OR
OLD SEVENTY-SEVENTH HIGHLAND REGIMENT.
1778-1783.
Raising of the Regiment--Ireland--Mutiny--Disbanded.
On the application of the young Duke of Athole, government granted
him authority to raise a regiment of 1000 men for the service of the
State, with power to appoint officers. The command of this corps was
given to Colonel James Murray, son of Lord George Murray.
The Athole Highlanders were embodied at Perth, and in June 1778
were marched to Port-Patrick, and embarked for Ireland, where they
remained during the war. They were thus deprived of an opportunity of
distinguishing themselves in the field; but their presence in Ireland
was attended with this advantage, that they supplied the place of
other troops, who would probably have been less exemplary in their
conduct amongst a people whose passions were excited by misgovernment.
The terms on which the men had enlisted were to serve for three
years, or during the war. On the conclusion of hostilities, they,
of course, expected to be disbanded; but instead of this they were
transported to England, and marched to Portsmouth for embarkation
to the East Indies. On the march they were made acquainted with the
intentions of Government; and so far from objecting to a continuance
of their service, they showed no disinclination to embark, and when
they first saw the fleet at Spithead, as they crossed Portsdown-hill,
they pulled off their bonnets, and gave three cheers for a brush
with Hyder Ali. They had scarcely, however, taken up their quarters
at Portsmouth, when the face of matters changed. The minds of the
men, it is said, were wrought upon by emissaries from London,
who represented the unfaithfulness of Government in sending them
abroad after the term of their service had expired. It was even
insinuated that they had been sold to the East India Company at a
certain sum per man, and that the officers were to divide the money
amongst themselves. These base misrepresentations had their intended
effect, and the result was that the soldiers resolved not to embark.
The authority of the officers was despised; and after a scene of
uproar and confusion, which lasted several days, during which the
Highlanders attempted to obtain possession of the main-guard and
garrison parade, the order to embark was countermanded by Government.
One account of this affair, dated at Portsmouth, and published in
February 1783, contains the following details:--“The Duke of Athole,
his uncle, Major-General Murray, and Lord George Lennox, have been
down here, but the Athole Highlanders are still determined not to
go to the East Indies. They have put up their arms and ammunition
into one of the magazines, and placed a very strong guard over them,
whilst the rest of the regiment sleep and refresh themselves. They
come regularly and quietly to the grand parade, very cleanly dressed,
twice a-day, their adjutant and other officers parading with them.
One day it was proposed to turn the great guns of the rampart on
the Highlanders; but this scheme was soon overruled. Another time
it was suggested to send for some marching regiments quartered near
the place, upon which the Highlanders drew up the draw-bridges, and
placed sentinels at them.”
“You may be assured,” says another account, “I have had my
perplexities since the mutiny commenced in the 77th regiment; but
I must do the men the justice to confess, that excepting three or
four drunken fellows, whose impudence to their officers could only
be equalled by their brutality, the whole regiment have conducted
themselves with a regularity that is surprising; for what might not
have been expected from upwards of one thousand men let loose from
all restraint? Matters would never have been carried to the point
they have, but for the interference of some busy people, who love to
be fishing in troubled waters. The men have opened a subscription
for the relief of the widow of the poor invalid,[421] for whose
death they express the greatest regret. On their being informed that
two or three regiments were coming to force them to embark, they
flew to their arms, and followed their comrade leaders through the
town, with a fixed determination to give them battle; but on finding
the report to be false, they returned in the same order to their
quarters. The regiment is not to go to the East Indies contrary to
their instructions, which has satisfied them, but will be attended
with disagreeable consequences to the service; and since the debates
in the House of Commons on the subject, I should not wonder if every
man intended for foreign service refused going, for the reasons then
given, which you may depend on it they are now well acquainted with.”
Mr Eden, afterwards Lord Auckland, secretary for Ireland, in the
Parliamentary debates on the mutiny, bore honourable testimony to the
exemplary conduct of the regiment in Ireland:--“He had happened,” he
said, “to have the 77th regiment immediately under his observation
during sixteen months of their garrison duty in Dublin, and though
it was not the most agreeable duty in the service, he must say that
their conduct was most exemplary. Their officers were not only men
of gentlemanly character, but peculiarly attentive to regimental
discipline. He having once, upon the sudden alarm of invasion, sent
an order for the immediate march of this regiment to Cork, they
showed their alacrity by marching at an hour’s notice, and completed
their march with a despatch beyond any instance in modern times, and
this too without leaving a single soldier behind.”
This unfair and unworthy attempt on the part of Government created
a just distrust of its integrity, and had a most pernicious effect
on its subsequent endeavours to raise men in the Highlands. Alluding
to this unfortunate affair, General Stewart observes, that “if
Government had offered a small bounty when the Athole Highlanders
were required to embark, there can be little doubt they would have
obeyed their orders, and embarked as cheerfully as they marched into
Portsmouth.”
The fault resting entirely with Government, it wisely abstained from
pushing matters further by bringing any of the men to trial. The
regiment was immediately marched to Berwick, where it was disbanded
in April 1783, in terms of the original agreement.
FOOTNOTE:
[421] He was killed when the Highlanders made the attempt to take
possession of the main-guard and garrison parade.
SEAFORTH’S HIGHLANDERS,
FORMERLY
THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH,
NOW
THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, OR DUKE OF ALBANY’S OWN HIGHLANDERS.
I.
1778-1858.
Raising the Regiment--First Officers--Disaffection at Leith--“The
affair of the Macraes”--Embarkation for India--Death of Lord
Seaforth--Effects of scurvy--Joining Sir Eyre Coote’s army--Joining
Major-General James Stuart’s army--Led by Colonel Fullarton
against Tippoo Sahib--Palghatcherri--Number of the Regiment
changed to 72nd--Recruiting--War with Tippoo Sahib--Stuart’s
dilemma--Palghatcheri--Ordered home--Fort Dindigal--Stuart takes
Palghatcheri--Lord Cornwallis--Bangalore--Ootradroog--Forlorn
hope of Sergeant Williams--Valour of the 72nd--Siege of
Seringapatam--Storming of Savendroog--Ootradroog--Sailing for
India--The Mauritius--Landing at the Cape of Good Hope--Arrival at
Calcutta--Lands again at Cape Town--Captain Gethin’s death--Return
home--Permitted to assume the name of the Duke of Albany’s Own
Highlanders--The Cape of Good Hope again--Graham’s Town--The Kaffir
War in 1835--The Governor-General at the camp--The Kaffirs attack
the Fingoes--End of the Kaffir War--Permitted to add “Cape of Good
Hope” to the colours--At Graham’s Town--At Cape Town--Home.
[Illustration: _The late Duke of York’s Cipher and Coronet._
HINDOOSTAN.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
SEVASTOPOL.
CENTRAL INDIA.]
Kenneth Mackenzie, grandson of the Earl of Seaforth, whose estate and
title were forfeited in consequence of his concern in the rebellion
of 1715, having purchased the family property from the Crown, was
created an Irish peer, by the title of Lord Viscount Fortrose. In
the year 1771, Government restored to him the family title of Earl
of Seaforth. To evince his gratitude for this magnanimous act, the
Earl, in the year 1778, offered to raise a regiment on his estate for
general service. This offer being accepted by his Majesty, a corps
of 1130 men was speedily raised, principally by gentlemen of the name
of Mackenzie, his lordship’s clan.
Of these about 900 were Highlanders, 500 of whom were raised upon
Lord Seaforth’s own estate, and the remainder upon the estates of the
Mackenzies of Scatwell, Kilcoy, Applecross, and Redcastle, all of
whom had sons or brothers in the regiment. The remainder were raised
in the Lowlands, of whom 43 were English and Irish.
The following is the first list of officers:--
_Lieut.-Col.-Commandant_--Kenneth,
Earl of Seaforth.
_Major_--James Stuart (from Capt. 64th Regt.)
_Captains._
T. F. M. Humberston.
Robert Lumsdaine.
Peter Agnew.
Kenneth Mackenzie.[422]
George Mackenzie.
Hugh Frazer.
Hon. Thos. Maitland.
Charles Halkett.[423]
_Captain Lieutenant_--Thomas Frazer.
_Lieutenants._
Donald Moody.
William Sutherland.
Colin Mackenzie.
Kenneth Mackenzie.
Patrick Haggard.
Thomas Mackenzie.
George Innes.
Charles M’Gregor.
David Melville.
George Gordon.
James Gualie.
George Mackenzie.
Charles Gladoning.
William Sinclair.
Charles Mackenzie.
John Campbell.
James Stewart.
Robert Marshall.
Philip Anstruther.
Kenneth Macrae.
John M’Innes.
_Ensigns._
James Stewart.
James Finney.
Aulay M’Aulay.
Malcolm M’Pherson.
Robert Gordon.
John Mitchell.
Ewen M’Lennan.
George Gordon.
_Staff._
_Chaplain._--Wm. Mackenzie.
_Surgeon._--John Walters.
_Adjutant._--James Finney.
_Quarter-master._--George Gunn.
The regiment was embodied at Elgin, in May 1778, and was inspected
by General Skene, when it was found so effective that not one man
was rejected. In the month of August the regiment marched to Leith
for embarkation to the East Indies; but they had not been quartered
long in that town when symptoms of disaffection began to appear among
them. They complained of an infringement of their engagements, and
that part of their pay and bounty was in arrear. Being wrought upon
by some emissaries, the men refused to embark, and, marching out of
Leith with pipes playing, and two plaids fixed on poles instead
of colours, they took up a position in the immediate vicinity of
Edinburgh on Arthur’s Seat, on which they remained several days.
During this time they were amply supplied with provisions and
ammunition by the inhabitants of the capital, who had espoused
their quarrel. The causes of complaint having been inquired into,
after much negotiation, in which the Earls of Dunmore and Seaforth,
Sir James Grant of Grant, and other gentlemen connected with the
Highlands, took an active and prominent part, the grievances were
removed, and the soldiers being satisfied, marched down the hill with
pipes playing, with the Earls of Seaforth and Dunmore, and General
Skene at their head, and returned to their quarters at Leith. From
the great number of the clan Macrae that were in the regiment, the
mutiny was called “The affair of the Macraes.”
At Leith the regiment embarked with the greatest cheerfulness,
accompanied by their colonel, the Earl of Seaforth. The intention of
sending them to India being for the present abandoned, one half of
the regiment was sent to Guernsey, and the other to Jersey. At the
end of April 1781, however, both divisions assembled at Portsmouth,
where, on the 12th of June, they embarked for the East Indies, being
then 973 strong, rank and file. Though the men were all in excellent
health, they suffered so severely from the effects of the voyage and
the change of food, that before reaching Madras on the 2nd of April
1782, 247 of them had died of scurvy, and out of all that landed,
only 369 were fit to carry arms. The death of Seaforth, their chief,
who expired before the regiment reached St Helena, threw a damp over
the spirits of the men, and it is said to have materially contributed
to that prostration of mind which made them more readily the victims
of disease.
As the service was pressing, such of the men as were able to march
were immediately sent up the country under Major James Stuart; but
many of them being still weak from the effects of scurvy, suffered
greatly on the march. The men were sinewy and robust, and such as had
escaped the scurvy were greatly injured by the violence of the sun’s
beams, the effects of which were not so injurious to men of more
slender habits. They joined the army of Sir Eyre Coote at Chingleput
in the beginning of May; but he found them so unfit for service that
he ordered the corps into quarters, and put the few who remained
healthy into the 73rd or Macleod’s Highlanders, the only European
corps then with the army.
The men gradually recovered, and in the month of October upwards
of 600 were fit for duty. The colours of the regiment were again
unfolded, and in April 1783 they joined the army destined to attack
Cuddalore, under Major-General James Stuart (of the family of
Torrance).
On the 25th of June, the enemy made a sally on the British lines, but
were repulsed at every point, losing 150 men in killed and prisoners,
including among the latter the Chevalier Dumas.
Notwithstanding the termination of hostilities with France in
January 1783, the war with Tippoo Sahib was continued. Colonel
Fullarton, who had marched on Cuddalore, finding he was no longer
needed in that quarter, retraced his steps southward, reinforced by
Seaforth’s Highlanders and other troops, thus augmenting his force
to upwards of 13,000 men. This army was employed several months in
keeping down some turbulent chiefs; and in October Colonel Fullarton
marched on Palghatcherri, after securing some intermediate forts.
Lieutenant-Colonel Humberston Mackenzie, of the 100th regiment, who
succeeded about this time to the command of the 78th, in consequence
of the death of his cousin, the Earl of Seaforth, as well as to his
title and estates, had intended to attack this place the preceding
year, but he abandoned the attempt. After a fatiguing march through
thick woods and a broken country, Colonel Fullarton reached the place
early in November, and immediately laid siege to it. The garrison
might have made a long and vigorous defence; but an event occurred
which hastened the fall of Palghatcherri. The enemy having taken
shelter from a shower of rain, the Hon. Captain Sir Thomas Maitland
advanced unperceived with his flank corps, and drove the enemy
through the first gateway, which he entered; but his progress was
checked at the second, which was shut. Being immediately reinforced,
he prepared to force an entrance; but the enemy, afraid of an
assault, immediately surrendered.
