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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Soldiers, by W.H.G. Kingston
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Our Soldiers
+       Gallant Deeds of the British Army during Victoria's Reign
+
+Author: W.H.G. Kingston
+
+Release Date: October 17, 2007 [EBook #23052]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR SOLDIERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Our Soldiers; Gallant Deeds of the British Army during Queen Victoria's
+Reign, by W.H.G. Kingston.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+A very interesting book telling us about the various deeds of the
+British Army throughout the reign of Queen Victoria.  Most of us will be
+aware of nearly all of the campaigns, but that there were so many comes
+as a bit of a shock.  Although many of the campaigns and battles were
+favourably completed, quite a few were not, and this also comes as a bit
+of a shock.
+
+Kingston was the original author, but died many years before the end of
+Queen Victoria's reign, and the work was taken in hand by Mr G.A.
+Henty, also a prolific writer of books for teenagers.  There was some
+evidence in the book of two or more authors being at work, by reason of
+different spellings for the same person or item.  For instance one of
+the authors spelt "Gatling guns" as "Catling guns".  The Ghurkas also
+appeared in several variants, and a character called "Soojah-ul-Moolk"
+appeared with a different spelling practically every time!
+
+Having cleared all that out of the way, we present you with a most
+interesting book that we hope you will greatly enjoy reading, or just
+glancing through.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+OUR SOLDIERS; GALLANT DEEDS OF THE BRITISH ARMY DURING QUEEN VICTORIA'S
+REIGN, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGNS--1839-42.
+
+In 1809 the reigning Ameer of Afghanistan, Shah Soojah-ul-Moolk, was
+dispossessed of his throne and an exile.  Runjeet Singh, the Sikh ruler
+of Punjaub, plundered and imprisoned him at Lahore, and obtained from
+him the famous Koh-i-noor, the great diamond which is now among the
+crown jewels of Great Britain.  Eventually Soojah escaped from Lahore
+and became a pensioner of the East India Company.  For many years after
+the fall of Shah Soojah, anarchy ruled in Afghanistan, until in 1826
+Dost Mahomed established himself upon the throne at Cabul.
+
+Meantime Shah Soojah never ceased to plot for his restoration, and in
+1832 came to an agreement with Runjeet Singh, in pursuance of which the
+latter undertook to assist him in an armed attempt to oust Dost Mahomed.
+The Indian Government, while professing neutrality, indirectly assisted
+Shah Soojah by paying his pension in advance.
+
+In 1833 Shah Soojah's army was thoroughly beaten by Dost Mahomed before
+Candahar, though he himself escaped.  But Runjeet Singh was more
+successful; he drove the Afghans back into the Khyber Pass and occupied
+Peshawur, which province he held against all the attempts of the Afghan
+Ameer to expel him.
+
+In 1837 the Shah of Persia, under the instigation of and with assistance
+from, Russia, and in spite of strong remonstrances by the British, made
+war upon Afghanistan and marched upon Herat.
+
+ELDRED POTTINGER AT HERAT.
+
+The siege of this place commenced on the 23rd of November 1837, and
+lasted over nine months, when it utterly collapsed, owing mainly to the
+determination and courage of Lieutenant Pottinger, who had arrived in
+the city just before, and assisted the Afghans in the defence.
+Notwithstanding the assistance of Russian volunteers the Persian attack
+was but feebly delivered; still, but for the presence of Pottinger and
+the courage given by his example, the Afghan defence would have been
+equally spiritless.  At length, after some days' bombardment, a general
+assault was made on the 23rd of June 1838, and repulsed by Pottinger
+with heavy loss.  Soon after the Shah, hearing that a British expedition
+had been sent up the Persian Gulf to force him to retire, raised the
+siege and left Herat, which has remained up to the present in the hands
+of the Afghans--a fact which may be said to be in the first instance due
+to the heroic achievements of one young British officer, Lieutenant
+Eldred Pottinger.
+
+THE AFGHAN WAR.
+
+The Indian Government had now determined, for reasons into which it is
+not our province to inquire, to make war upon Dost Mahomed and to
+replace Shah Soojah upon the throne.
+
+This war, which ended so disastrously to our arms and prestige, seems at
+this time, when it is possible to take an impartial view of the
+question, to have been one of wanton aggression against a prince well
+disposed towards our Government--and who, with whatever faults he had,
+was a strong and wise ruler, and accepted by his people--in order to
+force upon the Afghans a mere nominee of the British, and one whose
+authority could only be supported by the bayonets of an alien race.
+Such an enterprise was as discreditable to our councillors as it proved
+to be disastrous to our soldiers.
+
+The army collected for this purpose consisted of the Bengal contingent,
+which, after leaving a division in reserve at Ferozepore, was 9500
+strong, under the command of Sir Willoughby Cotton, and the Bombay
+contingent, consisting of another 6000, the whole being under the
+command of Sir John Keane.
+
+At the same time, another force, nominally under the command of Shah
+Soojah, was to be raised in the Company's territories, to accompany him
+into Afghanistan.  This army crossed the Indus near the fortress of
+Bukkur, entering territories famous from their association with the
+operations of Alexander the Great, and which had never before been
+traversed by British troops.
+
+Marching from Shikapore, the army advanced for fifty miles through the
+dark defiles of the Bolan Pass, lofty mountains covered with snow
+towering above their heads.  It now entered a desert region, where
+provisions were not to be procured, and where on every side the troops
+were assailed by the fierce Beloochees, who attacked foraging parties
+and camp followers, and plundered the baggage left in the rear.  Early
+in April, the troops marched through the vale of Shawl, forded many
+rivers, and passed the heights of Kozak, over which the artillery was
+dragged by the men with ropes, till at length, surmounting all
+difficulties, the army reached Candahar on the 27th of April 1839.
+
+On the 27th of June the march was resumed, but it was necessary to leave
+a strong garrison at Candahar, and, strange to say, probably owing to
+the difficulties of transport, the siege-guns which had been dragged
+with so much toil through the passes were left behind, while supplies
+were so short that the army had to proceed on half rations.
+
+CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE--23RD JULY.
+
+On the 21st of July the army arrived before the famous fortress of
+Ghuznee, which was considered impregnable by the Afghans.
+
+The city of Ghuznee lies between Candahar and Cabul, about 230 miles
+distant from the former, and 90 from the latter place.  It stands on the
+extreme points of a range of hills, which slope upwards and command the
+north-east angle of the Balla Hissar.  As the British advanced on it,
+and observed its strong fortifications rising up before them on the side
+of a hill, they saw that the place could not be reduced by artillery for
+want of the siege-guns left at Candahar, and at the same time a high
+wall with a wet ditch in front made operations with scaling-ladders or
+mining equally impossible.
+
+It was discovered, however, by Captain Thomson, who made an inspection
+under heavy fire from the walls, that though the gates had been built up
+the Cabul gate still existed, and he reported that this one, though at
+great risk, could be blown up, and so an attempt to take the place by
+storm could be made.  The want of supplies made it absolutely necessary
+to take the place, and therefore Sir John Keane gladly accepted Captain
+Thomson's proposal.
+
+The morning of the 23rd of July, just before daybreak, was the time
+fixed for the assault.  The regiments told off for the service were the
+2nd, 13th, and 17th (Queen's), and the Company's European regiment,
+under Major Carruthers, Lieutenant-Colonel Orchard, Colonel Croker, and
+Major Tronson.  The advance consisted of the light companies of these
+four regiments.  The night and morning were unusually stormy.  The
+advance was placed under the command of Colonel Dennie of the 13th Light
+Infantry, and the main column under Brigadier Sale.  The explosion party
+was directed by Captain Thomson, who had under him Lieutenants Durand
+and Macleod of the Bengal, and Captain Peat of the Bombay corps.  Under
+cover of the darkness, the noise the men might make being overpowered by
+the roaring of the wind, the storming column advanced along the Cabul
+road, while the engineers carried up their powder-bags to the gate.
+Meantime the General filled the gardens near the city walls with the
+sepoys, who kept up a sharp fire on the wall, while the light batteries
+opened hotly upon the works.
+
+This demonstration fixed the attention of the enemy, and called forth a
+responsive fire.  Suddenly a row of blue lights appeared along the
+walls, illuminating the place, and showing that the Afghans were manning
+them in expectation of an escalade.  All this time the British engineers
+were quietly piling their powder-bags at the Cabul gate.  It was a work
+that required great courage, and it was done well; but at first the
+powder failed to ignite, and Lieutenant Durand was obliged to scrape the
+hose with his finger-nails.  Again the port-fire was applied.  The
+powder exploded.  The noise of the explosion was almost overpowered by
+the roaring of the guns and the rushing of the wind.  Still, many an
+Afghan trembled at the ominous sound.  Mighty indeed was the effect.
+Down with a crash came heavy masses of masonry and shivered beams in
+awful ruin and confusion.  Now occurred a slight delay.  It had been
+agreed that the signal for the storming party should be the bugle-call
+"Advance," but the bugler had fallen, and so Durand had to rush back to
+the nearest party he could find.  At length the signal was given.  The
+advance was sounded.  Colonel Dennie at the head of his brave band
+rushed forward through the breach, amid clouds of smoke and dust, and
+soon the bayonets of his light companies were crossing the swords of the
+enemy, who had rushed down to the point of attack.  A few moments of
+darkness and confusion, and then the foremost soldiers caught a glimpse
+of the morning sky, and pushing gallantly on, were soon established in
+the fortress.
+
+Three hearty, animating cheers, so loud and clear that they were heard
+throughout the general camp, announced to their excited comrades below
+that Dennie and his stormers had entered Ghuznee.
+
+Colonel Sale was pressing on to support Dennie, when, deceived by a
+false report that the latter had failed to enter the breach, he halted
+his column.  There was a pause of painful doubt; but the true state of
+affairs was soon ascertained.  Again the cheering notes of the bugle
+sounded the advance, and the British troops pushed on.  But the enemy
+had profited by the pause, and numbers crowded to the breach.  One of
+their number, rushing over the ruins, brought down the gallant Sale by a
+cut on the face with his sharp sabre.  The Afghan repeated his blow as
+his opponent was falling; but the pommel, not the edge of his sword,
+this time took effect, though with stunning violence.  He lost his
+footing, however, in the effort, and both rolled down together amid the
+fractured timbers of the gate.  Sale now made an effort to master the
+weapon of his opponent.  He snatched at it, but one of his fingers met
+the edge of the sharp blade.  He quickly withdrew his wounded hand, and
+placed it over that of his adversary, so as to keep fast hold of the
+hilt; but the Afghan was active and powerful, and he was himself faint
+from loss of blood.  Happily, at that moment Captain Kershaw, of the
+13th, approached the scene of conflict.  The wounded leader called to
+him by name for aid.  He gave it effectually by passing his sabre
+through the body of the Afghan; who, however, continued to struggle
+gallantly.  At length the Brigadier for a moment got the uppermost.
+Still retaining in his left hand the weapon of his enemy, he dealt him
+with his right a cut from his own sabre, which cleft his skull from his
+crown to the eyebrows.  The Mohammedan once shouted "Ne Ullah!"  (O
+God!) and never moved or spoke again.
+
+At length the enemy gave way.  The British pushed on.  The support,
+under Colonel Croker, advanced, and the reserve speedily followed; and
+soon the colours of the 13th Regiment, planted by the brave young Ensign
+Frere, as well as those of the 17th, were flying out in the morning
+breeze from the ramparts of Ghuznee.
+
+The struggle within the fort, for a considerable time, was most
+desperate.  In addition to a heavy fire kept up on them, the British
+troops were assailed by the enemy sword in hand, as well as with
+daggers, pistols, and other arms; but British courage, perseverance, and
+fortitude overcame all opposition, and the enemy were soon to be seen
+abandoning their guns, running in all directions, throwing themselves
+down from immense heights, and endeavouring to make their escape over
+the walls.  By five o'clock the capture of the Afghans' last stronghold
+was complete.  But there was much hard fighting within the walls.  In
+the frenzy of despair the Afghans rushed out from their hiding-places,
+plying their sabres with terrible effect, though only to meet with an
+awful retribution from the musketry or bayonets of the British infantry.
+Some, in their frantic efforts to escape by the gateway, stumbled over
+the burning timbers, wounded and exhausted, and were slowly burnt to
+death.  Some were bayoneted on the ground, and others hunted into
+corners and shot down like dogs; but though many an Afghan sold his life
+dearly, and cut to the last at his hated enemy, the appeals of the
+helpless for mercy were never made in vain.  And when resistance ceased,
+not a conquered enemy was injured.
+
+So Ghuznee fell to the British army, and was made over to Shah Soojah.
+It cost the victors only 17 killed, and 165 wounded; of these last, 18
+were officers.
+
+Upwards of 500 of the garrison were buried by the victors; many more
+fell beyond the walls under the sabres of the British horsemen.  Sixteen
+hundred prisoners were taken, and large stores of grain and flour fell
+into the hands of the conquerors.
+
+The fall of Ghuznee--a fortress hitherto deemed by the Afghans
+impregnable--astonished Dost Mahomed, and was the cause of the ruin
+which soon afterwards overtook him.
+
+CAPTURE OF KHELAT--13TH NOVEMBER.
+
+In the northern part of Beloochistan stands the strong mountain fortress
+of Khelat.  The chief, Mehrab Khan, had offended the British, and it was
+resolved to annex his territories to the kingdom of Shah Soojah.  Khelat
+is a place of commanding strength.  The citadel rises high above the
+buildings of the town, and frowns down menacingly on its assailants.  On
+the north-west of the fort are three heights.  On these the Khan had
+posted his infantry, supported by five guns in position.  General
+Willshire was sent to capture it, with the 2nd and 17th Queen's
+Regiments, the 31st Bengal Native Infantry, with two howitzers, four of
+the Shah's 6-pounder guns, and a detachment of local horse.  On the
+morning of the 13th of November he found himself before the place.  The
+Engineer officers reported that until the heights were carried it would
+be impossible to proceed against the fortress; accordingly orders were
+issued for the attack.  It was Willshire's hope that the enemy might be
+driven down to the gate of the fortress, and that the stormers might
+rush in with them.  Gallantly our brave soldiers made their way up the
+heights--gallantly they were carried, and right nobly the guns were
+captured.
+
+The shrapnel shot from Stephenson's batteries fell with too deadly an
+aim among the Beloochee footmen for them to hold their position on the
+hills.  They fled towards the walls of their fortress, and the British
+infantry pushed hotly after them; but, in spite of all their exertions,
+our brave soldiers were not in time to secure an entrance--the gates
+were closed against their advance.  The enemy's artillery, planted on
+the walls, was now brought into play.  The British infantry were
+compelled to find shelter behind some ruined buildings, while our
+batteries, planted on the heights, opened upon the gate and the
+neighbouring defences.  Two of Cooper's guns were brought within 200
+yards of the walls.  The gunners suffered much from the matchlocks of
+the enemy, but undauntedly continued to fire full upon the gate.  At
+length it gave way.  Pointing his hand towards the gateway, Willshire
+boldly rode down to show the infantry that an entrance was ready for
+them.  Rising at once from their cover, with a loud hurrah they rushed
+on.  Pennycuick and his men were the first to enter.  The other
+companies eagerly followed, till the whole of the storming column were
+within the walls of Khelat.
+
+Onward they struggled manfully towards the citadel.  Every inch of
+ground was obstinately disputed.  The citadel was reached, but there was
+here a desperate resistance.  Sword in hand, Mehrab Khan and some of his
+principal chiefs stood to give battle to their enemies.  The Khan
+himself fell dead with a musket-ball through his breast.  Eight of his
+principal sirdars fell beside him.  Heaps of dead lay around,--many
+fine-looking men,--their shields shot through and broken, swords and
+matchlocks scattered about in every direction, telling of the fierce
+fight.  A small party held out in an inner apartment; there was no
+reaching them, except by a narrow passage which admitted but of one at a
+time.  Three or four attempted it, and were instantly shot dead.  The
+little band of Beloochees would not trust the British.  At length
+Lieutenant Loveday was sent up to them alone.  It was a critical moment
+for him; but they listened to his proposals, and surrendered.  And
+Khelat was won, the British loss being 138 killed and wounded.
+
+These defeats had a very depressing effect upon the followers of Dost
+Mahomed, who, although still at the head of an army of 14,000 men, found
+that there was no courage in his faint-hearted followers, and that they
+could not be trusted even to be true to himself.  His position being
+thus hopeless, Dost Mahomed fled from Cabul on the 2nd of August, and
+that city was entered in state by Shah Soojah, who then, though for a
+short time, was restored to the throne which he had lost thirty years
+before.
+
+The army now ceased to be an expeditionary force, and became settled as
+an army of occupation.  The officers sent for their wives and families,
+and for a time English society and English amusements may be said to
+have been established in Cabul.  Still Shah Soojah was not accepted by
+the people, his rule was exacting and cruel, and disaffection was rife
+in the country, which was rapidly preparing to rise.
+
+In the meantime, Dost Mahomed was still to be reckoned with.  After his
+flight from Cabul he and his son Akbar had gone to Bokhara, where for a
+time they were in captivity.  Escaping thence, they reached Khartoum,
+where the Dost's family were under the protection of his brother Jubbar
+Khan.  Here he found the tribes strongly in his favour, and soon
+gathered force wherewith to oppose the British who were concentrating at
+Bamian, where a small force under Colonel Dennie arrived on the 14th of
+September 1840.
+
+THE BATTLE OF BAMIAN.
+
+On the 18th of September Colonel Dennie moved out with a detachment to
+drive a force of the enemy out of a valley near Bamian.  Soon after
+eight o'clock, two horse artillery guns, under Lieutenant Murray
+Mackenzie, two companies of the 35th Native Infantry, two companies of
+the Goorkha corps, and about four hundred Afghan horse, marched out to
+meet the enemy.  About half an hour afterwards, Dennie, with two more
+companies of the native infantry regiment, and two also of the Goorkha
+corps, followed, in support of the advanced detachment.  Instead of
+coming merely upon the advance of the enemy, the Brigadier found an army
+in his front; but, in spite of the slender force at his command, and the
+apparently overwhelming numbers of the enemy, he did not hesitate for a
+moment.  His men were eager to advance, and he himself was full of
+confidence and courage.  The enemy had got possession of a chain of
+forts reaching to the mouth of the defile, and were collected in bodies
+round the several forts, and upon the hills on either side of the
+valley.  Mackenzie's guns began to play upon them.  For some short time
+the Oosbegs, forming part of the Dost's force, stood the fire, but the
+guns were ably served, and the shrapnel practice told with terrific
+effect on dense bodies of men, who had nothing to give back in return.
+
+The Oosbegs retreated; the British guns were pushed forward, opening a
+destructive fire, first from one distance, then from another, upon the
+wavering enemy.  The Dost's army was soon broken to pieces, and the
+British cavalry were then let slip in pursuit.  Following the disorded
+masses of the enemy for some miles along the defile, they cut down large
+numbers, and dispersed them in all directions.  The defeat of the Dost's
+army was complete, and he and his son owed their lives to the fleetness
+of their steeds.
+
+DOST MAHOMED'S LAST CHARGE.
+
+Notwithstanding all this, Dost Mahomed, not yet beaten, was soon once
+more in command of a respectable force.  The force which had been
+pursuing him under Sir Robert Sale came up with him on the 2nd of
+November.  As our cavalry advanced upon him, Dost Mahomed, at the head
+of a small band of horsemen, strong, sturdy Afghans, but badly mounted,
+prepared to meet his assailants.  Beside him rode the bearer of the blue
+standard, which marked his place in the battle.  He pointed to it, and
+reined in his horse, then snatching the white _lunghi_ from his head,
+stood up in his stirrups uncovered before his followers, and called upon
+them in the name of God and the Prophet to drive the cursed Kaffirs from
+the country of the faithful.  "Follow me," he cried aloud, "or I am a
+lost man!"  Slowly, but steadily, the Afghan horsemen advanced.  The
+English officers who led our cavalry to the attack covered themselves
+with glory; but the native troopers, those vaunting horsemen,
+treacherous not for the first time even now, and who were in after years
+to prove traitors of the darkest dye, fled like sheep.  Emboldened by
+the dastardly conduct of the men of the 2nd Light Cavalry, the Afghan
+horsemen dashed on, driving their enemy before them, and not stopping
+till they were almost within reach of the British guns.
+
+The British officers unsupported by their men met the full force of the
+Afghan charge, and fought bravely to the last.  Lieutenants Broadfoot
+and Crispin were killed, while Captains Fraser and Ponsonby, though
+badly wounded, broke through their assailants.
+
+The next evening poor gallant Dost Mahomed, seeing his cause was
+hopeless, gave himself up to the British at Cabul, and shortly after was
+sent to British India.
+
+ACTION NEAR SOORKHAB--NOVEMBER 1841.
+
+The chiefs of certain hill tribes, Kuzzilbashs, Ghilzyes, and other
+robbers and bandits by profession, had been accustomed to receive
+subsidies to induce them to refrain from robbing any caravans or parties
+travelling in the neighbourhood of their territories.  The expenses of
+the war in Afghanistan had been enormous; and it becoming necessary to
+retrench, it was unwisely determined to begin by cutting off the pay of
+these chiefs.  They resented the measure, and assembling in vast
+numbers, took every opportunity of attacking the British troops passing
+through the defiles of their mountainous country.  Sale's brigade had
+reached Jugdulluck with little opposition; but on the next march it was
+seen that the heights were bristling with armed men, and a heavy fire
+was poured in with terrible effect from all the salient points on which
+the mountaineers had posted themselves.  Sale threw out his flanking
+parties, and the light troops, skirmishing well up the hillsides,
+dislodged the enemy, whilst a party under Captain Wilkinson, pushing
+through the defile, found that the main outlet had not been guarded, and
+that the passage was clear.  The march was resumed, but the enemy were
+not yet weary of the contest.  Reappearing in great numbers, they fell
+furiously upon the British rearguard, and for a time the men thus
+suddenly assailed were in a state of terrible disorder.  The energetic
+efforts of the officers, however, brought them back to a sense of their
+duty.  Broadfoot, Backhouse, and Fenwick rallied and reanimated them.
+But the British loss was heavy; upwards of 100 were killed and wounded,
+and among them fell the gallant Captain Wyndham, of the 35th Native
+Infantry.  Although lame from a hurt, at the moment of peril he had
+dismounted to save the life of a wounded soldier, by bearing him from
+the combat on his charger.  When the rearguard broke before the onset of
+the Ghilzyes, unable to keep pace with the pursued, he turned, fought,
+and, overpowered by numbers, fell beneath the swords and knives of an
+unsparing foe.  The force halted at Gundamuck.  The political managers
+of affairs in Afghanistan fancied that this would prove the termination
+of disturbances in that country.  Unhappily the storm which was to break
+with such fearful violence was only now gathering.
+
+RETREAT FROM CABUL--6TH JANUARY 1842.
+
+The British army had, as we have seen, advanced on Cabul, the capital of
+Afghanistan, in August 1839.  Since that period it had been placed in
+cantonments outside the city.  Major-General Sir V. Cotton had at first
+commanded in Afghanistan.  He was succeeded by Major-General
+Elphinstone, who assumed the command in April 1841.  On the morning of
+the 2nd of November 1841, the inhabitants of Cabul broke out in
+rebellion, and murdered Sir A. Burnes, the political agent, as well as
+his brother and Lieutenant Broadfoot, who sold their lives dearly.  The
+rebellion extended rapidly through the country; supplies were cut off,
+and it was resolved to retreat from Cabul.
+
+The amount of the British force was 4500 fighting men: the camp
+followers were about 12,000 men, besides women and children.  The
+retreat commenced at 9 a.m. on the 6th of January 1842.  It was as
+disastrous as any in the pages of history.  A revengeful, active enemy,
+bitter cold and driving snow overwhelmed them; and of that great
+multitude, only one officer, Dr Brydon, reached Jellalabad in safety.
+All the rest had died from cold or the sword of the enemy--except those
+who had been delivered as hostages at the commencement of the retreat,
+or who had been taken prisoners; an account of whose release will be
+hereafter given.
+
+DEFENCE OF JELLALABAD--OCTOBER 1841 TO APRIL 1842.
+
+Before it was suspected to what extent the insurrection in Afghanistan
+would reach, Sir Robert Sale was placed in command of a brigade which
+was ordered to return to Hindostan.  His road led through the Ghilzye
+defiles.  Here, for several days, he was attacked by the mountaineers,
+but fighting his onward way, he reached Gundamuck.  Here he heard of the
+outbreak at Cabul.  Deeming it important to push on, he left a
+considerable portion of his camp equipage at Gundamuck, under charge of
+some Afghan levies; but they proved traitors, plundered the baggage, and
+set fire to the cantonment.  Captain Burn and the other European
+officers were pursued by the insurgents, but succeeded in reaching the
+British camp.
+
+Sir Robert Sale renewed his march the next morning, but already the
+whole armed population of the district was on the alert.  The Afghans
+crowned each height as soon as our pickets were withdrawn, swarmed like
+hornets round the camp, and were repelled only by the most strenuous
+efforts.  They permitted the advanced guard and the main body to pass
+through the town of Futtehabad without interruption.  Bodies of them
+even came in guise of unarmed suppliants to beg for protection.  But no
+sooner had the rearguard passed the houses and fort of this town, than a
+destructive fire was opened upon it.  Captain Broadfoot and his sappers
+turned fiercely round more than once, and inflicted vengeance for this
+treachery; and Colonel Dennie, in the end, dexterously decoyed the enemy
+away from their walls into the open plain, and then the cavalry, under
+Captain Oldfield and Lieutenant Mayne, charging among them with headlong
+valour, strewed the ground with 150 slain.  That night the force
+encamped under the walls of Jellalabad, and took possession of it next
+morning, the 12th of November.  It was a most important object to occupy
+this place, in order to establish a post on which the corps at Cabul
+might retreat it necessary, and then form a link in the chain of
+communication with India.  A glance at the map will show the immense
+distance which the British forces were from all support, with intricate
+passes, lofty mountains, deserts, and broad rivers intervening between
+them and India; while on every side swarmed hostile tribes, accustomed
+to warfare, and sworn to destroy them.
+
+Jellalabad was the winter residence of the rulers of Cabul, and inferior
+only to that city and Candahar.  The walls were, however, in a state
+which might have justified despair as to the possibility of defending
+them.  They were also far too extensive for our small force, embracing a
+circumference of upwards of 2300 yards.  There was no parapet, except
+for a few hundred yards.  In many places the walls were not more than
+two feet high, while rubbish had accumulated to such an extent that
+there were roads over them into the country.
+
+The population within was disaffected, and without were ruined forts,
+walls, mosques, tombs, and gardens, from which a fire could be opened at
+20 or 30 yards.  Captains Broadfoot and Havelock and Colonel Dennie
+assured the General that the works might be restored by adequate
+exertions, and it was therefore resolved to occupy the town.
+
+The brigade was scarcely within the walls, when the plain was darkened
+by masses of the enemy.  They had expected that the British troops would
+continue their progress towards India, and looked for a rich harvest of
+plunder of their baggage between Jellalabad and Peshawur.  It was
+determined to read them a salutary lesson, and Colonel Monteith was
+ordered to drive them away.  He issued from the gate on the morning of
+the 14th of November, with horse, foot, and artillery, 1100 in number,
+of whom 300 were Europeans, and fell on the enemy with such vigour and
+skill, that the masses broke up and fled, leaving 200 dead on the field.
+At noon not an Afghan remained, and all molestation ceased for fourteen
+days.  On the 15th, the work of clearing away the ruins and restoring
+the fortifications was commenced, under the direction of Captain
+Broadfoot.  The day was spent by him in superintending the work, the
+evening was devoted to his plans and calculations.  Working parties were
+told off, who laboured from dawn to dusk--officers and men worked with
+emulation; and in a few weeks the ramparts were ready to receive the
+guns, and everything around the town that could afford cover to the
+enemy was, as far as possible, cleared away.  The chief cause of anxiety
+to Sir Robert Sale was the deficiency of ammunition, which a single
+prolonged engagement would go nigh to exhaust.  The men were therefore
+ordered not to expend a single shot uselessly.
+
+On the 29th of November, large bodies of Afghans poured down upon the
+plains from the surrounding valleys, and opened a desultory fire on the
+town.  As they interrupted the workmen on the fortifications, Colonel
+Dennie sallied out of the gates soon after midday on the 1st of
+December, with 300 men from each regiment, to disperse them.  The
+Afghans fired a volley and fled--the troops followed.  The guns dealt
+destruction among the fugitives; the cavalry, galloping in pursuit,
+drove some into the river, and cut down others, till 150 bodies strewed
+the plain.  The garrison enjoyed a long period of repose in consequence
+of this spirited repulse of the enemy.  At length news reached the
+gallant band of the disasters at Cabul; and Dr Brydon arriving in the
+city, confirmed the sad news.  Councils of war were held, and there was
+some talk of evacuating Jellalabad; but there were brave spirits among
+the garrison, who saw, and loudly spoke, not only of the disgrace, but
+of the suicidal folly of such a measure.  Their bolder counsels
+prevailed, and it was determined to hold out to the last extremity.
+There was Havelock, whose name was afterwards to be in the mouth of
+every British soldier, as one to be loved and imitated; there were
+Broadfoot and Dennie, true heroes of the noblest stamp.
+
+On the 19th of February a letter was received from General Pollock, who
+had arrived in Peshawur, approving of their resolution to hold out, and
+promising to advance as soon as possible to their aid.  Sir Robert
+replied that the whole of the horses of his cavalry and artillery must
+perish in another month if he was not succoured before that time, and
+that then a retreat even on a force advancing to his relief would be
+impossible.
+
+Major Havelock and Captain Wade were seated by Sir Robert's side, the
+former writing the reply to General Pollock, when the house began to
+shake violently.  A fearful earthquake was taking place.  The shocks
+continued, without intermission, with frightful violence--a confused,
+rumbling sound wildly mingled with the crash of falling houses and the
+outcries of the inhabitants.  The earth was so uplifted that it was
+scarcely possible for the people to keep their feet.  But the
+destruction of the defences was most appalling.  All the parapets were
+shaken down, several of the bastions were injured, all the guard-houses
+were cast to the ground, a third of the town was demolished, and a
+considerable break made in the ramparts of a curtain in the Peshawur
+face, while the Cabul gate was reduced to a shapeless mass of ruins.
+
+The garrison did not lose heart even under these appalling
+circumstances.  The camp of the enemy they knew was only seven miles
+off, and he might be upon them in a few hours.  It was also necessary to
+guard against a rush which any parties of the enemy concealed in the
+neighbourhood might make against the ruined walls.  At the sound of the
+bugle the troops assembled on the ramparts.  When it was ascertained
+that no enemy was near, they piled their arms, and set to work with
+brave determination to restore the defences.  Temporary parapets of
+loose clods were thrown up, the earth was cleared out of the ditch,
+gabions were filled to block up the main breaches, and palisades fixed
+to impede the progress of assailants through others.  In a few hours the
+walls wore a more encouraging aspect.  The Afghans, when a few days
+afterwards they approached the fortress and saw the wonderful state of
+repair in which it had been placed, believed that it had escaped through
+the power of English witchcraft.  The difficulties of the garrison,
+however, increased great anxiety was felt for the subsistence of the
+cavalry and artillery horses.  Foraging parties were sent out daily
+under an escort, and were constantly attacked by the enemy; and the
+close investment of the place by Akbar Khan made it impossible for them
+to get in the needed supplies.
+
+At length, on the 11th of March, the Afghans approached so near the
+walls, that it was suspected that they purposed undermining them.  To
+prevent this Colonel Dennie made a vigorous sally with 800 men, and
+ascertained that they had commenced no operation of the sort.  Akbar
+Khan then advanced on the city with his whole force.  It was a critical
+moment, but the hearts of none of the garrison failed them.  He was
+received with so hot a fire from the ramparts, while horse and foot
+attacked him with such heroic courage, that he was compelled to fly,
+leaving more than 100 dead on the field.
+
+Starvation now threatened the garrison.  For many days the European
+regiments had been on half rations of salt beef, without vegetables,
+while the native troops subsisted mainly on flour; and it was doubtful
+whether this allowance would be continued beyond the second week in
+April.  When, however, they were almost reduced to despair that help
+would come in time to preserve their lives, some large flocks of sheep
+were seen grazing on the plains before them.  At first it was believed
+that they were placed there to lure them out to destruction, but the
+desire to capture them at all hazards became too strong to be resisted.
+About 200 men of the 13th, and the same number of the 35th, with some
+sappers and miners, were allowed to sally out to bring in the prey.
+They succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations, and 500 sheep
+and goats were captured and brought in amid shouts of laughter by the
+men.  This success raised the spirits of the whole garrison, and made
+them more than ever determined to hold the fort until rescue should
+come.
+
+On the 6th of April the situation again changed and the fortunes of the
+garrison once more seemed desperate.  Spies had brought in rumours of a
+serious check inflicted upon General Pollock by the enemy at Ali-Musjid,
+and Akbar Khan had salutes fired in honour of this supposed victory.
+
+Few of the officers believed these reports, but they were only the more
+eager to attack Akbar in force, and so, it victorious, effect their own
+relief, and support General Pollock if the report should turn out to be
+true.  This plan of action was especially urged by Havelock upon the
+General, and though at first Sir Robert Sale, brave as he was, shrank
+from the responsibility of ordering so daring an effort, he in the end
+agreed.  On the 7th of April the infantry marched out in three columns.
+The centre, under Colonel Dennie, consisted of the 13th, 500 strong; the
+left, of the 35th, under Colonel Monteith, mustering the same number of
+bayonets; and the right, under Captain Havelock, composed of one company
+of the 13th, another of the 35th, and the detachment of sappers under
+Lieutenant Orr, the whole amounting to 360.  Captain Broadfoot lay on
+his couch, suffering from a dangerous wound received in a sortie on the
+24th of March.
+
+It was at this time reported in the town that Akbar Khan was preparing
+to retreat.
+
+Without sound of bugle or drum, at early dawn the troops fell into their
+ranks and marched out of Jellalabad.  Notwithstanding the report of his
+flight, Akbar Khan's troops, 6000 in number, were found drawn up in
+front of his camp, his left resting on the Cabul river.  Havelock moved
+on rapidly in advance with his column, and driving the skirmishers
+before him, pushed on towards the enemy's camp, the other columns
+following.  Sir Robert Sale was with the centre column.  At about
+three-quarters of a mile from Jellalabad, a flanking fire was opened
+from one of the forts on that column, and Sir Robert ordered Colonel
+Dennie to storm it.  Accordingly, rushing on with his men of the gallant
+13th, he passed the outer wall through an opening, but found himself
+exposed to a murderous fire from the inner keep.  Here fell the brave
+Colonel Dennie, mortally wounded by an Afghan marksman.  He was
+acknowledged by all to be one of the most gallant soldiers in the
+British army.  This false move nearly produced disastrous consequences.
+Akbar Khan, seeing Havelock, who was much in advance, unsupported,
+brought down a body of 15,000 cavalry on his feeble column.  Havelock
+posted the company of the 13th in a walled enclosure on his right, to
+pour a flanking fire on the enemy, and formed the rest into square.
+That he might be able to command both parties, he himself remained
+outside the square till the horsemen were close upon them.  His horse
+rearing, he was thrown, and the animal galloped back riderless to the
+town.  He would have been killed by the Afghans had not a sapper and two
+men of the 13th rushed forward and rescued him.  The enemy's horse,
+charging with much resolution, approached within 30 yards; but their
+leader was shot, and, exposed to a heavy fire in front and flank, they
+retired in confusion.  Again Havelock's column advanced, and once more
+the Afghan horse charged it.  Thrown into one square, it awaited the
+attack, which was more easily repulsed than the first.  Sir Robert then
+sent Backhouse's guns to Havelock's assistance.  The column, cheering
+them as they came on, advanced against the enemy's encampment and
+penetrated it, driving the Afghans headlong into the river.  The other
+columns now came up, the camp was attacked on three points, and in a
+short time the enemy were dislodged from every part of their position,
+their cannon taken, and their camp burnt.  Four guns, lost by the Cabul
+and Gundamuck forces, were recaptured, and a great quantity of ordnance
+stores and _materiel_ was taken or destroyed.  The field was strewed
+with the bodies of the Afghans, while the loss on the side of the
+victors amounted to only 10 killed and 50 wounded.
+
+Thus the garrison of Jellalabad, after having been isolated in a hostile
+country for five months, surrounded by enemies, and constantly
+threatened with destruction, achieved its own relief.  The peasantry now
+brought in ample supplies of provisions, and on the 16th of April the
+relieving force under General Pollock, having gallantly fought its way
+through the Khyber Pass, routing the Afridis who guarded it, approached
+the long beleaguered city, an exploit second to none in the annals of
+warfare; and thus was accomplished the successful defence of Jellalabad.
+
+FORCING THE KHYBER PASS--5TH APRIL 1842.
+
+Meanwhile, when the news reached India that a British army had been
+destroyed in Afghanistan, and that General Sale, with another, was
+closely besieged in Jellalabad, a strong force was despatched under
+General Pollock to his relief.  General Pollock had to encounter many
+difficulties in his march, but the greatest was forcing the Khyber Pass,
+which was known to be guarded by a numerous, active, and daring enemy.
+The troops had arrived at Jumrood, on the east end of the pass--on the
+west end was Ali-Musjid.  The hills on either side of the pass were
+rocky and precipitous, presenting great obstacles to troops, guarded as
+they were by numerous bodies of Afridis, long accustomed to warfare.
+The difficulties were great, but they were known, and General Pollock
+prepared to surmount them.  Brigadier Wild was in command of the advance
+guard, and General McCaskill of the rear.
+
+Before dawn on the 5th of April Pollock's force set out from Jumrood to
+the entrance of the Khyber Pass.  It was formed of eight regiments of
+infantry, among whom were the 9th Queen's Regiment, three cavalry corps,
+including two squadrons of the 3rd Dragoons, artillery, and sappers, in
+all some 8000 men.  Brigadier Wild was in command of the advance guard
+and General McCaskill of the rear.  The arrangement of the march was
+that the heights on either side should be occupied by infantry, the
+right being under the command of Colonel Taylor, and the left of Colonel
+Morley; and while these advanced along the heights the main column was
+to advance through the pass.
+
+At three o'clock in the morning the army commenced its march.  It moved
+off in the dim twilight without beat of drum or sound of bugle.  The
+crowning columns moved off to the right and left, and commenced in
+silence to climb the heights, which were covered with the enemy; but so
+little did they expect that mode of attack, that the flankers had
+ascended a considerable distance before the Khyberees were aware of
+their advance.  Daylight soon revealed the respective positions of the
+contending forces, and the struggle commenced.
+
+The hillmen had thrown up across the pass a formidable barricade,
+composed of stones, mud, and branches of trees.  Behind this barrier the
+enemy were gathered in force, waiting the opportunity to attack the main
+column when it should attempt the pass.  But this opportunity did not
+come, for the main column on entering the pass halted in battle array,
+while the infantry on the hills performed the duty assigned to them of
+clearing the heights.
+
+The left column was soon actively engaged; the right could not at first
+surmount the heights, from their precipitous character; but Colonel
+Taylor and his men, not to be defeated, stole round the base of the
+mountain unseen, and found a more practicable ascent than that they had
+at first tried.  "Then on both sides the British infantry were soon
+hotly engaged with the mountaineers, clambering up the precipitous
+peaks, and pouring down a hot and destructive fire upon the surprised
+and disconcerted Khyberees, who had not expected that our disciplined
+troops would be more than a match for them on their native hills.  But
+so it was.  Our infantry, native and British, were beating them in every
+direction, and everywhere the white dresses of the Khyberees were seen
+as they fled across the hills."
+
+Now was the time for Pollock to advance.  The centre column did not
+attempt to move forward until the flankers had fought their way to the
+rear of the mouth of the pass.  But when he had fairly turned the
+enemy's position, he began to destroy the barriers, and prepared to
+advance into the pass.  The enemy had assembled in large numbers at the
+mouth; but finding themselves outflanked, they gradually withdrew, and
+without opposition Pollock now cleared his way through the barricade,
+and pushed into the pass with his long string of baggage.  The great
+extent of his convoy was his chief difficulty for the rest of the day.
+
+The march to Ali-Musjid occupied the greater part of the day.  The heat
+was intense.  The troops suffered greatly from thirst, but they all did
+their duty well.  During the night, in spite of the bitter cold, the
+heights were held, and the enemy, who were constantly firing on the
+troops, kept in check.  From thence the march was without incident, and
+the head of the column marched into Jellalabad unresisted on the 13th, a
+fortnight after the gallant sortie by which the garrison had freed
+themselves of Akbar Khan and his army.
+
+OCCUPATION OF CABUL IN 1842.
+
+Victory had once more settled on the standards of the British army.  On
+the 8th of September the first division of General Pollock's army
+approached the hills which overlook the pass of Jugdulluck.  The Afghans
+attempted to oppose their invaders, but were driven back like sheep from
+hill to hill by the soldiers of the 13th, many of them the raw recruits
+whom Havelock had brought up from Calcutta the preceding year, and whom
+five months of hard service at Jellalabad had turned into veterans.
+
+Akbar Khan's last stand was made at Tzeen, a valley surrounded by hills;
+but these were gallantly stormed, and the enemy, as before, driven from
+crag to crag, fighting with all the fury of despair; but they were
+ultimately put to flight, and two days afterwards General Pollock's
+force was encamped at Cabul.  One of the first results of this victory
+was the rescue of Lady Sale and the other prisoners who had been carried
+off by Akbar Khan.
+
+Among the officers rescued with Lady Sale was Lieutenant Mein, of Her
+Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, who had distinguished himself by his
+gallantry in the retreat from Cabul, before he was taken prisoner.
+Lieutenant Eyre gives us an account of him:--"Sir Robert Sale's
+son-in-law, Lieutenant Sturt, had nearly cleared the defile, when he
+received his wound, and would have been left on the ground to be hacked
+to pieces by the Ghazees, who followed in the rear to complete the work
+of slaughter, but for the generous intrepidity of Lieutenant Mein, of
+Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, who, on learning what had befallen
+him, went back to his succour, and stood by him for several minutes, at
+the imminent risk of his own life, vainly entreating aid from the
+passers-by.  He was at length joined by Sergeant Deane of the sappers,
+with whose assistance he dragged his friend on a quilt through the
+remainder of the pass, when he succeeded in mounting him on a miserable
+pony, and conducted him in safety to the camp, where the unfortunate
+officer lingered till the next morning, and was the only man of the
+whole force who received Christian burial.  Lieutenant Mein was himself
+suffering from a dangerous wound in the head, received in the previous
+October."  His heroic disregard of self, and fidelity to his friend in
+the hour of danger, are well deserving of a record in the annals of
+British valour and virtue.  Besides the officers and ladies, 36
+non-commissioned officers and men of the 44th Regiment were rescued,
+making 105 in all, who, with Dr Brydon, formed all that remained of the
+troops who left Cabul in 1841.
+
+The British avenging army arrived at Cabul on the 15th of September
+1842, and encamped on the racecourse.
+
+The following morning the British colours were hoisted on the most lofty
+pinnacle of the battlements of the Balar Hissar, where they could be
+seen from all parts of the city.  A royal salute was fired, the national
+anthem was played, and the troops gave three cheers.  The colours were
+hoisted regularly every day on the Balar Hissar as long as the troops
+remained at Cabul.
+
+DEFENCE OF CANDAHAR, 1842.
+
+Major-General Sir William Nott, with the 40th Regiment, and other
+troops, was stationed at Candahar when the Afghan insurrection broke
+out.  On the morning of the 12th of January 1842, a large force of the
+insurgents, under two powerful chiefs, approaching within eight miles of
+the city, Sir William Nott, with his troops, the 40th Regiment forming
+the advance, went out to meet them.  Although the Afghans were strongly
+posted, they were quickly put to flight.  From this period up to the 7th
+of March the troops remained all night long accoutred and ready for
+action.  In consequence of the severity of the weather, the British
+could not again quit the city to punish the enemy, who swarmed around
+and plundered the neighbouring villages.  At length the position became
+so dangerous, that early in March every Afghan was expelled from the
+city, and then the General, leaving a small garrison in the city,
+marched on to attack the enemy.  As he advanced the Afghans retired, and
+so gradually drew him away from the city.  Suddenly, on the night of the
+10th, a large force doubled back on Candahar and made a furious attack
+on the gates, one of which they set on fire and tore down.  The garrison
+were hard-pressed, but fought valiantly for three hours behind an
+improvised rampart, and eventually drove off the enemy.  Nott was not
+able to return to Candahar till the 12th, but it was now free from the
+enemy.  Here he had to stay waiting for ammunition and supplies, which
+eventually reached him, escorted by a force under Sir R. England, and on
+the 10th of August he marched to Cabul, passing on the way the fort of
+Ghuznee.  This, it will be remembered, had been valiantly taken by storm
+by our troops three years before, now it was again in Afghan hands.  For
+after a siege of three and a half months in the preceding December, the
+enemy, aided by treachery, found a way in, and the garrison, few in
+number, retired to the citadel.  On the 6th of March they at length
+surrendered, under a promise of safe-conduct with colours and arms and
+the honours of war to Peshawur, and, as was customary at this date, fell
+victims to Afghan treachery, and were massacred or made prisoners.
+
+On the march to Ghuznee, General Nott on the 30th of August came up with
+an army of 12,000 men, and after a severe fight utterly defeated them.
+On the 5th of September Ghuznee was once again occupied by our troops,
+and on the 17th Cabul was reached, just two days after Pollock had
+entered.
+
+The grand bazaar in Cabul, in which the remains of the British Envoy had
+been exposed to insult, having been destroyed on the 12th of October,
+the army commenced its return to India.  On the way the fortifications
+of Jellalabad were blown up; and on the 17th of December, the brave
+garrison of that place marching in advance, and wearing the medals
+granted to them, the whole army made a triumphal entrance into
+Ferozepore.
+
+The 13th Light Infantry have "Jellalabad"; the 40th and 41st, "Candahar
+and Ghuznee"; and the 3rd Light Dragoons, 9th, 13th, 31st, 40th, and
+41st, "Cabul, 1842."  Thus ended the Second Afghan Campaign.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+THE CONQUEST OF SCINDE, 1843.
+
+BATTLE OF MEEANEE, 17TH FEBRUARY 1843.
+
+Scinde is a large province, through the western portion of which the
+river Indus flows before it reaches the Indian Ocean.  Hyderabad is the
+capital, situated on the banks of the Indus.  This country was ruled by
+a number of chiefs or princes, who held the title of Ameer.  They were a
+lawless and rapacious set, and tyrannised over their subjects with the
+most barbarous cruelty.  When, however, it was resolved (in 1831) to
+open up the Indus for the navigation of our merchant vessels, it became
+important to secure their friendship; and to effect that object, Colonel
+Pottinger was despatched by Lord William Bentinck, and succeeded in
+forming with them a treaty, by which they guaranteed all the objects
+desired by the British Government.  For some years, while they believed
+that it was their interest to be honest, they remained tolerably
+faithful to the English; when, however, they fancied, from our disasters
+in Afghanistan, that the British power was on the wane, they instantly
+began to plot with our enemies for our overthrow.  To put a stop to
+these proceedings, Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India,
+despatched General Sir Charles Napier with an army into Scinde, and gave
+him the following instructions:--"Should any Ameer or chief, with whom
+we have a treaty of alliance and friendship, have evinced hostile
+intentions against us during the late events, which may have induced
+them to doubt the continuance of our power, it is the present intention
+of the Governor-General to inflict on the treachery of such an ally and
+friend so signal a punishment as shall effectually deter others from
+similar conduct."  Sir Charles, who was encamped at Sukkur, in upper
+Scinde, on the right bank of the Indus, soon obtained ample proof of the
+treachery and hostility of the Ameers, and prepared for war by
+disciplining and organising his troops, who were composed chiefly of raw
+levies with little experience.  On the same side of the Indus as Sukkur,
+and about twenty miles from the river, was Shikarpoor, with Roree on the
+left bank, and the fortress of Bukkur between them.
+
+One of the principal Ameers was Roostum, and an arch traitor.  He had
+already induced a large number of Beloochees, a warlike race from
+Beloochistan, to prepare for battle.  Many also remained in their homes,
+ready for the signal to flock to his standard.  He and the other chiefs
+did not delay long in raising that standard, and a force of 60,000 men
+was soon collected near the capital of Hyderabad, at a spot afterwards
+to become famous, called Meeanee.  Sir Charles had led his forces down
+the left bank of the Indus, several steamers accompanying his progress.
+On the 16th of February the British army had reached Muttaree, about
+sixteen miles from Hyderabad, when Sir Charles heard that 20,000
+Beloochees had suddenly crossed the Indus, and that not less than 36,000
+men were really in order of battle.  In consequence of the garrisons he
+had been compelled to leave in his rear, his own army consisted at this
+time of only 2600 men of all arms fit for duty.  Still his resolution
+remained unshaken.  He well knew what discipline could do against
+untrained hordes, however brave, and he was also well aware of the
+danger of retreating before a barbarian enemy.  He was informed that the
+enemy's cavalry was 10,000 strong, and that they were posted on a vast
+plain of smooth hard clay or sand, while his whole cavalry force
+numbered but 800.  Marching on the night of the 16th, his advanced guard
+discovered the enemy at eight o'clock next morning, and at nine o'clock
+the British line of battle was formed.  The enemy, 36,000 strong, were
+posted along the dry bed of the river Fullaillee, which falls into the
+Indus.  Its high bank, sloping towards the plain in front, formed a
+rampart.  Their position was about 1200 yards wide.  Eighteen guns,
+massed on the flank in advance of the bank, poured their shot on the
+British troops while forming the line, and the Beloochee wings rested on
+_shikargahs_ (copses or woods), which lined the plain so far as to flank
+the advance on both sides.  They were very large and dense, and that on
+the Beloochee right intersected with _nullahs_ (water-courses) of
+different sizes, but all deep, carefully scarped, and defended by
+matchlock-men.  Behind the shikargahs, the Fullaillee made a sudden bend
+to the rear, forming a loop, in which the Ameer's cavalry was placed.
+
+The shikargah on the enemy's left was more extensive, and, though free
+from nullahs, very strong.  It was covered towards the plain by a wall,
+having one opening, not very wide, about half-way between the two
+armies.  Behind this wall 5000 or 6000 men were posted, evidently
+designed to rush out through the opening upon the flank and rear of the
+British when the latter advanced.  Some matchlock-men were seen astride
+on this wall, which was ten feet high, but they soon disappeared; and
+the General, discovering that there were no loopholes or scaffolding to
+the wall, ordered Captain Tew, with a company of the 22nd, to occupy and
+defend it to the last.  It was another Thermopylae.  The gallant Tew
+died in the gap, but the post was maintained, and thus 6000 enemies were
+paralysed by only 80.
