enemy's front. The British right passed securely under the wall of
the Shikargah, cheered and elated as they moved by the rattling sound
of Tew's musketry. * * * * Meanwhile the dead level of the plain was
swept by the Beloochee cannon and matchlocks, which were answered
from time to time by Lloyd's batteries, yet not frequently, for
rapidly and eagerly did the troops press forward to close with their
unseen foes. When the TWENTY-SECOND had got within a hundred yards
of the high sloping bank of the Fulaillee, they threw their fire at
the top of the bank, where the heads of the Beloochees could be just
seen, bending with fiery glances over the levelled matchlocks, and
the voice of the General, shrill and clear, was heard along the line,
commanding the charge.
"Then rose the British shout; the English guns were run forward into
position, the infantry closed upon the Fulaillee with a run, and
rushed up the sloping bank. The Beloochees, having their matchlocks
laid ready in rest along the summit, waited until the assailants
were within fifteen yards ere their volley was delivered; the rapid
pace of the British, and the steepness of the slope on the inside,
deceived their aim, and the execution was not great; the next moment
the TWENTY-SECOND were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear
down all before them, but they staggered back in amazement at the
forest of swords waving in their front! Thick as standing corn,
and gorgeous as a field of flowers, stood the Beloochees in their
many-coloured garments and turbans; they filled the broad deep bed
of the Fulaillee, they clustered on both banks, and covered the
plain beyond. Guarding their heads with their large dark shields,
they shook their sharp swords, beaming in the sun, their shouts
rolled like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures they rushed
forwards, and full against the front of the TWENTY-SECOND dashed with
demoniac strength and ferocity. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks
as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong,
the Irish soldiers met them with that queen of weapons the musket,
and sent their foremost masses rolling back in blood."
The following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles
Napier testify the part borne by the TWENTY-SECOND in the victory of
MEEANEE:--
"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded as with the
high courage of a soldier he led his regiment (TWENTY-SECOND) up
the desperate bank of the Fulaillee. Major Wyllie, Captains Tucker
and Conway, Lieutenants Harding and Phayre, were all wounded, while
gloriously animating their men to sustain the shock of numbers."
"Captains Meade, Tew, and Cookson, with Lieutenant Wood, all fell
honorably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour.
"Major Poole, of the TWENTY-SECOND, and Captain Jackson of the
Twenty-fifth native infantry, who succeeded to the command of those
regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts.
"The Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of
the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, had his horse killed, and, while on foot
leading some soldiers in a desperate dash down the enemy's side of
the bank, he cut down a Chieftain. He has greatly assisted me by his
activity and zeal during the whole of our operations.
"Innumerable are the individual acts of intrepidity which took place
between our soldiers and their opponents, too numerous for detail in
this despatch, yet well meriting a record."
In the NOTIFICATION of the Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough, the
Governor-General of India, it was directed,
"That the unserviceable guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent
to Bombay, and there cast into a triumphal column, whereon shall
be inscribed in the English, and two native languages, the names
of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., and of the several
officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, and likewise
the names of the several officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may be for
ever recorded of those who, at MEEANEE, obtained for themselves that
glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier."
Major Poole, commanding the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, in consequence
of Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather having been severely wounded,
stated in his report, respecting the soldiers of the regiment
under his command, who had distinguished themselves in the battle
of Meeanee, "that the officers generally assert that they feel
difficulty in making selections, where the conduct of every man of
their companies was so satisfactory. In so general a field of action
and persevering exertion, I equally feel at a loss where to draw a
distinction; but it may be proper to mention the names of Private
James O'Neill, of the light company, who took a standard whilst we
were actively engaged with the enemy, and drummer Martin Delaney, who
shot, bayoneted, and captured the arms of Meer Whullee Mahomed Khan,
who was mounted, and directing the enemy in the hottest part of the
engagement."
The loss of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment at the battle of Meeanee
was, Captain J. McLeod Tew,[9] one serjeant, and twenty-two rank
and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, Captain T. S.
Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. McMurdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R.
Pennefather and H. Bowden, one serjeant, one corporal, and fifty
privates wounded.
The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the Chiefs who continued
to resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere
Mahomed. The British advanced from _Hyderabad_ at daybreak on the
morning of the 24th of March, and about half-past eight o'clock
twenty thousand Scindian troops were discovered in order of battle
behind a nullah. Arrangements were immediately made for commencing
the action, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment led the attack in gallant
style. Major John Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D.
George the regiment, and, stimulated by the heroic example of these
officers, the TWENTY-SECOND advanced steadily against the enemy's
left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a
shot, until they arrived within forty paces of the entrenchment,
when they stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees with that
determined bravery which has ever distinguished British soldiers.
Lieutenant Henry J. Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of
the enemy's standards, and was severely wounded while in the act of
waving it, and cheering on his men; Lieutenant C. T. Powell seized
another standard; and the soldiers, being encouraged by the gallant
example of their officers, displayed that heroism which adorns the
British military character. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin,
J. McCartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson and J. Oakley, shot
the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, and made five
prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured
standards; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, and
took from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and
artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in
numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.
Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, "The
battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's
TWENTY-SECOND regiment.
"Of Lieutenant McMurdo's abilities as Acting Assistant
Quartermaster-General, I cannot speak too highly; and regret to say,
he has received a sabre wound from a Beloochee, the third that he cut
down in single combat during the day.
"To the commanders of brigades and regiments, and the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates under their command, I have
to return my thanks for their valiant bearing in the action."
The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon
were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen
standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their
commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert.[10] Among the
killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee.
Twenty-three rank and file of the regiment were killed on this
occasion; Lieutenants Thomas Chute, Henry J. Coote, H. A. G. Evans,
and John Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six serjeants, one
drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates
wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad, the regiment mustered only five
hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder being sick and
convalescent, having been left at Sukkur in Upper Scinde.
As a mark of Royal approbation for these victories, Her Majesty,
on the 4th of July, 1843, was pleased to appoint Major-General Sir
Charles James Napier a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable
Military Order of the Bath; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather,[11]
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, Brevet Majors Frederick George, and
Thomas Conway, were also nominated Companions of the Bath, and their
brevet rank was dated from the above period.
Her Majesty was also graciously pleased to command that a medal
should be conferred upon the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and
Soldiers engaged in the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.
On the 18th of August, 1843, the TWENTY-SECOND received the Royal
authority to bear upon the regimental or second colour, and on
the appointments, the word "SCINDE," in commemoration of its
distinguished gallantry in the campaign against the Ameers of that
country, during the early part of the year 1843.
Her Majesty, on the 2nd of July, 1844, conferred increased honor on
the TWENTY-SECOND, by authorising the corps to bear on the regimental
colour and appointments, in addition to the word "SCINDE," the words
"MEEANEE" and "HYDERABAD," in commemoration of the distinguished
gallantry displayed in the general engagements fought at those places
respectively, on the 17th of February, and 24th of March, 1843.
On the 12th of February, 1844, the thanks of Parliament were voted to
Major-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., and to the troops under his
command, "_for the eminent skill, energy, and gallantry, displayed by
him in the recent military operations in_ SCINDE, _particularly in
the two decisive battles of_ MEEANEE _and_ HYDERABAD;" to the several
officers serving under Sir Charles Napier, "_for their unwearied zeal
and conspicuous gallantry_;" and to the troops, "_for their brave and
meritorious conduct_."
Major-General Sir Charles Napier, on presenting the regiments at
Kurrachee with the Medals conferred on them for their gallantry in
this campaign, addressed the soldiers as follows:--
"Soldiers! the Battle of _Meeanee_ is among those of which history
will speak as proving the superiority of _discipline_ over numbers;
and it is well, Soldiers! that we should dwell upon these things;
that we may understand how Medals are won, and why they are bestowed.
