Chapter II: Part 2

Additional forces arrived in the West Indies, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, mustering six hundred and two rank and file, under the command of Major Loftus, joined the expedition commanded by General the Earl of Albemarle, for the reduction of the wealthy and important Spanish city of the _Havannah_, in the island of Cuba The TWENTY-SECOND, Fortieth, Seventy-second, and five companies of the Ninetieth, were formed in brigade under Brigadier-General Lord Rollo.

Proceeding through the Straits of Bahama, the armament arrived within six leagues of the Havannah on the 6th of June. A landing was effected on the following day, and the _Moro_ fort, being the key-position of the extensive works which covered the town, was besieged. This proved an undertaking of great difficulty; but every obstacle was overcome by the spirited efforts of the land and sea forces, and the fort was captured by storm on the 30th of July. An extensive series of batteries was prepared, and opened, on the 11th of August, so well-directed a fire on the works which protected the town, that the guns of the garrison were soon silenced, and the important city of the Havannah was surrendered to the British arms. Nine Spanish men-of-war were delivered up; two were found upon the stocks; and three sunk at the entrance of the harbour.

In March of this year Major-General Whitmore, who was drowned at sea, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General the Honorable Thomas Gage, from the Eightieth regiment, a provincial corps which was raised in 1758, and disbanded after the treaty of Fontainebleau.

[Sidenote: 1763]

At the peace of Fontainebleau the _Havannah_ was restored to Spain, in exchange for the province of Florida, on the continent of America; and in 1763 the TWENTY-SECOND regiment proceeded to _West Florida_.

[Sidenote: 1764]

[Sidenote: 1765]

The regiment was stationed in Florida during the year 1764, and in 1765 it was relieved from duty in that province, and embarked for Great Britain.

[Sidenote: 1766]

[Sidenote: 1770]

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

From 1766 to 1769 the regiment was employed at various stations in England; during the years 1770, 1771, and 1772, it performed duty in Scotland; and in 1773 it proceeded to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1775]

While the TWENTY-SECOND were stationed in Ireland the misunderstanding between the English government and the British provinces in North America, on the subject of taxation, was followed by hostilities. The regiment embarked from Ireland for North America in 1775, and joined the troops at Boston under General Gage.

During the night of the 16th of June the Americans commenced fortifying the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown, called _Bunker's Hill_; and on the following day they were attacked by the flank companies of the British corps, and by a few regiments, and driven from their works. The TWENTY-SECOND lost their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel James Abercromby, who died of his wounds. He was succeeded by Major James Campbell.

[Sidenote: 1776]

General Sir William Howe assumed the command of the British troops in North America, on General Gage returning to England in October, 1775; in March, 1776, Boston was vacated, when the TWENTY-SECOND proceeded to Nova Scotia.

From Nova Scotia, the regiment sailed with the expedition to Staten Island, near New York; and, additional troops having arrived from Europe, it was formed in brigade with the Forty-third, Fifty-fourth, and Sixty-third, under Brigadier-General Francis Smith.

A landing was effected on _Long Island_ on the 22nd of August; and on the 27th of that month the TWENTY-SECOND were engaged in driving the Americans from their positions at _Flat Bush_ to their fortified lines at _Brooklyn_. The flank companies had several men killed and wounded on this occasion; the loss of the battalion companies was limited to two men.

The Americans abandoned their lines at Brooklyn, and passed the river to New York. They were followed by the British, who gained possession of New York, captured Fort Washington, and reduced a great part of the Jerseys.

During the winter the regiment was detached, with several other corps, under Lieut.-Generals Clinton and Earl Percy, against _Rhode Island_. The regiment embarked on this service in the beginning of December, and a landing being effected at daybreak on the 9th of that month, the island was speedily reduced to submission.

[Sidenote: 1777]

During the year 1777 the regiment was stationed in Rhode Island. On the 10th of July the American Colonel, Barton, arrived at Rhode Island with a few active men, surprised Major-General Richard Prescott in his quarters, and conveyed him from the island a prisoner.

[Sidenote: 1778]

In May, 1778, it was ascertained that Major-General Sullivan had taken the command of the American troops at Providence, with the view of making a descent on Rhode Island; and on the night of the 24th of May the battalion companies of the TWENTY-SECOND, the flank companies of the Fifty-fourth, and a company of Hessians, embarked under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell of the TWENTY-SECOND, to attack the enemy's quarters. After landing three miles below _Warren_, early on the following morning, a detachment under Captain Seir of the TWENTY-SECOND destroyed a battery at Papasquash Point, making a Captain and six American artillery men prisoners. Another detachment destroyed a number of boats, a galley of six twelve pounders, and two sloops, in the Kickamuct River. The party then marched to Warren, destroyed a park of artillery, a quantity of stores, and a privateer sloop. Afterwards proceeding to Bristol, a further quantity of stores was destroyed. The Americans assembled in great numbers, and fired on the British from a great distance, but did little injury. Lieutenant HAMILTON of the TWENTY-SECOND, eight British, and four Hessian soldiers were wounded.

On the 30th of May another detachment, under Major Eyre of the Fifty-fourth, made a successful incursion to a creek near Taunton River, and inflicted a severe loss on the Americans.

