+-------------------+---------------+---_The Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments, Volume 2 (of 2)

+-------------------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+

|The Marquis of |Feb. 10, 1794 |May 3, 1796 |Promoted Colonel |

|James Robertson |Oct. 11, 1798 |Aug. 3, 1804 |Retired on Half-pay. |

| | | | Jan. 16, 1809. |

|John Lamont |Mar. 30, 1809 |Dec. 25, 1814 |Retired on Half-pay. |

|William Brydges |Aug. 9, 1821 |Oct. 3, 1821 |Exchanged to H. P. of|

|David Williamson |Oct. 4, 1821 |Nov. 20, 1828 |Retired. |

|John Macdonald |Nov. 21, 1828 |Nov. 8, 1846 |Promoted Major- |

| | | | 1846. |

|John Alex. Forbes |Nov. 9, 1846 |Nov. 22, 1849 |Retired. |

|Forbes M’Bean |Dec. 15, 1869 |Dec. 23, 1873 |Retired. |

|Arthur Wellington |Dec. 24, 1873 | | |

+-------------------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+

[Illustration: Crimea]

FOOTNOTES:

[560] His portrait is on the plate of colonels of the 91st, 92nd, and

93rd regiments.

[561] “Here the Lochaber men (raised by Captain Cameron) showed

at once the influence of that clan-feeling under which they had

consented to go to war. When it was proposed to draft them into the

separate divisions of grenadiers and light troops, they at once

declared that they would neither be separated from each other, nor

serve under any captain except Cameron, that they had followed him

as their leader, and him only they would serve. It required all his

persuasion to induce them to submit to the rules of the service;

but, assisted by his relative, Major Campbell of Auch,--a man of

weight and experience,--and promising that he himself would always

watch over their interests in whatever division they were ranked,

he prevailed on them to submit; and as we shall subsequently see,

none of them ever had cause to reproach him with forgetting his

pledge.” Memoir of Colonel Cameron, by Rev. A. Clerk.--When Huntly

first resolved to raise the regiment, he called on old Fassifern,

and offered to his son John a captain’s commission in it. Fassifern,

however, declined the gratifying offer on the ground that he was

unable to raise the number of men necessary to entitle his son to

such a rank; whereupon the marquis offered the captaincy without

any stipulation or condition, saying he would be glad to have John

Cameron as a captain in his regiment, though he brought not a single

recruit.

[562] Stewart.--The following extract from a letter from Moore to

Lt.-Col. Napier will explain the reason of this:--

“RICHMOND, _17th Nov. 1804_.

“MY DEAR NAPIER,-- ... My reason for troubling you for a drawing is

that, as a knight, I am entitled to supporters. I have chosen a light

infantry soldier for one, and a Highland soldier for the other, in

gratitude to and commemoration of two soldiers of the 92nd, who, in

action of the 2nd October, raised me from the ground when I was lying

on my face wounded and stunned (they must have thought me dead), and

helped me out of the field. As my senses were returning I heard one

of them say, ‘Here is the General, let us take him away,’ upon which

they stooped, and raised me by the arm. I never could discover who

they were; and, therefore, concluded they must have been killed. I

hope the 92nd will not have any objection--as I commanded them, and

as they rendered me such a service--to my taking one of the corps as

a supporter ... believe me, &c.,

“JOHN MOORE.”

[563] Cannon’s _Record of 92nd Regiment_.

[564] _Journal_, page 122.

[565] John Cameron was son of Ewen Cameron of Fassifern, a nephew

of the “Gentle Lochiel.” As we have seen, he entered the regiment

at its formation, and took part in most of its hard services. He

was universally beloved and respected, especially by the Highland

soldiers, in each man of whom he took the interest of a father, and

felt himself responsible for their welfare and good conduct. The

following account of his death is taken from his biography, written

by the Rev. Dr Archibald Clerk of Kilmallie:--“The regiment lined a

ditch in front of the Namur road. The Duke of Wellington happened to

be stationed among them. Colonel Cameron seeing the French advance

asked permission to charge them. The Duke replied, ‘Have patience,

you will have plenty of work by and by.’ As they took possession of

the farm-house Cameron again asked leave to charge, which was again

refused. At length, as they began to push on the Charleroi road, the

Duke exclaimed, ‘Now, Cameron, is your time, take care of the road.’

He instantly gave the spur to his horse, the regiment cleared the

ditch at a bound, charged, and rapidly drove back the French; but,

while doing so, their leader was mortally wounded. A shot fired from

the upper storey of the farm-house passed through his body, and his

horse, pierced by several bullets, fell under him. His men raised

a wild shout, rushed madly on the fated house, and, according to

all accounts, inflicted dread vengeance on its doomed occupants.

Ewen Macmillan (Cameron’s foster brother), who was ever near his

master and his friend, speedily gave such aid as he could. Carrying

him with the aid of another private beyond reach of the firing, he

procured a cart, whereon he laid him, carefully and tenderly propping

his head on a breast than which none was more faithful.” He was

carried to the village of Waterloo, and laid in a deserted house

by the roadside, stretched upon the floor. “He anxiously inquired

how the day had gone, and how his beloved Highlanders had acquitted

themselves. Hearing that, as usual, they had been victorious, he

said, ‘I die happy, and I trust my dear country will believe that I

have served her faithfully.’ ... Thus he met with a warrior’s death,

and more, with a Highland warrior’s death. His remains were hastily

interred in a green alley--_Allée verte_--on the Ghent road, under

the terrific storm of the 17th.” In the April of the following year

his remains were removed to Scotland, and from Leith conveyed in a

King’s ship to Lochaber, and committed to their final resting-place

in the churchyard of Kilmallie, where lie many chiefs of the Cameron

clan. His age was only 44 years. In honour of Cameron’s distinguished

service his father was created Baronet of Fassifern. A handsome

monument--an obelisk--was afterwards erected to Cameron at Kilmallie,

for which an inscription was written by Sir Walter Scott, who seems

to have had an intense admiration for the brave and chivalrous

Highland hero, and who, in his _Dance of Death_, speaks of him thus:--

“Through battle, rout, and reel,

Through storm of shot, and hedge of steel,

Led the grandson of Lochiel,

The valiant Fassifern.

Through steel and shot he leads no more,

Low laid ’mid friend’s and foemen’s gore;

But long his native lake’s wild shore,

And Sunart rough, and wild Ardgour,

And Morven long shall tell;

And proud Ben Nevis hear with awe,

How, at the bloody Quatre Bras,

Brave Cameron heard the wild hurrah

Of conquest as he fell.”

[566] Stewart.

[567] The regiment had arranged a grand New Year’s entertainment,

and the unfortunate men of these detachments, who had to march on

two hours’ notice, had to leave the dinner cooking. They turned out

as cheerfully as circumstances would permit, there being just enough

of grumbling to have made it very hot work for the Fenians had they

showed fight.

THE 93RD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS.

1800-1854.

Curious method of raising the regiment--Character of the men

--Guernsey--Ireland--Cape of Good Hope--Battle of Blauw-Berg--High

character of the regiment--A regimental church formed--Its

benevolence--England--America--New Orleans--Dreadful carnage

--Ireland--West Indies--Canterbury--Presentation of New Colours

by the Duke of Wellington--Weedon--The northern district--Ireland

--Canada--Stirling--Edinburgh--Glasgow--Aberdeen--Portsmouth

--Chobham--Devonport--War with Russia.

[Illustration:

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

ALMA.

BALAKLAVA.

SEVASTOPOL.

LUCKNOW.]

This, perhaps the most Highland of the Highland regiments, was raised

in the year 1800, letters of service having been granted for that

purpose to Major-General Wemyss of Wemyss,[568] who had previously

raised the Sutherland Fencibles, many of the men from which joined

the new regiment. The strength at first fixed upon was 600 men,

which number was in a short time raised, 460 being obtained from

Sutherland, and the remainder from Ross-shire and the adjoining

counties. The regiment was however, soon augmented to 1000 men, with

officers in proportion; and in 1811 it numbered 1049 officers and

men, of whom 1014 were Highlanders and Lowlanders, 17 Irish, and 18

English.

One striking peculiarity in the constitution of the 93rd consists in

its having probably furnished the last instance of the exercise of

the clan influence on a large scale in the Highlands. The original

levy was completed not by the ordinary modes of recruiting, but by a

process of conscription. A census having been made of the disposable

population on the extensive estates of the Countess of Sutherland,

her agents lost no time in requesting a certain proportion of the

able-bodied sons of the numerous tenantry to join the ranks of the

Sutherland regiment, as a test at once of duty to their chief and

their sovereign. The appeal was well responded to; and though there

was a little grumbling among the parents, the young men themselves

seem never to have questioned the right thus assumed over their

military services by their chief. In a very few months the regiment

was completed to its establishment.

As a crucial proof of the high character of the first levy for

the 93rd it may be stated, that until the final inspection of the

corps the recruits were never collected together. They were freely

permitted, after enrolling their names, to pursue their callings at

home, until it was announced in the various parish churches that

their presence was required, when a body of 600 men was assembled,

and marched, without a single absentee, to Inverness, where the

regiment was inspected by Major-General Leith Hay in August 1800.

During the sojourn of the regiment at Inverness there was no place of

confinement in connection with it, nor were any guards mounted, the

usual precautions necessary with soldiers being quite inapplicable to

the high-principled, self-respecting men of Sutherland. Many of the

non-commissioned officers and men were the children of respectable

farmers, and almost all of them of reputable parentage, the officers

being mostly well-known gentlemen connected with Ross and Sutherland.

Indeed, the regiment might be regarded as one large family, and a

healthy rivalry, and stimulus to the best behaviour was introduced

by classifying the different companies according to parishes. While

the characteristics referred to seem to have strongly marked the

Sutherland Highlanders, our readers will have seen that to a

greater or less degree they belonged to the original levies of all

the Highland regiments.

In Sept. 1800 the 93rd embarked at Fort George for Guernsey, where it

was for the first time armed and fully equipped, and where it made

rapid progress in military training.[569]

In February 1803 the 93rd was removed to Ireland, where it continued

till July 1805. While in Dublin, like most of the other Highland

regiments at one time or another in Ireland, it had to assist in

quelling an attempted insurrection, performing the disagreeable duty

kindly, but firmly and effectually.

In July 1805 the 93rd joined the armament against the Cape of Good

Hope, under Major-General Sir David Baird, referred to already in

connection with the 71st and 72nd, which took part in the expedition.

The expedition sailed early in August, and, after a boisterous

voyage, arrived and anchored in Table Bay on Jan. 4th, 1806. The

troops formed two brigades, one of which, consisting of the 24th,

38th, and 83rd regiments, was under the command of Brigadier-General

Beresford; the other, called the Highland brigade, comprehending the

71st, 72nd, and 93rd regiments, was commanded by Brigadier-General

Ronald C. Ferguson. On the 5th, General Beresford, who had been

detached to Saldanha Bay, in consequence of the violence of the

surf in Table Bay, effected a landing there without opposition;

and on the 6th the Highland brigade landed in Lospard Bay, after a

slight resistance from a small body of light troops stationed on the

adjoining heights. In landing, 35 men of the 93rd were drowned by the

upsetting of a boat in the surf, and Lt.-Colonel Pack of the 71st,

and a few men, were wounded.

Having landed his stores on the 7th, General Baird moved forward

the following day, and ascending the summit of the Blauw-Berg (Blue

Mountain), he found the enemy, to the number of about 5000 men, drawn

up in two lines on a plain, with twenty-three pieces of cannon.

Forming his troops quickly in two columns, he thereupon directed

Lt.-Colonel Joseph Baird, who commanded the first brigade, to move

with that brigade towards the right, while the Highland brigade,

which was thrown forward upon the high road, advanced against the

enemy. Apparently resolved to retain their position, the enemy opened

a heavy fire of grape, round shot, and musketry, which was kept up

warmly as the British approached, till General Ferguson gave the

word to charge. This order was obeyed with the accustomed alacrity

of the Highlanders, who rushed upon the enemy with such impetuosity

as at once to strike them with terror. After discharging the last

volley without aim or effect, the enemy turned and fled in great

confusion, leaving upwards of 600 men killed and wounded. The loss of

the British was only 16 men killed and 191 wounded. The 93rd had only

2 soldiers killed, and Lt.-Col. Honyman, Lts. Scobie and Strachan,

Ensigns Hedderick and Craig, 1 sergeant, 1 drummer, and 51 rank and

file wounded. After this victory the colony surrendered.

The Sutherland Highlanders remained in garrison at the Cape till

1814, when they embarked for England. During this long period

nothing occurred to vary the quiet and regular life of the regiment.

This life was, indeed, remarkably regular, even for a Scottish

regiment, and, we fear, would find no parallel in any corps of the

present time. The men, who were mostly actuated by genuine religious

principle, such principle as is the result of being brought up in a

pious Scottish family, conducted themselves in so sedate and orderly

a fashion, that during their stay at the Cape severe punishments in

their case were unnecessary, and so rare was the commission of crime,

that twelve and even fifteen months have been known to elapse without

a single court-martial being assembled for the trial of any soldier

of the 93rd. Moreover, as an emphatic compliment to the steadiness of

the men, their presence was generally dispensed with when the other

troops of the garrison were commanded to witness the infliction of

corporal punishment.

But the most remarkable proof of the intensity and genuineness of

the religious feeling in the regiment, as well as of its love of

all that was peculiar to their native land, remains to be told.

