Chaplain; they were then handed
by the Lieut.-Governor, Sir George Don, to Mrs. Considine, who
presented them to the regiment, with a suitable address. The day
was concluded by a supper and ball, given by the officers of the
regiment, to which the officers in garrison, and the principal
inhabitants of the place, were invited. The soldiers were treated
with a dinner and a hogshead of wine on the following day; and on
the 14th, the serjeants were permitted to treat their friends to
a supper and a dance in one of the large store-rooms, which was
fitted up for the occasion.
The reserve companies remained in Ireland until May of this year,
when they embarked at Dublin, for Liverpool.
In November, 1830, General Lord Hill, G.C.B., G.C.H., K.C., was
removed to the Royal regiment of Horse Guards, and was succeeded
in the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD by Major-General Lord FitzRoy
James Henry Somerset, K.C.B.
[Sidenote: 1834]
[Sidenote: 1835]
The service companies remained on duty at Gibraltar until March,
1834, when they proceeded to the island of Malta, where they
remained during the year 1835; in October the depôt companies
returned to Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1836]
In the summer of 1836 the service companies embarked at Malta for
the Ionian Islands, and landed at Corfu in July.
[Sidenote: 1840]
After remaining nearly four years in the Ionian Islands, the
service companies embarked at Corfu on the 28th of April, 1840, for
England, and landed on the 9th of June at Plymouth, where they were
joined by the depôt companies from Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The regiment remained at Plymouth until July, 1841, when it
embarked for Scotland, and marching to Edinburgh, was stationed in
the castle of that city during the year 1842.
[Sidenote: 1843]
In April, 1843, the regiment proceeded from Edinburgh to Ireland,
and was stationed at Belfast until September, when it marched to
Enniskillen.
[Sidenote: 1844]
The regiment marched from Enniskillen to Newry in January,
1844, and having been selected to proceed to India, the usual
augmentation was made to its numbers. It proceeded to Manchester in
July, and embarked at Liverpool for Bengal on the 20th of August
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Shakespear Phillips,
arriving at Calcutta on the 30th of December following.
[Sidenote: 1845]
On the 22nd of January, 1845, the regiment proceeded from Chinsurah
to Cawnpore, where it arrived on the 19th of March; in October it
marched to Agra, and on the 19th of December to Delhi, where it
arrived and encamped on the 28th of December, 1845.
[Sidenote: 1846]
During the brief period which elapsed between the 11th and 23rd
of December, 1845, the valley of the _Sutlej_ was the scene of
active and interesting operations; the frontier of the Punjaub[11]
(_punj_, five, and _aub_, waters) had been crossed by a numerous
and well disciplined Sikh army; and the enemy had been repulsed in
two sanguinary battles, at _Moodkee_ on the 18th of December, and
at _Ferozeshah_ three days afterwards.
After these successes, it was determined by the Commander-in-Chief
in India to rest the main body of the army until strong
reinforcements arrived, when a grand attack was to be made on the
Sikhs, who had employed the interval in strengthening the position
they had taken up on the British side of the river Sutlej, the
boundary of the Punjaub from India.
Reinforcements accordingly proceeded to the frontier, and the
FIFTY-THIRD was one of the regiments ordered to join the Army of
the Sutlej. The regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Harry Shakespear Phillips, marched from Delhi on the 5th of
January, 1846, and arrived at Kurnaul on the 10th of that month:
two days afterwards the FIFTY-THIRD marched to join the portion
of the army detached under the command of Major-General Sir Harry
Smith, who was proceeding to the relief of Loodianah (celebrated
for its manufacture of imitative Cashmere shawls), which was
threatened by a force of twenty thousand Sikhs under the command of
Runjoor Singh. The junction was effected on the 21st of January, on
which day the regiment suffered severely from the heavy fire of the
enemy's artillery on the march to Loodianah, sustaining a loss of
thirty-six men killed. Major-General Sir Harry Smith, by a series
of skilful movements, avoided a regular engagement, and effected
his communication with Loodianah, but not without severe loss.
On the 28th of January the Major-General determined to attack the
Sikhs under Runjoor Singh in their strong position at _Aliwal_,
and the result was a splendid victory. Runjoor Singh's camp, with
all his baggage, ammunition, and stores, fell into the hands of
the victors, and the left wing of the Sikh army was thus almost
completely disorganised.
Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, and the thirtieth native infantry,
formed the third brigade, under Brigadier Wilson, and were opposed
upon the left to the "_Aieen_" troops, called _Avitabiles_,[12]
when the conflict was fiercely raging. The enemy, driven back
on his left and centre, endeavoured to hold his right to cover
the passage of the river, and strongly occupied the village of
Bhoondree, which was carried by the FIFTY-THIRD at the point of
the bayonet: the regiment then moved forward, in support of the
thirtieth native infantry, by the right of the village.
