return to Kamptee was hastened by an order for the regiment to
march to Cawnpore, in the Bengal presidency, with the least
possible delay. On the 27th of December 1841, the regiment left
Kamptee, and on approaching Jubbulpore received orders to change
its route to Agra, which it accordingly did, and reached its
destination, _viâ_ Sangor, Jhansi, and Gwalior, a distance of five
hundred and twenty miles, on the 1st of March 1842, with only two
casualties.
[Sidenote: 1842.]
[Sidenote: 1843.]
On the 8th of October 1842, the regiment marched, _viâ_ Muttra,
Delhi, and Kurnaul, to join the army of reserve assembled at
Ferozepore, on the return of the troops from Affghanistan, where
it remained until the army was dissolved in January 1843, when it
marched to Delhi, and formed part of the Governor-General’s escort
there, returning to Agra by way of Allyghur, on the 4th of March
following.
On the morning of the 23rd of March 1843, at six o’clock, Lord
Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, presented new colours
to the regiment.
The corps received his Lordship with a general salute, after which
the ranks were closed. It then formed three sides of a square,
and the new colours were deposited in front, where they were
consecrated with a prayer every way suited to the solemnity of the
occasion, by the Rev. Mr. Rice, Chaplain at Agra. His Lordship then
affably desired that sufficient space might be afforded for his
voice to be heard by all the regiment, and spoke as follows:--
“Lieut.-Colonel Wright, officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment, I present to
you new colours, consecrated with all the solemn ceremonies of
religion, to be borne, as your colours always have been, with
honor before the enemy.
“These colours have already inscribed on them the names of
many victories, wherein those who have preceded you in the
THIRTY-NINTH, and some amongst yourselves, have borne part.
“There is yet space for more inscriptions to commemorate other
victories; and be assured that, if the necessity for action
should occur, I shall afford you the opportunity of acquiring
distinctions similar to those which have been obtained by your
predecessors, with the conviction that you will display courage
like that which distinguished them upon the field of battle, that
these colours will never retreat before the enemy, but that every
one of you would give his life to bear them on to victory.
“In England and in the colonies, and in other parts of the world,
Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment may stand in the same line
with other regiments which have gained glory in the field. In
India you are the first. Your predecessors laid, at _Plassey_,
the foundation of the glorious empire you now behold; an empire
won by arms, and by arms alone to be preserved.
“Other inscriptions on your colours commemorate victories
in which your predecessors participated in Spain, under the
immediate eye and direction of the greatest of generals, of him
who now again in the command of the army in England, watches
over the interest and honor of those he so often led to victory.
Loyalty to our Sovereign is the first duty of us all. It has at
all times been the virtue of the British soldier; but how much is
there to animate our loyalty, to give the character of enthusiasm
to our feelings for our Sovereign, when the Queen evinces, as
Her Majesty always has done, the deepest personal interest, the
warmest zeal and regard for the honor of the army!
“Eleven regiments of Her Majesty’s army have, in this last
year, obtained from Her Majesty’s gracious favour, for their
services in Affghanistan and China, medals commemorative of those
services, to be for ever worn upon their breasts.
“I know that whenever your services may be required in the field,
you will follow these colours, not with any thought of pecuniary
advantage to be gained by success, but with the one absorbing
thought, that, through the success you may obtain by your
courage, you may return to your families, to your friends, and
to your country, bearing upon your breasts the decorations which
evince your Queen’s approval of your devotion to Her Majesty, and
of your duty well performed before the enemy.
“My fortune has given to me, and I regret it, a career different
from yours. I have been, and must remain, employed in civil
duties; but I tell you, as I have already told some of your
comrades, the first of all professions is that of a soldier, and
the first of all rewards is military honor!!!
“I now deliver to you these colours, in the conviction that they
will ever be borne before you with honor, and that there is not a
man amongst you who would not give his life to preserve them.”
Lieut.-Colonel Wright replied to his Lordship to the following
effect:--
“That both himself and the officers and soldiers of the regiment
were deeply sensible of the honor his Lordship had conferred
upon them; that he was unable to enlarge on the topics usually
advanced on such occasions, as his Lordship’s speech had both
anticipated and exhausted his resources; but that his Lordship
might rely upon it, every member of the corps would endeavour
to maintain the honor of their colours, and the renown of Her
Majesty’s arms, unsullied.”
