Chapter IV: Part 4

The 28th, after gallantly standing its ground under a furious cannonade, was suddenly, and on three different sides, assailed by French cavalry. Two faces of the square were charged by the lancers, while the cuirassiers galloped down upon another. It was, as Maxwell states, a trying moment. "There was a death-like silence; and one voice alone, clear and calm, was heard. It was their colonel's (Sir Philip Benson), who called upon them to be 'steady!' On came the enemy! The earth shook beneath the horsemen's feet, while on every side of the devoted band the corn bending beneath the rush of cavalry disclosed their numerous assailants. The lance-blades approached the bayonets of the kneeling front rank--the cuirassiers were within forty paces--yet not a trigger was drawn; but, when the word 'Fire!' thundered from the colonel's lips, each face poured out its deadly volley--and in a moment the leading files of the French lay before the square, as if hurled by a thunderbolt to the earth. The assailants, broken and dispersed, galloped for shelter to the tall rye, while a stream of musketry from the British square carried death into the retreating squadrons."

=42nd and French Lancers.=--The 42nd were not so fortunate, although their difficulty gave them the opportunity of again demonstrating the stern stuff of which they were moulded. The 42nd and 44th, the two foremost regiments posted in line on a reverse slope on the top of the Charleroi road, were suddenly and unexpectedly attacked in the rear by the French lancers under Wathier. The 42nd had almost formed square in the tall rye grass, all but the two flank companies having run in to form the rear face, when the leading squadron of lancers drove in the incompleted square, carrying along with it, by the impetus of their charge, several men of these two companies, and by spearing a number created considerable confusion, during which those who had been detached in the _mêlée_ fought back to back until the fire of their comrades drove off the cavalry, and enabled them to rejoin the ranks, where the body of the Black Watch, coolly standing firm, gradually closed up its faces, and bayoneted the daring lancers who had penetrated their square. These brave fellows, however, died hard; they killed the commanding officer, Sir Robert Macara, and wounded the three officers upon whom the command had devolved in the space of a few moments. The 42nd lost at Quatre Bras 298 officers and men killed and wounded.

The 44th were still more unfortunate, for, like the 42nd, they had found a difficulty in forming up in the corn, which was up to their shoulders, and having less time faced their ranks about and waited for the French lancers to get in close before firing a volley. The foremost went down, but those lancers were veterans who did not easily pale before the leaden storm, and individual troopers dashed on; they were, however, repulsed by the rear of the 44th, and galloped away eastward under a fire from the left company of the line. As a result of the cavalry attacks the 42nd and 44th were so reduced in numbers that at 5 p.m., when the first main attack had concluded, the remnants of the two regiments formed in a single square. Pack's Brigade, formed of the 42nd, 44th, 92nd, and 95th, lost in this strenuous engagement 800 out of 2,000 men.

The next cavalry charge fell upon Halkett's division, from which, in response to an appeal from Pack, whose men were out of ammunition, the 69th Regiment had been dispatched to assist. The 69th were later ordered by Halkett's aide-de-camp to form square to receive the advance of Kellerman's cavalry, which had trotted in from Charleroi, but the Prince of Orange unwisely countermanding the order, Kellerman and Guiton, leading the 8th Cuirassiers, passed round the flank of the 42nd and 44th square, and charging the unfortunate 69th in line, completely rolled them up; and within a few moments, of the 580 composing the 69th, 150 were dead or dying. During this unfortunate episode, Mr. Clarke, a volunteer, fought with remarkable desperation, killing three cuirassiers and preserving the colours he was carrying, although he had received twenty-six sabre cuts. Kellerman's success was short-lived, for the British artillery fire had begun to play havoc with his cavalry, while the fierce charge of the squadrons of cuirassiers upon the square of the 28th was repelled by deadly discharges of musketry, and the French cavalry were compelled to flee, and in their wild course, 2 miles from the field, they swept 2,000 dismounted horsemen into the stampede. Another incident should be recorded: the 92nd, having repulsed an attack of cavalry and infantry in an advanced movement, were retiring to the wood, when a French column halted and fired upon the Highlanders; already assailed by a superior force, this notwithstanding they held their ground until relieved by a regiment of the Guards, when they retired to their original position, but not before the regiment had lost 28 officers and nearly 300 men.

=Losses at Quatre Bras.=--Night compelled the cessation of hostilities, as at Ligny, and the French, having retired to their position held in the morning, left the British in possession of Gemioncourt and the southern end of the Bois de Bossu. The allied army lost at Quatre Bras 3,750 men, and of these 327 killed and 2,156 wounded were British; the French losses were at least 4,500. All those who took part in this battle, where the bull-dog tenacity of the British soldier was shown at its best, were awarded the Waterloo medal. In his dispatch Wellington stated, "I must particularly mention the 28th, 42nd, 79th, and 92nd regiments and the battalion of the Hanoverians." In addition to these the following British regiments were present at Quatre Bras: 2nd and 3rd Batts. 1st Foot Guards; Royal Scots; 32nd, 33rd, 44th, 69th, and 95th Regiments.