After expressing his thanks to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips of the
FIFTY-THIRD regiment, Major-General Sir Harry Smith added in his
official despatch:--
"I have only to report upon Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, a young
regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity; and
Lieut.-Colonel Phillips's bravery and coolness attracted the
attention of myself and every staff-officer I sent to him."
The casualties of the regiment were limited to three men killed and
eight wounded.
Although the Sikh army was much disheartened at the sight of the
numerous bodies which floated from the battle-field to the bridge
of boats at Sobraon, yet in a few days they appeared as confident
as ever of being able to retain their entrenched position, and to
prevent the passage of the river.
On the 3rd of February the regiment marched from Aliwal, and joined
the head-quarters of the Army of the Sutlej on the 8th of that
month.
The heavy ordnance having arrived, the Commander-in-Chief resolved
to storm the formidable entrenchments of the Sikhs at _Sobraon_,
and finally expel them from the territory they had invaded. This
was an undertaking of some magnitude. It was ascertained that the
entrenchments were defended by thirty thousand of their bravest
troops; besides being united by a good bridge to a reserve on the
opposite bank of the river, on which was stationed a considerable
camp, with artillery, which commanded and flanked their field-works
on the British side of the Sutlej.
On the 10th of February the FIFTY-THIRD formed part of the
attacking division, on the extreme left of the army, under the
command of Major-General Sir Robert Dick. It had been intended
that the cannonade should have commenced at daybreak, but the
heavy mist, which hung over the field and river, rendered it
necessary to delay operations until the sun's rays had cleared the
atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the margin of the Sutlej, two brigades
of Major-General Sir Robert Dick's division, under his personal
command, stood ready to commence the assault against the extreme
right of the Sikhs. His seventh brigade, in which was the tenth
foot, reinforced by the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and led by Brigadier
Stacy, was to head the attack, supported at two hundred yards
distance by the sixth brigade under Brigadier Wilkinson.
The part the FIFTY-THIRD sustained in the conflict cannot be
better expressed than in the words of the despatch of the
Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Hugh Gough:--
"At nine o'clock, Brigadier Stacy's brigade, supported on
either flank by Captains Horseford's and Fordyce's batteries,
and Lieut.-Colonel Lane's troop of horse artillery, moved to
the attack in admirable order. The infantry and guns aided each
other correlatively. The former marched steadily on in line,
which they halted only to correct when necessary. The latter
took up successive positions at the gallop, until at length
they were within three hundred yards of the heavy batteries of
the Sikhs; but notwithstanding the regularity and coolness, and
scientific character of this assault, which Brigadier Wilkinson
well supported, so hot was the fire of cannon, musketry, and
zumboorucks kept up by the Khalsa troops, that it seemed for some
moments impossible that the entrenchments could be won under it;
but soon persevering gallantry triumphed, and the whole army had
the satisfaction to see the gallant Brigadier Stacy's soldiers
driving the Sikhs in confusion before them within the area of their
encampment. The tenth foot, under Lieut.-Colonel Franks, now for
the first time brought into serious contact with the enemy, greatly
distinguished themselves. This regiment never fired a shot until it
had got within the works of the enemy. _The onset of Her Majesty's_
FIFTY-THIRD _was as gallant and effective_. The forty-third and
fifty-ninth native infantry, brigaded with them, emulated both in
cool determination."
Allusion was also made to the FIFTY-THIRD in the General Order of
the 14th of February, by the Right Honorable the Governor-General
of India, in which it was stated:--
"Her Majesty's tenth, FIFTY-THIRD, and eightieth regiments, with
the thirty-third, forty-third, fifty-ninth, and sixty-third native
infantry, moving at a firm and steady pace, _never fired a shot
till they had passed the barriers opposed to them_, a forbearance
much to be commended, and most worthy of constant imitation, to
which may be attributed _the success of their effort, and the small
loss they sustained_."
The first success was gallantly seconded by the remainder of the
army, and by eleven o'clock, after a severe hand-to-hand conflict,
the _Battle of Sobraon_ was gained. A sudden rise of the Sutlej
rendered the river hardly fordable, and added to the loss of the
Sikhs' numbers of whom were drowned in attempting the passage.
Sixty-seven pieces of cannon, upwards of two hundred camel-swivels
(zumboorucks), numerous standards, and vast munitions of war were
the trophies of the victory.
Captain Charles Edward Dawson Warren, and eight rank and file of
the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, were killed. Lieutenant-Colonel William
George Gold, Captain Thomas Smart, Lieutenants John Chester,
Anthony B. O. Stokes, Robert Nathaniel Clarke, and John Breton,
Ensigns Henry Lucas and William Dunning (Adjutant) were wounded.
Captain Smart and Lieutenant Clarke died in a few days of their
wounds. Lieutenant Dunning, who was promoted after the battle, also
died of his wound on the 6th of April following. One serjeant and
one hundred and four rank and file were wounded.