There being no divine service in the garrison except the customary

one of reading prayers to the troops on parade, these Sutherland

men, in addition to their stated meetings for reading the Bible and

for prayer, in 1808 formed a church among themselves, appointed

elders and other office-bearers, engaged and paid a stipend to a

minister of the Church of Scotland, and had divine service regularly

performed according to the forms of the Presbyterian Church. As a

memorial of this institution there still remains in possession of the

sergeants’ mess the plate used in the communion service, and until

recently there existed among the regimental records the regulations

intended for the government of its members. This establishment had

an excellent effect, not only on its immediate members, who numbered

several hundreds, but also upon those who made no pretence of being

guided by religious principle.

Such men were not likely to forget the claims of relationship and

benevolence, and indeed such was their frugality, that in addition

to their contributing to the support of their minister and to the

charitable funds formed in the regiment, the men were in the habit

of lodging in a trusted officer’s hands savings amounting to from

£5 to £50, until an opportunity occurred of forwarding the money

to their relatives at home; upon one occasion, in particular, £500

were remitted to Sutherland, exclusive of many minor sums sent home

through the post-office.

In the month of April 1814, the 93rd embarked for Europe, amid,

as may easily be believed, the general regret of the colony; it

landed at Plymouth on August 15th of the same year. Of the 1018

non-commissioned officers and men who disembarked, 977 were Scotch.

The regiment had not been many weeks at home when it was again

ordered on foreign service, this time, alas, of a much more

disastrous kind than that which it performed during its long stay

at the Cape. Although it had not the good fortune to take part in

the stormy events which were shortly to take place on the field of

Europe, and share in the glory accruing therefrom, yet the work

it was called upon to perform, so far as bravery, endurance, and

suffering are concerned, deserved as great a meed of praise as if it

had been performed on the field of Quatre Bras or Waterloo.

Early in September 1814,[570] the 93rd had received orders to

hold itself in readiness for immediate embarkation, and on the

16th it embarked in three divisions as part of the armament under

Major-General Sir John Keane, destined to operate in North America;

for at this time, unfortunately, Britain was at war with the United

States. The fleet sailed on the 18th, and on November 23rd, joined,

at Jamaica, the squadron under Vice-Admiral the Honourable Alexander

Cochrane.

The united forces, the command of which was now assumed by General

Keane, amounted to 5400 men. With this force he sailed from Jamaica

on the 27th of November, and on December 13th landed near Cat Island,

at the entrance of a chain of lakes leading to New Orleans. On the

23rd the troops landed without opposition at the head of the Bayonne;

but were attacked on the following night by a large body of infantry,

supported by a strong corps of artillery. After a spirited contest

the enemy were repulsed with loss. On the 27th, Major-General the

Honourable Sir Edward Pakenham, who had arrived and assumed the

command of the army on the 25th, moved the troops forward in two

columns, and took up a position within six miles of New Orleans,

in front of the enemy’s lines. The position of the Americans was

particularly favourable, having a morass and a thick wood on their

left, the Mississippi on their right, and a deep and broad ditch in

front, bounded by a parapet and breast-works, extending in a direct

line about a thousand yards, and mounted with artillery, and a

flanking battery on the right bank of the river.

For several hours on the 28th, the force was kept in front of these

works, under insufficient shelter, and, allowed neither to advance

nor retire, suffered considerable loss from the storm of shot and

shell poured upon it; the 93rd lost 3 men killed and several were

wounded. On the three following days, the 93rd, as did every other

corps, lost several men in their encampment, from the guns of

the enemy, which were placed in battery on the right bank of the

Mississippi. We shall give the rest of this narrative in the words of

the well-kept Record-Book of the regiment, which, we believe, quotes

from the journal kept by Captain Charles Gordon, one of the early

officers of the 93rd.

On the 1st of January 1815, long before daybreak, the army was in

motion, and placed in position similar, but closer to the American

lines than on the 28th of December. Forming in close column of

regiments, the troops were ordered to lie down and wait for the

favourable issue of the British batteries against the enemy’s works,

the former opening with a brisk fire at daylight, but unfortunately

all in vain. After a cannonade of several hours, the greater part of

the guns were silenced and dismounted, and after a harassing day,

the army was ordered to retire to its former bivouac. The 93rd lost

1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, and 6 rank and file killed, and several

wounded.

Nothing was done for the next few days, though the army underwent

great fatigue in the carriage of guns, stores, &c., and were

continually annoyed by the batteries of the enemy on the opposite

side of the Mississippi. On the afternoon of the 7th, the army had

its hopes again raised by the orders issued for a general attack on

the following morning, but, in the words of Captain Gordon, “as this

expedition commenced, so did it terminate, in disappointment--utter

disappointment and calamity.”

On the 8th of January the main body of the 93rd, flushed with the

hope of measuring bayonets with their hitherto concealed opponents,

advanced in compact close column towards the centre of the American

lines, from which poured a tremendous fire of grape and musketry

(including buckshot); but its patience and discipline were again put

to the test when within about 80 yards of the enemy’s breastworks,

by an order to halt. In this unenviable position, without permission

or even power to fire with any effect whatever, with nothing visible

but the murderous muzzles of thousands of American rifles, only the

tops of the men’s caps being seen as they loaded and fired resting

upon their parapets, a staff-officer was heard to exclaim as he

hurriedly came up and rode away,--“93rd, have a little patience and

you shall have your revenge.” But, alas! it was decreed otherwise;

the regiment continued in its fatal position without receiving any

further orders, officers and men being mowed down in all directions,

until Sir John Lambert, the senior surviving general officer,

thought it advisable to order the army to retire. In this most

disastrous affair, action it could not well be termed, the regiment

was dreadfully cut up.

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in this sadly

mismanaged affair, in which the gallant 93rd probably lost more

officers and men in a few hours than it did throughout the whole of

the Indian Mutiny campaign, in which, as will be seen, it had perhaps

hotter work to do than ever fell to the lot of any single regiment.

The killed were Lt.-Col. Dale, commanding the 93rd, Captains Hitchins

and Muirhead, Lieutenants Munro and Phaup (both prisoners, who died

of their wounds), Volunteer Johnston, 4 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 115

rank and file, including those who died next day of their wounds.

There were wounded, Captains Ryan, Boulger, M’Kenzie, and Ellis;

Lieuts. John M’Donald, Gordon, Hay, Graves, M’Lean, Spark, and D.

M’Pherson, Volunteer John Wilson, 17 sergeants, 3 drummers, and

348 rank and file. It is sad to think that neither gain nor glory

resulted from this dreadful carnage.

The army having re-embarked, the fleet weighed anchor again on

the 7th of February, and made for the mouth of the Bay of Mobile,

where the greater part of the army disembarked on the Dauphin Isle.

Preparations were here being made to attack the fortified town of

Mobile, when news arrived that preliminaries of peace had been signed

between Great Britain and the United States. After being encamped

about six weeks, the army was ordered to embark for Europe. The 93rd,

at least the fragment left of it, arrived at Spithead on the 15th of

May 1815, and being in too weak a state to take part in the stirring

events taking place on the Continent, it was ordered to Ireland,

disembarking at Cork on the 28th of May, and proceeding to Birr

Barracks.

The second battalion having been disbanded at Sunderland, the

ranks of the first battalion were filled up by a large draft of

non-commissioned officers and privates from the former. As the

history of the regiment is comparatively uneventful up to the time

of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny, we shall rapidly run over its

movements previous to these stirring periods.

The 93rd appears to have moved about successively from Birr to

Athlone, Nenagh, and Limerick, sending out numerous detachments, and

in June 1818, to have proceeded to Dublin, where it remained till the

following May (1819). On leaving Dublin, it was again detached to

the southern counties, where it was frequently called upon to perform

the most delicate and harassing duties.

Between the 3rd and 8th of November 1823, the regiment embarked at

the Cove of Cork in four transports for the West Indies, without

having lost a single man by desertion. It may be taken as a proof of

the continued good conduct of the regiment during the eight years it

was stationed in Ireland, that Lieutenant-General Lord Combermere, in

his general order issued on its departure, stated that

“No regiment in the service stands in greater estimation, or has

been more conspicuous for its discipline and soldier-like conduct,

than the 93rd.”

Only one detachment proceeded to Demerara, the others being landed at

Barbados in December 1823; the former, however, shortly afterwards

joined the latter. The regiment remained in garrison at Barbados

till the month of February 1826, when it was removed to Antigua

and St Christopher, sending a detachment from the former island to

Montserrat. These stations the 93rd occupied till February 1830,

when it was removed to St Lucia and Dominica, where it remained till

January 1832, when all the service companies were again collected

together at Barbados, where they were stationed for upwards of

two years longer. After having spent ten and a half years in the

Windward and Leeward Island, the regiment embarked for England in two

detachments on the 26th of March and the 3rd of April 1834, leaving

behind it 117 of its men as volunteers to other regiments. On its

arrival at Spithead on the 6th of May, the strength of the regiment

was only 371, having been thus reduced by death, the discharge of

invalids, and volunteers to other corps. The proportions of deaths

in the regiment, however, while stationed in the West Indies, was

considerably below that of other regiments.

It was originally intended that the regiment should proceed at

once to Scotland, where it had not been quartered since its first

formation; but on account of the serious demonstrations that were

made by the populace in London about the period of the regiment’s

return to England, it was deemed expedient to draw as many troops

as possible around the capital. The 93rd was consequently sent to

Canterbury, where it arrived on the 8th of May 1834, and where it was

shortly afterwards joined by the depôt companies from Scotland.

During the stay of the Sutherland Highlanders in Canterbury, the most

notable incident in its history was the presentation of new colours

to the regiment by his Grace the Duke of Wellington, an event which

seems even now to be looked back upon as marking a red-letter day in

the calendar of the 93rd. The presentation took place on the 7th of

October 1834, and immense preparations were made for the ceremony.

The day fortunately turned out particularly favourable, and not fewer

than 10,000 persons must have turned out to witness the presentation,

including many of the nobility and gentry of the county. We regret

that space forbids us entering into details, or giving at length

the wise and stirring address of the “Great Duke.” Suffice it to

say, that after referring to the past achievements of the 93rd, and

of the soldier-like appearance and orderly conduct of individuals

of the regiment who had attracted his attention in passing through

the town, he urged upon officers and men, as the result of his long

and valuable experience, the inestimable value of discipline in

maintaining the efficiency of a regiment, without which no amount of

personal valour would be of avail.

“I have passed,” the Duke said, “the best years of my life in

the barracks and the camps of the troops. The necessities of the

service and my duty have compelled me to study the dispositions and

the wants of the soldiers, and to provide for them. And again I

repeat to you, enforce the observance of the rules of discipline,

subordination, and good order, if you mean to be efficient, to

render service to the public, to be respectable in the eyes of the

military world as a military body, to be respected by the community,

to be comfortable and happy among yourselves, and, above all, if you

mean to defend to the last your colours which I have presented to

you, the person of your sovereign, and the institutions, dominions,

and rights of your country, and to promote its glory (as your

predecessors have in this same regiment), by your actions.”

Lt.-Col. M’Gregor having replied in feeling and most appropriate

terms, the regiment performed several evolutions before the Duke,

who expressed his approbation of the soldier-like appearance of

the men, and of their steadiness under arms. The rest of the day,

both by officers and men, was given up to festivity and rejoicing.

The officers entertained the Duke and upwards of 200 guests at a

magnificent banquet in the mess-room, which had been ingeniously

enlarged for the occasion. On the opposite side of the barrack-yard

tables were laid for nearly 700, including the non-commissioned

officers, privates, their wives and children, who enjoyed an

excellent dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, with an allowance

of beer, given by the amiable and benevolent lady of Col. M’Gregor.

It was altogether a proud day for the Sutherland Highlanders. The

whole terminated with the greatest good humour and conviviality. The

soldiers continued to enjoy themselves to a late hour, dancing their

native dances to their national music.

[Illustration: Lieutenant-Colonel (now General) Sir Duncan M’Gregor,

K.C.B.

From a painting in possession of the 93rd.]

A few days after this memorable occasion, the regiment left

Canterbury for Weedon, in Northamptonshire, where it was stationed

till the spring of the following year (1835), detaching three

companies to Newcastle-under-Lyme. In the end of May 1835, the 93rd

left Weedon for the northern district of England, headquarters being

stationed at Blackburn, and detachments at Bolton, Rochdale, Burnley,

and Nottingham. In the following September headquarters was removed

to Liverpool, and the other companies to Haydock Lodge, Wigan, and

Chester Castle. The whole regiment was collected at Liverpool in

October, on the 27th and 29th of which month it embarked in two

detachments for Dublin. Here the 93rd remained till October 1836,

when it was removed to Newry; after being stationed at which town

for upwards of a year, it was removed, in the end of November and

beginning of December 1837, to Cork, preparatory to its embarkation

for Canada, to quell the serious insurrection which was threatening

the British power in that colony.

The 93rd in two divisions, under Lt.-Col. M’Gregor and Major Arthur,

sailed from Cork on the 6th and 23d of January 1838 respectively. The

division under Major Arthur reached Halifax on the 29th of January;

but that under Lt.-Col. M’Gregor met with so boisterous a passage,

that it did not reach its destination till the 5th of March. On

the following day the two divisions were reunited at Halifax. It

is unnecessary to follow the various and complicated movements of

the regiment during the suppression of the Canadian rebellion, more

especially as it never had a chance of coming into contact with the

rebels, except at Prescott, on the 16th of November 1838, when it was

present at the attack and capture of the brigands in the Windmill, in

which affair it suffered no casualties. The 93rd, in the performance

of its duties at this period, was often much divided, and frequently

had to endure great hardships in its movements about the country.

No. 4 company was, throughout the whole rebellion, in the Lower

Provinces, attached to the 71st Highland Light Infantry.

The regiment was re-united at Toronto on the 28th of November, and

the women, children, and baggage arrived on the 13th of December,

just before the closing of the navigation. On the 4th of the latter

month Lt.-Col. Spark arrived at Toronto, and assumed the command of

the regiment, in succession to Lt.-Col. M’Gregor.

