and appointments the word “CABOOL, 1842,” to commemorate its
important services. Major Pattisson was promoted to the brevet
rank of Lieut.-Colonel; Captains Havelock, Wilkinson, Wade, and
Fenwick were promoted to the brevet rank of Major, and, with the
following officers, received the silver medal for Cabool:--
_Colonel_ Sir Robert Sale, G.C.B.
_Captains._
Major Henry Havelock.
---- Arthur Wilkinson.
---- Hamlet Wade.
---- James Fenwick.
Captain Peter Jennings.
---- Alex. Holcombe.
---- George King.
Majors Havelock, Wilkinson, and Wade were subsequently appointed by
Her Majesty Companions of the most Honorable Military Order of the
Bath.
_Lieutenants._
John S. Wood (_adjutant_).
William A. Sinclair.
Hon. Emilius J. Forrester.
David Rattray.
Richard E. Frere.
Geo. Wade.
John W. Cox.
Fred. Van Straubenzee.
Thomas B. Speedy.
J. Fran. P. Scott.
Granville Geo. C. Stapylton.
Robert S. Parker.
Arthur Oakes.
George Talbot.
_Surgeon_, J. Robertson, M.D.--_Asst.-Surgeon_, Geo. Barnes, M.D.
[Sidenote: 1843.]
On the 16th January, 1843, the regiment marched from Ferozepore,
and arrived at Mowbarukpore on the 5th of February, where it
remained encamped until the 9th of March, when it proceeded on
its route to Kussowlie, at which station it remained until the
21st October. Fatigue parties were here daily employed for two
hours in the cool of the morning or evening cutting and repairing
roads, etc. On the 21st October, the regiment marched to Ferozepore
_en route_ to Scinde. On the 6th November, the regiment reached
Loodianah, where percussion muskets were issued to it for the first
time, and the old flint arms were given into store. It arrived at
Ferozepore on the 15th November, embarked in boats for Sukkur, on
the 24th, and reached its destination on the 20th December.
General Edward Morrison died on the 3rd December, 1843, and the
vacant colonelcy of the THIRTEENTH was conferred on the 15th of
that month on Sir Robert Sale; Major Horatio Nelson Vigors was
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel; and Captain R. M.
Meredith succeeded to the Majority.
[Sidenote: 1844]
On the 13th January, 1844, Lieut.-Colonel Squire joined with a
draft of officers and men from England, and assumed the command of
the regiment.
The THIRTEENTH moved from Sukkur, by wings, _en route_ to
Kurrachee during September, 1844; the left wing on the 4th and the
head-quarter division on the 24th. The former arrived at Kurrachee
on the 21st of September, and the latter on the 8th of October. The
regiment suffered severely from sickness during the movement, owing
to the malaria of Sukkur, having continually from two to three
hundred in hospital daily. Preparatory to the regiment leaving
Scinde, four hundred and forty-six of the men volunteered to corps
serving in India. It embarked at Kurrachee for Bombay on board the
Honorable East India Company’s steamers Pluto and Sesostris on the
4th of December, arrived in the harbour of Bombay on the night of
the 7th, and disembarked in the afternoon of the 8th of that month,
being received by the Governor and military authorities of Bombay;
the guard of honor presenting arms as the regiment passed, and
the band striking up “See the conquering hero comes.”--While the
regiment was stationed at Bombay, it had the misfortune to lose
Captain Sinclair, who had served throughout the campaign: he died
of cholera after an illness of a few hours: the soldiers however
continued generally healthy.
[Sidenote: 1845]
The head-quarter division of the THIRTEENTH embarked in the
freight ship Cornwall, at Colaba, Bombay, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Tristram C. Squire, on the 20th March, 1845, and
the second division in the freight ship Boyne, on the same day,
under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Horatio Vigors. The right wing
disembarked at Gravesend on the 28th July, and the second division
arrived there on the 8th August following, from whence it proceeded
to Walmer Barracks, in order to join the head-quarters, which had
marched thither from Chatham.
[Sidenote: 1846]
On the 10th March, 1846, Lieut.-General Sir William Maynard
Gomm, K.C.B., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Mauritius,
was appointed colonel of the THIRTEENTH, in succession to Sir
Robert Sale, who was killed at the battle of Moodkee, on the 18th
December, 1845.
