TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been
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Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
OF
THE BRITISH ARMY.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.
His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a view of doing
the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have
distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the Enemy,
an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army
shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the
Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following
particulars, viz.,
---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations, in
which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any Achievement
it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have
captured from the Enemy.
---- The Names of the Officers and the number of Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates, Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying the
Place and Date of the Action.
---- The Names of those Officers, who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks of
His Majesty’s gracious favour.
---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and
Privates as may have specially signalized themselves in Action.
And,
---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges or
Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honourable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend upon
the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter into its service are
animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any
measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone
great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object, than a full display of the noble deeds with which the
Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite
him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him
in their honourable career, are among the motives that have given
rise to the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
“London Gazette,” from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the
Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders,
expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery,
and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their
Sovereign’s Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most
highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account
of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command, that every Regiment shall in future
keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and
where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed
by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped,
comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service,
and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the
British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or
no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on
their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so
many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services, and of acts of
individual bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under His Majesty’s
special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk of the
Adjutant-General’s Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail
to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is
considered that they will also afford entertainment and information
to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in
the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are
serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment to every
thing belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of
the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting.
Authentic accounts of the actions of the great,--the valiant,--the
loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and
civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who,
in moments of danger and terror, have stood, “firm as the rocks
of their native shore;” and when half the World has been arrayed
against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with
unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements
in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained by our
countrymen,--our brothers,--our fellow-citizens in arms,--a record
which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds
before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the public.
Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished
Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective
Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to
time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and
importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will
be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be
completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
[Illustration: EIGHTY-SIXTH (THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN) REGIMENT OF
FOOT.]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
EIGHTY-SIXTH,
OR
THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT OF
FOOT:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1793,
AND OF
ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO
1842.
LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.
M.DCCC.XLII.
LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN’S LANE.
[Illustration: (Harp and Crown. QUIS SEPARABIT?)]
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH,
OR
THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT OF
FOOT,
BEARS ON ITS COLOURS AND APPOINTMENTS THE
“HARP AND CROWN”
WITH THE MOTTO
“QUIS SEPARABIT?”
ALSO THE
“SPHINX,” WITH THE WORDS “EGYPT,”
“INDIA,” “BOURBON;”
AND ON THE BUTTONS THE
“IRISH HARP AND CROWN.”
CONTENTS.
Year Page
1793 The Regiment raised, and styled _Cuyler’s
Shropshire Volunteers_ 9
1794 Names of the Officers 10
---- Embarks for Ireland 11
---- Styled the _Eighty-Sixth Regiment, or the
Shropshire Volunteers_ --
---- Returns to England --
1795 Serves on board the fleet as Marines 12
1796 Embarks for the Cape of Good Hope 13
1799 Proceeds to India --
1801 Six Companies proceed to Egypt 14
---- Passage of the Desert --
---- Capture of Cairo and Alexandria 18
1802 Four Companies in India,--Capture of Kareah
and Tarrapore 20
---- Six Companies return from Egypt to India 21
---- Capture of Barodara 22