The 93d remained at Toronto till the 17th of June 1843, with the

exception of one year--from May 1840 till May 1841--when it was

stationed at Drummondsville, Falls of Niagara. It is scarcely

necessary to say that, during this time, as always indeed, the

Sutherland Highlanders received the unqualified approbation of the

officers whose duty it was to inspect it.

“This fine regiment still continues,” to use the words of an order

issuing from the Horse Guards, in December 1842, “to maintain

its character for comparative sobriety and good order amidst the

dissipation with which it appears to be surrounded; and that it is

as remarkable for its splendid appearance in the field, and the

correctness of its evolutions, as for the quiet and orderly habits

of its men in their quarters.”

On leaving Toronto, in May 1845, the 93rd went to Montreal, a wing

which was sent to Kingston in the previous June joining headquarters

there. On this wing leaving Canada West, Major-General Sir Richard

Armstrong issued an order, in which he spoke of the appearance

(“superb,” he called it) and conduct of the regiment in the highest

possible terms.

The 93rd continued for other four years in Canada, leaving Montreal

in July 1846--the same month that the regiment received its first

supply of percussion muskets--for Quebec, where it remained till

August 1, 1848, when it embarked for home, after an absence of more

than ten years. On the arrival of the “Resistance” at Portsmouth,

it was ordered to proceed to Leith, where it arrived on the 30th of

August. The regiment disembarked next day, and proceeded to Stirling

Castle, where, in a few weeks, it was joined by the dépôt companies.

During its stay at Stirling detachments were sent to Perth and

Dundee, and the regiment was twice selected to furnish a guard of

honour for her Majesty the Queen,--in the summer of 1849, during her

stay at Balmoral, and in August of the same year, when Her Majesty

paid a visit to Glasgow.

The 93rd remained at Stirling till April 5, 1850, when it was removed

to Edinburgh, where it was stationed for only one year, during which

it again furnished a guard of honour to Ballater, as well as to

Holyrood, during her Majesty’s stay at that historical palace. From

Edinburgh the regiment went to Glasgow, on the 15th of April 1851,

and on the 23rd of the following February removed to Weedon. The 93rd

remained at Weedon for only six months, proceeding, on the 11th of

August and two following days, to Portsmouth, where it occupied the

Anglesea Barracks. After a stay at Portsmouth of about ten months,

the 93rd, on June 14, 1853, proceeded to Chobham Common, to form part

of a force which was encamped there under the command of General

Lord Seaton, C.B., for the purpose of manœuvring. On leaving Cobham,

on July 15, the regiment proceeded to Devonport, part of it being

stationed at Dartmoor Prison, and another part at Millbay, Plymouth.

We should mention here that, on Nov. 30, 1852, died Lt.-General

William Wemyss, who for two years had been colonel of the regiment,

and who from infancy had been associated with it, his father having

been Major-General Wemyss, who raised the Sutherland Highlanders.

Lt.-General Wemyss had all along taken an intense interest in the

regiment, in which he had been almost born. He was succeeded in the

colonelcy by Major-General Edward Parkinson, C.B.

Once more had the war-trumpet sounded, calling the nations of Europe

to take sides and do battle with each other, after a long, long rest.

The Sutherland Highlanders were destined to have their own share in

the struggle, being one of the first Highland regiments selected to

meet the Russians in the East. In connection with the 42nd and 79th,

the other two regiments of the famous Highland Brigade, we have

given some general details of the movements of the army in the East,

and especially in the Crimea, that we shall confine ourselves here

strictly to the work of the 93rd, more especially so as, before it

could again lay down its arms and take breath, it had harder, if not

bloodier, work to perform than has fallen to its lot since it was

first embodied. In the Indian mutiny the Sutherland Highlanders had

a magnificent opportunity (perhaps their first real one) of showing

what sort of stuff they were made of. How gloriously they came out of

their trial will be seen in the sequel.

II.

1854-1857.

Embarks for the East--Gallipoli--Scutari--Varna--Sickness and

cholera--Crimea--Battle of the Alma--Sebastopol--Balaklava--Battle

of Balaclava--The “Thin Red Streak”--Heavy duties--Discomforts

--Terrible hurricane--Disease--Kertch--First assault on Sebastopol

--Second assault--Evacuation of Sebastopol--Exploit of Lt. M’Bean

--Return home--Aldershot--Visited by the Queen--Dover--Presentation

of Colours by H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge--Embarkation for China

--Destination changed for India--The Indian Mutiny--Lands at

Calcutta.

On the 12th of February 1854, orders were received to prepare for

embarkation on active service; and as the establishment of the

regiment was on the peace footing, it received 170 volunteers from

the 42nd and 79th, including a few men from the dépôt battalion.

On the 27th of February, when the regiment embarked at Plymouth,

it consisted of 1 lieut.-colonel (Ainslie), 2 majors, 8 captains,

9 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, and 6 staff officers, 41 sergeants, 20

drummers, and 850 rank and file. After it had been in the East for

a few months, this establishment was considerably increased. After

staying at Malta for a few weeks, the regiment, on the 6th of April,

sailed for Gallipoli, where it encamped, and where it had the first

taste of official mismanagement in the shape of miserably inadequate

rations. The 93rd stayed at Gallipoli, part of the time engaged in

throwing up entrenchments, till May 6th, when it was removed to

Scutari, where it had the misfortune to lose Lieut. M’Nish, who was

drowned in a swollen stream.

After a few weeks’ stay at Scutari, the 93rd was sent, on the 13th

of June, to Varna, in the neighbourhood of which it remained till

it embarked for the Crimea, along with the rest of the allied army,

and where, in common with many other regiments, it suffered severely

from sickness, cholera here first making its appearance. From this

cause the regiment lost, while at Varna, 21 men and 1 officer (Lieut.

Turner). From this and other causes, a general depression of spirits

prevailed in the brigade; for the 93rd had been joined by the 42nd

and 79th. This temporary feeling, however, rapidly disappeared when

it became certainly known, towards the end of August, that active

operations were about to take place in the Crimea.

When, on the 31st of August, the 93rd was transferred to the

transports in which it was to be taken to the Crimea, it numbered

792 officers and men; 102 non-commissioned officers and men, and 20

soldiers’ wives being left behind at Varna, with most of the baggage,

under Ensign M’Bean. The landing of the armies at Old Fort, Kalamita

Bay, has been already described in connection with the 42nd,[571] as

well as what happened until the allied army came face to face with

the Russians entrenched on the left bank of the Alma.

We should mention here, that at the time of landing in the Crimea the

general health of the regiment was much impaired by the sickness and

exposure it had been subjected to while in Bulgaria: on the passage

to the Crimea it lost several men from cholera. Its first night in

the Crimea gave the 93rd a taste of the hardships and privations

which it, like other British regiments, was destined to undergo. It

passed the night, a very tempestuous and wet one, without shelter of

any kind.

On the 19th of Sept. the allied armies commenced their march towards

Sebastopol, over an undulating plain, the English being on the left,

the post of danger, as Kinglake so forcibly points out, the French

in the centre, and the Turks on the right, close to the sea. As our

readers know, the 93rd, along with the 42nd and 79th, formed the

Highland brigade, under Sir Colin Campbell, which, with the Guards,

constituted the First Division under H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge.

After bivouacking near the small stream Boolganak, where the first

brush with the enemy occurred, the 93rd, with the rest of the army,

advanced, about mid-day on the 20th, towards the river Alma, on the

left bank of which the Russians had already been descried, entrenched

on formidable-looking and strongly-fortified heights. On coming to

within a short distance of the river, the English army deployed

into line successively of divisions. The First Division thus became

the second line, the Light Division forming the first. The Highland

brigade formed the extreme left of the allied army, and was thus

opposed to the Russian right, the 93rd being in the centre of the

brigade, having the 42nd on the right, and the 79th on the left. Full

general details of the advance will be found in the history of the

42nd,[572] and here we shall confine ourselves to the work of the

93rd.

The battle commenced about half-past one P.M. After the Light and

Second Divisions had crossed the river, the First Division advanced,

the Guards in front, and the three Highland regiments on the left in

échelon. The latter, after advancing a short distance under heavy

fire, were ordered to lie down in rear of the wall of a vineyard.

After remaining there for a few minutes, the order to advance was

again given, and was promptly complied with, the Highland regiments,

led by their brigadier, the gallant and much-beloved Sir Colin

Campbell, pushing through a vineyard into and across the river, the

water in many places coming up to the men’s waists. After a momentary

delay in reforming, the three regiments advanced up the hill, in

échelon, the 42nd leading on the right, the 93rd close behind on the

left. The hill was steep, and the fire from the battery in front of

the enemy’s battalions very severe. Yet the Highlanders continued to

advance for nearly a mile without firing a shot, though numerous gaps

in their ranks showed that that of the enemy was doing its work. A

short distance above the river, the 93rd passed the 77th regiment,

part of the Light Division, halted in line, and thus found itself

immediately opposed to the enemy. Having nearly gained the summit of

the heights, the regiment opened a brisk fire upon the battalions

immediately in its front, accompanied by a hearty Highland cheer as

it still advanced. After a hesitating delay of a few minutes the

enemy fell back, and commenced their retreat in great confusion,

suffering fearfully from the destructive volleys of the newly-tried

Minie. The command was then given to halt, a brisk fire being kept up

until the enemy had fled out of range; and in less than an hour from

this time no vestige of the Russian army remained in sight but the

dead and wounded.

The 93rd in this battle lost 1 officer (Lieut. Abercromby), 1

sergeant, and 4 rank and file killed; 2 sergeants and 40 rank and

file wounded.

After a halt to bury the dead and look after the wounded, the

army continued its march in the direction of Sebastopol, reaching

Balaklava on the 26th, where it bivouacked for the night. The 93rd

was at first posted before the village of Kadikoi, at the entrance of

the gorge leading to Balaklava, partly to protect the position, but

principally for the purpose of being employed in fatigue duty. It was

only on the 3rd of Oct. that a few tents, barely sufficient to hold

the half of the men, were issued to the regiment. On the 6th of the

same month the 93rd had to deplore the loss from cholera of Major

Robert Murray Banner, an officer universally beloved and respected.

On the 13th of October a large force of the enemy having concentrated

in the valleys of Baidar and the Tchernaya, and threatening

Balaklava, Sir Colin Campbell was sent down by Lord Raglan to assume

command of the troops in Balaklava. He immediately ordered a force

of 331 officers and men of the 93rd, under Major Charles Henry

Gordon, to proceed to the heights eastward of Balaklava to assist in

intrenching and strengthening the position there already occupied by

the marines. Below these heights, eastward of Balaklava, and on the

western heights, a number of intrenched batteries had been raised, to

command the approaches to Balaklava. Each of these was manned by a

force of about 250 Turks, and they formed a sort of semicircle, being

numbered from the eastward from No. 1 to 6.

About 7 o’clock on the morning of Oct. 25th, a large force of the

enemy debouched from the direction of the Tchernaya and Baidar

valleys, and attacked the Turkish redoubts with a large body of

skirmishers and artillery. The British force, which had been under

arms since before daylight, consisted of about 800 marines on the

heights, with the detachment of the 93rd under Major Gordon. The main

body of the regiment under Lt.-Col. Ainslie, was drawn up in line

on a small hill in front of its encampment, covering the approach

to Balaklava from the plain, having some Turkish regiments on the

right and left; and on the left front the brigades of light and

heavy cavalry were drawn up in columns. The action commenced by the

Russians concentrating a severe fire of artillery upon No. 1, the

eastward redoubt, from which, after a short resistance, the Turks

were dislodged, and the redoubt, containing three guns, was captured

by the enemy. In obedience to an order previously received in case of

such a casualty, Major Gordon with his detachment at once proceeded

to join Lt.-Col. Ainslie in the plain, a distance of about two miles.

The capture of No. 1 redoubt was speedily followed by that of Nos.

2 and 3, when the Russians commenced a severe fire upon the flying

Turks. The 93rd, now joined by the detachment from the heights, was

directed to advance, covered by the light company, and throwing

forward the left. The enemy then opened upon the regiment with round

shot and shell from the redoubts from which they had driven the

Turks. This caused some casualties, and the 93rd was ordered by Sir

Colin Campbell--who at the moment may be said to have commanded in

person--to retire under cover of a small rising ground immediately

in the rear, where the regiment remained for a short time lying down

under a fire of artillery, till a large body of cavalry appeared on

the opposite side of the plain, about 1000 yards in front. The order

was then given to the regiment, which was in line, to advance a short

distance to the summit of the rising ground in front, and to commence

firing upon the cavalry, which were bearing down upon it at a rapidly

increasing gallop. To quote the words of Dr Russell, the well-known

_Times’_ correspondent, who witnessed the action:--

“The Russians in one grand line charged in towards Balaklava. The

ground flies beneath their horses’ feet; gathering speed at every

stride, they dash on towards that thin red streak tipped with a

line of steel. The Turks fire a volley at 800 yards and miss; as

the Russians came within 600 yards, down goes that line of steel in

front, and out rings a volley of Minie musketry. The distance is too

great, the Russians are not checked, but still sweep onwards through

the smoke with the whole force of horse and man, here and there

knocked over by the shot of our batteries alone. With breathless

suspense every one awaits the bursting of the wave upon the line

of Gaelic rock; but ere they came within 200 yards, another deadly

volley flashes from the levelled rifle, and carries terror into the

Russians. They wheel about, open files right and left, and fly back

faster than they came. ‘Brave Highlanders! Well done,’ shout the

spectators. But events thicken, the Highlanders and their splendid

front are soon forgotten. Men scarcely have a moment to think of

this fact, that the 93rd never altered their formation to receive

that tide of horsemen. ‘No,’ said Sir Colin Campbell, ‘I did not

think it worth while to form them even four deep.’ The ordinary

British line, two deep, was quite sufficient to repel the attack of

these Muscovite cavaliers.”