The King of France having united with the Americans, a French armament arrived off the coast, and formidable preparations were made for the re-capture of Rhode Island. The French fleet, however, sustained some severe losses from a storm, and from the English navy. A numerous American force under Major-General Sullivan landed at Howland's Ferry, on the 9th of August, and commenced the siege of _Newport_, in defence of which place the TWENTY-SECOND were employed. The place being defended with great resolution, and the Americans being disappointed of aid from the French fleet, they raised the siege, and retired on the 29th of August. The TWENTY-SECOND, Forty-third, and flank companies of the Thirty-eighth and Fifty-fourth regiments, marched under Brigadier-General Smith, by the east road, to intercept the retreating enemy. A stand was made by the Americans, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND, under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, highly distinguished themselves. The Americans were driven from _Quakers' Hill_, when they fell back to their works at the north end of the island, from which they afterwards withdrew. Major-General Pigot stated in his public despatch,--"To these particulars I am, in justice, obliged to add Brigadier-General Smith's report, who, amidst the general tribute due to the good conduct of every individual under his command, has particularly distinguished Lieut.-Colonel CAMPBELL and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, on whom, by their position, the greatest weight of the action fell." The regiment had eleven rank and file killed; Lieutenant Cleghorn, Ensigns Bareland, Proctor, and Adam, two serjeants, and forty-eight rank and file wounded; one man missing.

[Sidenote: 1779]

The British Commander-in-Chief in North America, Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, having resolved to vacate Rhode Island, the regiment embarked from thence on the 25th of October, 1779, and proceeded to New York, where it arrived on the 27th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1780]

During the remainder of the American War the regiment was stationed at New York and the posts in advance of that city.

[Sidenote: 1782]

General the Honorable Thomas Gage was removed to the Seventeenth Light Dragoons in April, 1782, and King George III. conferred the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment on Major-General Charles O'Hara, from captain and lieut.-colonel in the Second foot-guards.

A letter, dated the 31st of August, 1782, conveyed to the regiment His Majesty's pleasure that it should be designated the TWENTY-SECOND, or the CHESHIRE regiment, in order that a connexion between the corps and that county should be cultivated, with the view of promoting the success of the recruiting service.

[Sidenote: 1783]

The American War having terminated, the regiment returned to Europe in 1783 and was stationed in South Britain.

[Sidenote: 1785]

In 1785, while the regiment was stationed at Windsor, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Crosbie, and furnished the usual guard at the Castle, where his Majesty resided, an "ORDER OF MERIT" was instituted in the corps, with the view of promoting good order and discipline,--the field-officers, captains, and adjutant for the time being, to be members of the order. The order consisted of THREE CLASSES: the first wore a silver medal gilt, suspended to a blue riband two inches broad, and worn round the neck; the second a silver medal, and the third a bronze medal, similarly worn. The candidates for the third class must have served seven years with an unblemished character; for the second, fourteen; and for the first, twenty-one years. On the 1st of July, the KING was graciously pleased to accept from Lieut.-Colonel Crosbie a medal of the first class of the regimental ORDER OF MERIT: and on the 3rd of that month, the regiment being then encamped in Windsor Forest, assembled on parade, with the non-commissioned officers and soldiers selected to receive medals in front, the rules of the order were read; the corps presented arms, the band played "God save the King;" the members of the order took off their hats, and the commanding officer invested each member with his medal; the drums beating a point of war during the whole time.

[Sidenote: 1787]

In 1787 the regiment proceeded to Guernsey and Jersey, where its establishment was augmented; and it was ordered to be held in readiness for foreign service, in consequence of some revolutionary proceedings in Holland. In October the regiment proceeded to Portsmouth, and its establishment was soon afterwards reduced. Previous to leaving Guernsey, it received the thanks of the Lieut.-Governor for its excellent conduct.

[Sidenote: 1788]

On quitting Portsmouth in 1788 for Chatham, the regiment received a very flattering mark of the high estimation in which its conduct was held by the inhabitants.

[Sidenote: 1790]

The regiment left Chatham and Dover in the spring of 1790, and proceeding to Ireland landed at Cork on the 5th of April.

[Sidenote: 1791]

Major-General Charles O'Hara was removed to the Seventy-fourth Highlanders in April, 1791, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND by Major-General David Dundas, Adjutant-General of the Army in Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1792]

In 1792, a slight alteration was made in the uniform, and the establishment was augmented.

[Sidenote: 1793]

Meanwhile a revolution had taken place in France, and the violent conduct of the republican government in that country occasioned a war between Great Britain and France, which commenced in 1793. In September of that year the flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment embarked for the West Indies, for the purpose of taking part in the capture of the French West India islands. They were followed by the battalion companies in December.

[Sidenote: 1794]

The flank companies joined the armament under General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey, who effected a landing at three different points on the island of _Martinique_, in February, 1794, and accomplished in a short period the conquest of that valuable colony.

The grenadier brigade under His Royal Highness Prince Edward, afterwards the Duke of Kent, and the light infantry under Major-General Dundas, were engaged in the conquest of _St. Lucia_ in the beginning of April.

After the conquest of St. Lucia, an attack was made on _Guadaloupe_, and that valuable island was speedily rescued from the power of the republican government of France.

The regiment proceeded to the island of Martinique, where it was joined by the flank companies.

Two hundred men, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Lysaght, proceeded to the island of _St. Domingo_, and formed part of the garrison of Cape St. Nicholas Mole: and five companies joined the garrison of _Busy-town_, which place was besieged by the enemy.