WATERLOO

After Quatre Bras Marshal Ney fell back upon Frasnes, and the wearied British, with their allies, piled arms, lighted their camp fires, and laid down to rest upon the field which they had so hardly held. The Prussians, after an intensely obstinate struggle, had been forced to retire to Ligny, when Blucher determined to unite with his 4th Corps and concentrate on Wavre. Wellington, recognising the importance of keeping in communication with the Prussian General, decided to fall back upon a position fronting the village of Waterloo, which, by the way, had already been selected by the British commanders as a suitable battleground. In retiring from Quatre Bras, the British cavalry were attacked by the French, and the 7th Hussars and squadrons of the 11th and 23rd Light Dragoons charged without success. The Life Guards, however, under Lord Uxbridge, compelled the enemy to retreat, and the British were allowed to quietly take up their position, which they did in decidedly inclement weather, rain falling heavily most of the day, and the night closing wild and stormy. Violent winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning added to the discomfort of the cheerless bivouac of the allies. The Duke of Wellington and his staff occupied the village of Waterloo, while Napoleon with his brother Jerome and his generals passed the night of the 17th in a farm-house half a league from the Château de Hougomont, which, in advance of the right centre of the British, was held by detachments of the Brigade of Guards and about 300 Nassau Riflemen. This was considered by Wellington to be the key to the position, and how well the Guards maintained it is a matter of glorious history. It is estimated that the allied forces numbered 74,400, and the French 90,000, when just before noon Joseph Bonaparte directed the 2nd Corps to advance against Hougomont. "The British batteries opened on the French masses as they debouched--their own guns covered their advance--and under the crashing fire of 200 pieces of artillery--a fitting overture for such a field--Waterloo opened, as it closed, magnificently."

=The Guards at Hougomont.=--The Nassau light troops were soon forced from the wood surrounding the Château by overwhelming numbers, and the enemy pressed on to the Château, but the vigorous and disconcerting fire of the Foot Guards arrested them while daring charges compelled the French to give up possession of part of the wood. They were not, however, to be denied, and with great determination repeatedly assaulted the Château. During one of these attacks so closely did they press that the Guards not only lost their position in the garden, but falling back rapidly on the main building could not securely close the gate of the yard, and a number of daring French soldiers entered; the fire of the defenders, however, followed by a courageous sortie from the Château forced the French from the yard, but only after a most gallant struggle between the combatants. Then Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir James) Macdonnell, with the assistance of Captain Wyndham, Ensigns Gooch and Hervey and Sergeant Graham of the Coldstream Guards, closed the gate, but not until, as Captain Siborne relates, the French soldiers had fallen "a sacrifice to their undaunted and conspicuous gallantry." Failing to take the Château by assault, the French artillery was turned upon the old building; soon the tower was in a blaze, and, the fire reaching the chapel, a number of wounded--friend and foe--perished in the flames, which strangely enough are stated to have ceased at the feet of a wooden image of Christ. But when the shades of evening fell, the Coldstreams and Scots Guards still held Hougomont, despite the repeated attacks of 30,000 men, and when the day had been decided it was found that in the sanguinary conflict which had raged so long around this advanced position 6,000 men had been killed. 1,500 were killed within half an hour in the four-acre orchard; 600 French fell in the attack on the Château and farm; 1,100 British were killed in the orchard and meadow; 400 near the farm-garden; 25 in the garden; and 2,000 of both armies behind the great orchard. Opposite the gate of the Château 300 British soldiers lie buried.

=The Death of Picton.=--The second attack was made by D'Erlon, with the whole of his corps, against the left and centre; fortune favoured them temporarily when they obtained possession of Papelotte and La Haye Sainte. In repelling this attack the gallant Picton fell. The 5th division, waiting until the heads of the enemy's columns were within 40 yards, delivered a terrible volley, which annihilated the leading sections and put the main body into confusion. Picton, seizing the opportunity, called upon the men to "Charge!" but the word had hardly thundered from his lips ere a bullet pierced his forehead, and he fell from his saddle mortally wounded. The loss of a commander frequently means defeat, but "as he fell he heard the Highland lament answered by the deep execrations of Erin, and while the Scotch slogan was returned by the Irish hurrah his fading sight saw his favourite division rush on with irresistible fury. The French column was annihilated, and 2,000 dead enemies told how desperately he had been avenged. This was probably the bloodiest struggle of the day; when the attack commenced--and it lasted not an hour--the 5th division exceeded 5,000 men; when it ended they reckoned scarcely 1,000!"

=Charge of the Union Brigade.=--Following this affair, the famous charge of the Union Brigade took place. Lord Anglesea, observing that the French lancers and cuirassiers were preparing to make a flank attack upon the British infantry, wheeled the Royals, Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys), and Enniskilleners into line, charged and overwhelmed the French cavalry, and falling upon the disorganised infantry completed the brilliant work of the 5th division. It was in this charge that Sergeant Ewart of the Scots Greys captured the Eagle of the 45th Regiment. The Eagle of the 105th Regiment was captured by Captain Clarke of the Royal Dragoons--securing the right for these regiments to wear the Eagle badge--and 2,000 men were taken prisoners. The impetuosity of the British Dragoons carried them into the rear of the French position, and they were driven back by the French horsemen, their brave leader, Sir William Ponsonby, being killed in the retirement. Meanwhile the incessant attacks which Napoleon commanded had played havoc with several of the British regiments, necessitating the bringing into action of Wellington's reserves--indeed, the position had become so serious that the left wing of the army, though only partially engaged, had suffered so severely that it could not afford to send assistance to the right or centre.

=Great Regimental Losses.=--The loss in individual regiments was awful. Four hundred men of the 27th were mowed down in square without drawing a trigger (their medals in fine condition have fetched as many pounds as the number of the regiment represents). The 92nd, reduced to 200 men, made a daring attack upon a French column 2,000 strong, and with the aid of their countrymen, the Scots Greys, routed it. The 33rd, reduced to a skeleton, asked for support, and the commanding officer was told to "stand or fall where he was," and of the 28th and 73rd it is related that Wellington asked, pointing to a mass of killed and wounded men of these regiments, "What square is that so far in advance!" But the impoverishment of the regiments by incessant attacks and murderous artillery could not break the indomitable tenacity of the British; in vain had Milhaud's Cuirassiers, forty squadrons strong, thrice attacked the British squares. In vain did the remnants of these valorous squadrons, assisted by Kellerman and Guyot--making a total of seventy-seven squadrons, make a desperate effort to pierce those stubborn and thinning squares of British infantry. In vain did Ney repeat his attack upon the centre, even though he annihilated what remained of the German Legion, which had with such admirable courage held the farm of La Haye Sainte, and broke the formation of the British troops, causing Wellington to ask the question relating to the 28th and 73rd. In vain did the ten battalions of the Imperial Guard, led by Marshal Ney, push their way up the slopes between Hougomont and La Haye Sainte, for the Foot Guards--with the 52nd, 71st, and 92nd Regiments--offered such a murderous reception that "the Guard turned and fled." No wonder Napoleon ejaculated, "_A present c'est fini--sauvons nous!_" for, Wellington ordering the whole line to advance, the weary, hungry, and even wounded soldiers rushed forward with a joyous cheer and forced the retreat, which, as the British leader, with the 42nd and 95th, threw himself on Ney's flank, and the allied cavalry charged the enemy's columns, became an utter rout.