Another attack by the Russians was gallantly repulsed by the heavy

cavalry, and about 10 o’clock A.M. the Guards, along with the 42nd

and 79th Highlanders, came up under H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge.

It was about this time that the heroic but disastrous charge of the

light cavalry under Lord Cardigan took place, after which the First

and Fourth Divisions advanced, the enemy retiring and concentrating

on Nos. 1 and 3 redoubts. At nightfall the First and Fourth Divisions

returned to their position before Sebastopol, the 42nd and 79th

remaining behind at Balaklava. In this engagement the 93rd had only

2 privates wounded. The Russian force was estimated at about 18

battalions of infantry, with from 30 to 40 guns, and a large body of

cavalry.

Sir Colin Campbell in his despatch drew Lord Raglan’s special

attention to the gallantry and eagerness of the 93rd under Lt.-Col.

Ainslie, and Lord Raglan in his despatch to the Duke of Newcastle

spoke in high terms of the conduct of “that distinguished regiment.”

After this the 93rd, along with the rest of the Highland brigade, had

heavy duties to perform in intrenching the position at Balaklava; and

now that the weather began to break, and the clothes of the men were

in tatters, and the accommodation afforded by the tents miserably

insufficient, their condition was wretched indeed. The climax came

on the 14th of Nov., when the ever-memorable hurricane swept almost

every kind of shelter off the face of the ground, and tore the

tents to rags, leaving the poor soldiers completely exposed to its

violence. All this, combined with the wretched and insufficient

food, soon told sadly on the health of the soldiers. It was only in

the spring of 1855 that anything was done to remedy this state of

matters. With the erection of huts, and the arrival of good weather,

the health of the regiment began to improve. Meantime, from Oct. 1854

to March 1855, nearly the whole regiment must have, at one time or

other, been on the sick list, and nearly 100 died from disease. Among

the latter was Lt. Kirby, who arrived in the Crimea on Dec. 2nd, and

died on Feb. 15th following. We may also mention here the deaths of

Lt. James Wemyss, of cholera, on June 13, and that of Lt. Ball, of

fever, on June 18.

It is unnecessary to enter into the details of the siege of

Sebastopol, in which the 93rd, like all the other regiments in the

Crimea, had to do its share of harassing and dangerous duty. The

regiment took part in the expedition by the Straits of Yenikale

to Kertch in the end of May and beginning of June, returning to

Balaklava on the 14th of the latter month. In the first assault

on Sebastopol on June 18th, 1855, the 93rd, with the rest of

its division under Sir Colin Campbell, held a position close to

the Woronzoff Road, in rear of the 21 gun battery, ready to act

as circumstances might require. This attack, as is known, was

unsuccessful; and from the 18th of June to the 22nd of August, the

duties in the trenches of the right attack were entirely performed by

the First, Second, and Light Divisions alternately, and during this

period the 93rd sustained a loss of 6 killed and 57 wounded, several

of the latter dying of their wounds. On the night of the 6th of

August Bt.-Major J. Anstruther M’Gowan of the 93rd was unfortunately

severely wounded and taken prisoner, while visiting some sentries

posted in front of the advanced trench right attack. It was a

considerable time after his capture that it was ascertained that

Major M’Gowan had died of his wounds on August 14th at Simpheropol.

Lt.-Col. Ainslie was compelled twice to proceed on sick leave;

first on the 28th of June, when Major Ewart assumed command of the

regiment, and again on August 17th, when Lt.-Col. Leith Hay occupied

his place. We may state here that Lt.-Col. Ainslie did not return to

the regiment, retiring on Jan. 25th, 1856, when he was succeeded by

Lt.-Col. Leith Hay.

On the 8th of Sept. the second grand assault upon Sebastopol took

place, and early in the morning of that day the whole of the Highland

brigade marched from Kamara to their old encampment on the heights

before Sebastopol, where the knapsacks were deposited. The brigade

then proceeded at once to the trenches of the right attack, remaining

in support during the attack, in which, however, the Highlanders took

no part. The assault on the Redan having again failed, the Highland

brigade was pushed on to occupy the advanced trenches of the right

attack, remaining there during the night, ready to repel any sortie

that might be made. On the 9th it was the intention again to assault

the Redan, the four Highland regiments to form the storming party;

but on the night of the 8th the Russians evacuated the south side of

Sebastopol, and the brigade in consequence returned to Kamara on the

evening of the 9th.

A circumstance connected with the evacuation of Sebastopol should

be mentioned. About midnight on the 8th, the Russian fire having

previously ceased, and everything appearing unusually quiet, Lt.

W. M’Bean, the adjutant of the 93rd, left the advanced trench and

approaching the Redan, was struck with the idea that it was deserted

by the Russians. He accordingly gallantly volunteered to enter it,

which he did with a party of 10 volunteers of the light company,

under Lt. Fenwick, and a like number of the 72nd, under Capt. Rice;

they found no one in the Redan but the dead and wounded left after

the assault. The party, however, had a narrow escape, as an explosion

took place in the Redan shortly after.

The loss of the 93rd on the 8th of Sept. was 2 rank and file killed

and 7 wounded.

During the winter of 1855-56, the regiment was employed in erecting

huts, making roads, draining camps, and latterly in brigade drill and

target practice with the Enfield rifle, which had been issued to the

regiment in Sept. 1855; the health of the battalion was very good.

During its stay in the Crimea, 158 non-commissioned officers

and privates were invalided to England; 11 officers and 323

non-commissioned officers and privates were either killed in action

or died of wounds or disease; and 92 non-commissioned officers and

privates were wounded.

The 93rd left the Crimea on June 16th, 1856, and arrived at

Portsmouth on July 15th, proceeding to Aldershot on the same day.

Next day the regiment was inspected by The Queen, who walked down

the line accompanied by Prince Albert and a numerous staff, minutely

noticing everything, and asking many questions regarding the welfare

of the corps. Again, on the 18th, Her Majesty, attended by the

Princess Royal, visited the huts of the regiment, several of which

she was pleased to enter; she also tasted the rations prepared for

the dinners of the men.

As the next episode in the history of the Sutherland Highlanders is

the most important in its career, as they had, in the Indian Mutiny,

an opportunity of showing what mettle they were made of, such as

they never had since their embodiment, we feel bound to give it

considerable prominence, and must therefore pass briefly over events

both before and after.

On the 23rd of July the regiment left Aldershot for Dover, where

shortly after it was joined by the depôts from Malta (under Bt.

Lt.-Col. Gordon), and from Dundee, under Captain Middleton. On Jan.

31st, 1857, orders were received for the 93rd to hold itself in

readiness for immediate embarkation for India, on which occasion it

received 201 volunteers from the 42nd, 72nd, 79th, and 92nd. On the

6th of March, however, orders were received that the 93rd hold itself

in immediate readiness for embarkation for China, and a few days

after, Lt.-Col. the Hon. Adrian Hope was brought in from half-pay as

second lieutenant-colonel.

[Illustration: Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Adrian Hope.

From a photograph.]

On the 22nd May, H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge was graciously pleased

to present new colours to the 93rd, in lieu of the now tattered

ensigns that, twenty-three years before, had been presented at

Canterbury by the Duke of Wellington. After the usual ceremony,

H.R.H. made an appropriate address, in which he expressed his

confidence that, should the services of the 93rd be required, it

would guard the new colours with the same zealous feeling of honour

and nobleness of conduct as it displayed in the late campaign.

By the 25th of May all the service companies were collected at

Portsmouth, one depôt company being left behind at Dover, under

Captain Brown. On the 1st of June, Nos. 3, 7, and 8 companies, under

Lt.-Col. Hope, proceeded to Plymouth, and embarked on board H.M.’s

ship “Belleisle” for China, sailing on the 3rd of June.

On the 4th of June the remaining service companies, under Lt.-Col.

Leith Hay, proceeded to the Clarence dockyard, Gosport, where, drawn

up in line, they received Her Majesty on her landing from the Isle of

Wight. After a royal salute, Her Majesty was pleased to walk down the

whole line, minutely inspecting every man. The regiment then marched

in slow and quick time past the Queen, who expressed to Lt.-Col.

Leith Hay how much pleased she was with its appearance.

On the 16th of June, the grenadiers, Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6, and

light companies, with part of No. 5, embarked on board the s.s.

“Mauritius,” and sailed the following morning for China, under

Lt.-Col. Leith Hay. The remainder of No. 5 company followed with

the next transport. The strength of the regiment on embarkation for

China was 52 officers and 1069 non-commissioned officers and men.

The “Mauritius” entered Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope, where she

found the “Belleisle” at anchor. Here Lt.-Col. Hope conveyed to the

detachment on board the “Mauritius” the startling intelligence of the

mutiny of the Bengal Native Army, and that orders had been received

for the 93rd to proceed with all possible despatch to Calcutta,

instead of China. The “Mauritius” anchored in the Hooghly, opposite

Fort William, on the 20th of Sept. 1857, the anniversary of the

battle of the Alma, and the 93rd was welcomed by its old brigadier,

the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, Sir Colin Campbell. The

detachment under Lt.-Col. Adrian Hope did not arrive until the 26th.

III.

1857-1875.

On the road to Cawnpoor--Engagement near Futtehpoor--Attack on

Buntara--Force assembled on the Plain of the Alum Bagh--Sir Colin

Campbell’s address to 93rd--Disposition of the force--on the

road to Lucknow--Lucknow--The Dilkoosha--The Martinière--Banks’s

Bungalow--The Secunder Bagh--A terrible fight--Capt. Stewart--The

Shah Nujeef--Adrian Hope’s last effort--Sergeant Paton--Meeting of

Campbell, Outram, and Havelock--Back to Cawnpoor--Dispersion of

the rebel army--Second attack upon Lucknow--93rd in Lucknow--The

Dilkoosha taken--The Martinière taken--The Begum Kotee--Terrible

slaughter--Individual bravery--The 93rd at Rohilcund--Death of

Adrian Hope--At Bareilly--March into Oude--Rebel hunting--End of

the Mutiny--Losses--Peshawur--Cholera--Conduct of the men--Medical

officers--Sealkote--The Umbeyla Campaign--Jhansi--Surgeon-Major

Munro--Bombay--93rd sails for home--New colours--Duke and Duchess

of Sutherland--Ball at Holyrood--The Queen’s interest in the

regiment--Honours to officers--The Autumn Manœuvres--Strength of the

regiment.

No time was lost in sending the 93rd up the river to Chinsurah,

and by the 10th of October, the whole regiment in detachments was

hurrying along the grand trunk road towards Cawnpoor, distant about

600 miles. By October 31st, the main body of the regiment, with

Cols. Hay and Hope, had reached Cawnpoor, and in a day or two had

crossed the Ganges and joined the column under Brigadier Hope Grant,

assembling in Oude, for operations against Lucknow; the force was

encamped between Bunnee Bridge and the Alum Bagh, about 10 miles

in rear of the latter place. At Futtehpoor, three companies, under

Brevet Lt.-Col. Gordon, were left to garrison that place, and to

hold in check a considerable force of rebels, known to be in the

neighbourhood. On the 1st of Nov. one of these companies, under

Captain Cornwall, formed part of a small force which had a severe

but successful engagement with a considerable body of the rebels at

Khaga, near Futtehpoor. This was a severely contested affair, and

the men were exhausted by a long march before reaching the enemy’s

position, but nevertheless fought with such spirit and gallantry as

to excite the admiration of Captain Peel, R.N., who had command of

the force. The casualties of the 93rd company (No. 3) in this action

were severe, being 3 men killed, and Ensign Cunningham and 15 men

wounded.

On the following day, Nov. 2nd, the detachment under Lt.-Col. Adrian

Hope, consisting of the grenadiers, Nos. 1, 2, and 4 companies, was

also engaged in an attack on a fortified village in Oude, Buntara,

and drove the enemy from the position, killing a number of them, and

destroying the village. The casualties of the 93rd were 1 man killed

and 3 wounded.

By Nov. 13th the detachment under Brevet Lt.-Col. Gordon had come

up, and the whole of the regiment was thus once more together.

On the 11th of Nov. the entire force assembled in the plain of

the Alum Bagh, divided into brigades, and was reviewed by the

commander-in-chief. The brigade to which the 93rd was posted

consisted of headquarters of the 53rd, the 93rd, and the 4th Punjab

Rifles, and was commanded by Lt.-Col. the Hon. Adrian Hope of

the 93rd, appointed brigadier of the 2nd class. The little army,

numbering about 4200 men, was drawn up in quarter distance column

facing Lucknow. The 93rd stood in the centre of the brigade, on the

extreme left, and after passing in front of the other regiments and

detachments, Sir Colin Campbell approached the regiment, and thus

addressed it:--

“93d, we are about to advance to relieve our countrymen and

countrywomen besieged in the Residency of Lucknow by the rebel army.

It will be a duty of danger and difficulty, but I rely upon you.”

This short and pointed address was received by the regiment with such

a burst of enthusiasm that the gallant old chieftain must have felt

assured of its loyalty and devotion, and confident that wherever he

led, the 93rd would follow, and if need be, die with him to the last

man. The 93rd was the first regiment on that occasion that made any

outward display of confidence in their leader, but as the veteran

commander returned along the line, the example was taken up by

others, and cheer upon cheer from every corps followed him as he rode

back to the camp.