"Had we been without discipline, valour alone would not have won the
victories of _Meeanee_ and _Hyderabad_! Valour is like the _Strength_
of a man, Discipline is like his _Mind_, that directs his strength
to effective exertion. If two pugilists have a boxing-match, and one
strikes at random, while the other boxes with science, planting every
blow home, we know how the fight must be soon decided. So it is with
two armies,--the one disciplined, the other without discipline. The
General of the disciplined Army directs his columns upon that part of
the enemy's position which he deems to be the weakest; as the mind
of the boxer directs his blow against the opening offered by his
unskilful enemy. But this is not all,--obedience to orders (which
is discipline) enables us to bring up all the necessary provisions
of war to the day and to the hour; thus food and ammunition are at
hand to support the blow of battle, just as the shoulder and the
body are thrown forward to support and give vigour to the blow of
the pugilist. But not only is valour useless without discipline,
but it is even dangerous; for without discipline the rashly brave
would run heedlessly against the enemy, the cautious would seek
'vantage ground, and the timid would retreat. Thus the Army would be
scattered: but when an Army is disciplined, the ponderous charges
of Cavalry, the steady tramp of the advancing Infantry, preparing
to charge with a mighty shout, and the rolling thunder of Artillery
pouring forth its iron shower, all combine simultaneously to strike
and overthrow the enemy. Thus, Soldiers, are Medals won, more by
discipline than by any extraordinary efforts of individual courage.
To reward this obedience medals are bestowed, so that every man who
wears this honoured badge is known to the world as one who, in the
midst of the noise, the danger, and confusion of battle, had obeyed
orders, and performed the three great duties of a Soldier--first, not
to fire without orders; next, when he does fire, to level low, so as
to make sure of striking down an enemy; thirdly, to keep his rank and
dress upon his colours. The Medal tells the world that he has bravely
done these things, and no man can walk with one of these Medals
on his breast without feeling the conscious pride of an intrepid
Soldier! His caste may be high caste, or it may be low caste, but the
Soldier, who bears on his breast a medal won in battle, is above all
the castes in the world. The pleasure of giving you these Medals,
Soldiers of the 12th Regiment (Native Infantry), is indeed great to
me. I saw your valiant conduct, and I rejoice in distributing the
reward which you honorably earned, and my satisfaction is increased
by the presence of so large a body of Europeans, for it affords me
an opportunity of saying to my countrymen that they will find these
swarthy warriors of the East staunch and true in action as they were
at Meeanee and Hyderabad, when they followed the example set them by
the glorious TWENTY-SECOND regiment. They will fight to the last
drop of their blood, and stand or fall by the side of their European
comrades. If the Almighty so wills it, that in these eventful times,
War should again arise, and that I am once more permitted to lead an
Army into the field, I should go into action with perfect confidence
in the courage of the Native Troops. I speak of what I know of their
gallantry, not from what I hear, but from what I have seen, and from
my own knowledge, of their daring courage.
"Here I must address myself in a more direct manner to the Officers
now before me, and in justice to them say, that their conduct, and
the conduct of all the British Officers in these two battles, was
very noble. For several hours the two lines were fighting close to
each other, and as I cast my eye along the field, I everywhere saw
the British Officers display their worthiness as Military leaders,
and with unflinching intrepidity animating their Soldiers to battle!
To them, therefore, I will now first distribute these honorable
decorations."
The Governor then dismounted, and advancing to the line of officers
of several regiments, and who had not before received their medals,
his Excellency presented each with the Medal,--the bands playing "God
save the Queen."
On giving that which belonged to Lieutenant Marston, of the 25th
N. I., the General observed,--"But for you, Marston, I probably
should not have had this pleasure;" alluding to this Officer having
intrepidly thrown himself in front of his General when attacked by a
Beloochee Chief, whom the Lieutenant cut down ere he could reach the
General.
On the 18th of April the regiment left Hyderabad, and proceeded to
Kurrachee, where the right wing and head-quarters embarked on the
27th of April, and sailed to Bombay. Previously to the embarkation
of the regiment for Bombay, the following order was issued by
Major-General Sir Charles Napier, Governor of Scinde:--
"_27th April, 1843._
"TWENTY-SECOND Regiment!