The regiment then reformed line and the audience retired. The
colours were trooped in the usual form; and on arriving at the
right of the line were brought up by the grenadiers (the band
playing their march) along the front of the line, opposite to the
old colours, where they were exchanged; the senior ensigns falling
in with the new colours in the centre of the line, whilst the
old colours fell in respectively on the flanks of the grenadier
company, which were faced outwards by sub-divisions, and conveyed
(music playing) round the flanks of the regiments to the rear of
the centre, when they were sent away. The grenadiers then resumed
their post in line, and the regiment then marched past in slow and
quick time, reformed line, and presented arms.
A ball and supper were given by the officers to commemorate the
event, to which every member of society in and around Agra was
invited. These festivities were attended by his Lordship, and were
subsequently followed by others on succeeding evenings, in which
the serjeants, corporals, and privates of the regiment participated.
In the month of August 1843, cholera appeared with great virulence.
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Donald Urquhart, Surgeon Robert Stark, M.D.,
two serjeants, two corporals, forty-eight privates, women, and
children, died of this disease in the course of a month, after
a few hours’ seizure. The hospital was crowded with patients.
All the officers, Lieut.-Colonel Wright with about five others
excepted, were attacked with cholera symptoms. Captain Charles
T. Van Straubenzee of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, was promoted to
the rank of Major on the 27th of August, in succession to Brevet
Lieut.-Colonel Urquhart.
The regiment was encamped at Rambaugh, near Agra, for ten days, in
consequence, until the disease disappeared.
The THIRTY-NINTH regiment formed part of the fifth brigade of the
“Army of Exercise,” assembled at Agra on the 25th of November 1843.
This force had been assembled in consequence of affairs in the
state of _Gwalior_, which had for some time required the attention
of the Indian Government, although it was not anticipated that
actual hostilities would take place. The events which led to the
collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of the once
powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow:--Upon the decease of
Maharajah Jhunkojee Rao Scindia, the British Government promptly
acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Jyajee Rao Scindia, who
was nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose
adoption by the Maharanee, his Highness’s widow, was approved by
the chiefs. During the minority of the Maharajah, the office of
regent was to be held by Mama Sahib. In a short period the regent
was compelled by force to quit the Gwalior state, and the Dada
Khasgee Walla succeeded to the confidence of the Maharanee without
possessing generally that of the chiefs, and by his influence
various acts were committed insulting and injurious to the British
Government. The delivery of the Dada being peremptorily insisted
upon as a necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of the
customary relations with the Gwalior state, the Maharanee at
length complied with the request. The Governor-General, in order
to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed
the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The
Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindia, and a strong
government having been established at Gwalior, they received
orders to withdraw; but were not destined to return to their own
territory without a severe conflict. They had quitted Agra in the
early part of December, immediately after the arrival there of the
Governor-General of India, The Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough.
His Lordship accompanied the troops, and on the 23rd of December
they crossed the Chumbul river, and halted at Hingona, about twenty
miles from Gwalior, where the army rested for five days.
During this interval the Mahratta vakeels, or agents for the
Gwalior durbar, had an interview with the Governor-General, and the
negotiations appeared proceeding to an amicable issue. The design
of the enemy was, however, merely to gain time to concentrate
his forces, and this at last became so evident that his Lordship
determined upon active measures of hostility. While the main body
of the army, of which the THIRTY-NINTH formed part, moved on from
Agra under General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, Bart., G.C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief in India, another division under Major-General
John Grey, C.B., advanced on Gwalior from Bundlekund.
