Chapter V: Part 5

The Emperor had no intention of carrying out any such agreement--on the contrary he issued a mandate for the extermination of the British. As a result of this flagrant breach of faith, an expedition was sent to the Island of Amoy, and appeared before the city of Amoy on August 25th. Two hours' bombardment sufficed to demoralise the garrison, despite their 500 pieces of cannon, and a force of troops was landed. Chusan was retaken, the military depot of Chinghai stormed, and the fortified and important city of Ningpo captured. A determined effort was made on March 10th, 1842, to retake it, but despite the surprise the enemy was beaten off. Later the British left Ningpo and again proceeded up-river, attacking Tsekee on March 15th, capturing the heights of Segon and forcing the Chankee pass ere returning to Ningpo on March 17th. In May Ningpo was evacuated, and the fortified city of Chapoo at the mouth of the Shanghai River attacked and a landing effected. In June Woosung and Poonshau, and the city of Shangee, were captured, and with the aid of the 98th Regiment under Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell (afterwards Lord Clyde), which now reinforced the expedition, the city of Chin-Kiang was attacked, and after a severe struggle taken on July 21st, 1842. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Hugh (afterwards Viscount) Gough, whose decoration from Dr. Payne's collection is used to illustrate the medal awarded for this campaign, led his army to the ancient capital Nankin, which was reached on August 9th, 1842. The demonstration sufficed to bring the enemy to reason, and a treaty of peace was signed, the indemnity paid, the ports of Amoy, Ningpo, Foo-choo-foo, and Shanghai opened to British commerce, and Hong Kong ceded to us.

The army of about 3,000 men was composed of the 18th Royal Irish, 26th Cameronians (which lost nearly 600 men out of 900, by disease, before Canton fell), 49th, 55th (which particularly distinguished itself at the assault on the city of Chin-Kiang), 98th, 37th Madras Infantry, Royal and Indian Artillery, and a Naval Brigade, including marines, also took a prominent part.

=The First China Medal, 1842.=--In January 1843 the grant of a medal was made to commemorate "the signal successes of Her Majesty's Naval and Military forces," both European and Native, upon the coast and in the interior of the Empire of China. On the obverse is the diademed head of Queen Victoria facing to the left, with the legend VICTORIA REGINA on either side, and on the truncation of the head W. WYON, R.A. This was the first medal issued with the Queen's head. On the reverse is a trophy of naval and military weapons, very badly disposed, with an oval shield bearing the Royal Arms in the centre, the whole backed by a palm tree, and above ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM, with CHINA on a plain panel in the exergue, and underneath the date ~1842~. The medal is 1⅖ in. in diameter, with a plain straight German-silver clasp soldered on for suspension from a ribbon of red with broad yellow edges, the same width as the diameter of the medal. The names of the recipients, and the number of the regiment or name of ship, were impressed upon the edge in bold Roman capital letters. The reverse of this medal has been used ever since for presentation to troops taking part in Chinese wars, the date 1842 being deleted, and fishtail bars recording the engagements and dates used to indicate the campaign.

SECOND AFGHAN WAR

Shah Shoojah made a very indifferent ruler, and, as I have stated, did little to strengthen his hold on the throne upon which the British had placed him--indeed, without British arms he possessed no authority. The price we paid to keep this unpopular and bad ruler upon his throne--mainly, it is true, to ensure a barrier against Russia--was a heavy one. In October 1841 the Afghans openly rebelled at Cabul, murdered Sir Alexander Burnes and Sir William Macnaughton, and the troops were forced to retire upon Jellalabad, but were practically cut to pieces on the march, Dr. Brydon--who became one of the famous Lucknow garrison--being the only British officer to reach that city. It is estimated that of 20,000 who left Cabul, only a few hundreds escaped with their lives. The 44th (1st Essex Regiment) had 22 officers and 543 men killed during this disastrous retreat. Meanwhile Sir Robert Sale with the 13th Somerset Light Infantry, which had been detached from Cabul to deal with the insurgents in the Khoord-Cabul pass, had occupied Jellalabad.

(Obverse.)

SECOND JELLALABAD MEDAL, "FLYING VICTORY," 1842.]

Awarded to Field-Marshal Hugh Viscount Gough, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.S.I]

=Jellalabad.=--The defence of Jellalabad by the little force under Sir Robert Sale, including Captain (afterwards the famous Sir Henry) Havelock, is the bright gem which sparkles in the dross of this unfortunate campaign. The city was in a very poor condition when the gallant defender seized the place and proceeded to strengthen it. On November 12th, 1841, the garrison had only one half-day's rations, but by a plucky sortie they managed to drive off the Afghans and obtain supplies. The place was again invested on the 27th, but by a successful sally on December 1st they were routed. On January 9th the leader of the rebellion called upon Sir Robert Sale to surrender the fortress, but he naturally refused. Not only was the indomitable spirit of the British tried by the repeated attacks of the enemy, but it almost appeared as if Nature herself was in league with the insurgents, for within a month a series of earthquake shocks demolished a third of the place and part of the defences, and necessitated continual repair of the works. Then came the blockade by Mahomed Akbar Khan, who after assassinating the British envoy at Cabul was responsible for the destruction of the army which left that city. On April 7th, however, the defenders made a determined attack upon the camp of the besiegers, and the 6,000 men under Mahomed Akbar were put to rout, and the siege abandoned. The regiments engaged in the defence of Jellalabad, under Sir Robert Sale, were H.M.'s 13th Light Infantry; a squadron of the 5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 35th Bengal Native Infantry; detachments of Broadfoot's Sappers and the 6th Shah's Infantry; half the Shah's Mountain Train; 2nd and 6th Batts. Bengal Artillery; a few native officers, and 682 armed followers.