In April, the TWENTY-SECOND, Twenty-third, and Forty-first regiments, with some other troops, embarked under the command of Brigadier-General John Whyte, for the attack of _Port-au-Prince_, the capital of the French possessions in the island of _St. Domingo_. A landing was effected on the 31st of May; some severe fighting occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND distinguished themselves: _Fort Bizzotton_ was captured, and the enemy was forced to abandon _Port-au-Prince_, which was taken possession of by the British troops. The regiment had Captain Wallace killed on this occasion, also several private soldiers killed and wounded. Unfortunately a malignant fever broke out in the town, and the British lost forty officers and six hundred soldiers by disease within two months after the capture of the place.

A detachment of the regiment formed part of the garrison of _Fort Bizzotton_, which was attacked by two thousand of the enemy on the 5th of December. The British defended their post with great gallantry, and repulsed the assailants. Lieutenant Hamilton of the TWENTY-SECOND distinguished himself.

Another portion of the regiment was stationed at Jeremie, and a detachment at Irois.

[Sidenote: 1795]

Having sustained severe loss from the climate of St. Domingo, the regiment was relieved from duty at that island, and returned to England in 1795.

Lieut.-General Dundas was removed to the Seventh Light Dragoons, and the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND was conferred on Major-General William Crosbie, from the Eighty-ninth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1798]

The regiment was stationed in England recruiting its ranks until December, 1798, when it proceeded to Guernsey.

Major-General Crosbie died this year, and was succeeded by Major-General John Graves Simcoe, from the Eighty-first regiment.

[Sidenote: 1799]

In November, 1799, the regiment was withdrawn from Guernsey, and landed at Portsmouth on the 15th of that month.

On its return from the West Indies, the regiment enlisted a number of boys, or youths; and in 1798 it received drafts of boys, or lads, from other corps; it was designated a boy regiment, and sent to the Cape of Good Hope, where the youths, it was conjectured, would be gradually accustomed to a warm climate, and become better adapted for service in the East Indies, than recruits sent direct from Europe to India.

[Sidenote: 1800]

In January and February, 1800, the regiment embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, where it arrived in May and June following. The companies on board of one transport, the Surat Castle, suffered severely in consequence of their crowded state: the crew was composed of Lascars, among whom much disease prevailed; the infection was communicated to the soldiers, and the men of the TWENTY-SECOND suffered in their health; sixty soldiers were sent on shore, to a general hospital, before the ship left England. The survivors arrived at the Cape in a sickly state; they had been obliged to aid in working the vessel during the voyage, and the masts and rigging had been damaged during a gale of wind.

[Sidenote: 1801]

The head-quarters were established at Muisenberg, and afterwards encamped at Wynberg, a tongue of land projecting from the east side of Table Mountain. The sick men received every attention which could be procured by Major-General Francis Dundas, commanding at the Cape, and as they recovered they joined the head-quarters, which were removed to Simon's-town in January, 1801, and again encamped at Wynberg in March. In May the regiment marched into Cape Town, and in September joined the camp at Rondebosch.

The lads having become much improved in size and strength, the light infantry company joined the flank battalion; and the grenadiers were detached to the interior, and stationed at Graaff Reinett.

[Sidenote: 1802]

Leaving the camp in January, 1802, the regiment was removed to Muisenberg, Simon's-town, and Graaff Reinett.

The period having arrived for the regiment to proceed to India, it was joined by a number of volunteers from corps serving at the Cape of Good Hope, and embarked from thence in September, October, and November, when it mustered thirty-one officers, and one thousand and fifty-five non-commissioned officers and soldiers fit for duty.

[Sidenote: 1803]

In February, 1803, the last division of the regiment landed at Fort William, Calcutta, where the other companies had previously arrived.

At this period two powerful chieftains, Dowlat Rao Scindia and Jeswunt Rao Holkar, had usurped the powers of the Peishwa, and were desolating the Mahratta states with war; and these two chiefs, with the Rajah of Berar, formed a confederacy against the British and their allies. Under these circumstances the flank companies of the regiment embarked from Fort William, and joined the field force, under Lieut.-Colonel Harcourt, assembled for the attack of the province of Cuttack. On entering that province, the troops had to overcome numerous difficulties from the nature of the country, the season of the year, and the resistance of the enemy, which they surmounted with great gallantry.

On the 4th of October, the flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment highly distinguished themselves at the capture of the fort of _Barrabatta_ by storm, when they led the assault, and took several of the enemy's colours. They had one man killed; Captain Harlston and eight soldiers wounded. The colours captured by the TWENTY-SECOND, with some others taken by the Ninth and Nineteenth Native Infantry, were publicly displayed at Calcutta, and afterwards lodged at Fort William, with an inscription of the names of the corps by which taken.

[Sidenote: 1804]

The flank companies of the regiment remained in the field, and the splendid successes of the British arms appeared likely to bring about a speedy termination of the war; but hostilities were protracted by the defection of the Rajah of Bhurtpore. The flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND joined the army under Lord Lake: they had two men killed and three wounded at the capture of _Deeg_, in December, and were engaged in the attempt to bring the refractory Rajah Sing to submission by the siege of the strong fortress of Bhurtpore.

[Sidenote: 1805]

In the meantime, the regiment had commenced its march from Fort William, for the Upper provinces, and in January, 1805, it halted and encamped at Benares; but resumed its march in February, and proceeded to Cawnpore.

The siege of _Bhurtpore_ was carried on, and the flank companies were engaged in the unsuccessful attempt to capture that place by storm on the 9th of January, when they had eleven men killed and twenty-four wounded. They were also engaged in the desperate attempt to capture the place by storm, on the 21st of January, when they had Captain Menzies and four men killed; Captains Lindsay and McNight, Lieutenants Mansergh, Sweetman, and Caswell, and thirty-one non-commissioned officers and soldiers, wounded. At the third unsuccessful attack, on the 21st of February, they had two serjeants and three soldiers killed; three serjeants and four soldiers wounded.