+
+As the British army advanced--the baggage, cast into a circle, was left
+close in the rear, surrounded by camels, which were made to lie down
+with their heads inwards, and their bales placed within them for their
+armed followers to fire over, thus forming a fortress not very easy to
+storm.  Two hundred and fifty Poona horsemen, and four companies of
+infantry under Captain Tait, were the only force which could be spared
+for its protection.
+
+The order of battle was thus formed:--
+
+Twelve guns, under Major Lloyd, flanked by 50 Madras sappers, under
+Captain Henderson, were on the right.  On Lloyd's left stood the 22nd
+Queen's Regiment, under Colonel Pennefather, not 500 strong, half
+Irishmen, strong of body, high-blooded soldiers, who saw nothing but
+victory.  On the left were the swarthy sepoys of the 22nd Bombay Native
+Infantry; then the 12th, under Major Reid, and the 1st Grenadiers, led
+by Major Clibborne; the whole in the echelon order of battle.  Closing
+the extreme left, but somewhat held back, rode the 9th Bengal Cavalry,
+under Colonel Pattle.  In front of the right infantry, skirmishers were
+thrown out, and on the left the Scinde horsemen, under Captain Jacob,
+fierce Eastern troops, were pushed forward.  Between the two armies
+there was a plain of about 1000 yards, covered for the first 700 with a
+low jungle, which impeded the march of the British troops.  For 300
+yards, however, in front of the Beloochee line, it had been cleared to
+give free play for their matchlocks, with which they fired long shots at
+times without showing themselves.
+
+The order to advance was given, and the General and his staff rode
+forward in face of the heavy fire from the Beloochee guns.  The enemy's
+right was strongly protected by the village of Kottree, now filled with
+matchlock-men.  The main body of the British advanced in columns of
+regiments, the right passing securely under the wall of the enclosure,
+where Tew's gallant company, now reinforced by a gun, were with a
+rattling fire of musketry keeping their host of foes in check.  Onward
+marched the main body of the British army, while Clibborne's grenadiers
+were storming the village of Kottree on the left.  The level was all the
+time swept by the Beloochee guns and matchlocks, answered at times by
+Lloyd's battery, but nothing stopped the progress of the gallant band.
+When within 100 yards of the Fullaillee, the 22nd opened into line, and
+all the columns formed in succession, each company as it arrived
+throwing its fire at the top of the bank, where the faces of the
+Beloochees could be seen bending with fiery glances over their levelled
+matchlocks.
+
+The British front was still incomplete, when the voice of the General,
+loud and clear, was heard commanding the charge.  The order was answered
+by a hearty British cheer.  Four guns were run forward, and the
+infantry, at full speed, dashed on towards the river, and rushed up the
+sloping bank.  The stern Beloochees, with matchlocks resting on the
+summit, let their assailants come within 15 yards before they delivered
+their fire; but the steepness of the slope inside, which rendered their
+footing unsteady, and the rapid pace of the British, spoilt their aim,
+and the execution done was not great.
+
+The next moment the 22nd were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear
+all down before them; but even they staggered back at the forest of
+swords waving in their front.  Thick as standing corn, and gorgeous as a
+field of tulips, were the Beloochees in their many-coloured garments and
+turbans.  They filled the broad, deep bed of the now dry Fullaillee;
+they were clustered on both banks, and covered the plain beyond.
+Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they shook their
+sharp swords, gleaming in the sun, and their shouts rolled like a peal
+of thunder, as, with frantic might and gestures, they dashed against the
+front of the 22nd.  But with shrieks as wild and fierce, and hearts as
+big, and arms as strong, the British soldiers met them with the bayonet,
+which they used with terrible effect against their foremost warriors.
+At the same time the few guns that could be placed in position on the
+right of the 22nd, flanked by Henderson's small band of Madras sappers,
+swept diagonally the bed of the river, tearing the rushing masses with a
+horrible carnage.  Soon the sepoy regiments, 12th and 25th, prolonged
+the line of fire to the left, coming into action successively in the
+same terrible manner.
+
+"Now the Beloochees closed in denser masses, and the dreadful rush of
+their swordsmen was felt, and their shouts answered by the pealing
+musketry, and such a fight ensued as has seldom been recorded in the
+annals of warfare.  Over and over again those wild, fierce warriors,
+with shields held high and blades drawn back, strove with strength and
+courage to break through the British ranks.  No fire of small-arms, no
+sweeping discharge of grape, no push of bayonets could drive them back;
+they gave their breasts to the shot, their shields to the bayonet, and,
+leaping at the guns, were blown away by twenties at a time: their dead
+rolled down the steep slope by hundreds, but the gaps were continually
+filled from the rear; the survivors pressed forward with unabated fury,
+and the bayonet and sword clashed in full and frequent conflict."
+
+Thus they fought--never more than five yards apart, often intermingled,
+and several times the different regiments were forced backwards, but
+their General was always there to rally and cheer them.  At his voice
+their strength returned, and they recovered ground, though soon in the
+dreadful conflict nearly all their regimental leaders were killed or
+wounded.
+
+Major Teasdale, animating the sepoys of the 25th Regiment, rode
+violently down a gap in the Beloochees, and was there killed by shot and
+sabre.
+
+Major Jackson, of the 12th, coming up with his regiment, the next in
+line, followed the same heroic example.  Two brave havildars kept close
+to him, all three in advance of their regiment, and all fell dead
+together, but not till several of the fiercest of the Beloochee
+swordsmen were seen to sink beneath the brave Jackson's strong arm and
+whirling blade.  Here also fell Captains Cookson and Meade, and
+Lieutenant Wood, nobly cheering on their men to the attack, while Tew
+had died at his post at the entrance of the shikargah.  Many more were
+desperately wounded: Colonel Pennefather and Major Wylie; Captains
+Tucker, Smith, Conway; Lieutenants Plowden, Harding, Thayre, Bourdillon;
+Ensigns Firth, Pennefather, Bowden, Holbrow.
+
+Lieutenant Harding, of the 22nd, was the first to leap upon the bank.
+His legs were cut by the swordsmen, and he fell, but rose again
+instantly, and, waving his cap, cheered his men to the charge.
+Receiving another sword-cut, his right hand was maimed; yet still he
+urged the men forward, till at length a shot went through his lungs, and
+again he fell, and was carried out of the fight.
+
+Lieutenant McMurdo, a young staff-officer, rode, like Teasdale and
+Jackson, into the bed of the Fullaillee, and his horse being killed, he
+fell.  Regaining his feet, he met and slew Jehan Mohamed, a great chief
+and a hardy warrior, in the midst of his tribe.  Several of Jehan's
+followers then engaged him in front, while one struck at him fiercely
+from behind, but being at that moment struck down by a sergeant of the
+22nd, the blow fell harmless.  McMurdo turned and repaid the service by
+cleaving to the brow a swordsman who was aiming at his preserver's back;
+another fell beneath his weapon, and then he and the sergeant fought
+their way out from among the crowds of foes pressing fiercely round
+them.
+
+Several times the sepoys, when their leaders were killed or disabled,
+slowly receded; but the General was always at the point of the greatest
+danger, and then manfully his swarthy soldiers recovered their ground.
+
+Once he was assailed by a chief, and his danger was great, for his right
+hand had been maimed before the battle.  At the moment that the fierce
+warrior was about to cut him down, Lieutenant Marston, of the 25th
+Native Infantry, sprang to his side, killed the sirdar, and saved his
+General.  At another period Sir Charles Napier was alone for some
+moments in the midst of his enemies, who stalked round him with raised
+shields and scowling eyes; but, from some superstitious feeling
+possibly, to which the Beloochees are very prone, not one attempted his
+destruction, which they might easily have accomplished.  When the
+soldiers of the 22nd saw him emerge unharmed from his perilous position,
+they gave vent to their feelings in a loud and hearty cheer, heard above
+the din of battle.
+
+For more than three hours did this storm of war continue, and still the
+Beloochees, undismayed, pressed onwards with furious force, their
+numbers to all appearance increasing instead of being diminished by
+those who had been struck down.  Now came the critical point in every
+battle.  Except the cavalry, there was no reserve to bring forward.  In
+vain the brave Jacob had previously endeavoured to turn the village of
+Kottree with the Scinde Horse, and to gain the flank of the enemy's
+position.
+
+So heavily pressed by the Beloochees on the right, and so exhausted were
+his men, that he could not quit that point; but his quick eye saw that
+the enemy's right could be turned, and he sent orders to Colonel Pattle
+to charge with the whole body of the Bengal and Scinde horsemen on the
+enemy's right.  Never was an order more promptly obeyed.  Spurring hard
+after their brave leaders, the Eastern horsemen passed the matchlock--
+men in the village of Kottree, and galloped unchecked across the small
+nullahs and ditches about it, which were, however, so numerous and
+difficult, that 50 of the troopers were cast from their saddles at once
+by the leaps.  But dashing through the Beloochee guns on that flank, and
+riding over the high bank of the Fullaillee, the main body crossed the
+deep bed, gained the plain beyond, and charged with irresistible fury.
+Major Story, with his Bengal troopers, turning to his left, fell on the
+enemy's infantry in the loop of the upper Fullaillee, while the Scindian
+Horse, led by Lieutenant Fitzgerald, wheeling to their right, fell on
+the camp, thus spreading confusion along the rear of the masses opposed
+to the British infantry.  In this gallant charge three or four
+Beloochees had fallen before his whirling blade, when one, crouching, as
+is their custom, beneath a broad shield, suddenly stepped up on the
+bridle-hand, and with a single stroke brought down the horse.
+Fitzgerald's leg was under the animal, and twice the barbarian drove his
+keen weapon at the prostrate officer, but each time the blow was
+parried; and at length, clearing himself from the dead horse, the strong
+man rose.  The barbarian, warned by the Herculean form and threatening
+countenance of his opponent, instantly cast his shield over a thickly
+rolled turban of many folds, but the descending weapon went through all,
+and cleft his skull.  On charged the cavalry.  The fierce Beloochees,
+whose fury could before scarcely be resisted, slackened their onslaught,
+and looked behind them.  The 22nd, perceiving this, leaped forward with
+a shout of victory, and pushed them back into the deep ravine, where
+again they closed in combat.  The Madras sappers and the other sepoys
+followed the glorious example.  At length the 6000 Beloochees who had
+been posted in the shikargah abandoned that cover to join the fight in
+the Fullaillee, but this did not avail them.  Both sides fought as
+fiercely as ever.  A soldier of the 22nd Regiment, bounding forward,
+drove his bayonet into the breast of a Beloochee; instead of falling,
+the rugged warrior cast away his shield, seized the musket with his left
+hand, writhed his body forward on the bayonet, and with one sweep of his
+keen blade avenged himself.  Both combatants fell dead together.  The
+whole front of the battle was indeed a chain of single combats.  No
+quarter was asked for, none given.  The ferocity was unbounded; the
+carnage terrible.
+
+The Ameers had now lost the day.  Slowly the fierce Beloochees retired
+in heavy masses, their broad shields slung over their backs, their heads
+half turned, and their eyes glaring with fury.  The victors followed
+closely, pouring in volley after volley; yet the vanquished still
+preserved their habitual swinging stride, and would not quicken it to a
+run though death was at their heels!  Two or three thousand on the
+extreme right, who had been passed by the cavalry, kept their position,
+and seemed disposed to make another rush; but the whole of the British
+guns were turned upon them with such heavy discharges of grape and
+shells that they also went off.  All were now in retreat; but so
+doggedly did they move, and so inclined did they appear to renew the
+conflict on the level ground, where the British flanks were unprotected,
+that the General recalled his cavalry, and formed a large square,
+placing his baggage and followers in the centre.  Such was the battle of
+Meeanee, fought with 2000 men against 36,000.  Six officers were killed
+and 14 wounded, and about 50 sergeants and rank and file were killed,
+and 200 wounded--a large proportion of the few actually engaged.  Of the
+enemy, upwards of 6000 were killed: 1500 bodies and more lay in heaps in
+the bed of the Fullaillee alone.
+
+The next morning, six of the principal Ameers presented themselves on
+horseback at the camp, offering their swords, and promising to deliver
+up Hyderabad to the victor.  To Hyderabad he accordingly marched, and
+took possession of that city.
+
+There was another powerful chief still in arms with 10,000 men, about
+six miles off, and it is asserted that, had Sir Charles at once marched
+against this chief, Shere Mahomed of Meerpore, he might have defeated
+him without loss of time; but at the same time it is evident that it was
+most important in the first place to secure the capital, and to give his
+troops refreshment after so desperate a fight.
+
+For the first time in English despatches, the names of private soldiers
+who had distinguished themselves were made known--an innovation which
+still more endeared him to those under his command, and which was hailed
+with satisfaction by thousands who never saw him.
+
+The men of the 22nd Regiment all fought most bravely, but Private James
+O'Neil, of the light company, was especially noticed for taking a
+standard while the regiment was hotly engaged with the enemy; and
+Drummer Martin Delany, who shot, bayoneted, and captured the arms of a
+chief, Meer Whulle Mohamed Khan, who was mounted, and directing the
+enemy in the hottest part of the engagement.  Lieutenant Johnstone, of
+the 1st Grenadiers, Native Infantry, cut down a Beloochee, and saved the
+life of a sepoy who had bayoneted the Beloochee, but was overpowered in
+the struggle.  The names of a considerable number of the native
+regiments were also mentioned as conspicuous for their gallantry, as
+well as those of Lieutenant Fitzgerald and Lieutenant Russell, whose
+steady, cool, and daring conduct kept the men together in the desperate
+charge over the nullahs, under a heavy fire, made by the corps to get on
+the flank of the enemy--a manoeuvre which so mainly contributed to
+secure the victory to the British army.
+
+BATTLE OF HYDERABAD--24TH MARCH 1843.
+
+After the battle of Meeanee, the victorious army of Sir Charles Napier
+entered Hyderabad in triumph.  He had not been there long when he heard
+that Shere Mahomed, or the _Lion_, one of the most powerful of the
+Ameers of Scinde, was in arms at the head of a large force, hoping to
+retrieve the losses of his brother chieftains.  Considerable
+reinforcements for the British army were expected--some from Sukkur down
+the Indus, and others from Kurrachee.
+
+Approaching Hyderabad, the haughty Ameer sent an envoy as herald to the
+British camp, with an insolent offer of terms, saying, "Quit this land,
+and, provided you restore all you have taken, your life shall be
+spared."  Just then the evening gun fired.  "You hear that sound?  It is
+my answer to your chief.  Begone!" said Sir Charles, turning his back on
+the envoy.
+
+On the 21st a column, under Major Stack, reached Muttaree--a long march
+from Hyderabad.  The fortress of Hyderabad was by this time repaired,
+and the intrenched camp was complete; and, on the 16th, recruits and
+provisions came up from Kurrachee, and the 21st Regiment of Sepoys
+arrived from Sukkur, down the Indus.  When the Lion had notice of Major
+Stack's approach, he moved with his whole army to Dubba, intending to
+fall on him on the following day.  The General's plans were soon laid.
+His first care was to save Major Stack's column.  He accordingly sent
+out Captain McMurdo with 250 Poona horsemen, to meet Stack, and to order
+him to advance after he had ascertained the Lion's position.  The next
+morning, Jacob was despatched with the Scinde horsemen along the same
+road, and he himself followed, at a short distance, with the Bengal
+Cavalry and some guns, supported by all the infantry, who moved a short
+distance behind.  Meantime Major Stack had advanced, leaving his baggage
+unprotected.  It was attacked by a body of Beloochee matchlock-men; but
+Captain McMurdo, with only six Poona Horse, kept them at bay till some
+troops he sent for came up to his assistance.  The Beloochees were
+ultimately driven back, and the force reached Hyderabad.  Sir Charles
+had now 5000 men of all arms, 1100 being cavalry, with 19 guns.  Leaving
+two guns to guard the camp, at break of day on the 24th he marched from
+Hyderabad upon Dubba, which was eight miles north-west of that city.
+The infantry and guns moved forward in a compact mass, the cavalry
+scouting ahead and on the flank; for so thickly covered was the whole
+country with houses, gardens, shikargahs, and nullahs, that 50,000 men
+might be in position without being discovered at half a mile distance.
+
+Ten miles were passed over, and still the exact position of the enemy
+was unknown, when a scout came in with the information that the Lion was
+with his whole force two miles to the left.
+
+The General, at the head of the irregular horse, galloped forward, and
+in a quarter of an hour found himself on a plain, in front of the whole
+Beloochee army.  The whole plain was swarming with cavalry and infantry;
+the right wing resting on the Fullaillee, with a large pond of mud
+protecting the flank, while the left rested on a succession of nullahs
+and a dense wood.  No distinct view could be obtained of the order of
+battle, but 26,000 men were before him, and they had 15 guns--11 being
+in battery, while two lines of infantry were intrenched, and a heavy
+mass of cavalry was in reserve.
+
+The front was covered with a nullah 20 feet wide and 8 feet deep, with
+the usual high banks, which were scarped so as to form a parapet.
+Behind this the first line of infantry was posted, extending for a mile
+in a direction perpendicular to the Fullaillee; while behind the right
+wing, close to the Fullaillee, was the village of Dubba, filled with
+men, and prepared for resistance by cuts and loopholes in the houses.
+
+There were other nullahs, behind which the rest of the Beloochee army
+was posted, with one gun on a height to the right, and the remainder
+behind the third line.  Altogether, no position could have been better
+chosen or more formidable.
+
+The march of the British force was diagonal to the front of the
+Beloochee army, and this brought the head of the column left in front
+near the right of the enemy, and the line was immediately formed on the
+same slant; the cavalry being drawn up on the wings, and the artillery
+in the intervals between the regiments.
+
+When the line was formed, the left, being advanced, was under the
+enemy's cannon.  One shot nearly grazed the General's leg, and several
+men were killed.  Still the enemy's position could not be clearly made
+out, and to ascertain it more exactly, Captain Waddington of the
+Engineers, and Lieutenants Brown and Hill, rode straight to the centre
+of the Beloochee lines, and then, under a sharp fire of matchlocks,
+along the front to the junction of the centre with the left.  A thick
+wood on the right gave the General some anxiety, as it was supposed to
+be filled with Beloochees, ready to rush out and attack the British rear
+when they were hotly engaged.  To watch it, he placed the Scindian
+horsemen and 3rd Bombay Cavalry under Major Stack, with orders to oppose
+whatever enemy appeared.  The battle commenced at nine o'clock.
+Leslie's horse artillery pushed forward, followed by the rest of the
+artillery in batteries, and all obtained positions where their fire
+crossed, and with terrible effect they raked the enemy.  Lieutenant
+Smith, eager to discover a place where his artillery could cross a deep
+nullah, bravely rode up to it alone.  He ascended the bank, and
+instantly fell, pierced by a hundred wounds.  It was full of Beloochees.
+The gallant 22nd was again first in action, and, as they advanced under
+a terrific fire from the gun on the hillock, and from the matchlock-men,
+with whom were some of the bravest chiefs posted in the first nullah,
+nearly half the light company were struck down.
+
+Beyond the first nullah, a second and greater one was seen, lined still
+more strongly with men, while the village became suddenly alive with
+warriors, whose matchlocks could also reach the advancing line.  While
+about to lead the gallant 22nd to the charge, the General observed the
+cavalry on the right making a headlong dash at the enemy's left wing, in
+consequence of having seen some of them moving in apparent confusion
+towards the centre.  The right flank of the British army was thus left
+uncovered; and had the wood been filled with Beloochees, the
+consequences might have been serious.  "The whole body of cavalry was at
+full speed dashing across the smaller nullahs, the spurs deep in the
+horses' sides, the riders pealing their different war-cries, and
+whirling their swords in gleaming circles.  There the fiery Delamain led
+the gorgeous troopers of the 3rd Cavalry; there the terrible Fitzgerald
+careered with the wild Scindian horsemen, their red turbans streaming
+amid the smoke and dust of the splendid turmoil."  See `_Conquest of
+Scinde_', by Sir W. Napier.
+
+No enemy appearing from the wood, the heroic General hurried back and
+regained the 22nd at the moment it was rushing to storm the first
+nullah.  Riding to the first rank, he raised that clear, high-pitched
+cry of war which had at Meeanee sent the same fiery soldiers to the
+charge.  It was responded to with ardour, led by Major Poole, who
+commanded the brigade, and Captain George, who commanded the corps.
+They marched up till within forty paces of the intrenchment, and then
+stormed it like British soldiers.  The regiments were well supported by
+the batteries commanded by Captains Willoughby and Hutt, which crossed
+their fire with that of Major Leslie.  The second brigade, under Major
+Woodburn, consisting of the 25th, 21st, and 12th Regiments, under
+Captains Jackson, Stevens, and Fisher respectively, bore down into
+action with excellent coolness.  They were strongly sustained by the
+fire of Captain Whitley's battery.  On the right of it again were the
+8th and 1st Regiments, under Majors Browne and Clibborne, which advanced
+with the regularity of a review up to the intrenchments.  Lieutenant
+Coote, of the 22nd, was the first to gain the summit of the bank, where,
+wresting a Beloochee standard from its bearer, he waved it in triumph,
+while he hurried along the narrow ledge, staggering from a deep wound in
+his side.  Then, with a deafening shout, the soldiers leaped down into
+the midst of the savage warriors.  At that point a black champion, once
+an African slave, and other barbarian chiefs, fell, desperately fighting
+to the last.
+
+Onward the brave 22nd fought its bloody way amid the dense masses of the
+enemy, ably supported by the 25th Native Infantry; and now the British
+line began to overlap the village of Dubba, while Stack's cavalry were
+completely victorious on the right, and Leslie's horse artillery,
+crossing the nullahs with sweeping discharges, committed fearful havoc
+among the dense masses of the Beloochee army.  The other regiments,
+bringing up their right shoulders, continued the circle from the
+position of the 25th, and lapped still farther round the village.  In
+this charge the 21st Sepoys stabbed every Beloochee they came up with,
+whole or wounded, calling out "Innes!  Innes!" at every stroke of death
+they dealt.
+
+In consequence of the rapidity of this charge, some confusion ensued,
+and while the General was endeavouring to restore order, a Beloochee
+field-magazine exploding, killed all near him, broke his sword, and
+wounded him in the hand.  Still the enemy fought on fiercely; surprising
+feats of personal prowess were displayed.  Four or five of the foe fell
+beneath the iron hand of Fitzgerald, whose matchless strength renders
+credible the wildest tales of the days of chivalry.  McMurdo was engaged
+in three successive hand-to-hand combats, his opponents having the
+advantage of shields to aid their swordsmanship.  He killed two in
+succession, but the third, with an upward stroke, cut him from the belly
+to the shoulder, and would have killed him, had he not cleft the man to
+the brows, and thus lessened the force of the blow.  As it was, he
+received a desperate wound.  Three other officers also performed
+surprising deeds of personal prowess.  The General proved that he
+possessed humanity, as well as courage of the most heroic order.  Near
+the village, a chief, retiring with that deliberate rolling stride and
+fierce look which all those intrepid fatalists displayed in both
+battles, passed near the General, who covered him with a pistol; but
+then remembering Meeanee, when in the midst of their warriors no hand
+had been raised against him, he held his finger.  His generosity was
+fruitless, for a sepoy plunged his bayonet into the man with the
+terrible cry of "Blood! blood!"
+
+Much to the General's satisfaction, 16 wounded prisoners were taken,
+whereas at Meeanee the lives of only 3 had been saved.
+
+Slowly and sullenly the enemy retired, some going off with their leader
+to the desert, others towards the Indus; but the latter were intercepted
+by the victorious cavalry of the right wing, and driven in masses after
+their companions into the wilderness.  Meanwhile the General in person
+led the Bengal and Poona Horse, under Major Story and Captain Tait,
+through the valley of Dubba against the retreating masses, putting them
+to the sword for several miles, but not without resistance, in
+consequence of which the brave Captain Garrett and others fell.  The
+Lion himself was seen, and very nearly captured by Fitzgerald and
+Delamain, as he was escaping on his elephant.
+
+On his return with the cavalry, the General was received with three
+hearty cheers by his troops.  In this bloody battle, which lasted three
+hours, the British lost 270 men and officers, of which number 147 were
+of the gallant 22nd Regiment, who had sustained the brunt of the fight.
+Though fought near Dubba, this battle is best known as that of
+Hyderabad, which name is inscribed on the colours and medals of the
+soldiers by whom it was won.
+
+Sir Charles Napier had resolved to make the battle a decisive one.
+Having arranged for sending his wounded to Hyderabad, reorganised his
+army, and ascertained that the enemy had retreated towards Meerpoor, in
+eight hours he was again marching in pursuit.  During the battle the
+thermometer stood at no degrees, and the heat was daily increasing.  On
+that day his troops had marched twelve miles to find the enemy, fought
+for three hours, and had been employed for eight in collecting the
+wounded, burying the dead, and cooking, rather than in resting; but all
+were eager for a fresh fight; as evidence of which, several of the 22nd
+Regiment concealed their wounds, that they might take part in it,
+instead of being sent back to Hyderabad.
+
+Their names are recorded--John Durr, John Muldowney, Robert Young, Henry
+Lines, Patrick Gill, James Andrews, not severely hurt; Sergeant Haney,
+wound rather severe; Thomas Middleton, James Mulvey, severely wounded in
+the legs; Silvester Day, ball in the foot.  It was only discovered that
+they were wounded on the march, when, overcome by thirst, they fell
+fainting to the ground.  Captain Garrett and Lieutenant Smith were
+killed in the battle; and Lieutenants Pownoll, Tait, Chute, Coote,
+Evans, Brennan, Bur, Wilkinson, McMurdo, and Ensign Pennefather were
+wounded.
+
+The next day the Poona Horse were at the gates of Meerpoor.  The Lion
+fled with his family and treasure to Omercote, and the gates of the
+capital were at once gladly opened to the victors.  While the General
+remained at Meerpoor, he sent forward the camel battery of Captain
+Whitley, supported by the 25th Sepoy Infantry, under Major Woodburn.
+There was but little water, and a risk of the Indus rising, so that it
+would have been dangerous to have gone with the whole army.  He promised
+the Lion terms if he would surrender at once.  News was brought him that
+the Indus was rising.  He despatched orders to Captain Whitley to
+return.  That officer had just received information that the Ameers had
+again fled, and that Omercote might be captured.  He was then distant 20
+miles from that place, and 40 from Meerpoor.  A young officer,
+Lieutenant Brown, who had already distinguished himself, undertook to
+ride these 40 miles to obtain fresh instructions.  He reached Meerpoor
+without a stop, and borrowing one of the General's horses, rode back
+again under a sun whose beams fell like flakes of fire, for the
+thermometer stood at above 130 degrees.  He bore orders to attack
+Omercote.  The little band pushed forward, and, on the 24th, Omercote
+opened its gates.
+
+Thus was this important place reduced ten days after the battle of
+Hyderabad, though 100 miles distant, and in the heart of the desert.
+This capture may be said to have completed the conquest of Scinde.  The
+Lion was still at large, but he was finally hunted down and crushed by
+different columns sent against him, under Colonels Roberts,
+Chamberlayne, and Captain Jacob.  Scinde was annexed to British India,
+and Sir Charles Napier was appointed its first governor, independent of
+the Presidencies, with directions to abolish slavery, to tranquillise
+the inhabitants, and to bring out the resources of the country he had so
+bravely acquired.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN, 1843.
+
+BATTLE OF MAHARAJPOOR--29TH DECEMBER 1843.
+
+The loss of British prestige in the defiles of Afghanistan had induced
+many of the native princes of India to fancy that the power of England
+was on the wane, and that they might assume a tone of authority and
+independence which they would not before have ventured to exhibit.
+Among others, the Mahratta Court at Gwalior adopted a line of policy
+inimical to British interests, and contrary to the engagements into
+which their princes had entered.
+
+Lord Ellenborough, foreseeing that they would make an attempt to
+emancipate themselves altogether from British influence, assembled an
+army on the frontier facing the Mahratta territory, and called it the
+"Army of Exercise."  It was gradually increased, and placed under the
+command of Sir Hugh Gough.  Various insulting acts having been committed
+by the Mahratta Government against the English, and no apology having
+been made, the Governor-General ordered the army to enter the Mahratta
+territory.
+
+General Grey took the lead with a division of infantry and a brigade of
+cavalry, and, crossing the Jumna at Calpee, threatened the Gwalior
+territory from the south; while two divisions of infantry, and two
+brigades of cavalry, with the usual complement of artillery, moved down
+from the northward under the command of Sir Hugh Gough himself.  General
+Grey, having advanced from Bundelcund, reached Panniar, about 12 miles
+from Gwalior, on the 28th of December.  The enemy, estimated at about
+12,000 in number, took up a strong position on the heights near the
+fortified village of Mangore.  Although the British troops were much
+fatigued by their long march, the enemy were immediately attacked and
+driven from height to height, till the rout was completed.  The British
+loss was 215 killed and wounded.
+
+Sir Hugh Gough advanced, and found the enemy awaiting him at a strong
+post which they had selected on the evening of the 28th.  It was
+reconnoitred; but during the night the Mahratta forces left their
+intrenched position, and took up another three or four miles in advance
+of it.  The British troops numbered about 14,000 men, with 40 pieces of
+artillery.  The Mahrattas mustered 18,000 men, including 3000 cavalry
+and 100 guns.  The Mahratta army had under Scindia been carefully
+organised by European officers, and was therefore composed of
+well-disciplined men, equal in bravery to any of the natives of India.
+
+On the morning of the 29th, no fresh reconnaissance having been made,
+the British forces found themselves in the presence of an enemy they
+fancied some miles off.  Many ladies, on their elephants, were on the
+field when the action commenced by the gallant advance of Major-General
+Littler's column upon the enemy, in front of the village of Maharajpoor.
+
+The enemy's guns committed severe execution as they advanced; and though
+the Mahrattas fought with the most desperate courage, nothing could
+withstand the headlong rush of the British soldiers.  Her Majesty's 39th
+Foot, with their accustomed dash, ably supported by the 56th Native
+Infantry, drove the enemy from their guns into the village, bayoneting
+the gunners at their posts.  Here a sanguinary conflict took place.  The
+fierce Mahrattas, after discharging their matchlocks, fought sword in
+hand with the most determined courage.  General Valiant's brigade, with
+equal enthusiasm, took Maharajpoor in reverse, and 28 guns were captured
+by this combined movement.  So desperately did the defenders of this
+strong position fight, that few escaped.  During these operations,
+Brigadier Scott was opposed by a body of the enemy's cavalry on the
+extreme left, and made some well-executed charges with the 10th Light
+Cavalry, most ably supported by Captain Grant's troop of horse
+artillery, and the 4th Lancers, capturing some guns and taking two
+standards, thus threatening the right flank of the enemy.
+
+On this, as on every occasion, Sir Henry, then Captain Havelock,
+distinguished himself.  The 56th Native Infantry, who had been brigaded
+with Her Majesty's 39th, were advancing on the enemy, but at so slow a
+pace as to exhaust the patience of Sir Hugh Gough.
+
+"Will no one get that sepoy regiment on?" he exclaimed.
+
+Havelock offered to go, and riding up, inquired the name of the corps.
+
+"It is the 56th Native Infantry."
+
+"I don't want its number," replied he.  "What is its native name?"
+
+"Lamboorunke pultum--Lambourn's regiment."
+
+He then took off his cap, and placing himself in their front, addressed
+them by that name, and in a few complimentary and cheering words
+reminded them that they fought under the eye of the Commander-in-Chief.
+He then led them up to the batteries, and afterwards remarked, that
+"whereas it had been difficult to get them forward before, the
+difficulty now was to restrain their impetuosity."
+
+In conformity with the previous instructions, Major-general Valiant,
+supported by the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, moved on the right of the enemy's
+position at Chouda.  During the advance he had to take in succession
+three strongly intrenched positions, where the enemy defended their guns
+with frantic desperation.  Here Her Majesty's 40th Regiment lost two
+successive commanding officers, Major Stopford and Captain Coddington,
+who fell wounded at the very muzzles of the guns.  It captured four
+regimental standards.  This corps was ably and nobly supported by the
+2nd and 16th Grenadiers, under Lieutenant-Colonels Hamilton and McLarey.
+Major--General Littler, with Brigadier Wright's brigade, after
+dispersing the right of the enemy's position at Maharajpoor, steadily
+advanced to fulfil his instructions to attack the main position at
+Chouda, and was supported most ably by Captain Grant's troop of horse
+artillery, and the 1st Regiment of Light Cavalry.  This column had to
+advance under a severe fire, over very difficult ground, but when within
+a short distance of the enemy, the gallant 39th Regiment, as before,
+rushing forward, led by Major Bray, and gallantly supported by the 56th
+Regiment, under Major Dick, carried everything before them, and thus
+gained the intrenched main position of Chouda.
+
+The battle of Maharajpoor was now virtually won.  The loss on both sides
+had been severe.  The British had 106 killed, of whom 7 were officers,
+and 684 wounded, and 7 missing, making a total loss of 797.  The
+Mahrattas are supposed to have lost between 3000 and 4000 men.
+
+In consequence of this victory and that of Panniar, the Mahratta Durbar
+submitted to the British Government.  Lieutenant-Colonel Stubbs was
+appointed governor of the fort of Gwalior, which commands the city.  The
+Mahratta troops were disbanded, and a British contingent was formed, to
+be maintained at the cost of the Gwalior Government, which was compelled
+to pay forthwith the expenses of the campaign.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+THE PUNJAUB CAMPAIGNS, 1845-1849.
+
+BATTLE OF MOODKEE--18TH DECEMBER 1845.
+
+On the death of Runjeet Singh, the Lion of Lahore, chief of the Sikhs
+and ruler of the Punjaub, in 1839, the throne was seized by his reputed
+son, Sher Singh.  He was a good-natured voluptuary, and utterly unable
+to manage the warlike troops raised by his father.  He was disposed to
+be friendly with the English, but being assassinated by Ajeet Singh on
+the 15th of September 1843, Dhuleep Singh was proclaimed Maharaja, and
+Heera Singh was raised to the dangerous office of vizier.
+
+The new vizier soon found that he could, no more than his predecessor,
+content the army.  His only chance was to give it employment, or rather
+induce it to engage in a contest with the British, which he hoped might
+terminate in its dispersion.  Probably, like other rulers nearer
+England, he was prepared for either contingency.  Should the army be
+successful, he would take advantage of their success; if destroyed, he
+would not be ill pleased.  The Sikhs, indulging themselves with the idea
+of the conquest of British India, virtually declared war against the
+English on the 17th of November.  They commenced crossing the Sutlej on
+the 11th of December; and on the 14th of that month a portion of the
+army took up a position a few miles from Ferozepore.  The Sikhs, it
+should be understood, had some territory on the eastern side of the
+Sutlej, and it is supposed that they had from time to time sent across
+guns, and buried them there, to be ready for their contemplated invasion
+of British India.  At length, on the 13th of December, the Sikh army
+crossed the Sutlej, and threatened Ferozepore, but were held in check by
+the bold front shown by the garrison of that place under Major-General
+Sir John Littler.
+
+Meantime, the army of the Sutlej, under Sir Hugh Gough, was advancing on
+them.  After a trying march of 150 miles, with little rest, and a
+scarcity of water, on the afternoon of the 18th of December the
+information was received by the British army that the Sikhs were
+advancing on Moodkee, which they had just reached.  The troops
+immediately got under arms, the horse artillery and cavalry were pushed
+forward; the infantry, accompanied by field batteries, moving on in
+support.  Before long the enemy, it was found, were approaching in order
+of battle, with 20,000 infantry, the same number of cavalry, and 40
+guns.  The country over which the two armies were advancing to the
+conflict is a dead flat, covered at short intervals with a low but thick
+jungle, and dotted with sandy hillocks.  The enemy screened their
+infantry and artillery behind this jungle and such undulation as the
+ground afforded.
+
+The British cavalry, under Brigadiers White, Gough, and Mactier,
+advanced rapidly to the front in columns of squadrons, and occupied the
+plain, followed by five troops of horse artillery, under Brigadier
+Brooke, who took up a forward position, having the cavalry on his left
+flank.  The British infantry now forming from echelon of brigade into
+line, the enemy opened a severe cannonade on them, which was vigorously
+replied to by the batteries of horse artillery under Brigadier Brooke.
+A gallant charge of the 3rd Light Dragoons, the 5th Light Infantry, and
+4th Lancers, turned the left of the Sikh army, put their cavalry to
+flight, and sweeping along the whole rear of the infantry and guns,
+silenced them for a time.  After this, Brigadier Brooke pushed on his
+horse artillery, and while the cannonading was resumed on both sides,
+the infantry, under Major-Generals Sir Harry Smith, Gilbert, and Sir
+John McCaskill, attacked in echelon of lines the enemy's infantry,
+almost invisible among the jungle and the approaching darkness of night.
+The enemy made a stout resistance; but though their line far outflanked
+the British, that advantage was counteracted by the flank movements of
+the cavalry.  The roll of fire from the British infantry showed the
+Sikhs that they had met a foe they little expected, and their whole
+force was driven from position after position at the point of the
+bayonet, with great slaughter and the loss of seventeen pieces of
+artillery.
+
+Night alone saved them from worse disaster, for this stout conflict was
+maintained for an hour and a half in dim starlight, amidst a cloud of
+dust from the sandy plain, which yet more obscured every object.  The
+victory was not, however, obtained without severe loss to the British.
+Sir John McCaskill was shot through the chest, and killed on the field;
+the gallant Sir Robert Sale, the brave defender of Jellalabad, received
+so severe a wound in the leg that he shortly after died from its
+effects; many other officers and men were killed, making in all 215; and
+657 were wounded.  The enemy's sharpshooters had climbed into trees, and
+from thence killed and wounded many officers.  The victorious army
+returned to camp at midnight, and halted on the 19th and 20th, that the
+wounded might be collected, the captured guns brought in, and the men
+refreshed.
+
+BATTLE OF FEROZESHAH--21ST DECEMBER 1845.
+
+The Sikhs had intrenched themselves in a camp a mile in length, and half
+a mile in breadth, with the village of Ferozeshah in the centre.  They
+numbered nearly 60,000 men, and 108 pieces of cannon of heavy calibre in
+fixed batteries.
+
+The Umbala and Sir John Littler's forces, having formed a junction, now
+arrived.  The British army, thus increased, consisted of 16,700 men, and
+69 guns, chiefly horse artillery.  The united forces advanced at about
+four o'clock in the afternoon of the 21st, to attack the intrenched camp
+of the Sikhs.  The Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge, had offered his
+services to Sir Hugh Gough as second in command, and was actively
+engaged in the operations of this and the following day.  The divisions
+of Major--General Sir J. Littler, Brigadier Wallace, and Major-General
+Gilbert deployed into line, having the artillery in the centre, with the
+exception of three troops of horse artillery, one on either flank, and
+one in support.  Major--General Sir H. Smith's division and the cavalry
+moved in a second line, having a brigade in reserve to cover each wing.
+Sir Hugh Gough directed the right wing, and Sir Henry Hardinge the left
+wing of the army.
+
+The infantry advanced under a terrific storm of shot and shell from
+upwards of 100 Sikh guns, 40 of them of battering calibre; but nothing
+stopped the impetuous onset--the formidable intrenchments were carried--
+the men threw themselves on the guns, and with matchless gallantry
+wrested them from the enemy.  No sooner, however, were the Sikhs'
+batteries won, than the enemy's infantry, drawn up behind their guns,
+opened so tremendous a fire on the British troops, that in spite of
+their most heroic efforts, a portion only of the intrenchment could be
+carried.
+
+Sir Harry Smith's division advancing, captured and retained another
+point of the position, and Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons charged and
+took some of the most formidable batteries; yet the enemy remained in
+possession of a considerable portion of the great quadrangle, whilst the
+British troops, actually intermingled with them, held the remainder, and
+finally bivouacked upon it, exhausted by their gallant efforts, greatly
+reduced in numbers, and suffering extremely from thirst, yet animated by
+that indomitable spirit which they had exhibited throughout the day.
+Whenever moonlight, however, exhibited the British position, the enemy's
+artillery never failed severely to harass them.
+
+Sir John Littler's division, which had advanced against the strongest
+part of the work, suffered severely, especially Her Majesty's 62nd
+Regiment, which had 17 officers killed and wounded out of 23.
+
+It was not till they had done all that men could do that they retired.
+The 3rd Dragoons in this desperate charge lost 10 officers, and 120 men
+out of 400.  When the Sikhs found that Sir Harry Smith had retired from
+the village, they brought up some guns to bear upon the British.  The
+fire of these guns was very destructive.  When the Governor-general
+found this, mounting his horse, he called to the 80th Regiment, which
+was at the head of the column, "My lads, we shall have no sleep until we
+take those guns."  The regiment deployed immediately, and advancing,
+supported by the 1st Bengal Europeans, drove a large body of Sikhs from
+three guns, which they captured and spiked, and then retiring, took up
+its position again at the head of the column, as steadily as if on
+parade.  "Plucky dogs!" exclaimed the Governor-General; "we cannot fail
+to win with such men as these."  His aide-de-camp, Lieutenant-Colonel R.
+Blucher Wood, was severely wounded in the attack.  For the rest of the
+night the column was unmolested, but its position was one of great
+danger,--150 yards only from an overpowering foe, while neither the
+Governor-General nor Sir Hugh Gough could tell in what direction Sir
+John Littler and Sir Harry Smith were to be found.  It was suspected,
+also, that the Sikh army had been greatly reinforced by Tej Singh.  The
+two generals therefore agreed to hold their ground, and at earliest dawn
+to attack the enemy, taking their batteries in reverse, and to beat
+them, or to die honourably on the field.  The whole of Sir Henry
+Hardinge's personal staff had been disabled, except his son, Captain A.
+Hardinge, who had his horse killed under him.
+
+Of that memorable night he himself has given us a most graphic
+description:--"It was the most extraordinary of my life.  I bivouacked
+with the men, without food or clothing, and our nights are bitterly
+cold.  A burning camp in front--our brave fellows lying down under a
+heavy cannonade, which continued during the whole night, mingled with
+the wild cries of the Sikhs, our English hurrah, the tramp of men, and
+the groans of the dying.  In this state, with a handful of men who had
+carried the batteries the night before, I remained till morning, taking
+very short intervals of rest, by lying down with various regiments in
+succession, to ascertain their tempers and revive their spirits.  I
+found myself again with my old friends of the 29th, 31st, 50th, and 9th,
+and all in good heart.  My answer to all and every man was, that we must
+fight it out, attack the enemy vigorously at daybreak, beat him, or die
+honourably on the field.
+
+"The gallant old General, kind-hearted and heroically brave, entirely
+coincided with me.  During the night I occasionally called on our brave
+English soldiers to punish the Sikhs when they came too close, and were
+imprudent; and when morning broke, we went at it in true English style.
+Gough was on the right.  I placed myself, and dear little Arthur by my
+side, in the centre, about thirty yards in front of the men, to prevent
+their firing; and we drove the enemy without a halt from one extremity
+of the camp to the other, capturing thirty or forty guns as we went
+along, which fired at twenty paces from us, and were served obstinately.
+The brave men drew up in an excellent line, and cheered Gough and
+myself as we rode up the line, the regimental colours lowering to me as
+if on parade.  The mournful part is the heavy loss I have sustained in
+my officers.  I have lost ten aides-de-camp _hors de combat_, five
+killed and five wounded.  The fire of grape was very heavy from one
+hundred pieces of cannon.  The Sikh army was drilled by French officers,
+and the men the most warlike in India."
+
+This letter describes the commencement of the struggle on the 22nd.  The
+line was supported on both sides by horse artillery, while from the
+centre was opened a fire by such heavy guns as remained effective, aided
+by a flight of rockets.  The British, however, in the advance suffered
+much from a masked battery, which, opening on them, dismounted the guns
+and blew up the tumbrils.  But nothing impeded the charge of the
+undaunted British, led on by their two heroic generals, till they were
+masters of the field.  Their rest was short: in the course of two hours
+Sirdar Tej Singh, who had commanded in the last great battle, brought up
+from the vicinity of Ferozepore fresh battalions, and a large field of
+artillery, supported by 30,000 Ghorchurras, hitherto encamped near the
+river.  He drove in the British cavalry, and made strenuous efforts to
+regain the position at Ferozeshah.
+
+Scarcely had this attempt been defeated, when more Sikh troops and
+artillery arrived, and a fresh combination was made against the flank of
+the British, with so formidable a demonstration against the captured
+village that it was necessary to change the whole front to the right,
+the enemy's guns all the time keeping up an incessant fire, while those
+of the British were silent for want of ammunition.  Under these
+circumstances Sir Hugh Gough ordered the almost exhausted cavalry to
+threaten both flanks of the enemy at once, while the whole infantry
+prepared to advance.  With the swoop of a whirlwind the gallant 3rd
+Dragoons and other cavalry regiments rushed on their foes.  The Sikhs
+saw them coming, while the British bayonets gleamed in front.  Their
+courage gave way; abandoning their guns, they fled from the field,
+retreating precipitately towards the Sutlej, and leaving large stores of
+grain and the _materiel_ of war behind them.  Thus in less than four
+days, 60,000 Sikh troops, supported by 150 pieces of cannon, were
+dislodged from their position, and severely punished for their
+treacherous commencement of the war.
+
+The regiments which bear the word "Ferozeshah" on their colours are the
+3rd Light Dragoons, 9th, 29th, 31st, 50th, 62nd, and 80th Regiments;
+while they and the 1st European Light Infantry of the Honourable East
+India Company's Service received the Governor--General's thanks for
+their courage and good conduct.
+
+BATTLE OF ALIWAL--28TH JANUARY 1846.
+
+While the British army were resting after the desperate encounters in
+which they had been engaged, and Sir Hugh Gough was watching the enemy,
+Sirdar Runjoor Singh Mujethea crossed from Philour, and made a movement
+which not only threatened the rich and populous town of Loodiana, but
+would have turned the right flank, and endangered the communication with
+Delhi.  Sir Harry Smith was accordingly despatched to the relief of
+Loodiana.  Having first captured the fort of Dhurmkote, he fought his
+way past the enemy to that city, where his presence restored confidence
+and order.  This part of his duty being accomplished, and having under
+him 10,000 men and 24 guns, he next proceeded to attack the Sirdar
+Runjoor Singh, who was strongly intrenched at Aliwal, about eight miles
+to the westward of Loodiana, with 15,000 men and 56 guns.  The Sikh
+force had advanced a short distance from their intrenched camp, when Sir
+Harry Smith, on the 28th, with his small army, advanced to meet them.
+
+The regiments of cavalry which headed the advance of the British troops
+opened their glittering ranks to the right and left, and exhibited the
+serried battalions of infantry, and the frowning batteries of cannon.
+
+The scene was magnificent, yet few could have failed to experience a
+sense of awe as the shock of battle was about to commence.  The lines
+were not truly parallel.  That of the Sikhs inclined towards and
+extended beyond the British right, while the other flanks were for a
+time comparatively distant.
+
+It was perceived by Sir Harry Smith that the capture of the village of
+Aliwal was of the first importance, and the right of the infantry was
+led against it.  The Sikh guns were keeping up a heavy fire, and Major
+Lawrenson, not having time to send for orders, at once galloped with his
+horse artillery up to within a certain distance of the enemy's guns,
+unlimbered, and by his fire drove the enemy's gunners from their guns.
+This promptitude of the gallant officer saved many lives.  The defenders
+of the village were chiefly hillmen, who, after firing a straggling
+volley, fled, leaving the Sikh artillerymen to be slaughtered by the
+conquerors.  The British cavalry of the right made at the same time a
+sweeping and successful charge, and one half of the opposing army was
+fairly broken and dispersed.  The Sikhs on their own right, however,
+were outflanking the British, in spite of all the exertions of the
+infantry and artillery; for there the more regular battalions were in
+line, and the brave Sikhs were not easily cowed.  A prompt and powerful
+effort was necessary, and a regiment of European lancers, supported by
+one of Indian cavalry, was launched against the even ranks of the Lahore
+infantry.  The Sikhs knelt to receive the orderly but impetuous charge
+of the English warriors; but at that critical moment the wonted
+discipline of many failed them.  They rose, yet they reserved their
+fire, and delivered it at the distance of a spear's throw, in the faces
+of the advancing horsemen, the saddles of many of whom were quickly
+emptied.  Again and again the cavalry charged and rode through them, but
+it was not till the third charge, led by Major Bere, of the 16th
+Lancers, that the Sikhs dispersed; and even then, the ground was more
+thickly strewn with the bodies of victorious horsemen than of beaten
+infantry.  Upwards of a hundred men of the 16th were either killed or
+wounded.  An attempt was made by the enemy to rally behind Boondree, but
+all resistance was unavailing.  The Sikh guns, with the exception of
+one, were captured, and they were driven headlong across the river.
+This gun was carried across the river, when Lieutenant Holmes, of the
+irregular cavalry, and Gunner Scott, of the horse artillery, in the most
+gallant way followed in pursuit, and, fording the river, overtook and
+spiked it.
+
+All the munitions of war which Runjoor Singh had brought with him were
+captured, and the Sikh forces were thrown into the most complete dismay.
+The victory was decisive and complete.  The loss of the British was 151
+killed, and 413 wounded; that of the enemy far greater.
+
+SOBRAON--10TH FEBRUARY 1846.
+
+While Sir Hugh Gough was waiting for reinforcements from Delhi, as also
+for the arrival of Sir Charles Napier, who was moving up the left bank
+of the Sutlej, the Sikhs were strongly fortifying themselves at a bridge
+they had formed across that river at Sobraon.  Their lines were
+encompassed by strong walls, only to be surmounted by scaling-ladders,
+while they afforded protection to a triple line of musketry.  These
+formidable works were defended by 34,000 men and 70 pieces of artillery,
+while their position was united by a bridge of boats to a camp on the
+opposite side, in which was stationed a reserve of 20,000 men, and some
+pieces of artillery, which flanked some of the British field-works.
+Altogether a more formidable position could scarcely have been selected,
+and a Spanish officer of engineers in their service assured them that it
+could not be taken.
+
+As soon as Sir Harry Smith had returned from Aliwal, and the heavy
+artillery had arrived from Delhi, Sir Hugh Gough determined to attack
+the Sikh position--his army now consisting of 6533 Europeans and 9691
+natives, making a total of 16,224 rank and file, and 99 guns.  On
+Tuesday the 10th of February, at half-past three o'clock in the morning,
+the British army advanced to the attack, fresh, like lions awaked out of
+sleep, but in perfect silence, when the battering and disposable
+artillery were at once placed in position, forming an extended
+semicircle, embracing within its fire the works of the Sikhs.  A mist,
+however, hung over the plain and river; and it was not till half-past
+six, when it cleared partially away, that the whole artillery fire could
+be developed.  Then commenced the rolling thunder, of the British guns.
