Chapter XIII: Part 13

While ground was being selected for the encampment the enemy advanced some horse artillery, and opened a fire on the skirmishers in front of the village. Orders were given for this fire to be silenced by a few rounds from the heavy guns, which was instantly returned by that of nearly the whole of the enemy’s field artillery, thus exposing the position of his guns, which had hitherto been concealed by the jungle. As it was evident that the Sikhs intended to fight, and would probably advance their guns so as to reach the encampment during the night, the British were at once drawn up in order of battle. After about an hour’s fire that of the enemy appeared to be, if not actually silenced, at least sufficiently disabled to justify an advance upon his position and guns.

The left division, under Brigadier-General Colin Campbell (afterwards Lord Clyde), was then ordered to advance. This had to move over a greater extent of ground, in front of which the foe appeared not to have many guns. Shortly afterwards Sir Walter Gilbert was directed to advance, Brigadier Pope being instructed to connect the flank and support the movement. Brigadier Penny’s brigade was held in reserve, while the Irregular Cavalry, under Brigadier Hearsey, with the 20th. Native Infantry, was ordered to protect the provisions and baggage.

Brigadier Pennycuick’s brigade having failed in maintaining the position it had carried, Brigadier Penny’s reserve was ordered to support; but Brigadier-General Colin Campbell, (to use Lord Gough’s own words,) “with that steady coolness and military decision for which he is so remarkable, having pushed on his left brigade and formed line to his right, carried everything before him, and soon overthrew that portion of the enemy which had obtained a temporary advantage over his right brigade.”

This last brigade mistook for the signal to move in double time the action of their brave leaders, Brigadier Pennycuick and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, who waved their swords over their heads as they cheered on their gallant troops. This unfortunate mistake caused the Europeans to outstrip the native corps, which were unable to keep pace, and arriving, completely blown, at a belt of very thick jungle, got into some confusion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, heading the 24th., was killed between the Sikh guns. At this moment a numerous body of infantry, which supported their guns, opened so destructive a fire that the brigade was compelled to retire, but not before having lost their gallant leader, Brigadier Pennycuick,[127] and the three other field officers of the 24th., together with nearly half the regiment;[128] the native corps also suffered severely.

In the height of the conflict, from causes never satisfactorily explained, the cavalry of Brigadier Pope’s brigade, suddenly retreated, bursting through their own artillery in their course. They were pursued by the Sikh horse, who charged the artillery, unable to fire without killing their own cavalry, as friends and foes in the _mêlée_ were intermixed. Seventy-five of the gunners were cut down, and six guns captured by the enemy. But the reserve artillery came up, the cavalry rallied, and the infantry standing firm, the Sikh horsemen were repulsed with loss, and two of the guns captured retaken.

Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, on the extreme left and rear, charged the enemy’s cavalry wherever they shewed themselves, and the right attack of infantry, under Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert, was most successful, whilst the left brigade, under Brigadier Mountain, was highly distinguished. Brigadier Godby ably supported the advance with the right brigade.[129]

Lord Gough remained with Brigadier-General Campbell’s division, which had been reinforced by Brigadier Mountain’s brigade, until nearly eight o’clock, in order to effect the bringing in of the captured ordnance,[130] and of the wounded.

At the close of this battle, which Havelock states:—“was the most sanguinary, and the nearest approximation to a defeat of any of the great conflicts of the British power in India,”—Lord Gough, for want of water, fell back for about a mile, and took up a new position clear of the jungle.

The loss of the Sikhs, principally among their old and tried soldiers, was computed at three thousand killed, and four thousand wounded. With the exception of Sobraon, it was remarked by Lord Gough that he never remembered seeing so many of an enemy’s slain upon the same space. The British casualties were likewise heavy.[131]

In this battle the “undaunted bravery” of Her Majesty’s 29th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Congreve, was specially noticed, and the conduct of the 61st. was equally distinguished. The regiments engaged at Chillianwala were the 3rd. and 14th. Light Dragoons, 9th. Lancers, 24th., 29th., and 61st. Foot; Bengal Fusiliers, and 2nd. and 11th. Bengal Native Infantry.

BATTLE OF GOOJERAT.
21ST FEBRUARY, 1849.

After the battle of Chilianwala, the enemy occupied their position for nearly a month, with the British encamped on their left flank, but on February 12th. they quitted their entrenchments, and took up a position between Goojerat and the Chenab, with about 61,500 men and fifty-nine guns, under Shere Singh. It appears to have been their intention to cross this river, and, after plundering the Rechna Doab, to have marched to Lahore; but this was prevented by Major-General Whish, who had detached a brigade to guard the fords above and below Wuzeerabad, in which direction Lord Gough had moved.

At half-past seven o’clock in the morning of the 21st. of February, the army advanced with the precision of a parade movement. The Sikhs opened their fire at a very long distance, which exposed to the artillery both the position and range of their guns. For the first time the English commander was superior in artillery to the enemy, having ninety-seven guns, some of heavy calibre, but only 24,000 infantry. The infantry was halted just out of fire, and the whole of the artillery were advanced, covered by skirmishers.

The Sikh guns were served with their accustomed rapidity, and the enemy well and resolutely maintained his position, but the terrific force of the British fire obliged him, after an obstinate resistance, to fall back. The infantry were then deployed, and a general advance was directed, the movement being covered, as before, by artillery.

Burra Kalra, the left village of those of that name, wherein the enemy had concealed a large body of infantry, and which was apparently the key of their position, lay immediately in the line of Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert’s advance, and was carried in the most brilliant style by a spirited attack of the third brigade, under Brigadier Penny, consisting of the 2nd. Europeans, and 31st. and 70th. regiments of Native Infantry, which drove the enemy from their cover with great slaughter. A very spirited and successful movement was also made about the same time against a heavy body of troops in and about the second or Chotah Kalra, by part of Brigadier Hervey’s brigade, most gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Franks, of the 10th. Foot.