1803 ---------- Kirrella,--skirmish near Copperbund 23
---- ---------- Keira 24
---- ---------- Baroach 25
---- ---------- Powanghur 28
---- Skirmish near Lunawarrah 29
---- Capture of Dhowd 30
1804 Advances to Indore 31
---- Disastrous Retreat to Ongein --
---- Capture of Inglehur 32
1805 Proceeds to Bhurtpore 32
---- Storms one of the out-works 33
---- Attacks a large bastion 34
---- Siege raised,--proceeds to Muttra 35
---- Pursues the forces of Holkar --
1806 Returns to Bombay 36
---- Stationed at Goa --
---- Obtains the title of the _Eighty-Sixth, or Leinster
Regiment of Foot_ 37
1809 Declaration of the Portuguese Viceroy, at Goa --
1810 Expedition against the Island of Bourbon 38
---- Services of a detachment on board the Africaine
frigate 44
1811 Removed to the Isle of France 45
1812 Returns to India --
---- Styled the _Eighty-Sixth, or the Royal County Down
Regiment_ 46
1814 A second battalion added to the regiment 47
---- Ditto disbanded --
1816 }
1817 } Serves against the Pindarees 48
1817 Insurrection at Hyderabad --
1818 Serves against the Pindarees 49
---- Marches for Madras, in order to embark for England --
---- Flank Companies proceed to the Island of Ceylon 50
---- Services against the Kandians --
1819 Returns to Madras 55
---- General Orders on leaving India 56
---- Arrives in England 57
1821 Embarks for Ireland --
1827 Service Companies embark for the West Indies 59
1837 ------ ------ return to England 62
1842 The Conclusion 63
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
Year Page
1793 Cornelius Cuyler 64
1794 Russell Manners 66
1795 William Grinfield 67
1804 Sir James Henry Craig, K.B. 68
1806 Sir Charles Ross, Baronet --
1810 The Honorable Francis Needham 69
1832 William George Lord Harris 71
1835 The Honorable Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby,
K.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.H. --
1836 James Watson 72
1837 Sir Arthur Brooke, K.C.B. --
[Illustration: EIGHT-SIXTH (THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN) REGIMENT OF FOOT.]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
EIGHTY-SIXTH,
OR
THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT
OF
FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1793]
The last twelve years of the eighteenth century form a period,
remarkable in the annals of Europe, for the efforts made to overthrow
the governments of Christendom, and to establish the destructive
domination of atheism and democracy, upon the ruins of institutions
which had elevated the inhabitants of this quarter of the globe to
an height of knowledge, refinement, wealth, and power, unknown in
other parts of the earth. France was the great theatre of commotion:
there the war of hostile principles produced the most sanguinary
results;--the cry of “equality” was raised,--the blood of princes,
nobles, and citizens was shed, and democracy appeared to triumph over
the rights of society. In other countries, republican principles were
spreading to an alarming extent; the sovereigns of Europe were forced
to engage in war to oppose the progress of destruction, and to Great
Britain pertains the honour of having persevered in this contest,
for twenty years, when the overthrow of that tyrannical power which
sprung out of the French revolution, was accomplished.
On the commencement of hostilities in 1793, the British army was
augmented: upwards of fifty regiments of foot were raised, and one of
the first corps embodied, on this occasion, was the regiment which
now bears the title of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, OR THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
REGIMENT.
This corps was raised by Major-General Cornelius Cuyler, who had
served with reputation in North America, and also in the West Indies,
where he had performed the duties of commander-in-chief; its general
rendezvous was at Shrewsbury, and its designation was “GENERAL
CUYLER’S SHROPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS;” but its ranks were completed with
men, principally from Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire,--counties
which have furnished many excellent soldiers. Major-General Cuyler’s
appointment was dated the 30th of October, 1793, and the royal
warrants for raising recruits were issued on the following day[1].
[Sidenote: 1794]
In February, 1794, the following officers were holding commissions in
the regiment:--
_Colonel_, MAJOR-GENERAL C. CUYLER.
_Lieut.-Colonel_, GEORGE SLADDEN.
_Major_, R. M. DICKENS.
_Captains._
T. C. Hardy
W. H. Digby
Charles Byne
Edward Robinson
Alexander Campbell
Rowland Hill[2]
Robert Bell.
_Lieutenants._
Thomas Neilson
Hugh Houstown
W. S. Curry
Edward Barnes
Thos. Pickering
Charles Dod
Geo. Middlemore
Chas. E. Jolley
Daniel Gavey
Wm. Semple
J. C. Tuffnell.
_Ensigns._
Willm. Murray
Thos. Thornhill
Thomas Symes
W. C. Williams
James Burke
Danl. McNeill
Edward Fox
Wm. St. Clair.
_Captain-Lieutenant._
George Cuyler.
_Chaplain_, Chas. Austen; _Adjutant_, Daniel Coleman;
_Quarter-Master_, Richard Jackson; _Surgeon_, Hugh Dean.
From Shrewsbury, the regiment proceeded to Park-gate, where it
embarked, in April, for Ireland, and after landing at Cork, marched
to Kilkenny.
At this period the newly-raised corps were numbered, and this
regiment received the designation of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, or SHROPSHIRE
VOLUNTEERS.
On the 20th of June, 1794, Major-General Cuyler was appointed to
the Sixty-ninth Regiment, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, by Lieutenant-General Russell Manners.
After remaining in Ireland ten weeks, the regiment embarked at Cork,
and was held in readiness for active service; but it landed at
Frome, in Somersetshire, in September, and proceeded from thence to
the Isle of Wight.
[Sidenote: 1795]
The regiment having been brought into a state of discipline and
efficiency, was selected to serve on board the fleet as marines;
eight officers, and four hundred and fourteen non-commissioned
officers and soldiers, embarked in January, 1795, on board
the “Prince of Wales,” “Triumph,” “Brunswick,” and “Hector,”
line-of-battle ships, and in February, seven officers, and two
hundred and seventy-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers,
embarked on board the “Prince,” “Saturn,” and “Boyne.” The “Boyne”
caught fire at Spithead, and was destroyed, when the grenadier
company of the regiment lost its arms, accoutrements, and baggage.