+Nothing grander in warfare could be conceived than the effect of the
+batteries when they opened, as the cannonade passed along from the
+Sutlej to Little Sobraon in one continued roar of guns and mortars;
+while ever and anon the rocket, like a spirit of fire, winged its rapid
+flight high above the batteries in its progress towards the Sikh
+intrenchment.  The Sikh guns were not idle, and replied with shot and
+shell; but neither were well-directed, nor did much damage.  At first,
+it was believed that the whole affair was to be decided by artillery;
+but, notwithstanding the formidable calibre of the British guns,
+mortars, and howitzers, and the admirable way in which they were served,
+aided by a rocket battery, it could not have been expected that they
+could have silenced the fire of 70 pieces behind well-constructed
+batteries of earth, planks, and fascines, or dislodge troops covered
+either by redoubts, epaulments, or within a treble line of trenches.
+
+"For upwards of three hours this incessant play of artillery was kept up
+upon the mass of the enemy.  The round shot exploded tumbrils, or dashed
+heaps of sand into the air; the hollow shells cast their fatal contents
+fully before them, and devious rockets sprang aloft with fury, to fall
+hissing among a flood of men: but all was in vain, the Sikhs stood
+unappalled, and flash for flash returned, and fire for fire."
+
+It was determined, therefore, to try what the British musket and bayonet
+could effect.  The cannonade ceased, and the left division of the army,
+under Brigadier Stacey, supported on either flank by Captains Harford
+and Fordyce's batteries, and Lieutenant--Colonel Lane's troops of horse
+artillery, moved forward to the attack.  The infantry, consisting of Her
+Majesty's 10th, 53rd, and 80th Regiments, with four regiments of Native
+Infantry, advanced steadily in line, halting only occasionally to
+correct when necessary, and without firing a shot; the artillery taking
+up successive positions at a gallop, until they were within 300 yards of
+the heavy batteries of the Sikhs.  Terrific was the fire they all this
+time endured; and for some moments it seemed impossible that the
+intrenchment could be won under it.  There was a temporary check; but
+soon persevering gallantry triumphed, and the whole army had the
+satisfaction of seeing the gallant Brigadier Stacey's soldiers driving
+the Sikhs in confusion before them within the area of their encampment.
+The check was chiefly on the extreme left, where they were exposed to
+the deadly fire of muskets and swivels, and enfilading artillery; but
+their comrades on the right of the first division, under Major-General
+Sir Harry Smith, headed by an old and fearless leader, Sir Robert Dick,
+forming themselves instinctively into masses and wedges, rushed forward,
+with loud shouts leaped the ditch, and swarming up, mounted the
+ramparts, where they stood victorious amid the captured cannon.
+
+At this point Lieutenant Tritteon, bearing the Queen's colours, was shot
+through the heart, and Ensign Jones, who carried the regimental colours,
+was about the same time mortally wounded.  The regimental colours,
+falling to the ground, were seized by Sergeant McCabe, and then rushing
+forward, he crossed the ditch and planted it on the highest point of the
+enemy's fortifications.  There he stood under a tremendous fire, and
+maintained his position unhurt, though the flag was completely riddled
+with shot.  Lieutenant Noel had seized the Queen's colours, the staff of
+which was shivered in his hand; and the men cheering, rushed gallantly
+into the works, and drove the enemy towards the river, into which they
+were headlong precipitated.
+
+But for some time the Sikhs fought with steadiness and resolution, and
+turned several guns in the interior on their assailants.  Several times
+the British line was driven back, and the fierce Sikhs rushing on,
+slaughtered without mercy all who remained wounded on the ground.  Each
+time that with terrific slaughter the British were thus checked, with
+their habitual valour and discipline they rallied and returned to the
+charge.  At length the second line moving on, the two mingled their
+ranks, and, supported by a body of cavalry, which, under Sir Joseph
+Thackwell, had been poured into the camp, everywhere effected openings
+in the Sikh intrenchments.
+
+In vain the brave Sikhs held out.  Each defensible position was
+captured, and the enemy was pressed towards the scarcely fordable river;
+but none offered to submit, everywhere showing a front to the victors,
+or stalking sullenly away, while many turned and rushed singly forth to
+encounter a certain death amid the hosts of the victors.  The foe were
+now precipitated in masses over the bridge, shattered by shot, into the
+Sutlej, which a sudden rise had rendered hardly fordable.  In their
+efforts to reach the right bank through the deepened waters, they
+suffered a dreadful carnage from the horse artillery, which poured in
+rapid succession volleys among them, till the river was red with the
+mangled bodies of men and horses; and it is supposed that fully
+one-third of the Sikh army perished thus or in the battle.  Vast
+quantities of munitions of war were captured, numerous standards, and 67
+guns, with 200 camel swivels.  This desperate fight began at six in the
+morning; by nine the combatants were engaged hand to hand, and by eleven
+the battle was gained.  Sir Robert Dick, who had commanded the 42nd
+Highlanders in Spain, was among the slain, as was Brigadier Taylor,
+C.B., the beloved colonel of the 29th Regiment, who commanded the third
+brigade of the second division.
+
+The 3rd, 9th, and 16th Light Dragoons, 9th, 10th, 29th, 31st, 50th,
+53rd, 62nd, and 80th Foot, received the thanks of Parliament, and have
+"Sobraon" on their colours.  Two days after this, the British army, now
+joined by Sir Charles Napier, reached Lahore, and on the 22nd a brigade
+of troops took possession of the palace and citadel of that capital of
+the humbled Sikhs.
+
+In the four battles the British lost 92 officers and 1259 men killed,
+and 315 officers and 4570 men wounded.
+
+BATTLES IN THE PUNJAUB, 1848.
+
+The Punjaub lies between the Indus and the Sutlej, with the river Chenab
+in the centre.  In the southern part is the province of Mooltan,
+governed in 1848 by Dewan Moolraj.  The chief city of the province, a
+strongly fortified place, is also called Mooltan.  A Sikh force in the
+Company's service was sent into the Punjaub in 1847, and Lieutenant
+Herbert Edwardes was attached to it as political agent, and invested
+with a very considerable amount of authority.  Young as he then was, and
+with little experience, either of fighting or diplomatising, he never
+failed to act with judgment and courage.  He had soon ample exercise for
+both qualities.  The Government determined to supersede the
+above-mentioned Moolraj, and to place a new Nazim, Sirdar Khan Singh, as
+Governor of Mooltan.  This latter personage was accompanied to Mooltan
+by two officers--Mr Vans Agnew, of the Civil Service, and Lieutenant
+Anderson, of the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers--and a considerable body
+of troops.  Moolraj, however, had no intention of losing his government,
+and either prompted by his own ambition, or instigated by evil
+counsellors, he resolved to rebel.  By bribes he won over the native
+troops who had accompanied the commissioners, and whom, there can be
+little doubt, he instigated his followers to murder.  Both Mr Agnew and
+Lieutenant Anderson were set upon and cruelly cut to pieces; not,
+however, till they had written to Lieutenant Edwardes to warn him of
+their danger.  Lieutenant Edwardes was at that time with a small force
+at the distance of five days' march from Mooltan.  He sent a messenger
+to say that he would instantly set out with all the men he could collect
+to their assistance, while he directed Lieutenant Taylor, who was with
+General Courtlandt, to join him.  The heat was intense; but he pushed
+on, though he learned too soon that the lives of his countrymen had
+already been sacrificed.  Moolraj was in open rebellion, collecting
+troops from all sides.  Edwardes set to work to raise an army to oppose
+him, and recruiting went on actively on both sides.  Edwardes did his
+utmost to persuade the people that it would be to their true interest to
+join the British.  By May he had raised a force of between 5000 and 6000
+men, to which were united about 1500 Sikhs, under General Courtlandt,
+while he was ably supported by Bhawal Khan, Nawab of Bhawulpoor, with
+nearly 12,000 followers.  With this force, having crossed the Chenab on
+the 19th of June, he encountered the army of Moolraj, some 18,000 to
+20,000 strong, horse and foot, and twenty guns, near the village of
+Kineyree.  The battle began at a little after seven a.m., and was not
+decided till half-past four p.m. It was hotly contested, and both
+parties fought with desperation.  Out of ten guns, the enemy succeeded
+in carrying only two into Mooltan, to which place they retreated,
+leaving 500 men dead on the field of battle.  It was an important
+victory; but as Lieutenants Edwardes and Taylor were the only British
+officers present, I will not further describe it.  The warning uttered
+to Moolraj by the murdered officers, that their countrymen would amply
+avenge their deaths, was about to be fulfilled.
+
+Soon after this, Lieutenant Edwardes' force was joined by Lieutenant
+Lake, and other British officers.  On the 1st of July was fought the
+battle of Suddoosam, where Dewan Moolraj, in spite of the assurances of
+his soothsayers that it would be an auspicious day to him, was again
+completely beaten, and driven up to the very walls of his capital.  In
+this battle fell a gallant soldier, Captain Macpherson, in the service
+of the Nawab of Bhawulpoor, under Lieutenant Lake.  The next day a
+serious accident happened to Lieutenant Edwardes.  His pistol exploded
+as he was putting it into his belt, and the ball passing through his
+right hand, deprived him for ever of the use of it.  His sufferings were
+great till the arrival of Dr Cole, a young and excellent English
+surgeon, who won the affection of all the wounded natives he attended.
+The four chief leaders in these actions received the thanks of the
+Governor in Council, and all the credit they so fully deserved; nor was
+a brave Irishman, Mr Quin, who volunteered to serve under Lieutenant
+Edwardes, and rendered him most efficient aid, overlooked.
+
+There can be little doubt that, from the ill-defended condition of
+Mooltan, these successes might have been followed up by the capture of
+the city itself, had the victorious army been allowed at once to attack
+it; but the higher authorities decided otherwise, and Lieutenant
+Edwardes' force was directed to wait for the arrival of a regular army
+to commence the siege.
+
+Moolraj, consequently, was allowed time to complete the defences of
+Mooltan, which he rendered very formidable.
+
+No sooner had Sir Frederick Currie, the resident at Lahore, received
+information that Moolraj had shut himself up in Mooltan, than he
+despatched General Whish, with a train of heavy siege-guns, to invest
+it.  Meantime the fort was surrounded and closely invested by the troops
+under Lieutenant Edwardes and the Nawab of Bhawulpoor, and had thus at
+their command the revenues and resources of the whole district.
+Lieutenant Edwardes was now joined by Lieutenant Lumsden and a young
+lad, Hugo James, who had come out to seek for a cadetship--a gallant
+boy.  As he had come out to learn the art of fighting, his chief
+afforded him every opportunity of doing so, and "used to give him a few
+hundred men to take into any ugly place that wanted stopping up."
+
+Steamers had found their way up the mighty Indus into the Chenab, and
+two of their officers, Captain Christopher and Mr McLawrin, frequently
+joined their mess.  The steamers were employed in capturing the boats,
+and otherwise harassing the enemy.  The English leader had a great cause
+of anxiety from the approach of a large Sikh force, under Rajah Sher
+Singh, whose fidelity he had every reason to doubt.  The Sikhs advanced,
+however, and encamped before the city, and Moolraj lost no time in
+endeavouring to corrupt both their leaders and common soldiers.  With
+the latter he succeeded but too well, as the sequel will show.
+Meantime, Moolraj was actively recruiting, and numbers from the Sikh
+country flocked to his standard.  Thus matters went on till the arrival
+of General Whish, under whom the right column of the British army
+encamped at Seetul-Ke-Maree, on the 18th of August 1848.  Moolraj,
+hearing of his approach, resolved to attempt surprising him before he
+reached the city.  Accordingly, on the night of the 16th, he sent out a
+strong force, accompanied by artillery horses ready harnessed, to bring
+away the guns they expected to capture.  Now it happened that on that
+very day Lieutenant Edwardes, not wishing to have the Sikh force between
+him and General Whish, had exchanged positions with it, and both armies,
+according to custom, had in the evening fired a _feu de joie_ on the
+occasion, prolonged by General Courtlandt's gunners in honour of their
+approaching friends.  This heavy cannonade put the British camp on the
+_qui vive_, and the General ordered all the tents to be struck, and the
+troops to get under arms, in case it should be necessary to march to
+Mooltan, and assist in the supposed engagement with the enemy.  Scarcely
+had this been done than the rebel detachment reached the British camp;
+and instead of finding all plunged in sleep, except the usual sentries,
+they were received with such a rattling fire, that, after fruitlessly
+assailing the pickets, they fled in confusion, as many as possible
+mounting the artillery horses, which they had brought for so different a
+purpose.  In the affair the British had only six men and two horses
+wounded, and none killed; while the enemy lost forty killed, many more
+wounded, and some taken prisoners.  It is one of the numberless examples
+to be brought forward of the importance of being on the alert in the
+neighbourhood of an enemy.  How disastrous might have been the
+consequences had General Whish's army not been aroused and prepared for
+an enemy on that occasion!
+
+Moolraj made every attempt to destroy his enemies; and contriving to
+send three traitors into the camp of the irregulars, who got employed as
+cooks, Lieutenant Edwardes, Lake, Lumsden, Courtlandt, Hugo James, and
+Cole, who were dining together, were very nearly all poisoned.  The
+wretches were shaved, flogged, and turned out of the camp, when they
+fled to Mooltan as fast as their legs could carry them.
+
+SIEGE OF MOOLTAN.
+
+And now the avenging army arrived before Mooltan.  General Whish's
+headquarters were with the right column; the left was under Brigadier
+Salter, and arrived on the 19th August 1848; while the heavy siege-guns,
+under Major Napier, with the sappers and miners, commanded by Captain H.
+Siddons, did not reach headquarters till the 4th of September.  The
+European regiment attached to each column came as far as practicable by
+water.  The irregular force under Edwardes and Lake being encamped a
+distance of six miles from that of General Whish, it was necessary to
+move it closer up to the latter, to prevent the enemy's cavalry from
+passing between them.  The very position taken up, it was found, was
+within gunshot of Mooltan; but as it was an important one to hold,
+Lieutenant Edwardes resolved to keep it.  It was not obtained without
+some fighting, where Lake and Pollock greatly distinguished themselves.
+Hugo James and Captain Wilmot Christopher accompanied Lieutenant
+Edwardes into the field, and greatly assisted him in carrying orders.
+The latter rode about with a long sea-telescope under his arm, just as
+composedly as if he had been on the deck of his own vessel.  Encamping
+within shot of the enemy's walls is unheard of in regular warfare; and
+the irregulars soon found it anything but pleasant.  One Sunday, during
+the service held by the Chief for the benefit of all the Christians
+under him, the little congregation was disturbed by about twenty shot
+falling round the tents in the space of a very few minutes; and when at
+length one found its billet, and smashed a man's thigh at the door, a
+general rush was made to the guns, and the whole strength of the
+artillery bent upon the Bloody Bastion until its fire was silenced.
+
+On another occasion, Major Napier had one night gone over to visit
+Edwardes.  They were sipping tea and breathing the cool night air, while
+Lake, exhausted with his day's work, was fast asleep in his bed, under
+the same awning as themselves, when, the rebel gunners seeming to awake,
+one shot buried itself hissing in the sand by Napier's side, and then
+another passed close by his friend.
+
+A third fell at the head of Lake's bed, and his servant immediately got
+up, and with great carefulness turned his bed round.  Lake gave a yawn,
+and asked sleepily, "What's the matter?"
+
+"Nothing," replied the bearer; "it's only a cannon ball!"  Lake went to
+sleep again.  Five minutes later another fell at his feet, when the good
+bearer again shifted his master's bed.  Once more Lake asked, half
+asleep, "What's the matter _now_?" and was told in reply, "_Another_
+cannon ball--nothing more!"--on which he said, "Oh!" and returned calmly
+to the land of dreams.  Various plans were suggested for carrying on the
+siege against the place, which, it was discovered, was very formidable,
+and not easily to be taken.  Constant skirmishes took place.  The
+European soldiers took the night duty in the trenches, to avoid the heat
+of the day.  On the night of the 9th of September, it became necessary
+to dislodge the enemy from a position they had taken up among some
+houses and gardens in front of the trenches; and four companies of Her
+Majesty's 10th Regiment, a wing of the 49th Native Infantry, the rifle
+company of the 72nd Native Infantry, and two of General Van Courtlandt's
+horse artillery guns accordingly advanced, and a very sharp night-fight
+ensued.  Ignorance of the localities, and the darkness and confusion
+consequent on a hastily planned night-attack, rendered the gallant
+efforts of the troops useless, and, after a considerable loss in killed
+and wounded, they were withdrawn.  Lieutenant-Colonel Pattoun, of the
+32nd Foot, led the attack with great gallantry.  Lieutenant Richardson,
+adjutant of the 49th Native Infantry, an officer of Herculean frame,
+rushed at the barricaded door of the house most strongly occupied by the
+enemy, and with a mighty effort dashed it in among the rebel inmates,
+who threw themselves forward to oppose his entrance.  Seeing that the
+party was too strong for him, he seized the foremost Sikh soldier in his
+arms, and, with his body thus shielded, backed out of the enclosure,
+when he hurled the half-strangled rebel back among his friends.  He did
+not escape, however, without some severe wounds about his head and arms.
+
+Captain Christopher had, from the first arrival of the steamers at
+Mooltan, shown the usual willingness of his profession to co-operate
+with his brother officers on shore.  On the night in question he had
+already once conducted some reinforcements to Colonel Pattoun's
+assistance, but the fighting at the outposts still raged with unabated
+fury.  Another reinforcement came up, but had no guide.  "Will no one
+show us the way?" asked the officer of the party, looking round on the
+tired occupants of the trenches.  "I will," replied Christopher; and
+putting himself at their head, he steered them with the steadiness of a
+pilot through ditches and gardens, under a roaring fire of musketry.
+Ere he reached the spot, a ball hit him on the ankle, and shivered the
+joint to pieces.  He was borne out of the fight, but never recovered
+from the wound, and three weeks afterwards was numbered with the brave
+who fell at the siege.
+
+The British army continued forming their approaches for the attack, and
+the rebels at the same time laboured without ceasing to strengthen their
+position.  On the 12th of September, General Whish determined to clear
+his front.  The action commenced at seven a.m. by the irregulars, under
+Lumsden, Lake, and Courtlandt, making an attack to distract the
+attention of the enemy on the left, when they expelled the enemy from an
+important village, and captured their magazine and hospital.  Two
+British columns now advanced to do the real business of the day: the
+right, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Pattoun; the left, by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Franks; while three squadrons of cavalry, commanded
+by Lieutenant-Colonel Wheeler, protected the British flanks.  Both the
+rebels and British troops fought desperately.  Moolraj's intrenched
+position was fiercely assailed, and fiercely defended.  Scarcely a man
+of its defenders escaped to tell their chief how calmly the young
+English engineer, Lieutenant Grindall, planted the scaling-ladder in
+their grim faces; how vainly they essayed to hurl it back; how madly
+rushed up the grenadiers of the 32nd; with what a yell the brave Irish
+of the 10th dropped down among them from the branches of the trees
+above; and how like the deadly conflict of the lion and tiger in a
+forest den, was the grapple of the pale English with the swarthy Sikhs
+in that little walled space the rebels thought so strong.
+
+On this day fell Major Montizambert, of the 10th, Colonel Pattoun,
+Quarter--Master Taylor, Lieutenant Cubitt, and Ensign Lloyd; while Major
+Napier, the chief engineer, was among the wounded.  Altogether, 39 men
+were killed, and 216 wounded.  This victory of Dhurum Salah gained the
+besieging army a distance to the front of some eight or nine hundred
+yards, and brought them within battering distance of the city walls.
+Everybody expected that in a few hours Mooltan would be won, when the
+astounding news reached General Whish that Rajah Sher Singh and his
+whole army had gone over to the enemy.  A council of war was on this
+immediately held, when it was decided that the siege of Mooltan should
+be raised, and that the British army should retire to a short distance,
+and there, holding a dignified attitude, wait for reinforcements.  Rajah
+Sher Singh was, however, received with suspicion by Moolraj, and so, in
+a short time, he marched off to join his father and other insurgent
+chiefs.  It was soon evident that the greater part of the Sikh
+population was insurgent.  The only remedy for this state of things, it
+was agreed, was the annexation of the Punjaub--Mooltan, however, must
+first be taken.
+
+The interval was not passed idly.  Lieutenant Taylor prepared all sorts
+of contrivances for facilitating siege operations; and General
+Courtlandt's sappers and Lieutenant Lumsden's guides prepared the
+enormous number of 15,000 gabions and 12,000 fascines.  Moolraj was also
+actively employed in strengthening his defences, and in endeavouring to
+gain over the neighbouring chiefs to his cause.  One of the most
+important features in the scenery round Mooltan was the Wulle Muhommud
+canal, which runs past the western side of the city, and the eastern of
+the village of Sooruj Koond.  The water had been drained off by
+Lieutenant Glover, by damming up the mouth at the Chenab.  The enemy
+were intrenched within this canal under the walls of the city, and
+General Whish determined to attack them on the 7th of November, and to
+drive them out at the point of the bayonet.  The attack was to be made
+at daylight, on both sides of the canal, by a strong British brigade on
+the east, and by the irregular force on the west, each division
+carefully keeping on its own side of the canal, to prevent the friendly
+irregulars from being mistaken for the foe.  On the very day before,
+some 220 men of one of General Courtlandt's regiments, called the Kuthar
+Mookhee, who had been placed in an advanced battery, deserted to the
+enemy, and endeavoured to carry off Lieutenant Pollock with them; but he
+was rescued by the rest of the regiment, who remained faithful; and in
+spite of this defection, he, assisted in a true comrade spirit by
+Lieutenant Bunny, of the Artillery, and Lieutenant Paton, of the
+Engineers, held the post with unflinching constancy till day.  In
+consequence of this desertion, it was not deemed prudent to trust the
+other regiments of the same force with the posts which had been assigned
+to them.  Lieutenant Edwardes, with his irregulars, was to supply their
+place; but, when all was prepared, the enemy himself attacked the
+British position, and the very men whose fidelity had been doubted gave
+such evident proof of their loyalty that they were allowed to take part
+in the action.
+
+The enemy was soon repulsed, and the British advanced, as had been
+intended.  It was at this time that a body of Rohillas irregulars,
+disregarding the order they had received to keep on the west side of the
+canal, crossed over and captured a gun on the eastern bank, when,
+mistaken by the sepoys for some of the Moolraj's troops, they were
+instantly fired on.  Two had been shot down, when Private Howell, of Her
+Majesty's 32nd Foot, perceiving what was going on, leaped down the
+canal, and putting himself in front of the Rohillas, faced the British
+troops, and waved his shako on the end of his bayonet, as a signal to
+cease firing.  By his presence of mind and courage many friendly lives
+were saved.  Brigadier Markham afterwards presented Howell with fifty
+rupees, at the head of his regiment, sent to him by Lieutenant Edwardes.
+On this occasion, Lieutenants Lake and Pollock and Mr Hugo James again
+distinguished themselves; and so especially did Dr Cole, who not only
+attended to those who were hurt on his own side, but saved the lives of
+many wounded Sikhs on the field of battle--an act to be performed only
+by one who adds the courage of a soldier to the humanity of a physician.
+
+Brigadier Markham led the British column.  Proceeding with the force
+under his command across the bridges over the nullah, on the right of
+the allied camp in the Sooruj Koond in open column, flanking the enemy's
+position, they brought their shoulders forward to the left, and
+proceeded directly across their rear.  When they had advanced
+sufficiently far to ensure overlapping the most distant part of their
+position, they wheeled into line, three guns on the right and three on
+the left, the whole of the cavalry (with the exception of a small party
+with the guns) on their right flank.  The reserve, in quarter-distance
+column, in rear of the centre of the right brigade, advanced steadily in
+echelon of brigade, at fifty paces' distance from the right, under a
+smart fire of grape and round shot.  General Markham, observing a large
+body of the enemy moving on his right, ordered the cavalry to attack
+them, to prevent them removing their guns.  Major Wheeler, advancing in
+the most brilliant manner, charged the enemy, cutting up numbers of
+them, and saved the guns; then sweeping the whole British front, he
+re-formed speedily and in good order on the left, and moved off to cover
+the right.  As the cavalry cleared the front, the horse artillery opened
+their fire, the line charged, and took the position, with the whole of
+the guns, on the bank of the nullah, driving the enemy across and up it
+with considerable loss.  The action lasted about an hour.  After the
+enemy's batteries had been destroyed, the troops returned to camp.
+
+Never was there a more perfect triumph of discipline and good
+soldiership than the battle of Sooruj Koond.  The British troops, who
+were manoeuvred as on parade, turned a large army out of a strong
+intrenchment, and routed them, with the loss of five guns, before they
+even understood the attack.  The four leaders, Lieutenant-Colonels
+Franks and Brooks, and Major Wheeler and Brigadier Markham, were all
+comparatively young, and no men could have behaved with more judgment,
+as well as gallantry and spirit.
+
+On the 21st of December, a Bombay division, commanded by Brigadier the
+Hon. H. Dundas, C.B., of Her Majesty's 60th Rifles, arrived before
+Mooltan, with Colonel Cheape as chief engineer, raising the army under
+General Whish to upwards of 15,000 men.
+
+On the 27th of December, the united British force resumed the
+long-suspended siege of Mooltan.
+
+The plan adopted was to make a regular attack upon the north-east angle
+of the citadel, and to expel the enemy only from so much of the suburbs
+as were actually required for the operations of the besiegers.
+
+The portion of the suburbs so required consisted of some high
+brick-kilns; the cemetery of Moolraj's fathers, called Wuzeerabad; and
+Moolraj's own garden-house, Am Khas.  To seize these positions was the
+object of the opening attack on the 27th of December.  While one British
+column was effecting it, three others were ordered to make diversions
+for the purpose of distracting the enemy, with discretionary orders to
+follow according to the effect produced, even to the taking of the
+positions, if facilities offered.  The third column was composed of the
+whole disposable force of the irregulars.  Facilities did offer, and
+Brigadier Dundas captured, occupied, and crowned with guns some most
+important positions which commanded the city.  The whole of the suburbs
+were now occupied by the British army, and it was resolved to take the
+city also.  On this occasion Major Edwardes says that Lieutenants Lake,
+Pollock, Pearse, and Young all distinguished themselves, as did his
+writer, the brave Mr Quin, who led on the Sooraj Mookhee regiment; but
+the palm was carried off by a new volunteer, Mr McMahon, who had joined
+him only a few days before, and who now earned his title to be brought
+especially to notice by encountering in single combat the leader of the
+enemy's infantry, a powerful Sikh, whom he killed with one blow which
+divided his head.
+
+His men at last, thinking themselves responsible for his safety, made
+him prisoner, and brought him back, with bent and dripping sword, to
+where Major Edwardes and Sir Henry Lawrence were standing directing the
+movements of the troops.
+
+On the 30th of December, a shell from a mortar laid by Lieutenant
+Newall, of the Bengal Artillery, pierced the supposed bomb-proof dome of
+the Grand Mosque in the citadel, which formed the enemy's principal
+magazine, and descending into the combustibles below, blew the vast
+fabric into the air.
+
+On the 2nd of January 1849, the breach in the Rhoonee Boorj or Bloody
+Bastion of the city was declared practicable, and a second at the Delhi
+gate was thought sufficiently good to allow of an attempt being made on
+it as a diversion.  General Whish determined to try both; and a party
+from the Bengal division was told off for the Delhi gate breach, and one
+from the Bombay division for the breach at the Bastion.  The irregular
+force was to assist both by a diversion on the left.  The diversion was
+commenced at one p.m., and the assault, by a signal from the batteries,
+at three p.m.  The storming party destined to attack the Delhi gate was
+led by a fine soldier, Captain Smyth, of the grenadier company of Her
+Majesty's 32nd Regiment.  Off they started with hearts beating high; but
+no sooner had they emerged from the suburbs, than they found themselves
+on the edge of a deep intervening hollow, after crossing which, under a
+heavy fire of matchlocks, they discovered, to their surprise, that the
+city wall in front, about thirty feet in height, was unbreached and
+totally impracticable.  This disagreeable fact had hitherto been
+concealed by the hollow, both from the breaching-battery and the
+engineers.  The gallant band had therefore to retire; and without loss
+of time they hurried round to the breach at the Bloody Bastion, to
+assist their more fortunate comrades in the city.
+
+The Bloody Bastion was assaulted by three companies of the 1st Bombay
+Fusiliers, under Captain Leith.
+
+They found the breach easy to be surmounted, but it was intrenched
+inside, and a most bloody struggle ensued, in which the brave Captain
+Leith was severely wounded, and had to be carried to the rear; but his
+place was at once taken by Lieutenant Grey, and the redcoats pushed
+onwards.  The first to mount was Colour-Sergeant John Bennet, of the 1st
+Fusiliers, who, having planted the colours of Old England on the very
+crest of the breach, stood beside them till the flag and staff were
+riddled with balls.  On rushed the Fusiliers; they remembered the
+legends of their ancient corps, and closing with the rebels, soon made
+the city of Mooltan their own.  "Then arose from every crowded height
+and battery, whence the exciting struggle had been watched, the shouts
+of applauding comrades; and through the deafening roar of musketry,
+which pealed along the ramparts, and marked the hard-earned progress of
+the victorious columns through the streets, both friend and foe might
+distinctly hear that sound, never to be forgotten--the `Hurrah!' of a
+British army after battle."
+
+No sooner did Moolraj discover that the city was captured, than, leaving
+three-fourths of his army to the mercy of the victors, he retired with
+3000 picked men into the citadel, intending to hold out till he could
+make advantageous terms for himself.  The garrison who could escape made
+the best of their way over the city walls, and fled to their homes.
+Never did a city present a more awful scene of retribution than did that
+of Mooltan.  Scarcely a roof or wall which had not been penetrated by
+English shells; and whole houses, scorched and blackened by the
+bombardment, seemed about to fall over the corpses of their defenders.
+The citadel itself was now closely invested, and incessantly shelled, so
+that there was scarcely a spot within the walls where the besieged could
+find shelter.  In this siege the bluejackets of Old England, as well as
+the redcoats, took a part.  Commander Powell, of the Honourable East
+India Company's Navy, at the head of a body of seamen, worked one of the
+heavy batteries from the commencement to the termination of the siege.
+"It was a fine sight to see their manly faces, bronzed by long exposure
+to the burning sun of the Red Sea or Persian Gulf, mingling with the
+dark soldiers of Hindoostan, or contrasting with the fairer but not
+healthier occupants of the European barrack.  They looked on their
+battery as their ship, their eighteen-pounders as so many sweethearts,
+and the embrasures as port-holes.  `Now, Jack, shove your head out of
+that port, and just hear what my little girl says to that 'ere pirate,
+Mol Rag' (Moolraj?), was the kind of conversation heard on board of the
+sailor-battery by those passing."
+
+The citadel still held out, but by the 19th two breaches had been
+effected, and the assault was fixed for six a.m. on the 22nd.  Before
+that hour the traitor sent in his submission, asking only for his own
+life and the honour of his women.  The answer from General Whish was,
+that the British Government "wars not with women and children, and that
+they would be protected, but that he had neither authority to give
+Moolraj his life nor to take it."  Thus Moolraj was compelled to make an
+unconditional surrender.  This second siege of Mooltan occupied 27 days,
+and the British loss was 210 men killed and 982 wounded.  One of the
+last acts of the victors was to disinter the bodies of Agnew and
+Anderson, and to carry them to an honoured resting-place on the summit
+of Moolraj's citadel, through the broad and sloping breach which had
+been made by the British guns in the walls of the rebellious fortress of
+Mooltan.
+
+AFFAIR AT RAMNUGGUR--22ND NOVEMBER.
+
+The Sikhs and Afghans having formed a combination against the British
+power, a large force was quickly assembled at Ferozepore, under the
+immediate orders of Lord Gough, the Commander-in-Chief, in the autumn of
+1848.
+
+Sher Singh and Chuttur Singh having effected a junction on the 21st of
+October, their forces amounted to 30,000.  On the 21st of November, Lord
+Gough joined the British army assembled at Saharum.  The Sikh forces
+were found posted at Ramnuggur.  In front of this place flows the Chenab
+River, which has in mid-channel a small island, on which, protected by a
+grove of trees, was placed a battery of six guns, with some 400 men.
+The enemy also having boats on the river, and command of the fort, had
+pushed across a considerable number of infantry and cavalry.  The
+British army having arrived in front of this strong position, a
+reconnaissance was made in force with cavalry and horse artillery.  The
+Sikhs, confident in their numbers and the strength of their position,
+sent across their cavalry, who rode as if in defiance before the British
+army.  A charge of the 3rd Light Dragoons, aided by light cavalry, had
+chastised on one point the presumption of the Sikhs.  William Havelock,
+the colonel of the 14th, entreated to be allowed to attack another body
+of the enemy; and to this Colonel Cureton consented.  The
+Commander-in-Chief also riding up, said, "If you see a favourable
+opportunity of charging--charge."  The gallant old colonel soon made the
+opportunity.  "Now, my lads," he exclaimed, boldly leading his dragoons
+to the onset, "we shall soon see whether we can clear our front of those
+fellows or not."  The Sikhs made a show of standing the charge, and some
+of them stood well.  Captain Gall, while grasping a standard, had his
+right hand cut through by the stroke of a Sikh sword, and Lieutenant
+Fitzgerald's head was cleft in two by a blow from one of the enemy's
+weapons; but the mass of the Sikhs, opening out right and left, gave way
+before their victors.  Colonel Cureton, however, on seeing the 14th
+charge, exclaimed, "That is not the body of horse I meant to have been
+attacked!" and, riding to the front, received in his gallant breast a
+matchlock ball, which killed him on the spot.
+
+"Again the trumpets of the 14th sounded, and, overturning all who
+opposed them, onward in the direction of the island that gallant
+regiment took their course.  The Sikh battery opened on them a heavy
+fire, and there was a descent of some four feet into the flat; but
+Havelock, disregarding all difficulties, and riding well ahead of his
+men, exclaimed, as he leaped down the declivity, `Follow me, my brave
+lads, and never heed the cannon shot!'  These were the last words he was
+ever heard to utter.  The dragoons got among broken ground filled with
+Sikh marksmen, who kept up a withering fire on the tall horsemen,
+throwing themselves flat on their faces whenever they approached.  After
+many bold efforts, the 14th were withdrawn from the ground, but their
+commander never returned from that scene of slaughter."  In this
+unfortunate cavalry affair, 87 men were killed, and 150 wounded.
+
+BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA--13TH JANUARY 1849.
+
+In January of the following year Lord Gough determined to attack the
+force of Sher Singh, then posted in his front at the village of
+Chilianwala, before he could be joined by his son, Sirdar Chuttur Singh.
+
+The British army was marched round to take the village in the rear, and
+it was late in the day before they reached the ground where it was
+proposed they should encamp, it being Lord Cough's intention to attack
+early in the morning.  While, however, the Quartermaster-General was in
+the act of taking up ground for the encampment, the enemy advanced some
+horse artillery, and opened a fire on the skirmishers in front of the
+village.  Lord Gough immediately ordered them to be silenced by a few
+rounds from the heavy guns, which advanced to an open space in front of
+the village.  Their fire was instantly returned by that of nearly the
+whole of the enemy's field-artillery, thus exposing the position of his
+guns, which the jungle had hitherto concealed.
+
+It now became evident that the enemy intended to fight, and Lord Gough
+drew up his forces in order of battle.  Sir Walter Gilbert's division
+was on the right, that of General Campbell on the left; the heavy guns
+were in the centre, under Major Horsford, which commenced the engagement
+by a well-directed and powerful fire on the enemy's centre.  The
+cannonade had lasted about an hour, when Major-general Campbell's
+division was ordered to advance against the enemy.  Part of it was
+victorious, but the brigade of General Pennycuick met a terrific
+repulse.  "Its advance was daring in the extreme, but over impetuous.
+The order to charge was given at too great a distance from the enemy;
+consequently its British regiment, the gallant 24th, outstripped its
+native regiments, mistaking the action of their brave leaders, Brigadier
+Pennycuick and Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, who waved their swords above
+their heads, for the signal to advance in double-quick time.  The 24th,
+consequently, led by Colonel Brookes, rushed breathless and confused
+upon the enemy's batteries.  Close to their position, it received a
+deadly shower of grape; and, while shattered by its fatal effects, was
+torn to pieces by a close fire poured in by the Bunno troops from behind
+a screen of jungle.  The brigade was thrown into utter confusion.  The
+most desperate efforts of the officers availed not to restore order.
+Colonel Brookes, with numbers of his brave 24th men, fell among the
+guns.  Brigadier Pennycuick was slain at the commencement.  His son,
+Ensign Pennycuick, when he saw his father fall, rushed forward, and
+striding over his prostrate body, attempted to keep his assailants in
+check; but the fierce Sikhs rushed on, and hacked the gallant youth to
+pieces.  Besides these brave chiefs, five captains, three lieutenants,
+and three ensigns of the 24th were killed, while many more were wounded;
+making in all 23 officers and 459 men.  The Sikhs, seeing their
+advantage, cut down their opponents with savage fury, and at length
+compelled the shallow remnant of the regiment to fly in disorder."
+
+The cavalry brigade was also brought forward in a way contrary to all
+the rules of warfare.  Advancing in line through a dense forest, they
+came suddenly upon a strong body of Ghorchurras, intoxicated with the
+stimulating drug which the heroes of the East call to the aid of their
+valour.  These fanatics, riding furiously towards them, killed some and
+wounded others, among whom was their brave colonel.  At this moment a
+voice was heard to shout, "Threes about!"  It was a fatal order.
+Wheeling round, the British dragoons fled, panic-struck, followed by the
+Ghorchurras, even among the ranks of the artillery.  It was now that
+their chaplain, who was attending to some of the wounded in the rear,
+seeing them approach, grasped a sword, and leaped on a charger standing
+near him.  "My lads," he exclaimed, "you have listened to my preaching,
+listen to me now.  About, and drive the enemy before you!"  Saying this,
+he placed himself at their head, and, encouraged by his gallant example,
+they once more wheeled about, and uniting with the rest of the regiment,
+who had been rallied by their colonel, charging furiously, drove back
+the enemy, and retrieved their honour.  Among the officers slain on this
+occasion was Lieutenant A.J. Cureton, the son of Colonel Cureton, who
+was killed at Ramnuggur.
+
+On the extreme left, however, the cavalry, under Sir Joseph Thackwell,
+were victorious wherever they encountered the enemy.  The left brigade,
+under Brigadier Mountain, distinguished itself; while the right attack
+of infantry, under Sir Walter Gilbert, was perfectly successful: indeed,
+the disasters of that fatal evening were caused, in the first place, by
+engaging so late in the day; and in the case of the 24th Regiment, from
+the over-impetuosity of the officers; and in that of the 14th Light
+Dragoons, from being suddenly attacked on unfavourable ground, and from
+receiving wrong orders during the confusion into which they were
+consequently thrown.  Completely did the regiment retrieve its honour in
+subsequent actions.  The Sikhs retreated; the British remained masters
+of the field.  Their loss was, however, very great.  Twenty-six European
+officers and 731 men killed, and 66 officers and 1446 men wounded, was a
+heavy price to pay for so small an advantage.  Never, indeed, had a
+British army in India, prepared for battle, suffered what was more like
+a defeat than on this disastrous occasion.
+
+BATTLE OF GOOJERAT--21ST FEBRUARY 1849.
+
+After the battle of Chilianwala, the Sikhs were joined by a body of 1500
+Afghan horse, under Akram Khan, a son of Dost Mahomed Khan.  Compelled,
+however, by want of supplies, they quitted their intrenchments, and took
+up a fresh position with 60,000 men, and 59 pieces of artillery, between
+Goojerat and the Chenab.  From this they probably intended marching on
+Lahore, but were prevented by a brigade under Major-General Whish, who
+was detached to guard the fords above and below Wuzeerabad, while Lord
+Gough advanced towards them--the whole army burning to avenge the loss
+of their comrades who had fallen on the 13th of January, many of whom,
+when lying wounded, had been cruelly slaughtered by the Sikhs.  This
+time Lord Gough took good care to commence the action at an earlier hour
+in the day.  At half-past seven in the morning on the 21st of February,
+the sky clear and cloudless, and the sun shining brightly on the
+extended line of bayonets and sabres, with the precision of a parade the
+British army advanced to meet the foe.  The Sikh artillery opened at a
+long distance, thus exposing the position of their guns.  With good
+judgment, Lord Gough therefore halted the infantry out of the range of
+fire, and pushed forward the whole of his guns, which were covered by
+skirmishers.
+
+The Sikh guns were served well and rapidly; but the terrific fire of the
+British artillery at length compelled the enemy to fall back, when the
+infantry were deployed, and a general advance directed, covered by
+artillery.
+
+A village in which a large body of the enemy's artillery was concealed
+lay directly in the line of Sir Walter Gilbert's advance.  This was
+carried by the 3rd Brigade, under General Penny, in the most brilliant
+style, the enemy being driven from their cover with great slaughter.
+Here the 2nd European Regiment distinguished itself.  At the same time a
+party of Brigadier Harvey's brigade, most gallantly led by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Franks, of the 10th Foot, drove a large body of the
+enemy from another village.  The infantry continued to advance, while
+the heavy guns as well as field batteries kept pace with them,
+unlimbering in successive positions for effective action.  The rapid
+advance and admirable fire of the horse artillery and light field
+batteries, strengthened by two reserved troops of horse artillery under
+Lieutenant-Colonel Brind, broke the enemy's ranks at all points.  The
+other villages were stormed; the guns in position carried, 53 pieces
+falling into the hands of the victors; the camp with baggage and
+standard captured, and the whole army of Sher Singh routed in every
+direction.  The cavalry had hitherto been restrained from taking too
+active a part in the action, though the brigades on either flank were
+occasionally threatened and attacked by large masses of the enemy's
+horsemen.  Each time, however, by their steady movements and spirited
+manoeuvres, ably supported by the horse artillery attached to them, the
+British cavalry put the foe to flight.  A large body of Ghorchurras,
+with some Afghan cavalry, appearing on the right, a brilliant and
+successful charge was made on them by some troops of the 9th Lancers
+with the Scinde Horse, when several standards were captured.  The 14th
+Light Dragoons and other cavalry regiments, by their bold front and
+gallant conduct whenever the enemy approached, contributed much to the
+success of the day.
+
+The enemy on all sides now took to flight.  The right wing and General
+Campbell's division passed in pursuit to the eastward of Goojerat, and
+the Bombay division to the westward.
+
+"Then, from either flank the horse, unbroken and in perfect order, swept
+forward to do the work of final retribution.  The two columns speedily
+got into communication.  Onward they moved in union, cutting down,
+dispersing, riding over, and trampling the flying or scattered infantry,
+capturing guns and waggons, strewing the paths with dead and dying;
+forward they moved in their irresistible course, and converted a beaten
+army into a shapeless, hideous mass of helpless fugitives."
+
+The Sikh army was soon dispersed over the country, the ground strewed
+with the dead and wounded, and their weapons and military equipments,
+which they cast from them in the hopes that they might be taken for
+peasants or camp followers instead of soldiers.
+
+For twelve miles did the avenging horsemen pursue the foe; and it was
+not till half-past four that they drew rein, when they returned
+exultingly to camp.  Such was the battle of Goojerat, one of the most
+important and decisive ever fought in India.  By it the power of the
+Sikhs was completely broken, while it taught a lesson to the Afghans,
+who now for the first time had united to them, and made them feel that
+it was their best policy to obtain the friendship rather than the enmity
+of England.  This great battle was won chiefly by artillery; though the
+infantry, by their gallant advance, drove back the enemy, and the
+cavalry, by their brilliant charges and their rapid pursuit, entirely
+broke and destroyed the force of the enemy.  The flying army was
+followed up by Sir Walter Gilbert, Sir Colin Campbell, and Colonel
+Bradford, in three different directions, on the 3rd of March.  Sir
+Walter Gilbert came up with a portion of the fugitives, which still held
+together under Sher Singh and Chuttur Singh, at Horrmuck, on the 11th of
+March, when they surrendered; and three days afterwards, the remainder
+of their forces, amounting to 16,000 men, laid down their arms at Rawul
+Pindee, and 41 pieces of artillery were given up.  Dost Mahomed was
+pursued as far as the Khyber Pass.
+
+In consequence of these operations, the Punjaub was annexed to the
+Government of India.
+
+"Goojerat" is borne by the 3rd, 9th, and 14th Light Dragoons, and the
+10th, 24th, 29th, 32nd, 53rd, 60th, and 61st Regiments--while the army
+received the thanks of Parliament.  Sir Charles Napier had been hurried
+out to take command, out found on his arrival that the work to be done
+had been achieved, and that the brave Lord Gough's last battle was a
+crowning victory.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+THE LOSS OF H.M.S. BIRKENHEAD.
+
+In 1853 a terrible disaster at sea occurred which was the occasion of a
+display, to a degree never surpassed and rarely equalled, of the
+courage, heroism, and discipline of British soldiers.  Her Majesty's
+steamer _Birkenhead_ was on her passage from Simon's Bay to Algoa Bay,
+with 630 souls on board, consisting of the ship's company, drafts from
+several regiments, and boys, women, and children.  At about ten minutes
+past two a.m., the weather being fine, with a heavy swell on shore, she
+struck.  Mr Salmond, the master, came on deck, and ordering the engines
+to be stopped, the boats to be lowered, and an anchor to be let go,
+directed the military officers, Major Seton, of the 74th Regiment, and
+Captain Wright, of the 91st, to send the troops to the chain-pumps; the
+order was implicitly obeyed, and perfect discipline maintained.  As soon
+as Mr Salmond heard that there was water in the ship, he directed the
+women and children to be put in the cutter in charge of Mr Richards,
+master's assistant, which was done.
+
+In ten minutes after the first concussion, and while the engines were
+turning astern, the ship struck again under the engine-room, and broke
+in two.  Major Seton had called all the officers about him, and
+impressed on them the necessity of preserving order and silence among
+the men.  Sixty were put on the chain-pumps, and told off in three
+reliefs; sixty were put on to the tackles of the paddle-box boats, and
+the remainder were brought on the poop, so as to ease the fore part of
+the ship.  "The order and regularity that prevailed on board, from the
+time the ship struck till she totally disappeared, far exceeded anything
+that I thought could be effected by the best discipline," says one of
+the survivors.  "This is more to be wondered at, seeing that most of the
+soldiers had been but a short time in the service.  Every one did as he
+was directed, and there was not a cry or a murmur among them until the
+vessel made her final plunge.  I could not name any individual officer
+who did more than another.  All received their orders, and had them
+carried out as if the men were embarking instead of going to the bottom;
+there was only this difference, that I never saw any embarkation
+conducted with so little noise and confusion.  Four hundred and
+thirty-eight men and boys perished on this sad occasion.  Major Seton,
+standing among his men, and refusing to leave them, perished with the
+rest."  No heroes of whom we read in the page of history ever met their
+fate with more heroic courage than did these British soldiers embarked
+on board the _Birkenhead_, and well worthy is the account to be placed
+among the gallant deeds of our Redcoats.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+THE CRIMEAN WAR--1854-1855.
+
+The settled resolve of the Russian Government to crush the power of the
+Turks, and to take possession of Constantinople, was the cause of the
+declaration of war by England and France against Russia.
+
+The war became at once popular among the British people when the news
+was spread that a Russian fleet, consisting of six men-of-war and
+several smaller vessels, had darted out of Sebastopol, and, taking
+advantage of a dense fog, had entered the harbour of Sinope, where they
+found a Turkish squadron of eight frigates, two schooners, and three
+transports, totally unprepared for battle.  Admiral Nachimoff, the
+Russian commander, fiercely attacked them, and though the Turks fought
+bravely, so great was their disadvantage, that in a few hours 5000 men
+were massacred, and every ship, with the exception of two, was
+destroyed.  To prevent the recurrence of such an event, the allied
+fleets of England and France entered the Black Sea on the 3rd of January
+1854.  War was not officially declared against Russia till the 28th of
+March.  The Guards and other regiments had, however, embarked early in
+February; first to rendezvous at Malta, and subsequently at Varna, on
+the Turkish shore of the Black Sea.  The British troops, under Lord
+Raglan, amounted to 26,800 men of all arms; that of the French, under
+Marshal Saint Arnaud, to nearly the same number, 26,526; and there were
+also 7000 Turks, under Selim Pasha; making in all 60,300 men, and 132
+guns, 65 of which were British.
+
+On the morning of the 14th September, the fleet conveying this
+magnificent army anchored off the coast, near Old Fort, distant about
+eighteen miles south of Eupatoria.  The first British troops which
+landed in the Crimea were the men of Number 1 company of the 23rd Welsh
+Fusiliers, under Major Lystons and Lieutenant Drewe.  The landing
+continued during the whole day, without any casualties.  The first night
+on shore the rain fell in torrents, and the troops, who had landed
+without tents or shelter of any sort, were drenched to the skin.  On the
+following morning the sun shone forth, and the disembarkation continued.
+No enemy was encountered till the 19th, when two or three Russian guns
+opened fire, and a body of Cossacks were seen hovering in the distance.
+The Earl of Cardigan instantly charged them, and they retreated till the
+British cavalry were led within range of the fire of their guns, when
+four dragoons were killed and six wounded,--the first of the many
+thousands who fell during the war.
+
+The evening of the 19th closed with rain.
+
+BATTLE OF THE ALMA--20TH SEPTEMBER.
+
+Wet and weary the allied troops rose on the morning of the 20th
+September of 1854, to march forward to the field of battle.  On their
+right was the sea, on which floated the British fleet; before them was
+the river Alma, down to which the ground sloped, with villages,
+orchards, and gardens spread out along its banks.  "On the other side of
+the river, the ground at once rose suddenly and precipitously to the
+height of three or four hundred feet, with tableland at the top.  This
+range of heights, which, particularly near the sea, was so steep as to
+be almost inaccessible, continued for about two miles along the south
+bank, and then broke away from the river (making a deep curve round an
+amphitheatre, as it were, about a mile wide), and then returned to the
+stream again, but with gentler slopes, and features of a much less
+abrupt character."  The road crossed the river by a wooden bridge, and
+ran through the centre of the valley or amphitheatre.  Prince
+Menschikoff had posted the right of his army on the gentler slopes last
+described, and as it was the key of his position, great preparations had
+been made for its defence.  About half-way down the slope a large
+earthen battery had been thrown up, with twelve heavy guns of position;
+and higher up, on its right rear, was another of four guns, sweeping the
+ground in that direction.  Dense columns of infantry were massed on the
+slopes, with large reserves on the heights above.  A lower ridge of
+hills ran across the amphitheatre, and at various points batteries of
+field-artillery were posted, commanding the passage of the river and its
+approaches.  In front of this part of the position, and on the British
+side of the river, was the village of Borutiuk.
