and staff, also Lieutenant Clarke and twenty-five men of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, on board, was captured by the “La Venus” French
frigate, after a severe action, in which both ships were dismasted;
but Commodore Rowley appeared in the “Boadicea,” re-captured the
“Ceylon,” and took the “La Venus.”
General Sir Charles Ross having been removed to the Thirty-seventh
Foot, was succeeded in the colonelcy of the EIGHTY-SIXTH by
Major-General the Honourable Francis Needham, from the Fifth Royal
Veteran Battalion.
Lieut.-Colonel Hastings Fraser was rewarded for his conduct before
St. Denis on the 8th of July, with the dignity of Companion of the
Bath, the officers of the EIGHTY-SIXTH regiment presented him with
a sword, and those of his brigade, in the Company’s service, with a
valuable piece of plate.
[Sidenote: 1811]
The EIGHTY-SIXTH were removed to the Isle of France in March, 1811,
that island having also been captured, and were there joined by
Ensigns J. Creagh and J. Grant, Assistant-Surgeon Bell, and a few
recruits from Europe, being part of a detachment which had been sent
to India.
[Sidenote: 1812]
Orders having been received for the return of the regiment to India,
it sailed from Port Louis on the 9th of January, 1812, and landing
at Madras on the 21st of February, encamped on the South Beach until
the departure of the Thirty-third regiment for England, when it
occupied Fort St. George where Captain Impey and sixty-eight recruits
were awaiting its arrival.
The gallant behaviour of the regiment during the Mahratta war, and
at the reduction of the island of Bourbon, had been represented to
their Royal Highnesses the Prince Regent, and the Duke of York, then
Commander-in-Chief, who never failed to reward merit in individuals
or corps, was brought to their notice, and in May, 1812, the royal
authority was given for this corps being styled the “EIGHTY-SIXTH, OR
ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT OF FOOT;” at the same time the facing was
changed from yellow to blue, the lace from silver to gold; the Irish
“HARP AND CROWN” was placed on the buttons, and the “HARP” was added
to the distinctions displayed on the regimental colours.
[Sidenote: 1813]
In January, 1813, the regiment commenced its march from Madras for
Goa, but when ascending the Pada-naig-droog Ghauts, it received
orders to proceed to Vellore, where Lieutenants Jacob and Kirkland,
Ensigns Munro, McLean, McQuarrie, Kennedy, and McLoughlin, with two
hundred and seventeen soldiers, joined from England.
Captain Impey, (brevet-major,) and Lieutenant White, died, in May,
much regretted.
At the end of August the regiment left Vellore, and marched through
the Calistry country, a distance of four hundred miles, to the fort
of Masulipatam. It was overtaken by the monsoon when on the march,
near the Kistna river, and for several days the soldiers had to wade
through the cotton-grounds, which occasioned much illness in the
regiment, and the loss of several men after arriving in garrison at
Masulipatam in October.
[Sidenote: 1814]
In the mean time the war with France was being prosecuted in Europe
with the utmost vigour, and the strength of the EIGHTY-SIXTH being
considerably above the establishment, in consequence of receiving
volunteers from the militia, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent was
pleased to order a _second battalion_ to be added to the regiment, in
February, 1814, and to bear date from the 25th of December, 1813.
The second battalion was formed at Hythe, under the superintendence
of Major Baird; it consisted of four companies of fine soldiers,
and in March they proceeded to Colchester, under orders to embark
for Holland; but the abdication of Bonaparte, and the restoration
of peace, precluded the necessity of their quitting England. The
battalion returned to Hythe in October, and afterwards proceeded to
Deal, where it was disbanded, two hundred and sixty officers and
soldiers embarking for India to join the first battalion.
Previous to this date, a detachment consisting of Captain Michael
Creagh, Lieutenants Home and Perry, Ensigns Goold, Bradford, Caddell,
Henry, and Moreton, had joined at Masulipatam, bringing the new
regimental colours.
[Sidenote: 1815]
In January, 1815, the left wing marched, under the command of Captain
Williams, for Hyderabad, to join the force subsidized by His Highness
the Nizam, and arrived on the 2nd of February at the cantonment of
Secunderabad.