=The Price of Victory.=--But the Old Guard, true to their traditions, made a last desperate stand in square against the British cavalry; it was desperate and grand, but ineffectual, and again they turned and fled, and "the finest army, for its numbers, that France had ever embattled in a field was utterly defeated, and the dynasty of that proud spirit for whom Europe was too little was ended." Over the terrible carnage which followed I must draw a veil, for the unrelenting animosity of the Prussians to the French led them to retaliate in a most vindictive manner, and thousands who had bravely fought and survived the day lived only to fall ignominiously under the revengeful sabre or thrust of Prussian lance. When Wellington recrossed the battlefield, where the destiny of Europe had been changed by the defeat of the greatest of the world's generals, he could have had little stomach for supper, for he had to pass over that 2 square miles of Belgian territory where 50,000 dead or wounded men and horses lay--the terrible price of victory.

The following British regiments were represented at Waterloo: 2 squadrons 1st and 2nd Life Guards; 2 squadrons Royal Horse Guards (Blue); 1st Dragoon Guards; 1st Royals,* 2nd Royal North British Dragoons* (Scots Greys); 6th Inniskilling Dragoons*; 12th, 13th, 16th Queen's and 23rd Light Dragoons; 7th, 10th Royal; 15th King's; 18th Hussars; 2nd and 3rd Batts. 1st Foot Guards (Grenadiers); 2nd Batt. 2nd Foot Guards (Coldstreams); 3rd Batt. 3rd Foot Guards (Scots Guards); 3rd Batt. 1st Royal Scots; 1st Batt. 4th; 3rd Batt. 14th; 1st Batt. 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers; 1st Batt. 27th Inniskilling;* 1st Batt. 28th (Gloucesters); 2nd Batt. 30th; 1st 32nd; 33rd; 1st Batt. 40th; 1st Batt. 42nd Black Watch*; 2nd Batt. 44th; 51st; 1st Batt. 52nd; 2nd Batt. 69th; 1st Batt. 71st Highland Light Infantry; 2nd Batt. 73rd Perthshires (2nd Batt. Black Watch); 1st Batt. 79th Cameron Highlanders; 1st Batt. 92nd Gordon Highlanders; 1st, 2nd, and Prov. Batts. 95th; 8 Troops Royal Horse Artillery; 6 Brigades Royal Artillery; Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers; Royal Foot Artillery; Royal Engineers; Royal Sappers and Miners; Royal Waggon Train; Field Train Department of the Ordnance; Royal Staff Corps; Commissariat Department; Ordnance Medical Department, and the following units of the King's German Legion: 1st and 2nd Light Dragoons; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Hussars; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Line Battalions, and 1st and 2nd Light Battalions: the total present being about 2,308 officers and 42,120 non-commissioned officers and men.

(See page 373.)]

The medals of those regiments marked * are particularly sought after by collectors. The Dragoons lost heavily in their brilliant charge, the Scots Greys having 106 officers and men killed and 97 wounded, and the "Enniskilleners" 86 officers and men killed, their Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, 4 subordinate officers and 101 sergeants and rank and file wounded. The 27th went into battle with 698 men, and of these 480 were placed _hors de combat_, while the 28th was reduced to four companies. The 42nd lost at Quatre Bras and Waterloo 51 killed and 247 wounded, the former including their Colonel and a Major who was mortally wounded, and the latter a Lieutenant-Colonel and a Major. The 92nd was reduced to less than 300 before 4 o'clock. The following regiments composing Sir Charles Colville's division, which was located at Halle owing to Wellington's belief that he might be attacked on his right flank, also received the medal, although not actually engaged in the conflict; 2nd Batt. 35th; 1st Batt. 54th; 2nd 59th and 1st Batt. 91st (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); likewise two Brigades of Artillery and the 6th Hanoverian Brigade.

=The British Waterloo Medal.=--When, on March 10th, 1816, it was decided to bestow upon every soldier, from Commander-in-Chief to drummer boy, the same type and quality of medal as a reward for services at Waterloo, the custom was established to grant a medal to all, irrespective of rank or occupation, who had given war service to his or her country. It was ten months after that auspicious day that there appeared in the _London Gazette_ the notification that "a medal shall be conferred upon every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier present on that memorable occasion," but be it noted "the ribbon issued with the medal shall never be worn but with the medal suspended to it."

=First Official War Medal.=--The first general official medal issued at the suggestion of the Duke of Wellington--who, however, strenuously opposed the grant of one for the Peninsular--was of silver, 1⅖ in. in diameter, bearing on the obverse the laureated head of the Prince Regent facing to the left, with the inscription GEORGE P. REGENT on either side of the head, and on the reverse a seated figure of Victory with wings outspread, holding in her right hand a palm branch, and in the left a sprig of olive; on a plain tablet is WATERLOO, and in the exergue JUNE 18. 1815, while above is the name of Wellington in Roman letters. As originally issued it had a large steel ring 1 in. wide, run through a steel clip, for suspension by a dark-crimson blue-edged ribbon 1½ in. wide (sometimes found 2 in. wide), as illustrated facing page 56. The clip, however, was not always secure, and as a result the possessors of the medal frequently had silver suspenders made according to their own taste, or that of the local jobbing jeweller, who did not always do justice to Wyon's classic medal, slight differences in which may be observed upon comparison, as the medals were not all struck from one die, and the die-sinker's art was not then mechanical. The names and regiments of the recipients were indented in large capital letters on the edge of the medal, the tops and bottoms of the letters almost touching the rims of the medal.