"You well know why I send you to Bombay, and you also know how much
I dislike doing so. But nothing shall stand in the way of your
health and well-being, that I have the power to remove. Cut up by
Disease and by Battle, you require rest, that you may again join
us, and add to the Laurels with which you are already decorated.
"C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_,
_Governor_."
The reception of the regiment at Bombay, on the 2nd of May, was
distinguished by high marks of honor, by command of the Governor, on
which occasion the accompanying order was issued:--
"_Bombay, Monday, 1st May, 1843._
"GARRISON ORDERS.
"By the Honorable the Governor.--The Head-Quarters of Her Majesty's
TWENTY-SECOND Regiment of Foot having arrived from Scinde, will be
disembarked to-morrow morning at sunrise.
"On this occasion the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the
Garrison, desirous of paying every mark of honor to this
distinguished Corps, will himself receive it at the Apollo Pier.
"On the landing of the first Division, a Royal Salute is to be
fired from the Saluting Battery.
"The Troops composing the Garrison will be drawn up in Review
Order, in a convenient position, and will salute Her Majesty's
TWENTY-SECOND regiment, as it passes on its way to Fort George
Barracks.
"His Excellency directs the attendance of all Military Officers at
the Presidency who may not be sick, or engaged on other duty.
"The Commandant of the Garrison is requested to carry out the above
order.
"BRUCE SETON, _Major_,
_Town Major_."
The General Staff of the Garrison testified their admiration of the
gallant conduct of the regiment, by giving a public banquet to the
Officers of the corps; and the inhabitants of Bombay, including the
Civil Authorities, raised a handsome subscription, to be applied to
the benefit of the sufferers in the regiment, widows and orphans, by
the Campaign in Scinde.
The left wing landed at Panwell on the 16th of May, and proceeded
from thence to Poonah, where it arrived on the 23rd of May. The right
wing and head-quarters arrived at Poonah, from Bombay, on the 1st of
June.
General the Honorable Edward Finch died on the 27th of October, 1843,
and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Sir
Charles James Napier, K.C.B.
[Sidenote: 1844]
On the 17th and 18th of October, 1844, the regiment marched from
Poonah in wings to Bowree, and on the 19th the whole moved together
for Field Service in the Kolapore districts, where the regiment lost
two officers, and thirty non-commissioned officers and privates, by
cholera.
A portion of the regiment was employed in taking the north pettah
under the walls of the fort of Punalla, on the 27th of November; on
the 28th, 29th, and 30th of November the regiment, under the command
of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Poole, was employed in the investment
of _Punalla_ and _Pownghur_, and on the 1st of December was at
the capture of those forts, the latter of which was taken by the
regiment. During these operations the TWENTY-SECOND formed part of
the third brigade of the force employed under Major-General Delamotte.
On the 26th of December a wing of the regiment marched, and joined
the first brigade on service in the Sawunt-Warree district; the other
wing remained near Kolapore.
On the 31st of December, 1844, a wing of the regiment arrived at
Susseedroog from Kolapore, and joined the first brigade of the Field
Force in the Sawunt-Warree country, and was employed in investing
the forts of Monuhurr and Monsentosh, and participated in all the
operations for driving the enemy out of their stockades in the
densely wooded country between Susseedroog and the Forts.
[Sidenote: 1845]
The regiment had several skirmishes with the enemy; on the 17th of
January, 1845, part of the wing descended the Elephant rock with
other troops, and took the village of Seevapore, in the Concan, close
under Fort Monuhurr, where one man was killed and seven wounded. The
whole of the soldiers were employed, part in the Deccan or heights
above, and part in the Concan close under the forts, investing them
from the 17th to the 26th of January, during which period the forts
were constantly shelled by the British artillery, the enemy from the
forts firing their great guns and musketry.