The heavy artillery continued to advance, taking up successive forward positions, driving the enemy from those he had retired to, whilst the rapid advance and beautiful fire of the horse artillery and light field batteries, which were strengthened by bringing to the front the two reserved troops of horse artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brind, Brigadier Brook having the general superintendence of the whole of the horse artillery, broke the enemy’s ranks at all points. The whole infantry line then rapidly advanced, and drove their opponents before it. The nullah was cleared, several villages stormed, the guns that were in position carried, the camp captured, and the whole army of Shere Singh routed in every direction; the right wing and Brigadier-General Campbell’s division passing in pursuit to the eastward, and the Bombay column to the westward of the town.

Thus hotly pursued, the retreat of the Sikhs soon became a perfect flight, all arms dispersing over the country, rapidly followed by the troops for a distance of twelve miles, their track strewed with their wounded, their weapons, and military equipments, which they threw away to conceal that they were soldiers.

On the left a most successful and gallant charge was made upon the Afghan cavalry, and a large body of Goorchurras, by the Scinde horse, and a party of the 9th. Lancers, when several standards were captured. The 14th. Light Dragoons and the other cavalry regiments on the right, regular and irregular, by their bold front and gallant conduct, contributed much to the success of the day, while their conduct in following the fugitives received high commendation.

Thus were defeated the forces brought by the Sikhs into the field, amongst whom were the _élite_ of the old Khalsa army. Their numbers were estimated at sixty thousand men of all arms, and fifty-nine pieces of artillery; under the command of Sirdar Chuttur Singh, and Rajah Shere Singh, with a body of one thousand five hundred Afghan horse, led by Akram Khan, son of the Ameer, Dost Mahomed Khan. For the first time had the Sikhs and Afghans combined together, but the complete victory of Goojerat showed the futility of the compact.

Among the fifty-three guns captured were recovered those lost at Ramnuggur and Chillianwala; and it was also a gratifying fact that the casualties of the British were less than could be expected.

For twelve miles did the exulting horsemen pursue the flying foe, and the shades of evening were falling when they returned weary to camp. The following morning Major-General Gilbert resumed the pursuit towards the Jhelum, with the view of cutting off the enemy from the only practicable gun-road to that river. Another division of infantry, under Brigadier-General Colin Campbell, advanced on the road to Bimber, scouring the country in that direction to prevent their carrying off their guns by that route; and a body of cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford, successfully pushed on several miles into the hills, accompanied by Captain Nicholson, a most energetic political officer, with the same object; while Lord Gough remained in possession of the field for the purpose of supporting these operations, covering the fords of the Chenab, and destroying the vast magazines of ammunition left scattered in all directions. These combinations were entirely successful, and by them the power of the Sikhs was completely broken. The regiments which took part in this decisive victory were, the 3rd., 9th., and 14th. Light Dragoons; the 10th., 24th., 29th., 32nd., 53rd., 60th., and 61st. Foot; the 1st. and 2nd. Bengal European, 1st. Bombay European; 1st., 5th., 6th., and 8th. Bengal Light Cavalry; 3rd., 9th., 11th., and 14th. Irregular Cavalry; Scinde Horse; nine troops Horse Artillery, four batteries Bombay Artillery; 2nd. and 11th. Bengal Infantry, and 19th. Bombay Infantry.

Major-General Sir Walter Gilbert, K.C.B., crossing the Jhelum on the 3rd. of March, came up with a portion of the retreating army, under Shere Singh and Chuttur Singh, at Hoormuck, where they surrendered on the 11th. of March; the sirdars and the remainder of his troops, amounting to sixteen thousand men, laid down their arms at Rawul Pindee three days afterwards. Forty-one pieces of artillery were given up, and the Sikhs remaining, after so many fields of slaughter, being given each a rupee, dispersed to their homes. The Afghans were energetically pursued through Attock and Peshawur, as far as the Khyber Pass, losing half their number in the field, and many of the remainder in their retreat. Dost Mahomed then sued for peace, which was granted to him.

The Duke of Wellington, then Commander-in-Chief, being dissatisfied with the conduct of Lord Gough for incurring such heavy losses, superseded him in his command by Sir Charles Napier, who, selected at a moment’s notice, had proceeded to India, but found on his arrival that the British arms had gained the ascendancy in that country, and the consequence of Lord Gough’s crowning victory was the annexation of the Punjab. A pension was granted to the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh; and the celebrated diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, or Mountain of Light, taken from Shah Sooja by Runjeet Singh, was presented to Her Majesty.

THE NEW ZEALAND MEDAL.

This medal was granted by a general order, March 1st., 1869, to the troops who had been engaged in the two wars in New Zealand, during the years 1845–47, and 1860–66. Obverse: Queen’s head, crowned and veiled; with the inscription, “Victoria, D.G. Britt. Reg. F.D.”; reverse: a laurel wreath, within which is engraved the years during which the recipient served, with the words “New Zealand” above and “Virtutis Honor” below. No clasp issued. Ribbon: dark blue, with broad red stripe in the centre. Given to both services. Some of the medals were issued without dates on the reverse, but most with dates varying from 1845 to 1847, and from 1860 to 1866.

The New Zealand Medal.
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THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND WAR.
1845–7.