All the sick and wounded having been sent into the Alum Bagh on the

13th, preparations were made for the advance, which commenced next

day. The army marched in three columns, viz., the advance, the main

column, and the rear guard. The 93rd, along with the 53rd, 84th,

90th, 1st Madras Fusiliers, and 4th Punjab Rifles, constituted the

4th Infantry Brigade forming part of the main column, and was under

command of Brigadier Adrian Hope. The regiment had already lost, of

sick, wounded, and killed, about 140 men, so that its strength as it

entered the desperate struggle was 934 men. A detachment of 200 men

of the 93rd formed part of the rear guard, which also contained 200

of the 5th Brigade under Lt.-Col. Ewart of the 93d.[573]

Instead of approaching by the direct Cawnpoor road to Lucknow, Sir

Colin determined to make a flank march to the right, get possession

of the Dilkoosha and Martinière, on south side of the city, which

the enemy occupied as outposts, push on thence to attack the large

fortified buildings Secunder Bagh, Shah Nujeef, &c., lying between

the former and the Residency, and thus clear a path by which the

beleaguered garrison might retire.

As the narrative of the advance and succeeding operations is so

well told in the Record Book of the regiment, we shall transcribe

it almost verbatim, space, however, compelling us to cut it down

somewhat.[574]

At nine o’clock A.M. of November 14, 1857, the flank march

commenced. As the head of the advance column neared the Dilkoosha,

a heavy musketry fire was opened on it from the left, and the enemy

made some attempt to dispute the advance, but were soon driven over

the crest of the hill sloping down to the Martinière, from the

enclosures of which a heavy fire of artillery and musketry opened

upon the advancing force. This was soon silenced, and the infantry

skirmishers rushed down the hill, supported by the 4th Infantry

Brigade, and drove the enemy beyond the line of the canal.

During the early part of the day two companies of the 93rd were

detached, viz., the Grenadiers, under Capt. Middleton, close to the

Cawnpoor road, to command it, while the baggage, ammunition, &c.,

were filing past; and No. 1, under Capt. Somerset Clarke, was pushed

on to the left to seize and keep possession of a village so as to

prevent the enemy from annoying the column in that quarter.

While the leading brigade, in skirmishing order, was gradually

pushing the enemy beyond the Dilkoosha, the 4th Brigade followed in

support, at first in open column, and while doing so, the 93rd lost

1 man killed and 7 wounded. After the enemy had been driven down

the hill towards the Martinière, the 93rd was allowed to rest under

cover of some old mud walls to the left rear of the Dilkoosha, until

the order was given for the brigade to advance upon the Martinière

itself. Then the 4th Punjab Rifles moved first in skirmishing order,

supported by the 93rd, the Naval Brigade keeping up a heavy fire

on the left, the result being that the enemy were driven back upon

their supports beyond the canal. The Punjab Rifles pushed on and

occupied part of a village on the other side of the canal, while the

93rd, with the Madras Fusiliers occupied the wood and enclosures

between the Martinière and the canal. Immediately on taking up this

position, three companies of the regiment under Capt. Cornwall were

sent to an open space on the left of the Martinière, close to the

Cawnpoor road, for the purpose of protecting the Naval Brigade guns,

while the headquarters, reduced to three companies under Col. Hay,

remained within the enclosure. Towards evening the enemy from the

other side of the canal opened a sharp artillery and musketry fire

on the whole position, part of it coming from Banks’s Bungalow. This

continued till nearly seven P.M., when the Commander-in-Chief rode

up and called out the Light Company and part of No. 8, and desired

them to endeavour to seize Banks’s Bungalow. As soon as the Naval

Brigade guns were fired, this party under Col. Hay, in skirmishing

order, made a rush towards the canal, which, however, was found

too deep to ford. As the night was closing in, the Light Company

remained extended in skirmishing order behind the bank of the

canal, while Col. Hay with the remainder returned to the Martinière

compound. Capt. Cornwall with the three detached companies also

returned; but the Grenadiers and No. 1 company remained, holding

detached positions to the left of the army.

During the day the rear-guard (of which 200 of the 93rd formed

part), under Lt.-Col. Ewart, was several times hotly engaged with

the enemy, but drove them back on each occasion, with no loss

and few casualties on our side. The casualties of the regiment

throughout the day’s operations amounted to 1 man killed and 11 men

wounded.

On the 15th, the 93rd was not actively engaged; but in its position

behind the Martinière compound was exposed to a constant fire, by

which only 1 man was killed and 2 men were wounded. By this time

headquarters was joined by the 200 who formed part of the rearguard.

Late in the evening all the detached parties were called in, and

the regiment bivouacked for the night in a position close under the

Martinière.

At six o’clock A.M. on the 16th the force was under arms, and

formed in the dry bed of the canal _en masse_, at quarter-distance

column, and about nine o’clock advanced, close along the western

bank of the Goomtee, for about two miles, when the head of the

column encountered the enemy in a wood, close to a large village,

on the southern outskirts of the city, and drove them in on their

own supports. The 93rd--nearly every available officer and man

being present--was the leading regiment of the main column, and,

in consequence of the press in the narrow lanes, it was some time

before it could be got up to support the skirmishers of the 53rd

that were struggling with the enemy among the enclosures. Having

driven the enemy back in this quarter, the 93rd emerged from the

tortuous lanes of the village into an open space, directly opposite

the Secunder Bagh, a high-walled enclosure, about 100 yards square,

with towers at the angles, and loopholed all round. Here the

regiment deployed into line, exposed to a biting musketry fire

from the loopholed building, to avoid which Col. Hay was ordered

to move the regiment under cover of a low mud wall about 30 yards

from the southern face of the Secunder Bagh, while some guns were

being placed in position in an open space between the Secunder Bagh

and another building opposite on the west side, for the purpose of

breaching the south-western angle of the former.

As the last company of the 93rd--the 8th, under Capt. Dalzell--was

moving into its place in line, the Commander-in-Chief called

upon it to drag up a heavy gun to assist in breaching the wall;

and gallantly and willingly was the difficult and dangerous duty

performed, and the huge gun wheeled into position under a most

withering fire. When the breach was being made, two companies, under

Col. Leith Hay, took possession of a large serai or mud enclosure

opposite the Secunder Bagh, driving the enemy out before them. In

the meantime, the breach having been considered practicable, the

assault was given by the 4th Punjab Rifles and the 93rd, supported

by part of the 53rd and the battalion of detachments.

It was a glorious and exciting rush. On went, side by side in

generous rivalry, the Sikh and the Highlander--the 93rd straining

every nerve in the race, led gallantly by the officers. The colours,

so lately confided to the regiment by H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge,

were opened to the breeze, and carried proudly by Ensigns Robertson

and Taylor.

The greater part of the regiment dashed at the breach, and among the

first to enter were Lt.-Col. Ewart and Capt. Burroughs. At the same

time, three companies advanced between the Secunder Bagh and the

serai on the left, so as to keep down the artillery fire opened on

the British flank by the enemy from the direction of the European

barracks. The opening in the wall of the Secunder Bagh was so small

that only one man could enter at a time; but a few having gained an

entrance, they kept the enemy at bay, until a considerable number of

the Highlanders and Sikhs had pushed in, when in a body they emerged

into the open square, where commenced what was probably the sternest

and bloodiest struggle of the whole campaign.

Shortly after the breach had been entered, and while the men were

struggling hand to hand against unequal numbers, that portion of

the 93rd which had driven the enemy out of the serai, under Col.

Hay, succeeded in blowing open the main gate, killing a number of

the enemy in two large recesses on each side; and pressing their

way in, rushed to the support of those who had passed through the

breach. Away on the right also of the building, the 53rd had forced

an entrance through a window. Still, with desperate courage and

frightful carnage, the defence went on, and for hours the sepoys

defended themselves with musket and tulwar against the bayonets and

fire of the Highlanders, and 53rd, and the Punjab Rifles; but there

was no escape for them, and the men, roused to the highest pitch

of excitement, and burning to revenge the butchery of Cawnpoor,

dashed furiously on, gave no quarter, and did not stay their hands

while one single enemy stood to oppose them. No, not until, at the

close of the day, the building formed one mighty charnel house--for

upwards of 2000 dead sepoys, dressed in their old uniforms, lay

piled in heaps, and on almost all was apparent either the small but

deadly bayonet wound, or the deep gash of the Sikh tulwar.

[Illustration: The Secunder Bagh.

From a photograph in possession of the Regiment.]

As might be guessed, the regiment did not pass scatheless through

this fiery contest; not a few were killed, and many wounded. The

sergeant-major, Donald Murray, was one of the first to fall; he

was shot dead as he advanced in his place in the regiment. Then

fell Capt. Lumsden, of the H.E.I.C.S., attached to the 93rd as

interpreter. Within the building, Capt. Dalzell was killed by a shot

from a window above. Lts. Welch and Cooper were severely wounded;

and Lt.-Col. Ewart, Capt. Burroughs, and Ensign Macnamara bore away

with them bloody reminiscences of the dreadful fray.

A large number of officers and men were recommended for the Victoria

Cross, though few of the former obtained it; for although all richly

deserved the honour, it is well known that mere personal adventure

is discouraged on the part of those who are in command. Of the men

of the regiment the coveted honour was conferred on Lance-Corporal

John Dunley, Private David Mackay, and Private Peter Grant, each of

whom performed a feat of bravery which contributed not a little to

the success of the day. They were elected for the honour by the vote

of the private soldiers. No doubt many others deserved a similar

honour, and it seems almost invidious to mention any names, when

every one doubtless did his best and bravest.

During the desperate struggle within, one of the boldest feats of

arms of the day was performed by Capt. Stewart of the 93rd, son of

the late Sir W. Drummond Stewart of Murthly. Of the three companies

which had moved out between the Serai and the Secunder Bagh, to keep

down the flank fire of the enemy while the breaching was going on,

two, with a few of the 53rd, led on by Capt. Stewart, in the most

gallant style, dashed forward, seized two of the enemy’s guns, which

were raking the road, and immediately after effected a lodgment

in the European barracks, thus securing the position on the left.

For this splendid and useful feat of bravery he was elected by the

officers of the regiment for the honour of the Victoria Cross, which

was most deservedly conferred on him.

All this was effected by three o’clock P.M.

The regimental hospital had been established early in the day

beneath the walls of the Secunder Bagh, and throughout the desperate

struggle, in the midst of the hottest fire, the Assistant-Surgeons

Sinclair, Menzies, and Bell, were constantly to be seen exposing

themselves fearlessly in attendance on the wounded.

Almost immediately after the above operations, the 4th Brigade

was withdrawn by Brigadier Adrian Hope, with the exception of the

two companies of the 93rd occupying the barracks; and after a

short rest, was sent to clear a village on the right of the road

leading to the Residency, and between the Secunder Bagh and the

Shah Nujeef. This was easily effected, and the brigade remained

under cover in the village, while preparations were being made to

take the Shah Nujeef. It having been found impossible to subdue the

enemy’s musketry fire from the latter building by artillery, the

Commander-in-Chief collected the 93rd around him and said, “I had no

intention of employing you again to-day, but the Shah Nujeef must be

taken; the artillery cannot drive the enemy out, so you must, with

the bayonet.” Giving the regiment some plain directions as to how

they were to proceed, he said he would accompany them himself.

At this moment the Naval Brigade redoubled its fire, and Middleton’s

troop of Horse Artillery poured a continuous stream of grape-shot

into the brushwood and enclosures around the building. Under this

iron storm the 93rd, under Col. Hay, all excited to the highest

degree, with flashing eye and nervous tread, rolled on in one vast

wave, the greyhaired warrior of many fights, with drawn sword,

riding at its head surrounded by his staff, and accompanied by

Brigadier Adrian Hope. As the regiment approached the nearest angle

of the building, the men began to drop under the enemy’s fire,

poured forth from behind the loopholed walls; but still not a man

wavered, and on went the regiment without a check, until it stood

at the foot of the wall, which towered above it 20 feet, quite

uninjured by the artillery fire.

There was no breach and no scaling-ladders; and unable to advance,

but unwilling to retire, the men halted and commenced a musketry

battle with the garrison, but of course at great disadvantage, for

the Sepoys poured in their deadly volleys securely from behind

their cover, while the 93rd was without shelter or protection of

any kind, and therefore many fell. By this time nearly all the

mounted officers were either wounded or dismounted. Brigadier Hope,

his A.D.C. and Brigade Major, had their horses shot under them;

Lt.-Col. Hay’s horse was disabled by a musket shot; and two of the

Commander-in-Chief’s staff were dangerously wounded. As there was no

visible means of effecting an entrance on this side, a party of the

regiment pushed round the angle to the front gate, but found it was

so well covered and protected by a strong work of masonry as to be

perfectly unassailable. One more desperate effort was therefore made

by artillery, and two of Peel’s guns were brought up under cover

of the fire of the regiment, dragged along by a number of men of

the 93rd, Brigadier Hope, Colonel Hay, and Sir David Baird heartily

lending a hand. Still, though the guns hurled their shot in rapid

succession at only a few yards distance, no impression could be made.

Success seemed impossible, the guns were withdrawn, and the wounded

collected, in which last duty Lt. Wood and Ensign Macnamara

rendered good service under a galling fire at considerable risk

to themselves. Evening was fast closing in, and the assault must

necessarily soon be given up, but Brigadier Hope resolved to make

one last effort. He collected about fifty men of the 93rd, and crept

cautiously through some brushwood, guided by Sergeant Paton, to a

part of the wall in which the sergeant had discovered a spot so

injured that he thought an entrance might be effected. The small

party reached this unperceived, and found a narrow rent, up which

a single man was pushed with some difficulty. He reported that no

enemy was to be seen near the spot, and immediately Brigadier Hope,

accompanied by Colonel Hay and several of the men, scrambled up and

stood upon the inside of the wall. The sappers were immediately sent

for to enlarge the opening, when more of the 93rd followed, and

Brigadier Hope with his small party gained, almost unopposed, the

main gate, threw it open, and in rushed the 93rd, just in time to

see the enemy in their white dresses gliding away into the darkness

of the night. Sergeant Paton for the above daring service deservedly

received the Victoria Cross. Thus ended the desperate struggle of

the day, and the relief of the Residency was all but secured. Lts.