On the night of the 26th of January the enemy vacated the forts
unperceived, and escaped through a dense jungle, leaving the forts in
the possession of the Anglo-Indian army.
The wing joined the regiment at Kolapore on the 6th of February,
escorting prisoners taken during the insurrection. The regiment was
employed in doing duty over about six hundred prisoners until its
recall to Poonah, for which place it marched on the 16th of April,
and arrived on the 2nd of May, 1845.
A wing of the regiment, consisting of four hundred rank and file,
under the command of Captain Souter, marched from Poonah for Bombay
on the 25th of December, 1845.
[Sidenote: 1846]
The head-quarters of the regiment, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Brandram Boileau, consisting of five
companies, marched from Poonah to Bombay on the 15th of August, 1846,
and joined the wing of the TWENTY-SECOND at that station. The march
was performed in the middle of the monsoon, in eight days, rain
consequently falling nearly the whole of the way.
The regiment remained together at Bombay, having six companies
at Colaba, and three at Fort George, until the 14th of November,
1846, when the head-quarters, with five of the companies which were
stationed at Colaba, were ordered to Poonah, in consequence of fever
of a malarious nature having attacked the men, nearly every soldier
at Colaba having been admitted into hospital in less than two months;
the casualties were very numerous.
[Sidenote: 1847]
[Sidenote: 1848]
The left wing, consisting of four companies, marched from Bombay
on the 12th of January, 1847, and arrived at Poonah on the 21st of
January. During the year 1848 the regiment continued to be stationed
at Poonah.
[Sidenote: 1849]
On the 25th of January, 1849, the regiment proceeded to Bombay, and
was subsequently stationed at Colaba. The left wing, consisting of
four companies, embarked for Kurrachee on the 24th of January.
In June, 1849, the period to which the Record has been extended, the
regiment remained at Colaba, and consisted of fifty-three serjeants,
nineteen drummers, and 1042 rank and file, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Sydney John Cotton, Lieutenant-Colonel Boileau
being in command of the Poonah brigade.
1849.
[Illustration: BELOOCHEE STANDARD, CAPTURED AT THE BATTLE OF MEEANEE,
BY THE XXII REGIMENT, ON THE 17^{TH} FEBRUARY 1843.
SILVER MEDAL STRUCK IN COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLES OF MEEANEE AND
HYDERABAD, IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1843.
_For Cannon's Military Records._
_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand._]
_Description of the Beloochee Standard captured at the Battle of_
MEEANEE, _on the 17th of February, 1843._
The Beloochee Standard, represented in the engraving, was taken at
the Battle of _Meeanee_, on the 17th of February, 1843, by Private
James O'Neill of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, as narrated at page 35
of the Historical Record. The Standard is triangular; the longest
side is about seven feet in length, and the other sides measure each
about five feet. The Staff is nine feet in length.
The Standards captured at the Battle of _Hyderabad_, on the 24th of
March, 1843, were of a similar rude description, and do not afford a
just idea of the Army which they may be supposed to have led on. No
person, on viewing these Trophies, would suppose the Beloochee Army,
to which they belonged, to have been composed of men so gallant and
so formidable; so well armed, and so expert in the use of their arms,
as the Scindian troops proved themselves in these battles.
_Description of the Silver Medal struck in commemoration of the
Victories of_ MEEANEE _and_ HYDERABAD, _and conferred on the
Officers and Men engaged in those Battles._
On the obverse; the bust of HER MAJESTY, with the inscription
"VICTORIA REGINA."
On the reverse; the words "MEEANEE," "HYDERABAD," "1843," enclosed
within branches of Laurel, and surmounted by the Imperial Crown.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Cape Breton had been captured by the British in 1745, but was
restored to the French at the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. It
was retaken in 1758 (as above narrated), and was finally ceded to
Great Britain by the treaty of Fontainebleau, in 1763.
[7] The grenadier company of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, which had
been incorporated with the "_Louisburg Grenadiers_," formed part of
the armament, and was engaged in the battle on the heights of Abraham
on the 13th of September, 1759.