=First Jellalabad Medal.=--The "Illustrious" garrison of Jellalabad, which had kept the flag flying for five months, was awarded a medal by General Order dated Allahabad, April 30th, 1842. It is a very simple medal, 1½ in. in diameter, bearing on the obverse JELLALABAD in capital block letters taking the line of the medal above a mural crown, and on the reverse the date APRIL boldly occupying the centre, with VII above and ~1842~ below. The suspenders were of two kinds--a steel clip and ring, or a silver wire loop attached to a ring through a hole in the broad flat rim. The medals were mostly issued without names; a few were indented, but the majority were engraved. The ribbon of watered silk is 1⅘ in. wide, and shaded rainbow fashion from crimson to yellow and blue. Two thousand five hundred and ninety-six medals were issued, and the relatives of those defenders who succumbed between April 7th, 1842, and the date of issue in December received the medal. The rarer medals are those awarded to the Shah's Mountain Train and the Shah's Cavalry, also the 5th Bengal Light Infantry.

=Second Jellalabad Medal.=--Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, being dissatisfied with the simple and somewhat crude character of the award, had a more decorative medal designed by W. Wyon and struck at the Royal Mint, that those who cared might exchange when they were issued in March 1845. The men, however, were loath to part with the original medal, and very few applied for the new one; it is stated that of the famous 13th--the only European regiment to receive the award--only five exchanged their medals. The obverse of the second Jellalabad, or the "Flying Victory," bears the head of Queen Victoria as on the China medal, with VICTORIA VINDEX above (a few were issued with VICTORIA REGINA), and on the reverse the fortress of Jellalabad, with a bold flying figure of Victory above bearing in her uplifted left hand the Union Jack, and in her right two wreaths; above is JELLALABAD VII APRIL, and in the exergue MDCCCXLII. The medal, 1⅖ in. in diameter, was suspended from the crimson, yellow, and blue ribbon by a steel or plated bar 2⅖ in. long. The recipient's name, etc., was impressed upon the edge in capital Roman letters, but some were issued engraved in script. In addition to the 13th (later called Prince Albert's Light Infantry, as one of the honours conferred for the occasion; they also had their facings changed from yellow to blue), the 35th Native Infantry, 2-6th Batt. Bengal Artillery, Anderson's Horse, one squadron 5th Bengal Light Native Cavalry, and Broadfoot's Sappers and Miners took part in the defence.

=Cabul.=--The prestige of Britain had been lowered as a result of the insurrections, and in order to relieve Jellalabad (but it is said to take vengeance upon the enemy), Major-General Pollock was dispatched with an army, with which he forced the Kyber Pass and relieved Jellalabad on April 16th, where he halted for some months to organise his transport. Meanwhile oppressive heat and pestilence played havoc with the troops encamped in the valley of Jellalabad, and it was determined to divide the force and advance on Cabul, General Pollock having a hard fight at the pass of Jugdulluck, where he beat off Mahomed Khan and the Ghilzie chiefs. Later the combined divisions of Pollock and Sale combated the enemy in the Tezeen pass, where, on September 13th, Akbar Khan with 20,000 men disputed passage. His force, however, was put to rout, and the leader escaped accompanied by a single soldier. The debacle was complete, and on September 15th the army encamped on the race-course at Cabul, and next day the British flag again flew over the city.

The following troops took part in the march and recapture of Cabul: 9th, 13th, 31st, 40th, and 41st Foot Regiments, and the 3rd Light Dragoons, who were awarded the medal for Cabul, also the following regiments in the H.E.I. Co.'s service: 4th, 5th, 6th, and 12th Bengal Infantry; 1st and 10th Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd Irregular Cavalry; the 5th company of the Bengal Artillery, and Sappers and Miners.

Three thousand five hundred medals were issued to Europeans for Cabul, but very few were issued to the 40th Regiment.

=Candahar.=--Major-General Knott's defence of Candahar, if not so famous as that of Jellalabad by Sir Robert Sale, exhibited the same tenacity and cool determination. The rebels in the vicinity of Candahar were led by Prince Sufter Jung, a son of Shah Shoojah, and Prince Timour; they and their men, however, were helpless in the face of the little British army that sallied forth on the morning of January 12th, 1842, and routed them. The success of the battle did but keep the enemy at a respectful distance, for they spent their time in plundering the villages in the neighbourhood. Bad weather militated against any further effort on the part of the British general until March 7th, when he advanced against the rebel Afghans, and again put them to rout, but while the detachment was engaged in combating one section of the insurgents, another made a daring attack upon the city; they were, however, repulsed with considerable loss. Another action was fought on March 25th, and, with the assistance of the brigade under Colonel Wymer, the investing enemy was driven in confusion across the Urghundaub. On April 28th Major-General (later Sir) Richard England, after attacking the enemy at Hykulzie, successfully reached Candahar, and enabled Major-General Knott to advance upon Cabul.

"The Fighting Fortieth" was the only British regiment present in the defence and in the actions outside. It is noteworthy that through disease the regiment had been considerably reduced before it took part in the defence of Candahar. Major Biddulph states that only 64 "Candahar" medals were struck for the 40th Foot, and of these 42 were for the relatives of deceased officers and soldiers, and 22 for sick, etc., who had returned to India. The 41st, the Welsh Regiment, was the only British unit that took part in the relief of Candahar. The 5th, 6th, and 12th Bengal Infantry; Poona Horse; 1st Bengal (Skinner's) and 3rd Bombay Cavalry, and Bombay and Bengal Artillery were engaged in the defence and relief.

Only 130 Europeans received the medal for Candahar.

=Kelat-i-Ghilzie.=--Colonel Wymer, C.B., with a detachment which included a few men of "The Fighting Fortieth," marched on Kelat-i-Ghilzie, a hill fort 84 miles from Candahar, in order to draw off the garrison, which had held the fort during the winter, and (on May 21st) five days before Colonel Wymer's arrival had succeeded in defeating 4,000 Ghilzees who had attacked the fort. The garrison of only 950, under the command of Captain Craigie, included about 100 Europeans. For this heroic defence a silver medal was issued to every man taking part; it is 1⅖ in. in diameter, and depends from a steel clip and bar, as in the medal illustrated facing page 96, and was suspended from the same kind of ribbon. On the obverse is an ornamental shield inscribed KELAT-I-GHILZIE, surrounded by a laurel wreath with a mural crown above. On the reverse is a military trophy, with a breast-plate and helmet forming the central feature, and "INVICTA MDCCCXLII" on an ornamental tablet underneath. The names of the recipients were all engraved, generally in script. None of the Queen's Regiments took part in the defence, the majority (600) of the defenders being of the Shah's army. Three companies of the 43rd Bengal Infantry, 44 European Artillerymen including one officer, and 60 Sappers and Miners of the H.E.I. Co.'s service were also engaged. Only 55 Europeans received this medal.