Lieut.-General Russell Manners was removed to the Twenty-sixth Light
Dragoons, in March, 1795, and was succeeded by Major-General William
Grinfield, from Lieut.-Colonel in the Third Foot Guards.
The head-quarters of the regiment were at Newport, in the Isle of
Wight, where they were inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke of
York, who expressed his approbation of their appearance; and in
October the establishment was augmented to one hundred rank and file
per company, its numbers being completed by drafts from the 118th
and 121st Regiments; the men of the last-mentioned corps were then
recently liberated from French prison. In December, the regiment was
stationed at Portsmouth and Hilsea.
[Sidenote: 1796]
In the beginning of 1796, the establishment was augmented to twelve
companies,--the eleventh and twelfth being recruiting companies;
and as the ships of war came into port, the officers and soldiers
of the EIGHTY-SIXTH landed and joined the regiment; they had served
in several engagements in which the ships they were embarked in had
taken part, during that eventful period. In April, the regiment
proceeded to Guildford, and in June it returned to the Isle of Wight.
Meanwhile, Flanders and Holland had embraced the republican
principles of France, and the British government resolved to
deprive the Dutch of the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope; the
EIGHTY-SIXTH embarked for the Cape, where they landed on the 22nd
of September, six days after the Dutch governor had surrendered the
colony to the forces under General Sir Alured Clarke.
[Sidenote: 1797]
[Sidenote: 1798]
[Sidenote: 1799]
The regiment was stationed at the Cape of Good Hope during the years
1797 and 1798, and received drafts from the 95th, and other corps.
In February, 1799, it embarked for the East Indies, and landed, on
the 10th of May, at Madras, upwards of thirteen hundred strong,--a
splendid body of men, whose appearance excited much admiration.
The capture of Seringapatam had rendered the services of the regiment
at this station unnecessary, and after a month’s repose at Madras, it
embarked for Bombay, where it arrived on the 22nd of July, and sent
detachments by sea, under Major Bell, and Captain James Richardson,
to Tannah and Surat: these detachments returned to Bombay, in
December following.
[Sidenote: 1800]
[Sidenote: 1801]
From Bombay, three companies sailed, towards the end of 1800, for
Ceylon, in the expectation of taking part in the reduction of the
Isle of France[3]; but orders had, in the meantime, arrived for an
army from India, to co-operate with a body of troops from Europe,
in the expulsion of the French “ARMY OF THE EAST” from Egypt,
and the detachment returned, in January, 1801, to Bombay, where
Major-General Baird assumed the command, and the expedition sailed
for the Red Sea.
It was originally designed, that the army from India should land at
_Suez_, a city of Egypt, situate at the head of the Red Sea, on the
borders of Arabia; and a small squadron under Admiral Blanquett,
having on board three companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH (the grenadier,
light, and colonel’s companies) under Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, a
detachment of Bombay artillery, a battalion of sepoys, with other
detachments, sailed some time before the main body of the expedition,
to attack Suez, and interrupt the formation of any establishment
there by the French. This small force left Bombay in December 1800,
arrived at Mocha in the middle of January 1801, where the fleet
remained two days to procure provisions, when it sailed for Jedda,
where one of the ships was lost on a bank. The navigation of the Red
Sea, from Jedda to Suez, proved particularly difficult and tedious,
on account of the want of a sufficient depth of water, the fleet
having to anchor daily, and take advantage of the tides. On reaching
Suez, the French had evacuated the place in consequence of the
arrival of the army from Europe, under General Sir Ralph Abercromby,
on the Mediterranean shores of Egypt, and the success of the British
arms near Alexandria, where Sir Ralph Abercromby was killed.
The troops landed at Suez, and Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, in reporting his
arrival, solicited permission to cross the Desert and share in the
dangers and honours of the army, which was advancing up the Nile, and
approaching Cairo, the modern capital of Egypt, which it was expected
the French would defend. Lieut.-General Hutchinson acquiesced in
Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd’s wishes, and preparations were accordingly made
to pass the Desert.
At six o’clock, on the evening of the 6th of June, the three
companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH commenced their march, with only three
pints of water per man; the distance in a straight line, was only
fifty-eight miles; but the Arab Sheiks, furnished for guides by the
Vizier, and made responsible for the safe passage of the detachment,
represented that a detour of ten or twelve miles would be necessary
to prevent the French intercepting the detachment.