+
+On their left, close to the sea, the acclivities were so abrupt that the
+Russians considered themselves safe from attack.  The river, which ran
+along the whole front, was fordable in most places, but the banks were
+so steep, that only at certain points could artillery be got across.  A
+numerous body of Russian riflemen were scattered among the villages,
+gardens, and vineyards spread along the banks.  The Russian right was
+protected by large bodies of cavalry, which constantly threatened the
+British left, though held in check by the cavalry under Lord Lucan.  The
+right of the allies rested on the sea, where, as close in shore as they
+could come, were a fleet of steamers throwing shot and shell on to the
+heights occupied by the Russian left.
+
+"At about eleven a.m. the allied armies advanced, the whole front
+covered by a chain of light infantry.  On the extreme right, and about
+1500 yards in advance of the line, was the division of General Bosquet;
+next, on his left, was that of General Canrobert; then the Prince
+Napoleon's, with General Forey's in his rear, in reserve.  The English
+then took up the alignment, commencing with the 2nd division (Sir De
+Lacy Evans), then the light division (Sir G. Brown), and, in rear of
+them, the 3rd and 1st divisions respectively--the whole in column; Sir
+G. Cathcart, with the 4th division, being in reserve on the outward
+flank; the English cavalry, under the Earl of Lucan, considerably
+farther to the left, also protecting the exposed flank and rear."
+
+The French advancing, gained the heights, took the enemy somewhat by
+surprise, and almost turned his left.  He then, however, brought forward
+vast masses of troops against them, and it became necessary for the
+British more completely to occupy them in front.
+
+The two leading English divisions (the light and 2nd), which had
+advanced across the plain in alignment with the French columns, on
+coming within long range of the enemy's guns deployed into line (two
+deep), and whilst waiting for the further development of the French
+attack, were ordered to lie down, so as to present as small a mark as
+possible.  The Russian riflemen now opened fire, and the village burst
+into flames.  Lord Raglan, with his staff, passing the river, perceived
+the position of the enemy on the heights he was about to storm.  He
+instantly ordered up some guns, which, crossing the river, opened fire,
+and afterwards moving up the heights, harassed the Russian columns in
+their retreat.
+
+Now, with skirmishers and rifles in advance, the two leading divisions
+advanced towards the enemy, General Codrington's brigade leading
+straight for the Russian intrenched battery.  The two brigades of the
+2nd division were separated by the burning village.  The brigade of
+General Pennefather moved to the left of the village, close to the
+Sebastopol road, and found itself in the very focus towards which the
+Russians were directing their heaviest fire, both of artillery and
+musketry.  Still undaunted, though suffering terrible loss, they pressed
+the Russians hard, and fully occupied their centre.  While other
+operations were going on, the light division, under Sir George Brown,
+having moved across the plain in a long thin line, became somewhat
+broken among the vineyards and inequalities of the ground.  As they
+approached, however, they found some shelter; and at length the word was
+given to charge.  They sprang from their cover, and with a rattling fire
+rushed at the foe; and General Codrington's brigade, 33rd and 23rd
+Regiments, and 7th Fusiliers, with the 19th on their left and the 95th
+on their right, were now in direct line, and in full view of the great
+Russian battery.  The whole British line now opened a continuous fire--
+the Russian columns shook--men from the rear were seen to run; then
+whole columns would turn and fly, halting again and facing about at
+short intervals; but with artillery marching on their left flank, with
+Codrington's brigade streaming upwards, and every moment pouring in
+their fire nearer and nearer as they rushed up the slope, the enemy's
+troops could no longer maintain their ground, but fled disordered up the
+hill.  The Russian batteries, however, still made a fearful havoc in the
+English ranks; and a wide street of dead and wounded, the whole way from
+the river upward, showed the terrific nature of the fight.
+
+"Breathless, decimated, and much broken, the men of the centre regiments
+dashed over the intrenchment and into the great battery in time to
+capture two guns.  But the trials of the light division were not over.
+The reserves of the enemy now moved down.  The English regiments, their
+ranks in disarray and sorely thinned, were forced gradually to
+relinquish the point they had gained, and doggedly fell back, followed
+by the Russian columns.  It seemed for a moment as if victory was still
+doubtful; but succour was close at hand.  The three regiments of Guards
+(having the Highland brigade on their left) were now steadily advancing
+up the hill, in magnificent order.  There was a slight delay until the
+regiments of Codrington's brigade had passed through their ranks, during
+which time the struggle still wavered, and the casualties were very
+great; but when once their front was clear, the chance of the Russians
+was at an end, and their whole force retreated in confusion.  The
+several batteries of the different divisions, after crossing at the
+bridge, moved rapidly to their front, and completed the victory by
+throwing in a very heavy fire, until the broken columns of the enemy
+were out of range.  And now from rank to rank arose the shout of
+victory.  Comrades shook hands, and warm congratulations passed from
+mouth to mouth that the day was won, and right nobly won.  What recked
+then those gallant men of the toil, and thirst, and hunger, and wounds
+they had endured!  Those heights on which at early morn the legions of
+Russia had proudly stood, confident of victory, had been gained, and the
+foe, broken and damaged, were in rapid retreat."
+
+In this fight the Royal Welsh Fusiliers especially distinguished
+themselves by their heroic valour; and no less than 210 officers and
+men, upwards of a quarter of their number, were killed or wounded during
+the battle.  The brave young Lieutenant Anstruther carried the colours;
+and when he fell dead under the terrific fire from the chief redoubt,
+they were picked up by Private Evans, and by him given to Corporal Luby.
+From him they were claimed by the gallant Sergeant Luke O'Connor, who
+bore them onwards amid the shower of bullets, when one struck him, and
+he fell; but quickly recovering himself, and refusing to relinquish
+them, onward once more he carried them till the day was won, and he
+received the reward of his bravery, by the praises of his General on the
+field, and the promise of a commission in his regiment; and a better
+soldier does not exist than Captain O'Connor of the 23rd.
+
+Captain Bell, of the same regiment, seeing the Russians about to
+withdraw one of their guns, sprang forward, and putting a pistol to the
+head of the driver, made him jump off, and springing into the saddle in
+his stead, galloped away with it to the rear, but was soon again at his
+post, and, all the officers above him having been killed or wounded, had
+the honour of bringing the regiment out of action.  Colonel Chester and
+Captain Evans were both killed near the redoubt.  Captain Donovan, of
+the 33rd, captured another gun; but the horses not being harnessed to
+it, the driver took to flight, and it could not be removed.  Nineteen
+sergeants of that regiment were killed or wounded, chiefly in defence of
+their colours.  The colours of the Scots Fusilier Guards were carried by
+Lieutenants Lindsay and Thistlethwayte.  The staff was broken and the
+colours riddled, and many sergeants fell dead by their side, yet
+unharmed they cut their way through the foe, and bore them triumphantly
+up that path of death to the summit of the heights.  The action lasted
+little more than two hours.  In that time 25 British officers were
+killed, and 81 wounded; and of non-commissioned officers and men, 337
+were killed, and 1550 were wounded.  But death was not satiated, and
+many brave officers and men died from cholera even on the field of
+victory.  One name must not be forgotten--that of the good and brave Dr
+Thompson, who, with his servant, remained on the field to attend to the
+wants of upwards of 200 Russians who had not been removed.
+
+Lieutenant Lindsay, who carried the colours of the Scots Fusilier
+Guards, stood firmly by them, when, as they stormed the heights, their
+line was somewhat disordered, and by his energy greatly contributed to
+restore order.  In this he was assisted by Sergeants Knox and McKechnie,
+and Private Reynolds.  Sergeant Knox obtained a commission in the Rifle
+Brigade for his courage and coolness on this occasion.
+
+SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.
+
+On the 17th of October commenced one of the most extraordinary sieges to
+be found recounted in the page of modern history.  Five bombardments
+took place; three sanguinary battles were fought under these walls, and
+numerous sorties and skirmishes occurred.  Sixty guns and mortars were
+landed and brought into position by the British; but the Russians were
+not idle, and not only was the Malakoff tower strengthened, but the
+Redan and other formidable batteries were thrown up.  The French were on
+the left, and had fifty-three guns and mortars in position.
+
+At half-past six a.m. on a beautiful morning on the 17th of October, the
+English and French batteries suddenly opened, completely taking the
+enemy by surprise; but though the guns from the top of the Malakoff
+tower were overthrown by the English guns, the Russians kept up a steady
+fire from the earthen batteries round, and from the Redan and Barrack
+batteries.
+
+The French siege-guns were, however, of less use, and totally inadequate
+for the work; consequently at half-past ten a.m. they ceased firing, one
+of their magazines also having blown up, and killed or wounded 100 men.
+This undoubtedly was one of the main causes of the failure of the
+attempt.  The fleets at the mouth of the harbour were warmly engaged,
+and suffered considerably.
+
+The Russians lost Admiral Kermileff, killed, and Admiral Nachimoff, of
+Sinope celebrity, was wounded, with about 500 men killed and wounded.
+
+The English lost 44 killed, and 266 wounded.
+
+The French were greatly in want of guns, whereas the Russians had the
+means of increasing their garrison to any extent; and, by sinking their
+ships, they added 500 to the fortifications and obtained their crews to
+work them.  Sickness and fighting had sadly reduced the English forces,
+who now numbered only 16,000 men, though the French had still 35,000 fit
+for service; yet they also soon suffered greatly from sickness and want
+of food and shelter.
+
+To those who have not before them a plan of Sebastopol, a slight
+description of the place and the surrounding country will be necessary.
+It is situated on the south side of an inlet of the sea, with another
+smaller inlet running up on the east side called Dockyard Creek, and one
+on the west, some little distance from the intrenchments, called
+Quarantine Bay.  Thus it has water on three sides.  Ships of war were
+stationed in each of the smaller inlets, with their guns bearing on the
+ravines leading down to them.  On the north side of the harbour, at the
+mouth, was Fort Constantine, with several batteries, and farther inland
+the Star Fort, while across the harbour's mouth was a line of powerful
+ships of war.
+
+Only one side, therefore, remained open to attack.  At the commencement
+of the siege, on the east was a round stone tower, built on commanding
+ground, and mounting four guns, called the Malakoff, and on the west a
+crenelated wall terminated by another tower overlooking the Quarantine
+Harbour; and between them, at one or two intermediate points, there were
+a few earthworks not completed, and apparently not armed.
+
+Now these defences do not appear to be very formidable, and it is
+probable that, had the allies left their sick and wounded to the tender
+mercies of the Cossacks, and pushed on at once after the battle of the
+Alma, they might have entered the city; but they would have entered a
+trap in which they would have met certain destruction.  The Russian
+fleet commanding the town would have thundered down on them, and they in
+their turn would have been subjected to an immediate attack from the
+powerful Russian forces hastening towards the place.  It was therefore
+decided by the allied chiefs to wait till their siege-trains were
+landed, and then to lay regular siege to the place.
+
+The river Chernaya ran into the head of the harbour from the east,
+passing under the heights of Inkerman.  A range of hills and high ground
+extended from its mouth to the town and small harbour of Balaclava, with
+a broad valley intervening, in which the British cavalry was encamped,
+with a line of Turkish redoubts in their front, and the village of
+Kadikoi on their right.  On the northern end of this range of heights
+above Inkerman, the Guards with the 2nd division were posted; while the
+French, under General Bosquet, were encamped extending along the whole
+line of heights, till they were terminated by the valley where the
+cavalry camp was pitched.  The other three English divisions faced
+Sebastopol itself.  Balaclava harbour is surrounded by heights, on which
+some powerful batteries were placed, and only one mountain road led up
+to them near the sea.  Some way below them was the village of Kamara.
+The weakest points of the position were at the two ends of the long
+range of heights at Inkerman and Balaclava, and on both these the
+Russians made their fiercest attacks.
+
+In the valley the only infantry regiment was the gallant 93rd
+Highlanders, posted in front of the village of Kadikoi.
+
+BATTLE OF BALACLAVA--25TH OCTOBER.
+
+The enemy had for some days before the 25th of October been observed
+hovering in the neighbourhood of Balaclava; and on the morning of that
+day, reinforcements of 20,000 infantry, 40 guns, and a strong force of
+cavalry arrived, under General Liprandi.  The heights above Balaclava
+were now garrisoned by the marines landed from the fleet; and they, with
+the 93rd and a few detachments from other regiments, were under the
+immediate command of Sir Colin Campbell.  Early in the morning the
+Russians, in great force, attacked the Turkish batteries, which they
+succeeded in capturing,--the English gunner in each, with noble
+self-devotion, spiking the guns before he attempted to escape.  One
+large body of the enemy now attacked the 93rd, under Lieutenant-Colonel
+Ainslie, but were bravely repelled.  Another, and the most powerful,
+turned towards the cavalry.  As they did so, Lord Lucan ordered General
+Scarlett to charge, although the ground was far from favourable for the
+operation.  It was the moment every trooper ardently longed for.
+Nothing could stop their impetuosity; but all descriptions would be tame
+after that of Mr Russell, for never has there been sketched a more
+vivid picture.  "As lightning flashes through the cloud, the Greys and
+Enniskilleners passed through the dark masses of the Russians.  The
+shock was but for a moment.  There was a clash of steel, and a light
+play of sword-blades in the air, and then the Greys and the redcoats
+disappeared in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns.  In
+another moment we saw them emerging with diminished numbers, and in
+broken order, charging against the second line.  It was a terrible
+moment.  `God help them, they are lost!' was the exclamation of more
+than one man, and the thought of many.  With unabated fire the noble
+hearts dashed at their enemy.  It was a fight of heroes.  The first
+lines of Russians, which had been utterly smashed by our charge, and had
+fled at our flank, and towards the centre, were coming back to swallow
+up our handful of men.  By sheer steel and sheer courage Enniskilleners
+and Scots were winning their desperate way right through the enemy's
+squadron, and already grey horses and redcoats had appeared right at the
+rear of the second mass, when, with irresistible force, like one bolt
+from a bow, the 4th Dragoon Guards, riding straight at the right flank
+of the Russians, and the 5th Dragoon Guards, following close upon the
+Enniskilleners, rushed at the remnant of the first line of the enemy,
+went through it as though it were made of pasteboard, and put them to
+utter rout.  The Russian horse, in less than five minutes after it met
+our dragoons, was flying with all its speed before a force certainly not
+half its strength.  A cheer burst from every lip.  In their enthusiasm,
+officers and men took off their caps, and shouted with delight, and
+then, keeping up the scenic character of their position, they clapped
+their hands again and again.  Lord Raglan at once despatched Lieutenant
+Curzon, his aide-de-camp, to convey his congratulations to
+Brigadier-General Scarlett, and to say, `Well done!'"
+
+We may suppose the heights overlooking the plain or valley crowded with
+eager spectators--the enemy below--the Russian hosts beyond.
+
+This was not that desperate charge known as the "Balaclava Charge,"
+which took place soon afterwards.
+
+THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.
+
+That the reader may understand the circumstances which led to that
+terrible charge, a description of the ground must be given.
+
+From the lofty plateau of the Chersonese, on which the British army was
+posted, a long ridge of elevated ground extends to the eastward, on the
+top of which runs the Woronzoff road.  Along this ridge was a line of
+forts armed with carriage guns, which had just before been captured by
+the Russians from the Turks who had garrisoned them.  To the south was
+the broad valley, with the heights of Balaclava on the farther side, in
+which the charge of the heavy cavalry, under General Scarlett, took
+place.  On the north side of the ridge was a narrower valley, with the
+Fedhoukine hills to the north.
+
+It was towards the latter part of that memorable day, the 25th of
+October, that the British cavalry were drawn up under Lord Lucan at the
+western end of this narrow valley directly under the steep heights of
+the Chersonese.  On the summit, at the very edge of the heights, Lord
+Raglan with General Airey and other officers had taken their post, so as
+to overlook the Woronzoff ridge and the Fedhoukine hills with the whole
+of the intermediate valley.  The eastern end of the valley was occupied
+by some powerful batteries of Russian guns, supported by large bodies of
+cavalry and several regiments of infantry, while the heights on both
+sides were crowned by Russian artillery and infantry.  Lord Raglan,
+perceiving that it was the intention of the Russians to carry off the
+guns they had captured from the Turks, ordered up General Cathcart's
+brigade to prevent them from effecting their object.  Some delay
+occurred before the brigade began its march; and the Commander-in-Chief,
+seeing that the Russians would succeed in carrying off the guns if not
+at once attacked, despatched Captain Nolan, an officer on General
+Airey's staff, with a written order to Lord Lucan to charge the Russians
+with the light brigade of cavalry commanded by Lord Cardigan, and to
+recapture the guns.  Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan saw only the heavy
+guns in their front--those to which Lord Raglan referred being concealed
+from their view by the high ground.  They, therefore, supposing that
+they were to attack the guns which they did see, naturally demurred
+about performing an act which might prove the destruction of the whole
+brigade, while the aide-de-camp, who thought only of the guns on their
+right, insisted in strong language that the order must be obeyed.
+Supposing that the order was understood, Captain Nolan then placed
+himself on the left of the light brigade, intending to charge with it.
+Lord Cardigan, still under a wrong impression, obedient to the order
+which he conceived had been sent him, placed himself at the head of his
+gallant light cavalry, and gave the order to advance.  Instead of
+wheeling with their left shoulders forward towards the slope on their
+right front, as the Commander-in-Chief expected them to do, the cavalry
+continued straight down the valley, Lord Cardigan, on his tall charger,
+at a distance of some five horses' lengths in front of the line, leading
+them.
+
+Scarcely had they gone a hundred paces when Captain Nolan, dashing out
+from the left of the line, galloped diagonally across the front, waving
+his sword and pointing eagerly towards the Russians on the right.  There
+might yet have been time to remedy the fatal error into which the
+cavalry guards had fallen, but at that moment a shell burst close to the
+brave aide-de-camp.  His sword fell from his hand, while his arm still
+remained extended; his horse wheeling, dashed back towards the advancing
+ranks, passing between the 13th Light Dragoons, and he fell to the
+ground a lifeless corpse.
+
+Steadily on went those 600 men, almost to certain death, a perfect
+marvel of discipline and heroic courage.  From the Woronzoff heights on
+the right, from the Fedhoukine hills on the left, came showering down
+upon them shot and shell and rifle bullets, thinning their advancing
+ranks.  Each gap made by the deadly missiles was immediately filled up.
+On went the devoted band.  More and more dropped.  Riderless horses
+galloped back, some falling in their course, others uttering cries of
+agony from the wounds they had received.  Here and there human forms
+could be distinguished lying in the quiet of death, others writhing on
+the ground, or endeavouring to drag themselves back up the valley.  As
+the brigade, still as steady as if on parade, dashed forward, the guns
+in their front opened their fire, filling the air with dense masses of
+smoke.  Right up to them they charged, Lord Cardigan still leading.
+Amid the guns they forced their way, cutting down the gunners, who
+either fled or endeavoured to find shelter under the carriages.
+
+Lord Lucan, in the meantime, followed with the heavy cavalry to support
+the light brigade, but having lost many men, he judiciously retired, at
+once seeing that his brigade would be destroyed before they could even
+reach the guns, and they were now compelled to remain inactive while the
+action continued, as their brethren in the light cavalry had been in the
+morning.  At this juncture a portion of the French cavalry--the famous
+regiment of D'Allonville--moved forward, sweeping round the western base
+of the Fedhoukine hills, up which they charged, rushing forward as fast
+as the uneven nature of the ground would allow them, on the Russian
+artillery and infantry posted there, and which had caused such fearful
+loss to the light cavalry as they passed.  As the French approached, the
+artillery limbered up and galloped off to the eastward, while the
+infantry quickly retreated, although not until many a gallant
+Frenchman's saddle had been emptied.  Some minutes of awful suspense had
+passed since the last of the red line of cavalry had been seen rushing
+into the smoke.  Those posted on the height of Chersonese could discern,
+as the smoke cleared away, a dark mass in the distance, and the
+glittering of sword-blades, while the sounds of musketry and the
+confused murmur of voices which came up the valley indicated that the
+fight was still raging.  The guns which had dealt death into their ranks
+had ceased to roar.  They had fought their way through, attacked, and
+put to flight the Russian cavalry.  Then breaking into several bodies,
+after enduring a heavy fire from the rifles of the infantry, had wheeled
+round and were making their way back towards the point from which a few
+minutes before they had set forth in brilliant array.  One body had to
+encounter a whole regiment of lancers drawn up on their flank.  Although
+the Russians thrust at them with their long spears, every blow was
+parried, and they passed by unscathed.  At length, here and there a
+single horseman was seen moving slowly back, he or his charger sorely
+wounded.  Now more and more appeared, several dropping as they returned,
+the whole centre of the valley, as far as the eye could reach, being
+strewed with bodies of men and horses.  The number of those coming up
+the valley now increased.  Among them appeared the tall form of their
+leader, he and his horse uninjured; then came larger parties, followed
+by single horses and men on foot, still exposed to the fire from the
+Woronzoff ridge.  Presently a number of Cossacks came galloping up after
+the retreating cavalry, spearing some, and taking others prisoners; but
+the Russian guns on the causeway again opening fire, the Cossacks, to
+avoid being struck by their friends, were compelled to abandon the
+pursuit, many of those they had surrounded making their escape.  Among
+the last who came in was Lord George Paget, who with Colonel Douglas led
+out the remnant of the 4th Dragoon Guards and a portion of the 11th
+Hussars.  Of the Gallant Brigade, which half an hour before had numbered
+600 horseman, not 200 now remained fit for duty. 113 officers and men
+had been killed, and 134 wounded, while upwards of 400 horses were
+killed or rendered unfit for service.  Although the Russian batteries
+still kept up their fire, many of the troopers who had themselves
+escaped dashed back to search for their wounded officers or comrades,
+and several were thus saved from perishing on the battle-field.
+
+The Russian loss was far greater.  Sir George Cathcart, with the 4th
+division, coming up, the enemy fell back, and abandoned the attempt to
+carry off the guns.  On the next day, the 26th of October, the Russians
+made an attack on the 2nd division, that part of the British force which
+was posted above the ruins of Inkerman.
+
+About 8000 men, supported by artillery and skirmishers, advanced against
+this division; but so admirably did they sustain the attack, that when
+General Bosquet led up some French troops, they retreated, and were
+chased down the ridge towards the head of the bay.  This attack has been
+called the Little Inkerman.
+
+Battle of Inkerman 5th November.  The allied commanders had decided on a
+general assault for the 7th of November; but the enemy, who had received
+immense reinforcements, anticipated their plans, and prepared for
+another terrific attempt to raise the siege, and to drive the allies
+into the sea.
+
+The camp of the 2nd division was on the extreme northern end of the
+heights, above the ruins of Inkerman, with Careening Bay on the left,
+and the river Chernaya in front.  The extreme right of the British
+position, and the left of the French, was the weakest point.  Sir De
+Lacy Evans had pointed it out, and Sir John Burgoyne had especially
+urged the French General Biot to strengthen it, but he paid no attention
+to the advice; and at length the English, their strength already
+overtaxed, had erected a small work there, but no guns had yet been
+mounted.  Of this the Russian generals were fully aware when they formed
+their plan of attack.  Two corps of the Russian army were detailed for
+the grand attack.  One, under General Pauloff, was to march from the
+north side, and crossing the marsh from the causeway, was then to wind
+up the heights in front of the 2nd division, and force the English
+right.  Simultaneously with General Pauloff's movement, the other corps,
+under General Soimonoff, was to leave Sebastopol by a road near the
+Malakoff, which would have brought it up in front of the British light
+division.  Instead of this, by mistaking the ground, he moved to his
+left, and found himself in front of the English 2nd division; so that,
+when General Pauloff's leading regiments arrived, the ground intended
+for their attack was already occupied, and the battle had begun.  The
+Russians, confined therefore in a narrow space, encumbered each other
+during the day, and could not find sufficient room to deploy.  It was
+dark and wet, and a thick fog lay on the ground as the day dawned on the
+5th of November.  It is said that Major Sir Thomas Troubridge, who
+commanded the outposts of the first brigade of the light division, after
+relieving the advanced sentries, went down before daybreak towards the
+Mamelon, and sweeping the ground with a field-glass, descried the enemy
+on the opposite side of the ravine.  While he hastened to get the 2nd
+division under arms to meet the threatened attack, the advanced pickets
+were surprised, but behaved with the greatest gallantry, disputing every
+inch of ground with the Russian riflemen.  One detachment, in falling
+back, held the Sandbag battery for a short time, but were driven out by
+the enemy.  The 2nd division, under General Pennefather, was formed at
+once on the ridge in front of their own camp, the other English
+divisions getting under arms and hastening to the front.  The three
+regiments of Guards proceeded to the right, and General Bullar's brigade
+to the left of the 2nd division.  General Codrington's brigade took up
+the ground in front of its own camp, on the left side of Careening Bay
+ravine, on the spot where it had been intended Soimonoff's corps should
+have deployed.  On the noble Guards fell a large share of the work of
+that sanguinary day.  Pressing forward, they drove the enemy out of the
+Sandbag battery; and, though fiercely assailed on both flanks, they
+maintained that forward position during the day, except for a short
+time.  Once they had to retire before overwhelming numbers and a
+terrific fire of artillery; reinforced by the 20th Regiment, they again
+rushed forward and retook the redoubt.  In vast masses the Russians
+pressed on, their artillery of heavy calibre supporting their advance,
+and often throughout the day the fortune of the fight seemed doubtful;
+but never did troops behave with more heroic courage.  Shrouded by a
+thick fog, each man, and each company, and each regiment, felt that they
+must in a great part depend upon themselves.  Meantime, Sir George
+Cathcart, with part of the 68th Regiment, and a few other men, hearing
+that the enemy were attempting to force the extreme right, and that it
+was the point most open to danger, pushed rapidly forward, hoping to act
+on the flank of the Russian troops storming the Sandbag battery.  He had
+not gone far when he discovered the enemy on his front, on his right
+flank below him, and on his left above him.  At that moment he fell,
+shot through the head, while several of his staff were killed with him.
+General Torrens, who had come up, was also wounded; the men were
+withdrawn to the ground on the flank of the battery, which they, with
+other troops, continued to maintain.  By this time several of the
+Russian generals, with the officers of their staffs, and colonels of
+regiments, were killed, and their troops thrown into confusion.  While
+the battle thus furiously raged and numbers were falling, the Russians,
+5000 strong, made a sortie against the left of the French batteries, and
+succeeded in spiking several guns; but the French troops, rallying,
+charged them so furiously that they were driven back; some of the
+French, carried on by their ardour, entering the batteries with them.
+The brave French General Lourmel was killed; but the Russians lost 1000
+men.  For several hours had the battle of Inkerman raged; the English,
+but 8000 strong, supporting the whole brunt of the fight.  The
+termination seemed doubtful; fresh troops were brought against them, but
+yet not a man who stood on those bloody heights ever dreamed of
+yielding.  Yet, overwhelmed at length, the Guards were pressed back.
+Not only were they assailed by the fire of the Russian field batteries,
+but by the guns of Sebastopol, and by those of the ships in Careening
+Bay.  Suddenly the shrill tones of the French horns were heard above the
+rolling and rattling of the firing.  The regiments of the first brigade,
+which arrived with that dashing intrepidity for which the French are
+distinguished, immediately pressed forward into the thick of the fight,
+and almost reached the Sandbag battery, the contest for which had been
+so often renewed.  But even these fresh troops found difficulty in
+maintaining themselves, and were almost surrounded.  A second brigade,
+however, quickly reinforced them, and several French batteries coming up
+on the right of the English ones, the enemy were at length completely
+driven from the ground, and had now no alternative but a difficult
+retreat down precipitous slopes.  Heavy masses were observed retiring
+over the bridge of the Chernaya, and ascending the opposite heights,
+abandoning on the field of battle 5000 or 6000 dead and wounded.
+
+"There is probably," says Colonel Adye, "no record of any battle in
+which such great numbers fought on so small a space.  There are few
+which have been so stoutly contested, or in which the valour and
+perseverance of all the troops engaged have been throughout so
+conspicuous."
+
+The conduct of the English infantry is immortal.  Although enfeebled by
+previous fatigue and constant night watches, still, on the day of trial,
+for hours did 8000 men resolutely maintain themselves against successive
+columns of attack of vastly superior numbers; and at last, when almost
+overpowered, they found an ever ready and gallant ally at hand to save
+them in their hour of need.
+
+This battle, too, brought out conspicuously the sterling courage and
+unmatched steadiness of the English artillery.  Repeatedly were the
+Russian columns close to the muzzles of the guns, and were driven back
+by volleys of case.  In some instances the batteries were actually run
+into, and the gunners bayoneted at their posts.  Their carriages were
+repeatedly struck, and their loss was 96 men and 80 horses killed.
+
+The casualties of the British army amounted to 2590.  Of these, 43
+officers and 416 men were killed, and 101 officers and 1332 men were
+wounded, while nearly 200 were missing.  The Russians lost fully 15,000
+men.
+
+That of the 25,000 British infantry landed in the Crimea, only 8000
+should have been forthcoming to take part in the battle, may seem
+surprising; but so it was.  Three thousand had been killed, 5000 were
+sick, 3000 were in the trenches, and 6000 of the 3rd division were at
+Balaclava.  Of those present, the Guards had 1300; 2nd division, 2500;
+light division, 2000; and 4th division, 2200.
+
+And now let us do justice to the memory of as gallant a soldier as ever
+led the armies of Old England to victory, by looking at the difficulties
+by which Lord Raglan was surrounded.
+
+Of his already diminished numbers, 2500 men were lying on the field of
+battle--eight of his generals had fallen--the hospitals were full--
+cholera was in his camp--no recruits were coming--winter had arrived--
+the men had no shelter--no transport to bring them food--no clothing,
+for the _Prince_, with 40,000 greatcoats, and stores of all sorts, had
+gone down.  Never did an army with more heroic courage and endurance
+persevere to finally conquer, though its brave General sank under the
+load of anxiety pressed on him, and the unjust accusations brought
+against his fame.
+
+FINAL BOMBARDMENT.
+
+The allies had now been nearly a year before Sebastopol.  The batteries
+opened on the 5th of September, and continued firing till noon of the
+8th, when the French signal was given for the advance.  Onward they
+rushed, and the Malakoff was taken by surprise without loss, its
+defenders being at dinner.  The tri-colour flying from the parapet was
+the signal for the British to advance.  A column of the light division
+led, and that of the second followed.  The men stormed the parapet, and
+penetrated into the salient angle.  Here Major Welsford, 97th, who led
+the storming party, was killed, and Colonel Handcock was mortally
+wounded.  A most sanguinary contest ensued, but it was found impossible
+to maintain the position.  Colonel Windham hurried back, and brought up
+the right wing of the 23rd, when a most brilliant charge was made, but
+it was of no avail: 29 officers killed and 125 wounded, with 356
+non-commissioned officers and men killed, 1762 wounded, showed the
+severe nature of the contest.  Many gallant deeds were done, but the
+following men deserve especial notice, for bringing in wounded men from
+the advanced posts during daylight on the 8th:--Privates Thomas Johnson,
+Bedford, Chapman, and William Freeman, of the 62nd.  A considerable
+number performed the same merciful but dangerous work during the night.
+It was intended to renew the attack on the following morning with the
+Highland brigade under Sir Colin Campbell; but explosions were heard
+during the night, and when a small party advanced, the Redan was found
+deserted, and it was discovered that, by means of admirable
+arrangements, the whole Russian army were retiring by a bridge of boats
+to the north side, while they in the meantime had sunk all the ships of
+war in the harbour.
+
+Thus was Sebastopol won undoubtedly by the gallantry of the French, for
+the possession of the Malakoff at that time ensured the capture of the
+town; but Britons may well feel proud of the heroism displayed by their
+countrymen from first to last of that memorable siege, and it is an
+example of the stuff with which English redcoats are filled: officers
+were killed and fully 5000 men, while upwards of 15,000 died of disease.
+
+In October, Kinburn was taken by General Spencer; and the supplies of
+the Russians being cut off, they were compelled to sue for peace.
+
+While this most bloody war showed England's might, the undaunted bravery
+of her soldiers, and their admirable discipline and perseverance, it
+also showed wherein her weakness lay--that her commissariat was
+imperfect, and that much of her machinery had grown rusty from want of
+use.  She has profited by the terrible lessons she has received; and
+though there is still room for improvement, the British soldier need no
+longer fear that sad state of things from which so many of his gallant
+comrades suffered in the Crimea.
+
+GALLANT DEEDS OF THE CRIMEAN WAR.
+
+Here I must pause to tell of some few of the many gallant deeds done
+during that long and terrible year of warfare.  First, how at; the
+bloody fight of Inkerman, Captain T. Miller, R.A., defended his guns
+with a handful of gunners, though surrounded by Russians, and with his
+own hand killed six of the foe who were attempting to capture them.  How
+Sergeant--Major Andrew Henry, R.A., also nobly defended his guns against
+overwhelming numbers of the enemy, and continued to do so till he fell
+with twelve bayonet wounds in his body.  How at the desperate charge of
+the Guards to retake the Sandbag battery, Lieutenant-colonel the
+Honourable H.M. Percy, Grenadier Guards, in face of a hot fire, charged
+singly into the battery, followed by his men; and how afterwards, when
+he found himself, with men of various regiments who had charged too far,
+nearly surrounded by Russians, and without ammunition, from his
+knowledge of the ground he was enabled, though he was wounded, to
+extricate them and to take them, under a heavy fire, to a spot where
+they obtained a supply of ammunition, and could return to the combat;
+and how he engaged in single combat, and wounded a Russian soldier.  How
+Sergeant Norman and Privates Palmer and Baily were the first to
+volunteer to follow Sir Charles Russell to attempt retaking the Sandbag
+battery.  Onward dashed those gallant men; the Russians could not
+withstand the desperate onslaught, and fled before them.
+
+I have described those two cavalry charges at Balaclava.  Several noble
+acts of heroism resulted from them.  First, I must tell how, when
+Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, 17th Lancers, lay desperately wounded on the
+ground, in an exposed situation, after the retreat of the Light Cavalry,
+Surgeon Mouat, 6th Dragoons, voluntarily galloped to his rescue, and,
+under a heavy fire from the enemy, dressed his wounds; and how
+Sergeant-Major Wooden, 17th, also came to the rescue of his fallen
+colonel, and with Mr Mouat bore him safely from the field.  How,
+likewise, when Captain Webb, 17th Lancers, lay desperately and mortally
+wounded, Sergeant-major Berryman, 17th Lancers, found him, and refused
+to leave him, though urged to do so.  How Quarter-master-sergeant
+Farrell and Sergeant Malone, 13th Light Dragoons, coming by, assisted to
+carry him out of the fire.
+
+Worthy of note is the conduct of Private Parkes, 4th Light Dragoons.  In
+that fearful charge Trumpet--Major Crawford's horse falling, he was
+dismounted, and lost his sword.  Thus helpless, he was attacked by two
+Cossacks, when Parkes, whose horse was also killed, threw himself before
+his comrade, and drove off the enemy.  Soon afterwards they were
+attacked by six Russians, whom Parkes kept at bay; and he retired
+slowly, fighting and defending Crawford, till his own sword was broken
+by a shot.
+
+Sergeant Ramage, 2nd Dragoons, perceiving Private McPherson surrounded
+by seven Russians, galloped to his comrade's assistance, and saved his
+life by dispersing the enemy.  On the same day, when the heavy brigade
+was rallying, and the enemy retiring, finding that his horse would not
+leave the ranks, he dismounted and brought in a Russian prisoner.  He
+also on the same day saved the life of Private Gardner, whose leg was
+fractured by a round shot, by carrying him to the rear from under a
+heavy cross fire, and from a spot immediately afterwards occupied by
+Russians.
+
+Officers and men vied with each other in the performance of gallant
+deeds.  Major Howard Elphinstone, of the Royal Engineers, exhibited his
+fearless nature by volunteering, on the night of the 18th June, after
+the unsuccessful attack on the Redan, to command a party of volunteers,
+who proceeded to search for and bring back the scaling-ladders left
+behind after the repulse; a task he succeeded in performing.  He also
+conducted a persevering search close to the enemy for wounded men,
+twenty of whom he rescued and brought back to the trenches.
+
+Lieutenant Gerald Graham, on the same day, several times sallied out of
+the trenches, in spite of the enemy's fire, and brought in wounded men
+and officers.
+
+On that day, also, when assaulting the Redan, Colour-sergeant Peter
+Leitch first approached it with ladders, and then tore down gabions from
+the parapet, and placed and filled them so as to enable those following
+to cross over.  This dangerous occupation he continued till disabled by
+wounds.
+
+Sapper John Perie was on that day conspicuous for his valour in leading
+the seamen with ladders to storm the Redan.  He also rescued a wounded
+man from the open, though he had himself just been wounded by a bullet
+in his side.
+
+Private John Connors, 3rd Foot, distinguished himself at the assault of
+the Redan, on the 8th September, in personal conflict with the enemy.
+Seeing an officer of the 30th Regiment surrounded by Russians, he rushed
+forward to his rescue, shot one and bayoneted another.  He was himself
+surrounded, when he spiritedly cut his way out from among them.
+
+Few surpassed Lieutenant William Hope, 7th Fusiliers, in gallantry.
+After the troops had retreated, on the 18th June, Lieutenant Hope,
+hearing from Sergeant Bacon that Lieutenant and Adjutant Hobson was
+lying outside the trenches, went out to look for him, accompanied by
+Private Hughes, and found him lying in an old agricultural ditch running
+towards the left flank of the Redan.  He then returned, and got some
+more men to bring him in.  Finding, however, that he could not be
+removed without a stretcher, he ran back across the open to Egerton's
+pit, where he procured one; and in spite of a very heavy fire from the
+Russian batteries, he carried it to where Lieutenant Hobson was lying,
+and brought in his brother officer in safety.  He also, on the 8th of
+September, when his men were drawn out of the fifth parallel,
+endeavoured, with Assistant-Surgeon Hale, to rally them, and remained to
+aid Dr Hale, who was dressing the wounds of Captain Jones, 7th Foot,
+who lay dangerously wounded.  Dr Hale's bravery was conspicuous; for
+after the regiment had retired into the trenches, he cleared the most
+advanced sap of the wounded, and aided by Sergeant Fisher, 7th Royal
+Fusiliers, under a very heavy fire, carried several wounded men from the
+open into the sap.
+
+Private Sims, 34th Regiment, showed his bravery and humanity on the 18th
+June, when the troops had retired from the assault on the Redan, by
+going into the open ground outside the trenches, under a heavy fire, in
+broad daylight, and bringing in wounded soldiers.
+
+Major Elton, 55th Regiment, exhibited the greatest courage on several
+occasions.  On the night of the 4th August he commanded a working party
+in the advanced trenches in front of the Quarries; and when, in
+consequence of the dreadful fire to which they were exposed, some
+hesitation was shown, he went into the open with pick and shovel, and by
+thus setting an example to his men, encouraged them to persevere.  In
+March, he volunteered with a small body of men to drive off a body of
+Russians who were destroying one of the British new detached works, and
+not only succeeded in so doing, but took one of the enemy prisoner.
+
+Colour--Sergeant G. Gardiner, 57th Regiment, showed great coolness and
+gallantry on the occasion of the sortie of the enemy, 22nd March, when
+he was acting as orderly sergeant to the field officers of the trenches,
+in having rallied the covering parties which had been driven in by the
+Russians, and thus regaining and keeping possession of the trenches.
+Still more conspicuous was his conduct on the 18th June when attacking
+the Redan.  He remained and encouraged others to stay in the holes made
+by the explosion of shells, from whence, by making parapets of the dead
+bodies of their comrades, they kept up a continuous fire until their
+ammunition was exhausted, thus clearing the enemy from the parapet of
+the Redan.  This was done under a fire in which nearly half the officers
+and a third of the rank and file of the party of the regiment were
+placed _hors de combat_.
+
+Major Lumley, 97th Regiment, especially distinguished himself at the
+assault on the Redan, 8th September.  He was among the first inside the
+works, when he was immediately engaged with three Russian gunners,
+reloading a field-piece, who attacked him.  He shot two of them with his
+revolver, when he was knocked down by a stone which for the moment
+stunned him.  On his recovery he drew his sword, and was in the act of
+cheering on his men, when he received a ball in his mouth, which wounded
+him most severely.
+
+Sergeant Coleman, also of the 97th Regiment, exhibited coolness and
+bravery unsurpassed, when, on the night of 30th August, the enemy
+attacked a new sap and drove in the working party.  He, however,
+remained in the open, completely exposed to the enemy's rifle-pits,
+until all around him had been killed or wounded; then, taking on his
+shoulder one of his officers, mortally wounded, he retreated with him to
+the rear.
+
+Of the many anecdotes of heroism exhibited during the war, none is more
+worthy of note than one told of Ensign Dunham Massy, of the 19th
+Regiment, then one of the youngest officers in the army.  At the
+storming of the Redan he led the grenadier company, and was about the
+first of the corps to jump into the ditch, waving his sword, and calling
+on his men to follow.  They nobly stood by him, till, left for two hours
+without support, and seized by a fear of being blown up, they retired.
+He, borne along, endeavoured to disengage himself from the crowd, and
+there he stood, almost alone, facing round frequently to the batteries,
+with head erect, and with a calm, proud, disdainful eye.  Hundreds of
+shots were aimed at him, and at last, having succeeded in rallying some
+men, and leading them on up the side of the ditch, he was struck by a
+shot and his thigh broken.
+
+Being the last, he was left there with many other wounded.  Hours passed
+by--who can tell the agony suffered by that mass of wounded men!  Many
+were groaning, and some loudly crying out.  A voice called faintly at
+first, and at length more loudly, "Are you Queen Victoria's soldiers?"
+Some voices answered, "I am!  I am!"
+
+"Then," said the gallant youth, "let us not shame ourselves; let us show
+these Russians that we can bear pain as well as fight like men."  There
+was a silence as of death; and several times, when the poor fellows
+again gave way to their feelings, he appealed to them in a similar
+strain, and all was silent.
+
+The unquailing spirit of the young hero ruled all around him.  As
+evening came on, the Russians crept out of the Redan, and plundered some
+of the wounded--though, in some cases, they exhibited kind feelings, and
+even gave water.  Men with bayonets fixed strode over Massy's body.
+Sometimes he feigned death.  A man took away his haversack.  A Russian
+officer endeavoured to disengage his sword, which he still grasped; nor
+would he yield it.  The Russian, smiling compassionately, at length left
+him.  When the works were blown up in the night by the retreating
+Russians, his left leg was fearfully crushed by a falling stone.  He was
+found in the morning by some Highlanders, and brought to the camp more
+dead than alive from loss of blood.  Great was the joy of all at seeing
+him, as it was supposed that he was killed.  In spite of his dangerous
+wounds, he ultimately recovered.
+
+Privates and non-commissioned officers vied with each other in acts of
+gallantry and dash, as well as of coolness and calm heroism.
+
+Privates Robert Humpston and Joseph Bradshaw, Rifle Brigade, 2nd
+battalion, especially exhibited their cool bravery.  A Russian rifle-pit
+situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff road, between the
+third parallel right attack and the Quarries, was occupied every night
+by the Russians, much impeding a new battery being erected by the
+British.  These two men, seeing the importance of dislodging the enemy,
+at daybreak of the 22nd April started off of their own accord, made so
+furious an attack on the astonished Russians that they killed or put to
+flight all the occupants of the rifle-pit, and held it till, support
+coming, it was completely destroyed.
+
+Private B. McGregor, also of the same corps, finding that there were two
+Russians in a rifle-pit who considerably annoyed the troops by their
+fire, he, being in the advanced trenches, crossed the open space under
+fire, and taking cover under a rock, dislodged them, and took possession
+of the pit, whence he fired on the enemy.
+
+Several of the officers, too, of the Rifle Brigade exhibited conspicuous
+gallantry.  At the battle of Inkerman, Brevet-Major the Honourable Henry
+H. Clifford led a dashing charge of his men against the enemy, of whom
+he killed one and wounded another; and one of his men having fallen near
+him, he defended him against the Russians, who were trying to kill him,
+and carried him off in safety.
+
+Lieutenant Claude T. Bouchier and Lieutenant William J. Cuninghame
+highly distinguished themselves at the capture of the rifle-pits, on the
+20th of November 1854.
+
+There were numerous instances in which, at the risk of their own lives,
+both officers and men saved the lives of their comrades who lay wounded
+in exposed positions.  Private John Alexander, 19th Regiment, after the
+attack on the Redan on the 18th of June, knowing that many wounded men
+lay helpless on the ground, in spite of the storm of round shot,
+bullets, and shells still raging, went out from the trenches, and, with
+calm intrepidity, brought in, one after the other, several wounded men.
+He also, being one of a working party, on the 6th of September 1855, in
+the most advanced trench, hearing that Captain Buckley, of the Scots
+Fusilier Guards, was lying dangerously wounded, went out under a very
+heavy fire, and brought him safely in.  Sergeant Moynihan, of the same
+regiment, also rescued a wounded officer near the Redan, under a very
+heavy fire; and on the assault of the Redan, 8th of September 1855,
+actually encountered, and with his own hand was seen to have killed,
+five Russians in succession.  Other acts of gallantry are recorded of
+this brave soldier, who, as a reward for them, and for a long-continued
+career of excellent conduct, has been since deservedly promoted to a
+lieutenancy, and subsequently obtained his company in the 8th Foot.
+
+Sergeant William McWheeney, 44th Regiment, showed probably as much
+bravery in saving the lives of his comrades, and in other ways, as any
+man in the army.  At the commencement of the siege he volunteered as a
+sharpshooter, and was placed in charge of a party of his regiment, who
+acted as sharpshooters.  In the action on the Woronzoff road, the
+Russians came down in such overwhelming numbers that the sharpshooters
+were repulsed from the Quarries in which they had taken post.  On that
+occasion Private John Kean, one of his party, was dangerously wounded,
+and would have been killed, had he not, running forward under a heavy
+fire, lifted the man on his back, and borne him off to a place of
+safety.  On the 5th of December 1854 he performed a similar act.
+Corporal Courtenay, also a sharpshooter, was, when in the advance,
+severely wounded in the head.  Sergeant McWheeney then lifted him up,
+and, under a heavy fire, carried him to some distance.  Unable to bear
+him farther, he placed him on the ground; but, refusing to leave him,
+threw up with his bayonet a slight cover of earth, protected by which
+the two remained till dark, when he brought off his wounded companion.
+He also volunteered for the advanced guard of Major-General Eyre's
+brigade, in the Cemetery, on the 18th of June 1855.  During the whole
+war he was never absent from duty.
+
+Private McDermot, also, at the battle of Inkerman, seeing Colonel Haly
+lying wounded on the ground, surrounded by Russians about to despatch
+him, rushed to his rescue, killed the man who had cut down the colonel,
+and brought him off.
+
+In like way, at the same time, Private Beach, seeing Lieutenant-Colonel
+Carpenter lying on the ground, several Russians being about to plunder
+and probably kill him, dashed forward, killed two of them, and protected
+the colonel against his assailants, till some men of the 41st Regiment
+coming up put them to flight.
+
+Sergeant George Walters, 49th Regiment, also highly distinguished
+himself at Inkerman, by springing forward to save Brigadier-General
+Adams, who was surrounded by Russians, one of whom he bayoneted, and
+dispersed the rest.
+
+Captain Thomas Esmonde especially exhibited his courage and humanity in
+preserving the lives of others.  On the 18th of June he was engaged in
+the desperate and bloody assault on the Redan.  Unwounded himself, he
+repeatedly returned, under a terrific fire of shell and grape, to assist
+in rescuing wounded men from the exposed positions where they lay.  Two
+days after this, he was in command of a covering party to a working
+party in an advanced position.  A fire-ball, thrown by the enemy, lodged
+close to them.  With admirable presence of mind, he sprang forward and
+extinguished it before it had blazed up sufficiently to betray the
+position of the working party under his protection.  Scarcely had the
+ball been extinguished, than a murderous fire of shell and grape was
+opened on the spot.
+
+Lance-Sergeant Philip Smith, on the 18th June, after the column had
+retired from the assault, repeatedly returned under a heavy fire, and
+brought in his wounded comrades.
+
+Several acts of coolness, similar to that recorded of Captain Esmonde,
+were performed.
+
+On the 2nd September, Sergeant Alfred Ablet, of the Grenadier Guards,
+seeing a burning shell fall in the centre of a number of ammunition
+cases and powder, instantly seized it, and threw it outside the trench.
+It burst as it touched the ground.  Had it exploded before, the loss of
+life would have been terrific.
+
+Private George Strong, also, when on duty in the trenches, threw a live
+shell from the place where it had fallen to a distance.
+
+Corporal John Ross, of the Royal Engineers, exhibited his calmness and
+judgment, as well as bravery, on several occasions.  On the 23rd of
+August 1855 he was in charge of the advance from the fifth parallel
+right attack on the Redan, when he placed and filled twenty-five gabions
+under a very heavy fire, and in spite of light-balls thrown towards him.
+He was also one of those who, in the most intrepid and devoted way, on
+the night of the memorable 8th September, crept to the Redan and
+reported its evacuation, on which it was immediately occupied by the
+British.
+
+Corporal William Lendrim, of the same corps, also, on the 11th April, in
+the most intrepid manner, got on the top of a magazine, on which some
+sandbags were burning, knowing that at any moment it might blow up.  He
+succeeded in extinguishing the fire.  On the 14th of February, when the
+whole of the gabions of Number 9 battery left attack were capsized, he
+superintended 150 French chasseurs in replacing them, under a heavy fire
+from the Russian guns.  He likewise was one of four volunteers who
+destroyed the farthest rifle-pits on the 20th April.
+
+Sergeant Daniel Cambridge, Royal Artillery, was among those who
+gallantly risked his own life to save those of his fellow-soldiers.  He
+had volunteered for the spiking party at the assault on the Redan, on
+the 8th of September, and while thus engaged he was severely wounded;
+still he refused to go to the rear.  Later in the day, while in the
+advanced trench, seeing a wounded man outside, in front, he sprang
+forward under a heavy fire to bring him in.  He was in the open, shot
+and shell and bullets flying round him.  He reached the wounded man, and
+bore him along.  He was seen to stagger, but still he would not leave
+his helpless burden, but, persevering, brought him into the trench.  It
+was then discovered that he had himself been severely wounded a second
+time.
