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REMINISCENCES OF SERGEANT-MAJOR RUNDLE
[Illustration: COLOR-SERGT. EDWIN G. RUNDLE. Age, 28 Years.]
A Soldier's Life
Being the Personal Reminiscences of
EDWIN G. RUNDLE
Late Sergeant-Major in Her Majesty's Leicestershire
Regiment of Foot, Instructor and Lecturer to the
Military School, Toronto, 1866-1868.
Member of the Red River Expedition.
With Introduction by
MAJOR HENRY J. WOODSIDE
Author's Edition
TORONTO
WILLIAM BRIGGS
1909
INTRODUCTION.
Of recent years we have had many books on military history, most of
them chiefly devoted to the wars which have marked the extension of
the British Empire.
In Sergeant-Major Rundle's narrative we have the interesting story of
how an honest English boy became attracted to the colors; how the
British army lives, moves and has its being in the British Isles and
in the Dominions beyond the seas; how that boy rose by honest effort
to the highest non-commissioned position in that army; and most
interesting of all, his experience on foreign service when his
regiment took part in the _Trent_ affair and Fenian raids, following
the close of the American civil war.
Later, Sergeant Rundle became instructor at the Toronto Military
School, where he trained some men now very prominent in Canadian
affairs. He also was a member of the Red River expedition, which
helped very much to open up and develop that western empire whose
golden tide of grain is now flowing into the wheat bins of the British
Empire.
Scattered through the story are many interesting reminiscences and
incidents. The actors in these dramas of a young nation's birth are
falling by the wayside, and few have left a record of their
adventures. It is from such that history is written.
In revising the manuscript, "by order" of my truest of Klondike
friends, Colonel S. B. Steele, C.B., M.V.O. (the lion of the Yukon),
I have endeavored to interfere as little as possible with Sergeant
Rundle's pleasant and simple style of narrative, and it has been a
pleasure to assist one whose record and character are without stain,
and whose loyalty to sovereign and country is without blemish.
HENRY J. WOODSIDE.
Ottawa, Ont., August 9, 1909.
A SOLDIER'S LIFE.
CHAPTER I.
I was born September 17th, 1838, in the town of Penryn, County of
Cornwall, England, and was educated at the national and private
schools. When my education was sufficiently advanced, I was apprenticed
to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. My father was a
paper-maker, and lived all his lifetime in the town. He was a strict
teetotaler, and brought up his family, four boys and one girl, on the
principles of temperance, which he assured us would form the basis of
our future prosperity and happiness.
There are but two of our family living--my eldest brother, now in his
eightieth year, and the writer. My brother is able to attend to his
business at the factory where he has worked all his lifetime, and we
bless our father's memory.
It was at the age of fifteen that I began to learn my trade, my
master's name being Samuel Rogers, builder and contractor. I entered
upon my duties full of life and ambition, determined to become a good
mechanic, and at the end of five years my progress toward that end was
quite satisfactory.
However, a change was to take place. On a beautiful summer morning I
bought a ticket for Plymouth, and took passage on a small steamer that
plied between Falmouth and that port. My friends were not aware of my
intention not to return again, but understood I was visiting. It did
not take long for me to get in touch with the military stationed in the
garrison. The parade marching past and the bands playing filled me with
admiration, and finally I made up my mind to enlist in one of the
regiments.
After the Crimean war the 17th Leicestershire Regiment was quartered in
Quebec, and early in 1858 the Horse Guards ordered the raising of a
second battalion. The nucleus was supplied by the first battalion, sent
to England and quartered on Maker Heights, in the Plymouth district.
Having heard of the formation of this battalion, I went to its
headquarters and offered myself for enlistment to Sergeant-Major Monk.
This was the beginning of a lasting friendship.
The sergeant-major acted in a kind and fatherly manner toward me,
explaining the soldier's life, and gave me sound advice, and when we
were satisfied with this part, the following question was asked: "Are
you free, willing, able to serve in H.M. 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment,
for ten years, not exceeding twelve, if Her Majesty so long requires
your services?"
I answered: "I am." Then the sergeant-major placed a shilling in my
hand.
This took place on the 15th of July, 1858. The next day I was inspected
by the surgeon and was declared medically fit. The following day a
Justice of the Peace swore me in, and signed my attestation, and I was
then posted to No. 2 Company, my regimental number being 404.
A new life was now before me, and I am glad to say my desires were not
altered; that I wished to be loyal to my Queen, dutiful to my country,
obedient and courteous to my superiors, which in after years I found to
be an important factor in a soldier's life.
With other recruits, I was marched to the quartermaster's stores to
receive my kit and clothing. These consisted of a knapsack, two shirts,
two towels, two pairs of socks, one pair of boots, knife, fork and
spoon, one razor, one shaving brush, two shoe brushes, box of blacking,
one comb, one sponge, one button brush, one button holder, one tunic,
one shell jacket, two pairs trousers. The above were issued with
instructions that they be kept in repair, and replaced if lost or worn
out.
I was placed in a squad with ten others for drill. The stock then used
around the neck was made of thick heavy leather about two inches high,
with large brass fasteners behind, and at times this was quite painful
for want of ventilation, and it was difficult to lower the head without
bending the body from the hips. We had to endure this four hours a day,
but after a while we got accustomed to it and did not mind.
The worst part to contend with was the food; there was not sufficient
for the hungry recruit, and had it not been for the $15.00 bounty
placed to our credit, we should soon have become shadows of our former
selves. The pay after deduction was eight cents, issued daily, so we
could not have many extras but for the bounty. The following is a bill
of fare for a day: One and one-half pounds of bread, three-quarter
pound of meat, one pound of potatoes, pint of coffee, pint of tea and
pint of soup. After being dismissed from drill we had to visit the
canteen and buy bread and cheese, or whatever else we could get, at our
own expense, for I can assure the reader we were a hungry crowd.