Wood and Goldsmith were here severely wounded, and a number of men

killed and wounded. A deep silence now reigned over the entire

position, and the little army, weary and exhausted by its mighty

efforts, lay down upon the hard-won battle-ground to rest, and if

possible to sleep.

The casualties throughout the day to the 93rd were very great. Two

officers and 23 men killed, and 7 officers and 61 men wounded. As

many of the latter died of their wounds, and most of the survivors

were permanently disabled, they may be regarded as almost a dead

loss to the regiment.

Early on the following morning, as soon as daylight had sufficiently

set in to enable anything to be seen, the regimental colour of the

93rd was hoisted on the highest pinnacle of the Shah Nujeef, to

inform the garrison of the Residency of the previous day’s success.

The signal was seen and replied to. This act was performed by Lt.

and Adjt. M’Bean, assisted by Sergeant Hutchinson, and it was by no

means unattended with danger, for the enemy, on perceiving their

intention, immediately opened fire, but fortunately without injury

to either.

The 93rd was not employed on the 17th further than in holding

the different positions taken on the previous day. The 53rd and

90th captured the Mess-house, Hospital, and Motee Mahul. The

communication with the Residency was now opened, and there was great

joy among the relieving force when Generals Outram and Havelock

came out to meet the Commander-in-Chief.

On the evening of Nov. 18th, 1857, the distribution of the 93rd,

which was now completely broken up, was as follows:--Head-quarters

under Col. Hay, consisting of 120 men, occupied the Serai in rear

of the European barracks; three companies under Lt.-Col. Ewart held

the barracks; one company under Capt. Clarke held the Motee Mahul,

while part of the garrison of the Residency held the Hern Khanah

and Engine-house. These two latter positions secured the exit of

the garrison. One company and part of the light company, under

Capt. Dawson, held the Shah Nujeef, and kept in check the enemy’s

batteries placed close down on the eastern bank of the Goomtee. All

these parties were constantly on the alert, and exposed night and

day to the fire of the enemy’s artillery and musketry. On the 18th

only 1 man was wounded.

During the 19th, 20th, and 21st the evacuation of the Residency

was carried on, and by the night of the 22d all was ready for the

garrison to retire. The whole was successfully accomplished, the

retirement taking place through the lane by which the relieving

force had approached the Secunder Bagh on the 16th. The brigade to

which the 93rd belonged had the honour of covering the retreat as it

had led the advance of the main body on the 16th;[575] and, early on

the morning of the 23d, the whole regiment was once more together in

the grounds round the Martinière, but retired and bivouacked behind

the Dilkoosha during the afternoon. From the 19th to the 23rd the

93rd had 6 men wounded and 1 man killed. Two unfortunate accidents

occurred on the 23d: a corporal and 3 men were blown up by the

explosion of some gunpowder, and Colour-Sergeant Knox, who answered

to his name at daylight, did not appear again; it is supposed that

in the uncertain light he had fallen into one of the many deep wells

around Lucknow.

Thus was accomplished one of the most difficult and daring feats of

arms ever attempted, in which, as will have been seen, the 93rd won

immortal laurels. But its work was by no means done.

On the 24th the army continued its retrograde movement towards

Cawnpoor, staying three days at the Alum Bagh, removing the baggage

and the sick, to enable preparations to be made for the defence

of that position. On the 27th the march was resumed by the Bunnee

bridge, the army encumbered with women, children, sick, and baggage,

which, however, after a little confusion, the main column got clear

of. Next day, as the march went on, the sound of heavy firing was

heard; and when the troops were told that it was the Gwalior rebel

contingent attacking Cawnpoor, they, fatigued as they were, braced

themselves for renewed exertions. About ten o’clock on that night

(the 28th) the main column arrived at within a short distance of the

bridge of boats at Cawnpoor. Between heat, and dust, and hunger, and

exhaustion the march was a dreadfully trying one, yet not a man was

missing by twelve o’clock that night. A short but welcome sleep came

to renew the strength of the brave and determined men.

At daylight on the 29th the enemy commenced a heavy fire on the

entrenched camp and bridge of boats. Peel’s guns immediately opened

fire, under cover of which the 53rd and 93rd approached the bridge,

and, under a perfect storm of shot, shell, and bullets, succeeded in

crossing it, and in gaining the open plain close to the artillery

barracks, taking up a position between this and the old sepoy lines

in front of the city of Cawnpoor, and near that sacred spot where

General Wheeler had defended himself so long and nobly against the

whole power of Nana Sahib. By this movement the communication with

Allahabad was reopened, the only casualty to the 93rd being Ensign

Hay slightly wounded. All the convoy of women, wounded, &c., was got

over, and by December 3rd the greater portion were safely on their

way to Allahabad, and everything nearly ready for an attack on the

rebel army.

On the morning of December 1, as the 93rd was turning out for

muster, the enemy opened fire upon it with shrapnel, by which

Captain Cornwall, Sergeant M’Intyre, and 5 privates were severely

wounded. The regiment, therefore, took shelter under cover of the

old lines, returning, except the picquet, at night to the tents, and

continuing so to do until the morning of the 6th.

On the morning of the 6th the 93rd paraded behind the old sepoy

lines, afterwards moving to the left and keeping under cover until

the whole disposable force of the army was formed in mass on the

left, under cover of the new barracks and some ruins behind them.

Brigadier Greathead kept the line of the canal, extending from

the fort; Walpole crossed the canal on Greathead’s left, so as to

secure all the passes from the city. While these operations were

being carried out, Hope’s brigade, consisting of the 42nd, 53rd,

and 93rd, supported by Brigadier Inglis, moved away to the left,

towards the open plain where the enemy’s right rested, while the

cavalry and horse artillery, making a wide sweep, were to turn the

enemy’s right flank, and unite their attack with that of Hope. On

debouching into the plain, the enemy opened fire, when the 53rd and

Sikhs were immediately thrown to the front in skirmishing order,

and pressed eagerly forward, while the 93rd and 42nd, in successive

lines, followed rapidly up. Notwithstanding the unceasingly hot

fire of the enemy, which began to tell upon the men, still onward

in majestic line moved the Highlanders, for a time headed by the

Commander-in-Chief himself, who rode in front of the 93rd.

On approaching the broken ground near the bridge, it was found

necessary to alter the formation somewhat. The enemy disputed the

passage of the bridge by a heavy shower of grape, which, however,

caused little loss. As the regiment cleared the bridge, the enemy

retired, and at the same time Peel’s heavy guns came limbering up,

and as they passed along the left of the 93rd, a number of the men

seized the drags, pulled them to the front, and helped to place

them for action. They opened, and caused the enemy to retire still

further, when the 93rd again formed into line, as also did the

42nd, and both continued to advance still under a heavy fire, for

the enemy’s artillery disputed every inch of ground. But gradually,

steadily, and surely the Highlanders pressed on, urging the enemy

back, until at last the standing camp of the Gwalior contingent

opened to view, when the Commander-in-Chief ordered Nos. 7 and 8

companies to advance at a run and take possession. It was empty, but

no preparations had been made to carry off anything. The hospital

tents alone were tenanted by the sick and wounded, who, as the

soldiers passed, held up their hands and begged for mercy; but the

men turned from them in disgust, unable to pity, but unwilling to

strike a wounded foe.

After passing through the camp, the 93rd formed line again to

the right and advanced, still annoyed by a galling fire of round

shot and shrapnel. During a momentary halt, Lieut. Stirling was

struck down by a round shot, and General Mansfield, who was with

the regiment at the time, was struck by a shrapnel bullet. The

advance continued, and the enemy drew back, disputing every foot

of ground. General Mansfield with some guns, the rifles, and 93rd

secured the Subadar’s Tank in rear of the enemy’s left, while Sir

Colin Campbell with a small force, including two companies of the

93rd, pressed the pursuit of the routed Gwalior contingent along

the Calpee road. By sunset the rebels in the city, and on the left

beyond it, had retired by the Bithoor road.

The casualties to the 93rd were 2 officers and 10 men wounded. That

night the regiment bivouacked in a large grove of trees which had

been occupied in the morning by the enemy, who, unwittingly, had

prepared an evening meal for their opponents, for beside the many

little fires which were still burning were found half-baked cakes,

and brazen vessels full of boiled rice.

The centre and left of the rebel army retreated during the night by

the Bithoor road, but were followed on the 8th by General Hope Grant

with the cavalry, light artillery, and Hope’s brigade, and early on

the morning of the 9th, after a long march of twenty hours, they

were overtaken at the Serai Ghât on the Ganges, attacked, dispersed,

and all their guns, 15 in number, and ammunition taken.

Thus was defeated and dispersed the whole of the rebel army which

but a few days before had exultingly laid siege to the entrenched

camp at Cawnpoor: broken, defeated, pursued, and scattered, it no

longer held together or presented the semblance of an organised

body. That evening the force encamped close to the river, and next

day fell back on Bithoor, where it remained till the end of the

month.

The next few days were occupied in clearing the rebels from the

whole district around Lucknow, the British force advancing as far

as Futtehgurh. Here it was encamped till the 1st of February 1858,

when the camp was broken up. The Commander-in-Chief returned to

Cawnpoor, and the troops commenced to move by different routes

towards Lucknow, now become the centre of the rebel power. Hope’s

brigade marched to Cawnpoor, and on arriving there was broken

up, the 53d being removed from it. This was a source of great

disappointment both to that corps and the 93rd. The two regiments

having been together in so many dangers and difficulties, and having

shared in the glorious relief of the Residency of Lucknow, a feeling

of attachment and esteem had sprung up between them, which was

thoroughly manifested when the 93rd left Cawnpoor and passed into

Oude on the 10th of February; the band of the 53rd played it to the

bridge of boats, by which the 93rd crossed the Ganges, and both

officers and men of the former lined the road in honour of their old

comrades.

From the middle to the end of February, the army destined to attack

the city of Lucknow was collecting from all quarters, and stationed

by regiments along the road leading thither from Cawnpoor, to

protect the siege train in its transit. By the end of the month the

largest and best equipped British army ever seen in India, led by

the Commander-in-Chief in person, was collected in the Alum Bagh

plains, prepared for the attack. A new organisation of the army

now took place, new brigades and divisions were formed, and new

brigadiers and generals appointed to each.

On February 28, 1858, the 93rd arrived at the Alum Bagh, and

on the following morning, March 1, moved, with two troops of

horse artillery, the 9th Lancers, and 42nd Highlanders, round

Major-General Outram’s rear and right flank, behind the fort of

Jelalabad, and, making a sweep of some miles, came suddenly upon

an outlying picquet of the enemy about a mile to the south of the

Dilkoosha. The enemy, taken by surprise, fell back fighting, but in

the end fled in disorder to the Martinière, leaving the Dilkoosha

and the villages and enclosures on both sides to be occupied by

their pursuers. Towards the afternoon other brigades and regiments

followed, and took up positions on the left, extending so as to

communicate with Major-General Outram’s right. In this position

the whole force bivouacked for the night; and in a day or two the

regimental camp was formed close to the river Goomtee, where it

remained till March 11. From March 2nd the regiment was employed

every other day as one large outlying picquet, and posted in a dense

tope of trees surrounded by a high wall. A constant fire was kept

up on this position by the enemy, happily with no loss to the 93rd.

The regiment was also kept constantly employed in other duties. On

the 9th, along with its brigade, the 93rd took part in the storming

of the Martinière, which was given up by the enemy after a very

slight resistance, only a few of the 93rd being wounded. The enemy

were pursued by the 42nd and 93rd, the latter pushing on beyond

Banks’s bungalow, and taking possession of a large garden close to

the enemy’s second chain of works, which was formed by the Begum’s

Palace, the Mess House, the Motee Mahul, the old Barracks, the

Shah Nujeef, and the Secunder Bagh. While this was being effected,

the 53rd, which had been allowed to rejoin their comrades of the

93rd, made a dash at the Secunder Bagh and took possession, just

as a large body of the enemy was approaching to garrison it. The

93rd bivouacked in the garden for the night. During the day the

enemy had been driven close up to the city by other sections of the

army, and the next day was employed in making breaches in the Begum

Kotee or Palace, a large pile of buildings and enclosures in front

of and covering the celebrated Kaiser Bagh, known to be strongly

garrisoned, and fortified and protected, as the enemy considered it

to be the key of the whole position.

At 3 o’clock P.M., on the 11th, it was announced to the 93rd that

the honour of assaulting the position was allotted to them by the

Commander-in-Chief. The regiment formed up in a patch of thick wood

close to road leading directly to the front of the Begum Kotee,

and thence to the Kaiser Bagh. It was told off by Brigadier Adrian

Hope into two divisions,--the right wing, under Col. Leith Hay,

consisting of the grenadiers, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 companies, and the

left wing, under Bt. Lt.-Col. Gordon, consisting of Nos. 5, 6, 8,

and light companies; the former to assault and enter by the front

breach, and the latter by that on the right flank of the position

made by the battery from Banks’s bungalow. No. 7 company was left to

guard the camp. At 4 P.M. the large guns became silent, and at the

same time the enemy’s musketry fire slackened. At this moment the

93rd wound out of the enclosures, advanced up the road, and, without

a shot fired at it, got under cover of some ruined buildings,--Col.

Hay’s division almost in front of the gate, and Col. Gordon’s to the

right flank.