=Recapture of Ghuznee.=--Ghuznee, with its garrison of exhausted and half-frozen men, had capitulated in March under the orders of Major-General Elphinstone, who had been taken prisoner at Cabul, and died shortly afterwards. Elphinstone's orders to surrender Jellalabad and Candahar had been ignored by Sir Robert Sale and Sir William Knott. They not only had the determination of Englishmen, but knew the treacherous character of their enemies. Colonel Palmer, unfortunately, forced by the weakness of his men and relying upon the promise of a safe escort for his sepoys to Hindoostan, agreed to surrender. The troops were unarmed, and with their womenfolk had hardly left the citadel when they were attacked and the majority massacred. Colonel Palmer was tortured, and with nine other officers thrown into a dungeon. When Sir William Knott appeared before Ghuznee, on September 5th, 1842, he found the city swarming with rebel troops, and great bodies of cavalry and infantry in the mountainous environs. He drove these off, erected breaching batteries, and prepared to attack the city, but on the morning of the 6th it was discovered that the fortress had been evacuated; and so with very few casualties Ghuznee was again taken, over 300 unfortunate sepoys released, and the sacred gates of Somnath, which Mahommedan invaders had taken from India centuries before, were taken down as mementoes of a campaign which did nothing to improve our prestige.

The 40th and 41st were the only British regiments to receive the medal with Ghuznee inscribed thereon. Members of these regiments who had been in the other actions were entitled to the medals bearing Candahar and Cabul also.

=The Ghuznee, Candahar, and Cabul Medals.=--For this war a silver medal was issued by the Indian Government to those who had taken part in it. Four types of medals were issued. One with the words CANDAHAR, GHUZNEE, CABUL, 1842, the names being above one another and the date below, all within a laurel wreath, the whole surmounted by the royal crown; another for GHUZNEE-CABUL, 1842, with the names in entwined wreaths and the date beneath them; and those for CANDAHAR, 1842, and CABUL, 1842, as indicated in the illustration facing page 100 of one with the original bright steel suspender attached to a hinged clip. The medals are 1⅖ in. in diameter, the obverse bearing the diademed head of the young Queen Victoria with the legend "Victoria Vindex" above; some have the words "Victoria Regina," but these are scarce, while a few of the medals for Cabul are spelt thus, CABVL, but it is doubtful whether they were actually issued to soldiers. It is noteworthy that on certain of the medals in this series the name of the executant, W. Wyon, R.A., is on the truncation of the Queen's head instead of beneath it. In this issue the recipients' names were engraved either in Italian script or in square Roman letters; a few were impressed, and some were issued unnamed. The "rainbow" or military ribbon for India is used for suspension.

One thousand four hundred Europeans received the medal with Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul.

=Meeanee.=--In 1843 the "tail of the Afghan storm" arose. It followed the attempt on the part of several Ameers, with an army of 8,000 Belooches, to obtain possession of the British Presidency at Hyderabad; they were driven off, but owing to the weakness of the place it was decided to abandon it for the safety of the camp commanded by Sir Charles Napier, to whom the conduct of the campaign in Scinde had been entrusted, and who gained for himself the native sobriquet "Shaitan-ke-bhaee," or "The devil's brother," by his determined action in dealing with the Ameers. He first destroyed the fort at Emaun Ghur on January 14th and 15th, a feat which drew forth the eulogiums of Wellington, and ruined the chance of the Ameers in the campaign. On February 17th the battle of Meeanee was fought, 2,800 men, with 12 guns, under Major-General Sir Charles Napier attacking, and in three hours defeating the Scindian army of 30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry, with 15 guns, but not before nearly all the European officers were killed or wounded. The Belooches, who fought with remarkable valour, lost 5,000 men, their camp and all its appurtenances falling into the hands of the British. Next day six of the Ameers surrendered. The only Queen's Regiment represented at Meeanee was the 22nd Foot, and only 65 medals were issued to the regiment, with two companies of Bombay Artillery; Grenadiers of the 1st Native Infantry; 12th and 25th Native Infantry; a detachment of Poona Irregular Horse, to which corps only 14 medals were issued; Scinde Irregular Horse; 9th Bengal Light Cavalry, and half company of Madras Sappers and Miners. The 22nd lost 1 officer and 23 men killed; its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefeather, 6 officers, and 52 men wounded.

=Hyderabad.=--The Ameers, who still held out against the British army, made a stand with 20,000 men at the village of Duppa, near Hyderabad, under Meer Shere Mahomed, where on March 24th they were attacked by Sir Charles Napier with 5,000 troops, and defeated with great loss. The arch enemy of the British, Hoche Mahomed Seede, was killed, and Meer Shere Mahomed fled to the desert; the battle was decided by the 22nd Regiment and the troop of Bombay Horse Artillery. In this battle the 22nd, which numbered 560 rank and file, lost 23 men killed, 5 officers and 134 men wounded.

As a result of the campaign Scinde and Meerpore passed into British possession. The troops engaged at Hyderabad were: H.M.'s 22nd Foot; 1st Troop of Bombay Horse Artillery; 2nd-1st and 2nd-2nd Companies of the Bombay Artillery; 1st, 8th, 12th, 21st, and 25th Native Infantry; 3rd and 5th Companies of Golundaze; Madras Sappers and Miners; 3rd Bombay Cavalry; 9th Bengal Cavalry; Poona Horse and Scinde Horse; also men from the Indus Flotilla.