On the 30th of April this year the regiment lost their new colonel,
who died of wounds received on board the “Ranger” sloop of war on the
7th of April 1783, in an action with a Mahratta fleet while on his
return from Bombay. He was succeeded in the command of the regiment
by Major-General James Murray, from the half-pay of the 77th regiment.
In consequence of the peace, Seaforth’s regiment having been
raised on the condition of serving for three years, or during the
war,--those of the men that adhered to this agreement were allowed
to embark for England; while those that preferred staying in the
country received the same bounty as other volunteers. The number of
men who claimed their discharge on the 10th of August 1784 reduced
the regiment to 425 rank and file; but so many men volunteered into
the corps from the different regiments ordered home (among whom was a
considerable number of Highlanders who had formerly enlisted into the
100th Regiment with Colonel Humberston Mackenzie), that the strength
was at once augmented to 700 men. At the end of the next year the
regiment received 423 men from various regiments.
On the 12th of September 1786 the number of the regiment was changed
to the 72nd, in consequence of the reduction of senior regiments.
On the 25th of December 1787 the establishment was reduced to the
following numbers:--1 captain, 1 lieutenant-colonel and captain, 1
major and captain, 7 captains, 22 lieutenants, 8 ensigns, 1 chaplain,
1 adjutant, 1 quartermaster, 1 surgeon, 2 mates, 30 sergeants,
40 corporals, 20 drummers, 2 fifers, 710 privates, including 40
contingent men.
It was soon found necessary, however, again to increase the strength
of the regiment, and recruiting was carried on with success. A
considerable detachment joined on the 18th of August 1789; so that
in the following year, when war commenced with Tippoo, the 72nd
was nearly 800 strong, while the men were healthy, seasoned to the
climate, well-disciplined, and highly respectable in their moral
conduct. In this highly-efficient state they formed part of the army
under Major-General Meadows on the 23rd of July 1790.
The first service of the 72nd was under Colonel Stuart, being ordered
along with other troops to attack Palghatcheri, which on a former
occasion had been the scene of success to a corps now destined to
sustain a disappointment. The detachment being overtaken by the rains
which fell in almost unprecedented abundance, Colonel Stuart got so
beset with the mountain streams that, for a short time, he could
neither proceed nor retire; and when the waters abated he returned
to headquarters. In this enterprise the 78th had Captain George
Mackenzie and 23 rank and file killed, and 3 sergeants and 44 rank
and file wounded.
After a short rest, the same officer, with the same troops under
his command, was detached against Dindigul, before which he arrived
on the 16th of August 1790. This is one of those granite rocks so
common in that part of India. The fort on the summit had lately
been repaired, and mounted with 14 guns, the precipice allowing of
only one point of ascent. The means of attack, both in guns and
ammunition, were very deficient. A small breach, however, was made
on the 20th; and Colonel Stuart resolved to assault, small as the
breach was, judging that more loss would be sustained by delay than
by an immediate attack, since, in addition to other difficulties, he
was short of ammunition. Accordingly, on the evening of the 21st of
August, the attack was made. The defences were unusually complete,
and the resistance more determined than had been experienced on any
former occasion. Every man that reached the summit of the breach was
met and forced down by triple rows of spikes from the interior of
the rampart. After a bold but fruitless effort, they were repulsed
with loss. But the enemy was so intimidated, and dreaded so much
the consequence of a second and perhaps successful attack, that
he surrendered next morning, ignorant of their opponent’s want of
ammunition, the real cause of the premature attack.
Colonel Stuart again proceeded against Palghatcherri, and on the 21st
of September opened two batteries within five hundred yards of the
place; and though the fortification had been greatly strengthened
since the time the place was taken by Colonel Fullarton, he
succeeded the same day in making a practicable breach. Preparations
were made for an assault the following morning; but before daylight
the enemy offered to surrender on terms which were acceded to.
Leaving a garrison in the place, Colonel Stuart joined the army in
the neighbourhood of Coimbatore on the 15th of October, after which
the regiment followed all the movements of the army till the 29th of
January 1791, when Lord Cornwallis arrived and assumed the command.
The 72nd was engaged along with the 71st in the second attack on
Bangalore, the first attack on Seringapatam, and the attack on
Savendroog and Ootradroog. On the evening of March 7, 1791, the
pettah of Bangalore was stormed, and the siege of the town was
immediately commenced. During the night, the 72nd Highlanders were
posted under the outer pettah wall, close to the gate. “The enemy
kept up a sharp fire; their shots, which were many of them thirty-two
pounders, came very close to the regiment, making a great rattling
in the trees and bamboo hedge, near the line; but no casualties
occurred.”[424]
At four o’clock on the afternoon of the 20th of March, six companies
of the regiment marched into the trenches; and on the evening of the
following day the regiment was ordered to prepare to take part in
storming the fortress. The grenadier company was to join the storming
party appointed to advance by the left approach; the light company,
that by the right approach; and the battalion companies were formed
on the right of the parallel, to support the grenadiers. Three of the
72nd grenadiers joined the forlorn hope under Sergeant Williams of
the 76th regiment. Lieutenant Campbell states in his Journal:--“The
storming party primed and loaded, and sat down on their arms. Our
batteries, both gun and mortar, kept firing frequently during the
evening. At a quarter before eleven we got into motion; an opening
was made in the centre of the second parallel; the signal for
storming was given--three guns in quick succession--and out we
rushed. The covered way instantly appeared as a sheet of fire,
seconded from the fort, but with no aim or effect; our batteries
answered with blank cartridge; and we were in the covered way in a
moment, and on the breach as quick as thought. I pushed on, carried
forward by a powerful impulse, and found myself at the top of the
breach with the front files. The grenadiers immediately turned off
to the right with a huzza; their progress was suddenly stopped by an
opening; the fort was hung with blue lights; a heavy fire was opened
upon us, but with little effect; the difficulty was overcome, and
our troops ascended the ladders with every possible expedition. The
grandest and most striking sight I ever beheld was the rushing up of
the troops to the top of the breach, and the ascent of the grenadiers
in crowds by the scaling-ladders. We now heard the grenadiers’ march
beating in every quarter; our soldiers shouted with joy, and we
swept round the ramparts, with scarce anything to oppose us. Every
enemy that appeared had a bayonet in him instantly. The regiments
that supported us came in by the gateway, and cleared the town
below, where numbers were killed. In two hours we were in thorough
possession of the fort, and Lieutenant Duncan, of the 71st regiment,
pulled down the flag and put his own sash in its place. The Union
flag was afterwards hoisted, and the troops gave three cheers.”
On this occasion the regiment had 6 rank and file killed, and 1
sergeant and 23 rank and file wounded. In the orders issued on the
following day by Lord Cornwallis, the following passage occurs:--
“The conduct of all the regiments which happened, in their tour, to
be on duty that evening did credit in every respect to their spirit
and discipline; but his Lordship desires to offer the tribute of his
particular and warmest praise to the European grenadiers and light
infantry of the army, and to the 36th, 72nd, and 76th regiments, who
led the attack and carried the fortress, and who by their behaviour
on that occasion furnished a conspicuous proof that discipline and
valour in soldiers, when directed by zeal and capacity in officers,
are irresistible.
“Lieut.-Colonel Stuart (72nd Regiment) may be assured that Lord
Cornwallis will ever retain the most grateful remembrance of the
valuable and steady support which that officer afforded him, by his
military experience and constant exertions to promote the public
service.”
The army advanced to the siege of Seringapatam on the 4th of May, and
on the 15th as it approached the place, the Sultan’s position was
attacked by the 72nd, with other regiments. The enemy was driven from
every post, and towards the close of the action the 72nd ascended an
eminence and captured a round redoubt. The regiment had about 20 men
killed and wounded, among the latter being Captain Braithwaite and
Lieutenant Whitlie. The army, nearly all its provisions and other
stores being exhausted, retreated to the vicinity of Bangalore.
On the morning of the 21st of December the 72nd took part in the
storm of the strong fortress of Savendroog. The right attack was made
by the light companies of the 71st and 72nd, supported by a battalion
company of the 72nd; the left attack by the two flank companies
of the 76th and grenadier company of the 52nd; the centre attack
under Major Fraser of the 72nd, by the grenadiers and two battalion
companies of the 72nd, two companies of the 52nd, the grenadiers
of the 71st, and four companies of sepoys, supported by the sixth
battalion of sepoys; the whole under Lieut.-Colonel Nisbitt, of the
52nd regiment. The storming-parties proceeded to their stations;
the band of the 52nd took post near them, and suddenly striking up
the tune _Britons, strike home_, the whole rushed forward with the
most heroic ardour. The Mysoreans made a feeble defence, and in less
than two hours the British were in possession of the fort, with the
trifling loss of five men wounded. The troops were thanked in General
Orders, for their very gallant conduct.
Two days afterwards the troops advanced against Ootradroog. On
the 24th, two battalion companies of the 52nd and 72nd regiments,
supported by the 26th sepoys, attacked the pettah by escalade, and
were speedily in possession of the town. “Lieutenant M’Innes, senior
officer of the two 72nd companies, applied to Captain Scott for
liberty to follow the fugitives up the rock, saying he should be
in time to enter the first gateway with them. The captain thought
the enterprise impracticable. The soldiers of M’Innes’s company
heard the request made, and not doubting of consent being given, had
rushed towards the first wall, and were followed by M’Innes. The gate
was shut: but Lieutenant M’Pherson arrived with the pioneers and
ladders, which were instantly applied, and our people were within
the wall as quick as thought, when the gate was unbolted, and the
two companies entered. The enemy, astonished at so unexpected an
attempt, retreated with precipitation. M’Innes advanced to the second
wall, the men forced open the gate with their shoulders, and not a
moment was lost in pushing forward for the third wall; but the road,
leading between two rocks, was so narrow that only two could advance
abreast; the pathway was, in consequence, soon choked up, and those
who carried the ladders were unable to proceed. At the same time, the
enemy commenced throwing huge stones in numbers upon the assailants,
who commenced a sharp fire of musketry, and Lieut.-Colonel Stuart,
who had observed from a distance this astonishing enterprise, sent
orders for the grenadiers not to attempt anything further. Lieutenant
M’Pherson forced his way through the crowd, causing the ladders to
be handed over the soldiers’ heads, from one to another, and before
the colonel’s orders could be delivered, the gallant Highlanders were
crowding over the third gateway. The enemy fled on all hands; the
foremost of our men pursued them closely, and gained the two last
walls without opposition--there were five walls to escalade. The
garrison escaped by the south-east side of the fort, over rocks and
precipices of immense depth and ruggedness, where many must have lost
their lives. By one o’clock, our two companies were in possession
of every part of the fort, and M’Innes had planted the colours on
the highest pinnacle, without the loss of a single man. The Kiledar
and two of his people were taken alive. Colonel Stuart declared the
business to be brilliant and successful, beyond his most sanguine
hopes.”[425] Thus was the important fortress of Outra-Durgum captured
by two companies of Highlanders (Major Petrie’s, and Captain Hon.
William M. Maitland’s) of the 72nd regiment; the officers with the
two companies were Lieutenants M’Innes, Robert Gordon, ---- Getty,
and Ensign Andrew Coghlan. Lieutenant M’Pherson conducted the
pioneers. They all were thanked in General Orders by Earl Cornwallis,
who expressed his admiration of the gallantry and steadiness of the
officers and soldiers engaged in this service.
The rainy season being over, it was resolved to make a second attack
on Seringapatam, to which place the army marched in the beginning
of February 1792. The sultan had taken up a formidable position to
cover his capital, and was attacked during the night of the 6th
of February. The regiment formed part of the left division under
Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, which advanced to the attack in the
following order:--Grenadier Company, 72nd; Light Company, 72nd, with
scaling ladders; pioneers; 23rd Native Infantry; 72nd regiment; 1st
and 6th Native Infantry. The share taken by the 72nd in the attack
on the place we shall give in the words of the journal of Lieutenant
Campbell of the 72nd, quoted several times already:--
“We (the 72nd) moved from the left along the north side of the ridge
of hills extending from the Carrighaut pagoda to the Cappalair
rocks; by ten at night we found ourselves near the base of the hill,
where the officers were directed to dismount. When we were about two
hundred yards from the lower entrenchment, our grenadiers filed off
from the right with trailed arms, a serjeant and twelve men forming
the forlorn hope. When about fifty yards from the works, the sentinel
challenged us, and instantly fired his piece, which was followed by
a scattered fire from the rest of their party. We rushed among them,
and those who did not save themselves by immediate flight were shot
or bayoneted. The greatest number of them ran down to the Carriagat
pagoda, where they made a stand, and kept up a smart fire until we
were almost close to them; then retired under our fire to the foot
of the hill, where they were joined by a strong body from the plain,
and made a stand at a small choultry (or caravanserai), from which
a flight of steps led to the bridge across the nulla. By this time
the general attack on the enemy’s lines had commenced, and there
was an almost connected sheet of fire from right to left--musketry,
guns, and rockets rending the air with their contending noise. We
sat upon the brow of the hill a few minutes, while our men were
recovering their breath, and had a commanding prospect of the whole
attack, though nearly three miles in extent, as we contemplated the
scene before us, the grandest, I suppose, that any person there had
beheld. Being rested a little, Colonel Maxwell led us down the hill
under a smart fire. We rushed forward and drove the enemy across the
nulla in great haste, although they stood our approach wonderfully.