+
+The gallantry of Sergeant George Symons was always conspicuous, but
+especially on the 6th of June 1855, when he volunteered to unmask the
+embrasures of a five-gun battery, in the advanced right attack.  No
+sooner was the first embrasure unmasked, than the enemy commenced a
+terrific fire on him; but, undaunted, he continued the work.  As each
+fresh embrasure was unmasked, the enemy's fire was increased.  At length
+only one remained, when, amid a perfect storm of missiles, he
+courageously mounted the parapet, and uncovered the last, by throwing
+down the sandbags.  Scarcely was his task completed when a shell burst,
+and he fell, severely wounded.
+
+Driver Thomas Arthur, of the same corps, had been placed in charge of a
+magazine, in one of the left advanced batteries of the right attack, on
+the 7th of June, when the Quarries were taken.  Hearing that the 7th
+Fusiliers were in want of ammunition, he, of his own accord, carried
+several barrels of infantry ammunition to supply them, across the open,
+exposed to the enemy's fire.  He also volunteered and formed one of the
+spiking party of artillery at the assault on the Redan.
+
+Among the numberless acts of bravery performed at the battle of
+Inkerman, few are more worthy of record than one performed by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, Bart., of the Grenadier Guards.
+The Sandbag battery, the scene of so many bloody encounters during that
+eventful day, had been at length entered by a strong party of Russians,
+its previous defenders having been killed or driven out by overwhelming
+numbers.  Sir Charles Russell, seeing what had occurred, offered to
+dislodge the enemy, if any men would accompany him.  The undertaking
+seemed desperate; but notwithstanding this, Sergeant Norman and Privates
+Anthony Palmer and Bailey immediately volunteered; others afterwards
+followed their example.  On they went, following the gallant Sir Charles
+at furious speed, and into the battery they rushed.  Bailey was killed,
+but Palmer escaped, and was the means of saving his brave leader's life.
+The Russians were driven out, and the battery was held by the British.
+
+Sir Charles Russell received the Victoria Cross.  We now give an extract
+from a letter he wrote to his mother after the battle: "After the brave
+band had been some time in the battery, our ammunition began to fail us,
+and the men, armed with stones, flung them into the masses of Russians,
+who caught the idea, and the air was thick with huge stones flying in
+all directions; but we were too much for them, and once more a _melee_
+of Grenadiers, Coldstreams, and Fusiliers held the battery their own,
+and from it, on the solid masses of the Russians, still poured as good a
+fire as our ammunition would permit.  There were repeated cries of
+`Charge!' and some man near me said, `If any officer will lead us, we
+will charge'; and as I was the only one just there, I could not refuse
+such an appeal, so I jumped into the embrasure, and waving my revolver,
+said, `Come on, my lads; who will follow me?'  I then rushed on, fired
+my revolver at a fellow close to me, but it missed fire.  I pulled
+again, and think I killed him.  Just then a man touched me on the
+shoulder, and said, `You was near done for.'  I said, `Oh no, he was
+some way from me.'  He answered, `His bayonet was all but into you when
+I clouted him over the head.'  And sure enough, a fellow had got behind
+me and nearly settled me.  I must add, that the grenadier who
+accompanied me was publicly made a corporal on parade next morning.  His
+name is Palmer.  I did not know it, but I said, `What's your name?
+Well, if I live through this, you shall not be forgotten.'"
+
+Corporal Shields, 23rd Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers, among many brave
+men especially distinguished himself, and he was among the earliest
+recipients of the order of valour.  He received also the Cross of the
+Legion of Honour from the Emperor of the French for the following brave
+action:--
+
+On the 8th of September 1855 he was among the foremost at the desperate
+attack on the Redan, and one of the very few who reached the ditch at
+the re-entering angle.  Finding that Lieutenant Dyneley, adjutant of the
+regiment, for whom he had a great regard, had not returned, he
+immediately set forward by himself to search for him, exposed to the hot
+fire of the enemy, who, although they must have known that he was on an
+errand of mercy, continually aimed at him.  After searching for some
+time, he found his young officer on the ground, desperately wounded,
+behind a rock, which somewhat sheltered him from the enemy's fire.
+Stanching the flow of blood as well as he could, he endeavoured to lift
+him on his back to carry him to the trenches, but the pain of being
+lifted in that way was more than Mr Dyneley could bear.  Reluctantly he
+was compelled to relinquish the attempt; and hurrying back to the
+trenches, he entreated one of the medical officers to render the young
+officer assistance.  His appeal was not made in vain.  Without
+hesitation, the brave Assistant--Surgeon Sylvester, always ready at the
+call of humanity, volunteered to accompany him.  Together they passed
+across the hailstorm of bullets the Russians were incessantly sending
+from their walls, when the surgeon knelt down and dressed the wounds of
+his brother officer, and did all that he could to alleviate his
+sufferings.  Unwillingly they quitted him that they might obtain more
+succour; and in the evening Captain Drew and other volunteers
+accompanied Corporal Shields, who then for the third time braved the
+bullets of the enemy, and together they brought in the young lieutenant.
+Unhappily, his wound was mortal, and he died that night.  While
+praising the brave corporal, we must not forget the heroism of the young
+surgeon.  For this action Corporal Shields was rewarded with a
+commission.
+
+Major Gerald Littlehales Goodlake, Coldstream Guards, gained the
+Victoria Cross for his gallantry on several occasions.  A number of the
+best marksmen in each regiment had been selected to act as
+sharpshooters.  With a party of these he set forth, on a night in
+November 1854, towards a fort at the bottom of the Windmill ravine,
+where a picket of the enemy were stationed.  Approaching with all the
+caution of Indian warriors along a difficult and dangerous path, they
+suddenly sprang on the astonished Russians, who took to flight, leaving
+their rifles and knapsacks behind.  A short time before this, on the
+28th of October, he was posted in this ravine, which, with the party of
+his men, not exceeding thirty, he held against a powerful sortie of the
+Russians, made against the 2nd division of the British army.
+
+In truth, young officers brought up in luxury and ease vied with
+soldiers long accustomed to warfare and the roughest work in deeds of
+daring and hardihood.
+
+These are only some few of the many acts of heroism, coolness, and
+gallantry performed during the war, and for which the Victoria Cross has
+been awarded.  Undoubtedly many more were performed, which have not been
+noted, in consequence of the death of the actors or witnesses, and some
+gallant men, though equally deserving, have not brought forward their
+claims; but even from the few examples here given, it is shown of what
+materials the British soldier is formed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+THE CAMPAIGN IN PERSIA--1856-1857.
+
+In 1856 the Persians, thinking that they would be supported by Russia,
+took possession of Herat, in direct infraction of their treaty with
+England.  To convince them of their mistake, war was declared; and an
+expedition, under Major-general Stalker, was despatched to the Persian
+Gulf, which, on the 3rd of December, took possession of the island of
+Karrack.  On the 7th, the troops landed at Ras Halala, about fifteen
+miles below Bushire.  Their first exploit was an attack on the old Dutch
+fort of Reshire, on the 9th of December.  The enemy made a stout
+resistance.  Captain Augustus Wood, of the 20th Bengal Native Infantry,
+led the grenadier company, which formed the head of the assaulting
+column.  He was the first to mount the parapet of the fort, when a
+considerable number of the enemy, suddenly springing out on him from a
+trench cut in the parapet itself, attacked him furiously, firing a
+volley at his men when only a yard or two distant.  Although seven
+bullets struck him, he at once rushed at his assailants, and passing his
+sword through the leader's body, being followed closely by his
+grenadiers with their bayonets at the charge, quickly drove all before
+him, and established himself in the place.  Brigadier Stopford was
+unfortunately killed in the attack, and other officers were wounded.
+Captain Wood was so severely wounded that he was compelled to leave the
+force for a time; but he returned to it even before his wounds were
+healed.  He gained the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on that
+occasion.
+
+The next morning the British force marched on Bushire, a town of some
+strength, and walled round; but some of the garrison ran away, and were
+drowned as they were escaping, and the remainder, 2000 strong, laid down
+their arms.
+
+Meantime, a much larger force was organised at Bombay to unite with that
+of Brigadier--General Stalker, with Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram
+as Commander-in-chief.  General Stalker's division was considerably
+increased, and was called the first division, while a second division
+embarked under the command of Brigadier--General Havelock.  Brigadier
+Hamilton, 78th Highlanders, commanded one of his brigades, and Brigadier
+Hale the other.
+
+These forces arrived at Bushire at the end of January.  On the 3rd of
+February, the army broke ground from the camp of Bushire, and marched on
+the village of Brasjoon, outside of which the enemy were said to be
+intrenched, and to have eighteen guns.  Such was the case.  A wall, with
+tower bastions, enclosed the whole, and detached square towers within
+overlooked all; while a ditch, fifteen feet deep, ran outside, and
+beyond it were gardens, with high thorn and cactus fences: altogether it
+was a very formidable position.  Shortly before one o'clock on the 5th,
+the Persian videttes and reconnoitring parties were made out; but they
+very rapidly retreated.  A smart brush, however, took place between the
+rearguard and a few of the British cavalry, in which Cornet Speers, of
+the 3rd Light Cavalry, and two or three troopers were wounded.  By two
+o'clock the British were in possession of the intrenched camp, in which
+were large quantities of grain, camp equipage, and ammunition.  The
+governor of the place also fell into their hands.
+
+All the stores, guns, and ammunition which could not be carried off
+having been destroyed, the army commenced its return march to Bushire on
+the 7th, not expecting to encounter an enemy.
+
+After moving a few hundred yards clear of the intrenchment, the troops
+were halted to witness the explosion of a large quantity of gunpowder,
+stated to be 36,000 pounds.  A very magnificent spectacle it occasioned.
+The evening was darker than usual, and the rush of one mighty column
+into the heavens, with cloud over cloud of bright silvery-looking smoke,
+mingled with shells bursting like sky-rockets in the midst, attended by
+a report that made the hills echo again, and a concussion which shook
+the ground even where the advanced guard stood, formed altogether an
+event not likely to be forgotten by any who beheld it.  The pile of
+ammunition was fired by Lieutenant Gibbard, of the Horse Artillery, and
+Lieutenant Hassard, the adjutant of the 2nd European Light Infantry,
+with rifles and shell-bullets of Colonel Jacob's invention, from a
+distance of about 150 yards.  Both were thrown down by the shock of the
+concussion.  From _Outram and Havelock's Persian Campaign_, by Captain
+Hunt, from which the account of the battle of Khoosh-Aub is chiefly
+taken.
+
+The march was then renewed, the general belief being that the enemy were
+never likely to approach them.  At midnight, however, a sharp rattle of
+musketry was heard, and it was supposed that the rearguard were
+attacked.  Colonel Honnor so ably handled the protecting troops, that he
+kept the enemy at bay for some time.  In about half an hour, however,
+after the first shots had been fired, the Persian cavalry advanced in
+great numbers, and the entire force was enveloped in a skirmishing fire.
+Horsemen galloped round on all sides, yelling and screaming like
+fiends, and with trumpets and bugles making all the noise in their
+power.  One of their buglers got close to the front of a skirmishing
+company of the Highlanders, and sounded first the "Cease fire," and
+afterwards "Incline to the left," escaping in the dark.  Several English
+officers having but a few years before been employed in organising the
+Persian troops, accounted for their knowledge of the English
+bugle-calls, now artfully used to create confusion.  The silence and
+steadiness of the men were most admirable, and the manoeuvring of
+regiments that followed, in taking up position for the remaining hour of
+darkness, was as steady as on an ordinary parade; and this during a
+midnight attack, with an enemy's fire flashing in every direction, and
+cavalry surrounding, ready to take advantage of the slightest momentary
+confusion.  At length, having been roughly handled by the 78th, the
+cavalry, and horse artillery, the Persian horsemen kept at a respectful
+distance.
+
+The army was then thrown into an oblong form--a brigade protecting each
+flank, and a demi-brigade the front and rear; field-battery guns at
+intervals, and a thick line of skirmishers connecting and covering all;
+the horse artillery and cavalry on the flank of the face fronting the
+original line of march, the front and flanks of the oblong facing
+outwards; the baggage and followers being in the centre.  When thus
+formed, the troops lay down, waiting for daylight in perfect silence,
+and showing no fire or light of any kind.  Sir James Outram met with a
+severe accident while carrying out these admirable arrangements; but
+they were well concluded by Colonel Lugard, the chief of his staff.
+
+Scarcely was the formation completed, than the enemy brought five heavy
+guns to bear; and iron shot plunging into the 64th Regiment, knocked
+down six men, and killed one of them.  Another shot, first taking off a
+foot from Lieutenant Greentree, severely wounded Captain Mockler of that
+regiment.  Several of the camp followers and baggage animals in the
+centre were killed but the orderly conduct of the troops saved them from
+many casualties, and as no musketry fire was allowed after the guns
+opened, the enemy had no opportunity of improving his original range.
+
+As the morning approached, the enemy's fire slackened, and it was
+believed that he had retreated; but as the mist cleared off, the
+Persians were seen drawn up in line, their right resting on the walled
+village of Khoosh-Aub and a date-grove, their left on a hamlet with a
+round fortalice tower.  Two rising mounds were in front of their centre,
+which served as redoubts, and where they had their guns; and they had
+some deep nullahs on their right front and flank thickly lined with
+skirmishers.  Their cavalry, in considerable bodies, were on both
+flanks.  Soojah-ul-Moolk, the best officer in the Persian army, was at
+their head.  The British army was drawn up in two general lines.  The
+front line consisted of the 78th Highlanders, and a party of sappers on
+the right; then the 26th Regiment of Native Infantry, the 2nd European
+Light Infantry, and the 4th Rifle Regiment on the left of all.
+
+The second line had Her Majesty's 64th Regiment on its right, then the
+20th Regiment Native Infantry, and the Beloochee battalion on its left.
+The light companies of battalions faced the enemy's skirmishers in the
+nullahs, and covered both flanks and rear of their own army.  A
+detachment of the 3rd Cavalry assisted in this duty; and as the enemy
+showed some bodies of horse, threatening a dash on the baggage or
+wounded men, they were of considerable service.
+
+The lines advanced directly the regiments had deployed, and so rapidly
+and steadily did the leading one move over the crest of the rising
+ground (for which the enemy's guns were laid), that it suffered but
+little; the Highlanders not having a single casualty, and the 26th
+Native Infantry, their companion regiment in brigade, losing only one
+man killed, and but four or five wounded.  The brigades in the rear, in
+consequence of the shot which passed over the regiments in front
+striking them, suffered far more, especially the 2nd European Light
+Infantry.
+
+During this time the cannonade had been continuous; but as the Persian
+fire in some degree slackened, the British artillery advanced to closer
+action, making most beautiful practice, and almost silencing the
+opposing batteries.  Some bodies of horse soon presented an opportunity
+for a charge, and the squadrons of the 3rd Cavalry, and Tapp's
+irregulars, who had hitherto been on the right front, dashed at them,
+accompanied by Blake's horse artillery, and made a sweeping and most
+brilliant charge, sabring gunners, and fairly driving the enemy's horse
+off the field.  The 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry was led by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes.  Lieutenant Moore, the adjutant of the
+regiment, was, however, perhaps the first of all, by a horse's length.
+As the regiment approached the enemy, thrown into a somewhat disorderly
+square, his horse sprang into their centre, but instantly fell dead,
+crushing his rider, whose sword was broken by the concussion.  The enemy
+pressed round him, but speedily extricating himself, he attempted with
+his broken weapon to force his way through the throng: he would most
+certainly have lost his life, had not Lieutenant Malcolmson, observing
+his danger, fought his way through the crowd of Persians, and, giving
+him his stirrup, carried him safely out from among them.  The
+thoughtfulness for others, cool determination, devoted courage, and
+ready activity shown in extreme danger by this young officer, Lieutenant
+Malcolmson, were most admirable.  Both these officers most deservedly
+gained the Victoria Cross.
+
+Meantime, the infantry lines were still advancing rapidly, and in
+beautifully steady order, to sustain the attack, and were just getting
+into close action when the enemy lost heart, and his entire line at once
+broke, and fled precipitately.  The men cast away their arms and
+accoutrements, and, as the pursuit continued, even their clothing.  Two
+or three of the sirbar, or regular battalions, on the extreme right,
+alone retired with any semblance of order.  The 3rd Cavalry charged
+through, and back again, one of the battalions which attempted to
+receive them with steadiness, and Colonel Forbes was severely wounded,
+while Captain Moore, a brother of the adjutant, had his horse killed
+under him.  The rout of the enemy was complete, and the troopers, as
+well as irregulars, were fairly exhausted cutting down the fugitives.
+More than 700 were left on the field, and many horses; while numbers
+more were slain in the pursuit.  The British loss was only 1 officer and
+18 men killed, and 4 officers and 60 men wounded.  Lieutenant Frankland,
+of the 2nd European Regiment, who was killed, was highly mentioned, as
+was Lieutenant Greentree, of the 64th, who lost his leg.
+
+Subsequently, on the 2nd of May, a treaty of peace was signed at Bagdad,
+in which the Shah agreed to evacuate Herat, and to refrain from all
+interference in future in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+THE INDIAN MUTINY--1857-1858.
+
+The year 1857 saw the commencement of the Indian Mutiny, a terrible
+outbreak of cruelty and fanaticism which, while it inflicted unspeakable
+anguish upon hundreds of our defenceless countrywomen and their
+children, desolated many an English home, and evoked the horror and
+compassion of the civilised world, was also the occasion of numberless
+acts of heroism and devotion, not only on the part of British soldiers
+and their native allies, but of all classes of civilians.
+
+Among other causes which led to the rising of so many of the natives,
+was no doubt the impression made by the Crimean war, under the influence
+of which certain ambitious Mohammedan chiefs, combining with some Hindoo
+rulers, misled by false accounts of the result of the war with Russia,
+formed the idea that the time had arrived for destroying the power of
+Great Britain in India.
+
+For this purpose they made use of the prejudices and superstitions of
+the Hindoo soldiery, and the avarice and worst passions of the
+Mohammedans; and a story that the new cartridges issued to the troops
+were made with pig's or bullock's fat--the one being an abomination to
+the Mohammedans, the other to the Hindoos, who eating it would lose
+caste--was believed by the more ignorant and fanatical, who saw in it a
+design to destroy their religion.
+
+The first serious outbreak took place at Meerut, when 85 out of 90 men
+of the 3rd Light Cavalry refused to use the cartridges.  They were
+condemned to a long imprisonment, and their sentence was read out on
+parade.  The next day, Sunday, 10th May, while the Europeans were at
+church, news was brought that the 11th and 20th Regiments of Native
+Infantry were assembling tumultuously on the parade-ground.  Colonel
+Finnis, who immediately rode out to quell the disturbance, was shot by a
+sepoy while addressing the 20th Regiment, and cut to pieces; thirty
+other Europeans were speedily slaughtered, and the cantonments given to
+the flames.  Mr Greathead, the commissioner, and his wife, were saved
+by the fidelity of their servants.  The British troops in the place were
+not called out till the mutineers had time to escape to Delhi; where, on
+their arrival, an outbreak took place, and the greater number of the
+British residing there were butchered with the most horrible barbarity.
+
+THE SIEGE OF DELHI--30TH MAY TO 20TH SEPTEMBER 1857.
+
+It was not till many of the mutineers had fled to Delhi that the
+inhabitants of that city dared to rise in arms against the British.  At
+Delhi resided a pensioner of the British Government, the last
+representative of the Mogul Emperors--an old man, feeble in mind and
+body, yet capable of atrocious mischief--who had assumed the title of
+the King of Delhi.  He and his sons and some of his ministers were
+undoubtedly promoters of the revolt.  By agreement with this potentate,
+no British troops were quartered in the city, notwithstanding that the
+Government had made the city the principal depot for military stores in
+India.  The city was also inhabited by a large Mohammedan population,
+who clustered round the king, and clung to the traditions of their
+former greatness.
+
+On the 11th of May there arrived at Delhi, early in the morning, several
+parties of mutineers from Meerut.  They gave the signal of revolt.  With
+scarcely a moment's warning, military officers, civil servants of the
+Government, merchants, and others were set upon by the rebel sepoys and
+by the inhabitants of the city, and cut down without mercy.  Ladies and
+children were butchered with every conceivable cruelty and indignity.
+Mr Simon Fraser, the commissioner, was murdered in the palace of the
+king; so was Captain Douglas, of the Palace Guards, and Mr Jennings,
+the chaplain, and his daughter and another lady.  The regiments outside
+the walls in cantonments revolted, and many of the British officers were
+killed, though some, with a few ladies, who got over the city walls,
+effected their escape.
+
+"The magazine, which was within the city walls, not far from the palace,
+was of course in danger from the very beginning.  The officers in charge
+had seen the mutineers crossing the bridge in the morning, and
+Lieutenant Willoughby had gone in with Sir T. Metcalf to endeavour to
+get the gates closed.  On his return, he found eight of the officers
+attached to the establishment--Lieutenants Forrest and Raynor,
+Conductors Buckley, Shaw, and Scully, Subconductor Crowe, and Sergeants
+Edward and Stewart--with the native Lascars and servants.  Preparations
+were instantly begun for the defence of the magazine till the arrival of
+relief from Meerut, which none doubted was at hand.  The magazine
+consisted of a number of buildings enclosed by a high wall.  The gates
+were closed and barricaded.  Inside the gate leading to the park were
+placed two 6-pounders, doubly charged with grape.  The two sergeants
+stood by with lighted matches, ready, should that gate be attacked, to
+fire both at once, and fall back upon the body of the magazine.  At the
+principal gate two guns were put in position, with a _chevaux-de-frise_
+on the inside; and a little behind, but bearing on the same point, were
+two others.  Farther in were placed four more pieces, commanding two
+cross passages.  A train was laid to the powder-magazine, ready to be
+fired at a given signal.  Arms were put in the hands of the natives in
+the establishment, which they took sulkily.  They were getting insolent
+and disobedient--the Mussulmans particularly so.  Scarcely had these
+arrangements been made, when the Palace Guards appeared and demanded the
+magazine in the name of the Badsha of Delhi.  No answer was given.
+
+"The king, they heard soon after, had sent word that ladders would be
+immediately brought from the palace to scale the walls.  The natives in
+the magazine scarcely concealed their hostility.  One man was seen to be
+communicating with the mutineers outside through the gate, and ordered
+to be shot if he was observed doing so again.  The enemy, who had thus
+learned what was ready for them, did not attempt to force the gates; but
+in a short time the scaling-ladders arrived.  On their being placed
+against the walls, the whole of the Lascars deserted, climbing over the
+sloped sheds on the inside, and down the ladders.  It was found that
+they had hid the priming-pouches.  The enemy now appeared in hundreds on
+the walls.  The guns were immediately pointed at them, and worked with
+wonderful rapidity considering the small number of the party.  Nine
+Britons, alone in that great Mohammedan city, betrayed and deserted as
+they were, bravely thought only of holding their post till the death.
+The enemy kept firing down upon them.  In a few minutes several of the
+little band were wounded; it was clear that in a few more they would all
+be shot.  Willoughby then gave the signal for firing the powder store.
+Scully, who had distinguished himself in this dreadful emergency by his
+perfect coolness, in the most careful and methodical manner lighted the
+trains.  The explosion took place almost immediately.  The wall
+adjoining was thrown to the ground; numbers of the enemy were buried
+among the ruins; and thousands of bullets from the cartridges in store
+were hurled far off, striking down people in the streets.  Wonderful as
+it may seem, half the gallant defenders of the magazine crept out alive,
+partly stunned, blackened, scorched, and burned, yet able to make their
+way through the sally-port by the river for the Cashmere gate.
+Lieutenants Forrest and Raynor and Conductor Buckley succeeded in
+escaping to Meerut.  Willoughby was seen at the Cashmere gate, and set
+out for Meerut with three more, who were all murdered in a village on
+the road.  Scully, who was much hurt, was killed, when trying to escape,
+by a sowar.  The explosion of the magazine was of course seen from the
+flagstaff tower, and was heard even at Meerut."
+
+That afternoon, the sepoys who remained in the lines either deserted or
+revolted--a general flight took place; the Brigadier was one of the last
+to leave; and thus was Delhi lost.
+
+No sooner had the Europeans gone, than the treacherous old king hoisted
+the green flag, and proclaimed himself Emperor of India.  He had
+imprisoned within his palace walls forty-nine Europeans, chiefly women
+and children.  Having for a week allowed them to be treated with the
+greatest cruelty, he gave them up to be further ill-treated, and finally
+murdered, by his soldiery.  Their bodies were piled in a rotting heap at
+the Cashmere gate.
+
+The day of vengeance was, however, not long delayed.  On the 8th of June
+a small army, under Major-General Sir Henry Barnard, was collected at
+Alleepore, one march from Delhi.  It consisted of four guns, 2nd troop
+1st Brigade, 2nd and 3rd troops 3rd Brigade Horse Artillery; 3rd company
+3rd Battalion Artillery, and Number 14 Horse Field-Battery; 4th company
+6th Battalion Artillery: detachment Artillery recruits; Headquarters'
+detachment Sappers and Miners; Her Majesty's 9th Lancers; two squadrons
+Her Majesty's 6th Dragoon Guards; headquarters and six companies 60th
+Royal Rifles; headquarters and nine companies of Her Majesty's 75th
+Regiment; 1st Bengal Fusiliers; headquarters and six companies 2nd
+Fusiliers; Simoor battalion Goorkhas.  On the morning of the 8th this
+little army advanced from Alleepore towards Delhi.  They encountered,
+strongly intrenched, a body of mutineers 3000 in number.  The enemy's
+guns were well worked; the British artillery were unable to cope with
+them.  There was only one thing to be done.  The order was given to
+charge and capture the guns.  With a ringing cheer, Her Majesty's 75th
+rushed on amidst a hailstorm of musketry, and the sepoys fled in terror
+to their next position; for they had constructed a line of defence from
+the signal-tower to the late Maharajah Hindoo Rao's house, and disputed
+every inch of the ground.  However, by nine o'clock the army of
+retribution was in possession of the parade-ground and cantonments.
+
+The latter, indeed, were now covered with masses of blackened walls,
+while the compounds were strewed with broken furniture, clothing, and
+books.  Here, at about a mile and a half from the walls of Delhi, the
+army encamped, and waited for reinforcements.
+
+The British advanced position was a strong brick-built house, on the top
+of a hill overlooking the city.  Near it three batteries were
+constructed, which played night and day on the city.  The mutineers had
+also three batteries, which kept up a continual fire on the British
+camp.  They also generally sallied out each afternoon with a couple of
+guns and some cavalry--the greater portion of their force, however,
+consisting of infantry.  The latter advanced skirmishing up, especially
+towards the large house, among rocky ground, covered with brushwood,
+which afforded them ample shelter.  They always courted this system of
+desultory fighting, in which the strength of the native soldiers is best
+brought out.  The British soldiers, on the contrary, too often lost
+their lives from want of caution.  Disdaining the advantages of cover,
+fluttered with fury and impatience, and worn-out or stupefied by the
+heat, they were often shot down as they pressed incautiously forward to
+close with their wily foes.
+
+However, after a time, the British soldiers made a very visible
+improvement in skirmishing; and as they were also well manoeuvred by
+their officers, they were perfectly able to cope with the enemy.
+
+Hindoo Rao's hill was looked upon as the post of honour, and round it
+most of the affrays took place.  It was held by Major Reid, with the
+Simoor battalion, and two companies of Rifles.
+
+His losses were afterwards filled up by the infantry of the Guides.  The
+Goorkhas were crowded into the large house from which the place took its
+name.  Its walls were shattered with shells and round shot, which now
+and then struck through the chambers.  Ten men were killed and wounded
+in the house by one shot, and seven by another the same day.  Nobody was
+then secure of his life for an instant.  Through the whole siege, Major
+Reid kept to his post.  He never quitted the ridge save to attack the
+enemy below, and never once visited the camp until carried to it wounded
+on the day of the final assault.
+
+The gallant Rifles here, as on every other occasion where they have had
+the opportunity afforded them, made good use of their weapons.  On one
+occasion ten riflemen at the Sammy house made such execution among the
+gunners at the Moree bastion, that the battery was for a time abandoned.
+The Goorkhas, the inhabitants of the hill-country of Nepaul, and who
+happily had remained faithful to the British standard, were great adepts
+at skirmishing, and gallant little fellows in the main.  A story was
+told of a Goorkha and a rifleman, who had in a skirmish followed a
+Brahmin soldier.  The last took refuge in a house, and closed the door.
+The rifleman tried to push it open, but the Goorkha went to the window,
+and coiling his compact little person into its smallest compass, waited
+for his enemy.  Soon the point of a musket, then a head and long neck
+appeared: the Goorkha sprang up, and seizing him by the locks, which
+clustered out of the back of his pugarie, he cut off his head with his
+cookri, ere the Brahmin could invoke Mahadeo.  The little man was
+brought along with his trophy by the rifleman, to receive the applause
+of his comrades.
+
+The annoyance which the batteries on Hindoo Rao's hill caused to the
+city was so great, that the mutineers commenced the construction of a
+battery on the right of it, to enfilade the whole British position.  It
+was necessary to prevent this.  About 400 men of the 1st Fusiliers and
+60th Rifles, with Tombs' troop of horse artillery, 30 horsemen of the
+Guides, and a few sappers and miners, were got ready.  The command was
+given to Major Tombs.  Their destination was kept secret.  Orders were
+given and countermanded, to confound the enemy's spies.  Major Reid
+descended from Hindoo Rao's hill with the Rifles and Goorkhas, while
+Tombs advanced towards the enemy's left, and our batteries poured their
+fire on the Lahore gate, whose guns might have reached our squadrons.
+At first their cavalry, seeing the fewness of our sowars, prepared to
+charge them, but recoiled at sight of our troops coming up behind.
+Their infantry, taken by surprise, fled without offering the least
+resistance--many leaving their arms and clothes behind them.  Some threw
+themselves into a mosque.  The walls of its courtyard were loopholed,
+and they began to fire at our men.  Tombs had two horses killed under
+him.  His bold bearing and loud voice made him the aim of the enemy.  He
+ordered the riflemen to go up and fire into the loopholes till the doors
+could be forced.  A train of gunpowder was got ready, a bag was attached
+to the gates, they were blown open, and 39 sepoys were killed in the
+mosque.  A 9-pounder gun was taken.  Major Reid, on his side, was also
+successful.  He destroyed a battery and magazine, and set a village and
+serai on fire.  The whole British loss was 3 killed and 15 wounded--
+Captain Brown, of the Fusiliers, dangerously.
+
+Sir Henry Barnard showed his admiration of the gallantry and conduct of
+Tombs in the most enthusiastic manner.  Visiting the mess-tent of the
+Umballa artillery, he gave the highest and most enthusiastic praise to
+the young officer, declaring that he had never seen greater coolness and
+courage, and a more perfect knowledge of his profession, than had been
+shown by Major Tombs.
+
+Tombs, on first entering the Company's army, had served with great
+distinction in the wars of the Punjaub, and his talents had been marked
+by the keen and wise eye of Sir Charles Napier.  He had been made
+brevet-major when only a lieutenant of artillery.  His gallantry at
+Ghazeoodeenugger had made him conspicuous from the beginning of the
+siege of Delhi.
+
+In one of the first skirmishes--and it was a very severe one--which took
+place under Hindoo Rao's hill, Lieutenant Quintin Battye was mortally
+wounded through the stomach, the ball coming out at his back.  He was a
+joyous, boyish, but noble fellow, whose every thought was honour.  He
+was carried into camp, and was well aware that his last hour was
+approaching.  A comrade went to see him.  He smiled, and quoted the old
+tag, which, when so quoted, ceases to be trite: "Well, old fellow,
+`Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori'; you see it's my case.  It is
+sweet and proper to die for one's country."  Poor fellow! he did not
+survive his wound twenty-four hours.  He was a good swordsman, and an
+excellent rider; and his impatience for an opportunity of distinguishing
+himself had been remarked at every station he had passed on the march.
+
+Several accounts have been published describing the way in which Major
+Tombs saved the life of Lieutenant Hills.  The following is among
+them:--
+
+"On the morning of the 9th of July an outlying post of the British camp
+was unwisely confided to the care of a picket of the 9th Irregulars, who
+had hitherto remained true to their colours.  A large body of rebel
+cavalry came down and talked them over, and were shown by them the way
+into the camp.  A body of cavalry who were in their way--an inlying
+picket--proved for the moment unsteady, and thus the rebels reached the
+post at which two of Major Tombs' guns were placed.  This post--a mound
+to the right of the camp--was under charge of Lieutenant Hills.  At
+about eleven o'clock there was a rumour that the enemy's cavalry were
+coming down on his post.  Instantly Lieutenant Hills hurried to the
+spot, to take up the position assigned to him in case of alarm; but
+before he reached the spot, and before there was time for his guns to
+form up, he saw the enemy close upon them.  Issuing rapid orders to his
+sergeant, he charged single-handed the head of the enemy's column, cut
+the first man down, struck the second, and was then ridden down, horse
+and all.  Rapidly recovering himself, however, he was attacked by three
+of the enemy.  One he killed outright, another he wounded; but, in a
+combat with a third, he was brought to the ground.  At that moment his
+commanding officer, Major Tombs, galloped up, having crossed the path of
+the enemy's cavalry, and escaped the certain death which would have been
+his fate had he met them.  Seeing the critical position of his
+subaltern, he nobly charged his assailants, shot one and sabred the
+other, and then dragged the lieutenant out from under his horse,
+receiving, as he did so, a sword-cut on his head, but the thick turban
+he wore saved it from injury.  The enemy passed on to the native troop
+of horse artillery, in the hopes of getting them to join; but, failing
+this, galloped out of the camp.
+
+"In the meantime, Captain Fagan, who had been writing in his tent,
+hearing the noise, started up, and without waiting for his sword, led a
+few foot artillerymen, who were ready armed, in pursuit.  Fifteen of the
+enemy were shot down by the party, and the captain returned with a sword
+and a Minie carbine, of which he had relieved a ressaldar of the 8th
+Cavalry."
+
+Note.  None but Europeans now remained in the camp.  In consequence of
+their behaviour on this occasion, the 9th Irregulars were sent away,
+while the Golundazees who composed Renny's artillery were ordered to be
+disarmed.  This latter measure was considered unnecessary.  The brave
+fellows served in the batteries during the remainder of the siege; and,
+at the time of the assault, were sent in with the stormers to turn the
+guns captured in the bastions upon the enemy.
+
+Notice having been received in the camp that the Nemuch brigade was
+advancing upon Agra, the only city in the Doab which remained faithful
+to the British, a force was sent out to oppose them.  It consisted of
+450 of the 3rd Europeans, Captain D'Oyley's battery, and about 50
+mounted volunteers.  It was determined to attack the enemy, who were
+several thousand strong.  They came in front of the village, with 11
+guns.  The British force met them with half a battery on each wing,
+supported by the volunteer horse.  A long artillery fight took place,
+and the enemy were driven back but not followed up.  The foot were kept
+alternately advancing and lying down.  Two tumbrils were blown up, and a
+gun dismounted.  The enemy sent some cavalry to turn our flank, but they
+were met by our guns and some volunteer horse.  It was now that Captain
+D'Oyley was mortally wounded, but still he continued giving his orders.
+At last, beginning to faint away, he said, "They have done for me now.
+Put a stone over my grave, and say that I died fighting for my guns."
+The enemy were ultimately driven out of the village, but the British
+ammunition falling short, advantage could not be taken of the success
+which had been obtained.
+
+GALLANTRY OF BRIGADIER CHAMBERLAIN.
+
+Brigadier Chamberlain's gallantry was on all occasions very conspicuous.
+On the 14th of July a desperate attack was planned by the enemy on the
+British batteries.
+
+They came out in great force to storm the pickets under Hindoo Rao's
+hill, and the Subzi Mundi.  The British, however, under good cover, kept
+them back for several hours, making great havoc among them, and losing
+only 12 men.  When Chamberlain appeared, he ordered the infantry and two
+troops of horse artillery into the Subzi Mundi.  The Goorkhas descended
+from the fatal hill, a cheer running along the gardens, thickets, and
+rocks, to the length of the British line.  The enemy were supported by
+the fire from their walls; grape thrown from their large guns fell up to
+1100 yards, but our men pushed on.
+
+A native officer was seen sitting on his horse, waving his arm to cheer
+his men.  Our troops recoiled from a wall lined with the enemy, when
+Chamberlain, leaping his horse over it among them, dared his men to
+follow.  Influenced by his example, they charged, and drove the enemy
+through the gates with immense slaughter.  The British force was,
+however, compelled to fall back in some confusion by the tremendous fire
+from the walls; and a large body of horse was advancing against them,
+when some infantry, consisting of the 1st Fusiliers and Guides,
+collected by Majors Jacob, Hodson, and Greville, and a few horsemen,
+came to their rescue, and again turned the enemy.  There was great
+difficulty in getting off the wounded.  Many soldiers were seen bearing
+their comrades in their arms; and Lieutenant Thompson, of the horse
+artillery, was shot through the leg while trying to save one of his men
+from falling into the hands of the enemy.  Seventeen men were killed,
+and 16 officers and 177 men wounded.  Among the latter was Brigadier
+Chamberlain, who had his arm shattered below the shoulder.  He received
+his wound at the time he leaped the wall and charged the enemy who had
+sheltered themselves behind it.  Captain Norman was appointed, in
+consequence, to carry on the duties of the Adjutant-General.
+
+On the 31st July, another fierce attempt was made by the rebels to gain
+the rear of the British camp, followed by another attack the next day,
+but both were vigorously repulsed.
+
+A welcome reinforcement a few days after this arrived, of 2000 Europeans
+and Sikhs, under Brigadier--General Nicholson.
+
+On the 24th of August, General Nicholson obtained a brilliant victory
+over the enemy at Nujjuffghur, about twenty miles from Delhi, and thus
+prevented an attack which had been intended by the rebels on the rear of
+the British camp.
+
+On the morning of the 4th of September, the long-expected siege-train
+arrived from Meerut, and now all felt sure that the moment for storming
+the central stronghold of the mutiny was not far off.
+
+The most gallant action fought at this time was that of Nujjuffghur.
+Information had been received in camp that 7000 of the enemy had marched
+from Delhi, with the object in view of taking the British army in the
+rear.  Immediately a force consisting of 1000 European and 2000 native
+troops, under the gallant Brigadier-General Nicholson, was despatched to
+meet the enemy, who were found posted at Nujjuffghur.  The Brigadier
+formed the 1st and 61st Europeans in line, reminding them in a short
+speech of the renown gained by several regiments in the Crimea from
+reserving their fire till they were close on the foe.  The word was
+given, "Line will advance."  Steadily as on parade they stepped off with
+fixed bayonets, and not till close to the enemy did they utter their
+hearty British cheer, and rush fiercely forward towards the serai they
+were ordered to attack, on which four guns were mounted.  The sepoys
+fled, and their guns were captured; a bridge was next taken; and in all
+thirteen guns fell into the hands of the victorious column, while
+ammunition and stores were destroyed, and numbers of the enemy were
+killed or wounded.
+
+Towards the termination of a severe engagement in the Subzi Mundi, near
+Delhi, on the 10th of July, Lieutenant Wilberforce Greathead had, with
+part of the artillery and others, thrown himself into a serai, where
+they were surrounded by a host of rebels, who opened a hot fire on them.
+As they were not in a position to stand a siege, it was agreed that
+they should force their way out.  All were prepared.  The gate was
+thrown open.  The officers led.  Out rushed the gallant band.  They
+killed the men immediately in front with their swords, and the British
+soldiers pressing on, the rebels gave way, and fled in disorder to
+Delhi.  It was a trying moment.  The odds against the British were ten
+to one.  One officer was killed, another was wounded, and twenty-nine
+men were killed or wounded.
+
+The capture of a rebel post before Delhi called Ludlow Castle, on the
+12th August, was a very gallant affair.  While still dark, the column
+destined to make the attack under Brigadier Showers marched down the
+Flagstaff road, and aroused the rebels by a rattling fire of musketry
+and a bayonet charge.  So completely were the enemy taken by surprise,
+that all who could escape fled to the town, leaving four field-guns in
+the hands of the victors, which were brought back in triumph to camp.
+Brigadier Showers was severely wounded, and Colonel Greathead was sent
+down to take the command.  With the coolness and forethought for which
+he is well-known, he brought the force out of action, taking good care
+that not a wounded man should be left behind.  Colonel Greathead
+afterwards much distinguished himself.  The qualifications for command
+which he possesses are such as all young officers should endeavour to
+obtain--coolness, decision, and forethought, with gallantry unsurpassed.
+Without these virtues, bravery, and even a perfect knowledge of his
+profession, will not make a man fit to command.
+
+STORMING OF DELHI.
+
+On the night of the 13th of September, two Engineer officers were sent
+to examine the breaches made in the walls of Delhi.  They stole through
+the enemy's skirmishers, descended into the ditch, and ascertained that
+the breaches were practicable, but that they might both be improved by a
+longer cannonade.  As, however, the enemy had begun greatly to
+strengthen the fortifications, it was decided that the assault should
+take place at once.  The infantry were accordingly divided into five
+columns of about 1000 men each, destined to carry the city in different
+places.  The first was composed of detachments of the 75th, 1st
+Fusiliers, and 2nd Punjaub Infantry, to storm the breach near the
+Cashmere bastion.
+
+The second was made up from Her Majesty's 8th and 2nd Fusiliers, and 4th
+Infantry, to carry the breach in the Water bastion.  It was commanded by
+Brigadier Jones.
+
+The third column was composed of Her Majesty's 52nd Foot, the Kumaon
+battalion, and the 1st Punjaub Infantry.  This was to blow open and
+enter by the Cashmere gate.
+
+The fourth, composed of Goorkhas and the Guides, with some companies of
+European troops, and the Cashmere contingent, was under Major Reid, and
+was to assault Kissengunge, and enter by the Lahore gate.
+
+The fifth column, consisting chiefly of native troops, was destined for
+a reserve.
+
+At one o'clock a.m. on the 14th, the men turned out in silence, not a
+bugle nor a trumpet sounding, and noiselessly moved down to the
+trenches.  The batteries all the time kept up an incessant fire on the
+city, which was responded to as usual.
+
+When the troops arrived at the trenches, they lay down, awaiting the
+signal which was to be given at daybreak.  This was to be the blowing in
+of the Cashmere gate.  The party selected for this hazardous operation
+consisted of Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, of the Engineers; Sergeants
+Carmichael, Burgess, and Smith; Bugler Hawthorne to sound the advance;
+and eight native sappers.
+
+This work was to have been done before dawn; but, through some mistake,
+it was daylight before they reached the spot.  Lieutenant Home walked
+through the outer barrier gate, which he found open, and crossed the
+broken drawbridge with four men, each carrying a bag of powder.  The
+enemy in alarm shut the wicket, and Home had time to arrange his bags
+and jump into the ditch.  The firing party followed, with four more bags
+of powder and a lighted port-fire.  The enemy now understood what the
+party were about.  The wicket was open, and through it, from above and
+from every side, came the bullets of the sepoys.  Lieutenant Salkeld was
+wounded in two places, but passed the light to Sergeant Carmichael, who
+fell dead while attempting to fire the train.  Havildar Madhoo was also
+wounded.  The port-fire was next seized by Sergeant Burgess.  Scarcely
+had he time to apply it successfully to the powder, than he too sank
+with a mortal wound.  Sergeant Smith ran forward to see that all was
+right, while Bugler Hawthorne lifted up Lieutenant Salkeld; and barely
+had they time to leap for safety into the ditch than the explosion took
+place, and instantly afterwards the storming column burst through the
+shattered gates.  For ever associated with the storming of Delhi will be
+the names of the two young Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, and the brave
+men who accompanied them.
+
+Bugler Hawthorne, after sounding the advance, bore away Salkeld on his
+shoulders, and did not leave him till he had bound up his wounds and
+deposited him in a place of safety.  The four heroes who survived were
+recommended for the Victoria Cross, but Salkeld died of his wounds, and
+the gallant Home lost his life by accident not two weeks afterwards; so
+that two only, Sergeant Smith and Bugler Hawthorne, received their
+honours.
+
+Meantime the storming columns had marched on with deep and steady tramp.
+The Rifles ran forward in skirmishing order, and the heads of the first
+two columns issued from the Koodsia Bagh at a quick march.  No sooner
+were their front ranks seen, than a storm of bullets showered upon them
+from every side.  At the breach of the Cashmere gate, for some minutes
+it was impossible to put ladders down into the ditch.  The ladders were
+thrown down, but they were quickly again raised against the escarp.
+Numbers are struck down, some to rise no more; others again scramble
+up,--the groans of the wounded, the feeble cries of the dying, the
+shouts and shrieks of the combatants, mingle together in wild confusion.
+
+First to mount the breach was Lieutenant Fitzgerald, of the 75th: but
+the young hero fell dead on the spot.  On came stout hearts and strong
+hands behind him.  The enemy gave way.  The British were in at last, and
+the glorious old colours over the broken wall.  The second column had
+also burst through; and that line of ramparts which had so often turned
+back the brave soldiers of England was now their own.
+
+The first and second columns swept along the circuit of the walls,
+taking the Moree bastion and the Cabul gate.  On approaching the Lahore
+gate they found, however, that they should have to push through a narrow
+lane, barricaded and swept by some pieces of artillery, while the enemy
+fired on them from the houses.  In vain was the attempt made; the hero
+Nicholson was shot through the chest, Lieutenant Speke killed, Major
+Jacob mortally wounded, and Captain Greville severely.
+
+The third column, ably guided by Sir T. Metcalf, had also to retire
+before the massive walls of the Jumma Musjid.  Part also of the 4th,
+under Major Reid, hastening to the support of the Cashmere contingent,
+was almost overpowered.  Major Reid was wounded, and his troops
+retreated; but the guns mounted on Hindoo Rao's hill poured shrapnel
+into the enemy.  The gallant Chamberlain came among the infantry a
+little recovered from his wound; while Brigadier Hope Grant brought up
+his old Lancers, with three regiments of Punjaub cavalry, and Hodson's
+Sikh and Paton sabres, to their aid.  However, from the nature of the
+ground, the troopers could neither charge nor retire.  They were
+compelled, therefore, to sit on their horses till some infantry could
+come to their relief.  The horse artillery did what they could to keep
+the enemy back, but they became every moment bolder, and spread out,
+mending their sight and taking better aim.
+
+Lieutenant Macdowell, second in command of Hodson's Horse--an
+eye-witness--says: "The steadiness with which the cavalry confronted
+this most anxious position for two hours is as deserving of praise as
+the courage of the infantry who carried the breaches.  At three a.m. we
+moved down in column of squadrons to the rear of our batteries, and
+waited there till about five a.m., when the enemy advanced from the
+Lahore gate with two troops of artillery, no end of cavalry, and a lot
+of infantry, apparently to our front.  I think that they intended to try
+and take their old position now that we had got theirs.  In an instant,
+horse artillery and cavalry were ordered to the front, and we then went
+at a gallop through our own batteries, the men cheering us as we leaped
+over the sandbags, and halted under the Moree bastion under as heavy a
+fire of round shot, grape, and canister, as I have ever in my life been
+peppered with.  Our artillery dashed to the front, unlimbered, and
+opened upon the enemy, and at it they went, hammer and tongs.  We had no
+infantry with us; all the infantry were fighting in the city.  The enemy
+came out against us with large bodies of infantry and cavalry, and then
+began the fire of musketry.  It was tremendous.  There we were (9th
+Lancers, 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sikh Guide Cavalry, and Hodson's Horse),
+protecting the artillery, who were threatened by their infantry and
+cavalry.  All this time we never returned a shot.  Our artillery blazed
+away, of course; but we had to sit in our saddles, and be knocked over.
+However, I am happy to say we saved the guns.  The front we showed was
+so steady as to keep the enemy back, till some of the Guide infantry
+came down and went at them.  Here we had had to sit for three hours in
+front of a lot of gardens, perfectly impracticable for cavalry, under a
+fire of musketry which I have seldom seen equalled, and the enemy quite
+concealed.  Had we retired, they would at once have taken our guns.  Had
+the guns retired with us, we should have lost the position."
+
+Night put an end to the desperate struggle.  A considerable portion of
+the city remained in the hands of the victors, but in other parts the
+rebels still held out.  During this day's operations the casualties
+amounted to 1170 killed, wounded, and missing.
+
+The victorious British continued making progress day by day, driving the
+enemy before them through the city.  The magazine still remained in the
+power of the rebels.  Lieutenant-Colonel Deacon, of the 61st Regiment,
+led the attack.  In silence his men approached the city: not a trigger
+was pulled till the stormers and supports reached the walls; when, with
+a loud cheer, they rushed on at the enemy, who, taken by surprise, threw
+down the port-fires at their guns, and fled before them.  Some were
+bayoneted close to the breach as they attempted to escape, and others,
+flying, were followed by the 61st and the 4th Punjaub Infantry.
+
+Captain Norman accompanied a party under Lieutenant-Colonel Rainey, and
+spiked a gun which was in position, pointing at the College garden
+battery, in spite of the desperate defence of the enemy.
+Assistant-Surgeon Reade and Colour-Sergeant Mitchell, of the 61st, also
+spiked a gun.  Frequent attacks were made by the rebels on the troops
+within the walls under Colonel Farquhar, but they were vigorously
+repulsed on each occasion.
+
+On the morning of the 20th, the enemy were driven from the Lahore gate,
+and possession was secured.  The troops now pushed triumphantly on,
+capturing the other gates and bastions, till all the defences of the
+rebel city were in the power of the British.  The gate of the palace was
+blown in early on the 20th, and here Major-General Wilson established
+his headquarters.  Major Brind, of the Artillery, with a detachment of
+fifty men of the 8th Foot, and twenty of the 1st Bengal European
+Fusiliers, under the command of Major Bannatyne, forced an entrance in
+the most brilliant way into the Jumma Musjid, and contributed much to
+the success of the operations.
+
+The guns from the bloodstained battlements of Delhi thundering forth a
+royal salute, as the rising sun gilded the summit of its domes and
+minarets, on the 21st of September 1857, proclaimed that Delhi was once
+more under the rule of Great Britain.
+
+PURSUIT OF THE FOE.
+
+In terror, the hordes of the rebel foe took to flight, abandoning most
+of their artillery, stores, and sick and wounded.  The princes, the
+chief instigators of the atrocities committed, were captured by Major
+Hodson, and shot; and the old king was likewise taken, and sent as a
+prisoner for life to Rangoon.
+
+A flying column, consisting of the 9th Lancers, 8th and 75th Regiments,
+the 2nd and 4th Punjaub Infantry, 200 of Hodson's Horse, with the 1st,
+2nd, and 5th Punjaub Cavalry, and horse artillery, was immediately
+formed, and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.H.