=Medals for Meeanee and Hyderabad.=--The medal for the war in Scinde in 1843 was the only war medal given by the Home Government to the troops employed in India during the period of the East India Company's rule. The medal is practically the same as that described and illustrated as given for Candahar, Ghuznee, and Cabul in the 1842 campaign, the name of the battle--MEEANEE or HYDERABAD--and date, 1843, being arranged inside a wreath surmounted by the royal crown. A third medal given to those who were present in both actions has MEEANEE-HYDERABAD within laurel wreaths tied together, the whole surmounted by the royal crown. A medal for the battle of Meeanee, awarded to the 22nd, has realised from £7 to £9. The steel suspender, as in the Cabul medal illustrated, was issued with the medal given to non-commissioned officers and privates, but those with the officers' medals were of silver; the Colonel, however, of the only English regiment present--the 22nd--had, at his own expense, silver suspenders made for his men in place of the steel ones. The 22nd were present at both battles, also detachments of royal and horse artillery. Some of these medals have the names of the recipients, etc., engraved in script; others are mostly impressed in Roman capitals. Those to the 22nd were generally engraved in block lettering. The ribbon used is the "rainbow" or Army of India type.

THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN

The year 1843 also saw the Gwalior campaign, in which the two decisive battles of Maharajpoor and Punniar were fought on the same day, December 29th. "The Army of Exercise" had been assembled at Agra owing to troubles following the death of the Maharajah. Tyajee Rao Scindiah had been acknowledged by the British Government, and Mama Sahib was appointed Regent. He was, however, expatriated, and an attempt made to undermine the position of the young Maharajah. His authority was, however, re-established, and the British army prepared to leave the country under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough.

=Maharajpoor.=--They crossed the Koharee River on the morning of December 29th, to find about 18,000 Mahrattas with 100 guns strongly entrenched at the village of Maharajpoor. The British army consisted of 14,000 men with 40 guns. A terrific conflict ensued owing to the superiority of the enemy in artillery, but attacked on all sides by the British force they were routed, despite the splendid determination of the Mahratta gunners, who were bayoneted at their guns, and the gallantry of the infantry, who discarding their matchlocks stubbornly fought hand to hand with the British soldiers.

The regiments engaged were the 39th and 40th Foot and the 16th Lancers. The H.E.I. Co.'s troops were the 2nd, 14th, 16th, 31st, 43rd, and 56th Bengal Native Infantry; 1st Bengal Light Cavalry; 4th, section of the 5th, 8th Bengal Light Cavalry; 10th Bengal Light Cavalry; 2nd Skinner's Horse; 4th Irregular Cavalry (in reserve); 2 companies of Bengal Foot Artillery (3 companies and 4 of natives in reserve); 3 troops of Bengal Horse Artillery and 3rd, 4th, and 7th companies Bengal Sappers and Miners.

=Punniar.=--On the afternoon of the 29th the left wing of the army, under Major-General Grey, discovered about 1,200 of the enemy in position on a range of hills near Punniar, and by a brilliant attack carried every position, and routed the enemy with considerable loss. These two victories which terminated the war were dearly bought, over 1,000 men being placed _hors de combat_.

The Queen's Regiments at Punniar were the 3rd Buffs, 50th, Queen's Own, and 2 squadrons 9th Lancers; 5 companies of the 39th, 50th, and 51st Native Infantry; 2 squadrons 5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 8th Bengal and 8th Irregular Cavalry; 2 squadrons 11th Bengal Light Cavalry; 1st Company Bengal Sappers and Miners; 2 troops Bengal Horse Artillery and 1 company Bengal Foot Artillery.

=Maharajpoor and Punniar Stars.=--For these fights the victorious Britishers and native troops were awarded bronze six-pointed stars, 1⁷⁄₁₀ in. in diameter (as illustrated facing pages 108 and 112), made from the captured cannon, having in the centre a small silver star bearing the words PUNNIAR or MAHARAJPOOR, 1843, in a circle, and in the centre the date of the action, ~29ᵗʰ· DECʳ·~ The star worn by Lord Gough had a silver elephant on the obverse instead of the silver star. These stars were originally fitted with broad brass hooks for attachment to a loop on the coat, but in some instances a steel ring was run through it, so as to allow for suspension by the rainbow ribbon used at the time with other Indian war medals, as illustrated in the pair for Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul, and Maharajpoor, or a silver, or German-silver, suspender was attached, as shown in the Punniar star. The name, number, and regiment of the soldier were engraven on the back, at either side of the hook, in a light, slanting script.

THE SIKH WARS

The Sikh wars of 1845-6 and 1848-9, which concluded with the annexation of the Punjab, and the Koh-i-noor diamond being presented to Queen Victoria, were particularly hard-fought campaigns; and Lord Gough--one of the famous fighting Goughs--whom Wellington thought unworthy to continue the command in the second campaign, which, however, he successfully closed, is depicted on the medal for the Punjab campaign receiving from the defeated Sikhs the arms they were no longer allowed to bear against us. Some state that the mounted soldier depicted on the medal is Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert.

Runjeet Singh, who died in 1839, left an army trained by Europeans and a young son, Dhuleep Singh. The former, numbering 60,000, inspired by the ambitious Ministers of the infant Maharajah, crossed the Sutlej and invested Ferozepore with the object of expelling the British from Hindoostan, but was encountered at Moodkee on December 18th by the "Army of the Sutlej," consisting of 3,850 Europeans and 8,500 natives, which with 42 guns had made a tiring march of 22 miles to relieve Ferozepore.

=Moodkee.=--It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the alarm was given that the Sikhs were to give battle. The fatigued and famished soldiers abandoned the meal they were preparing, and, many coatless, rushed to their arms and to meet the Sikh army, the strength of which was so great that it outflanked the British, which practically only formed a single line to oppose it. The infantry meeting them in front gave a brilliant account of itself with the bayonet. The second brigade of cavalry, with the 3rd Light Dragoons, swept the enemy's left, while the rest of the British cavalry turned their right, but the fight continued until darkness, aided by the great clouds of dust from the sandy desert, came to the aid of the Sikhs, who sullenly retired to their camp at Ferozeshuhur after the loss of 17 guns, while the British rested on the battlefield for a few hours and then returned to their camp. In this battle, Colonel James Robertson, C.B., relates, Captain (afterwards Lord) Napier had a remarkable escape with his life; when riding armed merely with a walking-stick several of the enemy rushed at him, but he escaped unscathed. He had ridden from Umballa alone and straight into the battle when it was at its height! In this battle, Colonel Robertson states, the Sikh gunners "were conspicuous for their reckless bravery and devotion to their guns." They "died rather than yield; and there were no white flags, and no quarter asked or given on either side, so we had just to fight it out," and these were the men with whom we had fought side by side in the advance on Cabul but three years before! In this encounter 84 officers and 800 men were placed _hors de combat_, and the hero of Jellalabad, Major-General Sir Robert Sale, mortally wounded, Sir John McGaskill killed, and 4 brigadiers wounded.