We crossed the bridge under a constant fire, the enemy retreating
as we advanced; we crossed the Lokany river, the opposite bank
of which was well covered by a _bound-hedge_, and their fire did
execution. A serjeant of grenadiers was killed, Captain Mackenzie
mortally wounded, Major Fraser and Captain Maitland shot through
their right arms, besides other casualties. After we had penetrated
the _bound-hedge_, the enemy took post behind an extensive choultry;
but nothing could stop the ardour of our men: we charged without
loss of time, and soon dislodged the enemy, who retreated along the
banks of the Cavery to a second choultry, where their numbers were
reinforced. We had now got into their camp, upon the right flank of
their lines; they retreated steadily before us, and our fire and
bayonets did great execution among them, the road being strewed with
their bodies. We charged and dislodged them from the second choultry;
here Lieutenant M’Pherson of the grenadiers was wounded. We pursued
the enemy to a large pagoda; they attempted to cross the river, but
the place was so crowded with guns, tumbrils, bullocks, elephants,
camels, followers, and Heaven knows what, that we were in the midst
of them before they could escape, and for some minutes there was
nothing but shooting and bayoneting. Colonel Maxwell came up with
the 23rd Native Infantry; the sepoys of the 14th native battalions
advanced; they took us for the enemy, and fired, but their officers
suppressed the fire before much injury was done. The 71st regiment
also joined us, and preparations were made to cross the river and
force the lines on the opposite side. Colonel Baird requested me to
lead with twenty men; I instantly rushed into the stream, followed
by twenty grenadiers of the 72nd regiment; we pushed on through
holes, over rocks and stones, falling and stumbling at every step,
the enemy’s shot reducing our numbers; and myself, with about half a
dozen grenadiers, arrived at a smooth part of the stream which proved
beyond our depth; five of us, however, got over; but the regiments
did not venture to follow and we returned with difficulty. An easy
passage had been found out lower down; the 71st and 72nd regiments
had got into the island; the flank companies of the 52nd, 71st, and
74th regiments forded higher up, and the enemy, seeing our troops on
all sides of them, betook themselves to flight.
[Illustration: From a Painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
General James Stuart, who died in 1815, after 54 years’ service.]
“About one o’clock in the morning the 71st and 72nd regiments
advanced to the pettah, from which the inhabitants had fled, and
we released a number of Europeans from prison. About seven o’clock
the 72nd marched into the famous _Llal Baugh_, or, as I heard it
translated, ‘_garden of pearls_,’ and were posted in one of the walks
during the day.”
The loss of the regiment in this brilliant victory over Tippoo Sahib
was Captain Thomas Mackenzie and 14 men killed; Major Hugh Fraser,
Captain the Honourable William Maitland, Lieutenants M’Pherson and
Ward, 1 serjeant, and 42 men wounded. This victory was the means of
inducing the Sultan Tippoo to sue for peace, which he obtained on
ceding half of his dominions, and paying £3,500,000, part of which
was given as a gratuity to the troops, along with six months’ batta
or field allowance.
The 72nd returned to Wallahabad, where it remained till 1795, with
a brief absence in August 1793, when it took part in an expedition
against the French settlement of Pondicherry on the Coromandel
coast.[426] The 72nd performed trench and other duty, and had only
two men killed.
On the death of General Murray, the colonelcy of the regiment was
conferred on Major-General Adam Williamson, March 19, 1794.
In 1795, the 72nd under their old commander-colonel, Major-General
James Stuart, took part in the expedition against the Dutch
settlements of Ceylon, where the regiment remained from August 1795
till March 1797, taking part in various operations with but little
loss of men. At the siege of Trincomalee, the 72nd had Ensign Benson,
2 serjeants, and 7 rank and file wounded. Major Fraser, who was
promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment in September
1793, was detached against the fort of Batticaloa, which surrendered
to him on the 18th of that month.
The 72nd was removed to Pondicherry preparatory to embarking for
England in March 1797, previous to which the men who were fit for
service were drafted into corps remaining in India. The skeleton of
the regiment embarked at Madras on the 10th of February 1798, and on
arriving in England, it was ordered to Perth, which it reached in
August that year. For its distinguished services in India, it was
authorised to bear “Hindoostan” on its colours.
In October of the same year, Major-General James Stuart succeeded
General Adam Williamson as colonel.[427] Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser
died in May 1801; he was loved and respected by the regiment, with
which he had been in many a hard-fought field. Some high ground near
Seringapatam, the scene of his gallantry, was named “Fraser’s Hill.”
He bequeathed £500 to the officers’ mess, to be appropriated in such
a manner as should best commemorate his attachment to the corps and
his esteem for the officers.
In 1804, when a French invasion was feared, a second battalion
was added to the regiment, formed of men raised in Aberdeen for
limited service, under the “Limited Service Act.” It was embodied at
Peterhead, and remained in Scotland for some time.
In 1805 the 72nd, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun Grant,
embarked with the secret expedition under Major-General Sir David
Baird, which sailed in August for the Cape of Good Hope, then
possessed by the Dutch. The expedition anchored in Table Bay on the
4th of January 1806; and on the morning of the 6th, the Highland
brigade, composed of the 71st, 72nd, and 93rd regiments, effected a
landing, the light companies of the two former regiments driving the
Dutch sharpshooters from the contiguous heights.[428] After gaining a
complete victory, and pursuing the enemy three miles under a burning
sun, the Highlanders were ordered to halt, and the first brigade
continued the pursuit.[429] In Sir David Baird’s despatch, he spoke
as follows of the Highland brigade and of the 72nd:--
“The Highland brigade advanced steadily under a heavy fire
of round shot, grape, and musketry. Nothing could resist the
determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader,
Brigadier-General Ferguson; and the number of the enemy, who swarmed
the plain, served only to augment their ardour and confirm their
discipline. The enemy received our fire and maintained his position
obstinately; but in the moment of charging, the valour of British
troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate
retreat.
“Your lordship will perceive the name of Lieutenant-Colonel Grant
among the wounded; but the heroic spirit of this officer was not
subdued by his misfortune, and he continued to lead his men to glory,
as long as an enemy was opposed to His Majesty’s 72nd regiment.”
The regiment lost 2 rank and file killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Grant,
Lieutenant Alexander Chisholm, 2 sergeants, and 34 rank and file
wounded.
[Music: CABAR FEIDH;
OR,
GATHERING OF THE 72nd HIGHLANDERS.
ARRANGED FOR THE BAGPIPES.]
On the 10th of January, the regiment marched to Wineberg barracks;
and on the 11th, Lieutenant M’Arthur of the 72nd was detached with
thirty men of the regiment, to take possession of Hout’s Bay. “After
Lieutenant M’Arthur’s departure, it was ascertained that the enemy
had a strong garrison at Hout’s Bay, and Major Tucker of the 72nd
was sent after him on horseback, to detain him until a reinforcement
should arrive; but the lieutenant had reached the vicinity of the
place with much expedition, and finding how matters stood, showed
his men rank entire, and only partially, but to the most advantage.
Having procured pen, ink, and paper, he summoned the garrison to
unconditional surrender, otherwise he would blow the place about
their ears, assault the works, and give no quarter. The Dutch
immediately surrendered at discretion, and when the major arrived, he
found Lieutenant M’Arthur in full possession of the works, consisting
of a strong block-house and two batteries.”[430]
The 72nd remained about the Cape till 1810, when it embarked 800 men
to take part with troops from India in the capture of Mauritius.
Having on the 3rd of December arrived well to windward of the Isle
of France, it was ascertained that the Indian army had landed
the previous morning at Point Cannonnière, and was menacing the
enemy’s position. The transports carrying the Cape brigade were in
consequence ordered to proceed to the mouth of Port Louis Harbour,
where the 72nd was held in momentary readiness to land in the rear
of the enemy’s lines, should he have attempted to defend them. The
French captain-general, who affected to despise the Indian Sepoys,
against whom he had declared he would defend himself, was by this
movement afforded the opportunity of seeing that the Cape brigade was
absolutely present and threatening to land. This circumstance, to use
his own words, “determined the immediate surrender of the Mauritius.”
Accordingly, on the 5th of December 1810, the regiment landed and
remained on that island, taking its tour of the detachment and
garrison duties during upwards of three years, during which period
it obtained the respect and approbation of the inhabitants in a very
eminent degree; and the universal regret expressed by the latter on
the departure of the corps was in terms that would leave no doubt of
its sincerity.
In 1809 King George III. approved of the regiment discontinuing
to wear the Highland costume, which, however, was restored to it
in 1823, with the exception of the kilt, for which the trews were
substituted. In September 1811 the strength of the first battalion
was augmented to 1000 rank and file, and was completed by drafts from
the 2nd battalion, then in Ireland.
In April 1815, Lieutenant-General Rowland, Lord Hill, was appointed
colonel of the 72nd in room of the deceased General Stuart; and Lord
Hill was succeeded, in February 1817, by Major-General Sir George
Murray.
The regiment remained at the Cape till June 1815, when it embarked
for India, bearing on its colours “Cape of Good Hope” for its eminent
services in South Africa. The destination of the regiment was India;
but when it arrived there in September 1814, the war against the
Rajah of Nepaul had terminated, and it was ordered back to the
Cape, landing at Cape Town in March 1816. The war in Europe having
terminated, the second battalion of the regiment was disbanded at
Londonderry, the men either volunteering into incomplete regiments or
receiving their discharge.
In June 1817 four companies of the regiment removed to Graham’s Town
to relieve the 21st Light Dragoons. These companies were distributed
along the Great Fish River, to carry on a line of posts intended to
defend the frontiers against the depredations of the warlike tribes
of Kaffirs, that were continually committing acts of hostility and
aggression. Notwithstanding the arduous and toilsome nature of their
duties, and their frequent exposure to the inclement weather, the men
of the 72nd remained remarkably healthy.
On the 3rd of February 1819, the regiment had to regret the loss of
Captain Gethin, who, with one sergeant and a private, was killed near
the post of De Bruin’s Drift, on an excursion against the Kaffirs.
It appears those savages had entered the colony and taken off some
cattle belonging to a boor in the neighbourhood of Gethin’s post. On
the circumstance being reported, he instantly set out with a patrol
in pursuit, and, coming upon their traces, pushed forward in advance
with some of the men and boors, who were mounted, and came up with
the cattle in a thick part of the bush. Depending on the support
of the boors, who were well armed, in the event of an attack, he,
with the few men that had accompanied him, fearlessly entered, and
was proceeding to drive the cattle out, when they were attacked and
surrounded by the Kaffirs; and though the cowardly boors were within
hearing, and had among them the owner of the cattle, not one had the
spirit to render the least assistance. Captain Gethin and his party
behaved with the greatest bravery, fully determined to sell their
lives as dearly as possible. He defended himself with the butt of his
gun till he fell, overpowered by numbers and exertion: his body was
found afterwards, pierced with thirty-two wounds. By this unfortunate
affair was lost to the regiment a highly respected and valuable
soldier, and to the service a brave and intelligent officer, whose
gallant conduct in the Peninsula, particularly at the capture of San
Sebastian, had been rewarded by promotion.
The regiment remained at the Cape, always having a detachment on the
frontiers, till December 1821, when it embarked for England. At its
departure, it received the approbation of the Governor-General, Lord
Charles Somerset, for the exemplary and steady conduct of the men
during their residence at the Cape.
On its arrival in England, in March 1822, the 72nd proceeded to Port
Cumberland; and, after moving about among various stations, it took
up its quarters in Jersey and Guernsey in May 1823, in which year Sir
George Murray removed to the 42nd, and was succeeded in the colonelcy
of the 72nd by Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope. In this same year,
the conduct of the regiment having on all occasions been so soldierly
and exemplary, on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, the
Duke of York and Albany, George IV. was pleased to authorise that the
72nd should resume the Highland costume, with the exception of the
kilt, trews being substituted. At the same time, as a special mark
of royal favour, the regiment was authorised to assume the title of
“The Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders;” and in June 1824 His Majesty
approved of the 72nd using as a regimental badge the Duke of Albany’s
cipher and coronet, to be borne on the regimental colours.
The 72nd remained in the Channel Islands till April 1824, and on
leaving was presented with addresses by the authorities and principal
inhabitants, expressing their high admiration of its discipline, and
of the peaceful and orderly behaviour of the men. After staying a
short time at Plymouth, the regiment proceeded to Scotland, landing
on the 13th of September at Newhaven, from which it marched to
Edinburgh Castle, headed by its colonel, Lieutenant-General Sir John
Hope. Detachments were sent to Stirling, Fort-William, and Dumbarton.