On the 11th of September, Major Baird, Captain Edwards, Lieutenants
McLaurin, Webb, Leche, and Hodson, Ensigns Stuart, Law, Russell,
Holland and Home, with sixteen serjeants and two hundred and thirty
rank and file, (the effectives of the late second battalion,) arrived
at Masulipatam.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In January, 1816, the head-quarters were removed to Hyderabad, where
they remained nine mouths, and afterwards returned to Masulipatam,
where Captain Chadwick had arrived, with forty-six recruits, from
England, in the preceding August.
[Sidenote: 1817]
During the period the regiment was stationed at Masulipatam and
Hyderabad, it performed much severe duty in consequence of the
numerous incursions into the British territories of the barbarous
hordes of predatory horsemen, called _Pindarees_, whose plundering
enterprises, executed on swift horses, were conducted so as to baffle
the efforts of the troops sent to intercept them. In 1817, the
right wing at Masulipatam furnished detachments in the field under
Captains Williams, Morrice, and Creagh, in the Ganjam district, on
the banks of the Kistna, and towards Vizagapatam; the left wing was
also frequently called out; but the movements of the _Pindarees_ were
performed with so much celerity, that few of these plunderers were
captured.
Two of the Nizam’s sons rebelled, put several of his adherents to
death, and threatened to depose their father; when the left wing
of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, a battalion of sepoys, and two guns, were
ordered to enter the city of Hyderabad, preceded by two battalions
of the Nizam’s regular infantry under European officers, with two
six-pounders. The Nizam’s battalions were attacked by the insurgents
in a narrow street, and overpowered, with the loss of fifty officers
and soldiers and one gun. The light company of the EIGHTY-SIXTH,
with sixty pioneers under Lieutenant James Creagh, being in advance
recovered the gun, and covered the removal of the killed and wounded
to a square, where the two native battalions had retreated and taken
post. On the appearance of Europeans, the insurgents dispersed; the
rebel Princes surrendered and were sent prisoners to the fort of
Golconda, when order was restored.
The left wing marched for Masulipatam during the hot season, which
occasioned several deaths. On one occasion, Lieutenant Taylor and
two soldiers were interred with difficulty, from the decomposed
state of their bodies, although they had been dead only a few hours.
On another occasion the guides led the column by a wrong road,
occasioning a long and harassing march, which proved fatal to several
men.
[Sidenote: 1818]
The flank companies marched from Masulipatam in January, 1818, under
Captain Michael Creagh, and with two troops of native cavalry and
a company of sepoy grenadiers, proceeded to Datchapilly, on the
borders of the Nizam’s dominions, to protect the frontiers from the
depredations of the Pindarees.
Orders for the return of the regiment to England were issued in
1816, but countermanded in consequence of the hostile conduct of
the Pindarees: they were repeated in April, 1818, when the regiment
commenced its march for Madras, and when within one stage of that
place, the route was changed to Wallaghabad. Previous to embarking
the regiment was inspected by Major-General Brown, commanding the
centre division, who expressed in orders,--“To Colonel Hastings
Fraser, his greatest approbation of the good conduct and discipline
of the regiment since it had been under his command in the centre
division, in the attainment of which he had been so ably supported by
the officers of the corps.”
While the regiment was waiting to embark, the “Orlando” frigate
arrived at Madras, from _Ceylon_, with an application from the
governor, General Sir Robert Brownrigg, for immediate aid to suppress
the hostile aggressions of the Kandians inhabiting the interior of
the island; the mortality among the European troops, employed in the
interior, being so great, as to render further aid indispensable. The
flank companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH were completed to one hundred
rank and file each, and embarked on board the frigate to proceed
on this service[10]; they landed at Trincomalee on the 12th of
September, and made preparations for penetrating the interior, during
which time Major Marston was taken ill.
From Trincomalee the flank companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH sailed, on
the 18th of September, under Captain M. Creagh, and landing on the
21st, encamped near the fort of Batticoloe, where the sick men of
the Nineteenth and Seventy-third Regiments, sent from the interior,
were dying fast; a hundred had been buried close to the tents of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, and several deaths occurred daily.