At Moodkee H.M.'s 9th, 31st, 50th, and 80th Regiments and the 3rd Light Dragoons were present, also the 2nd, 16th, 24th, 26th, 42nd, 45th, 47th, 48th, and 73rd Bengal Native Infantry; 4th and 5th Bengal Light Cavalry, 9th Irregular Cavalry; 4 troops of Horse Artillery and 2 companies of Foot Artillery. On the day following the battle H.M.'s 26th Foot, the 1st Bengal European Regiment, 11th and 41st Bengal Native Infantry, and 2 companies of Bengal Artillery joined the force.

=Ferozeshuhur.=--The Sikhs strengthened their position at "Ferushahr" and entrenched themselves with 120 guns; meanwhile the British army had been reinforced with heavy guns and a number of troops, while Major-General Sir John Littler had brought his division of 5,000 men from Ferozepore, making a total of about 5,674 Europeans and 12,053 native troops, with 65 guns, to be ranged against 25,000 Regulars and 10,000 Irregular Sikhs, with 83 guns, strengthened by an army of about 23,000, with 67 guns, under Tej Singh, encamped only ten miles away. The battle of Ferushahr, or Ferozeshuhur, as it is officially spelt, opened on December 21st, with a terrific cannonade by the Sikhs, under which the British infantry advanced, stormed the entrenchments, and took a number of the enemy's guns. So hardly did the Sikhs fight that they could not be forced from the whole of their entrenchments; indeed, so stubborn was the battle of Ferozeshuhur that it lasted for two days, while the intervening night was also kept lively by the Sikh artillery playing on to the ground gained by the British. The 80th Regiment was sent with the 1st European Light Infantry to silence the guns, and the 80th was successful in capturing three. "A more wonderful battle never was. Within 150 yards of one another were 8,000 British troops against an unknown number of enemies yet unbroken." All the Governor-General's staff were killed or wounded before the day of retribution arrived. The Commander-in-Chief and the Governor-General of India, Sir Henry Hardinge, placed themselves in front of the two wings of the army "to prevent the troops from firing" until they closed! Unchecked by the enemy's fire, the line advanced, dislodged the enemy and swept everything before it. Halting, as on the parade ground, the army vociferously cheered its leaders, for they were masters of the field. Sirdar Tej Singh, however, brought up his army of over 30,000 men, with a large field of artillery, and endeavoured to retrieve the day; but despite the fact that the British artillery had already expended its ammunition, he was compelled to retire, and the day was won. On the field, however, were 2,415 dead or wounded soldiers, and 115 officers, which the victorious army had lost. The men who fought and won this protracted and sanguinary battle had mostly been without food or water for forty-eight hours.

The Queen's Regiments present at Ferozeshuhur were the 9th, 29th, 31st, 50th, 62nd, and 80th; 3rd Light Dragoons; 1st and 3rd Brigades Bengal Horse Artillery, and the 4th, 6th, and 7th Batteries of Artillery; the 2nd, 12th, 14th, 16th, 24th, 26th, 33rd, 42nd, 44th, 45th, 47th, 48th, 54th, and 73rd Native Infantry; Royal Bengal Fusiliers; No. 6 Company Bengal Sappers and Miners; 4th, 5th, and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd and 9th Bengal Irregular Cavalry; 2nd Skinner's Horse, and the Governor-General's Bodyguard. The 11th and 41st Bengal Native Infantry guarding the wounded at Moodkee and the men of the 27th and 63rd Bengal Native Infantry, Bengal Artillery, and Sappers who garrisoned Ferozepore were also granted the medal or the bar for Ferozeshuhur.

=Aliwal.=--Within a month the battle of Aliwal was fought. The Sikh Sirdars having effected a passage of the Sutlej near Loodiana, likewise at Ferozeshuhur near Sobraon, and threatened the garrison at the former place, the first brigade under Sir Harry Smith--a Peninsular veteran who bore twelve clasps to his medal--was ordered to make a forced march to relieve it. At Budiwal the enemy had prepared to intercept the British force by strongly entrenching the range of sand-hills and the villages. Sir Harry Smith, however, refusing to take any risks with his army of footsore and fatigued men, decided to make a flank movement by the right, although it would mean running the gauntlet of a heavy fire from the forty guns which was opened upon his columns. The British troops passed through the ordeal with remarkable discipline, but with a loss (this was on January 21st, 1846) far greater than was sustained later at Aliwal.

Colonel Godby, who commanded the garrison, on observing the approach of the British force, moved out from Loodiana and joined the relieving force. General Wheeler's brigade also arrived, and on January 28th the battle of Aliwal was fought. About 10,000 men against 20,000 with 68 guns, Sir Harry Smith boldly advanced upon the Sikh position held by the flower of that fine army. The British cavalry drove the Sikh horsemen on their own infantry, and captured several guns, while the British infantry made terrible havoc with the bayonet. The battle commenced at 10 a.m., and by 1 o'clock the Sikh army was flying in disorder, the whole of their artillery being left in possession of the victors. In this action the British losses were 151 killed, 413 wounded, and 25 missing. The 16th Lancers, who had greatly distinguished themselves, lost 8 officers and 100 men. Colonel Robertson, who was present with the 31st, records a "magnificent charge of the 16th Lancers, who rode right through one of the enemy's squares. As they (the Lancers) came round our right flank a regiment of sepoys, our own men, opened fire upon them!" The gallant Colonel, however, at the risk of his life, ran along the line knocking up their muskets with his sword as he shouted in Hindustani, "Our men, our own men!"