While in Edinburgh, in August 1825, the regiment received new
colours, which were presented to the colonel, Sir John Hope, by Lady
Hope. In presenting them to the regiment, Sir John addressed it as
follows:--
“In delivering to your charge these colours, which have been
presented to the 72nd regiment by Lady Hope, I am fully aware that
I am not addressing a newly raised corps, whose name and character
have yet to be acquired. As it has pleased His Majesty to confer so
distinguished an honour on the regiment as to permit the 72nd to
assume the name of the Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders, I cannot
omit congratulating the corps on having received so flattering and
honourable a mark of approbation, and expressing my conviction
that this additional badge, which is now placed on these colours,
will afford a new and powerful inducement for maintaining the high
character which the 72nd regiment has so long and so deservedly
possessed. I feel particularly gratified that the honour of
delivering these colours has devolved on me, and that their
presentation should also have taken place in the capital of the
country where the regiment was first raised, and after its return
from a long period of honourable and distinguished service. The
country being now at peace, there is no opportunity for the 72nd
to gain fresh honours by victories in the field; but the regiment
may deserve and obtain almost equal honour and credit by setting an
example of discipline and good conduct on home service, which becomes
now particularly incumbent when so highly distinguished by being
named after His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, to whom the
whole army is indebted for the present state of order and discipline
to which it has attained. That the 72nd will ever continue to
deserve the approbation of His Royal Highness I make no doubt: and
I have now to offer my most sincere good wishes for the prosperity
of the corps collectively, and of every individual officer,
non-commissioned officer, and private soldier of the regiment.”
The regiment left Edinburgh for Ireland during the same month, the
Lord Provost and Magistrates of the city thanking the men for their
exemplary conduct.
While in Ireland--where it was divided into detachments posted at
various places--the regiment, in September 1827, was formed into
six service and four depôt companies, the former proceeding to
London, and taking duty at the Tower. In June 1828, it was inspected
at Canterbury by Lord Hill, who complimented it by stating “that
although it had been his lot to see and serve with most of the
regiments in the service, he felt he should not be doing full
justice to the 72nd Highlanders if he did not express his particular
approbation of everything connected with them, and add, that he had
never before seen a regiment their equal in movements, in appearance,
and in steadiness under arms.”
In the end of the same month the service companies of the regiment
again embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, where its reputation had
already been so well established, and reached it on the 11th October.
On disembarking at the Cape of Good Hope, it was quartered in the
main barracks at Cape Town until it was removed on the 1st of October
1832 to the Castle. During this period it furnished in its tour the
detachments at Simon’s Bay and Rotten Island. From the latter part
of 1829 to the end of 1830 a company was employed in making a road
through Hottentot Holland Kloof, since called “Sir Lowry’s Pass.”
With this exception, nothing occurred to interrupt the usual routine
of garrison duty, until the 31st of December 1834, when an express
having arrived with the unexpected intelligence that a great part
of the eastern frontier district was overrun and plundered by the
Kaffirs, the Governor, Major-General D’Urban, immediately directed
a wing of the regiment to be held in readiness for embarkation and
on the 2nd of January 1835 Nos. 3 and 5, with the Light Companies,
under the command of Major Maclean, immediately sailed for Algoa
Bay. On the 6th, the Grenadier Company marched to Simon’s Bay, and
embarked in His Majesty’s 16-gun ship “Trinculo,” in which the
Governor took his passage to the frontier. Lieutenant-Colonel Peddie,
K.H., with the remaining companies, proceeded, in four divisions,
overland to Uitenhage, where the lieutenant-colonel with the first
division arrived on the 16th, after a harassing journey of ten
days, and was joined on the three succeeding days by the remaining
divisions.
A detachment, consisting of Captain Sutherland, one subaltern, and
forty rank and file, which rejoined the head-quarters at Grahamstown
on the 12th of February, was left here for the protection of the
town until a local force could be organised. Lieut.-Colonel Peddie,
with the remainder, marched for Grahamstown on the 20th of January,
arriving there on the 23rd, and finding at the Diodsty the three
companies which had preceded them by sea, except the Light Company.
With the latter and a small mounted force Captain Jervis had, on
the 16th, been sent to re-occupy Fort Willshire. This, with all the
military posts on the frontier, except Fort Beaufort and Hermann’s
Kraal, had been abandoned to the Kaffirs, and sacked by them.
At this time the Kaffirs had swept off nearly all the cattle in the
colony, and were returning with their booty to the most distant
and secure parts of their own country, while the Governor was at
Grahamstown awaiting the arrival of armed boors and Hottentots, who
hastened from the remote districts, and were collecting supplies for
the prosecution of the war in Kaffirland. On the 27th of January,
Major Cox, of the 75th regiment, had collected a force, of which
Captain Jervis, with forty men of the Light Company, and the whole
mounted force at Fort Willshire, formed part, for the purpose of
bringing off the missionaries and traders, who were assembled at
Burns Hill in Kaffirland: this service they successfully executed.
During their absence, however, which had the effect of weakening
the garrison of the fort, then under the orders of Lieutenant Bent,
Royal Engineers, on the 29th of January the Kaffirs, in overwhelming
numbers, made a sudden attack on the cattle-guard. Although
assistance was promptly afforded from the fort, which was not a
thousand paces distant, and though the guard made a most gallant
resistance, yet the Kaffirs succeeded in killing Corporal Davidson,
and Privates Arnut, Webster, and Woods, of the Light Company, with
two Hottentots of the new levies that composed it, and carried off
all the cattle.
As it had been ascertained by Lieutenant-Colonel England, 75th
regiment, that the Fish River Bush was occupied by the Kaffirs in
great force, Captain Murray, with his company, marched, on the 31st
of January, to Trompetter’s Drift, to join a force collected there
for the purpose of clearing the country; and Major Maclean, with
100 men of the 72nd, also marched thither on the 7th of February
to reinforce this command, which was now under the direction of
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, C.B., and which returned to Grahamstown
on the 17th of February. The next day, the Commander-in-Chief in
General Orders, congratulated the troops--“all of whom behaved
admirably”--“upon the complete success which has crowned their recent
operations, and by which the necessary and important object has been
gained of driving the hostile tribes from the woods and fastnesses
of the Great Fish River. The enterprise was one of no ordinary
difficulty. The enemy was numerous, and well armed with muskets,
and was determined to hold his ground, which, from the rugged and
well-wooded ravines, was singularly adapted to his peculiar mode
of fighting. The enemy was routed everywhere, and driven from his
strongholds and over the Keiskamma, with a great loss in killed and
wounded, and all his possessions in cattle, of which 4000 head, with
large quantities of sheep and goats, fell into our hands.”
During these operations there were lost altogether eleven killed and
eleven wounded, of whom three killed and four wounded belonged to the
72nd regiment.
For some time after this the Kaffirs continued inactive, and made no
more incursions, while the Governor confined himself to organising
the new levies, and providing for the security of the country during
the absence of the army.
On the 6th of February 1835 a patrol from Fort Willshire, which had
been reinforced by the Albany Burger Force and the Bathurst Yeomanry,
discovered that a large body of the Kaffirs, estimated at 3000, had
passed into the Fish River Bush, and next day Captain Jervis, with
120 men, proceeded to “Breakfast Key,” and following the _spoor_
(foot-marks), soon saw the Kaffirs, who kept up a well-sustained
fire on the patrol as it approached the Bush. On being reinforced,
however, by the George Burghers from the camp at Somerset Mount, and
a three-pounder, the patrol succeeded in taking all the cattle that
the enemy had brought up for his subsistence, thus inflicting on him
a very severe blow.
The Kaffirs, however, retreated lower down the Fish River Bush, and
near Trompetter’s Drift fell in with a party of the Port Elizabeth
Yeomanry, and killed eight of their number, with a loss on their part
of only nine men--relatively speaking, a very small proportion. On
the 8th, the Grenadier Company of the 75th regiment relieved Captain
Jervis and the Light Company at Fort Willshire, which was marched
that night to Breakfast Key, and next day formed part of the Force
under Colonel Smith, which, on the following day, cleared the Bush
of the Kaffirs, who retreated across the Keiskamma. The Government
notice reports the loss of the Kaffirs as 150 killed, and our loss as
9 killed and 11 wounded. Sergeant Burt was the only man of the 72nd
that suffered at this time: he had somehow unaccountably fallen a few
paces in the rear of his company, and was immediately overpowered.
Colonel Smith pursued the Kaffirs with his whole force, and a camp
was formed at Macomo’s Old Kraal, to which, on the 11th of March, the
Light Company proceeded; and on the 18th it was joined by the rest of
the regiment.
The Governor, having confided the protection of the colony to
Lieut.-Colonel England, and the 75th regiment, with some local corps
arrived on the 28th at the camp on the Brak River to which the
troops at Macomo’s Kraal had moved on the 25th. On the day after the
Governor’s arrival he issued an order distributing the army in four
divisions, as follows:--
1st Division--Lieut.-Colonel Peddie near Fort Willshire; two guns
Royal Artillery, the gunners of which, as well as the guns attached
to the 3rd division, were selected from the 72nd regiment; the 72nd
Highlanders; a detachment of the Cape Mounted Rifles, under Major
Lowen; the 1st battalion Provisional Infantry; and the Swellend
Burgher Force.
2nd Division--Lieut.-Colonel Somerset on the Clusie; two guns Royal
Artillery; Cape Mounted Riflemen; Burgher Force; George Burgher
Force; Uitenhage Force; and Albany Force.
3rd Division--Major Cox, 75th Regiment, Block Drift; two guns Royal
Artillery; detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles; 2d Battalion Colonial
Infantry; Beaufort Burgher Force; and the Kat River Legion.
4th Division--Field-Commandant Wyk, at Tambookie Vley, consisted of
the Cradock and Somerset Burgher Forces.
On the 30th of March, the first division, with the headquarters
of the Commander-in-Chief, broke up the camp at the Brak River,
simultaneously with other divisions, at their various points, entered
Kaffirland at Execution Drift, above Fort Willshire, and encamped
that night on the Kebeca. The next day, April the 1st, this division
encamped on the Debè Flats, and on the evening of the 2nd, Captain
Jervis was despatched with the Light Company to the Upper Amatola,
where he joined Major Cox, with the Kat River Legion, on the 3rd.
These, with their combined force, succeeded in killing several
Kaffirs, and taking 800 head of cattle, many horses, and immense
flocks of goats, which were sent into the Debè Camp on the 4th, Major
Cox following with his whole division. On the 3rd the first division
left the Debè, penetrated to the fastnesses in rear of T’Slambie’s
Kop, and not meeting with the enemy in force, returned to the camp
the same night, having succeeded in killing some stragglers, while
the force sustained a loss of one man killed and one wounded. On
the 6th the army left the Debè, and the third division entered the
Keiskamma Hoek, while the baggage and supplies marched with the first
division to the Buffalo.
The first division encamped on the left bank of the Buffalo, where
Fort Beresford was afterwards built, and the second division encamped
about three miles further down the river. Early on the morning of
the 7th, Captain Murray, with 100 men of the regiment, and three
companies of the First Provincial Battalion, was despatched to the
principal ridge of Buffalo Mountain, with the view of intercepting
any Kaffirs that might be retreating from the third division, which
was advancing from the Keiskamma Hoek, and from the fourth, which was
advancing from Klip Platts across the Bontebok to the rear of the
mountains. About daybreak they came to a high, rugged cliff, called
Murray’s Krantz, and here found 600 chosen Kaffir warriors, under the
guidance of Tyali, son of Dushanie, awaiting the attack, under the
mistaken notion of the impregnability of their position.
On the 8th of April, Captain Murray, at the head of his company,
gallantly climbed the cliff, although the Kaffirs, not content with
the usual weapons, hurled down masses of rock on the attacking party.
At length, however, the savage warriors fled, leaving a large number
of killed on the ground, but not until Captain Murray and four of his
men had been severely wounded by the assegais.[431] The result of
this affair was the capture of 4000 head of cattle, the only loss on
the British side being 1 sergeant of the Provincial Battalion, who
was shot by a Hottentot deserter while driving the cattle out of the
bush.
The patrol returned to the camp at night, and the Commander-in-Chief,
in a General Order, thanked all the officers and troops employed in
the affair. The conclusion of the General Order is in the following
gratifying terms:--“The intrepid and determined perseverance
of Captain Murray, who, though severely wounded, continued his
exertions to the end of the day, with his company of the 72nd,
was of the highest order, and deserves the especial thanks of the
Commander-in-Chief.”