The regiment proceeded from Walmer to Portsmouth on the 27th April,
1846. Previous to the march of the THIRTEENTH, a high testimonial
of their conduct, while stationed at Walmer, was received from
the Mayor and Magistrates of Deal. On Thursday, the 13th August,
the THIRTEENTH had the gratification of being presented with new
colours by His Royal Highness the Prince Albert. The “_United
Service Gazette_” of Saturday, the 15th August, gave the following
account of this interesting ceremony, which took place on Southsea
Common:--‘His Royal Highness Prince Albert, wearing a Field
Marshal’s uniform, came over from Osborne-house in the royal yacht,
accompanied by Colonel Wylde and a small retinue, all in uniform,
and landed at the King’s-stairs, in the Dockyard, at about a
quarter to four o’clock. The Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir
Charles Ogle, Bart., the Lieut.-Governor, Major-General the Hon.
Sir Hercules Pakenham, K.C.B., and a brilliant staff of officers
of both services, received his Royal Highness on landing, who
immediately entered General Pakenham’s carriage, and was driven to
the field, escorted by General Pakenham and staff on horseback,
receiving the shouts of welcome from the immense concourse of
spectators who lined the road as he passed. Soon after three
o’clock, the regiment took up its position on Southsea Common,
in line, at open order, with the old colours in the centre. On
the arrival of the Prince he was received with the customary
honors. The regiment then formed three sides of a hollow square,
the company told off as a guard for the new colours remaining in
the centre of the open face. The Prince having alighted from the
carriage, mounted his charger (which, together with five other
beautiful animals, came down from the Royal mews to the George
Hotel last night), rode along the line, inside and out, inspecting
the troops, as they covered the ground, after which the Prince
dismounted and entered the hollow square, accompanied by General
Pakenham, Sir Charles Ogle, and staff, and stood uncovered while
the Rev. G. R. Gleig, Chaplain General to the Forces, consecrated
the colours, which, after this ceremony, were handed to the Prince
by Lieut.-Colonel C. T. Van Straubenzee and Major Meredith. The
Prince then handed them to the two senior ensigns (J. D. Longden
and Melville Browne), who received them kneeling, and continued
in that position whilst His Royal Highness addressed them in a
brief but most spirited and soldierly manner, enjoining them to
preserve their colours, never to allow them to be captured, but
to emulate the conduct exhibited by the departed hero, Sir Robert
Sale, whose absence was the only alloy to the gratification he felt
in performing the august ceremony of the day. His Highness, in the
course of his address, passed some high and well-deserved encomiums
on Colonel Squire and the THIRTEENTH regiment, to which that
gallant veteran replied--“I beg most respectfully to return my most
sincere though humble thanks for the distinguished honor your Royal
Highness has just conferred upon this corps in the presentation of
new colours, and for the highly flattering manner in which your
Royal Highness has been pleased to mention my name, in connection
with its services in India, and also for the gratifying encomiums
which you have passed on our late honored and respected Commanders,
Sir Robert Sale and Colonel Dennie. Your Highness may be assured
that your gracious condescension will ever be esteemed by all ranks
in the regiment as the greatest stimulant to the loyal and faithful
discharge of their duty, under whatever circumstances of trial they
may hereafter be placed, in supporting the honor and interest of
our beloved Queen and country. God save the Queen!”
‘His Highness appeared much gratified with the sentiments of the
gallant Colonel, and having bowed, retired with General Pakenham
and Sir Charles Ogle, and remounted his charger. The sides of the
square which were wheeled up then wheeled back, and the regiment
formed a line. The new colours were now “trooped,” followed by the
guard in charge, the band playing “The Grenadiers,” slow march.
‘On arriving at the left of the line, the colours were carried, and
the officers marched up in the front of the line, one rank of the
guard marching between the ranks of the line, and the other rank
in rear of the rear rank. On arriving at the place where the old
colours were stationed, the new colours took up their place, whilst
the old ones were paraded up the remaining portion of the line,
the “trooping” still proceeding, and were then delivered over to
the escort on the right of the line; their military existence, as
standards of the regiment, then ceasing.
‘The ceremony having terminated, the Prince re-entered the
carriage of General Pakenham, and, accompanied by Admiral Sir
Charles Ogle, Bart., and escorted by General Pakenham and staff,
returned to the Dockyard, whence he embarked for Osborne-house,
under salutes from the ships in harbour, the Platform Battery,
and the Contest, Columbine, and Sardinian corvette at Spithead. A
magnificent entertainment was given in honor of the event in the
evening, by the officers of the THIRTEENTH, at the King’s rooms,
Southsea-beach.’