Serjeant John Ship, of the regiment, led the forlorn hope on each occasion, and his gallant conduct was rewarded with the commission of ensign in the Sixty-fifth regiment.

Rajah Sing submitted, and concluded a treaty of peace with the British: the army withdrew from Bhurtpore, and the surviving officers and soldiers of the flank companies joined the regiment at Cawnpore, in June.

Holkar continued his resistance to the British authority, and Scindia evinced a disposition to renew hostilities. These events occasioned the regiment to quit Cawnpore, in October, to pursue the army of Holkar, who was driven from place to place, until the British troops arrived at the banks of the Hyphasis, or Sutlej, where he submitted, and a treaty of peace was concluded in December. Scindia also concluded a second treaty, and the British power and influence in India were thus augmented and consolidated.

[Sidenote: 1806]

From the banks of the Sutlej, the regiment marched to Delhi, where it arrived in February, 1806, and in March it was removed to Muttra, where it received the thanks of General Lord Lake, and of the Governor-General in Council, for its conduct during the war.

On the 30th of October, General Simcoe, who died in 1806, was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-General Sir James Henry Craig, from the Eighty-sixth foot.

[Sidenote: 1807]

Leaving Muttra in July, 1807, the regiment proceeded to Berhampore, where it arrived on the 7th of August.

[Sidenote: 1809]

Major-General the Honorable Edward Finch was appointed colonel of the regiment on the 18th of September, 1809, from the Fifty-fourth foot, in succession to Sir James Henry Craig, K.B., removed to the Seventy-eighth Highlanders.

[Sidenote: 1810]

The regiment remained at Berhampore until August, 1810, when it embarked in boats, and proceeded to Fort William, in order to form part of the expedition against the _Mauritius_, under Major-General the Honorable J. Abercromby. A landing was effected in the bay of Mapou, on the 29th of November, without opposition, and on the following day the troops advanced towards the capital; being exposed to severe heat, and unable to procure water, the soldiers became exhausted, and arriving at the powder-mills, five miles from Port Louis, they halted near the stream. Resuming the march on the 1st of December, the troops were opposed by the enemy in force, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND took part and had several men wounded. The French were driven from their ground, and they fell back upon Port Louis; the British took post in front of the position occupied by the French. Being unable to withstand the valour and discipline of the invading army, the governor, General de Caen, surrendered the island to the British arms.

[Sidenote: 1811]

After the capture of the Mauritius, the regiment was stationed a short time at that island, and in January it sent a detachment of five officers and seventy men to Tamatave, in the Island of Madagascar. In March and April the regiment was removed to the island of Bourbon, where it was joined by the survivors of the detachment from Madagascar, reduced in number, by disease, to two officers and twenty-five men: they had been made prisoners by the enemy, and re-captured by the British ships of war.

[Sidenote: 1812]

[Sidenote: 1813]

In July, 1812, the regiment returned to the Mauritius; but again proceeded to Bourbon, in August, and was removed to the Mauritius a second time in May, 1813.

[Sidenote: 1814]

[Sidenote: 1815]

A number of men having volunteered from the militia to the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent was pleased to approve of a _second battalion_ being formed, and it was placed on the establishment of the army on the 10th of February, 1814. The war in Europe being terminated soon afterwards, by the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne of France, the second battalion was disbanded at Chester, on the 24th of October, transferring the men fit for duty to the first battalion, which they joined at the Mauritius, in April, 1815, in so good a state, as to be specially noticed in general orders, and Captain Thomas Poole, commanding the party, received the thanks of the governor.

On the 1st of June, 1815, the rifle company of the first battalion of the Twelfth regiment, together with the first battalion of the Eighty-seventh regiment, and the flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, were formed into a field brigade, and on the 16th of June embarked from the Mauritius to join the army in Bengal. The troops arrived at Bengal on the 2nd and 3rd of August; re-embarked on the 23rd of September, and landed at the Mauritius on the 14th of November, 1815. The light company of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, while on passage to Bengal, was wrecked in the Straits between Ceylon and the opposite continent. The conduct of the flank companies, while in India, was highly commended in general orders issued before they embarked from Fort William,--on their return to the Mauritius.

While the flank companies were thus employed, the remainder of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment was placed under canvas at Pamplemousse, seven miles from Port Louis, as it was suffering severely from a prevailing disease at the Mauritius. There being but a small force left on the island, and this reduced in numbers and efficiency by disease, a meditated insurrection had nearly attained an outbreak, but for timely information.

[Sidenote: 1819]

The regiment occupied various stations at the Mauritius, under the command of Colonel Dalrymple, until July, 1819, when it embarked for England. Previous to quitting the island it was inspected by Major-General Ralph Darling, who expressed, in general orders, his admiration of its appearance, and of its excellent conduct while serving under his command.

Though the TWENTY-SECOND had participated in the capture of the Mauritius, the French inhabitants of the island presented a large and handsome gold snuff-box to the regiment on its embarkation for England, bearing this inscription, "_Aux Officiers du 22 Régiment de S. M.--Souvenir des Habitans de l'île Maurice_; 1819;" thus testifying their good feeling, and appreciation of the orderly and soldierlike conduct of the corps during its service of nine years in the colony.