On the 25th of September, the flank companies of the regiment again
embarked in open boats, and proceeding during the night up the lake,
landed on the following day at Mandoor, from whence they marched
through thick jungle, thirteen miles up a gradual ascent, exposed to
heavy rain, to the Mangalar river. On the 29th they traversed twelve
miles of uncultivated ground, fording several streams, to the post
of Chinna Kandy, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, of the Nineteenth
Regiment, whose detachment was suffering severely from ague and fever.
Fifteen miles of rugged country, covered with underwood destitute of
roads, and infested with wild elephants, were traversed on the 1st of
October, to the post of Kataboa, commanded by Captain Ritchie, of the
Seventy-third Regiment, who had buried nearly a hundred men of his
detachment at this place, and of the seventy Europeans left alive,
the captain and assistant surgeon were the only persons free from
fever. At this place the EIGHTY-SIXTH were joined by seventy rank and
file of the Ceylon corps, under Lieutenant Noonan, who was to act as
interpreter and guide.
The march was resumed on the 3rd of October, through a wild region,
where elephants, buffaloes, hogs, and deer were seen in abundance,
also pea and jungle fowl, but no human beings, and on the 6th the two
companies arrived at Palwatee, together with Lieutenant Stuart, of
the Ceylon corps, and a chieftain and his followers, who had joined
on the preceding day.
Having arrived in the districts infested by the insurgent Kandians,
parties of the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and Ceylon corps, were out day and
night scouring the hills, and for three weeks the soldiers were
actively employed in the mountains searching for the haunts of the
rebel chiefs, and their followers,--pursuing them from place to
place,--taking many prisoners,--also making seizures of muskets,
bows, arrows, and other military stores. Private Stanton, of the
light company, was seized by an elephant, which broke his musket,
tore off his belts, and threw him some distance into the jungle,
causing his death. During the absence of the parties, the camp was
attacked, by a body of Kandians, in the night, but the skilful
arrangements of the officers in charge preserved the soldiers from
injury, and the fire of a cohorn put the insurgents to flight.
Captain A. McLean died from fever, much regretted.
The health of the soldiers suffered from excessive fatigue, bad
provisions, constant exposure to the sun, rain, and heavy dews, and
their legs and feet were ulcerated with leech-bites,--every pool,
stream, bush, and blade of grass being infested with leeches, which
obliged the officers and soldiers to march barefoot, with their
trousers cut off at the knee, that they might detect the leeches.
Sickness increasing rapidly, and all the Coolies,--natives of
India who accompanied the troops to carry provision, ammunition,
&c.,--being attacked, Captain Creagh marched his men from the low
country, to the hilly districts, taking post at Hotpeira, where
Lieutenant Goold, with a small detachment, had erected a shed, and
collected a supply of grain and cattle.
Lieutenant Goold proceeded with as many sick as means of conveyance
could be procured for, to Badula, where the camp was frequently
attacked in the night by the wild elephants, the tents, huts, and
sheds destroyed, and several natives and followers killed; but the
soldiers all escaped unhurt.
Detachments were constantly employed day and night searching out the
haunts of the insurgent chiefs, and making many captures, including
the crown, jewels, horse, and favourite elephant of the Kandian king.
Overthrown in every rencounter, and chased from place to place with
diminished numbers, the Kandians lost all hope of success; the
leaders in the insurrection tendered their submission, the lower
orders followed their example, and tranquillity was at last restored.
In the mean time the eight battalion companies of the regiment
had arrived at the island of Ceylon, but their services not being
required, they returned to Madras, leaving one company at Trincomalee.
The services of the flank companies of the EIGHTY-SIXTH being no
longer required, they were relieved by the Ceylon corps, and marched
to Badula, where, in garrison orders, dated the 19th of November, the
following order appeared:--“Colonel McDonell performs a pleasing duty
in bearing his public testimony of his entire approbation of the good
conduct and patience, which, (under so many trying difficulties,)
have distinguished the detachment of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment. He
requests Captain Creagh will be pleased to convey to the officers and
men, his unqualified thanks for their services, &c., &c.”