The THIRTY-NINTH, with the main division, crossed the Koharee
river early in the morning of the 29th of December, and
found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of the village
of _Maharajpore_, in a very strong position, which they had
occupied during the previous night, and which they had carefully
entrenched. The British were about fourteen thousand strong, with
forty pieces of artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen
thousand men, including three thousand cavalry with a hundred
guns. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of the country,
intersected by deep and almost impassable ravines, the whole of
the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed positions by
eight o’clock in the morning of the 29th of December. The action
commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler’s column, which
was exactly in front of _Maharajpore_; and although the Mahratta
troops fought with desperate bravery, nothing could withstand the
rush of British soldiers. The part taken by the THIRTY-NINTH in
the victory which ensued, is shown in the accompanying extracts
from the despatch of General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B. “Her
Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH foot, with their accustomed dash, ably
supported by the Fifty-sixth Native infantry, drove the enemy from
their guns into the village, bayonetting the gunners at their
posts. Here a most sanguinary conflict ensued; the Mahratta troops,
after discharging their matchlocks, fought sword in hand with the
most determined courage.
“Major-General Littler, with Brigadier Wright’s brigade, after
dispersing the right of the enemy’s position at _Maharajpore_,
steadily advanced to fulfil his instructions of attacking the
main position at Chonda in front, supported most ably by Captain
Grant’s troop of horse artillery, and the First regiment of light
cavalry. This column had to advance under a very severe fire over
very difficult ground; but when within a short distance, again
the rush of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, us before, under Major
Bray, gallantly supported by the Fifty-sixth regiment of Native
infantry under Major Dick, carried every thing before them, and
thus gained the entrenched main position of Chonda. In this
charge the THIRTY-NINTH regiment lost the services of its brave
commanding-officer, Major Bray, who was desperately wounded by
the blowing up of one of the enemy’s tumbrils in the midst of the
corps, and were ably brought out of action by Major Straubenzee.
This gallant corps on this occasion captured two regimental
standards.
“A small work of four guns on the left of this position was long
and obstinately defended, but subsequently carried, and the guns
captured by the grenadiers of the THIRTY-NINTH, under Captain
Campbell, admirably supported by a wing of the Fifty-sixth Native
infantry under Major Phillips.”
Major-General Grey, who had been directed to push on with the
left wing as rapidly as practicable to _Punniar_, twelve miles
south-west of Gwalior, gained also a complete victory on the same
day as the battle of _Maharajpore_ was fought, namely, 29th of
December. The Mahratta army were thus placed between two corps
capable of supporting each other, should it remain in the vicinity
of its capital; or of subdividing that army to repel, or attack,
these two columns; the latter alternative was adopted by the enemy,
and the consequence was most decisive and honorable to the British
arms, and the mutinous troops which had overawed and controlled the
government of His Highness the Maharajah Jyajee Rao Scindia, were
signally defeated.
These victories were not gained without severe loss, owing to the
enemy’s force considerably outnumbering the British, particularly
in artillery, and to the commanding position of his guns, which
were well served and determinedly defended both by the gunners
and infantry; the peculiar difficulties of the country gave also
additional advantages to the gallantry of the Mahratta troops,
whose loss was exceedingly great;--in the battle of _Maharajpore_
fifty-six guns were captured, together with the whole of the
enemy’s ammunition waggons.
The THIRTY-NINTH had Ensign Theodore David Bray, two serjeants,
one drummer, and twenty-six rank and file killed. The following
officers were wounded:--Major Edward William Bray (severely),
Captains Robert Newport Tinley (severely), and Charles Campbell;
Lieutenant and Adjutant William Munro (severely); Lieutenants James
S. Atkinson (severely), Humphrey Gray (very severely), Robert
Hamilton Currie, and Hugh George Colvill (very severely); Ensigns
Simon George Newport, and Thomas Scarman (severely); seventeen
serjeants, and one hundred and fifty-seven rank and file were
wounded.
Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Wright, of the THIRTY-NINTH, who served
os a Brigadier-General, and commanded the brigade of which his
regiment formed part, was particularly noticed in the official
despatch. Major Bray, who commanded the regiment, Major Charles
T. Van Straubenzee, Captain Marmaduke George Nixon (Major of
Brigade), Captain Charles Campbell, and Lieutenant Edward Croker,
Assistant Quartermaster General, fifth brigade of infantry, were
all honorably mentioned.
Lieut.-Colonel Wright and Major Bray were subsequently nominated
Companions of the Order of the Bath: the latter officer with Major
Straubenzee, received the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel; Captains
Nixon and Campbell were promoted to the rank of Major in the army.