After landing at Gosport, in November and December, the regiment marched to Northampton, under the orders of Colonel Sir Hugh Gough, K.C.B.

[Sidenote: 1821]

In the Autumn of 1821 the regiment marched to Liverpool, where it embarked on the 9th of October, for Ireland. Having landed at Dublin on the 10th of October, the regiment marched to Buttevant, with detachments at Mallow, Bantyre, Charleville, Newmarket, and Ballyclough.

Some changes of quarters afterwards took place in consequence of the riotous and violent proceedings of the misguided peasantry at this part of the country, and the disposition evinced to violate the law.

[Sidenote: 1822]

On the evening of the 25th of January, 1822, three thousand men assembled with such arms as they could procure, for an attack on Newmarket; and they were repulsed, with severe loss, by thirty men of the regiment, under Captain Thomas Keappock and Lieutenant Samuel Green, who received the expression of the approbation of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, and were presented with a silver cup, by the noblemen, gentlemen, and inhabitants of the town and vicinity of Newmarket,--"In testimony of the high sense entertained of their gallant conduct in attacking and defeating an armed body of three thousand insurgents, with thirty men."

A reinforcement was sent to Newmarket, and the regiment performed many marches, and much extra duty, in consequence of the disturbed state of the country.

[Sidenote: 1823]

[Sidenote: 1824]

The head-quarters of the regiment were stationed at Buttevant during the year 1823, and the first nine months of 1824; and the state of the regiment was repeatedly commended in orders by the General Officers who made the half-yearly inspections.

[Sidenote: 1826]

In October, 1824, the regiment marched to Dublin; it was subsequently stationed in Galway, and in the summer of 1826 it was divided into six service and four depôt companies, in order that the former might proceed on foreign service.

The service companies embarked from Cork in November and December, in three divisions, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Taylor, Major James Steuart, and Captain Thomas Poole, and the last division arrived at the island of Jamaica in February, 1827.

[Sidenote: 1827]

The service companies suffered severely from the effects of the climate of Jamaica; in September and October, 1827, they lost three officers, seventeen serjeants, and one hundred and twenty men, from fever; the total loss during the first year was Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Taylor, Major James Steuart, Captain William Norton, Lieutenant Edward Gordon, Ensign E. T. Evans, Paymaster R. Barlow, Adjutant William Potenger, and one hundred and seventy-two non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

[Sidenote: 1828]

[Sidenote: 1829]

In the following year the losses were much less numerous; and in April, 1829, Lieut.-Colonel C. G. Falconar arrived and assumed the command. In June of the same year, the regiment received the thanks of the civil authorities for the prompt assistance rendered in extinguishing an alarming fire in the vicinity of Spanish Town.

[Sidenote: 1830]

On the 7th of June, 1830, the depôt companies embarked from Cork for South Britain, where they were stationed until the summer of 1836, when they embarked from Liverpool for Ireland, and landed at Dublin.

[Sidenote: 1831]

The regiment was employed in suppressing a formidable insurrection among the slaves in Jamaica in the winter of 1831-2; the two flank companies were encamped on the scene of the insurrection in the following winter, and when the regiment left Falmouth, in Jamaica, in the latter part of the year 1833, the thanks of the custos and magistrates were awarded to the corps for its good conduct.[8]

[Sidenote: 1837]

The service companies performed duty at the island of Jamaica until the beginning of 1837, when they commenced embarking for Europe, and landed at Cork in March and April; they were afterwards joined by the depôt companies.

[Sidenote: 1838]

[Sidenote: 1839]

[Sidenote: 1840]

The regiment remained in Ireland during the years 1838 and 1839; and embarking from Dublin on the 19th of December, 1840, landed at Liverpool on the 21st of that month.

[Sidenote: 1841]

The TWENTY-SECOND regiment, having been selected to proceed to India, embarked from Gravesend in January, 1841, and landed at Bombay in May following. It afterwards proceeded to Poonah, where an encampment was formed, and the regiment was stationed there during the remainder of the year.

[Sidenote: 1842]

In the following year the regiment quitted the camp at Poonah by divisions, and proceeding to the country of Scinde, was encamped some time near Kurrachee. The regiment was encamped in two separate divisions at Kurrachee, as cholera had broken out violently in its ranks, from which it suffered severely, and during its prevalence a field-officer's detachment, under Major Poole, consisting of two companies, was ordered to proceed by the Indus, in the month of April, 1842, to Sukkur, in Upper Scinde, previously to the withdrawal of the British force from Beloochistan.

The navigation of the Indus had been acquired by the British in 1839, and application was made to the Ameers, who governed the country, for a portion of land on the banks of the river. This they agreed to give; but at the same time meditated the destruction of the British power in the country by treachery. The TWENTY-SECOND quitted the camp at Kurrachee in November, and proceeded up the country.

[Sidenote: 1843]

The regiment formed part of the force assembled under Major-General Sir Charles Napier, and was employed in the destruction of the fort of _Emaum Ghur_, in the desert, on the 14th and 15th of January, 1843.

Major-General W. F. P. Napier, in his work entitled "_The Conquest of Scinde_," has given, with his characteristic eloquence, the following spirited description of the march to _Emaum Ghur_, a march which His Grace the Duke of Wellington described in the House of Lords, "_as one of the most curious military feats he had ever known to be performed, or had ever perused an account of in his life. Sir Charles Napier_ (added His Grace) _moved his troops through the desert against hostile forces; he had his guns transported under circumstances of extreme difficulty, and in a manner the most extraordinary; and he cut off a retreat of the enemy which rendered it impossible for them ever to regain their positions_."