+Greathead, who proceeded in a south-easterly direction, in order to cut
+off the mutineers on the right bank of the Jumna.  After defeating a
+body of the enemy at Boolundshuhur on the 28th of September, the column
+took and destroyed the fort of Malaghur.  Here, while blowing up the
+fortifications, the gallant and young Lieutenant Home lost his life.
+
+On the evening of the 10th October, as the troops, wearied with a long
+march in the heat of the sun, were preparing to encamp, they were
+attacked by a numerous body of the enemy, whom they routed with great
+slaughter, the 9th Lancers especially distinguishing themselves.  The
+column defeated the enemy in various engagements.  On the 14th of
+October it was joined by Brigadier Hope Grant, who, as superior officer,
+took the command; and finally, on the 8th of November, reached the
+Alumbagh, before Lucknow.
+
+The following officers and men obtained the Victoria Cross for gallant
+deeds performed during these operations:--
+
+Lieutenant John Charles Campbell Daunt, 11th (late 70th) Bengal Native
+Infantry, and Number 2165, Sergeant Denis Dynon, 53rd Regiment, gained
+that honour, for conspicuous gallantry in action, on the 2nd of October
+1857, with the mutineers of the Ramgurh battalion at Chotah Behar, in
+capturing two guns, particularly the last, when they rushed forward and
+secured it by pistolling the gunners, who were mowing the detachment
+down with grape, one-third of which was _hors de combat_ at the time.
+Lieutenant Daunt highly distinguished himself by chasing, on the 2nd of
+November following, the mutineers of the 32nd Bengal Native Infantry
+across a plain into a rich cultivation, into which he followed them with
+a few of Rattray's Sikhs.  He was dangerously wounded in the attempt to
+drive out a large body of these mutineers from an enclosure, the
+preservation of many of his party, on this occasion, being attributed to
+his gallantry.
+
+Conductor James Miller, Ordnance Department, Bengal, gained the Cross on
+28th October 1857, at great personal risk, by going to the assistance of
+a wounded officer, Lieutenant Glubb, of the late 38th Regiment of Bengal
+Native Infantry, whom he carried out of action.  He was himself
+subsequently wounded, and sent to Agra.  Conductor Miller was at the
+time employed with heavy howitzers and ordnance stores attached to a
+body of troops commanded by the late Colonel Cotton, C.B., in the attack
+on the rebels who had taken up their position in the serai at Futtehpore
+Sikra, near Agra.
+
+On the 17th of October the fort of Jhujjur was captured by Brigadier
+Showers, and this achievement is looked upon as the close of the
+operations against Delhi.
+
+LIEUTENANT KERR AT KOLAPORE.
+
+Among the many dashing exploits performed at this time, was one for
+which Lieutenant William Alexander Kerr, adjutant of the South Mahratta
+Horse, gained high renown.  He was with his regiment at Sattara, the
+inhabitants of which had already exhibited a mutinous disposition, when
+information was received that the 27th Regiment of Bombay Native
+Infantry, stationed at Kolapore, a town about 75 miles off, had mutinied
+and murdered their officers.  For the safety perhaps of the whole
+Presidency, the mutiny must be immediately crushed.  Kerr instantly
+volunteered to lead a body of his men against the rebels.  He knew that
+he could trust his fellows.  Not a moment was to be lost.  The bugle
+sounded to horse.  He addressed them, and told them what was to be done.
+They promised to follow him to the death.  Across rivers and nullahs,
+swollen by heavy rains, they went, and in twenty-six hours pulled rein
+before the gates of Kolapore.  The mutineers had barricaded all the
+entrances to the place, and were already flushed with a momentary
+success over a body of infantry sent against them.  Without guns the
+barricades were difficult to remove, but Kerr was not to be
+disheartened.  He and a faithful sowar, Gumpunt Row, dismounting from
+their horses, with crowbars in their hands advanced to the attack,
+leading on the rest of the troop also on foot.  The first defences, in
+spite of showers of bullets, were forced; the rebels gave way, but took
+refuge in a loopholed house with other barricades in front.  These were
+to be removed before an entrance could be effected.  Again the gallant
+lieutenant vigorously plied his crowbar; the barricade was forced; a
+shot carried away the chain of his helmet.  Gumpunt Row was wounded, but
+still he fought on by the side of his leader, and twice saved his life
+from the bayonet-thrusts of the foe.  Kerr, passing his sword through
+the body of a sepoy who had fired his musket in his face and almost
+blinded him with the powder, rushed on, and, wounded though he was,
+killed another enemy, entered the house, and the defenders, to the
+number of 34, armed with muskets and bayonets, were all either killed,
+wounded, or captured.  Of his own brave followers, not one escaped
+unhurt; 8 were killed on the spot, and 4 afterwards died of their
+wounds.  It was not only a brave deed, but well-executed, and so well
+timed that it contributed greatly to crush the spread of the mutiny
+throughout the Presidency.  Lieutenant Kerr most deservedly obtained the
+Victoria Cross.
+
+DEFENCE OF CAWNPORE--7TH AND 25TH JUNE 1858.
+
+The saddest episode in the bloodstained history of the sepoy mutiny is
+the storming of Cawnpore.  Cawnpore was one of the most pleasant
+stations of the Indian army.  The cantonments were entirely separated
+from the native town, and spread in a semicircular form over an extent
+of six miles along the banks of the river.  On the highest ground in the
+cantonments stood the church and the assembly rooms, and on another part
+a theatre and a cafe, supported by public subscriptions.  Round them
+were scattered, amid gardens and groves, numberless bungalows, the
+residence of officers, with barracks for troops, and a separate bazaar
+for each regiment; while numerous tents for the troops kept under canvas
+increased the picturesque effect and animation of the scene.  The native
+town at the time of the mutiny contained 60,000 inhabitants.  In
+cantonments there were 3000 sepoy troops, and, including officers, 300
+European combatants, and upwards of 700 European civilians, merchants,
+railway officials, shopkeepers, and women and children.  General Sir
+Hugh Wheeler was the commandant of the division.  It was not till the
+middle of May that full credit was given to the fact that the great
+sepoy army of India was in revolt.
+
+A spot was then selected, in which the Europeans intrenched themselves.
+In the centre was the old dragoon hospital, and round it a mud wall was
+thrown up four feet high.  Ten guns were placed round the intrenchments,
+three commanding the lines on the north-east, and three on the south to
+range the plain which separates the cantonments from the city.  Of the
+other four, one was a 3-pound rifled gun, and three were brought by
+Lieutenant Ashe, of the Bengal Artillery.  Supplies of food were also
+laid in, but very inadequate to the wants of so large a number of
+people.  The outbreak of the troops commenced on 6th June, when the 2nd
+Native Cavalry deserted their post, taking with them their horses, arms,
+colours, and regimental treasure-chest.  Some few, but very few, of the
+natives proved true to their oaths.  Among them was the old
+subadar-major of the regiment, who defended as long as he had the power
+the colours and treasure, which were in the quarter guard.  The old man
+was found in the morning severely wounded, and lying in his blood at his
+post.  He remained with the British, and was killed by a shell in the
+intrenchment.
+
+The native commissioned and non-commissioned officers and a few privates
+of the 53rd Regiment of Native Infantry also remained faithful.  The
+British troops who defended the intrenchments of Cawnpore for so long a
+period, and against such fearful odds and so treacherous an enemy,
+consisted of 60 men of the 84th Regiment, 74 men of the 32nd, 15 men of
+the Madras Fusiliers, and 59 men of the Company's artillery, besides the
+officers attached to the sepoy regiments.  The siege was noted, perhaps,
+more for the patient suffering and endurance of those within the lines,
+especially of the women and children, and for its most dreadful and
+terrible termination, than for many especial acts of bravery performed
+by its defenders.  The fact is, that the whole defence was one continual
+act of heroism; and had more forethought been exhibited in providing a
+sufficient store of food, and had no confidence been placed in the
+promises of that abominable wretch the Nana, it might have proved as
+successful as that of Lucknow, which in many respects it resembled.
+
+On the morning of Sunday the 7th June, the bugle-call summoned the whole
+garrison to the lines; and soon after Lieutenant Ashe with his guns went
+out to meet the enemy, but he was speedily compelled to return.  In a
+short time the mutineers opened their fire from a 9-pounder, the shot
+striking the crest of the mud wall, and gliding over into the
+puckah-roofed barrack.  This was about ten o'clock; a number of ladies
+and children were outside the barrack.  The consternation among them was
+indescribable.  As the day advanced, the firing became hotter.  Shrieks
+and cries most heartrending burst from them as the shot struck the walls
+of the barrack.  This was the commencement of the horrible sufferings
+they had to endure, and which only terminated with their yet more
+terrible destruction.  They soon learned the uselessness of giving vent
+to their fears in cries, and from henceforth never uttered a sound
+except when groaning from the dreadful mutilation they were compelled to
+endure.  The following were the arrangements made for the defence:--On
+the north, Major Vibart, of the 2nd Cavalry, assisted by Captain
+Jenkins, held the redan, which was an earthwork defending the whole of
+the northern side.  At the north-east battery, Lieutenant Ashe, of the
+Oude Irregular Artillery, commanded one 24-pounder howitzer and two
+9-pounders, assisted by Lieutenant Sotheby.  Captain Kempland, 56th
+Native Infantry, was posted on the south side.  Lieutenant Eckford, of
+the Artillery, had charge of the south-east battery with three
+9-pounders, assisted by Lieutenant Burney, also of the Artillery, and
+Lieutenant Delafosse, of the 53rd Native Infantry.  The main guard, from
+south to west, was held by Lieutenant Turnbull, 13th Native Infantry.
+On the west, Lieutenant C. Dempster commanded three 9-pounders, assisted
+by Lieutenant Martin.  Flanking the west battery, the little rifled
+3-pounder was stationed, with a detachment under the command of Major
+Prout, 56th Native Infantry; and on the north-west, Captain Whiting held
+the command.  At each of the batteries infantry were posted, fifteen
+paces apart, under the cover of the mud wall, four feet in height.  This
+service was shared by combatants and civilians alike, without any
+relief: each man had at least three loaded muskets by his side, with
+bayonet fixed in case of assault; but in most instances our trained men
+had as many as seven and even eight muskets each.
+
+The batteries were none of them masked or fortified in any way, and the
+gunners were in consequence exposed to a most murderous fire.  The
+intrenchments were commanded by eight or more barracks in the course of
+erection, from 300 to 400 yards distant, on the Allahabad road.  A
+detachment, consisting chiefly of civil engineers, was accordingly
+placed in two or more of them, and they became the scene of several
+desperate encounters.  Even to obtain ammunition it was necessary to
+send across to the intrenchments under fire of the mutineers, who had
+obtained possession of the outer barracks.  Food also had to be obtained
+in the same way; but volunteers were never found wanting for this
+hazardous service.  Every day the pickets swept through these barracks
+to dislodge the enemy, who scarcely ever remained for a hand-to-hand
+fight.  Scarcity of food, the shot of the enemy, and the excessive heat
+of the weather, carried off day after day numbers of the gallant
+defenders.  Want of food was greatly felt--the defenders were glad to
+shoot the horses of the enemy for the purpose of making soup; and on one
+occasion a Brahmin bull coming near the lines was killed.  To get it was
+now the difficulty.  An officer, with ten followers, rushed out, and
+dragged it within the intrenchments under a hot fire from the enemy.
+
+The well in the intrenchment was one of the points of greatest danger,
+as it was completely exposed to the enemy's fire; and even at night the
+creaking of the tackle was the signal for the mutineers to point their
+guns in that direction.  Still, brave men were found, chiefly privates,
+who incurred the risk of drawing water for the women and children, when
+all money reward had become valueless.  A gentleman of the Civil
+Service, Mr John McKillop, constituted himself captain of the well,
+drawing for the supply of the women and children as often as he could.
+After numerous escapes, he received his death-wound in the groin from a
+grape-shot, with his last breath entreating that someone would draw
+water for a lady to whom he had promised it.  Dreadful were the
+sufferings of all from thirst; and children were seen sucking pieces of
+old water-bags to try and get a drop of moisture on their parched lips.
+One of the barracks was thatched; part of it was used as an hospital.
+That at length caught fire; and while the heroic garrison were dragging
+forth their wounded countrymen from the flames, the mutineers poured in
+on them incessant volleys of musketry, and a continued shower of round
+shot.
+
+The enemy, imagining that all the attention of the garrison was devoted
+to extinguishing the flames, advanced to the assault, with the intention
+of storming Ashe's battery.  Not a sound did they utter, and, fancying
+that they were undiscovered, were allowed to come within 60 or 80 yards
+of the guns before one was fired, or a movement made to indicate that
+they were perceived.  Just as they must have supposed their success
+certain, the 9-pounders opened on them with a most destructive discharge
+of grape.  The men shouldered in succession the muskets which they had
+by their sides ready loaded, and discharged them into their midst.  In
+half an hour the enemy took to flight, leaving a hundred corpses on the
+plain.  No sooner had the ashes of the barrack cooled, than the soldiers
+of the 32nd Regiment, though the enemy were firing on them, raking with
+their swords and bayonets, made diligent search for their medals.
+Several of them were found, though much injured by fire.  This fact
+shows the high appreciation in which the British soldier holds his
+decorations.
+
+Numbers of the officers and men had already fallen.
+
+Soon after the destruction of the hospital, Captain Moore determined to
+make a dash upon the enemy's guns, in the hope of silencing some of
+them.  Accordingly a party of fifty, headed by the captain, sallied out
+at midnight towards the church compound, where they spiked two or three
+guns.  Proceeding thence to the mess-house, they killed several of the
+native gunners asleep at their posts, blew up one of the 24-pounders and
+spiked another, and returned with the loss of one private killed and
+four wounded.  Gallant and successful as was the exploit, it availed the
+garrison nothing, as the next day the enemy brought fresh guns into
+position.  In vain did they look for relief.  So completely were the
+roads closed by the rebel sepoys, that news of their condition did not
+reach Lucknow, only fifty miles distant, till near the termination of
+the affair.
+
+The 23rd of June 1857 was the centenary of the battle of Plassy, and the
+sepoys believed on that day they should finally throw off the British
+yoke.  On the night of the 22nd, the barrack held by the British under
+the command of Captain Mowbray Thomson was threatened with a grand
+attack.  Numbers of rebels were seen gathering from all directions at
+this barrack, and Captain Thomson, believing that he should be
+overpowered, sent to the intrenchments for reinforcements.  The answer
+was that none could be spared.  Captain Moore, however, shortly after
+came across to see how affairs stood.  He proposed that they should
+themselves sally out as if they were about to make an attack.  He
+himself had but a sword, Lieutenant Delafosse an empty musket.  Captain
+Moore vociferated to the winds, "Number one to the front"; and hundreds
+of ammunition pouches rattled on the sheaths as the astonished foe
+vaulted out from the cover afforded by heaps of rubbish, and rushed for
+shelter to the barrack walls.  The gallant little party, which consisted
+but of 13 privates and 3 officers, fired a volley, and with bayonets at
+the charge followed the enemy, who dared not face them.  The party
+returned to their barrack, laughing heartily at the success of their
+feint.
+
+All night long a series of false charges and surprises were made on the
+barrack, and not a man for an instant left his post.  Towards dawn, the
+enemy being more quiet, Mr Mainwaring, a cavalry cadet, one of Captain
+Thomson's picket, begged him to lie down, while he kept a look-out.
+Scarcely had the captain closed his eyes when Mainwaring shouted, "Here
+they come!"  The enemy, with more pluck than they had hitherto shown,
+advanced close up to the doorway of the barrack.  Mainwaring's revolver
+despatched two of the enemy.  Stirling, with an Enfield rifle, shot one
+and bayoneted another.  Captain Thomson fired both charges of his
+double-barrelled gun, killing two more.
+
+The defenders of the barrack consisted of but seventeen men, while the
+enemy left eighteen corpses lying outside the doorway.  At the same time
+the mutineers surrounded the intrenchments on all sides with cavalry and
+infantry, and horse and bullock batteries of field-artillery.  Their
+cavalry, however, started on the charge at a hand gallop, so that when
+they neared the intrenchments their horses were winded, and a round from
+the British guns threw their ranks into hopeless confusion; all who were
+not biting the dust wheeling round, and galloping off in dismay.  One of
+the expedients adopted by the enemy was to roll before them large bales
+of cotton, under which they managed to approach very near the walls.  A
+well-directed fire from the batteries soon, however, set fire to these
+novel defences, and the skirmishers, panic-struck, took to flight before
+the main body had begun to advance.
+
+For seventeen days and nights had the gallant little band resisted all
+the efforts made by the overwhelming numbers of the foe to storm the
+position.  At last it only remained for the enemy to starve them out;
+and this operation they forthwith commenced, abandoning all attempts to
+take the place by assault.  Of the fifty-nine artillerymen, all, with
+the exception of four, had perished at the batteries, while the guns
+themselves were so knocked about that two only could be made to carry
+grape.  Even in these, in consequence of the irregularity of the bore,
+the canisters could not be driven home.  A new style of cartridge was
+therefore invented, formed by stockings supplied by the women; and into
+these the contents of the canisters were emptied.  Among the most
+gallant defenders of the fort, and one of the few survivors of the
+siege, was Lieutenant Delafosse.  Being much annoyed by a small gun in
+Barrack Number 1, he resolved to silence it if possible.  Giving his own
+worn-out gun a monster charge of three 6-pound shots, and a stockingful
+of grape, he rammed them all well down.  He fired; his faithful piece of
+artillery did not burst, and his troublesome little antagonist was never
+again heard.
+
+Another gallant exploit on the part of Lieutenant Delafosse occurred at
+the north-east battery on the 21st June.  A shot had entered the tumbril
+of a gun, blew it up, and ignited the woodwork of the carriage, thus
+exposing the ammunition all around to destruction.  The rebels,
+observing what was taking place, directed their fire to the spot with
+redoubled fury.  Delafosse, with perfect self-possession, went to the
+burning gun, and, lying down under the firing mass, pulled away portions
+of the wood, and scattered earth with both hands on the flames.  Two
+soldiers followed this courageous example, each with a bucket of water,
+which the lieutenant applied till the fire was extinguished.
+
+In time, the sepoys discovering that they were not likely to capture the
+fort while any of the heroic garrison remained alive, resolved to starve
+them to death.  Their sufferings from want of food at last became so
+great, that on the 25th of June General Wheeler entered into
+arrangements for the evacuation of the place with Nana Sahib.  The next
+day the survivors proceeded to the river to embark on board boats
+prepared for them, when, with a treachery almost unparalleled in
+history, by the order of that demon in human shape, they were fired on
+and mostly killed.  The rest, with few exceptions, were brought back to
+Cawnpore, when the men were shot, and the women and children, after
+being kept prisoners for some time and treated with the utmost indignity
+and barbarity, were indiscriminately slaughtered, and their bodies
+thrown into a well.  One boat only escaped down the river, by which the
+life of Lieutenant Delafosse, who has given a narrative of what he
+witnessed, was preserved.  Of all the gallant men and heroic women who
+endured the sufferings which have been described, he, with two or three
+others, alone escaped.
+
+Terribly, however, ere long were they to be avenged.
+
+LUCKNOW--1857-1858.
+
+The drama of Lucknow may properly be divided into four acts. 1st, The
+defence by Sir Henry Lawrence and Brigadier Inglis; 2nd, The succour of
+Lucknow by Sir Henry Havelock and Sir James Outram, 25th September; 3rd,
+The relief of Lucknow on the 22nd November 1857 by Sir Colin Campbell,
+when the hard-pressed garrison were carried out from overwhelming
+numbers of the enemy; and 4th, The siege of Lucknow by the British force
+under Sir Colin Campbell and Sir James Outram.  Sir James Outram had
+previously been established in the strong position of the Alumbagh, from
+which the rebels had in vain endeavoured to dislodge him.
+
+DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW--29TH JUNE TO 25TH SEPTEMBER 1857.
+
+Sir Henry Lawrence, with a small body of troops, was stationed at
+Lucknow, when, on the 29th of June, hearing that a large body of rebels
+was approaching, he marched out to make a reconnaissance.
+
+The force fell into an ambuscade, and some of the native artillerymen
+proving traitors, it was compelled to retire with a very heavy loss of
+officers and men, and three pieces of artillery.
+
+Immediately on his return, Sir Henry prepared for the defence.  The
+whole garrison amounted only to 1616 officers and men fit for duty, and
+with 80 officers and men sick and wounded.  Sir Henry's first care was
+to withdraw the garrison from the old fort of Muchee Bowen; and in the
+course of the night of the 1st July, such provision as could be removed
+having been carried off, it was blown up with vast quantities of
+gunpowder and ball cartridges.  An intrenched position had been
+commenced round the British Residency, and to complete this all the
+energies of the garrison were first devoted.  Long, however, before all
+the proposed batteries were thrown up, the rebels, assembling in vast
+numbers, began the blockade of the place.  Unhappily, Sir Henry Lawrence
+was mortally wounded by a shell on the 2nd of July, and closed a
+distinguished career on the 4th.  Brigadier Inglis then succeeded to the
+command.  At this time only two batteries were finished.  No spot was
+safe: the sick and wounded were killed in the hospital, and women and
+children in private houses suffered the same fate.  On the 20th of July,
+the enemy, after exploding a mine, attempted to storm the defences, but
+were driven back, after a desperate struggle which lasted four hours.
+Day and night a murderous fire was kept up on the garrison, who were
+already suffering dreadfully from sickness, while famine stared them in
+the face.  On the 10th of August, the enemy attempted another assault,
+after, as before, springing a mine.  On the 18th, a similar attempt was
+made.  On this occasion three officers were blown up, though without
+injury, and the enemy established themselves in one of the houses of the
+British position; they were, however, driven out in the evening by a
+gallant charge of the 32nd and 48th Regiments.  No men could have
+behaved more splendidly than did those of these two regiments.  The 32nd
+was reduced to less than 300 men.  The artillery behaved admirably, and
+suffered so much, that at length there were only 24 European gunners to
+work guns, including mortars in position; so that, although ably
+assisted by the men of the 32nd and by civilian volunteers, they had to
+run from gun to gun to defend the points most threatened by the enemy.
+
+Five sorties were made during the siege by the British, for the purpose
+of destroying buildings which commanded the intrenchments, and of
+spiking guns.  On all these occasions, both officers and men of the 32nd
+Regiment particularly distinguished themselves.  In a sortie made on the
+7th July, for the purpose of examining a house strongly held by the
+enemy, to ascertain whether or not a mine was being driven from it,
+Lieutenant Lawrence, 32nd Regiment, was the first to mount the ladder
+and to enter the window of the house, in effecting which he had his
+pistol knocked out of his hand by one of the enemy.  On the 26th of
+September, he charged with two of his men in advance of his company, and
+captured a 9-pounder gun.  A verandah having fallen on the 30th June,
+Mr Capper, of the Bengal Civil Service, being entangled among the
+ruins, Corporal Oxenham rushed forward amid a shower of bullets, to
+which he was exposed for ten minutes while extricating him from his
+dangerous situation.  Private Dowling on three several occasions rushed
+out and spiked the enemy's guns; on one, killing a subadar, who
+attempted to defend his gun.  Captain Henry George Browne, 32nd
+Regiment, later of the 100th Regiment, performed a similar conspicuous
+act of bravery, having, on the 21st August 1857, gallantly led a sortie
+at great personal risk, for the purpose of spiking two heavy guns, which
+were doing considerable damage to the defences.  Captain Browne was the
+first person who entered the battery, which consisted of the two guns in
+question, protected by high palisades, the embrasures being closed with
+sliding shutters.  On reaching the battery, Captain Browne removed the
+shutters, and jumped into the battery.  The result was, that the guns
+were spiked, and it is supposed that about 100 of the enemy were killed.
+
+THE SUCCOUR OF LUCKNOW--25TH SEPTEMBER.
+
+At length, on the 25th September, early in the morning, a messenger
+arrived with a letter from General Outram, announcing his approach to
+Lucknow.  Hours passed by; many of the enemy were seen retreating across
+the river, and every gun which could be brought to bear was fired at
+them, though all the time the rebels engaged in besieging the
+intrenchments never ceased firing, both with artillery and rifles.  At
+four p.m. there was a report that some officers and a European regiment
+had been seen advancing in the distance.  At five p.m. volleys of
+musketry were heard, growing louder and louder, and soon afterwards the
+British troops were seen fighting their way through one of the principal
+streets; and though men fell at every step, onward they gallantly
+pushed, till the rearguard heavy guns were inside the position.  The
+relieving force was under the command of Sir James Outram.  It had
+suffered severely in the gallant exploit.  Of 2600 who had left
+Cawnpore, nearly one-third had been either killed or wounded in forcing
+their way through the city, so that nothing could be done for the relief
+of the place.  The united body was therefore as closely besieged as
+before.
+
+We must now describe more particularly how this gallant exploit had been
+accomplished.
+
+On the return of General Havelock from Persia, he was appointed to the
+command of a movable column, consisting of 1964 men.  He immediately
+commenced his march on Cawnpore, hoping to relieve the prisoners there
+confined by the miscreant Nana Sahib.  Having been joined by Major
+Renard with 800 men, a victory was obtained, on the 12th July, over a
+large body of the rebels near Futtehpore.
+
+Twice on the 15th he engaged the rebels, at Aeng, and the bridge of
+Pandoo Nudder.  On the 16th he drove Nana Sahib from a strong position
+at Ahirwa.
+
+The next day, the fatal 17th, the wretch butchered the women and
+children left in his power, blew up the magazine at Cawnpore, and
+retreated to Bithpor.  Here he was unable to make a stand, and once more
+made a hasty retreat.  General Havelock, on this, leaving General Neill
+at Cawnpore, pushed on for Lucknow.  He again encountered the mutineers
+near Uano on the 29th July, when the 78th Highlanders, the 1st
+Fusiliers, and the 64th Regiment were chiefly engaged.  The same corps
+next captured Busherut Gunge, a walled town with wet ditches.  Three
+times the same place was attacked and taken while General Havelock was
+waiting at Cawnpore for reinforcements.  On the 16th September, Sir
+James Outram arrived.  Though superior officer, he refused to supersede
+Major-General Havelock, but accompanied the force as Chief-Commissioner
+of Oude.  The relieving force, now amounting to about 2500 men and 17
+guns, crossed the Ganges, and, on the 21st September, attacked the
+rebels at Munghowar, who fled, four guns being captured, two of which
+were taken in a cavalry charge led by Sir James Outram.  On the 23rd,
+they arrived before the Alumbagh, an isolated building, a country palace
+situated in a large walled park to the south-east of the city of
+Lucknow, and about three miles from the Residency.  From this place the
+enemy were driven, four guns were taken, and it was occupied by the
+relieving army.  As the British troops were wearied with their long
+march in pelting rain, the assault was deferred till the 25th.  All the
+24th they were bombarded by the enemy, and an attack was made by 1000
+cavalry on the baggage, which was defeated by the soldiers of the
+gallant 90th, though not without the loss of several officers and men.
+
+The morning of the 25th arrived.  The generals breakfasted at a small
+table placed in the open field; and while they and their staff were
+afterwards examining a map of the city spread out on it, a 9-pound shot
+from the enemy's battery struck the ground five yards from it, and
+bounded over their heads.  Soon after eight the welcome order to advance
+was given.  Sir James Outram commanded the first and leading brigade,
+with all the artillery, heavy and light.  The second brigade, under
+General Havelock, followed in support.  Scarcely had Sir James's brigade
+passed the advanced pickets, than it was assailed by a heavy fire in
+front, on either flank, and from two guns planted near a house called
+from its colour the Yellow House.  The enemy had flanked his road under
+cover of long, high grass, and a murderous fire was poured on the
+columns from a double-storied house, full of musketeers, from the
+loopholed walls of the surrounding gardens, from two guns that raked the
+road from his right flank, and from another that commanded his front.
+In the face of this desperate opposition, Captain Maude, with his brave
+artillerymen, pushed on, though not without the loss of one-third of
+their number.  A canal passes between the Alumbagh and Lucknow.  At the
+bridge over it the enemy had determined to make their stand, and dispute
+the entrance to the city.  It was defended by six guns on the Lucknow
+side, one of them a 24-pounder, which completely swept the bridge and
+the approach to it, while all the houses near it were loopholed and
+filled with musketeers.  Here nearly every man of Captain Maude's two
+guns was killed or wounded, though he and Lieutenant Maitland remained
+unhurt, and they frequently had to call for volunteers from the infantry
+to replace the artillerymen falling around.  A charge was now made by
+the Madras Fusiliers, when Lieutenant Arnold, at the first word of
+command, dashed on to the bridge with nineteen of his men.  The enemy,
+believing this little band to be the main body, sent a discharge of
+grape, which they had reserved for the occasion, among them.  Lieutenant
+Arnold fell, shot through both legs, and most of his men were swept
+down.  Lieutenant Havelock alone remained on the bridge.  Waving his
+sword, he called to the Fusiliers to advance.  Then, bravely led by
+their regimental officers, they dashed forward with a cheer, and, not
+giving the enemy time to reload, rushed on the guns, amid a storm, of
+bullets, wrested them from the enemy, and bayoneted the gunners.
+
+The British army now entered the city, and the 78th Highlanders were
+pushed forward on the Cawnpore road to the Residency, to cover the
+passage of the troops and baggage, etcetera; while the remainder turned
+short to the right, and began to thread the narrow lane leading towards
+the king's stables.
+
+The 78th Highlanders held their position at the head of the street, as
+the baggage, the wounded, and the followers defiled over the bridge.  As
+soon as the enemy perceived that it was an unsupported rearguard, it was
+assailed by overwhelming numbers, but continued firmly to hold its own.
+In this unequal struggle, which lasted nearly three hours, its
+ammunition was more than once exhausted and renewed.
+
+On one occasion, the enemy becoming more bold, brought two brass
+9-pounders to bear on the Highlanders; but they immediately left the
+shelter of the houses, captured the guns, hurled them into the canal,
+and then calmly resumed their defensive position.  Repeatedly tried
+through this campaign, and always found worthy of its high reputation,
+never did the valour of this gallant regiment shine brighter than in
+this bloody conflict.
+
+Among others, Lieutenant-Adjutant Herbert McPherson was conspicuous in
+the splendid charge on the two guns, while Assistant-Surgeon Valentine
+McMaster exhibited the most devoted gallantry in the way in which he
+risked his life for the purpose of binding up the wounds, and securing
+the retreat of the men under his charge disabled by the bullets of the
+enemy.
+
+The main body, turning to the right, advanced to a point between the
+Motee Mahal and the old mess-house of the 32nd.  It was between this
+spot and the Residency, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, that the
+strength of the enemy was concentrated; and here the fiercest conflict,
+after that of forcing the bridge, occurred.  At length, however, the
+enemy were driven back by the heavy guns, and, after passing through a
+hot fire from the roofs of neighbouring houses, the force was halted
+under shelter of a wall of one of the palaces, to allow the long column,
+the progress of which had been impeded by the narrowness of the streets,
+to come up.  The main body was now within 500 yards of the Residency,
+but surrounded with enemies.  The generals, however, determined to push
+on.  The Highlanders and a regiment of Sikhs were called to the front;
+Sir James Outram, though wounded, and General Havelock placed themselves
+at their head, and through an incessant storm of shot pushed on to the
+Residency.  "The loopholed houses on either side poured forth a stream
+of fire as they advanced: every roof sent down a shower of missiles on
+them.  Deep trenches had been cut across the road to detain them under
+the fire of the adjacent buildings.  At every angle they encountered a
+fearful volley; but, animated by the generals, officers and men pushed
+on, till at length the gate of the Residency was reached, and the
+hard-pressed garrison welcomed them with their hearty cheers.  The
+remainder of the troops quickly followed, and entered the Residency.
+Numbers had fallen, and among them General Neill, who was with the 1st
+Madras Fusiliers, and soon after the shelter was quitted was shot dead,
+falling instantly from his horse, and never speaking more.  The united
+forces were, however, too weak to attempt to retreat.  They were
+consequently again besieged in the Residency, though able to keep the
+foe at bay."
+
+RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.
+
+At length, on the 10th of November, Sir Colin Campbell, with a
+thoroughly equipped force of 5000 men, arrived in the neighbourhood of
+the Alumbagh.  It was important that the generals in the Residency
+should communicate with him, and Mr Cavanagh, an officer of the Civil
+Service, volunteered to proceed to his camp with plans of the city, and
+suggestions as to the route he should take.  Perilous as was the
+adventure, Mr Cavanagh accomplished the undertaking.  A semaphoric
+communication was soon afterwards established between the Alumbagh and
+the Residency.  By its means Sir Colin was enabled, on the 12th, to
+announce his intention of advancing by the Dilkoosha at seven a.m. on
+the 14th.  The garrison therefore prepared to co-operate with him.
+
+At the time appointed, the advance began; but several large buildings,
+strongly fortified, had to be stormed,--the Dilkoosha, Martiniere, and
+finally the Secunderbagh, in which place upwards of 2000 rebels were
+killed.  These operations occupied till the afternoon of the 17th, when
+the mess-house was gallantly stormed by a company of the 90th, a picket
+of the 53rd, with some Punjaub infantry.  Beyond this the enemy again
+made a desperate stand; but the advance was sounded--the troops pushed
+on--house after house was taken--nowhere could the rebels withstand
+them, and complete communication was established with the Residency.
+
+It was now resolved to remove the non-combatants, the women, children,
+and sick and wounded, as well as the troops, from Lucknow.  By masterly
+arrangements, the enemy were completely deceived.  The women and
+children, the sick and wounded, were first withdrawn on the night of the
+18th, many ladies walking a distance of six miles to the Dilkoosha
+encampment over rough ground, and at one spot exposed to the fire of the
+enemy,--Lady Inglis, the heroic wife of Brigadier Inglis, setting the
+example.  When they were in safety, arrangements were made to withdraw
+the garrison.
+
+On the 20th and 21st, Captain Peel, with the guns of his Naval Brigade,
+aided by Havelock's guns in the palaces, breached the Kaiserbagh.  The
+enemy, believing that an assault would immediately follow, stood on the
+defensive.  Orders were then given for the garrison to withdraw through
+the line of pickets at midnight on the 22nd.  Brigadier Hope's brigade
+covered all their movements, and Brigadier Greathead's brigade closed in
+the rear, and formed the rearguard as the troops retired through a long
+narrow lane, the only road open for them towards the Dilkoosha.  That
+position was reached by four o'clock in the afternoon of the 23rd of
+November, without the loss of a man.  On the previous day, one of the
+gallant defenders of Lucknow, the good and brave Sir Henry Havelock, had
+breathed his last in the Dilkoosha, from dysentery, brought on by
+exposure and the unwholesome food on which he had been compelled to
+exist.
+
+Of course all the property in the Residency, which had been so long
+bravely defended, had to be left at the mercy of the rebels; but that
+was a slight gain compared to the rage and vexation they must have
+experienced at finding themselves so completely out-manoeuvred, and that
+the foes they hoped to crush had escaped them.
+
+SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF LUCKNOW--2ND AND 21ST MARCH.
+
+When Sir Colin Campbell retired with his rescued countrymen from
+Lucknow, on the 27th of November 1857, he left a force under Sir James
+Outram in the strong position of the Alumbagh, to keep the enemy in
+check in the city, thus locking up a large number, and preventing them
+from committing mischief throughout the country.
+
+On the 12th and 16th of January, and at other subsequent times, the
+rebels endeavoured to dislodge Sir James Outram from his position, but
+were each time driven back with loss.  Meanwhile, Sir Colin Campbell
+defeated the enemy on the 6th of December,--estimated at 25,000 men and
+36 guns.
+
+He remained at Cawnpore till the 4th of February, when the first portion
+of his army crossed the Ganges, on their road to Lucknow.  While
+marching on Lucknow, Brigadier Franks, on the 19th, successively
+defeated two bodies of the enemy at Chanda and Amerapore; and, on the
+23rd, gained a still more important victory over their united forces
+near Sultanpore.  Sir Colin, with reinforcements and siege-train,
+arrived at the Alumbagh on the 1st of March, and no time was lost in
+carrying out the contemplated operations against Lucknow.
+
+The Dilkoosha palace was first seized, when a gun was captured.  This
+palace then formed the advanced post on the right, and the Mahomed Bagh
+on the left, heavy guns being placed in them, to keep down the fire of
+the enemy.  Sir James Outram being withdrawn from the Alumbagh, crossed
+to the left bank of the Goomtee, and, on the 9th, drove the enemy before
+him at all points, till he was enabled to occupy the Tyzabad road, and
+to plant his batteries so as to enfilade the works on the canal.  A two
+gun battery of the enemy had in the most gallant way been attacked by an
+officer with half his company, and the guns spiked, thus securing the
+most advanced position of the troops from artillery fire.  It thus
+became very important that the skirmishers on the opposite side of the
+river should be made acquainted with this success.  To carry the
+information, Lieutenant Thomas Adair Butter, 1st Bengal Fusiliers,
+plunging into the Goomtee, swam across it under a heavy fire, and,
+climbing the parapet, remained for some time still exposed to the shots
+of the enemy.  He, however, happily escaped without a wound, and,
+leaping down, delivered his message.  For this act of cool bravery, he
+was prominently mentioned by General Outram in general orders, and
+deservedly received the Victoria Cross.
+
+On the afternoon of the same day, Brigadiers Sir Edward Lugard and
+Adrian Hope, with the 42nd, 53rd, and 90th Regiments, stormed and
+captured the Martiniere College.  And now the operations against the
+Kaiserbagh could be carried out more effectually, and science and
+engineering skill were brought into play.  Building after building was
+captured, and well secured, before the infantry were allowed to advance.
+A large block of palaces, known as the Begum Kotee, having been
+breached under the direction of Brigadier Napier, it was stormed on the
+morning of the 12th, with the greatest gallantry, by the 93rd
+Highlanders, supported by the 4th Punjaub Rifles and 1000 Goorkhas, led
+by Brigadier Adrian Hope.  This was looked upon as one of the severest
+struggles and most gallant actions during the siege.
+
+Brigadier Napier now, by aid of sappers and heavy guns, pushed forward
+the approaches through the enclosures, the infantry immediately
+occupying the ground as he advanced, the guns and mortars being moved on
+as the positions were gained where they could be placed.  Brigadier
+Franks, early on the morning of the 14th, carried the Imambarrah; and
+Major Brasyer, with a regiment of Sikhs, pressing forward in pursuit,
+entered the Kaiserbagh, and then the third line of the enemy's defences
+was won, and the spot where so many desperate encounters had taken place
+was once more occupied by the British.  Moosabagh, the last position of
+the rebels on the Goomtee, was cannonaded and captured by Sir James
+Outram and Sir Hope Grant on the 19th; and, on the 21st, Sir Edward
+Lugard, after a fierce struggle, took the last stronghold in the
+possession of the rebels in the heart of the city.
+
+Brigadier W. Campbell, at the head of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, followed
+the fugitives for the distance of six miles, killing vast numbers, and
+completely routing them.  The inhabitants were now invited to return,
+and Lucknow was once more placed under British rule.
+
+SOME OF THE GALLANT DEEDS PERFORMED DURING THE SUPPRESSION OF THE
+MUTINY.
+
+At no time in the history of the world has more calm courage, devotion,
+perseverance, and gallantry been shown than was exhibited by the
+soldiers of England during the Indian Mutiny.  Many of their gallant
+deeds have already been recounted, but it is impossible to recount them
+all.
+
+Not only soldiers, but non-combatants were conspicuous on many occasions
+for their gallantry.  The surgeons especially exhibited the most heroic
+courage.  The name of Surgeon Herbert Taylor Reade deserves to be
+mentioned.  During the siege of Delhi, while he was attending to the
+wounded at the end of one of the streets, on the 14th of September, a
+party of rebels advanced from the direction of the Bank, and, having
+established themselves in the houses in the street, commenced firing
+from the roofs.  The wounded were thus in very great danger, and would
+have fallen into the hands of the enemy, had not Surgeon Reade, drawing
+his sword, and calling upon about ten soldiers who were near him to
+follow, dashed bravely forward under a heavy fire, and, attacking the
+rebels, dislodged them from their position, and put them to flight.  Two
+of his followers were killed, and five or six wounded, in this gallant
+act, for which he was deservedly decorated with the Victoria Cross.  He
+also accompanied his regiment on the assault of Delhi, and, on the
+morning of the 16th September, was one of the first up at the breach of
+the magazine.  On this occasion, he, with a sergeant of his regiment,
+spiked one of the enemy's guns.
+
+Surgeon Joseph Jee, C.B., was another medical officer whose bravery was
+conspicuous.  After that gallant charge made by the 78th Highlanders,
+when two guns were captured near the Char Bagh, as they, forming part of
+Sir Henry Havelock's force, were entering Lucknow on the 25th September
+1857, numbers were left wounded on the ground.  He hastened among them,
+exposed to a severe fire and the risk of being cut off, and succeeded,
+by great exertions, in getting them removed in cots, or on the backs of
+their comrades, until he had collected the dooly-bearers, who had fled.
+He remained by the wounded till later in the day, when he endeavoured to
+convey them into the Residency, but was compelled to take refuge with
+his charge and their escort in the Motee Mahal, where they were besieged
+by an overwhelming force.  Here, however, he remained during the whole
+night, voluntarily and repeatedly exposing himself to a heavy fire while
+he was engaged in dressing the wounds of the men who fell serving a
+24-pounder in a most exposed situation.  At length he set forward to
+accompany a number of the wounded into the Residency by the river bank,
+although warned of the danger of the undertaking.  Seeing the
+importance, however, of placing them in safety, he persevered, and
+succeeded in accomplishing his object.
+
+Surgeon Anthony D. Home, of the 90th, aided by Assistant-surgeon W.
+Bradshaw, on the same occasion, and under very similar circumstances,
+behaved in the same manner.  When the relieving columns pushed their way
+forward towards the Residency, he was left behind in charge of the
+wounded.  The escort had by casualties been greatly diminished, and,
+being entirely separated from the column, they were compelled to take
+refuge in a house on the approach of a large body of the enemy.  Here
+they defended themselves till it was set on fire.  Of four officers who
+were with the party, all were badly wounded--three of them mortally.
+The conduct of the defence therefore devolved on Mr Home; and as it was
+by his active exertions, before being forced into the house, that the
+wounded were then saved, so now to his coolness and intrepidity the
+continued defence of the building was mainly due.  Hour after hour
+passed by, one after the other dropping, till only he and six companions
+remained to fire.  Still they persevered, though they had almost
+abandoned hope, and had resigned themselves to their fate.  At length, a
+little after daybreak, they were aroused by distant firing.  They did
+not, however, believe that it announced any help to them, but rather the
+return of more foes.  Still it approached nearer and nearer, when a
+brave soldier of the 1st Madras Fusiliers, John Ryan, suddenly jumping
+up, shouted, "Oh, boys! them's our chaps!"  The little band, leaping to
+their feet, united in a hearty cheer, crying out to their friends to
+keep on the right, while they fired into the loopholes from which the
+enemy were annoying them.  In about three minutes, Captain Moorsom, who
+had led the party to their relief, appeared at the entrance-hole of the
+shed, and they beckoning to him, he entered.
+
+It was by the admirable arrangements of this officer that the little
+band were brought safely off, and soon after reached the palace, with
+the rearguard of the 90th.  On this occasion, Private McManus, 5th
+Regiment, kept outside the house, and continued behind a pillar, firing
+on the sepoys, to prevent their rushing into it, till he was himself
+wounded.  He also, in conjunction with Private John Ryan, rushed into
+the street under a heavy fire, and took Captain Arnold, 1st Madras
+Fusiliers, out of a dooly, and brought him into the house, that officer
+being again hit while they were so doing.
+
+Among the many gallant men we may mention Captain George Alexander
+Renny, and Gunner William Conolly, of the Bengal Horse Artillery.  After
+the capture of the Delhi magazine, 16th September 1857, a vigorous
+attack was made on it by the enemy.  Under cover of a heavy cross fire
+from the high houses on the right flank of the magazine, and from
+Selinghur and the palace, the enemy advanced to the high wall of the
+magazine, and endeavoured to set fire to a thatched roof.  This was
+partially accomplished, but the fire was extinguished by a sepoy of the
+Beloochee battalion.  However, the roof having been again set on fire,
+and the enemy pressing round, Captain Renny, with great gallantry,
+mounted to the top of the wall of the magazine, and flung several shells
+with lighted fusees into the midst of the enemy.  This had so
+considerable an effect, that the enemy almost immediately retreated.
+
+The half troop to which Gunner Conolly belonged, under command of
+Lieutenant Cooks, having advanced at daybreak at a gallop, and engaged
+the enemy within easy musket range, the sponge-men of one of the guns
+having been shot, Conolly assumed the duties of second sponge-man; and
+he had barely assisted at two discharges of his gun, when a musket-ball
+through the left thigh felled him to the ground.  Nothing daunted by
+pain and loss of blood, he was endeavouring to resume his post, when a
+movement in retirement was ordered.  Mounting his horse, he rode to the
+next position the guns took up, and manfully declined going to the rear
+when the necessity of his doing so was represented to him.  At about
+eleven a.m. he was again knocked down by a musket-ball striking him on
+the hip, causing him great pain and faintness.  On hearing his
+commanding officer direct that he should be taken out of action, he
+staggered to his feet, exclaiming, "No, no; I'll not go there while I
+can work here."
+
+Shortly afterwards he once more resumed his post.  Later in the day the
+guns were engaged at 100 yards from the walls of a village, whence a
+storm of bullets was directed at them.  Here, though suffering severely
+from his two previous wounds, he was wielding his guns with an energy
+and courage which attracted the admiration of his comrades; and while
+cheerfully encouraging a wounded man to hasten in bringing up the
+ammunition, he was a third time hit by a musket-ball, which tore through
+the muscles of his right leg.  Even then, with the most undaunted
+bravery he struggled on, and not until he had loaded six times did he
+give way, and then only from loss of blood, when he fell fainting at his
+post into his commander's arms, and, being placed in a waggon, was borne
+in a state of unconsciousness from the fight.
+
+Such are the materials of which are made the true British soldiers, the
+redcoats of Old England, who have nobly upheld her honour and glory in
+all parts of the world.
+
+We do not pretend to give a catalogue of all the gallant deeds done
+during that sanguinary struggle worthy of being chronicled.  Were we to
+attempt to give all, we should fail in so doing; and some, whose names
+were omitted, would complain that we treated their comrades with
+partiality.  The numerous brave acts we have recorded are rather to show
+of what British soldiers of the present day are capable, and what is
+more, what sort of deeds are most highly appreciated, for on all, or
+nearly all, the men whose names we have mentioned, the Victoria Cross
+has been bestowed; and yet, probably, we have omitted half the
+recipients of that honour, not less deserving than those whose deeds we
+have recorded.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+THE CHINESE WAR--1856-1860.
+
+The Chinese, in breach of the treaties into which they had entered in
+1842, committed a series of aggressive acts against British subjects,
+the most memorable of which was the seizure of the crew of the lorcha
+_Arrow_, in 1856.  War was consequently declared, and hostilities were
+commenced by our naval forces, which, under Sir Michael Seymour, after
+bombarding Canton in October, and destroying several war-junks on the
+5th, captured the Bogue Forts, mounting more than 400 guns, on the 12th
+and 13th of November, and again attacked the suburbs of Canton on the
+12th of January 1857.  The fleet also destroyed a large number of
+Chinese war-junks in the Canton waters; but further operations on land
+were suspended till the Indian Mutiny had been quelled, and Lord Elgin
+had returned to China.
+
+The British and French troops having united towards the end of December
+1857, the city of Canton was summoned to surrender.  On the refusal of
+the Chinese authorities to do so, a bombardment was commenced by the
+fleet on the 28th, and the British and French troops landed at Kupar
+Creek, to the south-east of the town.  The English troops were divided
+into two brigades: the first, consisting of the first and second
+battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry, was commanded by Colonel
+Holloway, of that corps; while the second, which was composed of the
+Royal Engineers and a volunteer company of Sappers, Royal Artillery, and
+Royal Marine Artillery, Provisional Battalion Royal Marines, the 59th
+Regiment, and 38th Madras Native Infantry, was under Colonel Hope
+Graham, of the 59th.  Colonel Dunlop commanded the artillery.  The
+troops amounted to 2900 men.  Then there was the British Naval Brigade,
+consisting of 1829 men, and the French Naval Brigade, of 950.
+
+The first attack was made on East or Linn Fort.  The Chinese received
+their assailants with a hot fire, but were soon driven out, retreating
+to Cough's Fort.  The ships kept up a continued cannonade during the day
+and the following night, and on the 29th it was determined to make a
+grand attack by escalade on the east wall of the city.  The advance was
+led by the brave Major Luard, the 59th, under Major Burmister, covering
+the French Naval Brigade and Royal Marines.  At an appointed time the
+ships were to cease firing, and the assault was to be made.  The
+Chinese, meantime, were keeping up a hot fire on their approaching
+assailants from their walls.  It was necessary to ascertain the best
+spot for placing the scaling-ladders.  Captain Bate volunteered to go,
+and Captain Naun, of the Engineers, accompanied him.  Captain Bate had
+run across an open space, and was looking down into the ditch, when a
+shot struck him.  He fell.  Dr Anderson rushed out through a hot fire,
+accompanied by Captain Bate's coxswain, to his assistance, but he never
+spoke again.  They escaped uninjured.
+
+"Some minutes before the time, the French advanced, and the English
+could not be kept back.  They had crossed the ditch, and were clustered
+under the walls before the scaling-ladders could be brought up.  A young
+Frenchman had taken off his shoes and gaiters, and was trying to work
+himself up to the southern angle of the bastion, aided by Major Luard,
+who was propping him up with the muzzle of the Frenchman's own firelock,
+when a ladder was placed, and Luard, leaping on it, stood first upon the
+wall.  He was followed by a Frenchman, the bandmaster of the 59th, and
+Colonel Hope Graham.  At the same time, Stuart, of the Engineers, was
+balancing in air on a breaking ladder at the north side of the bastion;
+but though he sprang to another, two or three Frenchmen got up before
+him.  Here, also, Corporal Perkins and Daniel Donovan, volunteer
+sappers, pushing on with the French, were among the first over the wall.
+Meantime the Chinese had been tumbling down all sorts of missiles; but
+when the Allies were once upon the walls, the great body of them
+retired.  They poured down into the city, and fired from the streets;
+they dodged behind the buildings on the ramparts, and thence took aim
+with their cumbrous matchlocks.  A few single encounters occurred, and
+Major Luard's revolver disposed of one lingerer; but the Allies
+generally fired right and left, and pushed on to the right, so as to
+sweep the wall upwards towards the hill.  Helter-skelter they went,
+driving the Tartars close into the town and before them along the wall,
+until, some hundred yards in front, they came upon Captain Fellowes and
+his bluejackets, who were just accomplishing another escalade.