The following regiments were engaged at Aliwal: H.M.'s 31st, 50th, and 53rd Foot and 16th Lancers. The H.E.I. Co.'s troops were the 1st and 2nd Goorkas, 30th, 36th, 47th, and 48th Bengal Native Infantry and a wing of the 24th; 1st, 3rd, and 5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 4th Irregular Cavalry and the Bodyguard; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery; Bengal Sappers and Miners.

=Sobraon.=--The completeness of the victory at Aliwal did not utterly dispirit the Sikhs, for they made a bold stand at Sobraon, where, on February 10th, they desperately disputed the day with the army composed of the combined forces of Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Harry Smith. The Sikhs held their 3,500 yards of entrenchments, shielding 70 guns, with 34,000 men, while on the other bank of the Sutlej 20,000 more were ready for battle. Sir Hugh Gough's army of 16,224 men--6,533 Europeans and 9,691 native troops--prepared for battle at sunrise, when the British batteries opened fire, but with little effect upon the enemy's guns in the strong redoubts. At 9 o'clock the European infantry advanced to attack, and then, without firing a shot, under a galling fire rushed upon the Sikhs, while the cavalry, passing in single files through the gaps in the entrenchments made by the sappers, re-formed and sabred the stubborn Sikh artillerymen at their posts. Those who fled were drowned in thousands in the waters of the Sutlej, which was red in places with the blood of men and horses, and the fine army of Sikhs (Khalsas) melted away, after leaving about 8,000 on the field of battle. No longer was there any doubt as to the determination of the British to maintain their prestige and possessions, and the haughty chieftains sought peace from their conquerors. The youthful Maharajah Dhuleep Singh was, however, compelled to treat in person. As a result the victors occupied the rich district between the Sutlej and the Beeas, and he was allowed to nominally rule the Punjab until the war indemnity of £1,500,000 was paid. It was a dear victory for the British: the 10th lost 3 officers and 130 men; the 29th Regiment lost 13 officers and 135 men; the 31st, 7 officers and 147 men, two of the officers--Ensign Tritton and Jones--being killed while bearing the regimental colours, which were ultimately planted on the highest point of the enemy's entrenchments by Sergeant Bernard McCabe, who as Captain McCabe was mortally wounded when leading a fourth sortie from Lucknow on October 1st, 1857. The 50th lost 12 officers and 227 men. Generals McLaren and Cyril Taylor were among the dead, also Major-General Sir Robert Dick, who gained considerable fame as leader of the 42nd Highlanders during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, and who fell at the moment of victory.

The regiments engaged at Sobraon were: H.M.'s 9th, 10th, 29th, 31st, 50th, 53rd, and 62nd Infantry Regiments; 3rd Light Dragoons; 9th and 16th Lancers; 1st Bengal Europeans; 1st and 2nd Goorkas; 1 company 12th, 16th, wing of 24th, 26th, 33rd, some of the 38th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 47th, 59th, 63rd, and 68th Bengal Native Infantry; with the 45th and 59th in reserve; 3rd, 4th, and 5th Bengal Light Cavalry; 2nd, 8th, and 9th Irregular Cavalry; 10 troops of Horse Artillery; 11 companies Foot Artillery. The 73rd Bengal Native Infantry stationed at Rhodawalla also received the medal. It should be noted that the record of regiments engaged does not necessarily represent all the units taking part. Details and drafts from various corps were often present through one cause or another, or by accident. This should be borne in mind whenever a medal comes under notice. The medal rolls will generally assist, but there have been instances, and very serious ones for the collector, where the want of accuracy in a medal roll has cost him very dearly. Dr. Payne gives an instance of this on page 74 of "British and Foreign Orders, War Medals and Decorations," a bar for Corygaum being on a medal awarded to a man of the 65th Foot, as well as the bar for Poona. The first-named bar made the medal one of the rarest of the series issued to a British soldier, but the medal roll led Dr. Payne to think it a fraud, which later evidence demonstrated was not the case.

=The Sutlej Medal.=--The first, or Sutlej medal, 1¼ in. in diameter, bearing the legend "ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ," was given with three bars for four battles; that is to say, that those who fought through all the battles had their record on the medal and three bars. A soldier taking part in the battle of MOODKEE would have the name impressed in raised letters, with the date, 1845, in the exergue of the medal, and the succeeding battles on the bars, as in the illustration facing page 112, of a medal awarded to a man of the 31st Royal East Surrey Regiment--this and the 50th Royal West Kent Regiment being the only two British regiments to receive the three bars, for FEROZESHUHUR, ALIWAL, and for SOBRAON, the battle which determined the first campaign. This was the first Indian medal issued with bars. The ribbon is dark blue, edged with dark crimson. The medal, with W. WYON, R.A., on the truncation of the Queen's head and W.W. above the left-hand corner of the exergue, is generally considered a good one, and certainly it does stand out among the many issued during the reign of Queen Victoria as symbolic and suited for its purpose. The names of the recipients are impressed in Roman capitals on the edges. The medal is attached to the ribbon by means of a scroll bar fixed to the medal by a claw clip acting on a swivel, so that the medal may be turned about when fixed on the breast.

SECOND PUNJAB CAMPAIGN

This originated in a murderous assault made upon the British officials accompanying the Sirdar Khan Singh, who was deputed to take over the charge of the fortress of Mooltan (Multan) and province from the native Governor Dewan Moolraj, who had resigned. On arriving at the gate of the fortress the officers and their escort were attacked and killed by some of the Governor's men. A punitive force, including a body of 1,400 Sikhs, was consequently sent to punish the city, but the Sikhs went over to the rebels, and it was found necessary to send a strong force to reduce the mutineers who had been excited by Moolraj. Mooltan, a city three miles in circumference, is of considerable antiquity; it was taken by Alexander the Great, and at the beginning of the eleventh century by Mahmud of Ghazni, and by Tamerlane at the end of the fourteenth century; besieged by Ranjit Singh in 1810, he was bought off by the Afghan Governor, but it fell in 1818, and was annexed to the Punjab.