Medals were struck for the victories of _Aliwal_ and _Sobraon_, and
were presented by the Government of India to the regiments present
in those battles.
Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorize the
FIFTY-THIRD regiment to bear on its colours and appointments the
words "ALIWAL" and "SOBRAON," to commemorate its gallantry in those
victories.
The Battle of Sobraon concluded a campaign of unexampled rapidity,
and the youthful Sovereign of Lahore, Maha Rajah Dhuleep Singh, was
compelled to wait upon the Right Honorable the Governor-General,
Sir Henry Hardinge, and express contrition for the offences of
his army for the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British
territories. The Maha Rajah was afterwards conducted to his capital
by the British troops, who formally took possession of the citadel
of Lahore. In less than two months, four important victories had
been gained on a line of country about sixty miles in length,
under most trying circumstances, over a great and warlike people,
possessed of military skill of no common order, with all the
appliances of war, which will ever render the campaign one of the
most remarkable in the History of India, a campaign in which the
Governor-General, Sir Henry (now Viscount) Hardinge, was present
in the several actions, volunteering to act as second in command,
that he might aid the admirable strategy of the Commander-in-chief
General Sir Hugh (now Lord) Gough, by his presence and military
experience.
The regiment marched from Sobraon on the 11th of February, forming
part of the advance guard of the army proceeding to Lahore, where
it arrived on the 13th of that month, and encamped outside its
walls until the 22nd of March, when the regiment received orders
to march for Umballa, which it commenced on the following day,
arriving there and entering the cantonments on the 8th of April,
1846.
On the 15th of October, 1846, the regiment proceeded to Ferozepore,
and arrived there on the 28th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1847]
The regiment remained in cantonments at Ferozepore during the year
1847.
[Sidenote: 1848]
On the 21st of February, 1848, the regiment returned to Lahore,
where it was stationed in December, 1848, to which period this
record of the services of the regiment is brought.
1848.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] In December, 1755, eleven regiments of infantry were raised,
which have been since retained on the Establishment of the Army,
and are numbered from the 50th to the 60th regiments inclusive.
[7] The spirited conduct of this brigade, on several occasions
when engaged with the enemy, had given it the appellation of the
"_Fighting_ Brigade."
[8] Jones's Journal of the Campaign of 1794.
[9] Captain Brisbane, now General Sir Thomas Brisbane, G.C.B.,
commanded the light company on this occasion, which consisted of 33
men, of whom 22 were killed or wounded.
[10] Return showing the number of officers and soldiers who died,
or were killed in action, with those invalided, from 1805 to 1822.
------+---------------------+----------
| Killed and Died. |
Year +----------+----------+ Invalided
| Officers | Soldiers |
------+----------+----------+----------
1805 | 1 | 39 | ..
1806 | 1 | 109 | ..
1807 | . | 49 | 45
1808 | 1 | 77 | 17
1809 | . | 56 | 13
1810 | 1 | 32 | 21
1811 | . | 28 | 17
1812 | 5 | 75 | 45
1813 | 1 | 33 | 21
1814 | 1 | 80 | 15
1815 | 1 | 90 | 54
1816 | 1 | 53 | 29
1817 | 3 | 111 | 57
1818 | 10 | 103 | 45
1819 | 2 | 64 | 35
1820 | 4 | 80 | 43
1821 | 2 | 38 | 28
1822 | 1 | 50 | ..
+----------+----------+---------
Total | 35 | 1167 | 485
------+----------+----------+---------
[11] The five rivers, which intersect the _Punjaub_, from which
circumstance the country derives its name, are the _Indus_,
_Chenaub_, _Jhelum_, _Ravee_, and _Sutlej_.
[12] Thus named after General Avitabile, one of the military
instructors of the Sikhs. He was a native of Italy, and, at the
conclusion of Napoleon's bright but evanescent career, sought
employment in the East. Peshawur, at the period when he was
elevated governor, was in a state of anarchy, but by his vigorous
administration was reduced to a state of comparative security. He
was handsomely rewarded by the Sovereign of the Punjaub, Runjeet
Singh, for his exertions, along with another Italian officer, named
Ventura, and two Frenchmen, Allard and Court, for introducing
European tactics into the Sikh army. After completing his task,
he returned to Europe, for the purpose of ending his days on his
native soil, but at this period was still alive; and is said to
have congratulated himself on the brave stand the Sikhs made,
attributable in a great degree to his instructions. The other
European officers, Allard, Court, and Ventura, are dead.
[Illustration: FIFTY THIRD REGIMENT.
QUEENS COLOUR.
REGIMENTAL COLOUR.
_For Cannon's Military Records_
_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE SERVICES OF THE
SECOND BATTALION
OF
THE FIFTY-THIRD,
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1803]