After marching two hours over a hard sandy country, Captain Cuyler,
Lieutenant Morse, and Lieutenant Goodfellow, were taken so ill as
to be unable to proceed. At eleven the troops halted for two hours,
then resumed the march until seven in the morning, when they again
halted, having performed twenty-six miles of the journey. The day
became so intolerably hot, that Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd ordered the
tents to be pitched to shelter the men from the sun; but at ten
o’clock the guides stated it was necessary to march, as the camels
would be so debilitated by the heat, if they rested on the sand,
as to require water before they could move again; but if kept in
motion they would not be affected in so fatal a degree; adding, if
the soldiers slept, the camel drivers might steal the water, which
they feared would be found scarcely sufficient. The guides being
responsible for the safety of the detachment, Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd
acceded to their wishes; the tents were struck at eleven, and the
march resumed; the thermometer being at 109. Captain Cuyler soon
fainted again, and fell from his horse, and a camel and two men were
left to attend him and bring him forward. The men beginning to drop
fast in the rear, Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd halted about one o’clock, cut
his own baggage from the camels, which example was followed by all
the officers, as many men as could be carried were then mounted on
the camels, and the whole proceeded. At two o’clock a camseen, or
south wind began to blow, the thermometer rose to 116, and afterwards
much higher; the officers and soldiers were seized with dreadful
sensations:--some were affected with giddiness and loss of sight, and
others fell down gasping for breath, and calling for drink. At four
o’clock, Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd was forced to halt. The skins had been
cracked by the sun, and the water had become of a thick consistence;
the men who drank it were seized with vomiting and violent pains.
The officers had brought with them some Madeira wine, which they
divided among the soldiers; a proportion of spirits were mixed with
the remaining water, which was issued to the men, accompanied with
the warning, that every drop was in their own possession, half
the journey had not been performed, and on their own prudence, in
reserving a portion in their canteens, must depend whether or not
they should be enabled to accomplish the remainder of the distance.
Between six and seven o’clock the wind ceased; as the sun declined,
the air became more temperate, and the detachment being a little
refreshed, though still a languor pervaded the whole, the order for
marching was given at seven o’clock. Seventeen men, unable to travel,
were left on the ground, and camels were left to bring them forward
as soon as they could be moved.
During the march several officers and soldiers experienced an
extraordinary sensation of seeing horses, camels, and all kinds
of animals, moving with rapid transition before them, which false
perception their judgment could not correct. At eleven the detachment
halted; the night was excessively dark, and the officers and soldiers
were so exhausted, that unconquerable sleep seized upon all.
At four o’clock the guides awoke Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, and the
soldiers formed in order of march with difficulty, a heavy dew having
fallen upon them, and their limbs being benumbed with cold. The march
was, however, resumed; the south wind began to blow at the same hour
as on the preceding day, but the men were not affected in the same
severe degree; and by strenuous exertions the detachment arrived at
the springs of Elhanka, between four and five o’clock in the evening
of the same day, when the joy experienced by every one was very
great. By eight o’clock all the camels had come up, and the men, who,
from giddiness had fallen from their backs, joined during the night.
Eight of the seventeen men left behind, joined on the 9th of June,
and the other nine perished in the Desert.
No man had partaken of food after quitting Suez, as it would have
increased the thirst, and the rations of salt pork were thrown away
on the first morning. On arriving at the springs, the soldiers
partook of the water with caution; but two officers’ horses having
broke loose drank till they died on the spot. During the march of
seventy miles, no vegetation, bird, or beast, had been seen.
After halting at the springs of Elhanka until the evening of the 9th
of June, the detachment commenced its march in the dark, to prevent
being discovered by the enemy, and at eleven o’clock on the following
day, it joined the Turkish army, encamped at Chobra, under the Grand
Vizier; the British, under Lieut.-General Hutchinson, being encamped
on the other side of the river Nile. The EIGHTY-SIXTH pitched their
tents with Colonel Stuart’s division, which was with the Vizier’s
army; the soldiers had suffered the loss of their uniforms, which had
been burnt in consequence of the plague, and they had been forced
to abandon their knapsacks on the march; being very fine men, their
appearance excited great interest. On the 16th, the three officers
left behind on the march, joined; they had returned to Suez, and
afterwards passed the Desert with a caravan.
Advancing towards the metropolis of modern Egypt, the army made
preparations for investing that extensive fortress; but on the 22nd
of June a flag of truce arrived from the French Commandant, General
Belliard, who agreed to surrender _Cairo_, on condition of himself
and garrison being sent back to France.
On the surrender of Cairo, the three companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH
marched into the citadel, which the French had evacuated a few hours
previously. On the same day they took possession of Fort Ibrahim.