+Commodore Elliot was well in front, and the admiral and general were not
+far behind."  See `_China_', by Wingrove Cooke.
+
+The enemy were now driven entirely along the wall, and complete
+possession was taken of the eastern gate.  Some casualties had occurred.
+Lieutenants Shinkwin and Ensign Bower, of the 59th, were both wounded,
+the latter mortally.  The chiefs of the expedition, however, anxious to
+prevent the destruction of life, would not allow the troops to descend
+into the streets, though they had in reality entire command over the
+city.  A whole week was allowed the Chinese authorities to consider the
+matter, and to sue for peace; but, as they continued obstinate, on the
+5th of January the allied forces were poured down into the streets, when
+Commissioner Yeh, the Tartar General, and the Governor of Canton were
+speedily captured, very much to their own astonishment, and very little
+to the regret of the people over whom they ruled.
+
+On the 20th of May, the forts at the mouth of the Peiho were taken, and
+then at length the Chinese commissioners, discovering that the Allies
+were in earnest, sued for peace.  A treaty was signed at Tientsin on the
+20th of June, when all the terms demanded by the Allies were agreed to,
+though the Chinese authorities had no intention, probably, of adhering
+to any of them.
+
+CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FORTS--21ST AUGUST 1860.
+
+The Chinese Government having refused to ratify the treaty of Tientsin,
+the British and French forces once more prepared for active operations.
+Major-General Sir Hope Grant had been appointed to the command of the
+British troops, with the local rank of lieutenant-general,--
+Major-General Sir Robert Napier holding command of the second division
+under him.  The expedition started from Hong Kong harbour early in June,
+and assembled at Talien Bay, ready for a descent on the Peiho.
+
+On the 1st of August, the expedition, organised with great forethought,
+and in the most admirable manner, commenced disembarking at the mouth of
+the Peiho River.  The village of Pehtang was immediately taken
+possession of.
+
+The first engagement took place at Sinho, when the Tartar cavalry showed
+some courage, but were soon put to the rout,--the Armstrong guns being
+here for the first time employed; the second division, under Sir Robert
+Napier, taking the principal part in the action.  Soon after daybreak on
+the 13th, the first division received notice that they were to storm the
+fortified village of Tangkoo.  A causeway ran from Sinoo to Tangkoo,
+with a marsh on one side, and a moist plain, intersected by ditches, on
+the other, which ditches had now been bridged over.
+
+The fortifications of Tangkoo consisted of a long semicircular
+crenelated wall, three miles in length, terminating at both ends on the
+banks of the river.  The attack was made from the right of the
+causeway,--the English on the right near the river, the French along the
+road.  Two hundred Rifles, commanded by Major Rigaud, advanced in
+skirmishing order, to support the batteries of Armstrong guns and some
+9-pounders.  The Royals and 31st followed, and then the Queen's 60th
+Rifles and 15th Punjaubees.  Some Chinese batteries and junks were
+silenced; and then Sir John Michel ordered up the infantry, who rushed
+into the fortress, and bowled over the Tartars, as they scampered with
+precipitancy from the wall across the open into the village, while
+rockets, whizzing through the air over their heads in graceful curve,
+spread dismay among their masses, and hastened their speed.
+
+The Taku forts were next to be taken.  On the 20th, they were summoned
+to surrender; and the officer in command having refused to do so,
+preparations were made to storm them on the morning of the 21st.  The
+French force consisted of about 1000 infantry, and six 12-pounder rifled
+cannon.  The English mustered 2500 men, consisting of a wing of the
+44th, under Lieutenant-Colonel McMahon; a wing of the 67th, under
+Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas, supported by the other wings of those two
+regiments; the Royal Marines, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gascoigne; a
+detachment of the same corps under Lieutenant-Colonel Travers, carrying
+a pontoon-bridge for crossing the wet ditches; and Ensign Graham, with
+his company of Royal Engineers, to conduct the assault.  The whole were
+commanded by Brigadier Reeves.
+
+Several gunboats had also come up the river to bombard the forts.  At
+daylight the Chinese opened fire on their assailants, which was replied
+to by the gunboats and Armstrong guns; and soon a large magazine blew up
+with a terrific roar, the explosion shaking the ground for miles round.
+Soon after, another magazine in the lower north fort blew up.  Still the
+Tartar troops defended themselves with the greatest bravery.  The
+field-guns were advanced to within 500 yards of the forts, and redoubled
+their efforts.  The fire of the forts having ceased, a breach was
+commenced near the gate, and a portion of the storming party were
+advanced to within thirty yards, to open a musketry fire.  No sooner had
+the artillery fire slackened, than the enemy emerged from their cover,
+and opened a heavy fire of musketry on the Allies.
+
+No less than fifteen men of the sappers carrying the pontoon-bridge were
+struck down, and the French who had pushed on were unable to escalade
+the walls.
+
+While the fire was hottest, an hospital apprentice, Arthur Fitzgibbon, *
+who had accompanied a wing of the 67th, quitted cover, and proceeded, in
+spite of the shot rattling round him, to attend to a dooly-bearer whose
+wounds he had been directed to bind up; and while the regiment was
+advancing under the enemy's fire, he ran across the open to attend to
+another wounded man, when he was himself severely wounded.
+
+At this juncture Sir R. Napier caused the two howitzers of Captain
+Govan's battery to be brought up to within fifty yards of the gate, in
+order more speedily to create a breach, when the storming party was
+joined by the headquarters wing of the 67th, under Colonel Knox, who had
+partly crossed by the French bridge, and partly swam over.  A space
+having been made sufficient to admit one man, the brave band forced
+their way in by single file in the most gallant manner, Lieutenant
+Rogers, * 44th Regiment, and (All marked thus * obtained the Victoria
+Cross) Lieutenant Burslem, * 67th Regiment, being the first to enter,
+when they assisted Ensign Chaplain, * who carried the regimental
+colours, to enter; and he, supported by Private Lane, * 67th Regiment,
+was the first to plant them on the breach, and subsequently on the
+cavalier, which he was the first to mount.  Accompanying Lieutenant
+Rogers was Private John McDougall, * 67th Regiment, and Lieutenant E.H.
+Lewis, * who gallantly swam the ditches, and were the first established
+on the walls, each assisting the others to mount the embrasures.
+Lieutenant Burslem and Private Lane more especially distinguished
+themselves in enlarging the opening in the wall, through which they
+eventually entered, and were severely wounded in so doing.  At the same
+moment the French effected their entrance, and the garrison was driven
+back step by step, and hurled pellmell through the embrasures on the
+opposite side, when a destructive fire was opened on them by Captain
+Govan's guns, which strewed the ground outside with dead and wounded.
+Preparations were then made to attack the lower fort, but the garrison
+of 2000 men and upwards yielded without firing a gun.  Of the British,
+17 men were killed, and 22 officers and 161 men wounded.  The French had
+130 casualties; several of their officers were killed.  Fully 2000
+Tartars must have been killed and wounded.
+
+The Allies entered Tientsin on the 6th September, when every effort was
+made by the Chinese authorities to gain time by negotiations.
+
+On the arrival of the Allies on the ground intended for the camp, it was
+found occupied by a large Chinese army, who had hastily thrown up
+batteries for their defence.  Colonel Walker, with Commissary Thompson
+and a few orderlies, had ridden on at an early hour, to arrange about
+the camping-ground for the army.  Mr Parkes, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr
+De Norman, and Mr Bowlby went forward to ascertain the reason of the
+threatening attitude of the Chinese, not in any way apprehending danger.
+Captain Brabazon and Mr Lock followed with a flag of truce, to order
+them to return.
+
+On their return, the whole party, with several French officers and men,
+were surrounded by the Chinese.  Some were cut down, and others were
+made prisoners; but Colonel Walker, suspecting what was about to occur,
+called out to those of his companions near him to charge for their lives
+through the midst of the enemy.  At the word of command, they bent down
+to their horses' necks, and spurred their chargers through the Tartar
+ranks, which gave way before them; and though a fire was opened on them,
+one dragoon only was wounded.  The action instantly commenced; but after
+lasting two hours, the enemy, unable to withstand the fierce charges of
+the cavalry and the hot fire of the Armstrong guns, gave way in all
+directions, being dreadfully cut up by the Dragoon Guards and Fane's and
+Probyn's Horse.
+
+On the 21st, the Allies, being strengthened by the arrival of 1000
+French troops, again advanced to meet the enemy.  General Michel's
+division was on the left, and the cavalry brigade and the marines, and
+the 2nd Queen's taking the extreme left.  While Sir Hope Grant was
+riding towards the French, to confer with General Montauban, a furious
+charge was made towards him and his staff by a large body of Tartar
+cavalry.  The General and his followers, at once galloping to the right
+and left, disclosed the Armstrong guns, which had just before been
+ordered to move their position.  They were, however, under the command
+of Lieutenant Rochfort, who, as he was about to obey the order, saw the
+threatening movement of the enemy.  He therefore held his ground, and
+when the General and his staff rode aside, he was ready for action.  At
+first the range was incorrect.  With perfect coolness he altered the
+elevation, and, as the Tartars came on, yelling furiously, opened a fire
+which, aided by the rifles of the 2nd Queen's, emptied many a saddle,
+and sent the enemy speedily to the right-about, with yells of terror and
+despair.  Another body of Tartar cavalry were posted on an eminence
+which had a sudden fall at the foot of it, with a deep ditch in front.
+It was evident that they thought the cavalry could not pass this ditch,
+and that they might easily pick them off with their matchlocks.  The 1st
+Dragoon Guards, however, rode at it, and cleared the ditch, one or two
+men only getting out of the ranks.  The dragoons then made a furious
+charge, and soon put the Tartars to flight.  Finally, the Chinese
+intrenched camp was taken, and their army was driven back towards Pekin,
+completely broken and disorganised.  During these operations, nearly 600
+guns were captured by the Allies.  The army now advanced towards Pekin;
+and on the 7th of October the Emperor was informed that unless the
+prisoners were restored, and one of the gates of the Imperial city was
+placed in the hands of the Allies, Pekin would be stormed.
+
+These terms were agreed to.  On the 13th of October, at noon, possession
+was taken of the gate by a small body of English and French; the money
+demanded was paid, and the surviving prisoners were delivered up; others
+had died under the barbarous treatment received by them.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+THE NEW ZEALAND WAR--1863-1865.
+
+ENSIGN MCKENNA--AN EXAMPLE OF COOL COURAGE AND DEVOTION.
+
+We do not like to hear of war in New Zealand.  Long ago the native
+inhabitants of these magnificent islands desired to become subjects of
+Queen Victoria.  Their offers were accepted, and New Zealand became a
+British colony.
+
+Differences, however, arose between the settlers and the natives,
+chiefly about land; and from time to time the latter have attempted to
+assert their rights in a thoroughly barbarous fashion, by murdering all
+the white settlers they could fall on unprepared.  It is difficult to
+say by whom they were instigated to revolt.  The possession of certain
+lands claimed by settlers was the ostensible cause of each outbreak; and
+the natives invariably commenced hostilities, by murdering some settlers
+whom they attacked unawares.  Such was the commencement of the last New
+Zealand War.  One of their chiefs had been proclaimed king by the rebel
+tribes, who had declared their intention of driving the British from the
+northern island.  Although the natives may be pitied for their
+ignorance, it was necessary immediately to put down such pretensions by
+force.  Preparations were therefore made for attacking the enemy in
+their strongholds--a nature of warfare arduous and hazardous in the
+extreme, and requiring great judgment and discretion not only in the
+leaders, but in the non-commissioned officers and privates.  Where
+British soldiers have an opportunity of exhibiting these qualities, they
+are generally found in their possession.
+
+The 65th Regiment of Foot was stationed at Auckland at the commencement
+of the war in July 1863, and were about to return to England, when they
+were ordered to the front in search of the enemy.  For two months a
+detachment under the command of Captain Swift was posted at Fort
+Alexandra, in the neighbourhood of Cameron Town, where Mr Armitage, a
+magistrate, had his residence.
+
+On the 7th of September, news was brought to the fort that Mr Armitage,
+a few white men, and a large number of friendly natives residing near
+him, had been massacred by the enemy.
+
+Captain Swift, on hearing this, immediately set out, with Lieutenant
+Butler, Sergeant McKenna, two other sergeants, a bugler, and a party of
+fifty men, into the bush in pursuit of the foe.  Swamps were crossed,
+rivers forded, hills climbed, and dense woods penetrated, and other
+difficulties overcome, till towards the evening the gallant little band
+found themselves in an open space near the place where they expected to
+fall in with the enemy.  A party of ten were sent in advance to feel the
+way.
+
+The advance guard, however, lost the path, thus greatly reducing the
+main body.  Again they advanced, when, having reached another opening in
+which the savages had been encamped, they once more halted.  Hearing the
+sounds of the enemy's voices, they were advancing to chase them, when
+they found themselves exposed to a terrific fire from out of the bush on
+either side.  Captain Swift was the first to fall; and directly
+afterwards Lieutenant Butler, while bravely animating his men, and
+having shot three of the enemy, received his death-wound.  The command
+now devolved on Sergeant McKenna, who, leaving Corporal Ryan and two men
+with the wounded officers, with the rest of the force charged the enemy
+in the most spirited manner, and put them to flight.  A fresh position
+was again taken up in an opening, on the left and front of which the
+Maories had collected.  The sergeant, ordering his men to extend in
+skirmishing order across the opening, kept up a hot fire for a
+considerable time with the savages, bringing down some who had climbed
+up into trees for the purpose of taking more certain aim.
+
+Any wavering or disorder on the part of the soldiers would have caused
+their immediate destruction.  Their steady coolness alone seemed to
+overawe the natives, who, after losing several of their number, retired
+to a greater distance.  They still, however, kept up a fire at the
+little body of British, by which another man was killed.  Night was
+drawing on.  McKenna saw that the time for retreating had arrived.  He
+took his measures with admirable coolness and presence of mind.  He
+ordered the front rank of skirmishers to fire a volley, and, giving a
+loud cheer as if about to charge, to retire down the hill by a sheltered
+path through the bush.  The movement was executed with the utmost
+steadiness.  When they were established below, the rear rank performed
+the same manoeuvre, and, finding a stream of clear water, were able to
+refresh themselves.  They were not to retire unmolested.  They were
+again attacked by the Maories, numbering, it was ascertained, nearly 300
+men, who were, however, successfully driven back; and at eight o'clock
+the party commenced their arduous retreat through the bush, many of them
+severely wounded.  It would be impossible to describe fully the
+difficulties of that midnight march through the tangled bush, with
+bloodthirsty foes swarming on every side.  The judgment and coolness of
+the non-commissioned officers in charge of the party cannot be praised
+too highly.  It was not till eight o'clock in the morning that they came
+in sight of the redoubt, and met a body of 100 men marching to their
+relief.
+
+They then learned that Corporal Ryan and Privates Bulford and Talbot
+had, in the most devoted manner, remained with Captain Swift, after
+carrying him for some distance, till he died, and that the savages had
+at one time actually surrounded them, while they lay hid among the
+brushwood.  Not till he had breathed his last, and they had covered up
+his body with branches, did they think of seeking their own safety by
+making their way towards the redoubt.
+
+In the same truly devoted manner Privates Thomas and Cole had remained
+all the night with Lieutenant Butler.  The dying officer complained
+bitterly of the cold, and not only did the two brave fellows cover him
+up with their own greatcoats, but one of them, Thomas, took off his own
+serge shirt and put it on him.  They knew full well that their suffering
+superior would not live to report their conduct, or to reward them, and
+that very probably they would themselves be slaughtered by the savages.
+In the above narrative, we find an exhibition of courage, judgment,
+discipline, coolness, devotion, and affection rarely surpassed.
+Sergeant McKenna obtained the Victoria Cross and his commission.
+
+INCIDENTS OF A SKIRMISH IN NEW ZEALAND, IN THE WAR OF 1865,
+LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HAVELOCK COMMANDING.
+
+GALLANTRY OF CAPTAIN HEAPHY, A.R.V.
+
+That British militia and volunteers, when opportunity offers, possess no
+lack of gallantry, they have often given proof, especially in the Cape
+Colony and New Zealand.
+
+In the last war in New Zealand, Colonel Waddy, C.B., was in command of
+the advance force of the British, composed of regulars, militia, and
+volunteers, at Paterangi near a native pah or fort.
+
+Under him was serving Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock.
+
+To the right, facing the pah, at some distance from the camp, the river
+Mangapiko forms a complete bow or loop.  At the narrow end or knot there
+is an old native pah, with the river flowing on either side of it.
+Inside the loop at the broad end is a thick scrub, and here 100 Maories
+from the Paterangi pah had formed an ambush.
+
+A number of soldiers from the camp, unsuspicious of danger, had gone to
+the river to bathe directly opposite this scrub, there being a ford at
+the spot across the river.
+
+Immediately the natives began to fire on the bathers, the inlying
+pickets of the 40th and 50th Regiments turned out, a party under Major
+Bowdler going to the right to attack the natives retreating up that part
+of the river, while Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock, with the men he could
+collect, accompanied by Captain Fisher, Captain Heaphy, and Captain
+Jackson, marched rapidly on the left a considerable distance towards the
+old pah, to cut off the retreat of the natives who had formed the
+ambush, or to intercept any others who might come from Paterangi to
+their relief.  At the narrow end of the loop there was a deep gully,
+with an old canoe thrown over it as a bridge.
+
+While Major Bowdler's party were attacking the natives who had taken
+post in the old pah on one side, Captain Fisher led a few men across the
+bridge on the opposite side, followed by Captain Heaphy, who had
+collected some men of the 40th and 50th Regiments.  Large numbers of
+natives now came rushing up from Paterangi pah, and the fight became
+general over a wide extent of woody ground, the English soldiers often
+dashing forward incautiously at the enemy, and suffering considerably;
+Captain Fisher recrossing the bridge to repel the Maori reinforcements.
+Colonel Havelock, who had no arms, and Captain Heaphy were left with a
+few men in the midst of the enemy.  Captain Heaphy now shot a Maori,
+and, having secured his gun and pouch, gave Colonel Havelock his own
+breechloader and a few cartridges, continuing the fight himself with the
+Maori gun and ammunition.  Captain Jackson, when wading the river, shot
+a Maori who had snapped both barrels at him, and then, hauling the man
+to the bank, secured his gun and pouch.
+
+Meantime, Captain Fisher being hotly engaged and somewhat pressed by a
+large body of natives coming from Paterangi, Captain Heaphy collected a
+party of stragglers under fire, told them off into front and rear ranks,
+and, placing them under cover, directed their fire on the
+above-mentioned natives, who, receiving thus a cross fire, made no
+further headway.
+
+A series of hand-to-hand encounters took place during the fight about
+the old tree-covered pah, between the Maories, crouching in the thick
+bush, and the British, who showed a keen eagerness to dart at and close
+with their lurking enemies.  A private, Cassan of the 50th, having been
+desperately wounded, fell into one of the deep overgrown ditches near
+the pah, within reach of many Maories concealed there.  Captain Heaphy,
+on hearing of this, called for volunteers and hastened down for the
+purpose of bringing off the wounded soldier, though exposed to a hot
+fire from the enemy directly above him.  Two of his followers were shot
+dead, while five balls pierced his cap and clothes, and he was wounded
+in three places, providentially but slightly.  He remained by the man,
+to defend him from the enemy, till Assistant-Surgeon Stiles of the 40th
+Regiment joined him, when the poor fellow was brought off, though he
+died directly after.  Dr Stiles greatly exposed himself, and took great
+pains to get the wounded removed to the camp.
+
+When wounded, Captain Heaphy was urged by Colonel Havelock to go back to
+camp, but he remained in the skirmish to the end, after aiding Dr
+Stiles in attending to other wounded.  When the troops withdrew to camp
+after dark, while ten files of Major Von Tempsky's Rangers were covering
+the rear of the stretcher parties, he remained with them, only crossing
+the river with the last men.  At the very moment of fording the stream,
+a ball, passing between him and Colonel Havelock, struck a man of the
+40th farther in advance through the wrist, thus proving that the gallant
+Heaphy was under fire to the very end of the fight.  Few will dispute
+that this brave officer of the Auckland Volunteer Rifles, in addition to
+the majority he forthwith obtained, deserved as much as any man the
+honour of the Victoria Cross.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION--1867-1868.
+
+A glance at the map of Africa shows us Abyssinia situated at the south
+of Egypt, beyond Nubia, with the Red Sea on the east, and a wild and
+little-known country of arid and sandy desert on the west, and a still
+more mountainous and barbarous country to the south.  It has therefore
+long been considered a region inaccessible to an invading army.  On the
+north, the unhealthy plains and valleys of Nubia render its approach
+dangerous and difficult, while a range of lofty mountains, rugged and
+precipitous, and deep valleys run almost parallel with the sea, having
+at their base a dry and sandy region, destitute of water, and productive
+of fever and agues.  The centre of the country consists of lofty
+plateaus and rugged mountains, with deep valleys, lakes, and streams.
+The higher regions are healthy and fertile, but in the valleys, at
+certain seasons, pestilence destroys numbers who are subjected to its
+influence.
+
+Dark-skinned people, though of different tribes, inhabit this region.  A
+portion of the population who formerly dwelt in the eastern part of the
+country are Jews.  The ruling race are the Amharas, who are a warlike
+and intelligent people, but of cruel and bloodthirsty disposition.  They
+are Christians, having been converted about the fourth century, but
+their Christianity has been greatly corrupted.  The country has for
+centuries remained in a state of chronic disorder, the chiefs rebelling
+against the sovereign, and being in a constant state of warfare amongst
+themselves.  Notwithstanding, therefore, its many natural advantages, it
+has made no progress in civilisation or prosperity, and the great mass
+of the people are ignorant and barbarous in the extreme.  The chiefs,
+too, are often cruel, bloodthirsty, turbulent, and grasping.  Though
+their complexion is dark, their features are regular and handsome.  They
+wear their hair plaited and wound round their head, covered thickly with
+butter.  Their costume consists of drawers, a cotton shirt, with a white
+cotton-cloth cloak, called a shama, having a broad scarlet border, and,
+in addition, a lion-skin tippet with long tails.  On their right side
+hangs a curved sword in a red leather scabbard, and a richly ornamented
+hilt, while a hide shield, ornamented with gold filigree bosses, and
+with silver plates, is worn on the left arm, and a long spear is grasped
+in the right hand.  The most invincible enemies of the Amharas have been
+the heathen tribes of the Gallas, inhabiting the regions to the south of
+Abyssinia.  At the end of last century, however, one of their chiefs,
+Rass Guka, obtained possession of the person of the then puppet emperor,
+and assumed supreme power.  He outwardly conformed to the Christian
+religion, many of his people following his example.
+
+When in 1838 the Egyptian troops of Mahomed Ali attempted to invade
+Abyssinia, they were defeated by Dejatch Confu, chief of Kuara, who had
+a nephew, Kasa by name.  Kasa was deprived of his father at an early
+age, and his mother was reduced to a state of poverty, and compelled, it
+was said, to follow the humble calling of a kosso seller.  He was sent
+to a convent to be brought up as a priest or scribe, but the convent
+being attacked by a robber chief, who put most of the inmates to the
+sword, Kasa escaped to the castle of his powerful uncle.  Here,
+listening to the conversation of various chiefs, he imbibed an
+enthusiastic love of war and daring exploits.  On the death of his
+uncle, his cousins quarrelled.  He sided with the eldest, was defeated,
+and became a robber chief.  At length he unfurled the standard of
+rebellion, under the pretence of checking oppression and restraining
+violence.  The queen of the usurping semi-Christian Galla race, of whom
+we have just spoken, long hated in the land, sent an army against him.
+Her troops were, however, speedily defeated.  Finding that force would
+not prevail against him, the wily sovereign hoped to entrap him by
+guile, and offered him her granddaughter in marriage, having instructed
+the young lady how to betray him.  The princess, however, admiring his
+character, became a most faithful wife, warning him of all the plots
+contrived for his destruction.  At length the treacherous queen and her
+son, Kasa's father-in-law, were defeated in a pitched battle, and fled
+from the country.  Kasa had still several chiefs and provinces to
+conquer.  The most important province was that of Tigre, governed by a
+warrior, Dejatch Oulie, whose army awaited him drawn up on the heights
+of Gemien.  On the 3rd of February 1856 was fought one of the most
+desperate battles in the annals of Abyssinian warfare.  It resulted in
+favour of Kasa, who was crowned under the name of King Theodorus.  Many
+a battle had still to be fought; and King Theodore, as we will call him,
+lost not a moment in endeavouring to quell rebellion.  He now became
+sovereign of Tigre and Amhara, the principal provinces of Abyssinia.
+Not content, however, with the power he had gained, his great ambition
+was to conquer the Galla tribes, whom he treated with the greatest
+cruelty.  Having reduced many of them to a temporary submission, he
+marched towards Tigre, where a rebellion had broken out.  Here also he
+was victorious, but he treated those he had conquered in so barbarous a
+way, that he made enemies of the chiefs in all directions.  It was about
+this time that a number of missionaries were sent into the country, for
+the purpose of preaching the gospel to the Jewish Falashas, at the
+instigation of Bishop Gobat, of Jerusalem.  The principal one was the
+Reverend Mr Stern, an English clergyman, who was accompanied by several
+German missionaries and their wives.  In the camp of the king there were
+also a number of artisans of various nations, some of whom were engaged
+by the king to manufacture cannon and muskets.  Mr Stern, on returning
+to England, wrote an interesting volume, in which he made some
+disparaging remarks on King Theodore.  The book unfortunately found its
+way into the country, and these remarks were translated to the king.  He
+had previously written a letter to the Queen of England, which for a
+long time remained unanswered.  This and other circumstances greatly
+excited his anger; at the same time, he suspected that the English were
+disposed to assist the Egyptians, who he thought purposed invading his
+country.  The English Government, desirous of cultivating friendly
+relations with Abyssinia, had appointed Captain Cameron as consul to
+that country.  He was stationed at Massowa, on the shores of the Red
+Sea.  During an expedition into the interior, he was seized by Theodore,
+in revenge for the insult he considered he had received, the king having
+also thrown Mr Stern and some of the other missionaries into prison.
+At length Mr Rassam was sent as ambassador to King Theodore, in hopes
+of obtaining the release of the prisoners.  He was accompanied by
+Lieutenant Prideaux and Dr Blanc.  At the very moment that it appeared
+the king was about to release the prisoners, Mr Rassam and his
+companions were themselves seized and treated with the greatest
+indignity.  In vain every attempt was made by the English Government to
+obtain their release.  Theodore would listen to no expostulations, and
+at length it was resolved to send an English army to compel him to
+deliver them up, although the difficulties of the undertaking were
+well-known.  Never was an expedition undertaken for a more generous
+object or with purer motives.  It was simply for the release of the
+captives.  The thought of conquest or the acquisition of territory did
+not for a moment enter into the views of the British Cabinet.  The work
+to be done was to march an army of some thousand men a distance of 400
+miles across a mountainous and little-known region, inhabited by tribes
+who might prove hostile, to the fortress in which the king had confined
+certain British subjects, and to compel him to release them.  The
+persons, both military and civil, who were believed to be the best able
+to carry it out, were selected without favouritism or party
+consideration of any sort.  Colonel Merewether, an officer of known
+talent, was appointed to make the preliminary preparations, and to
+select the spot best suited for the base of operations.  The
+reconnoitring party selected a place called Mulkutto, in Annesley Bay,
+on the shores of the Red Sea, for that object.  In the previous month,
+Sir Robert Napier, then Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army, was
+appointed to command the Abyssinian expedition, and Major-General Sir
+Charles Staveley was nominated as second in command, with a force under
+them of 4000 British and 8000 native troops.  The reconnoitring party
+consisted of the 10th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry, the 3rd
+Regiment of Bombay Cavalry, a mountain train of four guns, with native
+gunners, and two companies of Bombay Sappers.  Associated with Colonel
+Merewether were Colonel Phayre, Quartermaster-General of the Bombay
+Army, and Colonel Wilkins, of the Royal Engineers.
+
+The first work of importance was the construction of a landing-pier, the
+beach being too gradually shelving to allow of landing without it.  In a
+short time a pier was run out for 300 yards, where there was a depth of
+five feet at low-water spring tides, and a tramway was laid down from
+its head to some way up the beach, for bringing up stores.  Wells were
+also dug, and the surrounding country carefully examined for water.
+Exploring expeditions were also made for a considerable distance, under
+a blazing tropical sun overhead, through a wild and unknown region.  On
+the 21st of October, the advance brigade arrived, under command of
+Colonel Field.  H.M.S. _Satellite_ also reached the bay, with apparatus
+for condensing sea-water, and she and other, steamers were able in a
+short time to produce 32,000 gallons a day, which was conveyed on shore
+by pipes raised on trestles above the sea.  Officers also were sent in
+all directions to purchase mules and other beasts of burden for the
+transport service.  A friendly understanding was soon established with
+the Shoho tribes, who gladly undertook to furnish guides and to convey
+stores into the interior.  Friendly relations were also established with
+several powerful chiefs then in rebellion against Theodore, and who
+gladly offered all the assistance in their power.  Sir Charles Staveley
+now arrived with a brigade which had been embarked at Scinde, under
+Brigadier-General Collins, consisting of the 33rd Regiment, the G 14
+Armstrong battery of six 12-pounder guns, under Captain Murray, the
+Beloochee regiments, and 3rd Scinde Horse.  On the 3rd of January 1868,
+Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, Commander-in-Chief of the
+expedition, arrived on board H.M.S. _Octavia_.  He expressed his
+satisfaction at the progress made by the expedition, which had now
+obtained a firm footing on the highlands of Abyssinia.  A convenient
+port had been established on the desert shore; a road for cart traffic
+had been formed through a difficult mountain pass; the most determined
+robbers, the Shohos, had been turned into useful assistants; and an
+advance force had already gained the Abyssinian plateau, and friendly
+relations had been secured with the principal chiefs ruling over the
+territories up to Magdala itself.  It must be understood that some time
+before this the British and other prisoners had been sent by Theodore to
+the fortress of Magdala, to reach which was therefore the main object of
+the expedition.  Two plans were now open to Sir Robert Napier for the
+conduct of the campaign: one was, relying on the friendliness of the
+people for keeping communications open with his base, to push forward
+and attack Theodore on his flank march before he could reach Magdala,
+and thus prevent the prisoners again falling into his power.  Sir
+Robert, however, considered that in order to make any real and permanent
+advance, he must be entirely independent of the resources of the
+country, and that he should not have a force of much less than 10,000
+men, with six months' supplies stored at Senafe; that Theodore might at
+any time abandon his guns should he hear of his approach, and push
+forward to Magdala, which he could quickly reach without them.  It was
+believed, however, that this he would never attempt doing, as it was the
+prestige of those guns which served as his only protection from being
+attacked and overwhelmed by the numerous rebel forces surrounding him.
+This latter plan, however, was not adhered to.  Great efforts were made
+to improve the transport train.  Owing to the want of care and barbarity
+of the natives who had been brought from India, a large number of the
+mules and camels died, but fresh supplies continued to arrive, and the
+whole organisation of the transport train was entrusted to Major Warden,
+who served in the same department in the Crimea.  By the time the
+campaign was over, there was a corps of 12,000 muleteers, 400 native and
+160 European inspectors, and 80 commissioned officers.  The most
+difficult piece of work to be accomplished was the conveyance of the
+artillery, next to the transport organisation.  The guns and equipments
+were brought from England by Lieutenants Nolan and Chapman, who had
+prepared everything at Mulkutto for two batteries, A and B 21, the
+officers and men of which came from India.  The guns were conveyed
+athwart-ships on mules, and they, with the ammunition and equipments for
+the two batteries, required go mules for their carriage.  This may give
+some idea of the number of animals required for the work.  A Naval
+Brigade, consisting of 80 men, with two rocket tubes, commanded by
+Captain Fellowes of the _Dryad_, was also organised.  The advance force
+halted in a beautiful district near Adigerat, upwards of 8500 feet above
+the sea.  From this they pushed on to Antalo, where they halted for
+nearly a month, in consequence of having to wait for a supply of
+dollars, without which no purchases could be made.  At length, on the
+12th of March, the march to Magdala really commenced.  Colonel Phayre
+led the advance force, accompanied by a pioneer force consisting of two
+companies of the 33rd, two of native sappers, one of Punjaub Pioneers,
+and 80 sabres of native cavalry; the whole commanded by Captain Field,
+of the 10th Native Infantry.  The rest of the force was divided into two
+brigades, under Sir Charles Staveley.  With the first brigade marched
+the Commander-in-Chief and headquarters.  It consisted of the 33rd
+Regiment, two companies of Beloochees, the head-quarter wing of the 10th
+Bombay Native Infantry, the 10th company of Royal Engineers, a battery
+of mountain guns, and the Scinde Horse.  The second brigade was composed
+of the 4th Regiment, a wing of the Beloochees, a company of sappers,
+Punjaub Pioneers, Naval Brigade, and Armstrong guns, and two mortars
+with elephants, the B battery of mountain guns, and the 3rd Bombay
+Cavalry.  Sir Charles Staveley and his staff marched with this brigade.
+The road before them was rough and mountainous in the extreme, with
+difficult passes, mountain torrents to be crossed, and often lofty
+overhanging rocks above their heads.  Frequently, before the first
+brigade could advance, the roads had to be made practicable for mules
+and carts.  The 33rd Regiment distinguished itself by the persevering
+way in which the men laboured, often going out as grass-cutters, laying
+out the camp, and working hard at road-making, along the whole line.
+All superfluous baggage had been sent to the rear.  The camp equipage
+now consisted of small bell-tents only, without tables, chairs,
+bedsteads, luggage, or any of the usual comforts of camp life.  The
+rations were of the roughest and most unvarying description; seldom
+anything but tough beef and chowpatties were eaten, the
+Commander-in-Chief enjoying no greater luxuries than the private
+soldier.  During the halts the men were employed on the roads, and often
+even on marching days.  For 17 days the force pushed on from the Buya
+camp, near Antalo, to the Wadela plateau, a distance of 118 miles,
+during which they crossed no less than six formidable ranges of
+mountains.  Perhaps the severest march of the campaign was one performed
+on the 24th of March, from Marawa to Dildi, on the banks of the Tellare,
+a distance of 16 miles, up and down the steep spurs of the Lasta
+mountains.  Starting soon after eight in the morning, with a long train
+of mules, they had to scramble up and down the rugged, tree-covered
+mountain-sides, the 33rd Regiment carrying, in addition to their arms, a
+heavy weight of blankets and waterproofs.  Towards the end of it rain
+came on, and during some hours of the night the men came straggling in,
+footsore, hungry, and wet, and complaining not a little of their
+hardships.
+
+The cold, too, was severe on that high ground after sunset.  All
+luxuries about this time also began to fall short.  No spirits remained,
+and but a small quantity of tea and compressed vegetables.  Magdala was
+almost reached.  The country now appeared open and covered with grass;
+long stages of grassy hill and dale, with occasional rocky ridges, and
+here and there among the hills a lovely lake, with streams and narrow
+valleys, formed the general aspect of the country.  Round Magdala,
+situated itself on a high rock, rose numerous peaks and saddles above
+the large plateau on which it stands.  They form a curve, Magdala being
+at the east end, and a peak called Sallasye at its base, and a smaller
+plateau called Fala at the south-west end.  Sallasye and Magdala are
+connected by a saddle about a mile long called Islamgye, bounded on
+either flank by scarped precipices with sides below sloping rapidly down
+to the ravines, and covered with trees and bushes, some of the ravines
+nearly 3000 feet below the fortress.  Meantime, Theodore was advancing
+towards Magdala, having burnt his capital of Debra Tabor, likewise
+forming roads up the steep sides of mountains and across deep ravines
+for the transport of his heavy guns, on which he mainly depended for the
+success of his arms, with a force under him of about 6000 soldiers, a
+host of camp followers, and several European workmen.  By the 18th of
+March his army had reached Arogye.  At this time there were in Magdala
+the whole of the British prisoners, as well as 570 natives, many of them
+chiefs.  Some days afterwards, the king sent for Mr Rassam, Lieutenant
+Prideaux, and Dr Blanc to visit him, and treated them with courtesy,
+but the very next day in a drunken fit he ordered nearly 200 of his
+native prisoners to be murdered.  Some he killed with his own hands,
+others were thrown over the precipice of Islamgye.  A letter was next
+addressed by Sir Robert Napier to the king, demanding the liberation of
+the captives.  To this no answer was sent.  On the 8th of April, two
+brigades of the British army encamped on the Delanta plateau, in full
+view of the heights of Magdala.  By the night of the 9th all
+preparations were completed for storming the fortress.  Theodore had
+posted his army, consisting of 3000 soldiers armed with percussion guns,
+a host of spearmen, and several pieces of ordnance, on the flat-topped
+hill of Fala.  Here he had come to conquer, as he thought it possible,
+with his cherished guns, or to die should he meet with defeat.  Between
+the armies was the plain of Arogye.  In front rose, more than 1000 feet
+above it, the lofty stronghold of the tyrant.  To the left of Fala
+appeared the lofty peak of Sallasye, the two being connected by a lower
+saddle.  The British army consisted of 3733 men, of whom 460 were
+cavalry.  They had two batteries of steel mountain guns, a battery of
+four Armstrong 12-pounder guns, and two mortars, besides which many of
+the troops were armed with the deadly Snider rifle, against which the
+weapons of the Abyssinians were almost useless.  The Naval Brigade of 80
+men were armed also with deadly rockets, especially calculated to create
+a panic among such troops as the Abyssinians.  The greater part of the
+day had passed, and Sir Robert had no intention of commencing an action,
+when, at forty-two minutes past four in the afternoon of the 10th of
+April, a gun was fired from the crest of Fala, 1200 feet above the
+Arogye plain.  A few rounds followed, plunging into the ground close to
+the British, when several thousand men, the flower of Theodore's army,
+rushed impetuously over the crest of the hill down the precipitous
+slopes, yelling defiance, led by their chiefs on sure-footed Galla
+ponies.  While the main body advanced across the plain, a large
+detachment hastened to attack the baggage train of the British on one
+side.
+
+Immediately the Naval Brigade opened upon them with their rockets, while
+Sir Charles Staveley moved the infantry of his brigade down to the
+plain, the Snider rifles keeping up a fire against which the Abyssinians
+could not for a moment stand.  Unable to get within range themselves,
+they were mown down in lines.  Their old general, Fitaurari Gabriye, led
+them on again and again, but he soon fell, shot through the head; and
+night coming on, the shattered remnant retired towards the Fala saddle,
+still shouting defiance.  Colonel Milward, who accompanied Penn's
+battery, had opened fire on the left, while Chamberlain with his
+pioneers drove back the enemy who were attacking the baggage train.
+They still, however, persevered, but were finally checked by the baggage
+guard, consisting of two companies of the 4th under Captain Roberts.  As
+the Abyssinian army retreated, Captain Fellowes and his bluejackets took
+up a fresh position farther in advance, sending their rockets into the
+flying crowd as they ascended the hillside.  Of the Abyssinian force,
+nearly 800 were killed and 1500 wounded, most of the survivors flying in
+all directions, few returning to Magdala; while of the British force,
+Captain Roberts and six men of the 4th, twelve Punjaub Pioneers, and one
+Bombay sapper alone were wounded, two of them mortally.  The first
+brigade encamped on the Aficho plateau, without food, water, fires, or
+tents, while the second formed their camp on the plain of Arogye.
+Meantime Theodore, who had hitherto always headed his own troops,
+remained on the heights watching the combat.  As night came on, and
+claps of thunder resounded over his head, he paced the ground at the
+foot of the Sallasye peak, waiting the return of his chiefs and
+soldiers.  He called for his faithful old general Gabriye, but no answer
+came; for other trusted leaders,--there was no reply.  He now saw that
+all hope of victory was gone.  He must yield to the demands of an
+irresistible enemy or die.  Fearful must have been the anxiety of the
+prisoners.  Any moment he might have sent to order their destruction.
+Providentially, however, he resolved to try and obtain the friendship of
+the English by delivering up the captives.  Lieutenant Prideaux and Mr
+Flad were sent into the English camp to propose terms.  The English
+general, however, would offer none short of an unconditional surrender,
+guaranteeing, however, honourable treatment for the king and his family.
+On their return across the field of battle, the body of the old General
+Gabriye was found.  He was lying flat on his back, with his arms
+stretched out, habited in a rich shirt of scarlet and gold.  A Snider
+rifle bullet had passed through his temples.  The dead and dying thickly
+strewn about had frightful wounds, many with half their skulls taken
+off.  On the arrival of two envoys, the king was found sitting on the
+brow of Sallasye.  He immediately sent them back to the English camp
+with a document he had been dictating, refusing to deliver himself up.
+Soon after their departure, he put a pistol to his head, but the bullet
+was turned aside by his attendants.  The king after this appears to have
+resolved to live, and to have conceived the hope of obtaining peace by
+releasing his captives.  Many of his chiefs, however, had advised him to
+kill them, and fight to the last.  One alone--Basha Abito--urged that
+they should be preserved, lest a terrible vengeance should be exacted by
+their countrymen.  Immediately the king had arrived at this decision, he
+ordered one of his officers to escort Mr Rassam and all the prisoners
+at once to the English camp, believing, no doubt, that by so doing
+acceptable terms would be secured for him.  Meantime Sir Robert Napier
+had sent Lieutenant Prideaux back with a message to the king,
+reiterating the contents of his former letter.  The gallant young
+officer knew perfectly well the fearful risk he was running.  Happily he
+encountered a German workman, who informed him of the release of the
+captives, when he and Mr Flad returned to the camp.  The released
+prisoners were Mr Rassam, Dr Blanc, Lieutenant Prideaux, Consul
+Cameron, Mr Stern the missionary, Mr Flad, Mr and Mrs Rosenthal,
+young Kerans, secretary to Captain Cameron, and Pietro, an Italian
+servant.  As may be supposed, they received the warmest welcome in the
+camp, and every attention was paid to them.  The king now made another
+attempt at reconciliation, by sending a present of cattle.  On finding
+that this was refused, he seems to have given way to despair.  Having
+spent the night on Islamgye, he summoned his soldiers, and ordered those
+not prepared to share his fortunes to the last to provide for their own
+safety.  The whole army immediately disbanded, a few chiefs and personal
+followers only answering his call.  After this he seems to have wished
+to make his escape, but he was cut off by the British on one side, while
+the Gallas were eagerly watching on the other to capture him.  On seeing
+the English advancing up Islamgye, he mounted his favourite horse Hamra,
+and, followed by some of his chiefs, furiously galloped up and down in
+circles, firing off his rifle as a challenge, perhaps wishing that some
+kind bullet might at the moment end his career.  Probably he experienced
+a peculiar pleasure at that desperate moment in displaying his
+horsemanship and other soldierlike qualities.  As the British advanced
+and opened fire, he was compelled to abandon his guns and retreat into
+Magdala, followed by the few chiefs who had remained faithful.  Part of
+the British army now took possession of the heights of Islamgye, while a
+party of the 33rd Regiment, the 10th company of Royal Engineers, and a
+company of Madras sappers were ordered to assault the Koket-bir gate of
+the fortress.  The guns from Islamgye and the Fala saddle opened fire,
+and continued it during the afternoon.  The ascent to the fortress, or
+amba, as it is called, was by an excessively steep and narrow path,
+amidst large boulders, with perpendicular black cliffs on the right.
+The Koket-bir gate consisted of a rough stone gateway 15 feet deep, with
+folding wooden doors.  On either side the approach was defended by a
+thick hedge with stakes.  Seventy feet higher up there was a second
+hedge, and another gate opening on the flat summit of the amba.  As the
+British soldiers climbed up the rocky path, firing rapidly with their
+Sniders, they received a dropping fire in return, by which seven men
+were wounded and a few others slightly injured.  The 33rd then made a
+dash at the hedge, climbed over it, and opened the door from the inside,
+when the rest of the storming party rushed in.  The dead bodies of a few
+chiefs, richly dressed, were found lying in a heap inside the gate, but
+no enemy appeared.  Deserted by most of his followers, the king, after
+attempting to pile up large stones against the inside of the gate, took
+his seat on the rocks between the two gates, surrounded by his friends,
+watching the English guns with his glass.  When the assault commenced,
+he and nine who had remained with him commenced firing at the English.
+By a volley fired into the little band, most of those who had hitherto
+survived were wounded.  Theodore on this retired to some huts on the
+amba, about 50 yards from the second gate.  Here, dismissing his
+remaining followers, he turned to his body-servant, Walda Gabir, saying
+that, sooner than fall into the hands of his enemies, he would kill
+himself.  Then, putting a pistol to his mouth, he fired it, and fell
+dead.  The bullet had passed through the roof of his mouth and through
+the back of his head.  This was at about 4:10 p.m.
+
+Some prisoners who had escaped pointed out the body of the king to the
+English.  It was now put into a litter, and brought to Sir Charles
+Staveley.  It appears that Theodore had eaten nothing for four days,
+supported only by tej and drams of araki.  He was of medium stature,
+well-built, broad chest, small waist, and muscular limbs, his complexion
+being dark even for an Abyssinian, though with a finely cut aquiline
+nose, with a low bridge, his thin lips telling of his cruel disposition.
+He was in his 50th year and the 15th of his reign.  The level area of
+the now well-known fortress was almost entirely covered with well-built
+circular thatched huts, most of them surrounded by a hedge or wall.  The
+king's own house, in which the Queen Terunish and her little boy
+resided, was an oblong building of two storeys.  Other buildings were
+attached to it, with a sort of summer-house commanding a magnificent
+view of the country.  Amidst the houses was a church in miserable
+condition; indeed, Magdala was not considered Christian ground, being in
+the territory of the heathen Gallas.  The whole town contained about
+3000 persons.  The body of the king, having been embalmed, was buried by
+the Abyssinian priests, within the precincts of this wretched church, a
+small guard of the 33rd attending to keep order.  The grave was shallow,
+and soon covered in with stones, and the surface strewn with straw.  The
+queen came for protection to the British camp, and expressed her wish
+that the English would take charge of her son.  She, however, died on
+the march, and her young son remained under charge of the English, by
+whom he has been brought up and educated.  The huts in Magdala were
+burned, the gates of the fortress were blown up, and all the guns, to
+the number of 37, collected by Theodore, were burst.
+
+The return march was performed as successfully as the advance, and
+before the end of the month of June the last man of the expedition had
+departed from Annesley Bay.  The larger body returned to India, while
+the Commander-in-chief sailed in the _Feroze_ for England.  A peerage, a
+Grand Cross of the Bath, and a pension were conferred upon Sir Robert
+Napier; and two Knight Commanderships and 27 Companionships of the same
+order were bestowed on other officers; while 15 colonelcies, 18
+Lieutenant-Colonelcies, and 13 majorities were distributed among the
+other officers of the expedition.  The Abyssinian Expedition will ever
+be remembered for the judgment and forethought exercised in its
+preparation, the perseverance and energy of the officers employed, and
+the admirable conduct of the men.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+THE ASHANTEE WAR--1873-1874.
+
+On that part of the West coast of Africa which runs east and west,
+extending from the Bight of Benin to Cape Palmas, a portion being known
+as the Gold Coast, are situated a number of forts, some of which
+belonged to the Dutch and Danes, who lately ceded them to the British
+Government.
+
+The principal fort is Cape Coast Castle, and to the west of it is the
+late Dutch fort of Elmina.
+
+The largest river in this part of Africa is the Prah, which, running for
+some distance from the north-east to the south-west, takes an almost due
+southerly course, and falls into the sea about 20 miles west of Cape
+Coast Castle.  The whole region is almost entirely covered by dense
+scrub or lofty trees, with a thick undergrowth of shrubs and creepers,
+through which it is impossible to pass, unless where native paths exist
+or a way has been cut by the axe of the pioneer; while in all directions
+marshes exist, emitting exhalations destructive to the health and lives
+of Europeans exposed to their noxious influences.
+
+The Ashantees, a large and warlike tribe who had fought their way from
+the interior, established themselves early in the last century to the
+north and west of the Prah, and founded Coomassie as their capital,
+about 140 miles to the north of Cape Coast Castle.  Having devastated
+the country by fire and sword, they soon after annexed the greater part
+of Denkera to their kingdom, driving the surviving inhabitants to the
+south-east, where they are at present settled near the Swat River, which
+falls into the sea between Cape Coast Castle and Elmina.
+
+The country between Cape Coast Castle and the Prah is inhabited by the
+Fantis, a tribe which, although at one time warlike, have greatly
+degenerated.  Neither the Dutch nor the English have attempted to subdue
+any of the neighbouring tribes; and though the people residing in the
+immediate vicinity of the forts have been friendly, the Europeans have
+throughout their occupancy been subject to serious attacks from the
+savages in the neighbourhood.
+
+The most formidable of these foes have been the Ashantees, who have on
+several occasions threatened Cape Coast Castle, and numbers of the
+garrison marching out to drive them back have been cut off.
+
+The Fantis have been, since the commencement of this century, constantly
+attacked by the Ashantees, and in 1820 they placed themselves under the
+protection of England.  A fatal expedition for their defence was
+undertaken in 1824 by Sir Charles Macarthy, who, crossing the Prah with
+a small force without waiting for the main body of his troops, being
+deserted by the Fantis and surrounded by the Ashantees, was with all his
+forces cut to pieces, three white men only escaping.
+
+This and other successes over our native allies induced the reigning
+king of Ashantee, Coffee Calcalli, to hold the British power in
+contempt.  The barbarous customs of the Ashantees almost surpass
+conception.  Their religion is the grossest fetishism.  Human life is
+utterly disregarded; and thousands of slaves are yearly slaughtered as
+sacrifices by the king, their bodies being thrown into a vast pit in the
+neighbourhood of his palace.  In 1873, this black potentate having made
+alliances with the chiefs of other tribes, sent a large Ashantee force
+across the Prah, with the avowed intention of capturing Elmina, which he
+asserted the Dutch had no right to dispose of to the English.
+Destroying the Fanti villages in their course, they advanced to within a
+few days' march of Cape Coast Castle.  Every effort was made by Colonel
+Harley, who was then in command there, to induce the Fantis to withstand
+the enemy, while he collected such forces as were available for their
+support.  One of the bravest and most disciplined races in that part of
+Africa are the Houssas, a body of whom were at once obtained from Lagos,
+and who, with some companies of the 2nd West India Regiment and a body
+of Fanti police, were marched to the front, under the command of
+Lieutenant Hopkins.
+
+The Fantis, however, though far more numerous than their invaders, took
+to flight, and the force which had been sent to their assistance had to
+return.