On the evening of the 8th of April all the troops were assembled at
their respective points of attack, and prepared for a concentrating
movement on the mountains in which the Keiskamma, Kaboosie, and
Buffalo take their rise. Sir Benjamin D’Urban, with the second
division and the mounted part of the first, was at the Posts of
the Buffalo; Major Cox and the third division, at the head of the
Keiskamma Hoek; Van Wyk, with the fourth, was on the plains to the
northward; while Colonel Peddie, leaving the camp at midnight with
four companies of the regiment and the First Provincial Battalion,
ascended the Iseli-Berg; and having, early on the morning of the 9th,
divided his forces into two columns, he penetrated the fastnesses of
the Isidingi or Mount Kempt. The Kaffirs, now perceiving that they
were attacked at every point, fled in the utmost dismay, and several
thousand head of cattle became the reward of this movement; while
on our side we had only to lament the loss of 1 man killed and 4
wounded, among whom was Field-Commander Van Wyk. This success is thus
recorded in General Orders:--
“The hostile chiefs of the tribes of Tyali, Macomo, Bothina, Eno,
and others, were at length compelled to assemble in the rocky woods
near the sources of the Buffalo, with their followers, to the
number of at least 7000 men, and had avowed their determination
to defend themselves to the last. From these fastnesses, however,
notwithstanding their impervious nature, they were immediately
driven,--the troops penetrating them everywhere, each column in its
ordered course; and they have scattered and dispersed in various
directions, disheartened and dismayed, with a great loss of killed
and wounded (among whom are some of the sons and relations of the
chiefs), and in cattle to the number of ten thousand head. The
Commander-in-Chief desires to express his warmest approbation of the
conduct of all the troops; their excellent marching, their patient
endurance of fatigue, and the brilliant gallantry with which they
drove the enemy before them wherever they were to be found, alike
deserve his praise and the thanks which he offers to Lieut.-Col.
Peddie, commanding the first division; Lieut.-Col. Somerset, the
second; Major Cox, the third; and Field-Commandant Van Wyk, the
fourth; as well as the officers and soldiers of their respective
divisions.”
On the 11th of April Sir Benjamin D’Urban, leaving the third and
fourth divisions to harass and pursue the now discomfited Kaffirs,
advanced to the river Kei in person with the two remaining divisions,
the first taking the more direct road, the second moving in a
parallel direction, but nearer the sea.
The first division crossed the Kei on the 16th; and now, upon
entering the territories of Hintza, an order was issued forbidding
any unprovoked hostility, and directing that all pillage or
ill-treatment of the inhabitants should be repressed with the utmost
rigour.
The first division encamped at Butterworth on the 17th, and on the
19th were joined by the second division, which had captured 3000 head
of cattle, which Colonel Somerset had sent to the rear.
The Governor, having been engaged in fruitless negotiations with
Hintza for some days, at length had recourse to hostile measures;
and war was accordingly formally proclaimed on the morning of the
21st, on which day Colonel Smith, with the mounted force of the first
division, started in pursuit of Hintza, and the regiment, with the
First Provisional Battalion, marching in the direction of the Izolo,
where they encamped on the 25th. There they were joined by Colonel
Smith, who had taken the 12,000 head of cattle, which were sent to be
guarded by the second division, that still remained at Butterworth.
On the 26th, Colonel Smith, with a large patrol, of which Captain
Murray and two companies of the regiment formed a part, marched to
the T’Somo and returned to the camp on the 29th, when Colonel Smith
reported the result of these two days’ operations:--“Nearly 15,000
head of cattle have fallen into our hands, many of the enemy have
been shot, whilst our loss has been trifling; and the savages have
again been taught that neither woods, ravines, nor mountains can
secure them from the pursuit of British troops. More difficult and
fatiguing marches troops never encountered, and these happy results
would not have been obtained without extraordinary exertions.”
Meanwhile, these movements and their results had a dire effect on
Hintza, and upon the Commander-in-Chief’s assurance of a safe-conduct
for himself and also that of other persons who would be admitted to
treat for him, he came into the camp on the 29th of April with his
ordinary retinue of fifty followers, and had an immediate conference
with the Commander-in-Chief.
The next morning a treaty was formally agreed to, and hostilities
suspended. Hintza, together with Krieh, his principal son, and their
followers, continued in the camp at their own desire; and on the
2nd of May they accompanied the troops, when the latter took their
departure from the Izolo, and commenced their retrograde movement.
At a deserted trading station, where the division halted during the
middle of the day, and where Bokoo, Hintza’s brother, and a chief
joined the party, an express was received by Colonel Somerset that
the Kaffirs were massacring the Fingoes, who had placed themselves
under British protection, and were preparing to accompany the
retreat of the troops. Sir Benjamin d’Urban thereupon summoned to
his presence Hintza and his suite, who up to this period had been
under no restraint, and informed them that, after sufficient time had
elapsed for the Kaffirs to be made aware of the perilous situation
of the sovereign, for each Fingo who should be murdered two Kaffirs
should be hanged, and that the first selected should be Hintza and
his brother Bokoo. On the division moving and encamping on the
Debakazi, the whole of the now captive guests and followers were
disarmed, and most of them dismissed the camp. The few whom the chief
Hintza was allowed to retain, together with Bokoo, Krieh, and the
Hemraden, were placed under a guard of 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and
90 men of the regiment, who had orders to use extraordinary measures
of precaution, and to shoot any of their prisoners except Krieh,
should there be an attempt at escape or rescue.
The Governor remained here some days, and on the 9th Colonel
Somerset, having previously marched towards the colony with the
Fingoes and captured cattle, moved on with the division, now
augmented by the greater part of the Cape corps, and encamped on
the left bank of the Kei at Lapstone Drift. Here, on the morning of
the 10th, the Commander-in-Chief declared, under a royal salute,
and in presence of Hintza, who was marched a prisoner into the
square for the purpose, that the Kei was to be the future boundary
of the colony, and that the chiefs Macomo, Tyali, Eno, Bothina,
T’Slambie, Dushani, &c., and their tribes, were for ever expelled
from the new territory, and would be treated as enemies if found
therein. The territory was named the province of Queen Adelaide. The
Commander-in-Chief gave as his reason for taking this step, “the
absolute necessity of providing for the future security of the colony
against unprovoked aggression, which could only be done by removing
these treacherous and irreclaimable savages to a safer distance.”
After this, Hintza was informed by the Governor that he would retain
Krieh and Bokoo as the hostages required by the treaty entered into
at the Izolo, and that he had a right to send him to Cape Town as a
prisoner of war, but would refrain from doing so on his accompanying
Colonel Smith through the country, and exerting his authority to
collect the horses and cattle due. Upon Hintza engaging to do so,
he was marched back to the guard, and his arms restored to him. He
was shortly after handed over by the 72nd to a party of the corps
of Guides, and proceeded with Colonel Smith accordingly. As soon
as the party, with which was Captain Murray with two companies
of the regiment, amounting in all to 500 men, had marched on the
destined service, the Governor broke up his camp and marched to the
Impotshane, where a Post named “Wardens” was immediately commenced.
On the morning of the 17th the party under Colonel Smith rejoined
headquarters, having, in the words of the General Order, “marched 218
miles in seven days.” They had crossed the Bashee, taken 3000 head of
cattle, and succeeded in bringing off 1000 Fingoes, who from their
remote situation had been unable before to join their countrymen, now
under British protection. Major White, with a detachment of the Cape
corps, was cut off whilst reconnoitring the country. This was the
only loss on the British side. Hintza, however, met with his death
while attempting to make his escape on the 14th, near the N’gabaxa.
Although he had already received two severe wounds, he was shot by
one of the corps of Guides, formerly a Kaffir trader, of the name of
Southey. Even those who attempt to justify the deed characterise it
as an untoward event.
On the following day, the 18th of May, Sir Benjamin d’Urban entered
into a treaty with Krieh, now the principal chief, who took upon
himself his father’s engagements, and was permitted to receive the
border tribes: Bokoo and Vadanna being left as hostages, the young
chief was escorted into his own country. During these transactions
Major Cox had not been inactive, but had perpetually harassed the
Kaffirs, now seeking individual safety, and was on the point of
entering into negotiations with Macomo and Tyali, who on the 13th
were prepared to come into his camp, when they received a message
from Hintza that he was a prisoner, and advising them to take care
of themselves. This advice they followed, although they did not
retaliate by detaining Major Cox, who was in their power, without the
means of resistance.
On the 20th of May, the work being finished, and a force of 2
subalterns and 80 rank and file of the regiment being left behind to
garrison the place, the remainder marched to the Komga, and halting
there, constructed a Post, called Fort Wellington. Having left 1
subaltern and 25 rank and file of the regiment, and some provisional
troops, to garrison it, the division marched to Brownlie’s missionary
station, on the Buffalo, which it reached on the 23rd. Here the
Governor determined on fixing the future capital of the province,
which was named King William’s Town; a fort, named “Fort Hill,” being
completed and garrisoned, the plan of the town was laid out, and the
troops commenced hutting themselves.
On the 10th of June the Governor left King William’s Town, and,
the division being broken up, gave over the command of the troops
to Colonel Smith. On the 12th the Light Company marched to join
Captain Jervis at the sources of the Buffalo, where a Post called
Fort Beresford was constructed; and on the same day, Captain Lacy,
with 30 men of his company and some provisional troops, marched to
form a Post at Mount Coke, called Fort Murray. The exertions of the
troops continued unremitting, not only in completing the works of
the different Posts, but also in patrolling the country. For their
success in these duties they were repeatedly thanked in General
Orders.
On the 9th of July a new Post, named Fort Cox, was established at
Burn’s Hill by Major Cox, and garrisoned by a detachment of the 75th
Regiment. During the whole of this month patrolling was continued
with unabated activity, but the Kaffirs, now become desperate, were
successful in their efforts at Keiskamma. Lieutenant Baillie and a
patrol of 30 men of the 1st Provisional Battalion were overpowered
and killed to a man on the Commity flats, whilst retreating from the
Keiskamma Hoek. Fifteen men of a foraging party from King William’s
Town were killed at the Kamka, or Yellow Wood Trees; and on the 20th,
Gazela made a vigorous but unsuccessful attack upon Fort Wellington,
when Private Storey of the 72nd was killed.
On the 8th of August the Kaffirs made a successful attack on the
Fingoes in the Cedul Territory, carrying off all their cattle; and on
intelligence being received at King William’s Town, a large patrol of
the regiment under Major Maclean was sent in pursuit. Their rations
having, however, been expended, they were compelled to return without
being able to retake the cattle or attack the Kaffirs with effect,
although the latter hovered about with loud shouting and cheers
during the march, and kept up a desultory fire on the detachment. In
consequence of the report made by Major Maclean, and intelligence
obtained that Macomo and Tyali were in great force on the Amatola
and Izinuka mountains during the night of the 11th of July, Major
Maclean and 40 men of the regiment, and 150 Provisionals from King
William’s Town, and 1 officer and 40 men of the 72nd, with 40 of
the Provisionals from Fort Beresford, and the Kat River legion from
Camp Adelaide, were assembled at Fort Cox. At no period since the
commencement of hostilities did affairs wear a more unsatisfactory
aspect. The Kaffirs, emboldened by success, watched from their
fastnesses the movements of the troops, and took advantage of every
circumstance to harass them and cut off stragglers. They made
frequent and incessant forays within the colony: the difficulty
and expense of providing for the large force necessarily kept up
increased every day: the Dutch Burgher force had been allowed to
return to their homes; and among the now dispirited Hottentot levies,
discontent and insubordination were making rapid progress. Under such
circumstances Sir Benjamin D’Urban took the most effectual means to
put a speedy end to the war. He again called out a large proportion
of the Burgher force, whom he now ordered to receive a fixed rate
of pay; and at the same time he despatched Brigade-Major Warden to
Fort Cox to treat with the frontier Kaffirs, on condition of their
becoming British subjects. An opportunity soon offered. Major Cox,
having barely sufficient garrison in Fort Cox, divided the remainder
and the reinforcement that were concentrated at his Post into three
divisions, which, sallying from the fort, were everywhere successful,
occasioning considerable loss to the enemy. They reassembled at the
Gwali, where, a communication having been opened with the chiefs,
Major Cox bivouacked.
The next day Major Warden having arrived from Fort Cox, he with Major
Cox and an interpreter, all unarmed, proceeded about two miles from
the camp to meet the chiefs, who had assembled with a body guard of
800 men, 300 of whom had firearms. Their conference came to a happy
conclusion, Macomo and Tyali each sending an assegai to the Governor
in token of submission and readiness to pass under the English rule.
A suspension of hostilities was mutually agreed upon, and the camp
was soon filled with unarmed Kaffirs, who expressed the greatest
delight at the event. On the 21st of August a second conference was
held below Fort Cox, and on this occasion the Kaffirs, to the number
of 4000, of whom a great part were mounted, and upwards of 400 of
them armed with guns, drew up with an evident attempt at display,
and considerable pretension to military regularity. They received
the overtures of Major Warden with but slight attention, and took
little pains to conceal that they were not indisposed to a renewal
of the contest. This altered feeling was no doubt in a great measure
produced by the circumstance that 2000 head of cattle had during the
few preceding days fallen a prey to their marauding parties, which
Macomo pretended had been sent out in ignorance of the truce. In
consequence of this display, and in the event of the necessity of
recommencing hostilities, Fort Cox was reinforced from King William’s
Town and Fort Beresford.
On the 2nd of September H.M.S. “Romney” had arrived in Algoa Bay with
the 27th regiment and drafts for the 72nd and 75th. It is a curious
circumstance, and shows how readily the Kaffirs obtain information,
that the officers at Fort Cox knew of the arrival of troops in the
bay from the Kaffir messenger Platjè, long before they received
the intelligence through the usual channel of the post. To the
exaggerated accounts which the Kaffirs had received of the additional
force may with great probability be ascribed their changed demeanour
on the 7th, when Macomo and Tyali accepted the terms offered by
Colonel Smith, and, as a proof of their sincerity, returned with him
to Fort Cox.