I became fond of the drill and exercises and soon passed into a higher
squad, and I also made good progress towards an inspection that was
about to be made as to fitness for the first squad. We had an
excellent, good-natured instructor, Color-Sergeant Summers, who had
served in the Crimea. He used to say to the squad, while at bayonet
drill, when our thrusts did not please him, "You could not make a hole
in a lump of butter, much less in a man."
He would also insist that our heads be held up as high as was
practicable without breaking our necks. On one occasion a recruit
thought it was impossible for him to look down again, and therefore bid
the sergeant good-bye, which brought a hearty laugh from the veteran.
In the fall of that year we moved over to Plymouth and occupied the
Citadel and Millbay barracks. During the Crimean war the Russian
prisoners were sent to several parts of England. Some four hundred,
with several officers, were confined in the Millbay barracks, and it
was a considerable time after the war ended when they were sent back to
Russia. While in England they were well cared for, the rations were
excellent, and visitors were allowed to see them once a week.
The prisoners would make fancy articles, such as rings, pins, slippers,
etc., and sell them to the visitors. Of course, the officers were
paroled; the men were allowed out twice a week. They would enjoy the
concert given by the military bands during the summer season, and when
the time came for them to leave, if they had their choice they would
rather remain than return to their native country. I was present and
saw them embark.
In October, 1858, I was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal. Now my
responsibilities began. Instead of doing sentry-go when on guard, I was
second in command and posted the sentries. I was also relieved from
fatigue duties and other work the private has to do. I drew the Company
B rations and acted as orderly to the company officers. Here was a time
for a young N.C.O. to show to all concerned his tact, consistency and
all the business capabilities he possessed. Although my promotion
carried no extra pay, I was proud of it, with my eyes keenly open for
the next stripe.
Although I had received invitations to return home and continue my
trade, I did not do so, but instead commenced to study and become
acquainted with the several departments, in view of promotion and also
of becoming an instructor.
The battalion on its formation was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh
D. Crofton, formerly of the 20th Regiment, who was with this regiment
in the Crimea and commanded a wing at the battle of the Alma. The
adjutant was Lieutenant A. A. Ross, who rose from the ranks and some
years later became our paymaster. The sergeant-major was W. W. Monk
(who subsequently became the quartermaster), and Faulkner was the
quartermaster. The officers I have mentioned were those I had to do the
most business with.
We had now settled down for the winter. I was very fond of outdoor
sports, and when I contested anything it would be running, especially
long distances, and I generally won prizes. I encouraged it among the
men, as I thought good runners would be good marchers, which in after
years proved true.
The winter was long and tedious, and those who enjoyed the game of
cricket were deprived of any other sport to take its place. We had some
very fine players from the Midland Counties. Our small library
contained about two or three hundred books, and it was well patronized.
We asked for more books and a reading room, to which I shall refer
again. Our battalion had recruited to its full strength, viz., the full
complement of officers and 800 rank and file. The average age in the
regiment was twenty, physique all that could be desired, and with
careful and progressive training, we hoped to be amongst the finest
regiments in H.M. service. Having no gymnasium, the only means of
training was the usual drill. The sport season opened with spring, and
we commenced playing cricket on Good Friday on the Plymouth Hoe.
By good conduct and attention to duty I was again promoted. The
following appeared in daily orders: "The commanding officer has been
pleased to make the following promotion: No. 404, Lance-Corporal E. G.
Rundle, No. 2. Company, to be corporal in No. 6 Company, _vice_ Jones,
promoted." I now became an effective N.C.O. with additional pay, the
duties being the same as before explained. I was transferred to No. 6
Company. Lieutenant Moss was appointed musketry instructor, and J.
Smith, from the school of musketry, sergeant-instructor. This was a
change, but we all knew we must be taught to shoot and understand
everything in connection with the rifle. A lecture-room was fitted up
and furnished, and two companies were struck off duty in order to take
the course.
We had a very funny, good-natured Irishman in my company. His name was
John Deegan. The company was attending a lecture. Mr. Moss had just
finished explaining the three kinds of sights that could be taken, when
he asked the funny man, "What is a fine sight?" and Deegan answered,
"It's a good roast of beef coming from the cookhouse, sir." The company
was then dismissed amid roars of laughter.
In July one year of my service was completed, and we received orders to
be held in readiness to proceed to Aldershot. The men were fond of
moving from one station to another. I soon adapted myself to it, and in
this way I saw what an opportunity I should have in being educated in
all the departments of military service, not thinking that some day I
would be one of the organizers of the splendid forces in our fair
Dominion.
We received our route and entrained at the Plymouth station. It must be
remembered that 75 per cent. of the regiment had only one year's
service to their credit. On the morning we paraded in complete marching
order. The three regiments in garrison sent their bands to help our
send-off. A very striking feature of our departure was the presence of
a large number of fair maidens. Handkerchiefs were very much in
evidence, and by the appearance of things much weeping was going on.
The bands were playing the familiar tunes of "Good-bye, sweetheart,"
and "The girl I left behind me." The train moved out amid much cheering
and bands playing, and we were on our way to the great camp at
Aldershot, where we were to take part with 40,000 men during the drill
season, little dreaming after many roving years to return to Plymouth
again. The conduct of the regiment during its stay in Plymouth was
excellent, and we received many expressions of regret from the citizens
on our departure.