On the 3rd November, 1846, Lieut.-Colonel Squire retired from the
service, and Lieut.-Colonel A. A. T. Cunynghame succeeded to the
command of the regiment; in the following month he exchanged with
Captain and Lieut.-Colonel Charles Stuart, of the Grenadier Guards.
[Sidenote: 1847]
The regiment proceeded from Portsmouth to Ireland in two divisions,
on the 12th and 13th January, 1847, and arrived at Dublin on the
16th of that month. Towards the end of September it proceeded to
Birr.
[Sidenote: 1848]
On the 18th of April, 1848, the regiment marched from Birr to
Newry, and on the 1st of June, to which period the Record has been
continued, the head-quarters, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Charles Stuart, remained at Newry, two companies being stationed
at Drogheda, and four companies being distributed at Belturbet,
Carrickmacross, Dundalk, and Monaghan.
* * * * *
The preceding pages show that the THIRTEENTH, or PRINCE ALBERT’S
REGIMENT OF LIGHT INFANTRY, has gained laurels in Europe, Asia,
Africa, and America. From the period of its declaration in favour
of the Protestant interest at the Revolution, it has run a career
of glory. Leaving the army in Flanders, in 1703, after a short
campaign under the renowned Duke of Marlborough, it next formed
part of the force in the Peninsula, and highly distinguished itself
in the first defence of Gibraltar in 1704-5, a few months after its
capture from the Spaniards. While serving in Spain, the chivalrous
Earl of Peterborough formed the greater portion of the corps into a
_cavalry_ regiment;--an event unprecedented in the military history
of the British army;--in which character it proved its bravery at
the disastrous battle of Almanza.
The second defence of Gibraltar in 1727, the battle-fields of
Dettingen, Fontenoy, Falkirk, Culloden, Roucoux, and Val, all
attest its valour; while in later times the expeditions against St.
Domingo, the campaign in Egypt under the immortal Abercromby, and
the capture of Martinique, added to its ancient renown.
Recent times presented the Burmese war, in which the regiment
sustained a prominent part; latterly the campaigns in Affghanistan,
the capture of the stronghold of Ghuznee; and the advance upon
Cabool, testify the valuable services performed; but on none
of these events will the eye rest with greater interest than
the defence of Jellalabad: deservedly was the garrison termed
“ILLUSTRIOUS” by the Governor General in his proclamation!
Gallant deeds in all parts of the globe for upwards of a hundred
and sixty years, combined with excellent conduct in quarters,
have obtained for the regiment the respect of the country, and
Her Majesty has graciously named it after the Royal Consort, in
testimony of approbation of its many and varied services.
1848.
_Description of the_ FLAGS _captured from the Affghans by the
THIRTEENTH Light Infantry in the Action at Jellalabad, on the 7th
April, 1842_.
The Scarlet Standard is of fine _cloth_, and is in tolerable
preservation; it has a green border, with a crimson and yellow
fringe; on the join, about the centre, a patch of light blue cloth
is introduced, on which are neatly sewn some characters in yellow
cloth, which probably form an extract from the Koran, the Affghans
being known to attach great faith in such inscriptions, which are
supposed to ensure victory. The flag is triangular in shape, and
swallow-tailed; two of the sides are about eight and nine feet in
length, the shortest side being about four feet. The staff, which
is the branch of a tree with the bark on, is spear-headed, but is
broken at the lower extremity.
The two other Flags are but fragments; like the above they are
triangular. They have pointed iron-ends to plant them in the
ground. The _Crimson_ flag has a green piece of cloth, with red
characters, sewn in. The _Blue_ flag is a sort of coarse printed
cotton stuff, and has a rude shawl pattern border. There is about
five feet of the flag on both the staffs, which are from eight to
nine feet in length. Their appearance betokens that they have seen
service, and borne the brunt of battle.
[Illustration: STANDARDS CAPTURED FROM THE AFFGHANS BY THE 13^{TH}
LIGHT INFANTRY, 1842
DEPOSITED IN THE ROYAL HOSPITAL AT CHELSEA]
FOOTNOTES:
[6] List of troops under Major-General Mackay, at the battle of
_Killicrankie_, 27th July, 1689:--
CAVALRY.
Annandale’s troop of horse } Afterwards incorporated in a regiment,
now Belhaven’s ” ” } the Seventh Hussars.
INFANTRY.
HASTINGS’ Foot, now THIRTEENTH.