In the mean time, the other three companies of the regiment which
had returned from Ceylon to join the expedition, had been delayed by
the difficult navigation of the Red Sea, and had landed at Cosseir,
from whence a march of above one hundred and twenty miles had to
be performed across the Desert to Kenna on the Nile. This distance
was divided into stages, stores were formed at several points,
relays of camels were placed to convey water, wells were found, and
others digged, and the march was performed by the army with much
less suffering than was experienced by the three companies under
Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, in the passage of the Desert from Suez to the
springs of Elhanka. At the third stage, called Moilah, some soldiers
of the EIGHTY-SIXTH dug a well at the foot of a hill, under the
direction of Captain Middlemore, and found an excellent spring, for
which they received the thanks of the commander of the forces.
Arriving on the banks of the Nile, the troops embarked in boats
and proceeded down the river to the island of Rhonda, where they
encamped, while the forces from Europe were engaged in the siege of
_Alexandria_. At Rhonda the six companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH were
united; four companies remaining in India.
In the beginning of September, Alexandria surrendered; Egypt was thus
delivered from the power of the French “ARMY OF THE EAST,” and Europe
saw the dawn of liberty in the horizon. The EIGHTY-SIXTH received,
in common with the other corps which served in this enterprise, the
approbation of their Sovereign, the thanks of Parliament, and the
royal authority to bear on their colours the SPHYNX, with the word
“EGYPT,” to commemorate the share taken by the regiment in this
splendid achievement.
To perpetuate the remembrance of the services rendered to the Ottoman
Empire, the Grand Seignor established an order of knighthood, which
he named the order of the CRESCENT, of which the superior officers
of the army and navy were constituted members. The officers of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, and other corps, had gold medals presented to them by
the Grand Seignor, which they were permitted by King George III., to
accept and wear.
The object of the expedition having been accomplished, the
EIGHTY-SIXTH sailed up the Nile in boats, in order to return to
India; they arrived at El Hamed on the 14th of October, and on the
30th proceeded to Gheeza, where they remained several months.
In April of this year, one of the four companies left in India,
proceeded from Bombay to Surat, a town situate on the south bank of
the river Taptee, in the province of Guzerat; and in November, two
companies sailed for Dieu in the same province.
[Sidenote: 1802]
The two companies at Dieu returned to Bombay in February, 1802,
and in March they sailed to Cambay, under the command of Captain
Richardson, and joined the company from Surat, which had arrived
there a short time previously. They encamped at Cambay, with part of
the Seventy-fifth, five companies of the Eighty-fourth, a battalion
of native infantry, and some artillery, under Colonel Sir William
Clarke.
The jealousy of the native chiefs at the accession of territory
acquired by the British in India, often produced hostilities,
and circumstances occurred which occasioned a detachment of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, under Lieutenant William Purcell Creagh, to take
part in an attempt to surprise the hostile fortress of _Kareah_,
one hundred and twenty miles from Cambay, on the night of the 17th
of March. The soldiers were advancing to storm the place with the
greatest gallantry, when their progress was arrested by a deep ditch,
cut through the rock a short time previously, and the Arabs in
garrison being numerous and prepared, opened a heavy fire. Lieutenant
Creagh was killed by a cannon ball, while in the act of leading the
soldiers to the attack; Lieutenant Lovell was also killed, and many
officers and soldiers were wounded; soon after day-break the troops
were obliged to retire.
In consequence of this repulse, the three companies of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, with the other detachments encamped at Cambay, were
ordered to advance upon _Kareah_. The enemy having formed for battle
a short distance from the fort, with a numerous force, were routed by
the British on the 30th of April; and immediately afterwards the town
was captured, also some out-works, in one of which an explosion took
place, killing an officer and twenty-five soldiers.
The siege of the fort was commenced; but when the batteries opened
their fire, the garrison surrendered. The chief, Mulhar Rao, was
sent a prisoner to Bombay. After placing a garrison in the fort, the
troops marched for Surat, (170 miles,) where they arrived on the 12th
of June, having captured _Tarrapore_, and other small places, while
on the march.
The six companies of the regiment in Egypt remained at Gheeza until
May, when they traversed the Desert to Suez, and from thence to
“Moses’ Well,” or the “Font of Moses,” on the Arabian side of the
Gulf of Suez. While at Gheeza they received two hundred and seven
volunteers from the Twentieth, Thirty-fifth, Forty-eighth, and
Sixty-third Regiments; Major Henry Torrens joined at that station.
While at Moses’ Well, several soldiers died of the plague, when the
men’s clothing, bedding, and tents were burnt, and the six companies
embarked for India; no other cases of the plague occurring, the
companies landed at Bombay on the 4th of July. In November, the three
companies arrived from the province of Guzerat, and the regiment was
once more united at Bombay.