The first actual British settlement in New Zealand was made in 1839, and in the following year the first Governor, Captain Hobson, concluded the Treaty of Waitangi with the native chiefs, by which the sovereignty of the Islands was ceded to Great Britain. Until 1841 all the settlements in New Zealand were under the Sydney Government, but in that year the three Islands were constituted an independent colony, with Auckland for the capital. As the settlers increased, disputes arose between them and the natives, about the possession of lands; which the settlers asserted they had purchased, but to which the natives held they had no claim whatever. These contentions and quarrels were intensified by the ignorance of both races of the customs and modes of procedure of each other, as well as by the irregular manner land was bought and sold. In June, 1843, these disputes culminated in a conflict in the Wairau Valley, in the province of Nelson; where two chiefs, who had resisted the survey of their lands, defeated a party sent to arrest them, headed by the Police Magistrate, killing him and twenty-one settlers in the fray, or in the general massacre of prisoners which followed it. This disastrous repulse destroyed the prestige of the English, and the natives began to boast that they had the settlers at their mercy. Troops, however, arrived from Australia, the affair was smoothed over, and for some months peace was undisturbed. Trouble then arose in the northern Island; a powerful chief, called Hone Heke, who had been educated by the missionaries, with many of his countrymen, grew discontented with the customs duties, the high price of tobacco and blankets, and the absence of the usual whale ships at the town of Kororareka (now Russell), near which he was residing. Considering that the British flag, which waved on the hill above the town, represented the power which fettered the trade and kept away the whalers, and having a grudge against some of the inhabitants, Heke, on July 8th., 1844, assembled his men, danced the war-dance at Kororareka, cut down and burned the flag-staff, plundered several stores, and took possession of the town for several days. A proclamation was issued by the Governor, offering £100 for the capture of Heke, who replied by offering a similar reward for the Governor’s (Captain Fitzroy) head. H.M.S. “Hazard,” with a detachment of the 96th regiment was sent to Kororareka, the flag-staff was re-erected, and troops stationed to guard it. As Heke threatened the flag-staff should not remain, Captain Robertson landed from the “Hazard” with a gun, a blockhouse was constructed, the inhabitants aroused, and the town put in a state of defence. At daybreak on March 11th., 1845, the handful of men guarding the flag-staff were surprised by Heke, and the staff again cut down. At the same time Captain Robertson was attacked by two hundred natives, under a chief called Kawiti, and after a sharp skirmish was compelled to spike his gun and fall back to a fortified house near the beach. Aided by the guns of the “Hazard,” the soldiers and inhabitants defended themselves for three hours against the attacks of the natives, till their magazine exploded. During a truce, asked by the enemy to carry off their killed and wounded, it was resolved to abandon the settlement, and the soldiers, with the whole of the inhabitants, embarking on board the “Hazard,” and other ships which were lying in the Bay, sailed for Auckland. The town was then plundered and burnt.

Reinforcements arriving from Sydney, an expedition, under Colonel Hulme, 96th. Regiment, was despatched to Kororareka, which landed without opposition, re-hoisted the British flag, and proclaimed martial law. Heke having taken up a fortified position at Okaihau, a place about eighteen miles inland, a force, consisting of the 58th Regiment, under Major Bridge, a detachment of the 96th., some seamen and marines from H.M. Ships “North Star” and “Hazard,” in all about four hundred men, under Colonel Hulme, with about the same number of native allies, set out to attack him. Most of the road lay through a forest; it took four days to reach the fortification, or “pa,” during which time the rain fell in torrents. Each soldier carried five days’ biscuit and thirty rounds of ammunition, and, being without tents, two-thirds of the ammunition and all the biscuits were unfit for use on arriving at Okaihau. The “pa” was found to be too strong to be taken without artillery, and after a fruitless assault, and repulse of a sally made by the natives, the troops returned to the ships, with a loss of fourteen killed and thirty-nine wounded.

More troops having arrived from Australia, another expedition was formed against Heke, who now occupied a stronghold at Oheawai, a place nineteen miles inland from the Bay of Islands. It was composed of the 58th. Regiment, under Major Bridge, detachments of the 96th. and 99th. Regiments, thirty men from H.M.S. “Hazard” and eighty volunteers from Auckland, the whole numbering six hundred and thirty men, with four guns, and about two hundred and fifty natives, commanded by Colonel Despard, of the 99th. On June 23rd. the force was before Oheawai, a pa ninety yards by fifty, with projecting flanks, surrounded by three rows of palisades, between which was a ditch five feet deep, with traverses and loopholes. On each side of the pa was a ravine with woody hills, and the adjacent country was thickly covered with trees. Next day the guns proved to be useless against the stockades, though at last fired at a range of eighty yards, but Commander Johnstone, of H.M.S. “Hazard,” bringing up a thirty-two pounder, two breaches were made, and Colonel Despard ordered an assault. The assault was made on July 1st., by one hundred and sixty soldiers, under Major Bridge, and forty seamen and volunteers, under Lieutenant Philpotts, R.N., who bravely strove to enter the place under a heavy fire, but the inner palisade being unbroken, the party was forced to retire, with two officers and half their number killed and wounded. Among the killed were Captain Grant of the 58th., and Lieutenant Philpotts,[132] R.N., son of the Bishop of Exeter.

The troops remained in front of the pa for some days, and were preparing for another assault, but in the night of July 10th. the enemy abandoned their position, which was then taken by the British, and the palisades destroyed.