From Badula the two flank companies, reduced to five officers, two
serjeants, two drummers, and sixty-six rank and file, commenced
their march on the 20th of November; the periodical rains had set
in, and the rivers were so full and rapid, that much difficulty was
experienced. On arriving at Kataboa, Captain Ritchie’s detachment was
found nearly annihilated. At this place an elephant was procured,
to convey the stores and men across the rivers; and the march was
continued to Chinna Kandy, where the military establishment was found
in a state of ruin. Lieutenant Robinson had left the post sick,--the
three serjeants had died,--the defences were destroyed by the wild
elephants,--the building containing the provisions was washed away by
the rains, and the few surviving men were unable to move: with much
difficulty a small supply was recovered from the wreck, for the use
of the detachment.
From these statements, some idea may be formed of the vicissitudes
of actual service, the casualties of climate, the privations and
sufferings which chequer the career of those who embrace the military
profession, and the sacrifice of valuable life by which colonial
possessions are acquired and retained, and many national benefits
obtained and preserved[11].
After a march of ten days, exposed to almost incessant rain, the
flank companies arrived at Mandoor, where they halted forty-eight
hours to recover, and afterwards sailed down the lake to Batticoloe,
from whence they were directed to march, through a low flat country
almost covered with water, to Trincomalee, instead of proceeding
thither by sea, as had been expected.
Two canoes and the elephant were sent forward; the men proceeded
forty miles in boats along the coast, then landed and marched ten
days, through a country almost covered with water, with scarcely
sufficient ground to rest upon. The tents were destroyed by the wet,
and abandoned; the elephant proceeded in advance, feeling for the
rivers; the canoes, conveying the sick, were dragged by Coolies and
soldiers wading in the water, and in this state the two companies
reached Cottiar bay, on the 18th of December. Boats being in
readiness, they embarked for Trincomalee, and with difficulty crossed
the bar; soon afterwards the wind changed, the sea became rough, and
it was found impracticable either to prosecute the voyage, or to
return across the bar with leaky open boats. With much danger and
difficulty they gained a rock in the bay, where the soldiers passed
the night, huddled together, menaced with being swept off when the
tide arose, and destitute of provisions and fresh water. The wind
and rain abating, they again embarked on the following morning, and
on arriving at the inner harbour, were met by the boats of the ships
of war, which had been cruizing for them, but were unable, from
the roughness of the weather, to rescue them from their perilous
situation, on the preceding night. On passing the “Orlando” frigate,
the seamen cheered, but the soldiers gave a feeble response. On
landing, twelve men were sent to the hospital, four lieutenants, one
serjeant, two drummers, and forty-seven rank and file, under Captain
Creagh, in rags, their feet and legs bare, and ulcerated, emaciated
and tottering from exhaustion and hunger, entered the fort; the
pitiable remains of two hundred picked men, who marched out only
three months before, forming two fine flank companies equal to any
service.
On landing, Lieutenant William Home, found his brother, Ensign Home,
dead in the hospital. Ensign Home belonged to a battalion company
of the regiment, part of which was detached at Minnery,--a most
unhealthy post, where nearly all the non-commissioned officers and
soldiers had died.
Two days after the arrival of the flank companies of the
EIGHTY-SIXTH, from the interior, a General Order was issued, in which
the Commander of the Forces in Ceylon expressed his “acknowledgments
to Major Marston, Captain Creagh, and to all the officers and
soldiers of that distinguished corps, for the gallant and important
services rendered by them in suppressing the Kandian rebellion, at
the same time, he cannot conceal the deep regret he feels at the
severe loss which has fallen on the detachment, and the death of a
gallant officer, Captain Archibald McLean, and many brave soldiers.”
General Sir Robert Brownrigg also states, “Captain Creagh’s gallant
and most useful services in the command of the flank companies
of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment, during the Kandian war, under very
trying circumstances, was such, as to entitle him to the favourable
notice of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and to the best
commendation I can bestow on him.”
[Sidenote: 1819]
On the 15th of January, 1819, the detachment embarked, and, after
putting to sea, was driven back by contrary winds, but landed
at Madras, on the 5th of February, and joined the regiment at
Poonamalee, on the same evening. The health of the party was not
re-established, and Lieutenant Caddell, Assistant-Surgeon Bell, and
several soldiers, died after their arrival at Madras.