The EIGHTY-SIXTH were only permitted to enjoy a short repose
at Bombay: the hostile demonstrations of some of the predatory
states composing the Mahratta power, rendering it necessary for
the British forces to be held in readiness for active operations,
and assembled on the verge of the British territory. The Mahratta
states were united by a sentiment of interest founded upon their
common origin, civil and religious usages, and habits of conquest
and depredation; the chiefs acted as independent sovereigns, but
nominally acknowledged the supreme authority of the Peishwah. They,
however, viewed with jealousy the treaties between the British and
the Peishwah, as tending to restrain their predatory habits, and
prevent their acquisition of power; and this acknowledged head of
the Mahratta states found his independence controlled, and the
existence of his government menaced by the violence and ambition of
his feudatory chieftains; at the same time he was unable to fulfil
his engagements with the British, the safety of whose possessions
was endangered. In consequence of these events, connected with other
causes, the EIGHTY-SIXTH left Bombay in the middle of November, for
the province of Guzerat, and landed at Cambay, from whence they
marched towards the hostile fortress of _Baroda_, in the vicinity of
which place they encamped, with several other corps, on the 3rd of
December. An enemy’s force was assembled to protect the fortress,
and on the 18th of December the British advanced, leaving their
tents standing, and engaged their opponents. During the fight the
garrison made a sally; but the English proved victorious, routing
their adversaries with great slaughter, and capturing a pair of Arab
colours and many prisoners.
During the night the erection of batteries commenced; on the 21st
of December the fire of the artillery was opened, and the flank
companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH stormed an outwork, defended by
Arabs, who refused quarter, and were nearly all destroyed, very few
escaping. In four days the breach was practicable, and the storming
parties were ready; but the garrison surrendered. The EIGHTY-SIXTH
had seven men killed, and twenty-three wounded in these services.
Captain John Grant distinguished himself during the siege, and at the
storming of the outwork.
Towards the end of this year, the usurpations of Jeswunt Rao Holkar,
one of the Mahratta chiefs, forced the Peishwah to abandon his
capital, and to seek British aid, when a treaty was concluded with
him; and the refractory chiefs persisting in aggression, hostilities
were commenced to reinstate the deposed chieftain.
[Sidenote: 1803]
On the third of February, 1803, three companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH,
under Captain James Richardson, were detached, with other forces, the
whole commanded by Major Holmes, of the Bombay army, in pursuit of
the Mahratta chieftain, _Canojee Rao Guickwar_, who had taken the
field with a considerable force.
While in quest of the enemy, the advance-guard of the Seventy-fifth
Regiment was suddenly attacked, when emerging from a defile, on the
6th of February, and overpowered, with a loss of many men and a gun.
The three companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, being at the head of the
column of march, moved forward, encountered the enemy, and, by a
determined charge, routed the hostile forces, chasing them across the
bed of a river into the jungle, where they dispersed, leaving their
tents, baggage, camels, horses, and the captured gun behind. The
regiment lost very few men in this gallant exploit.
On the same day five companies of the regiment, under Captain Cuyler,
marched from Baroda to reinforce Major Holmes’ detachment, leaving
two companies behind under Captain Grant.
The Chief Canojee was at the head of a considerable force, but he
avoided an engagement, which occasioned many harassing marches in
endeavouring to come up with him. On the 25th of February, a party of
the EIGHTY-SIXTH was detached against the fort of _Kirrella_, which
was captured without experiencing serious opposition.
On the 1st of March, when near _Copperbund_, information was received
that Canojee’s force was not far distant; and by extraordinary
exertions, the detachment came up with the hostile bands, which
were in full retreat. The Mahratta horse, attached to the British
detachment, did not act with spirit; but the EIGHTY-SIXTH, though
nearly exhausted with the march, made a gallant effort, and
encountered the enemy, who was in the act of passing the bed of a
river. The adverse bands being nearly all cavalry, and the British
nearly all infantry, the enemy escaped with little loss. The
EIGHTY-SIXTH had two men killed; Lieutenant Alexander Grant, and a
few men wounded.
The forces of Canojee Rao Guickwar having been, in a great measure,
dispersed, the EIGHTY-SIXTH were allowed a short period of repose;
and these districts were annexed to the British possessions in India.
Operations having commenced for the restoration of the Peishwah,
the EIGHTY-SIXTH were stationed a short time in Guzerat, where a
force was detained to afford security to that valuable and important
province, and also a reserve disposable for active operations. The
regiment formed part of the disposable force stationed in front of
Brodera, the residence of the Guickwar, and to the northward of the
Nerbudda river.
In May, the regiment advanced and pitched its tents before the
fortress of _Keira_, belonging to one of Doulat Rao Scindia’s chiefs,
where some native infantry and battering guns also arrived; but the
garrison surrendered without waiting for a breach having been made in
the works.