After this the war languished for some months, till Capt. (afterwards Sir George) Grey, replaced Captain Fitzroy as Governor, in November, when more active measures were taken. The new Governor gave the two chiefs, Heke and Kawiti, a fixed time to decide for peace or war, and this expiring without any satisfactory answer from either of them, Colonel Despard was ordered to renew hostilities. The enemy being in want of food, divided their forces, Heke remaining at a position he had fortified at Ikorangi, ten miles from Oheawai, while Kawiti fortified and garrisoned a place called Ruapekapeka, on the side of a hill in a forest. The English troops comprised the 58th. Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, with detachments of the 99th., Royal Artillery, East India Company’s Artillery, Royal Marines, and volunteers, under Captain Atkins with a brigade of three hundred and sixteen seamen from H.M.S. “Castor,” “North Star,” and “Racehorse,” and the E.I.C.’s ship “Elphinstone”; and a body of natives, with their chiefs, Walker, Nene, Repa, and Macquarrie. The whole force amounted to one thousand one hundred and seventy-three Europeans, and four hundred and fifty natives, with three thirty-two pounders, one eighteen-pounder, and seven brass guns and rocket tubes. The enemy had improved in the art of fortification, and Ruapekapeka was found a much stronger place than Oheawai. The “pa” measured about one hundred and seventy yards by seventy, well flanked at the sides and angles, surrounded by two rows of palisades with a ditch between them, with the earth thrown up behind to form an inner parapet, and inside were huts with underground excavations. On December 31st. the British opened fire from all their guns in position and continued it till January 2nd., when the enemy made a sally which was repulsed. On the 10th. two breaches were made in the stockade, and the defenders losing heart began to retire. Next day some of the native allies finding the “pa” almost deserted, crept up to the palisades, and supported by a detachment of the 58th. Regiment, under Captain Denny, rushed through the breaches, and the place was taken and destroyed, with a loss to the victors of thirteen men killed and thirty wounded.

This virtually finished the war. Heke was occupied at Ikorangi by a feigned attack made by Macquarrie, and after the capture of Ruapekapeka, his followers, and those of Kawiti, began to disperse, and both chiefs were anxious for pardon and peace. This was granted to them by the Governor, in January, 1846, and the war in the North Island was at an end.

While these events were occurring in the North Island, a harassing series of surprises and skirmishes was carried on in the southern. On May 16th., 1847, a party of the 58th. Regiment, under Lieutenant Page, stationed at Boulcott’s Farm, were surprised an hour before daylight, and six men killed and four wounded.[133] After a skirmish or two, Major Last, with a detachment of the 99th. Regiment, attacked a stockade held by Rangihaeata, the chief of the insurgents in the Southern Island, and was so far successful that the natives abandoned the position, and were pursued and dispersed by parties of soldiers, militia, and police. A determined attack was made on May 19th., on the settlement of Wanganui by six hundred of the enemy, which was defended by one hundred and seventy men of the 58th. Regiment, in three block houses, aided by a gunboat on the river. The attack lasted five hours, in spite of a constant fire of shot and shell, but in the night the enemy decamped, dispirited by their losses.

In the beginning of June they again appeared in force, attacked a party of the 65th. Regiment, and a day or two after approaching near the block houses, challenged the soldiers to come out and fight. On the 19th. the troops made a sally, and drove the enemy into the bush, and on the 23rd. they sent in a flag of truce and stated their wish for peace. While the war lasted they were deprived of their usual supplies of tobacco, blankets, tea, and other things which had become necessary to them, and their privations disgusted them with a contest by which nothing could be gained.

On the 21st. of February, 1848, the principal chiefs met Governor Grey, at Wanganui; stolen cattle were restored, the natives paid for the lands in dispute by the Government, a general pardon granted, and peace concluded. For their services in this war, Captain Sir E. Home, R.N., Captain Graham, R.N., Colonel Despard, 99th. Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, 58th. Regiment, were made Commanders of the Order of the Bath.

THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND WAR.
1860–66.

The long and desultory second war in New Zealand, lasting with an interval of peace for some months, from 1860 to 1866, arose like the first, from disputes with the natives concerning the sale and possession of land. All the members of each tribe looked upon the land they occupied as their hereditary property, and if the consent of the whole tribe was not given to the sale and transfer, they considered the proceeding invalid and worthless. In the year 1861, the sale of land to the settlers provoked the natives of Taranaki to take up arms in defence of what they imagined to be their rights, and the conflict eventually spread over the greater part of the North Island. The Maoris proved themselves to be no despicable antagonists; they were well-armed with double-barrelled guns and rifles, and skilled in their use, and in bush-fighting; so that the heavily equipped British soldiers found it no easy task to subdue such wily and active enemies. They were also extremely skilful in the construction of rifle-pits and fortified “pas,” which were often so strongly palisaded and entrenched as to be almost impregnable, even to artillery.

At the beginning of the struggle the British troops in New Zealand were but very few in number, and till reinforcements arrived it was as much as they could do to maintain their ground.

After some skirmishes, an attack on the Maories at Taranaki, June 13th., 1860, was repulsed with heavy loss to the assailants, but reinforcements were despatched from Australia, under Major-General Pratt, who defeated the enemy at Mahoetaki, on November 6th. A chain of redoubts was thrown up to keep the natives in check, and to protect the town of New Plymouth, and these being occupied by detachments of different regiments, almost daily skirmishes took place with the enemy. A detachment of the 40th. Regiment was stationed in Redoubt No. 7, on the river Waitara, and on March 18th. a party, under Capt. Richards, was sent out to discover the Maories, who were known to be lurking in the bush, which about a thousand yards from the redoubt was in its primitive condition. The open space was crossed without opposition, but as soon as the detachment entered the bush, they were received with a heavy fire from unseen foes. Captain Richards ordered his men to extend in skirmishing order, and return the fire, which had little effect on their concealed opponents, by whose deliberate aim several of the soldiers fell killed and wounded. Lieutenant Rees, the second in command, seized the rifle of one of the fallen men, and encouraged his men by his example to keep up a steady fire. In a few minutes the lieutenant fell wounded, but Sergeant Lucas came to his assistance and sent him to the rear, while he himself with two men only that remained unwounded in that part of the field, took shelter behind a tree, and by the spirited fire they maintained, kept the enemy at bay, amid showers of bullets which flew on every side of them, till they were rescued by a party from the redoubt, under Lieutenants Gibson and Whelan, at whose approach the Maories fled. For his gallant behaviour on this occasion Sergeant Lucas obtained the Victoria Cross. The natives having previously experienced several defeats, were convinced of the futility of further resistance, and this was the last affair in the Taranaki war. Next day, March 19th., 1861, witnessed a general surrender, and the establishment of peace.