On the 8th of September Sir Benjamin D’Urban arrived at Fort
Willshire for the purpose of negotiating with the chiefs, and shortly
after a treaty of peace was concluded, and hostilities finally
brought to a close.
During this contest, which had lasted nearly nine months, although
the regiment had but little opportunity of distinguishing itself, it
invariably maintained a high character for good conduct, not a single
instance of crime of any description having occurred in the corps
during the whole campaign. It repeatedly received the praise of Sir
Benjamin D’Urban, and had the satisfaction of seeing the approbation
of His Majesty William IV. recorded in the following words:--
“It affords His Majesty high gratification to observe that in this
new form of warfare His Majesty’s forces have exhibited their
characteristic courage, discipline, and cheerful endurance of fatigue
and privation.”
During the month of October the detachments of the regiment at
Forts Warden and Wellington were relieved by the 75th regiment,
whose headquarters were now at Fort Cox; and upon the 18th, the
headquarters having been relieved by the 75th regiment at King
William’s Town, marched for Grahamstown, where they arrived on the
26th, consisting of only two companies, the others being distributed
in Forts Cox, Beresford, and Murray.
Government having at the end of 1836 given up the new province of
Queen Adelaide, it was evacuated by the troops, when the regiment,
having its headquarters at Grahamstown, furnished detachments to
various forts.
On the 17th of March 1836 the regiment was permitted to bear on
its colours and appointments the words “Cape of Good Hope,” in
commemoration (as the order from the Horse Guards expresses it) of
the distinguished gallantry displayed by the 72nd regiment at the
capture of the town and garrison of the Cape of Good Hope, on the
8th of January 1806, when it formed part of the second or Highland
brigade employed on that occasion. On the 20th of January 1837, by an
order from the Horse Guards, His Majesty was also graciously pleased
to allow the regiment to bear on its colours and appointments the
word “Hindoostan,” in commemoration of the meritorious services of
the regiment while in India from 1782 to 1798.
The regiment remained with the headquarters at Grahamstown,
furnishing detachments to the different outposts until the month of
October 1838, when orders were received for the corps to be held
in readiness to proceed to Cape Town, on being relieved by the
27th regiment. The regiment, on its arrival at Cape Town, occupied
quarters in the castle and main barracks, and furnished detachments
to Simon’s Town and Rotten Island. A detachment of troops having
been ordered to proceed to Port Natal on the east coast of Africa,
and take possession of it in the name of Her Majesty, the 72nd
Highlanders furnished for this duty 1 captain, 2 subalterns, 1
assistant surgeon, 4 sergeants, 2 drummers, and the Light Company
completed to 86 rank and file. This detachment, under the command of
Major Charteris, military secretary to His Excellency Major-General
Sir G. Napier, K.C.B., embarked on the 19th of November 1838,
landing at Port Natal on the 3d of December, and were immediately
employed in the erection of buildings for the protection of stores,
and the construction of works for the defence of the Post.
The regiment remained during the year 1839 at Cape Town, and in that
period received two drafts from the depot companies, consisting in
all of 1 major, 1 captain, 3 subalterns, 3 sergeants, and about 170
rank and file. The detachment from Port Natal returned to Cape Town
under Captain Jervis of the 72nd on the 2nd of January 1840, when His
Excellency Major-General Sir George Napier, K.C.B., was pleased to
express in General Orders his entire satisfaction with their conduct
during absence from headquarters. The regiment had in September
1839 received orders to be held in readiness to embark for England,
on being relieved from home by the 25th regiment, and the latter
troops landed at the Cape in the month of March 1840. Previous to the
regiment embarking for England the following address was presented
to it, signed by all the principal inhabitants of Cape Town and its
vicinity:--
“_To the officers, non-commissioned officers, and private soldiers of
H.M. 72nd Highlanders._
“We, the undersigned merchants and other inhabitants of the Cape
of Good Hope, cannot permit the embarkation of the 72nd from the
shores of this colony to take place without recording some expression
of the sense we entertain of the general deportment and estimable
conduct of the regiment during the twenty-five years it has been
stationed in this garrison. The character of the 72nd Highlanders
throughout that period has been uniformly and permanently marked
towards the public by good order, sobriety, and discipline; while on
every occasion on which its assistance has been sought, its services
have been promptly, cheerfully, and effectively rendered. In parting
with a regiment whose conduct has been so exemplary, and in which
many of us have found personal friends, to whom we have been long
and faithfully attached, we are anxious to express, however feebly,
before you quit the colony, an acknowledgment of our regret at your
departure, and to convey to you, however inadequately, our cordial
wishes for your happiness wherever you may be stationed, and that
you may long continue to enjoy that distinguished renown which the
72nd Highlanders have so honourably achieved in the service of their
country.”
On the embarkation of the 72nd, the following General Order was
issued by Major-General Sir George Napier, commanding the forces at
the Cape:--
“His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief cannot permit the 72nd
Highlanders to embark for England, from the colony of the Cape of
Good Hope, in which they have been stationed for the long period
of twelve years, without his expressing his marked approbation of
the conduct of this highly-disciplined and exemplary corps while
under his immediate command; and from the reports His Excellency has
received from Colonel Smith, the Deputy-Quartermaster-General, under
whose orders this regiment has been during the greater part of the
above period, including a very arduous and active service in the
field, His Excellency is enabled to record, which he does with great
satisfaction, the very meritorious services of the 72nd Highlanders
in whatever duty they have been engaged, whether in the field or in
quarters.
“His Excellency begs to assure Major Hope, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the 72nd regiment, that he
will ever feel a lively interest in their welfare.”
On the 11th of April 1840 the regiment embarked in two divisions
for England. The headquarters landed at Portsmouth on the 8th of
the following June, and marched immediately to Fort Cumberland. The
second division landed also at Portsmouth on the 18th of the same
month, and proceeded to the same place.
On the 1st of July Colonel Arbuthnot joined and assumed the command;
and by a regimental order of the same date, the ten companies were
consolidated, the depôt companies being stationed in Portsmouth at
the period of the arrival of headquarters from the Cape. On the
6th of July the headquarters marched into Portsmouth, and occupied
quarters in that garrison.
On the death of Sir John Hope, the colonelcy of the regiment was
conferred upon Major-General Sir Colin Campbell (_not_ Lord Clyde) in
August 1836.
II.
1841-1873.
The Duke of Wellington presents new colours to the
72nd--Gibraltar--Barbadoes--Trinidad--Nova Scotia--Return
to Europe--Embark for Malta--To the Crimea--Home--Channel
Islands--Shorncliffe--Presentation of colours--Arrive in India
in 1857--Shorncliffe--New Colours--Old Colours’ destination--To
Portsmouth--Bombay--Calaba--Guzerat--Tankaria--Baroda--Ahmedabad
--Deesa--Nusseerabad--Mount Aboo--Death of Major Mackenzie of
Glacket at Burra--The 72nd joins Major-General Roberts--Operations
against Kotah--Strength of the Force--Major Thellusson--Sawah
--Jehaspoor--Bhoondee--The Chumbul--The Rajah of Kotah--Major Burton
and his Sons murdered--Kotah taken--Its immense strength--Lieutenant
Cameron’s gallantry--Lala--Fall of Kotah--Cavalry pursuit of the
Rebels--Leave Kotah for Neemuch--Mokundurra Pass--Neemuch again
--Colonel Parke commands this Station--Nusseerabad--Mutiny of the
Army of Sindiah at Gwalior--The Bunnas--Kotaria--Brigadier-General
Parke--Oodeypoor--Jhalra Patun--Soosneer--Rajgurgh--Sironj
--Sarungpoor--Indore--Bhopal--Beoar--Mungowlee--The Betwah
--Borassa--Bhopal saved--Rao Sahib--Tantéa Topee--The Nerbudda
crossed by the Rebels--Hooshungabad--Churwah--Chicalda--Mhow
--Indore--Chapeira--Angur--Palace of Chotah Oodeypoor--Pertabghur
--Operations in the Jeysulmeer Districts on the Indus
--Brigadier-General Parke’s Operations north of Kotah--Tantéa
Topee captured and executed--Rao Sahib and Feroze Shah, Prince
of Delhi--Major-General Michel’s wonderful Marches--Lieutenant
Vesey’s March of 3000 Miles--The 72nd Medal for the Suppression
of the Indian Mutiny--Victoria Cross conferred on Lieutenant
Cameron--Mhow--Indore--Inspections--Leave Mhow--Nargaon--Leave
Poonah--Return Home--Edinburgh--Prince Alfred opens the Museum
of Arts and Sciences--The 72nd as a Guard of Honour--Inspection
by General F. W. Hamilton, C.B.--Colonel Payn, C.B., commands
--Aldershot--Inspection--Major Hunter in command--Manchester
--Dublin--Limerick--Buttevant--Ordered to India--Proceed to
Cork--Appointment of General Arbuthnot as Colonel of the 72nd
--Arrive at Alexandria--Umballah--Lieutenant Thomson’s Death
--Reviewed by General Lord Napier of Magdála--Inspected by
Major-General Fraser Tyler, C.B., at Umballah--Kussowlee
and Dugshai.
In July 1841 the regiment, now joined by the depôt companies,
proceeded from Portsmouth to Windsor, where, in January 1842, it was
presented with new colours by Field-Marshal His Grace the Duke of
Wellington, in the quadrangle of the castle, and in presence of Her
Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and the King of Prussia. The Duke
addressed the 72nd as follows:--
“Colonel Arbuthnot, and you, gentlemen officers, and you,
non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the 72nd Highland Regiment,
I have attended here this day, in compliance with the wish of your
commanding officer, and by permission of Her Majesty, to present to
you your new colours.
“These colours have been consecrated by one of the highest
dignitaries of our Church, and are presented to you in the presence
of Her Majesty, and of her illustrious and royal guest, the King of
Prussia, of Prince Albert, and of a number of the most distinguished
personages. They are composed of the colours of the three nations,
and bear the cipher of Her Majesty; and I have no doubt, from your
previous character and your present high state of discipline, that
you will guard them under every circumstance to the utmost of your
power.
“These colours you are henceforth to consider as your head-quarters,
and in every circumstance, in all times of privation and distress,
you will look to them as your rallying point; and I would again
remind you that their presentation is witnessed by the monarch of
one of the most powerful nations in Europe--a nation which boasts of
an army which has heretofore been a pattern for all modern troops,
and which has done so much towards contributing to the general
pacification of Europe. And I am happy to be able to show His
Majesty a regiment in such high order. I have long known the 72nd
Highland Regiment. Half a century has now nearly elapsed since I had
the pleasure of serving in the same army with them on the plains
of Hindoostan, and then they were famous for their high order and
discipline. Since that period they have been engaged in the conquest
of some of the most valuable colonies of the British Crown, and
latterly in performing most distinguished services at the Cape of
Good Hope. Fourteen years out of the last sixteen they have spent in
foreign service, and, with only eighteen months at home for their
re-formation and their redisciplining, appear in their present high
state of regularity and order. The best part of a long life has been
spent by me in barracks, camps, and cantonments; and it has been my
duty as well as my inclination always to study how best to promote
the health and discipline of the troops; and I have always found it
to be done only by paying the strictest regard to regularity and good
order, with the greatest attention to the orders of their superiors.
I address myself now particularly to the older soldiers, and wish
them to understand that their strict attention to their discipline
and respect to their officers will often have the best effect upon
the younger soldiers; and it is, therefore, their duty to set a good
example to their juniors by so doing. By these means alone can they
expect to command the respect and regard of the community among
whom they are employed. And I have made it my business to inquire
particularly, and am rejoiced to find that the 72nd has always
commanded that respect and regard, wherever it has been stationed, to
which its high state of discipline and order so justly entitles it.
“You will, I am sure, always recollect the circumstances under
which these colours are now committed to your charge, having been
consecrated by one of the highest dignitaries of the Church, in the
presence of Her Majesty, who now looks down upon you, and of her
royal visitors. I give them into your charge, confident that at all
times, under all circumstances, whether at home or abroad, and in all
trials and privations, you will rally round them, and protect them to
the utmost of your power.”
To this address Colonel Arbuthnot made the following reply:--
“My Lord Duke, it would be highly presumptuous in me if I were to
make any reply to the address which your Grace has delivered to us;
but I cannot avoid stating that it is impossible for me, and indeed,
I may add, out of the power of any one, to express how deeply I, my
officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, feel the high honour
which has been conferred on us by having had our colours presented
to us by the greatest soldier the world has ever seen, and that in
the presence of our Sovereign, His Majesty the King of Prussia, and
Field-Marshal His Royal Highness Prince Albert.”
In 1843 the regiment removed to Ireland, where it remained till
November 1844, when it embarked from Cork for Gibraltar. The depôt
companies remained in Ireland till September 1847, when they removed
to Paisley in Scotland.
After the decease of Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, on the
13th of June 1847, Lieut.-General Sir Neil Douglas, K.C.B., K.C.H.,
was appointed Colonel of the regiment on the 12th of the following
July.