The period for the return of the regiment to Europe, having arrived,
the following statement appeared in General Orders, dated Madras, 6th
March, 1819,--“The Lieut.-General has traced with gratification, the
well-earned tributes of applause, bestowed by successive governments,
and commanders, in commendation of the numerous instances of
gallantry and efficiency displayed during the active and varied
service in which His Majesty’s EIGHTY-SIXTH, or ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
Regiment of Foot, has been engaged since its arrival in the East
Indies; and Colonel Fraser, the officers, and men, are requested to
accept His Excellency’s thanks for the correct and orderly conduct of
the corps.”
In general orders by government, dated the 20th of March, 1819, it
was stated,--
“The meritorious conduct of His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light
Dragoons, and EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment of Foot, in every situation
where they have been employed during the long period of their
services in India, has been brought under the notice of government,
in a particular manner, by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
as establishing for them strong claims to its consideration; and
the honourable mention which has been made by his Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief, has been coupled with the expression of his
Excellency’s wish, that their services may meet with the same
acknowledgment, on their approaching departure, as, in general
orders, dated 27th August, 1805, and 11th October, 1806, marked the
close of the distinguished career of His Majesty’s Seventy-fourth
Regiment, and Nineteenth Light Dragoons, then returning to England;
concurring entirely in the commendations which His Majesty’s
Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and EIGHTY-SIXTH Foot, have received
from the Commander-in-Chief, and entertaining the same high sense
of their merits and services, the Governor in Council is pleased to
extend, to the officers of those corps, the indulgence recommended
by his Excellency, and, accordingly, directs that a donation of
three months’ full batta be passed to them on the occasion of their
embarkation for Europe.”
Five hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and soldiers having
volunteered to remain in India, transferring their services to other
corps, the remainder of the regiment sailed for England in April, and
in October anchored off the Nore, where the ship was placed under
quarantine, Lieutenant John Campbell and several soldiers having died
during the voyage.
On the 23rd of October, the regiment landed at Gravesend, after
an _absence from England of twenty-three years and four months_,
bringing back only _two individuals_, MAJOR D. MARSTON and
QUARTER-MASTER R. GILL, who embarked with it in June, 1796, the
latter as a private.
The regiment joined the depôt companies at Canterbury, where
Lieut.-Colonel John Johnson succeeded to the lieut.-colonelcy, on the
promotion of Colonel Fraser, C.B., to the rank of major-general.
[Sidenote: 1820]
During the winter, the regiment marched to Chichester, sending two
companies to Brighton, and in April, 1820, it was removed to Weedon
and Northampton, where two hundred and fifty recruits joined from
Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1821]
[Sidenote: 1822]
In February, 1821, the regiment proceeded to Chatham; in October it
embarked at Bristol, for Ireland, and, after landing at Waterford,
occupied quarters at that place, having nine detached parties, until
April, 1822, when the head-quarters were removed to Naas, and in
July, the regiment occupied Richmond barracks, Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1823]
From Dublin, the regiment proceeded, in May, 1823, to Athlone, and
in October to Armagh, where the authority of His Majesty, King George
IV., was received for bearing the word “INDIA” on the colours and
appointments, “in consideration of the distinguished conduct of the
regiment during the period of its service in India, from the year
1799, to the year 1819.”
[Sidenote: 1824]
[Sidenote: 1825]
[Sidenote: 1826]
In March, 1824, the head-quarters were removed to Newry; in
January, 1825, the regiment proceeded to Naas; in June it was
removed to Clonmel[12], and in the spring of 1826, it marched to
Buttevant,--furnishing numerous detached parties. On quitting the
south-west district, Major-General Sir Charles Doyle expressed, in a
letter to the commanding officer, his “entire satisfaction” at the
conduct of the regiment, while under his orders.
Lieut.-Colonel Johnson retired on half-pay, and was succeeded as
commanding officer, by Lieut.-Colonel Mallett, C.B., from the
Eighty-ninth regiment.