The THIRTY-NINTH also received the Royal authority to bear the
word MAHARAJPORE on the regimental colour and appointments, in
commemoration of this victory.
The Governor-General in his proclamation thus alluded to the
THIRTY-NINTH regiment:--
“The Governor-General’s especial thanks are due to Her Majesty’s
THIRTY-NINTH and Fortieth regiments, to the Second and Sixteenth
regiments of Native Grenadiers, and to the Fifty-sixth Native
Infantry, which took with the bayonet the batteries in front of
_Maharajpore_.
“Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment had the peculiar fortune of
adding to the honor of having won at _Plassey_ the first great
battle which laid the foundation of the British empire in India,
the further honor of thus nobly contributing to this, as it may
be hoped, the last and crowning victory by which that empire has
been secured.
“Her Majesty’s Fortieth regiment, and the Second and the
Sixteenth regiments of Native Grenadiers, again serving together,
again displayed their pre-eminent qualities as soldiers, and well
supported the character of the ever victorious army of Candahar.
* * * * *
“The Government of India will, as a mark of its grateful sense
of their distinguished merit, present to every general and
other officer, and to every soldier engaged in the battles of
MAHARAJPORE and PUNNIAR, an _Indian Star of bronze_, made out of
the guns taken in these battles; and all officers and soldiers in
the service of the Government of India will be permitted to wear
the Star with their uniforms.
* * * * *
“A triumphal monument commemorative of the campaign of _Gwalior_
will be erected at Calcutta, and inscribed with the names of all
who fell in the two battles.”
Major Thomas Ryan, of Her Majesty’s Fiftieth regiment, was attached
to the THIRTY-NINTH, and distinguished himself by his cool and
gallant conduct at the battle of Maharajpore. Major Ryan and
Lieut.-Colonel Wright had their horses shot under them.
[Sidenote: 1844.]
The “_Army of Gwalior_” was broken up on the 28th of January 1844.
The THIRTY-NINTH remained at Gwalior from the 29th of January
until the 4th of March, when the right brigade, with the regiment,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Wright, returned to Agra, where it
arrived on the 10th of that month.
In addition to the star manufactured from the ordnance captured
at Maharajpore, a donation of six months’ batta was granted by
the Governor-General in Council to the army employed during the
campaign in Gwalior.
The regiment remained at Agra until the 20th of October, when it
marched for Dinapore, and arrived at that station on the 13th of
December following.
[Sidenote: 1845.]
On the embarkation of the Thirteenth light infantry at Kurrachee
for England, two hundred of the men volunteered to the THIRTY-NINTH
regiment. These formed a portion of Major-General Sir Charles
Napier’s force in his expedition against the mountain desert
robbers of Beloochistan in the spring of 1845.
In storming the nearly inaccessible heights of Truckee a serjeant’s
party of fifteen men pre-eminently distinguished themselves by
their undaunted gallantry, in forcing their way, after a lengthened
and sanguinary struggle, to the summit of a hill, which was
defended by about a hundred and eighty of the enemy.
This exploit called forth the following letters from His Excellency
Sir Charles Napier, and His Grace the Duke of Wellington.
“_Sukkur, 30th March, 1845._
“SIR,
“It will gratify you, and be just to some brave men, who
volunteered from the Thirteenth for your regiment, to send to
you a copy of my letter to the Commander-in-Chief, relative to a
gallant action performed by them on the 8th instant.
“The whole of the volunteers for your regiment have behaved
admirably during the five months they have been serving under
my own immediate observation; they have shown themselves worthy
of the regiment they have left, and of that which is under your
command. I have, &c.,
(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_,
“_Governor of Scinde_.
“_Officer commanding H. M. 39th regiment._”
“_Camp Sukkur, 25th March 1845._
“SIR,
“It is with regret I have to say that, misled by the report of
Captain Beatson, I stated that the six soldiers, who, on the
8th instant, fell on the heights of Truckee, were killed in
consequence of their own imprudence. This was incorrect and
unjust. They acted in obedience to their orders, and died in the
fulness of glory, worthy of the brightest names in our military
annals. The enclosed return, received from the orderly room, is
more eloquent than any thing I can say. I am convinced that one
who has so often witnessed the gallantry of soldiers, will not
read unmoved this proud but distressing record of heroism and
death.