Unfortunately the embers of discord still smouldered, and the hoped-for peace proved to be but a lengthened truce. On May 4th., 1863, hostilities were resumed by an attack made by the natives on a military escort, who were fired upon from the bush, and eight of their number killed. In consequence of this, an encounter took place at Kuitkara, in which twenty-four Maories were slain, and the province of Auckland became again the scene of war.

The Maories having chosen one of their chiefs to be king, prior to the beginning of the war, now asserted their intention of driving the settlers out of the North Island; while General Duncan Cameron, Commander-in-Chief, by a proclamation declared all natives in arms, rebels, if they did not surrender in a week. The result of this was, that they retired with their goods to a place called Kohewa, and taking up a strongly fortified position at Roherea, a mountainous ridge, two miles from Kohewa, and near the Waikato river, set the General at defiance. Here Cameron attacked them; and under a hot fire carried their rifle-pits, and drove the Maories into the adjacent swamps.

Previous to this, Volunteers, or Militia, had been raised among the colonists, four thousand of whom took up arms in defence of their homes, and redoubts had been erected for the defence of Auckland and other towns.

In September, a detachment of the 65th. Regiment was stationed at Fort Alexandra, in the neighbourhood of Cameron Town, when news reached the fort, that Mr. Armitage, a magistrate living near, and a number of friendly natives had been massacred by the enemy. Captain Swift, in command of the detachment, with Lieutenant Butler, Sergt. McKenna, and a party of about fifty men, started into the bush in pursuit of the foe. They crossed swamps and forded rivers, till they suddenly found themselves exposed in the bush to a heavy fire on both sides. Captain Swift and Lieutenant Butler were mortally wounded, and the command of the party devolved on Sergeant McKenna, to whose coolness and intrepidity the party owed its safety. The skirmish was kept up till nightfall, when the little band—several of them wounded—began their retreat, through ten miles of swamp and bush, in the face of three hundred savages, thirsting for their blood. After a harassed night march, and more than once losing their path, about eight in the morning they met a party of their comrades, under Colonel Murray, coming to their assistance, and were in safety.

For his intrepid behaviour, Sergeant McKenna received the Victoria Cross and a Commission. Corporal Ryan, who with four privates had remained with the wounded officers till they died, and fortunately escaped in safety at the break of day, also received the Cross, and the four privates the medal for distinguished conduct in the field.

This affair was followed by some unimportant skirmishes, in one of which, at Pontoko, October 2nd., Ensign Down and Drummer Stagpoole, of the 57th. Regiment, gained the Victoria Cross, for bringing in a wounded man, under a heavy fire at close range.

The enemy having retired to a strong “pa” they had erected on an eminence at Rangariri, midway between the Waikato and a lake, on November 20th, after a bombardment lasting an hour and a half, the position was attacked by a force of regular troops—artillerymen, seamen, and militia—about one thousand in all, commanded by General Cameron. The outer works and rifle-pits were soon carried, but the stormers on finding stronger defences still in front of them, hesitated, and fell back before the fire of the enemy. The militia, though encouraged by their officers, who placed themselves in the front, remained immoveable, but the small body of Royal Artillery—about fifty all told—armed with swords and revolvers, at a word from the General, headed by their Colonel—Mercer—rushed forward, and gained the parapet of the “pa,” when their gallant leader fell mortally wounded, and his brave handful of gunners were repulsed. Two or three of his men in the attempt to rescue him were shot down, when Surgeon W. Temple, R.A., went to his assistance and dressed his wound, under showers of bullets, at the risk of his own life. His noble conduct was witnessed by General Cameron, who recommended him for the Victoria Cross, which he obtained.

A body of seamen, commanded by Commander Mayne, of H.M.S. “Eclipse,” next endeavoured to carry the position, but were also repulsed, and an attempt made to dislodge the enemy with hand-grenades failed. Luckily the Maories felt that they had had enough, and at dawn next day they hoisted a white flag and surrendered. One hundred and eighty Maories were taken in the “pa,” and forty-five were found there dead. The loss of the assailants were six officers killed and nine wounded, and one hundred and twenty men killed and wounded, made up the roll of casualties. This affair however produced the surrender of the Maori King, on December 9th., but the war still continued.