=Second General Award.=--This was the first general award of medals for 166 years, when Simon's medal was given to those engaged at Dunbar in 1650. However, the official war medal for all ranks is now an established institution, and, it is said, sometimes given with too free a hand. But the soldier has a substantial record of his services on the field of battle--not even now, to my mind, satisfactorily complete--and but a small recognition of his country's appreciation; while those interested in the traditions of our race, those who recognise that in the grim and terrible business of war the better part of man is frequently called forth, will find the means of collecting an interesting record of great deeds, and incidentally materialising the history of the epoch-making nineteenth century, and these dawning days of the twentieth, when we had hoped that the dark spectre of war might have been replaced by the radiating figure of peace. But the war drums still throb, the battle flags are still unfurled; and it is good, when duty has called, in the nerve-wracking suspense and in the loud clamour of war, that fortitude, loyalty, honour, and the love of fatherland have shone above the horrors, and made us proud of the men who wear on their breasts the badges of the brave.

=Continental Waterloo Medals.=--Several other medals were issued for Waterloo, notably the Hanover, Nassau, Saxe-Gotha, Altenburg, and Brunswick medals, also the Belgian silver star.

=Nassau Medal.=--Fredrich Duke of Nassau was the first to issue a medal for Waterloo--that was on December 23rd, 1815. It is a small silver medal 1⅒ in. in diameter, with a lug stamped with the medal, through which ribbon could be run for suspension. On the obverse is the bust of the Duke, and the inscription FRIEDRICH AUGUST HERZOG ZU NASSAU. Underneath the truncation are the letters I.L. On the reverse, to the left, is a standing figure of Victory, holding in her right hand a palm branch, while with the left she is represented placing a laurel wreath upon the brow of a Roman soldier; in the exergue is DEN 18 JUNI 1815, and round the figures DEN NASSAUISCHEN STREITERN BEY WATERLOO. The medal, issued unnamed, was suspended from a dark-blue ribbon with orange edges.

=Hanover Medal.=--The Hanover medal was struck by command of the Prince Regent of Great Britain. The order was given in December 1817, and was to the effect that surviving soldiers of his German dominions and the relatives of those who had fallen at Waterloo were eligible for the award. The medal is 1⅖ in. in diameter, and bears on the obverse the laureated head of the Prince Regent facing to the right, the truncation draped, and surrounded by the inscription GEORG. PRINZ. REGENT 1815. The reverse bears in the centre WATERLOO JUN. XVIII, flanked by laurel wreaths, with a small trophy consisting of a cuirass and flags above, and the whole encircled by the inscription HANOVERISCHER TAPFERKEIT. The medal was suspended from a steel clip and ring by means of a crimson and blue-edged ribbon, like that used for the British Waterloo.

=Brunswick Medal.=--The Prince Regent (as guardian of the minor Princes of Brunswick) was also responsible for the issue of a medal to the soldiers of Brunswick who were present in the engagements of June 16th, 17th and 18th, 1815. The order for the striking was given on June 11th, 1818, and the medals were struck from captured French cannon. On the obverse is the head of Duke Fredrich Wilhelm of Brunswick, who fell at Quatre Bras, and the inscription in German lettering FRIEDRICH WILHELM HERZOG; on the truncation of the bust is C. Häseler in script. On the reverse is a wreath of oak and laurel, encircling 1815, and the inscription in German lettering arranged round and divided by rosettes, Braunschweig Seinen Kriegern. Quatrebras und Waterloo (Brunswick to her Warriors. Quatre Bras and Waterloo). The medal, 1⁷⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, was suspended from a steel clip and ring by a 1½ in. yellow ribbon, with broad blue stripes equal to one quarter the width near the edge. The officers' medals were gilt, with the names indented on the edge.

=Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg Medal.=--In 1816 Duke Emilius Leopold Augustus decided to have a medal struck for presentation to the members of the Foreign Legion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg who had taken part in the campaigns of 1814-15. The medals were of bronze; those awarded to the officers were 1⅗ in. in diameter, gilt all over, and those given to the private soldiers 1¹³⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, parti-gilt, the Altenburg rose and ornamental border on the obverse being gilt, likewise the ducal crown and lettering on the reverse, which bears, in old German characters, IM KAMPFE FUER DAS RECHT (In the struggle for right), and round the edge, where the name of the recipient is usually placed, HERZOGTH GOTHA-VND-ALTENBVRG MDCCCXIV : MDCCCXV. The medal has a ball-shaped loop and ring for suspension from a dark-green ribbon 1 in. wide, with a border of black, through which gold is braided at intervals (see facing page 72).

=Belgian Star.=--A five-pointed star, with ring for suspension, was granted to the Belgian troops who were present at the battle of Waterloo. Like many continental medals of the period, it is very simple, having on the obverse 1813, and on the reverse 1815. It is not very coveted, owing to the uncertain conduct of the Belgian troops.

=Hanoverian Jubilee Medal.=--On the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Waterloo the inhabitants of Hanover presented a bronze medal to the survivors of the Hanoverian troops. On the obverse is the arms of Hanover, encircled with the inscription STADT HANOVER DEN SIEGERN VON WATERLOO 18 JUNI 1815, and on the reverse, within a laurel wreath, ZUR 50 JÄHRIGEN JUBELFEIER AM 18 JUNI 1865.