"It was a wild and singular country, the wilderness through which they (the Anglo-Indian troops) were passing. The sand-hills stretched north and south for hundreds of miles in parallel ridges, rounded at top, and most symmetrically plaited, like the ripple on the sea-shore after a placid tide. Varying in their heights, their breadth and steepness, they presented one uniform surface, but while some were only a mile broad, others were more than ten miles across; some were of gentle slopes and low, others lofty, and so steep that the howitzers could only be dragged up by men. The sand was mingled with shells, and ran in great streams resembling numerous rivers, skirted on each side by parallel streaks of soil, which nourished jungle, yet thinly and scattered. The tracks of the hyena and wild boar, and the prints of small deer's footsteps, were sometimes seen at first, but they soon disappeared, and then the solitude of the waste was unbroken.

"For eight days these intrepid soldiers traversed this gloomy region, living from hand to mouth, uncertain each morning if water could be found in the evening; and many times it was not found. They were not even sure of their right course; yet with fiery valour and untiring strength, they continued their dreary dangerous way. The camels found very little food, and got weak, but the stout infantry helped to drag the heavy howitzers up the sandy steeps; and all the troops, despising the danger of an attack from the Beloochees, worked with a power and will that overcame every obstacle. On the eighth day they reached _Emaum Ghur_, eager to strike and storm, and then was seen how truly laid down is Napoleon's great maxim, that moral force is in war to physical force, as four to one. Mahomed Khan, with a strong fortress well provided, and having a garrison six times as numerous as the band coming to assail him, had fled with his treasure two days before; taking a southerly direction, he regained the Indus by tracks with which his people were well acquainted, leaving all his stores of grain and powder behind."

As Emaum Ghur could only serve as a stronghold in which the Beloochees might be able to resist British supremacy, Major-General Sir Charles Napier determined upon destroying the fortress. It was a place of great strength, and was constructed of unburnt bricks, into which the shot easily penetrates, but brings nothing down, so that recourse was had to mining. The place was full of gunpowder and grain, and the former was employed in blowing up the fortress, which was effected on the 15th of January.

After this difficult and harassing service, the troops returned triumphant on the 23rd of January, to Peer-Abu-Bekr, where Major-General Sir Charles Napier reunited his whole army. It is to be observed that the march was performed without the loss of a man, or without even a sick soldier, and the Ameers' troops were dispersed, and their plan of campaign frustrated.

A treaty of peace was signed by the Ameers on the 14th of February: directions were sent to the British political resident, Major Outram, by the Ameers, to quit _Hyderabad_, the capital, and before this was complied with, _eight thousand_ Beloochees, commanded by several Ameers in person, attempted to force an entrance into the enclosure of the British residency. The light company of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, mustering _one hundred_ men, under Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenant F. P. Harding, and Ensign R. Pennefather, was the only force at the residency, the enclosure of which was surrounded by a wall from four to five feet high. The gallant officers and soldiers of this company kept the eight thousand Scindian troops, with six pieces of artillery, at bay nearly four hours; and when their ammunition was nearly expended, they retreated to the river, with Major Outram, and embarking on board of two steam-vessels, joined the troops under Major-General Sir Charles Napier, at Hala. The light company had two men killed and four wounded on this occasion.

The Ameers having thus commenced hostilities, assembled a numerous force to destroy the few British troops in the country. Major-General Sir Charles Napier, trusting to the valour of the troops under his orders, advanced to meet the enemy. On the 17th of February, _twenty-two thousand_ Scindian troops were discovered in position behind the bank of a river at _Meeanee_. The British, mustering _two thousand eight hundred_ men, advanced in _echelon_ of regiments to attack their numerous opponents, and the TWENTY-SECOND, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, had the honor to lead the attack. A numerous body of Beloochees discharged their matchlocks and pistols at the TWENTY-SECOND, and then rushed forward sword in hand to close upon the British line; but these bold and skilful swordsmen went down under the superior power of the musket and bayonet.

After a severe contest the Scindian army was defeated, and, on the day following the victory, six of the Ameers delivered their swords to the British General upon the field of battle. The Beloochees lost five thousand men, and all their guns, ammunition, and treasure were taken, together with their camp and standards. On the 20th of February, the British colours waved in triumph over the fortress of _Hyderabad_.

In Major-General Napier's admirable work on "_The Conquest of Scinde_," is given the following spirited and picturesque description of the battle of MEEANEE:--

"The Ameers' right was found to be strengthened and covered by the village of Kattree, which was filled with men; that flank offered no weak point. But in the Shikargah on their left the General instantly detected a flaw. It has been before said this Shikargah was covered by a wall, having only one opening, not very wide, through which it was evident the Beloochees meant to pour out on the flank and rear of the advancing British line. The General rode near this wall, and found it was nine or ten feet high; he rode nearer, and marked it had no loop-holes for the enemy to shoot through; he rode into the opening under a play of matchlocks, and, looking behind the wall, saw there was no scaffolding to enable the Beloochees to fire over the top. Then the inspiration of genius came to the aid of heroism. Taking a company of the TWENTY-SECOND, he thrust them at once into the opening, telling their brave Captain, Tew, that he was to block up that entrance; to die there, if it must be,--never to give way! And well did the gallant fellow obey his orders: he died there, but the opening was defended. The great disparity of numbers was thus abated, and the action of six thousand men paralysed by the more skilful action of only eighty! It was, on a smaller scale as to numbers, a stroke of generalship like that which won Blenheim for the Duke of Marlborough.