A native stronghold at Rangiawhia was attacked and captured February 21st., 1864. On the 2nd. of April another fortified “pa” at Orakau was taken by assault, by a force commanded by Major-General Carey, after three days’ investment; and then for several weeks the Maories, without interruption by the military, occupied themselves in the erection of a most formidable “pa” at Tauranga. It was built on the highest part of a narrow neck of land, well palisaded, and further defended by an entrenched line of rifle-pits. On both sides were swamps extending to the water, so that it was secure from a flank attack, and was named the Gate Pa. On the 28th. of April, General Cameron, after a reconnaissance of the entrenchments, made preparations for an attack. The forces at his disposal were the 43rd. and 68th. Regiments, detachments of the 14th., 65th., and 70th., Regiments, a Naval Brigade of over three hundred men from the squadron of Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, and a detachment of Royal Artillery, amounting to nearly one thousand seven hundred men of all ranks, with six Armstrong guns, two howitzers, and eight mortars. The intention of the General being to cut off the retreat of the enemy, after dark a feigned attack was made on the front of his position, while the 68th. Regiment, with some seamen, picked their way through the swamp, and before morning were posted in the rear of the “pa.” The Artillery opened fire soon after daybreak on the 29th., and continued with little intermission till about four p.m., when, the pallisades being almost destroyed and a practicable breach made, the assault was ordered. One hundred and fifty of the 43rd., with the same number of seamen and Marines, led by Commander Hay, of H.M.S. “Harrier” formed the assaulting column under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Booth, of the 43rd. The remainder of the 43rd., with a body of seamen and Marines, formed the reserve. Commander Hay led the stormers, who, with a ringing cheer, crossed the ditch, mounted the embankment, and rushed through the breach into the “pa,” and, as only a few straggling shots were heard, the troops outside thought the place was won and the enemy beaten; when all at once a tremendous fire of musketry accompanied with savage yells, broke out in the interior of the entrenchment, and after a fierce conflict of a few minutes, during which Colonel Booth, Commander Hay, and Captain Glover fell mortally wounded, and almost every officer of the column was killed or disabled; the storming party was seen pouring out through the breach in utter confusion. Captain Hamilton at once led on the supports, but fell shot through the head, the supports became mixed with the fugitives, and in spite of the exertions of the officers, the whole body hotly fired on by the enemy, fell back to the nearest cover.[134] Darkness had now set in, but the troops lay on their arms in their entrenchment, within a hundred yards of the enemy, furious at their repulse and fully determined to conquer or die on the morrow. During the night, which was wet and dark, the enemy evacuated the “pa,” and stealing in small parties through the swamps eluded the vigilance of the 68th.; and in the early morning Major Greaves, of the 70th., creeping up to the breach found the stronghold silent and deserted. Colonel North[135] and a few privates were found still alive, and to the credit of the enemy they had not been ill treated during the night, nor had the bodies of the slain been mutilated. In this sad affair seven officers of the 43rd. Regiment were killed, or died of their wounds, and the Naval Brigade had four officers and forty seamen and Marines killed and wounded.

When Commander Hay fell, mortally wounded, Samuel Mitchell, captain of the foretop of H.M.S. “Harrier,” refused to leave his dying officer, though ordered by him to leave him and look after his own safety. He raised the commander in his arms, and carried him outside the “pa” amidst a shower of bullets, and for his gallant conduct deservedly obtained the Victoria Cross. Surgeon Manly, R.A., also gained the same distinction for attending to the wounded under a heavy fire.

The day after the affair at Gate “pa,” a redoubt at Sentry Hill, Taranaki, held by a detachment under the command of Major Shortt, of the 57th. Regiment, was attacked by a strong body of Maories, who were repulsed with heavy loss.

Some weeks later, it being known that the natives were gathering in force, and engaged in the construction of another stronghold at Te Ranga, a place about four miles from Gate “pa,” Colonel Green, commanding the troops at Tauranga, marched with the 43rd. and part of the 68th. Regiment, against the enemy, whom he found strongly posted in a chain of rifle-pits, the commencement of a formidable “pa.” After a smart skirmish for about two hours, being reinforced by the Waikato Militia, the advance was sounded, and the pits carried by storm in the most dashing manner.[136] For a few minutes the Maories fought desperately, but were utterly routed, and pursued for several miles. As usual, their situation was favourable for their retreat, otherwise few would have escaped. On the following day the bodies of one hundred and eight of the enemy were found and buried in their own rifle-pits, but many more were killed and remained in the ravines. Among the slain were several powerful chiefs, one of whom, Rawhiri, was the leader at Gate “pa.” The British loss was small, ten men killed and thirty-three wounded, considering the heavy fire they were exposed to in advancing to the attack.

During the following month, many of the natives laid down their arms and surrendered; and on August 6th., 1864, most of the chiefs proffered their unconditional submission to the government: yet the war still lingered on. In January, 1865, the natives made a daring attack on the British camp at Nukumaru, and suffered a severe repulse; and in the month of July following, a force under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Trevor, consisting of detachments of the 14th. and 18th. regiments, some colonial troops, and a body of friendly natives, captured the Wereroa “pa,”—an exceedingly strong position occupied by the Maories, about three hundred feet above the wooded banks of the Waitotara river, surrounded by precipices and swamps.

During the years 1865–66, the war was mostly confined to the West Coast. In January of the latter year a strong “pa” at Pretahi was captured, and the Otapawa “pa” was stormed by the 57th. regiment, with the loss of Lieut.-Colonel Hassard and many brave men; but the contest dwindled to a fitful series of unimportant skirmishes, and the capture and destruction of “pas” and villages. After the year 1866, the struggle was carried on by the colonial forces, commanded by Colonel Whitmore, who had been military secretary to General Cameron (afterwards General Sir George Whitmore, K.C.M.G.), who in January, 1869, finally crushed the last Maori outbreak.

At the end of the year 1864, the colonial ministry had requested the home government to withdraw the imperial troops, and to allow them complete responsibility, but it was not till January, 1870, that the last British regiment, the 18th., left the colony. The same year the long and harassing war was brought to a close, and a durable peace established.

The regiments engaged in the New Zealand War of 1845–47 were the 58th., 65th., 96th., and 99th. Foot; and in the war of 1860–66 the 1st. Battalion, 12th. Regiment; 2nd. Battalion, 14th. Regiment; 2nd. Battalion, 18th. Regiment; and the 40th., 43rd., 50th., 57th., 65th., 68th., and 70th. Regiments.

THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL.