At a signal given by Brigadier Adrian Hope, both storming parties

emerged from their cover, and each dashed at headlong speed,

and with a deafening cheer, right at its respective breach. The

enemy were taken by surprise, but quickly manning the walls and

loop-holes, poured a perfect storm of musketry on the advancing

columns. Not a man fell, for the enemy fired too high; not a man

wavered, and, under a storm of bullets hissing over and around

them, the gallant stormers came close up to the breaches, but were

suddenly, though only for a moment, checked by a broad ditch, the

existence of which was not known before. A moment of surprise, not

hesitation, ensued, when a few of the grenadiers, headed by Capt.

Middleton, leapt into the ditch, and were immediately followed by

the whole. Colonel Hay, Capt. Middleton, and a few more having

gained the other side of the ditch, dragged the others up, and then,

one by one, they commenced to enter the narrow breach. At the same

time the left wing storming party, with equal rapidity and daring,

had gained the breach on the right, and the leading files, headed by

Capt. Clarke, effected an entrance.

Every obstacle that could be opposed to the stormers had been

prepared by the enemy; every room, door, gallery, or gateway was

so obstructed and barricaded that only one man could pass at a

time. Every door, every window, every crevice that could afford the

slightest shelter, was occupied by an enemy; and thus, in threading

their way through the narrow passages and doorways, the men were

exposed to unseen enemies. However, one barrier after another was

passed, and the men in little parties, headed by officers, emerged

into the first square of the building, where the enemy in large

numbers stood ready for the struggle.

No thought of unequal numbers, no hesitation for a moment, withheld

the men of the 93rd, who, seeing their enemy in front, rushed

to the encounter; and for two hours the rifle and the bayonet

were unceasingly employed. From room to room, from courtyard to

courtyard, from terrace to terrace, the enemy disputed the advance;

at one moment rushing out and fighting hand to hand, at another

gliding rapidly away, and taking advantage of every available

shelter. No one thought of giving or asking quarter; and useless

would any appeal for mercy have been, for the Highlanders, roused to

the highest state of excitement, were alike regardless of personal

danger, and deaf to everything but the orders of the officers.

There were two wickets by which the enemy could escape, and to

these points they crowded, many of them only to meet destruction

from parties of the regiment stationed outside. One wicket was to

the right rear, and the other was to the left front, both opening

to roads that led to the Kaiser Bagh. The left wing, on gaining

an entrance through the right breach, drove the enemy with great

slaughter across to the wicket on the left flank of the buildings,

and followed hard in pursuit up the road leading along this flank

of the Begum Kotee to the Kaiser Bagh; then retired, and taking up

positions along the side of this road, kept in check the enemy’s

supports that attempted to come down this road, and destroyed such

of the garrison as attempted to escape. As the leading companies of

the right wing were effecting their entrance at the front breach,

Capt. Stewart led his company, No. 2, along the ditch round to the

right flank of the position, seeking another entrance. He failed in

finding one, however, but met a small party of the 93rd belonging to

the left wing, supported by the 42nd, engaged with a large body of

Sepoys. The enemy had been driven back by a rush, and a large brass

gun taken from them and turned upon themselves in their retreat.

The enemy, reinforced, returned to the attack, and obliged their

opponents to retire slowly. A party of the regiment under Capt.

Middleton arriving, the enemy again retired, leaving their brass

gun in possession of the 93rd. At this moment, and at this point,

numbers of the enemy were shot down or blown up in attempting to

escape by the wicket on this side of the buildings. At last, about

7 o’clock P.M., as darkness was closing in, the masses of the enemy

had disappeared, the fire had slackened, the position was won, and

the regiment rested from its struggle.

The wounded were all collected and taken by Dr Munro to the

regimental camp. All the medical officers were present throughout

the day, the assistant-surgeons Sinclair and Bell with the right

wing, and Menzies with the left, accompanied the stormers; Dr Munro

remained outside to receive the wounded.

The casualties amounted to 2 officers (Capt. C. W. M’Donald and Lt.

Sergison), and 13 men killed; 2 officers (Lt. Grimstone and Ensign

Hastie), and 45 men wounded. The losses of the enemy must have been

enormous, as next day 860 dead bodies were buried, all found within

the different enclosures; many must have escaped wounded. It was

afterwards known that the garrison consisted of eight picked Sepoy

regiments, altogether amounting to nearly 5000 men, who had sworn to

die in defence of this position of the city. The 93rd numbered about

800 men.

Several individual acts of bravery, performed both by officers

and men, are well worthy of being recorded. Lt. and Adjt. M’Bean

encountered eleven of the enemy in succession, and after a

hand-to-hand fight killed them all; for this he received the

Victoria Cross. Young Captain M’Donald had been wounded severely

in the early part of the day by a splinter of a shell in his sword

arm, but refused to retire to hospital. On entering the breach at

the head of his company, cheering them on, he was shot through the

thigh, and in this disabled state, was being carried to the surgeon,

when a bullet passed through his neck and killed him. Lt. Sergison,

in attempting to break open a door, behind which a number of the

enemy were concealed, was shot dead. Lt. Grimstone received a wound

while in hot and deadly pursuit of an enemy, whom he overtook and

killed. Capt. Clarke, several paces in front of his company, was

the first man of his party to enter the breach. Indeed, almost all

the officers had hand-to-hand encounters with single enemies. The

pipe-major, John M’Leod, was the first to force his way in at the

front breach, and no sooner was he in than he began and continued

throughout the whole of the fighting, in places perfectly exposed,

to cheer and encourage the men with the wild notes of his bagpipes.

No words are sufficient to express the gallantry and devotion and

fearless intrepedity displayed by every man in the regiment; and

well deserved indeed was the meed of high praise contained in the

general orders of Major-General Lingard and the Commander-in-chief.

All the operations connected with the storming of the place were

conducted by Brigadier Adrian Hope, and the position was carried by

the 93rd Highlanders exclusively, supported at first by part of the

42nd, and the 4th Punjab Rifles.

The Commander-in-Chief, Sir Colin Campbell, colonel of the regiment,

was sitting in Durbar with Jung Bahadoor,[576] when an aide-de-camp

hastily entered his presence, with the intelligence that the Begum

Kotee was taken after a hard struggle and severe loss. The gallant

chief sprang from his seat, and exclaimed, “I knew they would do it.”

On the afternoon of the 13th the regiment was relieved and returned

to camp, where it remained till the evening of the 20th, when, with

the exception of No. 7 company, it returned and took up a position

around the Imambarah, preparatory to an attack which was to be made

next day on the last position held by the enemy on the north side

of the city. During the interval between the 13th and the 20th, the

Kaiser Bagh, Imambarah, and other positions had been taken from the

enemy; the regiment, however, had no share in these operations.

On the 21st the 93rd, supported by the 4th Punjab Rifles, after some

severe skirmishing and street fighting, succeeded in expelling the

enemy from several large mosques and enclosures, situated at the

north end of the city. Only 11 of the 93rd were wounded.

This terminated the fighting within the city, which was now

completely in possession of the British. The 93rd returned to the

Dilkoosha, and remained in camp till April 7th, when it was ordered

to prepare to form part of a force destined for Rohileund, under

Brigadier-General Walpole.

It will have been seen that no regiment was more frequently

employed than the 93rd in all the operations against Lucknow, under

the Commander-in-Chief, who intrusted to this trustworthy regiment

some of the most difficult duties.

At daylight on April 7th, the regiment moved from the Dilkoosha,

and joined the rest of the force about five miles on the north-west

side of Lucknow. This force consisted of the old Crimean Highland

brigade, the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd, two troops of horse artillery,

some heavy siege guns, the 9th Lancers, some Native Infantry,

Sappers, and Native Cavalry, all under Brigadier-General Walpole.

The strength of the 93rd was 41 officers and 833 men.

The “Old Highland Brigade” thus reunited, was commanded by Brigadier

the Hon. Adrian Hope. The force continued to march in a north-west

direction till April 16th, a day which can never be forgotten by

the 93rd, for with every certainty of success, energy, ability, and

desire to fight, the force was entirely mismanaged.

Before the regiment marched from Lucknow, Bt. Lt.-Col. Charles

Gordon, C.B., the senior major, an officer who had served many

years in the 93rd, took leave, having effected an exchange with Bt.

Lt.-Col. Ross, commanding a depôt battalion in Scotland.

Long before daylight on the 16th of April 1858 the force was under

arms, and moved cautiously a few miles across country, when a halt

was called, the baggage collected, and a strong guard told off to

protect it; this guard consisted of two guns and detachments from

every corps. About 10 o’clock A.M., the whole force cautiously

advanced through some thick wood, and came suddenly on a native mud

fort, the garrison of which immediately opened fire with guns and

musketry. The 42nd was in advance, supported by the 93rd, the 79th

being in reserve. The guns were quickly placed in position, and

opened a rapid fire on the fort, while the 42nd and two companies

of the 93rd and 4th Punjab Rifles were pushed forward close to the

walls, under cover of some low banks, and commenced a brisk fire

on the garrison. The 42nd occupied the cover in front, the 93rd on

the left flank, and the Punjab Rifles on the right flank of the

fort. During the whole day things remained in this state; the guns

played on the fort without the least effect, and the skirmishers

exchanged shots with the garrison, with but little loss to the

enemy, while that of the 93rd and the rest of the force was severe

and irreparable.

Brigadier the Hon. Adrian Hope, a leader not only admired but

beloved by his brigade, and by the 93rd especially, fell while

endeavouring to find out the arrangements of the fort, and see if

there was any means of entering; not that any order had been given

to assault, but it is more than probable that had he lived a few

hours longer, an assault would have taken place. For an hour or two

the guns played upon the fort, but after the death of Hope nothing

was done, and the force outside only continued to get the worst of

it. While the other regiments suffered severely in officers and men,

the 93rd thus lost their much-beloved brigadier, while 6 men were

wounded.

At sunset the force was withdrawn, and to the amazement of all

(the enemy firing at the force as it retired), the camp was formed

within a mile of the fort. Next morning the fort was empty, the

enemy having vacated it during the night, evidently at leisure,

for nothing was left except the ashes of their dead and a broken

gun-carriage. The force having taken possession of the place,

measures were at once taken to destroy it. Originally it had been

a square enclosure, but had fallen into decay; it was so open and

unprotected by any work behind, that a regiment of cavalry might

have ridden in. And before this paltry place was lost the brave

Adrian Hope, who had passed unscathed through the fierce fires of

Lucknow and Cawnpoor. In the evening his remains were buried with

military honours, along with two officers of the 42nd.

On the death of Brigadier Hope, Col. Hay, C.B., of the 93rd assumed

command of the Highland Brigade, and Major Middleton that of the

93rd. Next day, April 17th, the force resumed its march, and in

three days afterwards, at the village of Allahgunge, the enemy in

force were again encountered, attacked, and dispersed, with a very

large loss to them, but none to their assailants. Here Bt. Lt.-Col.

Ross took command of the 93rd.

The force stayed at Allahgunge for three days, during which it was

strongly reinforced, and the Commander-in-Chief himself took command

of the entire army. On the 27th of April the largely augmented force

moved _en route_ for Bareilly and Shahjehanpoor, where it arrived

on the 30th of April. The army moved again next day, and on the 4th

of May was joined by another brigade. On the 5th it encountered a

rebel army on the plains east of Bareilly, which after an engagement

of some hours retired. This was a most trying day, for the heat was

tremendous; the 93rd was the only regiment that did not lose men

from the effects of the heat, neither had it any casualties during

the engagement. On the 7th the city of Bareilly was taken possession

of. On that day a wing of the regiment, under Lt.-Col. Ross, was

employed to dislodge a body of the enemy which had occupied some

buildings in the city. After a struggle of some hours the enemy were

all dislodged and killed, the casualties of the 93rd being only 3

men wounded.

The regiment had now a rest of five months, during which it remained

at Bareilly, where, however, the men suffered extremely from fever;

and there were also a good many cases of sunstroke, a few of which

were fatal.

On October 17th, the 93rd marched to Shahjehanpoor to form a brigade

along with the 60th Royal Rifles and 66th Ghoorkas; along with this

were some guns, cavalry, and regular troops, all under command of

Brigadier Colin Troup. Two days after the junction of the regiments

the whole column entered Oude, and in the second day’s march

encountered a large body of rebels at a village called Poosgawah,

in which they had entrenched themselves. From this position they

were quickly expelled, and the force breaking up into small columns

followed in pursuit. No sooner had the bulk of the force passed

through the village than a body of rebel cavalry appeared in the

rear, and attacked the baggage as it was struggling through the

narrow entrance into the village. The main body of the baggage

guard was far in the rear, and the enemy was at first mistaken for

the irregulars of the force, until they began to cut up the camp

followers. At this moment, the sick of the 93rd, 12 in number, who

at Surgeon Munro’s request had been armed the night before, turned

out of their dhoolies, and kept up a sharp fire, which held the

enemy in check until the arrival of the Mooltanee Cavalry, which

had been sent from the front, and which immediately dispersed the

enemy’s cavalry. The regiment lost 1 man killed.

The force remained in the vicinity of the village for a few days. At

daylight on October 26th it was under arms, and the enemy was found

in position at a village called Russellpoor, on the opposite side of

a deep nullah, flanked on one side by a large village, and on the

other by some rising ground. The guns and the 6th Rifles attacked,

the main body of the 93rd being held in reserve; one company, under

Captain M’Bean, supported the heavy guns. The enemy were driven

from their position and put to flight, with considerable loss to

themselves, particularly on the right, where Captain M’Bean’s

company was engaged.