Leven’s Foot, now Twenty-fifth.
Kenmare’s Foot, afterwards disbanded.
Mackay’s } _Scots’ Brigade_ in the Dutch Service, afterwards
Balfour’s } _Ninety-fourth Regiment_ in the British line;
Ramsay’s } disbanded in December, 1818.
One hundred of Hastings’ and two hundred of Leven’s, were
detached at Inverness, and were consequently not at the battle of
Killicrankie.
[7] The bayonet, at this period, was fixed by forcing the handle
into the muzzle of the musket; the troops, therefore, could not
fire with fixed bayonets.
[8] ‘There was no regiment or troop with me but behaved like the
vilest cowards in nature, except HASTINGS’ (THIRTEENTH), and Lord
Leven’s (Twenty-fifth), whom I most praise at such a degree, as
I cannot but blame others.’--_Mackay’s Despatch to the Duke of
Hamilton._
‘I could learn of no commanding officer that misbehaved, though
I confess that my Lord Leven, Colonel HASTINGS, and their
officers have distinguished themselves in this occasion above all
others.’--_Mackay’s Official Narrative of the Battle._
‘My Lord,--Your son has behaved himself with all his officers and
soldiers extraordinarily well, as did also Colonel HASTINGS with
his.’--_Mackay’s letter to Lord Melville._
[9] When the Moors invaded Spain, about the year 711, they took
possession of this rock, as a suitable place for the reception of
supplies from the opposite coast, and they called it, in honour of
a leader named TARIF, _Gib-el-tarif_, or Tarif’s Mountain; hence
the name of _Gibraltar_ is derived.
[10] Lieut.-General Beckwith’s despatch.
[11] ‘Aux Etats de l’île de Jersey. L’an mil huit cent
dix-sept, le vingtième jour d’Août.--Sensibles aux soins que le
Lieutenant-Colonel Messire William Williams, et tous les autres
officiers du treizième régiment d’infanterie de Sa Majesté, ont
apporté durant leur séjour dans ce pays à ce concilier l’estime des
habitans, et à y entretenier une heureuse harmonie, et pleinement
satisfaits du haut dégré de discipline dans lequel ils ont
constamment gardé et maintenu le dit régiment, et leur attention à
prevenir tout, sujets de plaintes et de disputes, à faire observer
l’ordre et respecter les lois, du zèle avec lequel ils se sont
toujours prêtés à soutenir et à appuyer les autorités constituées,
Les Etats saisissent cette occasion de leur première séance depuis
que le dit régiment a été rapellé hors du service de cette île,
où il a été en quartier pendant deux ans, pour leur rendre par ce
présente acte, le témoignage de leur approbation et leur exprimer
leur vive reconnaissance. Et les Etats prient le Lieutenant-Colonel
Messire William Williams, Chevalier commandeur de l’honorable ordre
du Bain, le Lieutenant-Colonel Weller, et le Lieutenant-Colonel
Hancock, qui ont chacun d’eux, l’un après l’autre, eu le
commandement du dit régiment, et tous les autres officiers de ce
corps, d’en accepter leurs sincères et unanimes remercîments. Les
Etats ont requis Son Excellence Monsieur le lieutenant-gouverneur
de vouloir bien transmettre, de leur part, le présent acte, au
lieutenant-colonel Messire William Williams, lequel est prié de
le communiquer à Lieutenant-Colonel Weller, au Lieutenant-Colonel
Hancock, et à tous les autres officiers du treizième régiment,
auquel effet le greffier est chargé de le transcrire sur parchemin,
afin qu’il soit mis sous le sçeau de l’île et de le remettre à Son
Excellence.’
FRS. GODFRAY, Greffier.
[12] ‘A very spirited and successful attack was made on the other
side of the stockade, by the advance companies of the THIRTEENTH
and thirty-eighth regiments, under the command of Major Sale, who,
by assisting each other up the face of the stockade, at least ten
feet high, entered about the same time as the party by the breach,
putting every man to death who opposed their entrance: and it
affords me pleasure to state, that the first man who appeared on
the top of the work was, I believe, Major SALE of His Majesty’s
THIRTEENTH Light Infantry.’--_Major-General Sir A. Campbell’s
Despatch._
[13] ‘Nothing could have been more brilliant and successful.