=French or St. Helena Medal.=--It was not until August 12th, 1857, that the survivors of that magnificent army of Frenchmen who followed _le petit Caporal_ in his campaigns from 1792 to 1815 received a medal commemorative of their devotion and gallantry. It was due to the Emperor Napoleon III that the old military and naval warriors received, what their great General and Emperor would wish for them, "marks of merit." The St. Helena medal is oval and of bronze, 1⅕ in. across. On the obverse is a beaded circle within laurel leaves, which frame the whole medal (see facing page 64), the laureated head of Napoleon facing to the right with the legend NAPOLEON I EMPEREUR. On the reverse, within a beaded circle, is the inscription A SES COMPAGNONS DE GLOIRE SA DERNIERE PENSEE STE. HELENE 5 MAI 1821 (To his companions in glory his last thought St. Helena 5 May 1821), and around CAMPAGNES DE 1792 A 1815, with a small five-pointed star beneath. As part of the medal, but standing above the oval, is the French Imperial Crown, through the terminal of which a ring runs for suspension from a green ribbon, 1½ in. wide, with narrow stripes of red.

NEPAUL

While the attention of Britain was necessarily riveted upon the Peninsula, both East and West, as we have seen, compelled her to keep the torch of battle burning, and I must therefore mention the campaign in Nepaul, for which the Honourable East India Company awarded a special medal. The order dated Fort William, March 20th, 1816, stated that the Government had decided to present silver medals to every native officer who had served within the hills, and to as many non-commissioned officers and privates as might be recommended for distinguished zeal or gallantry. The campaign was brought about owing to the Goorka tribes having adopted an aggressive policy, and refusing to vacate the districts of Bootwal and Sheoraj belonging to the H.E.I. Co., that had to be retaken by an armed force, and by an attack upon the British outposts at Rourah, which had been left in possession when the rainy season commenced. The operations, which followed the declaration of war made on November 1st, 1814, covered a frontier stretching 600 miles. In the early part of the campaign General Gillespie was killed while leading a body of 100 dismounted men of the 8th Dragoons against the small but well-defended fort of Kalunga. The back of the war was broken when, in March 1815, General Sir David Ochterlony resisted a furious assault of the Gōrkālis for two hours and then, boldly charging, forced them to fly in confusion. For his brilliant services General Ochterlony was made G.C.B., the first officer in the Indian Army to receive the honour. Ummur Singh, Rajah of Nepaul, after the surrender of his officers and men was compelled to submit, but a year elapsed before the treaty was ratified at Fort William. The regiments occupied in the campaign were: H.M.'s 14th (the 14th did not, however, receive the medal, as they had not served in the field), 17th, 24th, 66th, a wing of the 67th, and 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers; a detachment of the 8th Light Dragoons, and the 20th and 25th Native Infantry.

=The H.E.I. Co.'s Nepaul Medal.=--The medal awarded by the Honourable East India Company was silver, 1¹⁹⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, and given to all ranks. On the obverse troops with fixed bayonets and colours flying are represented marching through a hilly country, the heights crowned with forts and stockades; in the foreground to the left is a field gun. On the reverse is a Persian inscription, "This medal is conferred by the Nawab Governor-General Bahadar in testimony of the energy, good service, skill, and intrepidity displayed during the campaign in the hills, in the years of the Hegira 1229 and 1230." It was worn suspended from a yellow silk cord, and, as it was only given to native soldiers for particularly distinguished conduct, is very uncommon.

When the "Army of India" medal was issued in 1851, those native soldiers who had not received the H.E.I. Co.'s medal were granted the new medal, with bar for NEPAUL (see facing page 56). The British regiments entitled to the medal with this bar were the 8th Light Dragoons; 17th, 24th, 26th, 66th, one wing of the 67th, 87th Regiments, and 20th and 25th Native Infantry. On November 5th, 1817, the Peishwa, Bajee Rao, who had again given evidence of his treachery, was defeated at the village of Kirkee by Lieutenant-Colonel Burr of the 7th Bombay Native Infantry, with the 65th Foot and a native force consisting of the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, and 23rd Bombay Native Infantry; Bombay Artillery, Field and Horse, and Pioneers; the Bombay Fusiliers (now 2nd Batt. Dublin Fusiliers); and Poona Horse. On November 17th Colonel Burr, together with Brigadier-General Lionel Smith commanding H.M.'s 65th British Regiment and the 2nd Grenadier Regiment of Native Infantry, captured the town of Poona. On the 26th of the same month a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Hopetoun Stratford Scott and Brigadier-General Doveton captured the camp of the Rajah of Berar, Apa Sahib, at Seetabuldee (£79 has been paid for a medal with the single bar for this engagement), outside the city of Nagpore, which, after a desperate defence by its garrison of 5,000 men, surrendered on New Year's day, 1818. Although eight companies of the Royal Scots were present at the battle of Seetabuldee, they were not awarded the bar for same when the Army of India medal was distributed. They were also present at the capture of Nagpore (400 medals were issued to officers and men, and 43 to Europeans in the H.E.I. Co.'s service) with the following native regiments: 1st, 2nd, 17th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 29th Madras Infantry and 6th Bengal Light Cavalry and 6th Madras Cavalry.

=Maheidpore.=--At Maheidpore, on December 21st, 1817, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Hislop defeated the Pindarees under the Mahratta Rajah, Mulhar Rao Holkar. The British troops present were two flank companies of the 1st or Royal Scots (12 medals only with this bar were presented to officers and men of this regiment), who were specially mentioned in the Commander-in-Chief's orders, and one squadron of the 22nd Light Dragoons. Only 26 clasps for this battle were issued to survivors of the 22nd. The native troops comprised 3rd, 14th, 27th, 28th, and 31st Madras Infantry; 1st Madras Fusiliers; 3rd and 4th Madras Light Cavalry.