General Whish marched upon the city from Lahore with a force which included H.M.'s 10th and 32nd Regiments, and concentrated at Mooltan in the middle of August; but he had realised, after the desertion of 5,000 Sikhs under Sheer Ali, that it was fruitless to maintain the siege, and therefore raised it on September 15th. Lieutenant Edwardes, however, had by superhuman energy and indomitable pluck raised a force of Sikhs and Mahommedans, which was of the greatest possible assistance in holding Moolraj and his army of about 8,800 infantry and 1,200 cavalry, with 54 guns, in check, twice defeating him in battle at Kineyree and Suddoosam.

=Edwardes's Medal.=--For his splendid services the H.E.I. Co. presented him with a gold medal designed by W. Wyon, R.A., bearing on the obverse the bust of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and on the reverse, resting upon a lotus flower, the figures of Valour and Victory, crowning the arms of Major (afterwards Sir Herbert) Edwardes; beneath, in allusion to the youthfulness of the hero, the infant Hercules strangling serpents. Within the border is the inscription, FROM THE EAST INDIA COMPANY TO LIEUTENANT AND BREVET-MAJOR H. B. EDWARDES, C.B., FOR HIS SERVICES IN THE PUNJAB A.D. MDCCCXLVIII.

=Where "El Chico Blanco" fell.=--While Whish and Edwardes had been holding the ground, Lord Gough assembled an army at Ferozepore, and marching into the Punjab met the rebels at Ramnuggur on the banks of the Chenab on November 28th, 1848, where after a determined battle the enemy drew off beaten. It was here Lieutenant-Colonel William Havelock, K.H., "El Chico Blanco," the fair-haired and gallant boy-leader of the Peninsular War, was killed while leading the 14th Dragoons in the cavalry charge. Colonel Havelock was brother to Sir Henry Havelock, and his six-bar Peninsular medal is in the great collection of my friend Dr. A. A. Payne, of Sheffield. Brigadier-General Cureton, C.B., the commander of the cavalry division, also fell. The brilliant charges made by the 13th and 14th Light Dragoons, and the 5th and 8th Light Cavalry, against the great bodies of hostile horsemen numbering nearly 4,000, called forth special mention in general orders. Various minor engagements were fought while Major-General Whish renewed the siege of Mooltan, which lasted twenty-five days, during which time a shell from one of the British mortar batteries struck the "Jumma Musjid," or Great Mosque, while another blew up a powder-magazine with 400,000 lb. of powder, when, states Colonel Maude, "as if by mutual consent the firing on both sides ceased a while, every one gazing upwards with silent awe and wonder! Then from the British camp arose one long burst of triumph, which was speedily answered by a furious cannonade from our courageous and still unsubdued enemy." Two breaches had been made in the walls by January 1st, 1849, one at the Delhi Gate and one near the "Khonee Boorj," or Bloody Bastion; this the Bombay European Fusiliers, the 4th Rifles, and the 19th Native Infantry were told off to storm, but the "Old Toughs," as the Fusiliers were called, had to make three desperate attempts before they and their comrades could gain the summit. Meanwhile the 32nd, with two Bengal regiments in support, had been ordered to storm the Delhi Gate; but their efforts were unsuccessful owing to the imperfect breaching, and they entered the city by the "Khonee Boorj." So Mooltan was won, but no rest was obtained until the troops reached the Soharee Gate, after fighting through the streets of the blood-stained city, in the siege of which the British force lost 1,200 in killed and wounded.

Issued for Second Burmese War, 1854.]

Awarded to Lieutenant-General A. C. Cavendish Bentinck.]

INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL.

With bar for Persia, 1856-7.]

The British regiments which took part in the siege were the 10th, 32nd, and 1st Batt. 60th Rifles (only 100 of this regiment received the single bar for Mooltan, and fakers frequently remove the Goojerat bar from a medal in order to enhance its value); likewise a Naval Brigade (Indus Flotilla) of about 100 men; 1st (Royal) Bombay Fusiliers; 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 19th Bombay Native Infantry; 8th, 49th, 51st, 52nd, and 72nd Native Infantry; Bengal and Bombay Sappers and Miners; 1st and 2nd Scinde; Irregular Horse and 1st and 11th Bengal Light Cavalry; and 7th, 11th Irregular Cavalry with a detachment of the 14th. Likewise a detachment of Guides and Horse and Foot Artillery.

=Chilianwala.=--After the fall of Mooltan, Major-General Whish, with the 10th, 32nd, and the 60th Rifles, proceeded to join Gough's army, and was in time to take part in the final battle of Goojerat. The sanguinary battle of Chilianwala was fought on January 13th, 1849, and although described by Sir Henry Havelock as "the most sanguinary, and the nearest approximation to a defeat," it was not at first decided to issue a bar for the engagement. It was not an officers' battle; all the more reason, therefore, that the bar should be given to the soldiers "whose dauntless valour rectifies the errors of its commanders," for, as the _Calcutta Review_ rightly affirmed, the soldiery "redeemed their errors with its blood," the unfortunate 24th, which advanced on the Sikh guns with unloaded muskets, losing no less than 14 officers and 241 men killed in the action, and 10 officers and 253 men wounded, besides losing one of their colours which was left on the field, but four others shared the same fate when after this confused battle Lord Gough drew his men off a mile in order to find water. The total loss of the British was 38 officers and 564 men killed, 94 officers and 1,557 men wounded, and 104 missing. The Sikhs, who "fought like devils," lost about 3,000 killed and 4,000 wounded.

The following British regiments took part: 24th, 29th (whose "undaunted bravery" was placed on record), 61st Foot; 3rd, 9th, and 14th Light Dragoons; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery; the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers; 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 31st, 36th, 45th, 46th, 56th, and 69th Bengal Native Infantry; 1st, 5th, 6th, and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd and 9th Irregular Cavalry and Bengal Pioneers.