Next day the force moved on to Noorungabad, where it remained

till Nov. 8, 1858, and where the Royal proclamation was read,

transferring the government of India to H.M. the Queen. On the

8th, at midnight, the force got under arms and marched towards

Meethoolee, a strong mud fort belonging to one of the Rajahs of

Oude, who had refused to surrender. By a circuitous route, the force

felt its way towards the fort, upon which it suddenly came about

mid-day on the 10th. Firing immediately commenced on both sides, and

active preparations were made for an assault next day; but it was

found that the enemy had slipped off during the night.

After this the 93rd, until the beginning of February 1859, was

constantly employed under General Troup, sometimes united and

sometimes detached, hunting the rebels out of their hiding-places,

ultimately driving them beyond the Gogra (or Sarúj). Thus ended the

work of the SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS in the suppression of the Indian

Mutiny, in which it took, at least, as prominent a part as did any

other regiment, and in which it won for itself never-dying fame. Not,

however, did it gain its glory cheaply; between Sept. 30, 1857, and

Dec. 31, 1859, the 93rd lost in killed, died of disease, wounded,

accidents, and missing, 180 men, besides 58 who were invalided to

England. The remainder of its history we must run over with the

utmost brevity.

After its great exertions and sufferings, the 93rd stood much in need

of rest, and means of restoration for the jaded constitutions of

officers and men. Therefore, the route to Subhatoo, a hill station

near Simla, was welcomed by the regiment, which set out for its

new quarters on Feb. 27th, 1859, and arrived on April 13th. Here

it remained till the beginning of November, when it was ordered to

Umballah for drill and musketry instruction.

The 93rd was destined to make an unusually long stay in India, as not

till 1870 did it again set foot on its native shores. During this

time it was kept constantly moving from place to place, but these

movements we need not, even if we had space, follow minutely. The

two main events which marked this period of the regiment’s history,

were a most severe attack of cholera while at Peshawur, and a short

campaign against the Mussulman fanatics of the Mahaban hills.

The regiment left Umballah in January 1860, its next station being

Rawul Pindee, where it arrived on March 9th, leaving it again on

November 14, 1861, for Peshawur, which it reached on the 22nd. The

health of the regiment here was at first particularly good, but in

May 1862 rumours of the approach of cholera began to circulate. The

rumours turned out to be too true, as an undoubted case of cholera

occurred in the regiment on the 7th of July; and between this and

the beginning of November, it was attacked four separate times, so

that there was scarcely a man, woman, or child who did not suffer

to a greater or less extent. Among the men there were 60 deaths,

among the women 13, and among the children 12. Nor did the officers

escape; several of them were attacked, of whom 4 succumbed,--Col.

Macdonald, Major Middleton, Ensign Drysdale, and Dr Hope--making 89

in all. It was only by moving out and encamping at a distance from

the pestilential town that the epidemic was got rid of, though for a

long time after it the regiment was in a very feeble condition.

On the death of Col. Macdonald, Major Burroughs took command of the

regiment, till the arrival shortly after of Col. Stisted.

The Record-Book pays a high and well-merited tribute to the

admirable conduct of the men during this terrible and long continued

attack from a mysterious and deadly foe, far more trying than the

bloodiest struggle “i’ the imminent deadly breach.” There was

scarcely a man who did not feel the workings of the cholera poison

in his system; yet, notwithstanding, there was never any approach to

panic, no murmuring or shrinking from duties of the most trying and

irksome kind. At one time the same men would be on hospital fatigue

duty almost every day, rubbing the cramped limbs of groaning, dying

men. Yet no one ever complained or tried to hold back. So long as

their strength held out, they not only performed the duties assigned

to them willingly, but with a kindness, tenderness, and devotion

which can never be forgotten by those who witnessed it.

It is only simple justice, also, to enter upon record a statement

of the distinguished services rendered during this trying period to

the regiment, by the surgeon, Dr Munro, and the assistant-surgeons,

Bouchier, Hope, and Baxter. No man could have worked more faithfully

than did Dr Munro. Night and day his thoughts were with the men, his

zeal never flagged, his resources never failed, and he seemed never

to think he had done enough. Even when his own strength gave way,

and he was reduced to a shadow, he still clung to his post. None who

witnessed his energy, skill, and love for the men will ever forget

it.

On Nov. 3rd the regiment had reached Kuneh Khâl, from which it

proceeded to Sealkote by Hattee on the Grand Trunk road, where the

detachments from Peshawur, Chumkunah, and Cherat were waiting to

receive it. Sealkote was reached on December 30, 1862.

Into the details of the Umbeyla campaign against the Mussulman

fanatics we need not enter, as the 93rd had really no fighting to

do. The 93rd, under command of Col. Stisted, set out to join Sir

Neville Chamberlain’s force in the Umbeyla Pass, on November 3rd,

reaching Permowli, in the Yuzufzai country, on November 25th. Thence

a long detachment of the regiment with some artillery, by means of

elephants, camels, mules, and ponies, under command of Major Dawson

of the 93rd, set out on December 9th to join the force in the Umbeyla

Pass, which was reached after a most fatiguing march.

The 93rd remained at the camp in the Umbeyla Pass until December

20th, taking its share in the camp and picquet duties. On December

15th, General Garvock, who had succeeded to the command, advanced

with half his force against the enemy, leaving the other half behind

to guard the camp. Among the latter half was the 93rd. After General

Garvock’s advance, the enemy attacked the camp, with a very trifling

loss on the side of the British. General Garvock was completely

successful, and the 93rd detachment joined the rest of the regiment

at Nowakilla. From this, on December 23rd, under Col. Stisted, the

regiment set out for Durbund, where it remained encamped till the end

of January 1864. It again set out on February 1st, and after a long

march reached Sealkote once more on the 27th.

At all the official inspections of the regiment the reports of the

inspecting-officers were perfectly satisfactory.

The 93rd made a long stay at Sealkote, during which it sent

detachments to garrison various forts in the surrounding district.

It quitted Sealkote on Nov. 1st, 1866, and, under command of Col.

Burroughs, proceeded to Jhansi, which, after a long march and many

encampments, it reached on January 18, 1867.

During its stay at Jhansi, the regiment sustained a great loss, in

the promotion, in March 1867, of Surgeon-Major William Munro, M.D.,

C.B., to be a Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals. Dr Munro had

been surgeon of the Sutherland Highlanders since 1854, when he joined

the regiment whilst on its march from Old Fort to the River Alma.

He was present with the regiment throughout the Crimean and Indian

campaigns, and we have already referred to his conduct during the

attack of cholera at Peshawur. By his zeal, ability, and heroic

devotion to duty, Dr Munro had endeared himself to every officer

and man of the regiment, by all of whom, whilst rejoicing at his

well-earned promotion, his departure was sincerely deplored. At his

departure he expressed a wish to be enrolled as an honorary member of

the officer’s mess, a request that was acceded to with acclamation.

While at Jhansi, the colonel, General Alex. Fisher M’Intosh, K.H.,

died, Aug. 28, 1868. He had formerly been a major in the regiment,

and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Lt.-General Charles Craufurd

Hay.

In August 1869, the regiment was again scourged with cholera, a very

large number being attacked, both at Jhansi and among the detachment

at Sepree; the deaths, however, were only 11. During the latter part

of September, moreover, and throughout October, the regiment was

prostrated by a fever, which though not deadly, was very weakening.

On October 20th, 50 per cent. of the soldiers at headquarters were on

the sick list.

The 93rd, under Col. Burroughs, left Jhansi on December 27, 1869,

en route for Bombay, to embark for home, after an absence of 12½

years. Partly by road and partly by rail, it proceeded leisurely by

Cawnpoor, so full of sad memories, Allahabad, Jubbulpoor, Nagpoor,

and Deolalee, to Bombay, which it did not reach till February 14,

1870.[577] On the same evening, officers, men, wives, and children,

681 in all, were safely on board the troop-ship “Jumna,” which

steamed out of the harbour on the following morning. By Suez,

Alexandria (where the 93rd was transferred to the “Himalaya”), and

Gibraltar, the regiment arrived off Portsmouth on March 21, sailing

again next day for Leith, which it reached on the 25th, but did not

disembark till the 28th. One detachment, under Col. Dawson, and

another, under Bt. Lt.-Col. Brown, disembarked at Burntisland, the

former proceeding to Stirling, and the latter to Perth. Headquarters,

under Col. Burroughs, disembarked in the afternoon, and proceeded by

rail to Aberdeen, and, after an absence of 19 years, was welcomed

home to Scotland with unbounded enthusiasm by the citizens. Before

leaving India, 117 non-commissioned officers and men had volunteered

into other regiments remaining in the country.

After a stay of upwards of a year at Aberdeen, the 93rd was removed

to Edinburgh, where on its arrival on June 15, 1871, notwithstanding

the miserable state of the weather, it met with a warm welcome. One

company was left at Ballater, as a guard of honour to the Queen, one

at Aberdeen, one at Fort George, and another was sent to Greenlaw.

On Aug. 4, 1871, while the regiment was stationed at Edinburgh,

it was presented with new colours by Her Grace the Duchess of

Sutherland. The ceremony in the Queen’s Park was witnessed by

about 10,000 spectators. Accompanying the Duchess were the Duke of

Sutherland and the Marquis of Stafford. After the old colours, worn

and tattered by service in India, had been trooped, and the usual

ceremonies gone through, Ensigns Cunliffe and Hannay advanced, and

kneeling, were presented with the new colours by the Duchess, who

addressed the regiment in a few appropriate and touching words.

Colonel Burroughs made an exceedingly appropriate reply, in which he

offered for Her Grace’s acceptance the old colours of the regiment,

which had waved over so many deadly struggles. The Duchess accepted

the colours, returning the Queen’s colour, however, to be placed

over the memorial erected in St Giles’ Cathedral to the officers

and soldiers who fell in the Crimea. Shortly after, however, it was

decided that, owing to the little care taken of the colours at St

Giles, they should be removed and sent to Dunrobin, to be placed

beside the others. The Duke of Sutherland, in January 1873, was

elected an honorary member of the officer’s mess of the 93rd.

The Duke and Duchess, and a large party of ladies and gentlemen, were

entertained at luncheon by the officers in the Picture Gallery of

Holyrood. After a number of appropriate toasts had been drunk, the

tables were cleared away, and reel dancing commenced, and entered

into enthusiastically. It is said that till then, no dancing had

taken place in Holyrood since the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie;

according to some even, not since the days of the “braw gallant”

Charles II. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland afterwards went to the

Castle, and visited the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, and

their wives and families, by all of whom they were enthusiastically

received. A few days after, the sergeants gave a very successful ball

to their friends to celebrate the occasion.

In the autumn of 1870, we may mention here, Her Majesty the Queen,

having noticed that a detachment of the regiment, under, Capt. M. W.

Hyslop, H.M.’s guard of honour at Ballater, wore kilts and plaids

of hard tartan, and that after a march in wind and rain the men’s

knees were much scratched and cut by the sharp edge of this tartan,

the Queen was graciously pleased to direct that soft instead of hard

tartan be in future supplied to Highland regiments. Accordingly, as

soon as the hard tartan in store was used up soft tartan kilts and

plaids were issued to the non-commissioned officers and men of the

93rd; this took place in April 1872.

Another instance of Her Majesty’s womanly disposition, and of her

thoughtfulness and care for all about her, we shall mention. During

her stay at Holyrood in August 1872, a captain’s guard of the 93rd

Highlanders was stationed at the palace. Her Majesty walked across

from the palace to the guard-room, and satisfied herself that the

guard was comfortably housed and properly taken care of, entering

into conversation with the soldiers cooking the day’s rations.

On Monday May 12, 1873, the 93rd left Edinburgh for Aldershot. On the

previous Saturday, the Lord Provost (the Right Hon. James Cowan) and

magistrates of Edinburgh publicly bade farewell in the name of the

citizens to the regiment, the Lord Provost addressing officers and

men in the courtyard of the Council Chambers, in a few appropriate

and highly complimentary words, to which Col. Burroughs made a brief

but feeling reply. The officers were then invited to a banquet in the

Council Chambers, and the soldiers were also liberally regaled with

refreshments.

On their way to Granton, on the 12th December, to embark on board the

“Himalaya,” the 93rd marched through crowds of admiring spectators,

and passed the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders on the way to take their

place.

It reached Aldershot on the 15th, and occupied D, G, and H lines of

the North Camp.

Among the list of recipients of Her Majesty’s favour on her 54th

birthday (1873), Col. Burroughs’ name appeared as nominated a C.B.,

making the ninth officer of the regiment who had been thus honoured.

[Illustration: Lieutenant-Colonel William M’Bean, V.C.

From a Photograph.]

In July and August 1873, the 93rd, commanded by Colonel Burroughs,

took part in the “Autumn Manœuvres” in Dartmoor, and received great

praise from the generals under whom it served, as well as special

notice from H.R.H. the Field Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, for its

smart appearance on parade, and the excellency of its skirmishing.

On August 8th Lt.-Col. J. M. Brown retired on full pay, after a

service of 45 years in the regiment.

On Sept. 28th, Lt.-General Sir H. W. Stisted, K.C.B., was appointed

honorary colonel, vice Lt.-General C. C. Hay deceased.

On Oct. 29th, Col. Burroughs, C.B., retired on half-pay, and was

succeeded in command by Lt.-Col. M’Bean, V.C., who has well earned

the honourable position he now fills.

Lieut.-Col. M’Bean commanded the 93rd during the manœuvres of 1874 at

Aldershot, where it remained till the 2nd of July, when it removed to

Cambridge Barracks, Woolwich.

The strength of the 93rd, one of the finest Highland regiments, at

the present time (1875) is 31 officers, and 642 non-commissioned

officers and men, including the depôt.

The Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments, Volume 2 (of 2) · 第 29 / 31 章