Awarded to the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Auckland, G.C.B., P.C., Late Governor-General of India.]

=Corygaum.=--On January 1st, 1818, the village of Corygaum was most gallantly defended against the whole force of the Peishwa, and when the "Army of India" medal was issued the surviving soldiers of the 2nd Bombay Native Infantry and 2nd Poona Horse were given the medal, with bar for the defence. Dr. Payne had in his collection a medal awarded to G. Bainbridge of the 65th Foot, with the bar for POONA AND CORYGAUM, which, according to the medal roll, was inaccurate, but it appeared that the man was actually entitled to this rare distinction.

=Rare Medals.=--Ten medals only were issued with bars for POONA and CORYGAUM. For the latter battle only 8 medals were issued. Only 20 with the single bar for SEETABULDEE AND NAGPORE were issued to Europeans and 194 to natives. For KIRKEE AND POONA AND CORYGAUM 73 medals were issued. 16 medals with the bar for KIRKEE AND POONA were issued to officers and men of the 65th Regiment and 44 officers and men of the same regiment had the single bar for POONA. Medals with the bars for AVA and BHURTPOOR are rarely met with, or those for CHRYSTLER'S FARM and AVA to the 89th.

=Ceylon, 1818.=--In 1819 the Government of Ceylon issued a medal, 1½ in. in diameter, in connection with the Kandian rebellion of 1818. It bears on the obverse a wreath of bay and oak leaves, encircling CEYLON 1818, and on the reverse REWARD OF MERIT, the name of the recipient being engraved in the centre. A blue ribbon was used for suspension. Four men only of the 73rd Perthshire Regiment, two men of the 2nd and 39 of the 1st Ceylon Regiments were awarded the medal.

FIRST BURMESE WAR

In 1824 war was declared against Burmah, and the campaign opened by Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell taking possession of Rangoon on May 12th, and the capture by storm of Cheduba on May 17th, 1824. A series of assaults was made by the British, and feeble attacks by the Burmese, before Maha Bandoola, a veteran of considerable force and ability--having provided himself with gold fetters with which to bind Lord Amherst when he was captured--took command of a force of about 50,000 infantry and horsemen, with 300 pieces of artillery, and began to entrench himself in front of the British position. On December 1st Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Sale--who gallantly defended Jellalabad and was killed at Moodkee, December 1845--making a daring and vigorous attack upon the left of his line with 450 men of the 13th Light Infantry and 18th Native Infantry, compelled the Burmese to fly. On December 5th another effort was made against the left wing, and 240 guns were captured; this success was followed, on December 7th, by a determined assault upon the trenches, which resulted in the rout of Bandoola's army with the loss of 5,000 men. With indomitable pluck the Burmese general rallied his army and entrenched himself again; but when the assault was made, upon the 15th, by the British, the Burmese were forced from their position and put to rout in fifteen minutes. In the meantime Brigadier General Morrison, with a force of about 11,000, had moved forward across the mountains into Ava, and on April 1st Arracan was captured, and the Burmese retreated to Donabu, where on the Irrawady, behind a strong teak stockade a mile long, backed by an old brick rampart upon which 150 guns were mounted, they defied a marine attack, and the British had to retire down the river, leaving their wounded to the fiendish treatment of their enemies. On the next day, however, Sir Archibald Campbell gained possession of Donabu, for Maha Bandoola having been killed the troops lost confidence in their other leaders, and they evacuated the place at night. After a period of inaction at Prome, necessitated by the season, hostilities were resumed in November, and a series of conflicts took place until after the evacuation of Meeaday, when the Burmese again made overtures for peace. On January 19th, 1825, hostilities were resumed, and the British army advanced upon the Burmese capital. In the advance the battle of Melloon was fought, and a new Burmese General took command of an army of 40,000 men. Nee Woon Breen, "King of Hell" or "Prince of Darkness" as he was called, was, however, defeated by the British near Pagahm Mew on February 9th, and fled to Ava, to meet a cruel death by order of his King. Following up this success, the British marched upon the old capital Amarapura, but when within four days' march of the city the King accepted the British terms, and the treaty of peace was signed at Yandaboo on February 24th, 1826. By this treaty Arracan, Mergui, Tavoy, Tenasserim, and Yé were ceded, and became part of the Indian Empire. 3,222 European soldiers and 1,766 sepoys fell in the war.

The following regiments were engaged in this campaign, and those marked * were mentioned in general orders with sentiments of unfeigned admiration: 1st,* 13th,* 38th,* 41st,* 44th, 45th,* 47th, 54th, 87th,* and 89th,* also 14th Madras Native Infantry, Madras Fusiliers (European, now 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers), and 1st Madras Cavalry, Bengal and Madras Artillery (European).

=The Ava Medal.=--By a General Order, dated "Fort William, April 22nd, 1826," a medal was bestowed upon the native troops engaged in the war between 1824-26. The medal, 1½ in. in diameter, was struck in gold for the officers (Sir Archibald Campbell was the only British officer to receive one) and in silver for the men: it was attached to a large steel clip and ring for suspension from a crimson ribbon with blue edges, 1½ in. wide. On the obverse is the White Elephant of Ava crouching before the British Lion; behind the Lion is the Union Jack unfurled, and behind the Elephant the Burmese colours submissively lowered; in the background are palm trees. The exergue is occupied by a Persian inscription, "The Elephant of Ava is obedient to the Lion of England, Year 1826." In the left upper corner of the exergue is the designer's name, W. DANIELL, RA. DEL. On the reverse is depicted a storming party advancing against the Great Pagoda of Rangoon, which is surrounded by stockades; to the left is the Irrawady flotilla of gunboats and the "Diana"; In the foreground is depicted Sir Archibald Campbell directing operations from the shade of a palm tree. In the exergue is the Persian inscription, "A medal for the victorious British soldiers on Ava" (on Ava territory). In the left upper corner of the exergue is W. Wyon. Although 750 gold medals were struck for distribution among native officers and civil dignitaries, and over 24,200 silver medals were issued, they are very rare. It is noteworthy, as Dr. Payne points out, that in connection with the issue of this medal it was the first time a ribbon was mentioned for use with an Indian medal. It was ordered to be worn perfectly square upon the centre of the left breast, the upper edge of the ribbon being even with the button for ranks wearing sword-belts only, and even with the second button for ranks wearing cross-belts. A bar for AVA was issued with the "Army of India" medal in 1851.