=Goojerat.=--The last battle of the campaign was fought at Goojerat (Gujerat) on February 21st, 1849. Hitherto the Sikhs had proudly attacked; in this instance they acted upon the defensive under Sheer Singh, who commanded a force of 34,000 Sikhs, with 59 guns, and about 1,500 Afghans under the command of a son of the Ameer. In this battle the British General was superior in artillery, having 97 guns, but only 24,000 men. In advancing upon the Sikh position, Gough, as usual, intended sending his infantry forward before the artillery had done its work. Colonel Robertson alleges that, "Sir Hugh Gough's simple strategy was to put the strongest regiment into the hottest place, and no attempt was made to outflank or turn a position, which must account for the heavy list of casualties." However, on this occasion, Malleson states his staff induced the veteran to mount the top story of an isolated building which commanded a complete view of the battlefield, and then quietly removed the ladder, and only replaced it when the artillery had done its work. Then this indomitable army went for the well-served Sikh guns, and put the enemy to rout, leaving the cavalry to pursue them for twelve miles. The power of the Sikhs was broken, the Punjab became a possession of the British Crown, and the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh granted a pension. The Sikh losses were terrific, but only 29 officers and 671 men of the British force were placed _hors de combat_.

The following regiments were represented at Goojerat: 10th, 24th, 29th, 32nd, 53rd (which arrived in the evening), 60th, and 1st Batt. 61st Foot; 3rd Light Dragoons, 9th Lancers, and 14th Light Dragoons; 1st Bombay Europeans; 1st and 2nd Bengal Europeans; 3rd, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 31st, 36th, 45th, 46th, 51st, 52nd, 56th, 69th, 70th, 72nd Bengal Native Infantry; 19th Bombay Infantry; 1st, 5th, 6th, and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd, 9th, 11th, and 14th Irregular Cavalry, and Scinde Horse; 4 field batteries of Bombay Artillery, and 9 troops of Horse Artillery; 2 companies of Bengal Sappers and Miners, 6 companies of Bengal Pioneers, and 1st Company of Bombay Pioneers. A Brigade of Seamen from the Indian Navy which accompanied the Bombay column were awarded the medal.

=The Punjab Medal.=--The obverse bears the diademed head of Queen Victoria by Wyon, and the legend VICTORIA REGINA, and the reverse Sikh chiefs laying down their arms before a victorious British General seated on horseback in the front of his troops, who are drawn up in line with colours flying. In the background are palm trees, and above TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB. In the exergue is the date MDCCCXLIX. The medal is 1⅖ in. in diameter, and has the names of the recipients impressed on the edge in Roman capital letters. The clasps for suspension, and the bars, are similar to those on the Sutlej medal; the ribbon is 1¾ in. wide, and of dark blue with bright-yellow stripes at the side.

FIRST NEW ZEALAND WAR

During this time trouble had arisen in the distant colony of New Zealand, the sovereignty of which had been ceded to Britain in 1840, a year after the first settlers had established themselves. The trouble arose mainly owing to the occupation of tribal land, although other causes were alleged. The first outbreak took place in July 1844, when a police magistrate and a number of settlers were killed, and a powerful chief, Hone Heke, tore down the British flag at Kororareka--in the north islands--took possession of the township and plundered it. H.M.S. "Hazard," with a detachment of the 95th, was sent to quell the disturbance and guard the place, but so persistent and successful was Heke in his attacks that it was deemed advisable, in March 1845, to abandon the settlement and embark the inhabitants for Auckland. On the arrival of reinforcements from Sydney, the Union Jack was again hoisted, and martial law proclaimed. A force consisting of the 58th Regiment, a detachment of the 96th, Seamen and Marines from the "Hazard" and "North Star," and a number of natives under Colonel Hulme of the 96th Regiment, then proceeded to Okaihau, where Heke had built a Pah or fortification. Although only 18 miles inland, the troops were four days in reaching their goal, and then the place was found impregnable, and as no artillery accompanied the expedition, it was forced to return, having lost 14 killed and 39 wounded. The expedition being strengthened by reinforcements, another attempt was made to try conclusions with Heke, who had entrenched himself at Oheawai. The 58th Regiment, with detachments of the 96th and 99th, a number of volunteers from Auckland, and 30 men from the "Hazard," in all 630 men with 250 natives and 4 guns, under the command of Colonel Despard, appeared before Oheawai on June 23rd; the guns, however, proved useless for the work, but breaches were made with a 32-pounder brought up by the commander of the "Hazard." On July 1st an assault was made by 200 soldiers and seamen, but half the stormers were killed or wounded, and they were compelled to retire. They consequently sat down in front of the stockades, and when preparing to make another assault, on July 10th, they discovered that the enemy had evacuated their Pah. In November 1845 more active measures were taken by the newly appointed Governor, Captain (afterwards Sir George) Grey. A force of about 1,170 soldiers, volunteers, and seamen, with 450 natives, 4 guns, and rocket tubes, were sent against the chiefs Heke and Kawiti. While a friendly Maori chief, Macquarrie, kept Heke engaged at Ikorangi, the main force attacked the Pah at Ruapekapeka held by Kawiti, which after withstanding a siege from December 31st until January 10th, 1846, was practically abandoned by the Maoris, and then taken with a loss of 13 men killed and 30 wounded. The chiefs were pardoned, and the war in the North Island ended. Meanwhile trouble had been brewing in the South Island, which was brought to a head by an attack in May 1847 on a party of the 58th Regiment. A reprisal was made by the British attacking the stockade of Rangihaeata, and dispersing the natives, 600 of whom, however, on May 19th made an attack on the Wanganui settlement, and maintained it for several hours until night fell, when they retired. The place was held by 170 of the 58th, assisted by a gunboat. Early in June an attack was made on a detachment of the 65th; but following a sortie from the block-houses, held by the 58th, the Maori chiefs sued for peace.

The regiments engaged were the 58th, 65th, 96th, 99th; Royal Artillery; Royal Engineers; H.E.I. Co.'s Artillery; Royal Marines, and the crews of nine of Her Majesty's ships, the names of which are recorded in the naval section. The medal for the war was not authorised until March 1869.