“The survivors of those who reached the top, merit the honor to
have their names laid before His Grace the Duke of Wellington,
and it would be very grateful to their feelings if your
Excellency would do this. They are men of excellent character;
most of them had two, and some three medals. The bold Sepoy of
the camel corps is highly praised by them for his courageous
conduct.
“Hoping that some mark of approbation may be bestowed on these
admirable soldiers, I have, &c.
(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_,
“_Governor of Scinde_.”
“_His Excellency_,
“_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._,
“_Commander-in-Chief in India_.
“&c. &c. &c.”
Nominal roll of the serjeant’s party of a detachment of Her
Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH, volunteers, which stormed the hill at
Truckee on the 8th of March 1845:--
+-----------+------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Rank. | Names. | Remarks. |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------------------------+
|Serjeant | John Power | Reached the summit of the hill, |
| | | and was slightly wounded. |
| | | |
|Corporal | Thomas Waters | Did not quite reach the summit |
| | | of the hill.--Three medals. |
| | | |
| ” | John Kenny | Did not quite reach the summit |
| | | of the hill.--Three medals. |
| | | |
|Private | John Action | Reached the top, killed three of |
| | | the enemy, and was then killed |
| | | himself.--Two medals. |
| | | |
| | Robert Adair | Reached the top, killed two of |
| ” | | the enemy, and was then killed |
| | | himself.--Two medals. |
| | | |
| ” | Hugh Dunlap | Reached the top, killed two of |
| | | the enemy, and was then killed |
| | | himself. |
| | | |
| ” | Patrick Fullon | Reached the summit of the hill, |
| | | and was killed.--Two medals. |
| | | |
| ” | Samuel Lowrie | Reached the top, killed the Commander|
| | | of the enemy and another |
| | | man, and was then killed |
| | | himself.--Two medals. |
| | | |
| ” | William Lovelace | Reached the top, and was killed. |
| | | |
| ” | Anthony Burke | Reached the top, killed three of |
| | | the enemy (shot one, bayonetted |
| | | another), broke his musket on |
| | | the head of the third.--Two |
| | | medals. |
| | | |
| ” | John Malony | Reached the top, bayonetted two |
| | | of the enemy, saved Burke and |
| | | Rohan’s lives, and was severely |
| | | wounded.--Three medals. |
| | | |
| ” | Bartholomew Rohan| Reached the top, bayonetted one |
| | | of the enemy, and was very severely|
| | | wounded.--Two medals. |
| | | |
| ” | George Campbell | Reached the top, and killed two |
| | | of the enemy. |
| | | |
| ” | Phillip Fay | Did not quite reach the summit.--Two |
| | | medals. |
| | | |
| ” | Mark Davis | Did not quite reach the summit.--Two |
| | | medals. |
| | | |
| ” | Charles Hawthorn | Did not quite reach the summit.--Two |
| | | medals. |
| | | |
|Camel Corps| Ruinzan Aheer | Did not quite reach the summit. |
+-----------+------------------+--------------------------------------+
“_Horse Guards_,
“_12th June 1845_.
“SIR,
“I have had the honor to receive your letter on the 15th
of April, with a letter and its accompanying return from
Major-General Sir Charles Napier, setting forth the conspicuous
gallantry of a party of Volunteers from the Thirteenth Light
Infantry to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, in storming the almost
inaccessible hill position of Truckee, occupied by a strong
force of the Mountain Desert Robbers; and having laid these
papers before the Commander-in-Chief, I am instructed to request
that you will cause the expression of his highest approbation
to be conveyed to such of these brave men as have survived the
attack; and that you will further be pleased to recommend them
specially to the notice and protection of the commanding officer
of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, and ascertain and report for His
Grace’s information whether the Serjeant is qualified to hold a
commission in Her Majesty’s service.
“The Duke of Wellington deeply laments the loss of those who fell
on this memorable occasion.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “FITZROY SOMERSET.
“_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._,
“_Commander-in-Chief in India_.
“&_c._ &_c._ &_c._”
In the month of October 1845, four companies, under the command of
Captain Wood, were detached to garrison Fort William.
[Sidenote: 1846.]