=Burmese Chiefs' Medal.=--The H.E.I. Co. had a medal, 2³⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, struck in gold for presentation to six Talaing chiefs who served with the British army during 1825-26. On the obverse are the arms and motto of the East India College; above is a scroll with "Award of Merit," and underneath a scroll to take the name of recipient. On the reverse in the foreground are two steamers by a river-side, and two soldiers, one bearing a flag, addressing a group of Burmese; in the background are hills, a pagoda, and a palm tree, and behind all the setting sun. To the right are a cannon and bungalow. The medal has a loop for suspension, composed of two plates held together by means of a gold bezel.

=Bhurtpore.=[5]--Owing to the assumption of sovereign power by Doorjun Sal, the nephew of the deceased Rajah of Bhurtpore, Baldeo Singh, it became necessary for the Indian Government to take steps to ensure the succession of the dead ruler's young son, Bhulwunt Singh. An army under Lord Combermere was dispatched to lay siege to the city of Bhurtpore, which with its 5 miles of fortifications, as already described, was able to withstand the four assaults made by General Lake's army twenty years before. On December 10th, 1825, the British army of just over 25,000 men appeared before the city, and prepared to lay siege to the fortress, which was garrisoned by about 25,000. On December 24th the artillery began to fire on the city, but despite the continual bombardment, so well had the walls been built that breaches could not be made large enough to admit of stormers. Mining, therefore, was resorted to, and by the morning of January 18th, 1826, a determined assault was made, and within two hours the British had gained possession of the ramparts; by 4 o'clock the citadel surrendered, and the 14th, as a reward for their gallantry, placed to garrison it. The impregnable city, the capital of the Jants, had fallen after a twenty-six days' siege; Doorjun Sal was captured, spoil to the value of £500,000 taken, the young Rajah placed upon the throne, and the conquest of India confirmed by the success of Lord Combermere, who was rewarded with a Viscountcy. Hand grenades were last used in India at the siege of Bhurtpore. One hundred and eighty of the British troops were killed and 780 wounded. The following regiments took part in the siege: 14th and 59th Regiments, 11th Light Dragoons, and 16th Lancers (who had only just been armed with the lance). The Native Regiments included: 11th, 15th, 21st, 23rd, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 37th, 41st, 63rd, and 66th Bengal Light Infantry; Simoor Rifles; 1st Bengal Cavalry; 6th Light Cavalry and one wing of the Bengal Fusiliers (Europeans), now 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery and Bengal Engineers. The 14th, "The Old and Bold," were specially mentioned in dispatches.

[5] This is spelt BHURTPOOR on the bar of the "Army of India" medal.

=Coorg, 1837.=--For suppressing the insurrection in Canara in 1837 the Coorg soldiers were, on the recommendation of the Commissioner, Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Cubbon, awarded a medal as a recognition of their noble conduct and courage. The medals of gold and silver were 1¹⁹⁄₂₀ in. in diameter, and of varying thicknesses according to value. They were worn suspended from the neck by chains by the superiors who received them; 20 gold medals and 200 silver medals given to junior officers and ryots were presented without chains. Two gold medals valued at 400 rupees, and 12 valued at 200 rupees, were bestowed with chains. On the obverse is a Coorg warrior in fighting attitude, his upraised right hand grasping a Coorg knife ready to strike, and in his left a matchlock; round the face of the medal is the inscription in Carnese, "For a memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East India Company in suppressing rebellion in the months of April and May 1837"; on the reverse a trophy of Coorg arms and ornaments within a laurel wreath, surmounted by the inscription, for DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT AND LOYALTY TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, and in the EXERGUE COORG APRIL 1837.

FIRST AFGHAN WAR

The Shah of Persia, having laid claim to a considerable portion of Afghanistan after Shah Shoojah had been driven from his throne and his kingdom divided among a number of chieftains, sent an army to besiege Herat. The Indian Government then decided to effect the restoration of Shah Shoojah, and sent forward the "army of the Indus" under the command of Sir John (afterwards Lord) Keane. The Persians had meanwhile raised the siege of Herat, and retired toward their capital. Fighting their way against almost insuperable obstacles, short of food for man and beast, the divisions of the British army pushed their way through to Candahar, which they reached on April 27th, 1839. In the meantime Hyderabad had been captured, the Ameers of Scinde compelled to submit, the erstwhile rulers of Afghanistan forced from their thrones, and the deposed ruler restored, but considerable fighting had to be done ere he could settle down peaceably, and several important battles were fought.