From Keira the regiment marched to Nerriade, where it was joined
by two companies left at Baroda under Captain Grant; but the rains
setting in, the operations were suspended.
Information having been received that a body of the enemy was levying
contributions about thirty miles from the quarters of the regiment,
Captain Grant performed a forced march with four companies and some
sepoys, and making a night attack with great success, killed and took
prisoners many of the enemy, and captured some horses, &c. Lieutenant
Procter and a few men of the regiment were wounded on this occasion.
A body of Canojee’s troops threatening to cross the river about
fifteen miles above Baroach, and plunder the country, four hundred
rank and file of the regiment, with a battalion of sepoys, and
four guns, under Captain James Richardson, advanced, on the 14th
of July, during the heavy rains, in search of the enemy. The
gun-bullocks failed, and the country being inundated by the rains,
the soldiers had to drag the guns, up to their waists in water; but
by extraordinary efforts they arrived at the bank of the river on
the 16th of July, and attacking a number of Canojee’s troops which
had crossed the stream, routed them, and forced them into the water,
where many lost their lives, the river being full and rapid.
The river having fallen considerably during the night, the soldiers
passed the stream on the following day, under cover of the fire
of the guns, and assaulting the breast-works of the main body of
Canojee’s legions, carried them at the point of the bayonet, and
pursued the routed enemy two miles with great slaughter. A body of
Arabs disdaining to seek their safety in flight, fought with great
desperation until overpowered.
Captain Richardson and Lieutenant Lanphier distinguished themselves
on this occasion; and the enterprise being accomplished with the loss
of a few men killed and wounded, the troops returned to Baroda.
In pursuance of the plan suggested to the Governor-General by
Major-General Hon. Arthur Wellesley, five hundred men of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, a small detachment of the Sixty-fifth, a proportion
of European artillery, and a battalion of Sepoys, advanced, under
Lieut.-Colonel Woodington, to besiege the strong fortress of
_Baroach_. On the 23rd of August, this small body of troops encamped
on the bank of the river within a few miles of the fortress,
expecting the arrival of the battering train in boats. The baggage of
the regiment was this day attacked by a numerous body of the enemy’s
horse, when nearly every soldier and follower was killed or wounded,
and the baggage captured and plundered.
A schooner and gun-boat having arrived with cannon and ammunition,
the troops advanced on the 25th of August, and arriving within two
miles of the fortress, discovered a numerous body of hostile cavalry,
infantry, and Arabs, in order of battle on the plain. These opponents
were speedily routed with the loss of their flag and a number of
killed and wounded; and the armament soon afterwards attacked,
and carried, the pettah with great gallantry; Ensign D’Aguilar
distinguished himself on this occasion.
The siege of the fort was commenced, and a breach was reported
practicable; at one o’clock on the 29th of August, the storming
parties assembled in the streets under the command of Major Cuyler;
the bayonets were firmly fixed by the introduction of a piece of
cotton cloth, to prevent the Arab swordsmen disengaging them, and the
soldiers proceeded quietly to their post behind the battery. At three
the signal to attack was fired, and the forlorn hope, consisting of
Serjeant John Moore and twelve soldiers of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, sprang
forward; a hundred soldiers of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and a hundred Sepoy
grenadiers, under Captain Richardson, rushed towards the breach,
followed by three hundred men under Major Cuyler, and a reserve of
two hundred under Captain Bethune.
Passing the ditch knee-deep in mud, and climbing the long steep and
difficult ascent to the breach, the soldiers encountered the Arab and
Scindian defenders, who made a desperate resistance. Hand to hand
the combatants strove for mastery, and amidst the clash of steel
and turmoil of deadly contest, many feats of valour were performed.
Captain Maclaurin, who evinced great ardour, was wounded and made
prisoner, but he was rescued from the Arabs, by Private John Brierly.
Captain Richardson and Captain Grant signalized themselves, and
Serjeant Bills was conspicuous for the heroic courage with which he
fought. At length British valour proved triumphant, and the breach
was won, when the EIGHTY-SIXTH crowned the rampart, the Scindian
colours were pulled down, and the British standard planted in their
place, by Serjeant Moore.
Having overpowered all resistance at the breach, Captain Richardson’s
party swept the works to the Cuttoopore gate; Major Cuyler led his
detachment at a running pace to the Jaraseer gate, and firing upon
the Scindians and Arabs who were escaping by that avenue, wounded
one of the elephants in the passage. The Arabs threw down their
matchlocks, drew their creeses, and rushing upon their assailants
with deadly fury, refused to give or receive quarter. The contest
was of short duration; British discipline and prowess were again
victorious; two hundred Arab horsemen and foot lay on the ground, and
the EIGHTY-SIXTH stood triumphant on the scene of conflict. Among the
trophies of the day, were fifteen stand of Scindian and Arab colours,
which were sent to head-quarters, excepting two, retained by the
EIGHTY-SIXTH regiment, as trophies of the valour displayed by the
corps on this occasion.