Since the publication of the first edition of this work, the medal granted for the “Second Burmese War, 1852–3,” and the war with Persia, 1856–7, has been designated the “Indian General Service Medal,” and is now always given as a reward for the almost perpetual expeditions[137] against the native tribes on the frontiers of India, and in adjoining territories. The medal, designed by L. C. Wyon, was first issued in 1854, with a clasp “Pegu,” to commemorate the services against the Burmese in 1852–3; and was also given for the Persian campaign, 1856–57, with clasp “Persia.” By a general order, July 1, 1869, the medal with a clasp inscribed “North West Frontier,” was granted for services on the North West Frontier of India, dating from 1849 to 1863. On the obverse of this medal is the diademed head of the Queen, with the legend “Victoria Regina.” On the reverse is a figure of Victory crowning a seated classic warrior with a laurel wreath. In the exergue is the lotus flower, but neither legend nor date. Ribbon: alternate stripes of crimson and blue. The name and regiment, or ship, are indented on the edge of the medal.

The Indian General Service Medal.
]

Generally, but not invariably, where the recipient had served in two or more expeditions, and had previously gained the medal, a bar or clasp only was added to those already worn, instead of giving another medal; but subsequent to 1876 instances occur of men having two medals, with bars for different campaigns. Since 1869, by a series of general orders, twelve bars have been issued with this medal, inscribed—“Umbeyla,”—“Bhootan,”—“Looshai,”—“Perak,”—“Jowaki, 1877–8”—“Naga,”—“Burma, 1885–7”—“Sikkim, 1888”—“Hazara, 1888”—“Burma, 1887–89”—“Chin-Lushai, 1889–90”—“Samana, 1891”—the medal in all cases being the same.

SECOND BURMESE WAR.
1852–53.

The King of Ava having refused redress for injuries inflicted on British subjects at Rangoon, in violation of the treaty of Yandaboo, concluded at the termination of the first Burmese war, after an ineffectual attempt at negociation, hostilities commenced. Troops were collected from Bengal and Madras, and placed under the command of Major-General Godwin, who had borne a prominent part in the first war with Ava. The Queen’s regiments which formed part of the force were the 18th., 51st., and 80th.,[138] and a naval squadron, under the command of Commodore Lambert, consisting of H.M.S. “Fox” (40), “Serpent” (16), “Rattler” (11), “Hermes” (6), “Salamander” (6), and a gunboat, with thirteen vessels of the East Indian Company and Uncovenanted Service, took a very active part in the operations, afloat and ashore.

Major-General Godwin embarked with the force under his command on the 28th. of March, 1852, and three days afterwards the destruction of the stockades on the banks of the river Irrawaddy was effected. The next service was the attack and capture of Martaban, on the 5th. of April, in which portions of the 18th. and 80th. shared. Captain Campbell commanded the wing of the 18th., and Major Lockhart that of the 80th. Captain Gillespie, in command of the grenadiers of the former regiment was first on the walls, and the soldier following him received three wounds. About seven o’clock in the morning the troops landed, and the storming party was soon under the walls and over them, when Lieutenant-Colonel Reignolds at once took possession, after some skirmishing, of the pagoda on the height, and by eight o’clock a.m. Martaban was won. The storming party from the 80th. was commanded by Captain Christie of that regiment.

At this period the Madras division (comprising the 51st. regiment) had not arrived at Rangoon, but by the 7th. of April it reached the rendezvous at the mouth of the Rangoon river, and on the 11th. (Sunday) Rangoon was bombarded. The ships silenced and destroyed the stockades at the mouth of the river, and Commander Tarleton of the “Fox” landed with a party of seamen and marines, spiked the guns and destroyed their ammunition. At daybreak on the following morning the troops commenced landing. They had not proceeded far when some guns were opened on the British, and shortly afterwards skirmishers showed themselves in the jungle. This was a new mode of fighting with the Burmese, as no instance occurred in the former war of their attacking the flanks or quitting their stockades. Now they were not only good shots, but bold in their operations, and clever in selecting their ground and covering themselves. A strong outwork named the White House Redoubt was assaulted; the storming party, of which four companies of the 51st. Light Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel St. Maur, formed part, carried the stockade, but in consequence of the intense heat of the sun, which occasioned the death of two officers, it was not until the 14th. of April that the fortified town and pagoda of Rangoon were stormed and captured. A Naval Brigade of one hundred and twenty men, under Lieutenant Dorville of the “Fox,” served on shore with the troops, and worked a battery of heavy guns.

The 80th. and 18th. formed the advance, and the 51st., under Major Errington, Colonel St. Maur having been compelled to quit the field from a stroke of the sun, were in reserve. After an advance for about a mile the ground became very difficult, barely admitting of the 80th. and 18th. occupying it in close order. The troops also suffered from a heavy fire, when an immediate assault was determined upon. The storming party was formed of a wing of the 80th., under Major Lockhart, two companies of the 18th., under Lieutenant Hewitt, and two companies of the 40th. Bengal Native Infantry, under Lieutenant White, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Coote, of the Royal Irish; Captain Latter, accompanying the party to show the road. Captain J. Wood, who was specially mentioned, commanded the 18th. regiment. The golden pagoda—a most sacred temple—was soon carried, and all the country fell with it, the once strong post of Kemmendine having been abandoned and destroyed.

During the attack and storming of Rangoon, on the 11th., 12th., and 14th. of April, the British had two officers and fifteen men killed, and fourteen officers and one hundred and eighteen men wounded. The casualties in the fleet were seventeen.

General Godwin and Commodore Lambert in May planned an attack on Bassein, one of the three chief ports of Burmah; and the two commanders, with four steamers of the East India Company, having on board about eight hundred men, proceeded to carry their design into execution. On May 18th. the squadron anchored in front of the town, and the troops landed under cover of the guns.