He (Brigadier-General M‘Bean) took by assault seven stockades
with most rapid succession, throwing the enemy into the utmost
consternation.’ ... The brigadier-general assures me the ardour
of his column was irresistible, and speaks highly of the able
aid he received from Brigadier-General M‘Creagh; he also reports
favourably upon the judicious and gallant style in which Majors
Sale and Frith, of the THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth regiments, led
the troops under their respective command.’--_Major-General Sir A.
Campbell’s Despatch._
[14] ‘I never witnessed a more dashing charge than was made on
this occasion by His Majesty’s THIRTEENTH Light Infantry; while
the eighteenth native infantry followed their example with a
spirit that did them honour, carrying all opposition before
them. They burst through the entrenchments, carrying dismay and
terror into the enemy’s ranks, great numbers of whom were slain,
and the party returned loaded with arms, standards, and other
trophies.’--_Major-General Sir A. Campbell’s Despatch._
[15] ‘All their artillery, stores, and reserve depôts, which had
cost them so much labour to get up, with a great quantity of
small arms, gilt chattahs, standards, and other trophies fell
into our hands. Never was victory more complete or decided, and
never was a triumph of discipline and valour, over the disjointed
efforts of irregular courage and infinitely superior numbers, more
conspicuous. Majors Dennie and Thornhill, of the THIRTEENTH Light
Infantry were distinguished by the steadiness with which they led
their men.’--_Major-General Sir A. Campbell’s Despatch._
[16] ‘In the list of wounded will be seen with regret the name of
Major SALE of His Majesty’s THIRTEENTH Light Infantry, an officer
whose gallantry has been most conspicuous on every occasion since
our arrival at Rangoon. I am happy to say that his wound, though
severe, is not dangerous, and I trust his valuable services will
not long remain unavailable.’--_Major-General Sir A. Campbell’s
Despatch._
[17] Now Lieut.-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, Commanding the
Forces at Bombay.
[18] ‘The conduct of His Majesty’s THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth
regiments, during the advance, and their gallantry in the storm,
far exceed all that I can write in their praise.’--_Major-General
Sir A. Campbell’s Despatch._
[19] Names of the officers of the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry, who
served in the campaign in Affghanistan in 1839.
_Lieut.-Colonels._ R. H. Sale, (col.) commanding a brigade. ” W. H.
Dennie ”
_Major._ E. F. Tronson, commanding the regiment.
_Captains._ G. Fothergill, W. Sutherland, J. Kershaw, R. Pattisson,
J. G. D. Taylor, H. N. Vigors.
_Lieutenants._ A. P. S. Wilkinson, J. H. Fenwick, J. Foulstone, P.
R. Jennings, P. D. O. V. Streng, A. E. F. Holcombe, G. King, R.
G. Burslem, F. Holder, W. A. Sinclair, Hon. E. J. W. Forester, T.
Oxley, D. Rattray.
_Ensigns._ E. King, G. Mein, R. E. Frere.
_Paymaster._ H. Carew, _Adjutant_ H. C. Wade.
_Assistant Surgeons._ J. Robertson, G. W. Barnes.
_Captains._ T. C. Squire, major of brigade, H. Havelock,
aide-de-camp to Major-General Sir Willoughby Cotton, commanding the
right division of the army of the Indus.
_Lieutenant._ J. S. Wood, aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Sale.
_Ensign._ G. Wade, aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Dennie.
[20] Captain H. C. Wade accompanied the force as Head of the Staff,
and Captain H. Havelock, who had been appointed Persian Interpreter
to the Major-General commanding in Affghanistan, volunteered his
services as aide-de-camp to Sir Robert Sale, who expressed his
satisfaction of their conduct in his public despatch.
[21] It is gratifying to be able to state, that Colonel Dennie’s
appointment as aide-de-camp to the Queen was known at the regiment
about a week previous to his lamented fall.
[22] The following interesting circumstance was related by Lord
Fitzgerald and Vesey in the House of Lords, in his speech on
the 20th February, 1843, regarding the vote of thanks for the
operations in Affghanistan. The Adjutant General of the Army in
India, acting by the command of Lord Ellenborough, transmitted to
the aged mother of Colonel Dennie that medal which her son would
have worn, had he happily survived. In replying to the letter which
accompanied this token Mrs. Dennie beautifully said, that she
accepted it with pleasure and with pride, for she had a right to
feel a ‘pride in her son’s life, and in his death.’ Lord Fitzgerald
added, that it was impossible to read that passage without honoring
the lady, and even more deeply lamenting the fate of the son of
whom she had so justly and truly written.