FOR CANNON'S MILITARY RECORDS.

_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand._]

"Now the advancing troops, in echelon of regiments, approached the enemy's front. The British right passed securely under the wall of the Shikargah, cheered and elated as they moved by the rattling sound of Tew's musketry. * * * * Meanwhile the dead level of the plain was swept by the Beloochee cannon and matchlocks, which were answered from time to time by Lloyd's batteries, yet not frequently, for rapidly and eagerly did the troops press forward to close with their unseen foes. When the TWENTY-SECOND had got within a hundred yards of the high sloping bank of the Fulaillee, they threw their fire at the top of the bank, where the heads of the Beloochees could be just seen, bending with fiery glances over the levelled matchlocks, and the voice of the General, shrill and clear, was heard along the line, commanding the charge.

"Then rose the British shout; the English guns were run forward into position, the infantry closed upon the Fulaillee with a run, and rushed up the sloping bank. The Beloochees, having their matchlocks laid ready in rest along the summit, waited until the assailants were within fifteen yards ere their volley was delivered; the rapid pace of the British, and the steepness of the slope on the inside, deceived their aim, and the execution was not great; the next moment the TWENTY-SECOND were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear down all before them, but they staggered back in amazement at the forest of swords waving in their front! Thick as standing corn, and gorgeous as a field of flowers, stood the Beloochees in their many-coloured garments and turbans; they filled the broad deep bed of the Fulaillee, they clustered on both banks, and covered the plain beyond. Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they shook their sharp swords, beaming in the sun, their shouts rolled like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures they rushed forwards, and full against the front of the TWENTY-SECOND dashed with demoniac strength and ferocity. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong, the Irish soldiers met them with that queen of weapons the musket, and sent their foremost masses rolling back in blood."

The following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles Napier testify the part borne by the TWENTY-SECOND in the victory of MEEANEE:--

"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded as with the high courage of a soldier he led his regiment (TWENTY-SECOND) up the desperate bank of the Fulaillee. Major Wyllie, Captains Tucker and Conway, Lieutenants Harding and Phayre, were all wounded, while gloriously animating their men to sustain the shock of numbers."

"Captains Meade, Tew, and Cookson, with Lieutenant Wood, all fell honorably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour.

"Major Poole, of the TWENTY-SECOND, and Captain Jackson of the Twenty-fifth native infantry, who succeeded to the command of those regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts.

"The Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, had his horse killed, and, while on foot leading some soldiers in a desperate dash down the enemy's side of the bank, he cut down a Chieftain. He has greatly assisted me by his activity and zeal during the whole of our operations.

"Innumerable are the individual acts of intrepidity which took place between our soldiers and their opponents, too numerous for detail in this despatch, yet well meriting a record."

In the NOTIFICATION of the Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, it was directed,

"That the unserviceable guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent to Bombay, and there cast into a triumphal column, whereon shall be inscribed in the English, and two native languages, the names of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., and of the several officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, and likewise the names of the several officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may be for ever recorded of those who, at MEEANEE, obtained for themselves that glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier."

Major Poole, commanding the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, in consequence of Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather having been severely wounded, stated in his report, respecting the soldiers of the regiment under his command, who had distinguished themselves in the battle of Meeanee, "that the officers generally assert that they feel difficulty in making selections, where the conduct of every man of their companies was so satisfactory. In so general a field of action and persevering exertion, I equally feel at a loss where to draw a distinction; but it may be proper to mention the names of Private James O'Neill, of the light company, who took a standard whilst we were actively engaged with the enemy, and drummer Martin Delaney, who shot, bayoneted, and captured the arms of Meer Whullee Mahomed Khan, who was mounted, and directing the enemy in the hottest part of the engagement."

The loss of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment at the battle of Meeanee was, Captain J. McLeod Tew,[9] one serjeant, and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. McMurdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one serjeant, one corporal, and fifty privates wounded.

The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the Chiefs who continued to resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere Mahomed. The British advanced from _Hyderabad_ at daybreak on the morning of the 24th of March, and about half-past eight o'clock twenty thousand Scindian troops were discovered in order of battle behind a nullah. Arrangements were immediately made for commencing the action, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment led the attack in gallant style. Major John Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. George the regiment, and, stimulated by the heroic example of these officers, the TWENTY-SECOND advanced steadily against the enemy's left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot, until they arrived within forty paces of the entrenchment, when they stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees with that determined bravery which has ever distinguished British soldiers. Lieutenant Henry J. Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of the enemy's standards, and was severely wounded while in the act of waving it, and cheering on his men; Lieutenant C. T. Powell seized another standard; and the soldiers, being encouraged by the gallant example of their officers, displayed that heroism which adorns the British military character. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. McCartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson and J. Oakley, shot the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, and made five prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured standards; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, and took from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.

Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, "The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's TWENTY-SECOND regiment.

"Of Lieutenant McMurdo's abilities as Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, I cannot speak too highly; and regret to say, he has received a sabre wound from a Beloochee, the third that he cut down in single combat during the day.

"To the commanders of brigades and regiments, and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under their command, I have to return my thanks for their valiant bearing in the action."

The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert.[10] Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Thomas Chute, Henry J. Coote, H. A. G. Evans, and John Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six serjeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad, the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur in Upper Scinde.