During the whole of its service at Gibraltar, the regiment was
constantly employed in furnishing working parties and artificers
to assist in the construction of the new line of fortifications
extending from the Light House at Europa Point to Little Bay, and
from the New Mole to Chatham Counter-Guard. This magnificent work was
proceeding with wonderful rapidity when the regiment left Gibraltar.
On the 14th of June 1847 it had been notified in garrison orders that
the 72nd would re-embark, in the coming autumn, for the West Indies;
and on the arrival of the reserve battalion of the 67th Regiment, the
service companies embarked on the 15th of February 1848 on board the
“Bombay,” hired transport, and sailed on the 18th of February for
Barbadoes. Previous to the embarkation, the following complimentary
order was issued by his Excellency General Sir Robert Thomas Wilson,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces at Gibraltar:--
“GIBRALTAR, _February 12, 1848_.
“The eminently soldier-like qualities, the correct and zealous
performance of all duties, and the general reputable conduct of the
72nd Highlanders during their service in Gibraltar, entitle them
to the fullest encomiums of the General commanding. Wherever the
regiment goes, the General commanding is confident that it will
confer credit on the profession; and on quitting this station it
leaves an impression of esteem on the garrison and the community that
absence will neither impair nor efface.”
After a favourable passage of twenty-three days, the regiment arrived
in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, on the 12th of March 1848, landed on the
14th, and occupied quarters in the Brick Barracks, St Ann’s. At this
time the 66th regiment, which had arrived from Gibraltar about three
weeks previously, occupied the Stone Barracks at St Ann’s. These
had been vacated in January by the 88th regiment, which encamped on
the Savanna in consequence of its having been attacked with yellow
fever, of which many died, during December and January, including the
commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Phibbs. But the regiment was now
healthy, and had proceeded to relieve the detachments of the 19th
regiment in the islands, which corps had assembled at Barbadoes,
and thence proceeded to Canada. In April, however, some men of the
66th were admitted into hospital with yellow fever, and several
deaths occurred. This continued until August, when the cases became
so numerous, that early in September the regiment was moved into
camp in rear of the Brick Barracks. In October, the men of the Royal
Artillery were also encamped; and in this month the 72nd, which
had hitherto been remarkably healthy, was visited by this terrible
disease. On the 13th of October, the assistant-surgeon, Dr Irwin,
died of it, and it spread very rapidly among the men. On the 15th of
November, the regiment moved out of the Brick Barracks into tents,
erected about a mile distant, on the site of a former naval hospital,
which had been destroyed by the hurricane of 1831. Nevertheless,
the disease continued to spread until the end of December; and
within the three months, 12 out of 14 officers, 26 non-commissioned
officers, and 177 men, were attacked; and of these 4 officers, 17
non-commissioned officers, and 42 men, died. After this, however,
only one other case occurred, that of Captain Maylan, who was taken
ill on the 21st of January, and expired on the 25th.
By circular memorandum, dated Horse Guards, the 29th of January 1849,
the regiment, being in the colonies, was ordered to be reduced to 770
rank and file.
In consequence of riots at St Lucia, a detachment of the 72nd,
consisting of 1 captain, 3 subalterns, and 100 rank and file,
was sent off at a few hours’ notice, on the 12th of March. When
it arrived, however, order had been restored; but the detachment
remained at St Lucia, being quartered at Pigeon Island, until it was
relieved by a company of the 66th, on the 16th of June.
In consequence of a riot at Trinidad, the flank companies were sent
off to that island at a few hours’ notice, on the 10th of October,
and were afterwards detached to St Joseph’s and San Fernando.
On the 19th of December 1849, the headquarters embarked at Barbadoes,
on board the “Princess Royal” transport, for Trinidad, where they
landed on the 24th of December, and occupied the barracks at St
James’s, thus relieving the head-quarters of the 88th Regiment. The
flank companies joined and formed the head-quarters of the regiment
in the commencement of January, having been relieved by No. 4 company.
The distribution of the regiment at this period was as follows:--
At Trinidad, Grenadier, Light, and No. 4 Companies.
“ Demerara, No. 1 and No. 2 Companies.
“ Grenada, No. 3 Company.
“ Tobago, Detachment of 30 men.
The regiment continued detached as above until the 12th of May 1851,
when the headquarters, having been relieved by the headquarters of
the 34th Regiment, embarked at Trinidad for Barbadoes, where they
landed on the 23rd and again occupied the Brick Barracks; the several
detachments above mentioned having previously been conveyed there
under the command of Major Gaisford. On the 8th of July, the regiment
having been relieved by the 69th regiment from Malta, embarked on
board H.M.S. “Hercules” for Halifax, Nova Scotia; and on its arrival,
on the 30th, marched into the South Barracks.
On the 8th of September the 72nd commenced its march for New
Brunswick to relieve the 97th, and on the 26th of the same month the
head-quarters arrived at Frederickton, relieving the head-quarters of
the 97th.
On the 1st of March 1854, 132 men were transferred from the depôt to
the 42nd and 79th Highlanders, which corps had been ordered to form
part of the expedition sent to the East against Russia. At the same
time an order was given that the recruiting parties of the regiment
should raise men for the corps sent on service, so that at this time
the 72nd was about 330 rank and file under the establishment, and
with little prospect of being recruited up to it.
On the 5th of May 1854, Lieut.-Colonel Freeman Murray retired from
the command of the regiment, having exchanged with Lieut.-Colonel
William Raikes Faber. This officer, however, never joined, but on the
23rd of June 1854 he exchanged with Lieut.-Colonel James Fraser of
the 35th Regiment.
On the 7th of October 1854, the service companies stationed at
Halifax, Nova Scotia, under command of Major R. P. Sharp, were
ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark for Europe on the
shortest notice. On the 12th of the same month they embarked on board
the steamer “Alps” for conveyance to Dublin, and landed at Kingston
on the 24th, proceeding at once by railway to Limerick, where they
occupied the New Barracks, the depôt, under the command of Major J.
W. Gaisford, having arrived there a few days previously.
On the 1st of November 1854, Lieut.-Colonel James Fraser assumed
the command of the regiment, which was at once formed into twelve
companies, while the depôt and service companies were amalgamated. On
the 23rd a letter was received from the Horse Guards desiring that
the regiment should be held in readiness to embark for Malta.
On the 1st of December 1854, Lieut.-Colonel James Fraser retired
from the command of the 72nd, by the sale of his commission, and was
succeeded by Major R. P. Sharp, this being the first occasion on
which the Lieutenant-Colonelcy had been given in this regiment for
many years. On this day also the regiment was again formed into eight
service and four depôt companies, the latter being under the command
of Major J. W. Gaisford. On the 9th the service companies left
Limerick by railway for Buttevant, and shortly afterwards proceeded
to Cork, where they embarked on board H.M.S. “Neptune,” for Malta,
where they arrived on the 4th of January 1855, occupying the Floriana
Barracks.
On the 22nd of May the regiment embarked, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel R. P. Sharp, on board the “Alma” steamship, and
sailed from Malta for service in the Crimea. The full strength
of the regiment was, on embarking--2 field-officers, 8 captains,
10 lieutenants, 5 ensigns, 5 staff-officers, 40 sergeants, 36
corporals, 17 drummers, and 514 privates. The regiment arrived
at Balaklava on the 29th of May, and remained at anchor outside
the harbour until the 31st, when it sailed to join the expedition
at Kertch, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown. It reached
Kertch on the following day, and remained on board ship until the
10th. While the regiment was at Kertch, cholera broke out in a
most malignant form, and during the last six days it carried off 2
sergeants, 1 drummer, and 19 privates. It ceased, however, as soon as
the ship left.
On the same day (the 10th of June) the 72nd arrived at Balaklava,
disembarked on the 13th, encamped that night on the plain, and
marched to the front of Sebastopol on the following day, where it
was attached to a brigade composed of the 3rd and 31st Regiments,
under the command of Colonel Van Straubenzee of the 3rd. On the 15th
the 72nd commenced doing duty in the trenches of the right attack.
On the 30th of this month it was appointed to the Highland brigade,
composed of the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd Highlanders, under the command
of Brigadier-General Cameron of the 42nd. This brigade was the 2nd
of the 1st division; the other brigade was that of the Guards; the
whole being under Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, who had the local
rank of lieutenant-general. The 72nd continued doing duty in the
trenches until the 26th of August, on which day the Highland brigade
was moved to Kamara in support of the Sardinian outposts, an attack
being expected in that direction, notwithstanding the repulse which
the enemy had received from the French and Sardinian troops at the
Traktir[432] Bridge, on the Tchernaya River, on the 16th of August
1855.
On the 18th of June the greater part of the regiment was in the
trenches under the command of Major William Parke, while the
remaining few were stationed under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Sharp, in rear of the 21-gun battery. In the beginning of July,
however, Lieut.-Colonel Sharp, having obtained sick-leave of absence
to England, handed over the command of the 72nd to Major Parke.
It should be mentioned that, on the 22nd of June, a second
lieutenant-colonel and 4 captains, with the proportionate number of
subalterns, were added to the establishment of the regiment, which,
by a War-Office circular of the 20th of August, was now fixed at 16
companies, consisting of 1 colonel, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 2 majors,
16 captains, 26 lieutenants, 14 ensigns, 7 staff-officers, 109
sergeants, 100 corporals, 47 drummers and pipers, and 1900 privates.
On the 16th of July, a draft, under the command of Captain Cecil
Rice, composed of 3 subalterns, 1 staff-officer, 3 sergeants, 2
drummers, and 245 rank and file, joined from the depôt of the
regiment, among whom was a large proportion of volunteers from other
corps. After these had been in camp and done duty in the trenches
for about a fortnight, cholera broke out again in the regiment, and
carried off 35 men belonging, with only one exception, to the last
draft. This terrible disease lasted about six weeks.
The brigade marched from the camp at Kamara, on the 8th of September,
to the trenches, and occupied the 3rd parallel during the time the
French stormed and took the Malakoff Tower and works, and during
the unsuccessful attempt of the English to take the Redan. Between
4 and 5 o’clock that afternoon, the 72nd was ordered to the 5th
parallel, holding the part of it situated in front of the Redan, and
was to have led the storming party in another attack on the Redan at
daylight on the 9th of September, had not the Russians evacuated the
south side of Sevastopol during the night. How masterly their retreat
was is well known.
The Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-General Simpson, soon afterwards
resigned. He had been appointed to the supreme command on the death
of Lord Raglan, in June 1855, and soon after the fall of Sevastopol
was succeeded by Major-General Codrington.
Quarter-Master John Macdonald, of the 72nd, was wounded by a Minié
bullet on the 8th, soon after the regiment entered the trenches, and
died from the effects of the wound on the 16th of September. In him
the regiment lost a most useful, active, and intelligent officer. The
losses of the regiment on the 8th were slight--1 private killed, 1
sergeant, 2 corporals, and 16 privates wounded.
On the 15th of September, Lieut.-Colonel Gaisford arrived from
England, and assumed command of the regiment from Major Parke.
Lieut.-Colonel Gaisford returned to England, however, at the end
of October, having retired from the service by the sale of his
commission, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel William Parke, who
again assumed the command of the regiment. From this time the 72nd
was constantly employed on fatigue duty, carrying up wooden huts from
Balaklava, as it had been decided that the Highland brigade,--which
had been joined by the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Royal Regiment,
and the 92nd Highlanders from Gibraltar,--should now be made into
the Highland division. The 2nd brigade consisted of the Royal
Regiment, the 71st Highland Light Infantry (at Kertch), and the
72nd Highlanders, under Brigadier-General Home, C.B., of the 20th
Regiment, and was quartered near Kamara during the winter.
On the 3d of October 1855, Sir Colin Campbell suddenly left for
England, the command of the division devolving on Brigadier-General
Cameron, C.B., of the 1st brigade, who obtained the local rank of
major-general on being confirmed in the command. Temporarily, he was
succeeded in the command of the 1st brigade by Colonel M. Atherley of
the 92d Highlanders.
On the 11th of November 1855, Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.,
succeeded General Simpson in command of the army, with the local rank
of lieutenant-general.
On the 12th of October the regiment had moved into huts in their
new encampment for the winter, the situation being most favourable,
well sheltered, with good water, and plenty of wood for fuel. This
spot had been occupied by Turkish troops during the summer. The
winter, during part of December, January, and February, was severe,
with unusually rapid variations of temperature. The regiment,
nevertheless, continued remarkably healthy, being well fed and
admirably clothed, besides having received a field allowance of 6d.
_per diem_ of extra pay.
The first issue of silver medals for the Crimea took place on the
12th of December 1855. A large number of officers, non-commissioned
officers, and private soldiers, received distinctions.
Sir Colin Campbell returned to the Crimea on the 15th of February
1856, and was appointed to the command of a corps d’armée, which,
however, was never collected or embodied.
On the 1st of March, it appeared in general orders that an armistice
had been signed, the conditions of which were: a suspension of arms;
that the river Tchernaya, from the ruins of the village of Tchernaya
to Sevastopol, should be the boundary line, and that no one should be
allowed to cross the river. On the 30th, a treaty of peace was signed
in Paris; and on the 2nd of April salutes were fired to announce
and commemorate the peace of the allied armies in the Crimea. The
communication with the interior of the country was soon opened, and
the great majority of the officers of the British army took advantage
of the permission.