Major Errington with his force, of which four hundred of the 51st. formed a portion, advanced on the chief pagoda and carried it in grand style: the citadel, a strong mud fort, was next assaulted by a company of the 51st. and two of the Madras Native Infantry, under Captains Rice and Borthwick. Captain Rice, whilst gallantly leading his company, was shot through the lower part of the neck, when his place was taken by Lieutenant Carter, who, followed by his men, was the first on the parapet; here he was struck down by a musket-ball, and rolled over the exterior slope, but still insisted upon being carried into the work. Although the defence was obstinate, yet in forty minutes after the landing, the whole of the works were in possession of the British. Eighty cannon and wall pieces were captured, and the stockades burnt. This dashing operation occasioned the officers and men of Captain Rice’s company to be specially thanked in orders. Major Errington, who commanded the troops, was wounded. After leaving a garrison in Bassein the remainder of the troops returned to Rangoon.

Martaban was attacked by a Burmese force of upwards of one thousand men on the 26th. of May, but they were gallantly repulsed by the garrison, consisting of the 49th. Madras Native Infantry, under Major Hall. The 51st. regiment, which had been sent to reinforce the garrison, assisted in driving back the enemy from the stockade, and pursued him some distance.

During the middle of September, the 18th. and 80th. regiments embarked at Rangoon for Prome, and arrived there on the morning of the 9th. of October. The troops were landed in the evening in a suburb to the north of and beyond the town. As they advanced towards the position selected for the night, a very smart fire of musketry and jingalls was simultaneously opened from some jungle and houses on the British left, and a small pagoda in the front. The grenadiers of the 80th. under Captain Christie, and two companies of the same regiment under Captain Welsh, accompanied by Brigadier Reignolds, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 18th. regiment, in a short time most gallantly drove the enemy from their position. The remainder of the troops were landed on the following morning, when the place was found evacuated by the Burmese. Thus the important city of Prome was gained, with the small loss of one killed and eight wounded.

Captain Loch, H.M.S. “Winchester,” subsequently destroyed several strong fortifications in the neighbourhood of Prome. One at Akouktoung, armed with five guns and garrisoned by four hundred men, completely commanded the river, being situated on a hill three hundred feet high. Captain Loch with eighty men scaled the hill overgrown with jungle, the enemy fled, and the battery was taken and demolished.

On Sunday, the 21st. of November, Pegu was attacked by a force under Brigadier Mc.Neill, of the Madras Army, composed of the 1st. Bengal Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Tudor, three hundred; 1st. Madras Fusiliers, Major Hill, three hundred; 5th. Madras Native Infantry, Major Shubrick, four hundred; seventy Sappers; and thirty-two Artillery. The morning was foggy, and the Burmese were taken by surprise. They retreated to the pagoda, but after some sharp fighting were driven out, and the city captured. It had been taken by a handful of soldiers and seamen under Commander Tarleton three months before, but the force being too small to occupy the place returned to Rangoon.

When the news of the capture of this city was received at Calcutta, a proclamation was issued annexing the whole province of Pegu to the British territories.

On the 8th. of December the enemy attacked Prome in force, but were repulsed with loss; the engagement lasted from midnight until four o’clock in the morning of the 9th. The 51st. shared in this action.

The small garrison left in Pegu was constantly harassed by the attacks of the Burmese army, encamped at a short distance, which were gallantly repulsed by Major Hill, of the Madras Fusiliers. A reinforcement of twelve hundred men left Rangoon on the 11th. of December, and arrived at Pegu on the 14th; when, after a toilsome march through a close country without a road, and an attack from a large body of skirmishers, the relief was effected. A further advance into the country, with a view to bring on a general action, was made on the 17th., and an attack subsequently ensued, when the Burmese rapidly abandoned their entrenched position and took to flight; after a further march of two days, the enemy avoiding a general engagement, the state of the commissariat forced the British general to return to Pegu, and subsequently to Prome.

An expedition proceeded under Brigadier-General Sir John Cheape, K.C.B., to the Donabew district of Pegu, in order to reduce the stronghold of Myat-toon, a robber-chief. The force was actively engaged on the 17th., 18th., and 19th. of March, 1853; after a severe struggle of four hours’ duration the place was stormed and destroyed. The left wing was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sturt, of the 67th. Bengal Native Infantry, and the right wing by Major Wigstone, of the 18th. Royal Irish, who was severely wounded. The total loss amounted to twenty-two killed, and one hundred and eight wounded, fourteen being officers. The casualties sustained by the 18th., 51st., and 80th. regiments, amounted to thirteen killed and sixty-five wounded.

A short time before, a combined naval and military force, commanded by Captain Loch, of about five hundred men with three guns, had been repulsed with loss, in an attempt to dislodge this freebooter. In this affair, Lieutenant Kennedy, H.M.S. “Fox,” and Captain Price of the 67th. Bengal Infantry were killed, and Captain Loch mortally wounded.

On the 30th. of June, 1853, the termination of the war was officially announced, and although the king of Ava refused to sign a formal treaty of peace, yet as all the concessions demanded were agreed to, the Governor-General proclaimed that hostilities would not be resumed so long as the British possession of Pegu remained undisputed. All the captives in Ava were released, and the navigation of the Irrawaddy was declared to be free for the purposes of trade between the two countries.

The British regiments that took part in this war were the 18th., 51st., and 80th. Foot, also the men of the Naval Brigade.

THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN.
1856–1857.

A rupture occurred with Persia, in consequence of that power having taken possession of Herat on the 25th. of October, and war was declared on the 1st. November following. An expedition accordingly proceeded to the Persian Gulf, under Major-General Stalker, C.B., and the Island of Karrack was taken formal possession of on the 3rd. of December without opposition. The troops landed on the 7th. at Ras Halala, about fifteen miles below Bushire, and two days afterwards stormed the position at the old Dutch fort of Reshire, which was taken, the place being carried at the point of the bayonet.[139] The casualties were principally confined to the officers, amongst whom was Brigadier James Stopford, C.B., of the 64th., killed.