Thus was captured a fortress of great importance to the commercial
interests of Britain, with a territory yielding a considerable
revenue, which were added to the British dominions. In his public
despatch, Lieut.-Colonel Woodington highly commended the conduct of
Major Cuyler and Captain Richardson, and added,--“The whole of the
officers and men employed on this service have conducted themselves
so much to my satisfaction, that I cannot express myself too strongly
in their commendation.”
The Governor-General in Council, also, signified in general
orders,--“his particular approbation of the valour and judgment
manifested by Major Cuyler, of His Majesty’s EIGHTY-SIXTH regiment,
throughout the service at Baroach, and in commanding the storm of
the fort, and by Captain Richardson of the same corps, leading the
assault. His Excellency in Council, also, observes with particular
satisfaction the conduct of Captain Cliffe, of the Engineers of
Bombay. To all the officers and troops, European and Native, employed
on this honorable occasion, His Excellency in Council signifies his
high commendation.”
Serjeant Bills was rewarded with the appointment of serjeant-major;
Serjeant Moore received a donation of five hundred rupees from the
Government for his gallantry, and Private Brierly was promoted
corporal, and afterwards serjeant.
The loss of the regiment was Captain William Semple, killed in the
breaching battery on the 25th of August--an excellent officer, whose
fall was much regretted; also two serjeants and ten rank and file
killed; Major Cuyler, Captain Richardson, Captain Maclaurin, and
twenty-three rank and file wounded.
From Baroach the regiment proceeded to Baroda, from whence five
hundred rank and file of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, a battalion of Sepoys,
some irregular horse, and a battering train, marched to attack the
fort of _Powanghur_, situated on a stupendous rock of extraordinary
height and of difficult ascent. Arriving before this place on the
14th of September, and the garrison refusing to surrender, the walls
were battered until the 17th, when orders were issued to prepare
to attack the lower fort by storm. The garrison was intimidated
by the knowledge of the fact, that if they defended the breach,
their communication with the fort on the top of the mountain would
be cut off, and their escape rendered impossible; they therefore
surrendered. Thus a fort of great strength by nature and art fell
into the hands of the British.
The district of Champaneer, the only territory remaining to Scindia,
in the province of Guzerat, had thus been reduced, and annexed to
the British dominions. Lieut.-Colonel Murray, of the Eighty-fourth
regiment, assumed the command of the troops at Baroda, and advanced
towards Scindia’s territories, in the province of Malwa, in quest
of Holkar’s forces, but it was found impossible to bring the armed
bands of that chieftain to action. On the 18th of October the city
and fortress of Godera was taken possession of, the enemy retiring as
the British approached. At this place information was received of the
victory of Assaye, gained by the troops under Major-General the Hon.
Arthur Wellesley, on the 23rd of September, which was followed by the
submission of two of the hostile chiefs, Scindia and the Rajah of
Berar, leaving Holkar, Canojee, and some minor chiefs in the field.
Leaving Godera, the troops took possession of Balinsanere in the
beginning of November; and advanced towards _Lunawarrah_. On the
march, the rearguard, consisting of five companies of Sepoys, and
some native cavalry, was suddenly attacked, while passing through an
extensive jungle, by a numerous body of the enemy in ambush.
The hostile bands did not venture to attack the Europeans of the
advance-guard, nor the column, but rushed with great fury upon the
native troops in the rear, occasioning the loss of many Sepoys and
camp followers, with some baggage, before assistance could arrive
from the column. The EIGHTY-SIXTH had several men killed and wounded
on this occasion.
Lunawarrah was evacuated by the enemy, and _Dhowd_ was taken, about
six weeks afterwards, with little opposition.
In this part of the country, the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and other corps,
with Lieut.-Colonel Murray, remained about two months[4], watching
Holkar, who had power to concentrate an overwhelming force, which
rendered vigilance particularly necessary.
[Sidenote: 1804]
On the death of Lieut.-General Grinfield, King George III. conferred
the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieut.-General Sir James Henry
Craig, K.B., from the Forty-sixth Foot, by commission dated the 5th
of January, 1804.
From Dhowd, the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and other corps under Lieut.-Colonel
Murray, retired to Godera, and from thence to Jerode, in order to
obtain supplies, and protect the province of Guzerat. At this period
a dreadful famine raged in the Deccan, and other parts of the country
hitherto the seat of war.