=Ghuznee, 1839.=--The army of the Indus left Candahar at the end of June 1839, and arrived before Ghuznee, which Prince Mahomed Hyder Khan had strongly fortified; leaving only one gate unblocked by masonry. He had with him a garrison of 3,000 Afghans. As the British force possessed no means of breaching the walls, it was determined to take the place by storm, and in order to effect this the gate was blown in by the 13th (now Somerset Light Infantry), and the troops entered the fort, only 5 men being killed, and 6 officers (including Brigadier-General Sale, severely) and 63 men wounded out of Her Majesty's Regiments. On the fall of the fortress the Afghan cavalry outside fled in the direction of Cabul, the British forces following. At Ughundee Dost Mahomed Khan had resolved to try conclusions, but dissatisfied with the morale of his troops he decamped, and on August 7th Shah Shooja regained his throne, which, however, he did little to strengthen. The British losses were 18 men and 20 officers killed, and 153 men wounded. The force engaged in this comparatively bloodless campaign was composed of 8 companies of Her Majesty's 2nd (Queen's Royal); 13th Light Infantry; 17th (Leicestershire); two squadrons 4th Light Dragoons; 16th Lancers; and the following regiments of the H.E.I. Co.'s army: 1st Bengal Fusiliers (Europeans); Bengal Sappers and Miners; 1st Bombay Light Cavalry; 2nd and 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry; 2nd Skinner's Horse; 300 Poona Horse; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery; two troops Bombay Horse Artillery; Bombay Foot Artillery; 16th, 19th, 35th, and 48th Native Infantry.

=Order of Dooranée.=--To reward the British officers who had been instrumental in restoring him to his throne, Shah Shooja instituted the Order of the Dooranée Empire, the first installation taking place at Cabul on September 13th, 1839, when Sir John Keane, the commander of the British army, received the First-Class Order from the Shah. There are three classes of the Order, which is not unlike the Guelphic Order of Hanover. Three of the first class, nineteen of the second, and thirty-six of the third were to be presented. The badge consists of a gold Maltese cross, the borders of which are raised, with eight points terminating in gold beads, resting upon two crossed swords. On a blue and green enamelled ground, which forms the centre, are two sentences in Persian characters; above "Authority is from God alone," and below "Every brave man recognises his sway." This translation, as Dr. Payne states, is very different from the usual one of Duri-i-Dauran, "Pearl of the Age." The enamelled centre is surrounded by a circle of pearls. The star is of cut silver shaped like a Maltese cross, overlaid with a smaller one of gold, in the centre of which is the same decoration as on the badge, except that a diamond is set in each arm of the gold cross, and the enamelled circle is surrounded by seventeen pearls. The star of the second class has rays between the arms, and the small gold cross which rests upon it has crossed swords between the arms; the centre is enamelled with a green flower on a blue ground, surrounded by eighteen pearls set in a gold band. The badge of the second class has twenty pearls set round the centre, and on the reverse a red enamelled centre circled by a green enamelled border decorated with gold tracery. The third-class badge has only fourteen pearls. The badges of each class were suspended from a half red and green ribbon, like that used for the Ghuznee medal.

Awarded to Major Robert Leech, C.B., who had also the medal for Candahar, Ghuznee, and Cabul, 1842, and the Order of the Dooranée Empire (3rd Class).]

Awarded to Captain (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Peter R. Jennings, 13th Foot.]

=Ghuznee Medal, 1839.=--Shah Shoojah had also determined to decorate the ordinary soldiers who had taken part in the campaign, but his assassination prevented the realisation of his desire, and subsequently--November 23rd, 1842--the Governor-General decided that the medals which had been struck at Calcutta in commemoration of the capture of Ghuznee should be given to the officers and men who had participated in the capture. This, the first Indian medal to be issued with a bar for suspension, is of silver, and, with the exception of the medal for Seringapatam, the first to be given to all the troops engaged, the previous medals having been bestowed upon native troops only. It is 1½ in. in diameter, with broad flat edge, bearing on the obverse a view of the gateway of the citadel, with GHUZNEE on an ornamental panel underneath, running with the lines of the medal. On the reverse, within a laurel wreath, a mural crown above 1839, and between the terminals of the wreath the date of the capture of the fortress, 23D. JULY, a space being left in the centre for the recipient's name, which had to be placed there at his expense. The medals are occasionally found with the names engraved or impressed upon the edge. Two dies were used for the obverse, and one has a much wider border. The medal was originally suspended from a half green and yellow ribbon, but it was changed to crimson and green 1⅖ in. wide.

=Governor-General's Medal.=--Dr. Payne has kindly enabled me to reproduce the unique silver medal presented to the Right Honourable the Earl of Auckland, G.B.C., Governor-General of India and Governor of the Presidency of Fort William. The medal is 1⅗ in. wide, has no bar for suspension, and is enamelled. On the obverse is represented the fortress of Ghuznee--a very different rendering to that on the medal just referred to--with the victorious army marching through the gate. On the reverse is the inscription AFGHANISTAN-GHUZNEE--23ʳ·ᵈ· JULY 1839. This striking is the only one known to exist. (See facing page 88.)

FIRST CHINESE WAR, 1842

The extension of British commerce caused the first Chinese war. The Government not only loathed the "Fan Kwei," or "foreign devils," but objected to the use of opium which the merchants sold. The destruction of about £2,000,000 worth of opium by Chinese officials, and the insult offered to Her Majesty's representative, Captain Elliot, R.N., led to the declaration of war against China, and a force under Brigadier-General Burrell was dispatched to China in June 1840, but following an attack on Ting-hae-hien the Chinese opened negotiations for peace, and after protracted _pourparlers_ they agreed early in 1841 to pay an indemnity, and to cede the island of Hong Kong. In accordance with the treaty the island was occupied by the British, but this was resented by the Chinese, who had determined not to carry out the terms agreed upon. Hostilities were consequently recommenced, and an expedition sent up the Canton River, where it quickly dealt with the batteries at Wantong, landed a body of British and Indian infantry, and captured considerably over 1,000 Chinese soldiers without losing a man. Pursuing its way up the river, the expedition imposed severe punishment upon the different forts, and the Chinese again sued for peace, mainly, however, for the purpose of gaining time to bring up reinforcements. The forts at Canton were silenced, and on May 24th, 1841, the British troops landed and carried the fortified heights, the 18th Royal Irish and the 49th charging in brilliant style. A flag of truce was hoisted on May 26th, and as a result of _pourparlers_ £4,250,000 sterling was agreed to be paid for the evacuation of Canton, which was to be opened to trade.