As a mark of Royal approbation for these victories, Her Majesty, on the 4th of July, 1843, was pleased to appoint Major-General Sir Charles James Napier a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather,[11] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, Brevet Majors Frederick George, and Thomas Conway, were also nominated Companions of the Bath, and their brevet rank was dated from the above period.

Her Majesty was also graciously pleased to command that a medal should be conferred upon the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers engaged in the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.

On the 18th of August, 1843, the TWENTY-SECOND received the Royal authority to bear upon the regimental or second colour, and on the appointments, the word "SCINDE," in commemoration of its distinguished gallantry in the campaign against the Ameers of that country, during the early part of the year 1843.

Her Majesty, on the 2nd of July, 1844, conferred increased honor on the TWENTY-SECOND, by authorising the corps to bear on the regimental colour and appointments, in addition to the word "SCINDE," the words "MEEANEE" and "HYDERABAD," in commemoration of the distinguished gallantry displayed in the general engagements fought at those places respectively, on the 17th of February, and 24th of March, 1843.

On the 12th of February, 1844, the thanks of Parliament were voted to Major-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., and to the troops under his command, "_for the eminent skill, energy, and gallantry, displayed by him in the recent military operations in_ SCINDE, _particularly in the two decisive battles of_ MEEANEE _and_ HYDERABAD;" to the several officers serving under Sir Charles Napier, "_for their unwearied zeal and conspicuous gallantry_;" and to the troops, "_for their brave and meritorious conduct_."

Major-General Sir Charles Napier, on presenting the regiments at Kurrachee with the Medals conferred on them for their gallantry in this campaign, addressed the soldiers as follows:--

"Soldiers! the Battle of _Meeanee_ is among those of which history will speak as proving the superiority of _discipline_ over numbers; and it is well, Soldiers! that we should dwell upon these things; that we may understand how Medals are won, and why they are bestowed.

"Had we been without discipline, valour alone would not have won the victories of _Meeanee_ and _Hyderabad_! Valour is like the _Strength_ of a man, Discipline is like his _Mind_, that directs his strength to effective exertion. If two pugilists have a boxing-match, and one strikes at random, while the other boxes with science, planting every blow home, we know how the fight must be soon decided. So it is with two armies,--the one disciplined, the other without discipline. The General of the disciplined Army directs his columns upon that part of the enemy's position which he deems to be the weakest; as the mind of the boxer directs his blow against the opening offered by his unskilful enemy. But this is not all,--obedience to orders (which is discipline) enables us to bring up all the necessary provisions of war to the day and to the hour; thus food and ammunition are at hand to support the blow of battle, just as the shoulder and the body are thrown forward to support and give vigour to the blow of the pugilist. But not only is valour useless without discipline, but it is even dangerous; for without discipline the rashly brave would run heedlessly against the enemy, the cautious would seek 'vantage ground, and the timid would retreat. Thus the Army would be scattered: but when an Army is disciplined, the ponderous charges of Cavalry, the steady tramp of the advancing Infantry, preparing to charge with a mighty shout, and the rolling thunder of Artillery pouring forth its iron shower, all combine simultaneously to strike and overthrow the enemy. Thus, Soldiers, are Medals won, more by discipline than by any extraordinary efforts of individual courage. To reward this obedience medals are bestowed, so that every man who wears this honoured badge is known to the world as one who, in the midst of the noise, the danger, and confusion of battle, had obeyed orders, and performed the three great duties of a Soldier--first, not to fire without orders; next, when he does fire, to level low, so as to make sure of striking down an enemy; thirdly, to keep his rank and dress upon his colours. The Medal tells the world that he has bravely done these things, and no man can walk with one of these Medals on his breast without feeling the conscious pride of an intrepid Soldier! His caste may be high caste, or it may be low caste, but the Soldier, who bears on his breast a medal won in battle, is above all the castes in the world. The pleasure of giving you these Medals, Soldiers of the 12th Regiment (Native Infantry), is indeed great to me. I saw your valiant conduct, and I rejoice in distributing the reward which you honorably earned, and my satisfaction is increased by the presence of so large a body of Europeans, for it affords me an opportunity of saying to my countrymen that they will find these swarthy warriors of the East staunch and true in action as they were at Meeanee and Hyderabad, when they followed the example set them by the glorious TWENTY-SECOND regiment. They will fight to the last drop of their blood, and stand or fall by the side of their European comrades. If the Almighty so wills it, that in these eventful times, War should again arise, and that I am once more permitted to lead an Army into the field, I should go into action with perfect confidence in the courage of the Native Troops. I speak of what I know of their gallantry, not from what I hear, but from what I have seen, and from my own knowledge, of their daring courage.

"Here I must address myself in a more direct manner to the Officers now before me, and in justice to them say, that their conduct, and the conduct of all the British Officers in these two battles, was very noble. For several hours the two lines were fighting close to each other, and as I cast my eye along the field, I everywhere saw the British Officers display their worthiness as Military leaders, and with unflinching intrepidity animating their Soldiers to battle! To them, therefore, I will now first distribute these honorable decorations."

The Governor then dismounted, and advancing to the line of officers of several regiments, and who had not before received their medals, his Excellency presented each with the Medal,--the bands playing "God save the Queen."

On giving that which belonged to Lieutenant Marston, of the 25th N. I., the General observed,--"But for you, Marston, I probably should not have had this pleasure;" alluding to this Officer having intrepidly thrown himself in front of his General when attacked by a Beloochee Chief, whom the Lieutenant cut down ere he could reach the General.