On the 17th of April a review of the British army was held on the
heights in front of Sevastopol in honour of General Lüders, the
Russian Commander-in-Chief at that time. Marshal Pelissier, Le Duc
de Malakoff, and the Sardinian Commander-in-Chief, were present. The
British cavalry were all at Scutari, with the exception of the 11th
Hussars, who had wintered there.
In the beginning of June the army began to embark from the Crimea;
and on the 15th the 72nd was ordered from the camp near the mountain
gorge leading into the valley of Vernutka, which extends in the
direction of Baidar into Kadikoi, the other regiments of the Highland
division having embarked for England. On the 16th of June the 72nd
marched into Kadikoi, and occupied huts, being attached to the
brigade under Brigadier-General Warren. It was employed on fatigues,
shipping stores, &c., from Balaklava, until it embarked and sailed
for England in H.M.S. “Sanspareil.” After a most favourable passage,
the “Sanspareil” anchored off Spithead on the 29th of July.
The 72nd disembarked on the 31st of July, at Portsmouth, proceeding
on the same day to the camp at Aldershot: and on the 1st of August,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Parke, it was inspected by
Her Majesty the Queen. The regiment paraded in the grounds attached
to the Royal Pavilion, and Her Majesty was graciously pleased to
express her entire approbation of its appearance, and the steadiness
of the men under arms.
On the 16th of August the 72nd Highlanders were inspected by H.R.H.
the Duke of Cambridge, the General Commanding in Chief, who expressed
himself as thoroughly satisfied with the appearance and soldierlike
bearing of the men.
On the 27th of the same month, the head-quarters of this regiment,
consisting of the flank companies, Nos. 3, 4, and 5, left Aldershot
by railroad for Portsmouth, and embarked that afternoon for Guernsey,
disembarking on the 28th. The men were dispersed in detachments over
the whole island. The regiment was thus in a most unsatisfactory
position, being divided into so many small detachments after a
lengthened period of nearly twelve years’ foreign service, during a
great part of which they had been similarly dispersed. A new system,
however, was adopted of consolidating the depôts of all regiments,
whether at home or abroad, into battalions, under lieutenant-colonels
or colonels. In accordance with this regulation, the four companies
of the 72nd were ordered from Paisley to Fort George, to be formed
into a battalion with those of the 71st and the 92nd Highlanders,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, late second
lieutenant-colonel of the 79th Highlanders.
On the 22nd of April 1857, the head-quarters, with grenadier
and light companies of the regiment, left Guernsey, and arrived
at Portsmouth the following morning; thence proceeding direct
to Shorncliffe Camp. The detachment from Alderney, under Major
Mackenzie, had arrived on the 21st, and the remainder of the regiment
arrived on the 27th, under Major Thellusson. Before leaving the
island of Guernsey, however, the following address was presented to
the regiment from the Bailiff, on behalf of the Royal Court of the
island:--
“GUERNSEY, _April 22, 1857_.
“Sir,--I have the honour, on behalf of the Royal Court of the
island, to express the regret that it feels at the departure of the
72nd Highlanders. The inhabitants of Guernsey rejoiced at receiving
on their shores a corps which had borne its part in maintaining in
the Crimea the glory of the British arms. The soldierlike bearing of
the men, and the friendly dispositions that they have so generally
evinced, will long be borne in mind by all classes of society.
To the officers the acknowledgments of the Royal Court are more
especially due, for their ready co-operation with the civil power,
and their constant endeavour to promote a good understanding with the
inhabitants. In giving expression to the feelings of consideration
and esteem entertained by the Royal Court towards yourself and the
corps under your command, I have the further gratification of adding
that wherever the service of their country may call them, in peace or
in war, the 72nd Highlanders may feel assured that the best wishes of
the people of Guernsey will ever attend them.--I have the honour to
be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
“PETER STAFFORD CASEY,
“_Bailiff of Guernsey_.
“To Lieutenant-Colonel Parke,
“Commanding 72nd Highlanders.”
The 72nd regiment remained in camp at Shorncliffe during the summer
of 1857. On the 5th of August an order of readiness was received
for the immediate embarkation of the regiment for India, the
establishment of the regiment to be augmented to 1200 rank and file.
On the 24th the 72nd were inspected at Shorncliffe by H.R.H. the Duke
of Cambridge, General Commanding in Chief, who was graciously pleased
to present the regiment with new colours. The regiment received
H.R.H. in line, with the usual royal salute. The new colours, placed
in front of the centre of the line, were then consecrated by the
chaplain of the brigade, the Rev. J. Parker, and were received from
the hands of H.R.H. by Lieutenants Brownlow and Richardson, who then,
accompanied by the grenadier company, under Captain Rice, trooped
the new colours up and down the line, the old colours having been
cased and carried off with the usual honours.[433] The regiment was
then formed into three sides of a square, and addressed by H.R.H.,
who passed the highest encomiums upon its conduct, discipline, and
appearance. The regiment then marched past in slow and quick time,
and went through several manœuvres under the personal superintendence
of H.R.H., who was again pleased to express to Lieut.-Colonel Parke,
in command of the regiment, his entire and unqualified approbation.
On the 26th, the first detachment of the 72nd, consisting of 296
men and 14 officers, under the command of Major Thellusson, left
Shorncliffe for Portsmouth, and the same day embarked in the “Matilda
Atheling,” for Bombay. On the 4th of September, the head-quarters
of the regiment, consisting of the grenadier, No. 4, and the
light companies, under Lieut.-Colonel Parke, left Shorncliffe for
Portsmouth, and embarked in the screw steamer “Scotia” for Bombay
also, sailing on the 8th of the same month. The “Scotia” anchored in
Bombay harbour on the 9th of December, head-quarters landing the next
day, and occupying the barracks at Calaba.
On the 28th of December the steamer “Prince Albert,” with a
detachment of three companies of this regiment, under Major
Mackenzie, and on the 5th of January 1858 the “Matilda Atheling”
arrived. The whole regiment was now together in Calaba, four
companies being encamped under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William
Parke.
The strength of the regiment in January 1858 was--3 field officers,
10 captains, 19 subalterns, 8 staff-officers, 58 sergeants, 18
drummers and fifers, 41 corporals, and 766 privates, making a total
of 923.
On the 31st of December the regiment was placed under orders for
Goojerat, and on the 14th of January 1858 it embarked on board the
East India Company’s steamers “Auckland” and “Berenice” for the Bay
of Cambay, and disembarked at Tankaria, Bunder, on the 17th. On the
following day it left Tankaria for Baroda, which it reached on the
23rd, where 200 men were detained by the British resident at the
court of the Guicowar of Baroda and Goojerat, in case of force
being required in the disarming of the people. Notwithstanding the
constant exposure and severe marching to which these detachments
were subjected, the men throughout the whole regiment continued very
healthy.
The two companies of the regiment which had been left in Bombay soon
joined the others at Baroda, although they were not kept together,
but were moved by companies from village to village, collecting arms
and carrying out executions. The remaining six companies of the
regiment left Baroda on the 23rd of January, and reached Ahmedabad
on the 31st, and Deesa on the 13th of February. The climate at this
season is favourable to marching, the nights and early mornings being
cold; so that the men suffered little from fatigue, and remained in
excellent health, although recently landed after a long voyage. On
the 15th of this month, the regiment left Deesa for Nusseerabad; and
on the 18th a few delicate men of the regiment were left at Mount
Aboo, the sanitarium station for European troops in this command;
these were to rejoin as soon as the regiment should return into
quarters.
On the 5th of March 1858, at a village called Beawr, the regiment
sustained a great loss by the death, from small-pox, of Major
Mackenzie, the senior major of the regiment, and an officer
held in universal esteem. After this depressing incident, every
precautionary measure was taken, and this dreadful disease did
not spread. The regiment reached Nusseerabad on the 8th, where it
joined the division under Major-General Roberts, of the East India
Company’s Service, destined for the field-service in Rajpootanah,
but more especially for operations against the city of Kotah. The
cantonment of Nusseerabad no longer remained, having been laid in
ruins by the mutineers. The force here collected consisted of one
troop of Horse Artillery (Bombay), two batteries Bombay Artillery,
18 heavy siege-train guns of different calibres, one company R.E.,
one company Bombay Sappers, four small mountain-train guns (mortars),
1st regiment of Bombay Lancers, a strong detachment of Sind irregular
horse (Jacob’s), a detachment of Goojerat irregular horse, H.M.’s
72nd Highlanders, the 83rd and 95th regiments, the 10th and 12th
Native Infantry. This force was divided into one cavalry and two
infantry brigades, the cavalry under Colonel Smith, 3rd Dragoon
Guards, who had not joined. The first infantry brigade was under
Colonel Macan of the Company’s service, and consisted of H.M.’s
95th Regiment, a wing of H.M.’s 83rd, with the 10th and 12th Native
Infantry. The second Infantry Brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Parke of
the 72nd Highlanders, consisted of Her Majesty’s 72nd, a wing of the
83rd, and the 13th regiment Native Infantry, which latter regiment
joined on the march to Kotah, having marched from Hyderabad in Sind.
A second troop of Bombay Horse Artillery likewise joined the division
from Sind after its departure from Nusseerabad. All the artillery of
the force was under Lieut.-Colonel Price, R.A.
The cavalry was placed temporarily under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Owen, of the 1st Bombay Lancers. This force was
soon increased by the arrival of Her Majesty’s 8th Hussars and two
squadrons of the 2nd Bombay Cavalry.
On the 11th of March, the 72nd, under the command of Major
Thellusson, who had succeeded Lieut.-Colonel Parke, the first being
one day in advance, left Nusseerabad with the second brigade, _en
route_ to Kotah, a distance of 112 miles. The principal places passed
through were Sawoor, strongly fortified; Jhajpoor, a straggling,
ill-defended town; and Bhoondee. This last was a very strong
position, situated on the face of a ridge of mountains, approached on
one side through a narrow winding gorge, capable of being defended
with ease. This gorge or narrow valley runs below the city of
Bhoondee, and opens out into a vast plain overlooked by the city
and castle. Bhoondee is surrounded by substantially-built irregular
walls, bastions and defences extending to the summit of the mountain,
on whose side this curious, interesting, and beautiful city is built.
Here the second brigade joined the first, only two days’ march from
Kotah.
On the 22nd of March, the division reached Kotah, and encamped on
the left bank of the river Chumbul, opposite the city; but it was
subsequently forced to shift its position more to the rear, to avoid
the enemy’s artillery, the round-shot from which reached the camp.
The 72nd was on the extreme right of the line of the encampment,
and the cavalry on the extreme left, the whole army being exactly
opposite the city, and parallel with the river.
The immediate cause of these operations against Kotah was as
follows:--The Rajah of Kotah had always professed himself an ally of
the British Government, and for many years a British Resident had
been attached to his court; but when the mutiny at Neemuch broke out
among the Bengal troops, the British Resident, Major Burton, had
left Kotah for a short time for some purpose. During his absence,
however, the Rajah warned Major Burton against returning to Kotah, as
the inhabitants had joined the rebellion, and considerable numbers
of mutineers from Nusseerabad, Mundesoor, and Neemuch, had taken up
their quarters in the city. Nevertheless, Major Burton returned to
Kotah, and with his two sons was barbarously murdered. The Rajah
refused to join his subjects against the British Government, shut
himself up in his palace, which was situated in one of the strongly
fortified quarters of the city, and was regularly besieged by his own
subjects, now aided by their fellow rebels, from the neighbouring
states of Rajpootanah. To avenge the murder of the British Resident,
and to inquire into, and if necessary punish, the conduct of the
Rajah, were the primary objects of the expedition, of which the 72nd
regiment now formed a part.
On the 24th of March, two batteries were erected on the banks of the
Chumbul, one on the right and the other on the left of the British
position. On these the enemy opened a steady and well-directed fire.
On the 26th, at the invitation of the Rajah, Major-General Roberts
placed a body of troops in the entrenched quarter of the city, which
was still in the Rajah’s possession; while 200 men of Her Majesty’s
83rd regiment and the rifle company of the 13th Native Infantry
crossed over the river. On the 27th, 28th, and 29th, preparations
were made for bringing over some of the heavy ordnance and mortars
to be placed in position within the Rajah’s quarters, as it had been
decided by the Major-General to assault the enemy’s portion of the
city on the 30th, after a few hours’ heavy fire from all the guns
and mortars. Accordingly, at two o’clock A.M. of that day, three
columns of 500 men each passed over in large, square, flat-bottomed
boats into the Rajah’s city; the reserve was under Colonel Macan.
The leading column of the assault, under Lieutenant-Colonel Raimes,
of the 95th, was composed of 260 men of the 72nd and 250 of the 13th
Native Infantry; the second column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes,
of the 12th Native Infantry, of a similar number of Her Majesty’s
95th regiment, with the 10th regiment of Native Infantry; the third
column, of 200 of the 83rd, with the 12th Native Infantry.