+
+The Ashantees now took possession of Dunquah, from whence they moved to
+the east towards Denkera.  As serious apprehensions were entertained
+that both Elmina and Cape Coast Castle would be attacked, the English
+Government sent out H.M.S. _Barracouta_, Captain Fremantle, with a
+detachment of no marines, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
+Festing, of the Royal Marine Artillery.
+
+They landed at Cape Coast Castle on the 9th of June, when Colonel
+Festing assumed command of the troops on the coast, and Captain
+Fremantle became senior naval officer on the station.  Martial law was
+proclaimed; and as the inhabitants of the native town of Elmina showed a
+disposition to revolt, on the refusal of the chiefs to give up their
+arms the place was bombarded and set on fire, the rebels making their
+escape.  A large body of Ashantees, two or three thousand strong, now
+approached Elmina, when they were gallantly attacked by Colonel Festing
+with the marines, and a party of bluejackets under Captain Fremantle,
+some men of the 2nd West India Regiment, and a body of Houssas.
+
+The enemy advanced boldly along the plain, and were about to outflank
+the British force on the right, when Lieutenant Wells, R.N., of the
+_Barracouta_, attacked them with a heavy fire of Sniders, and drove them
+back, on which Colonel Festing, ordering the advance of the whole line,
+repulsed the enemy, who left 200 men dead on the field.
+
+This was the first of several actions which ensued; but it was very
+evident that no adequate punishment could be inflicted on King Coffee
+and his subjects unless by a strong body of disciplined troops.  This
+was the opinion of all the principal officers acquainted with the
+country.  The British Government, however, not being at first thoroughly
+satisfied of the necessity of sending out troops from England, appointed
+Sir Garnet Wolseley, who had displayed his abilities as a general in the
+Red River Expedition, to proceed to Cape Coast Castle, with a
+well-selected staff of officers, and to make his report.
+
+One of the most active officers at this time was Lieutenant Gordon, who
+had raised and drilled a body of Houssas, with whom he rendered good
+service during the war.  He now formed a redoubt at the village of
+Napoleon, about five miles from Cape Coast, and several others being
+thrown up, the intermediate country to the south was well protected.  A
+further body of marines arrived by the _Simoom_.
+
+In the meantime Commodore Commerell, who had arrived in the
+_Rattlesnake_ from the Cape of Good Hope, made an excursion with several
+other officers up the Prah, to communicate with the chiefs residing on
+its banks.
+
+Having had an interview with the chiefs he found near the mouth of the
+river, he led his fleet of boats about a mile and a half up, when,
+without any warning, an enemy concealed in the bush opened a heavy fire
+on them.  The commodore was badly wounded, and Captains Luxmoore and
+Helden were also severely hurt, as were several of the men.  On this the
+commodore ordered the return of the boats to the _Rattlesnake_, when the
+town of Chamah was at once bombarded, and quickly destroyed.
+
+In this unfortunate affair four men were killed and sixteen wounded,
+while so severe was Commodore Commerell's wound, that he was ordered
+immediately to return to the Cape.
+
+Space will not allow a description of the numerous engagements with the
+enemy, in which all the officers employed exhibited the greatest courage
+and endurance, although none surpassed Lieutenant Gordon and his Houssas
+in the services they rendered.
+
+On the 2nd October, Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived at Cape Coast Castle in
+the _Ambris_, having previously touched at Sierra Leone, and made
+arrangements with the governor for raising men from the various tribes
+along the coast; steps were also immediately taken to form an army of
+Fantis.  The major-general, however, was soon convinced that the attempt
+was hopeless; and, after a month's experience of the native forces he
+was able to collect, supported as they were by marines, bluejackets, and
+West India regiments, he wrote home requesting that the regiments which
+had been selected might be immediately sent out.
+
+In the meantime, Captain Glover, formerly of the navy, who had served as
+administrator of the Government at Lagos, proposed a plan to raise a
+force of 10,000 natives, and to march from the east on Coomassie, the
+base of operations being on the river Volta, on which some
+steam-launches and canoes were to be placed.  Captain Glover's plan
+being sanctioned, he at once proceeded out with the officers he had
+selected to act under him.
+
+He was now busily employed in raising the proposed troops, which, from a
+thorough knowledge of the people, he succeeded in doing in the most
+complete manner.
+
+One of Sir Garnet Wolseley's first exploits was a well-conducted attack
+on several of the villages in the neighbourhood of Elmina held by the
+Ashantees.  Keeping his plan secret until the moment the march was
+commenced, he was able to surprise the enemy, who, however, stood their
+ground until put to flight by the rockets and the Snider rifle.  Several
+officers and men were, however, wounded--Colonel McNeill badly in the
+wrist, as was also Captain Fremantle.
+
+The seamen and marines had been up all night, and marched 21 miles under
+a burning sun, yet there were only two cases of sunstroke, and only four
+men were admitted to hospital the following day.
+
+Captain Rait and Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, of the Royal Artillery, had
+drilled a number of Houssas as gunners for Gatling guns and rockets, who
+afterwards rendered admirable service.
+
+Besides Captain Rait's artillery, two efficient regiments had been
+formed of between 400 and 500 men each, from the bravest tribes, the one
+under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, the other under that of
+Major Russell.  Both these corps were well drilled by experienced
+English officers, and on all occasions exhibited the greatest bravery.
+
+So well-conducted were the attacks made on the Ashantee forces which had
+invaded the Fanti territory, that at length, towards the end of October,
+they broke up their camp and began to retreat over the Prah.  They were
+closely pursued; but many of the native allies, as on other occasions,
+refusing to proceed, the difficulty of carrying on reconnaissances fell
+mostly on the English officers.
+
+In this work Lord Gifford especially distinguished himself.  Colonel
+Festing commanded the force employed in the pursuit.  He had with him
+Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, in charge of eight Houssas of Rait's
+artillery.  While pushing on gallantly in front, Lieutenant Wilmot was
+wounded in the arm, yet in spite of this he continued under fire, until
+an hour later he was shot through the heart; and Colonel Festing, when
+bringing in his body from where it was lying, was wounded by a slug in
+the hip.
+
+Abrakrampa, one of the British advance posts, was garrisoned by the
+black regiment commanded by Major Russell, who had with him also a party
+of marines and bluejackets.  He had received orders to send the latter
+back to Cape Coast, but just as they were about to march he received
+information that his camp would certainly be attacked.  The report
+proved to be true.  The enemy came on in great force; but each time that
+they attempted to break out of the bush, they were driven back by the
+hot fire kept up by the little garrison.
+
+Major Russell immediately despatched a requisition for assistance, when
+a body of marines and bluejackets from the ships in the roads were
+landed and sent off.  The Ashantees again and again renewed the attack,
+but were each time driven back.
+
+The British force marching to the relief of the place suffered greatly
+from fatigue.  They arrived, however, in time to assist in driving back
+the enemy, who now retreated towards the Prah at a more rapid rate than
+heretofore.  While in pursuit of the enemy, large numbers of the native
+allies again took to flight, proving how utterly unreliable they were.
+
+Sir Garnet Wolseley's chief object now was, having driven the enemy
+before him, to construct a road in the direction of Coomassie, and
+prepare halting-places for the European troops which were soon expected
+out.
+
+Sickness, however, rendered a considerable number of the English
+officers incapable of duty.
+
+The pursuit of the enemy by the force under Colonel Wood was especially
+harassing work.  He and many of his officers were suffering from fever.
+The Ashantees frequently halted and fired on their pursuers, though on
+each occasion driven back.
+
+As many bluejackets as could be spared from the ships were now landed,
+and several officers arrived out from England.  The major-general was
+able to report on the 15th December 1873--"That the first phase of this
+war had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion by a few companies of
+the 2nd West India Regiment, Rait's artillery, Gordon's Houssas, and
+Wood's and Russell's regiments, admirably conducted by the British
+officers belonging to them, without the assistance of any English troops
+except the marines and bluejackets, who were on the station on his
+arrival."  The Fanti country being cleared, a road towards the Prah was
+now energetically pushed forward.  It was 12 feet wide, cleared of
+stumps or roots, swamps were either drained or avoided, or causeways
+made over them, and all the streams were bridged.  This task was
+confided to Major Home, of the Royal Engineers.
+
+The rough clearing of the first 25 miles had, however, already been
+performed by Lieutenant Gordon.
+
+Stations were selected, and huts erected for the accommodation of the
+troops, and for stores and provisions.  Means were taken to secure an
+ample supply of water, either by digging wells or from streams in the
+neighbourhood.  At Prahsu the river Prah makes a sharp bend, within
+which a large camp was formed, with shelter for 2000 European troops, an
+hospital, and storehouses.  Complete arrangements were made for the
+accommodation of the sick.  The great difficulty was to obtain native
+carriers, who frequently deserted as soon as they were collected; and it
+was not until some time had passed that the transport service could be
+arranged in a satisfactory manner.
+
+The plan which the major-general had arranged for the campaign was as
+follows:--The main body, consisting of three battalions of European
+troops, the Naval Brigade, Wood's and Russell's regiments and Rait's
+artillery, was to advance from Prahsu by the Coomassie road.  On the
+extreme right, a native force under Captain Glover was to cross the Prah
+near Assum, and, as a connecting link between him and the main body, a
+column composed of natives, under the command of Captain Butler, 69th
+Regiment, was to cross the same river lower down; while, on the extreme
+left, another column of natives, commanded by Captain Dalrymple of the
+88th Regiment, was to advance by the Wassaw road on Coomassie.
+
+MARCH TO COOMASSIE.
+
+On the 26th December, the major-general with his staff left Cape Coast
+Castle for Prahsu, which he reached on the 2nd January.  Here the Naval
+Brigade arrived the following day.
+
+The disembarkation of the regular troops commenced the 1st of January at
+1:45, and by 6:35 that evening the whole of the troops had landed, and
+the brigade had reached Inquabun, six miles from Cape Coast Castle.
+
+They consisted of the 42nd Highlanders, the Rifle Brigade, a detachment
+of the Royal Engineers, the 23rd Fusiliers, a detachment of the Royal
+Artillery, numbering in all 2504 men.  As, however, there was great
+difficulty in obtaining transport, the Fusiliers and Royal Artillery
+were re-embarked, to remain on board the ships until required.  Two
+hundred of the Fusiliers were afterwards re-landed, and marched to the
+front.  Besides these, there were the 2nd West India Regiment, of 350
+men, Rait's artillery, 50 men, and Wood's and Russell's regiments,
+numbering together 800, afterwards increased by a detachment of the 1st
+West India Regiment, lately landed.
+
+During the early part of January, the whole of the British troops
+reached Prahsu, and on the 20th, the bridge across the Prah being
+finished, the force intended for the attack on Coomassie marched out of
+the camp.
+
+Lord Gifford, in command of a well-trained body of native scouts, had
+previously gone forward, followed by Russell's and Wood's regiments,
+which obtained possession of the crest of the Adansi Hills.  Lord
+Gifford pushing ahead, the enemy's scouts retreated before him, and the
+inhabitants deserted the villages.  The king, it was evident, by this
+time was seriously alarmed, and, hoping for peace, released the European
+prisoners in his hands.  He first sent in Mr Kuhne, a German
+missionary, who was followed by Mr Ramseyer, another missionary, and
+his wife and their two children, and Monsieur Bannat, a French merchant,
+from whom much important information was obtained.  As the army
+advanced, the villages taken possession of were fortified and
+garrisoned, so that communication with the rear should be kept up and
+the sick carried back to hospital.  Already a considerable number of
+officers and men were suffering from sickness.  Captain Huyshe died the
+day before the major-general left Prahsu.  Thus, out of the whole
+European force of 1800 men forming the main body, 215 men and 3 officers
+were unfitted for duty.
+
+Fommanah, a large village 30 miles from Coomassie, having been deserted
+by the enemy, was entered on the 24th.  The king sent letter after
+letter to Sir Garnet Wolseley petitioning for peace, but as he did not
+forward the hostages which were demanded, the army continued its
+advance, while the answer sent to him was "that the governor meant to go
+to Coomassie."
+
+In an attack on the village of Borborassie, in which the Naval Brigade,
+a company of Fusiliers, and another of Russell's regiment, with Rait's
+artillery, were engaged, Captain Nicol, who led the advance, was
+unhappily shot dead, the first officer to fall north of the Prah.
+Information being received that the enemy was posted near the villages
+of Amoaful and Becquah, it was resolved immediately to attack them.  The
+nature of the ground over which the operations were carried on must be
+described.
+
+Excepting where the clearings for the villages existed, or native paths,
+the whole country was covered thickly with lofty trees, from which hung
+creepers innumerable, while below was thick brushwood, through which the
+pioneers had to cut a way before the troops could advance.  Such a
+region afforded the enemy ample means of forming ambushes as well as for
+fighting under cover, of which they did not fail to take full advantage.
+The only other openings to be found were where swamps had prevented the
+growth of trees.  Such was the difficult country in which Sir Garnet
+Wolseley had to manoeuvre his troops.  The army advanced, with Lord
+Gifford's scouts skirmishing in front, Rait's guns and rockets leading,
+followed by the 42nd Highlanders, the 23rd Fusiliers, and the Rifle
+Brigade in succession, and on either flank the Naval Brigade and
+Russell's and Wood's regiments,--that on the right under command of
+Colonel Wood, and on the left of Colonel McLeod.
+
+Lord Gifford, with 40 scouts, pushing ahead early in the morning,
+occupied the village of Egginassie by a rush.  On the other side the
+enemy was found in considerable force.  On this, Brigadier Sir Archibald
+Alison sent two companies of the 42nd Highlanders, forming the advance
+guard, up the main road to the front, and a section up a path which
+branched off to the left.  Being soon hotly engaged, they were quickly
+supported by other companies under Major Macpherson, and the remainder
+of the regiment was immediately afterwards pushed forward.  As company
+after company descended, their pipes playing, they were rapidly lost to
+sight in the thick smoke beneath, and their position could only be
+judged of by the sharp crack of their rifles, in contradistinction to
+the dull roar of the Ashantee musketry.
+
+It was with the greatest difficulty, when fresh companies were sent to
+the support of those in action, that the latter could find their friends
+in the midst of the enemy's fire.  The engineer labourers under Captain
+Buckle were cutting paths in the required directions, but so heavy a
+fire was brought to bear by the enemy, that their progress was much
+delayed.  While at this time engaged in urging on his men, Captain
+Buckle fell mortally wounded.  By one of the paths thus formed,
+Lieutenant Palmer brought his rockets into action, and, covered by their
+fire, two of the companies of Russell's regiment, led by Captain Gordon,
+made a splendid dash at the enemy.  The Naval Brigade, under Captain
+Luxmoore, were engaged at the same period in exchanging a heavy fire
+with the Ashantees, who were making desperate attempts to retake the
+village.  Before long, Major Macpherson and several other officers were
+wounded.  Captain Rait's guns were now sent across the swamp, to attack
+a spot on which a dense mass of the enemy were collected together.
+After 14 or 15 rounds, which caused tremendous slaughter, they showed
+signs of giving way, and a rush being made, their position was carried.
+On the summit was found a large camp, in which their main body had been
+posted.  This being quickly traversed by the British troops, the
+Ashantees again made a bold stand from a ridge behind it.
+
+Once more Rait's guns were brought into action, followed by a heavy
+rifle fire, when, another charge being made, the fresh position taken up
+by the enemy was also carried.  In the meantime, the right column, under
+Colonel Wood, which had been supported by the Fusiliers, was hotly
+engaged, and a considerable number of men were wounded, Colonel Wood and
+his aide-de-camp among them.  So fierce was the opposition, that a
+second support of two companies of the Rifle Brigade was next ordered
+up.  Pushing forward, they gallantly drove the enemy from their cover,
+and about half-past twelve the Ashantees took to flight.
+
+As the cheers in front announced that the battle was gained, a rapid
+fire was heard in the direction of Quarman, showing that the Ashantees
+were attempting to cut off the communication with the rear.  Four
+companies of the Rifle Brigade were accordingly ordered back, and so
+actively did they ply their rifles, that in less than an hour the
+Ashantees were put to flight.  Another attack was, however, made on the
+right and rear of Quarman, by one of the principal Ashantee generals,
+but the enemy was gallantly held in check by its small garrison until
+the arrival of a company of the Rifle Brigade.
+
+In the meantime Amoaful had been taken by a gallant rush of the 42nd
+Highlanders, led by Major Cluny Macpherson, and here the major-general
+established his headquarters.
+
+The action altogether had lasted twelve hours, extending along two and a
+half miles of road.  During the greater part of the time the firing was
+incessant,--the loss suffered by the 42nd being proof of its severity,
+nearly every fourth man having been hit.  The enemy must have lost
+upwards of 2000 men in killed and wounded.
+
+In the action, besides Captain Buckle, there were two privates of the
+42nd and one of Wood's regiment killed.  Of wounded, there were 15
+military officers, and 147 men; 6 officers of the Naval Brigade, and 26
+men.  As short a time as possible was spent at Amoaful, when the force
+again advanced on the 2nd of February.
+
+The advance guard was under Colonel McLeod, the main body under
+Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Alison.  The troops carried two days'
+rations in their haversacks, a similar quantity being conveyed by the
+spare hammock bearers.  A fifth day's rations were to be brought forward
+to them.
+
+Colonel McLeod, pushing on, found but little opposition.  The force was
+now concentrated at a place called Aggemmamu, within fifteen miles of
+Coomassie.
+
+Sir Garnet now announced his intention of making a dash on Coomassie.
+The soldiers were asked whether they would undertake to make their
+rations for four days last if necessary for six.  The answer was, as may
+be supposed, "Most willingly."  Leaving their baggage under the care of
+such men as were too weakly to march, the army advanced on the morning
+of the 3rd.
+
+As usual, Lord Gifford with his scouts went ahead, followed by Russell's
+regiment under Colonel McLeod.  In a short time the enemy was
+encountered.  After a sharp and short action, however, he was driven
+back, but with some loss on the side of the British.  The advance guard
+pushed on until within a short distance of Coomassie, when messengers
+arrived from the king again entreating for peace, at the same time
+stating that there were 10,000 men on the other side of the river, who
+would fight if the British advanced.  Sir Garnet Wolseley returned word,
+"that unless the queen and prince royal should be put into his hands,
+the march would be continued."
+
+The advance guard reached the river Ordah at 2:10 p.m.  It was found to
+be fifty feet wide and waist deep.  Russell's regiment at once passed
+over, forming a covering party to the Engineers, who immediately set to
+work to throw a bridge across for the passage of the European troops,
+while clearings were made on the south bank, and rush huts thrown up in
+which the British soldiers bivouacked.  At first some apprehensions were
+entertained that a night-attack would be made, but a heavy thunderstorm
+coming on, during which the flintlocks of the enemy would have been
+useless, rendered that improbable.
+
+By daybreak on the 4th, the bridge over the Ordah was completed, Major
+Home, of the Engineers, having worked at it all night throughout the
+whole of the tornado and drenching rain.
+
+As no hostages had arrived, it was expected that another battle would
+have to be fought.
+
+At an early hour the advance guard pushed on, the Naval Brigade being
+left at the bridge to guard the passage until the baggage had crossed.
+Directly the troops advanced, the enemy opened fire.  The native troops
+on this occasion firing wildly, Colonel McLeod ordered a company of the
+Rifle Brigade and the 7-pounder gun under Lieutenant Saunders to the
+front.
+
+The enemy pressing the advance, a vigorous flank fire being also opened
+on the troops under Sir Archibald Alison, reinforcements were ordered
+up.  Colonel McLeod continued steadily to advance, Lieutenant Saunders'
+gun clearing the road, when the Rifles again pushed forward, until the
+village of Ordahsu was carried and a lodgment effected there.
+
+In this skirmish Lieutenant Eyre was mortally wounded, and several of
+the men were severely hurt, although the enemy did not fight with the
+same obstinacy as at Amoaful.  As the village was approached, a
+tremendously heavy fire was opened on both flanks of the British force.
+The Rifle Brigade and the Fusiliers, with two of Rait's guns, having now
+got up to the village, under Sir Archibald Alison's command, the force
+was ordered to move on.
+
+At that moment the enemy commenced a vigorous attack on the village, so
+that the Rifle Brigade and Fusiliers had to be thrown into the bush to
+check them.  According to the brigadier's request, the 42nd were pushed
+forward, the object being to break through the enemy who appeared in
+force in front.  The Highlanders were quickly sent on, and the
+major-general with the headquarters entered the village immediately
+after them.  A short halt, however, was required, to allow the baggage
+to arrive.
+
+During this time the enemy pressed boldly up to the village, firing
+volleys of slugs, one of which struck the major-general on the helmet,
+fortunately at a part where the leather band prevented it entering.
+
+About noon, the 42nd, with Rait's artillery, led the attack on the
+enemy's front, for the purpose of breaking through and pushing on direct
+for Coomassie, followed by the Rifle Brigade.  They had not got far
+before a tremendous fire was opened on the head of the column from a
+strong ambuscade behind a fallen tree, and several men were knocked
+over, but the flank companies working steadily through the bush, the
+leading company sprang forward with a cheer.  The pipes struck up, and
+the ambuscade was carried.  Then, without stop or stay, the 42nd rushing
+on cheering, their pipes playing, officers to the front, ambuscade after
+ambuscade was successfully carried, and village after village won in
+succession, until the whole of the Ashantee army broke and fled in the
+wildest disorder down the pathway towards Coomassie.  The ground was
+covered with traces of their flight.  Umbrellas, war chairs of their
+chiefs, drums, muskets, killed and wounded, strewed the way.  No pause
+took place until a village about four miles from Coomassie was reached,
+when the absolute exhaustion of the men rendered a short halt necessary.
+
+Meanwhile the attack on the village continued, and the enemy were
+allowed to close around the rear, Ordahsu, however, being strongly
+guarded.
+
+On the arrival of the major-general, he ordered an advance of the whole
+force on Coomassie.  It was nearly five o'clock before the troops again
+moved forward.  The village of Karsi, the nearest to Coomassie, was
+passed without opposition.  When close upon the city, a flag of truce
+was received by the brigadier, who forwarded it with a letter to Sir
+Garnet Wolseley, whose only reply was, "Push on."  On this the brigadier
+immediately advanced, and, passing the Soubang swamp which surrounds the
+city, entered the great market-place of Coomassie, without opposition,
+about 5:30.  The major-general himself arrived at 6:15, when the troops
+formed on parade, and, at his command, gave three cheers for Her Majesty
+the Queen.
+
+The town was full of armed men, but not a shot was fired.  The brigadier
+had so placed the artillery that it could sweep the streets leading to
+the market-place, and had thrown out the necessary pickets.  A party was
+sent down to the palace, under the guidance of an Englishman who had
+long been a resident at Coomassie; but the king, queen-mother, and
+prince, with all other persons of distinction, had fled.  Due
+arrangements were made to preserve order.  The major-general issued a
+proclamation, threatening with the punishment of death any person caught
+plundering.  The troops were exposed to much danger, flames bursting out
+in several directions, the work of the Fanti prisoners who had been
+released.  The great palace of the king was entered,--a building far
+superior to the ordinary habitations of the natives,--and was found to
+contain treasures of all sorts, and evidence also of the fearful
+atrocities committed within it; while close to it was seen the dreadful
+pit into which the bodies of those slaughtered almost daily by the
+king's command were thrown.
+
+In vain Sir Garnet Wolseley waited for the king to fulfil his promise;
+neither any part of the sum demanded, nor the hostages, had been
+delivered.  To remain longer at Coomassie was hazardous in the extreme.
+The rains had already commenced, and the rivers, which had been crossed
+with ease, were now much swollen.
+
+For the sake of the health of the troops, the major-general resolved,
+therefore, having destroyed the town and palace, to retreat.  That the
+enemy might not be aware of his intentions, a report was circulated that
+the army would advance in pursuit of the king, and that any Ashantee
+found in the town after six o'clock would be shot.  This effectually
+cleared out the natives.
+
+Prize agents were appointed to take charge of the riches in the palace.
+Arrangements were made for destroying it on the following morning, and
+setting the whole town on fire.
+
+Early the next morning the return march began.  The rear company of the
+42nd Highlanders remained at the south end of the market-place while the
+guard was removed from the palace.  The city was then set on fire, and
+the mines for the destruction of the palace exploded,--the dense columns
+of smoke which curled up in the sky showing the King of Ashantee and all
+his subjects that the white man had not failed to keep his word.
+Gallant Colonel McLeod remained until the last of the engineers and
+sappers had passed to the front; he then waved his hand as a signal for
+the rear company to march, and Coomassie was abandoned to the flames.
+
+The troops on their return march, although they encountered some
+difficulties, were not molested, so thoroughly and completely had the
+Ashantees been defeated.  As a further proof of this, ambassadors from
+the king overtook the army on the 12th, bringing upwards of 1000 ounces
+of gold, as part of the indemnity of the 50,000 ounces demanded, and
+returned with a treaty of peace for the black monarch to sign.  The
+forts which had been constructed were destroyed, the sick and wounded,
+with the stores, sent on, and the major-general and his staff reached
+Cape Coast Castle on the 19th of February.
+
+The Naval Brigade, consisting of 265 men and 17 officers, rendered
+valuable service throughout the campaign, and fought on all occasions
+with most dashing courage.  Though only one was killed, 63 were wounded
+in action, while several others were killed and wounded during the
+operations which took place along the coast, to punish several of the
+petty chiefs who had sided with the Ashantees.
+
+One of the most gallant performances of the campaign was the ride across
+the country, from the eastward, by Captain Sartorious, who with 20
+followers passed through Coomassie five days after the army had quitted
+it, and, though fired on twice by the enemy, safely arrived at Prahsu.
+The following day, Captain Glover, R.N., having marched from the Volta,
+entered the city at the head of 4600 native allies.  Here King Coffee
+sent him a token of submission by the hands of an ambassador, in the
+shape of a plateful of gold, which he returned, and then proceeded
+southward with his forces into friendly territory, having performed an
+exploit which, for daring, intrepidity, judgment, and the perseverance
+with which it was carried out, stands almost unrivalled.
+
+Most of the officers engaged in the expedition were promoted, but on two
+only--Lord Gifford and Sergeant McGaw of the 42nd--was the Victoria
+Cross bestowed,--an honour which, by the unanimous voice of all who
+witnessed their behaviour, they richly deserved.
+
+The Commander-in-Chief also recommended Captain A.F. Kidston of the
+42nd, Private George Cameron, and Private George Ritchie, for the same
+honour.
+
+The officers killed in action were Lieutenant E. Wilmot, R.A.,
+Lieutenant Eyre, 90th Regiment, Captain Nicol, Hants Militia, Captain
+Buckle, RE; while three died from the effects of the climate,--
+Lieutenant the Honourable A. Charteris, A.D.C., Captain Huyshe,
+D.A.Q.M.G., Lieutenant E. Townshend, 16th Regiment; while seven others
+were wounded.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+THE AFGHAN WAR--1878-1879.
+
+For many years previous to the war, the relations between England and
+Afghanistan had been unsatisfactory.  Shere Ali, the ruler of the latter
+country, received an annual subsidy from us, and had, besides, been
+presented with large quantities of arms and other warlike weapons.  The
+events which led to the war have been debated with great acrimony, and
+are viewed in opposite manners by persons of different political
+opinions, and it is enough here to say that the approach of Russia to
+the northern frontier of Afghanistan caused considerable uneasiness to
+the Ameer, and that, unable to obtain from us any positive assurances of
+support in case of attack from the north, he appears to have determined
+that his best course would be to throw himself into the arms of Russia,
+even at the risk of breaking with us.
+
+For some time all communications with the Ameer had ceased, and it was
+from a native news-writer that the intelligence that a Russian general
+with a mission had arrived in Cabul, and had been honourably received,
+came to the ears of our authorities.
+
+Upon the news being made public, the Viceroy of India wrote to Shere
+Ali, requesting him to receive also an English mission.  The answer of
+the Ameer was evasive, and Major Cavaignari, an officer of great
+experience in Afghanistan, was sent up with an escort as a precursor of
+a larger and more important mission to follow.  Upon the 21st September
+he arrived at Ali-Musjid, an Afghan fort in the Khyber Pass, and was
+there stopped by an officer of the Ameer with a large force.  A long
+parley took place; but the officer refused to allow him to pass, and
+Major Cavaignari, not having a sufficient number of men with him to
+force his way up, retired, with an intimation that the Ameer would be
+held responsible for the conduct of his officer.
+
+As it was clearly impossible that the Indian Government could put up
+with this insult, and that, moreover, England could not submit to see
+Russian envoys received by a country upon her border which refused to
+admit her own officers, preparations were at once made for war.  It was
+decided to invade Afghanistan in three columns, one starting from
+Jumrood, at the north of the Khyber Pass, the second to advance through
+Tull by the Kuram Valley, and the third to move _via_ the Bolan Pass
+upon Candahar.  The first of these was to be commanded by General Sir S.
+Browne, the second by General Roberts, the third by General Biddulph.
+The preparations for the concentration of these columns occupied
+considerable time, as India had been for some time in a state of
+profound peace, and the commissariat and transport service had to be
+entirely organised.  The greatest efforts were, however, made, and the
+troops were rapidly got into place.
+
+On the 26th of October a defiant reply to the Viceroy's letter was
+received from the Ameer, and an ultimatum was in consequence sent to
+him, to the effect that unless the British demands were complied with,
+the troops would advance across the frontier.  No reply having been
+received from him up to the night of the 20th November, orders were
+given to the troops to advance, and upon the following morning Generals
+Roberts and Browne advanced across the frontier with their respective
+columns.
+
+The division of General Browne was divided into four brigades.  The
+first, under General Macpherson, consisted of the fourth battalion of
+the Rifle Brigade, the 20th Bengal Infantry, and the 4th Ghurkas, with a
+mountain battery.  These were to go round by a mountain road, to make a
+long circuit, and to come down into the pass at a village lying a mile
+or two beyond Ali-Musjid.  The second brigade, under Colonel Tytler,
+consisting of the first battalion of the 17th Foot, the Infantry of the
+Guides, the 1st Sikhs, and a mountain battery, were to take a hill
+opposite to Ali-Musjid, and capture some batteries which the Afghans had
+erected there; while the third and fourth brigades were to advance
+direct up the valley.  The former of these brigades consisted of the
+81st, the 14th Sikhs, and the 24th Native Infantry.  The fourth brigade
+was composed of the 51st Foot, the 6th Native Infantry, and the 45th
+Sikhs.  With them was a mountain battery, and a battery of Horse
+Artillery.
+
+The fort of Ali-Musjid is situated on a rock standing out in the valley,
+at a distance of some six miles from the frontier.  It is a most
+commanding position, and, flanked as it was by batteries on the
+hillsides, was a most formidable place to capture.  The advancing column
+marched forward until from a rise in the valley they could see
+Ali-Musjid at a distance of a mile and a half.  The fort at once opened
+fire.  The gunners there had been practising for some weeks, and had got
+the range with great accuracy.  The column was therefore halted, and the
+men allowed to eat their dinners, as it was desired that the flanking
+columns should get into position before the front attack began.  The
+guns of the battery answered those upon the fort, and a battery of
+40-pounders coming up and opening fire, their effect upon the fort was
+at once visible.
+
+The Sikhs were now thrown out upon the hillside, and these began a heavy
+musketry fire against the Afghans in the batteries there.  Presently a
+general advance was ordered.  The 81st and 24th Native Infantry advanced
+on the right-hand slopes of the valley, while the 51st and 6th Native
+Infantry and the Sikhs worked along on the left.
+
+The scene is described as one of the most picturesque ever seen in
+warfare.  From the fortress standing on the perpendicular rock in the
+centre of the valley, the flashes of the great guns came fast and
+steadily, while the edges of the rocks and forts were fringed with tiny
+puffs of musketry.  On the British side the heavy 40-pounders and the
+batteries of Horse and Royal Artillery kept up a steady fire, while both
+sides of the steep hill-slopes were alive with British infantry, the
+quick flash of the rifles breaking from every rock and bush.
+
+Gradually our skirmishers advanced until they were nearly abreast of the
+fort; but, so far, there was no sign that Macpherson's brigade had
+accomplished its task and carried the hill, or that Tytler had worked
+round to the village in the rear.  Some attacks, however, were made upon
+the Afghan intrenchments.  These, however, were unsuccessful, and some
+valuable lives were lost.  Major Birch and Lieutenant Fitzgerald, both
+of the 27th Native Infantry, were killed; Captain Maclean, of the 14th
+Sikhs, was wounded; and between thirty and forty rank and file killed
+and wounded.
+
+As the fort and its defences could not have been carried without vast
+loss of life, it was now determined to halt, in order to give the
+flanking columns time to get in their places.  These, who had met with
+enormous obstacles on their march, arrived in the night at their
+respective destinations, and the defenders of Ali-Musjid, taken by alarm
+at the news that forces were advancing which would cut off their
+retreat, precipitately abandoned their posts and fled.  A great number
+were taken prisoners, and in the morning the troops occupied Ali--Musjid
+without resistance.  So completely taken by surprise were the Afghans at
+the easy capture of a fort which they believed to be absolutely
+impregnable, that they fled without further resistance; and the British,
+moving quietly up the valley, occupied place after place with scarcely a
+shot fired until they reached Jellalabad.
+
+In the meantime, General Roberts was advancing up the Kuram Valley.  The
+tribes here greeted our advance with pleasure, for they were tributary
+to Cabul, and viewed the Afghan rule with aversion.  It was upon the
+Peiwar Khotal, a steep and extremely strong position, that the Afghans
+determined to take their stand.
+
+On the 30th of November the forces approached this position.  The
+Afghans remained silent, and preparations were made for encamping at the
+commencement of the pass.  The enemy, however, were nearer and more
+active than had been supposed, and scarcely had the troops taken up
+their position, when a heavy fire was opened upon them from above, and
+the force had to retire hastily out of range.  Some of the infantry were
+pushed forward, and for a time brisk firing took place.  The troops then
+encamped for the night out of range of shot.  The next day was passed in
+endeavouring to feel the position of the enemy, who occupied the line
+upon the top of the crest, and it was not until the 2nd that an attack
+was delivered.
+
+After thoroughly reconnoitring the ground, it was found that the
+position of the Afghans was too strong to be attacked in front, and it
+was determined to turn it by a long and very difficult night-march of
+nine miles, up a path leading to the extreme left of the enemy's
+position.  The 72nd Highlanders, the 5th Ghurkas, and the 29th Native
+Infantry were told off for the service, and started after nightfall.  At
+daybreak they came upon the enemy's pickets, and a fierce fight took
+place, the Afghans defending themselves desperately.  Captain Kelso
+brought up his battery of mountain guns, and did good service in aiding
+the infantry, who were all fiercely engaged.  He himself, however, was
+shot dead.
+
+After three hours' hard fighting the enemy's left wing was beaten, and
+the British, pressing forward, drove them in confusion upon the centre.
+The 2nd Punjaub Infantry, the 23rd Pioneers, and four artillery guns on
+elephants now arrived on the scene.  It was well that they did so, for
+the enemy were again found in a strong position in a thick wood, and an
+obstinate fight ensued.  It was some hours before they were dislodged
+from this point, as they continually brought up fresh troops.  So severe
+was their resistance that it was found impossible to force them back by
+a direct attack, and General Roberts now directed his men to advance in
+such a direction as to still further turn their position and threaten
+their line of retreat.  This had the desired effect.  The Afghans, as
+usual, lost heart as soon as it appeared that their retreat was menaced,
+and, leaving the strong positions on the Peiwar itself, fled hastily.
+
+While this fight had been going on, the second battalion of the 8th Foot
+had advanced direct from the camp below.  Hitherto they had made no
+great progress, but had succeeded in attracting the attention of the
+enemy and keeping a large body of men in their intrenchments, and so
+aided the main attack on the right.  The moment the Afghans yielded, the
+8th pushed forward and occupied the enemy's position.
+
+The total loss on our side was 2 officers killed, 2 wounded, and 90 rank
+and file (Europeans and natives) killed and wounded.  The troops were
+too much fatigued with their hard marching and fighting to be able to
+pursue the enemy.  But no ill effect was caused by this, as the Afghans
+had completely lost heart, and in their retreat threw away arms and
+abandoned baggage of all kinds, most of their guns being left behind,
+and one battery falling into the hands of the British when they advanced
+to the Shaturgurdan Pass.  General Roberts with a small party went on to
+this point, which they found abandoned, and from whence they commanded a
+view across the heart of Afghanistan almost to Cabul.  It was considered
+unnecessary to occupy this position, as the winter was now at hand,
+during which time the pass is absolutely closed by snow.  There was,
+then, no fear of the Afghans taking the offensive from this quarter.
+
+Thus in two engagements the military strength which Shere Ali had been
+building up for many years, and which he considered sufficient to defend
+his country against the attacks of the British, fell absolutely to
+pieces; and a few days later he himself left Cabul, and started, a
+fugitive, for the northern frontier with the intention of passing into
+Russia.  It was necessary, however, that letters should be sent asking
+permission for him to take this step, and during the delay which ensued
+the Ameer was seized by fever, and expired.
+
+General Roberts determined to leave a force to garrison the Peiwar, and
+to take up his headquarters in the lower valley, there to winter.  On
+the way down he followed a route hitherto unknown, leading through the
+defile of the Chappri.  It turned out to be extremely wild and
+difficult, and the people of this part, a tribe called Mongols, attacked
+the baggage, which was proceeding under a small escort only, the troops
+having passed through ahead.  The attack was sudden and unexpected; but
+the men of the baggage guard stood their way well.  Captain Goad,
+assistant-superintendent of transport, was shot through the legs, and
+fell while fighting bravely.  The natives made a rush towards him, but
+four soldiers of the 72nd stood over him and gallantly defended him
+against a crowd of enemies until the 5th Ghurkas, under Major Fitzhugh,
+came up from the rear.  Heavy as the fire was, singularly enough, only
+one of these gallant fellows was wounded.
+
+The Mongols stood boldly, and, taking to the rocks, kept up a very rapid
+fire, while the Ghurkas repeatedly charged home with the bayonet, using
+their terrible knives with great effect, and finally putting them to
+flight, three of the 5th being killed and 13 wounded.  Farther up the
+defile the Mongols made another rush upon the train, but were here more
+easily beaten back.  The attack was made with the hope of plunder only,
+and from no political animosity.
+
+The population in the valley, although not hostile to British rule, were
+eager to plunder British waggons, and constant outrages of this kind
+took place, many soldiers and camp followers being killed.  The
+marauders were in some cases taken and executed upon the spot.
+
+Early in January, General Roberts started with a force up the valley of
+the Khost.  The General reached Khost without much opposition.  The
+villages round sent in their submission, and all appeared likely to
+terminate quietly.  But upon the day after their arrival at the fort,
+the natives from around mustered in great numbers, and advanced to an
+attack upon the camp, occupying a number of steep hills around it, and
+massing in the villages themselves.  A troop of the 5th Punjaub Cavalry
+advanced to attack them, with orders, if possible, to tempt them out on
+to the plain.  This was well managed.  The enemy, seeing the smallness
+of the force, poured out of the villages, when Major Bulkeley with the
+10th Hussars swept down upon them, and the Afghans fled and took post on
+the hills.
+
+They again advanced on all sides, and attacked the camp, and for four
+hours the 72nd, with two guns to assist them, could get but little
+advantage of them.  Then, unable to withstand the fire of our
+breechloaders and the effect of our shell, they fell back to the hills.
+Near the villages on the south side Major Stewart with thirty men of the
+5th Punjaub Cavalry made a notable charge.  A body fully a thousand
+strong of the enemy was making from the hills, when, with his handful of
+men, he dashed down upon them, scattering them in all directions,
+cutting down twenty, and wounding a large number.
+
+When the enemy had retired to the hills, the villages were searched; and
+as the inhabitants of these had taken part in the fight, and large
+numbers of arms were found concealed there, these were burnt, the
+inhabitants being expelled, and those whom their wounds showed to have
+taken part in the fight--over 100 in number--brought as prisoners.  The
+loss on our side was but two killed and eight wounded, showing that the
+Afghans, courageous as they are, are contemptible as marksmen.
+
+This brought the fighting to a close.  General Roberts, finding his
+force too small to hold the Kuram and Khost valleys, evacuated the
+latter, and the force went into winter quarters.
+
+This step had already been taken in the Khyber.  It had not been
+intended from the first to push the advance as far as Cabul before the
+winter came on, as the difficulties in the way of so doing would have
+been enormous, and the troops would have had great difficulty in
+maintaining their position, even should they capture Cabul before the
+snow set in.  The flight of the Ameer, too, and the accession to power
+as his father's representative of Yakoob Khan, his eldest son, who had
+for many years been kept by his father as a prisoner, naturally arrested
+the course of affairs.  It was hoped that Yakoob would at once treat
+with us, and that our objects would be attained without further advance.
+These anticipations were to some extent verified.  Negotiations were
+opened, and upon the 3rd of March Yakoob offered to negotiate terms of
+peace.
+
+Nothing has been said as yet of the doings of the third column of
+invasion under General Stewart, who had taken the command originally
+assigned to General Biddulph.  The difficulties in the way of advance of
+this column were immense.  First, a sandy desert almost destitute of
+water, extending between the Indus and the foot of the mountains, had to
+be crossed; then the ascent of the Bolan Pass had to be made, a work of
+the most tremendous difficulty.  This pass, whose ascent occupies three
+days, is in fact the mere bed of a stream, full of boulders and stones
+of all sizes, in which the baggage and artillery horses sank fetlock
+deep.  In making this passage vast quantities of camels and other
+animals died, and a long delay took place in assembling the force at
+Quettah, a post occupied by us at the top of the pass.  The arrangements
+were completed at last, and General Stewart advanced upon Candahar,
+which he captured on the 8th of January, having met with, a small amount
+of resistance only.
+
+The negotiations with Yakoob, who had now succeeded to the dignity of
+Ameer, continued for some time; and upon the 8th of May he arrived at
+the British camp at Gundamuck, where he was received by General Sir S.
+Browne and staff.  Three or four days were spent in visits and
+negotiations, Yakoob assenting to the British terms, and expressing the
+strongest hopes that a permanent friendship would be established between
+England and Afghanistan.
+
+Previous to this a sad accident had occurred, which cast a gloom over
+the British camp.  Upon the 1st of April a squadron of the 10th Hussars,
+following a squadron of the 11th Bengal Lancers, had, in crossing the
+river after nightfall, missed the ford, and had been carried off by the
+current.  Lieutenant Harford and no less than fifty men were drowned.
+This was an accident almost without precedent.
+
+The treaty made at Gundamuck had for its chief object the representation
+of the British Government at the court of Yakoob Khan; and in accordance
+with the terms of the treaty, and of a direct invitation on the part of
+the Ameer, Sir Louis Cavaignari, accompanied by Mr William Jenkyns, of
+the Indian Civil Service, as secretary, and by 25 cavalry and 50
+infantry of the Guides under Lieutenant Hamilton, went up to Cabul,
+where they arrived on the 24th of July.  Doctor Kelly, surgeon of the
+Guides, accompanied the mission as medical officer.  Some doubt had been
+entertained as to the prudence of sending this mission, but the Ameer's
+promises of protection had been given with such solemnity, that it was
+deemed advisable to carry out the provisions of the treaty.
+
+For some time all went well at Cabul.  But the arrival of some regiments
+from Herat altered the complexion of affairs.  From the date, August
+5th, when these regiments arrived, turbulent outbreaks commenced in the
+town.  These regiments had not, like those of Cabul, suffered defeat at
+our hands, and they taunted the Cabul people with cowardice.  The
+position of the Embassy became full of danger.  Sir Louis Cavaignari, a
+man of most extraordinary courage, was aware of the threatening danger,
+but determined to remain at his post and do his duty.  When told by the
+native _rissaldar_ of one of our cavalry regiments, who was spending his
+furlough at a village near Cabul, that the Afghan soldiers would be
+likely to break into open mutiny, and that the danger was very real, he
+replied quietly, "They can only kill the three or four of us here, and
+our death will be avenged."  It appears, however, that Cavaignari to the
+last believed that the Ameer's authority would be sufficient to protect
+the little British force.
+
+On the night of the 2nd of September the Heratee troops attacked the
+Embassy.  The party were lodged in a wooden building in the Bala Hissar.
+Although numbering but fifty fighting men, headed by four British
+officers, the little band for hours held out heroically against
+thousands of the enemy.  These at last brought cannon to bear upon the
+place.  Yakoob Khan, in his palace close by, heard the roar of the
+battle, but made no movement.  Some of his councillors urged upon him to
+call out the loyal regiments at Bala Hissar, and to suppress and punish
+the mutiny.  But the Ameer remained vacillating and sullen until the
+terrible night was over, and the last of the defenders, after performing
+prodigies of valour, and killing many more times than their own number
+of the enemy, succumbed to the attack, the British officers rushing out
+and dying sword in hand.
+
+Twenty-four hours later, natives from Cabul brought the news over the
+Shaturgurdan Pass into the Kuram Valley.  Thence it was telegraphed to
+Simla.  The terrible news created a shock throughout all India.  But no
+time was lost in taking measures to avenge the massacre.  On the 5th
+orders were sent to Brigadier-General Massy, commanding at that time the
+Kuram field forces, to move the 23rd Pioneers, the 5th Ghurkas, and
+mountain train to the crest of the Shaturgurdan, and to intrench
+themselves there.  The 72nd Highlanders and 5th Punjaub Infantry
+followed in a few days to secure the road between Ali Kheyl and the
+pass.  On the 13th, General Baker took command of the troops at the
+Shaturgurdan, where the 23rd Pioneers and 5th Ghurkas had been
+strengthened by the arrival of the 72nd Highlanders.
+
+General Roberts now set about the work of collecting transport.  As
+usual, the moment the first campaign had terminated, the transport had
+been scattered, with the view of saving expense, and had now, at a great
+outlay, to be renewed.  All the available animals in Peshawur and near
+the frontier were ordered to be sent up.  But the drain had told
+heavily, and only 2000 mules, 700 camels, and 600 bullocks could be
+collected.  The tribes in the valley, however, furnished many animals
+for local transport.
+
+The Ameer at this time wrote to General Roberts, saying that he was
+trying to restore order and put down the mutineers, and to punish them
+for their conduct.  But it was clear that he had lost all authority.  On
+26th September, General Roberts joined the troops at Ali Kheyl.  On the
+way up from this point to the Shaturgurdan, two or three attacks were
+made upon baggage convoys by the natives; but these were all repulsed.
+
+The advance now commenced.  It consisted of the 12th and 14th Bengal
+Cavalry, two guns of the Royal Horse Artillery, two companies of the
+72nd Highlanders, and the 5th Punjaub Native Infantry.  These moved out
+as far as the Zerghun Shahr; and here the Ameer, with some of his
+principal nobles, came into camp, declaring that they could not control
+the soldiery of Cabul, but that he had come to show his friendship to
+the English.  The brigades of Generals Baker and Macpherson joined the
+advance at Zerghun; and on the 29th a _durbar_ was held.  Yakoob,
+although received with all honour, was strongly suspected of treachery,
+and his conduct at the rising in Cabul had forfeited for him all claim
+upon our friendship.  All matters were, however, deferred until after
+the arrival at Cabul.  Before the force moved forward, a proclamation
+was issued and sent forward among the people, stating that all loyal
+subjects of the Ameer would be well treated, and that the object of the
+expedition was only to punish those concerned in the rising at Cabul.
+
+Owing to the shortness of transport, some difficulty was experienced in
+moving forward, and the force was obliged to advance in two divisions.
+On the 3rd of October Macpherson's brigade, with the cavalry, reached
+Suffed Sang.  There they halted, while the baggage animals went back to
+bring up Baker's brigade.  Upon this day an attack was made by the
+villagers upon the rearguard; but these were driven off, and several of
+them captured.
+
+The next march was a short one to Charasia.  Beyond this place the enemy
+had taken up their position.  Here a mass of hills shuts in the wild
+valley, and this narrows to a mere defile.  Upon both sides of this the
+enemy had placed guns in position, and lined the whole circle of the
+hills.  In the afternoon a cavalry reconnaissance was made; but they did
+not succeed in getting the enemy to show themselves in force.
+
+At daybreak on the 6th a working party was sent forward to improve the
+road through the defile.  But they had scarcely started when the cavalry
+patrol announced that the enemy were in great strength on the hills, and
+had guns in position commanding the road.
+
+Sir Frederick Roberts determined to attack at once without waiting for
+the division in the rear, as he feared that any inaction before the
+mutinous troops now facing them would lead to a general rising, and that
+in another twenty-four hours there might be not only the regulars, but
+the whole tribal force of the country to contend with.
+
+The following were the troops who, under the command of
+Brigadier-General Baker, marched out at eleven o'clock to attack the
+position:--Four guns Number 2 mountain battery, two Gatling guns, the
+7th company of Sappers and Miners, the 72nd Highlanders, six companies
+of the 5th Ghurkas, 200 men of the 5th Punjaub Infantry, and 450 of the
+23rd Pioneers.  On the right, the attack was to be made under the
+command of Major White of the 72nd Highlanders, who had three guns Royal
+Artillery, two squadrons of cavalry, a wing of the 72nd, and 100 men of
+the 23rd Pioneers.  It was determined to attack the enemy by both
+flanks, as their power of resisting a front attack was considerable, and
+flank attacks are always found the most certain against foes of this
+kind.  A reserve was left in Charasia, as the temper of the villagers
+around was very uncertain, and these would have been sure to rise and
+attack the baggage left there if the least reverse happened to the
+advancing force.
+
+The attack was completely successful, both columns effecting their
+objects and driving the enemy before them.  The Afghans, however, fought
+with great courage, for it was an hour and a half before any advantage
+was gained.  The enemy were armed with Sniders and Enfields, and their
+fire was rapid and continuous.  They were, however, bad shots, and our
+loss was extremely small.  The 72nd were in advance, and these, after
+some hard fighting, carried the first position.  The enemy rallied on
+some low hills about 600 yards to the rear.  But the mountain guns and
+Gatlings opened upon them, the 72nd fired volleys into them, and a
+general advance being made, the enemy were driven back.
+
+Major White, in the meantime, on the right had been doing excellent
+service with his column.  It was but a weak one, and the operation had
+been intended as a feint rather than a real attack.  However, they
+pushed forward, drove the enemy from their position, and captured 20
+guns; and having done the work allotted to him, Major White was able to
+send a portion of his force to co-operate with General Baker's brigade.
+
+Unfortunately our cavalry were in the rear; the road through the pass
+was difficult; and before they could get through, the masses of Afghans
+had fallen back into strong villages on the plain, and could not be
+attacked by cavalry.  The enemy had altogether from 9000 to 10,000 on
+the ridges, including 13 regiments of regular troops.  They left 300
+dead on the field; but their losses in killed and wounded must have been
+much greater.  Upon our side 20 were killed and 67 wounded.  Among the
+latter were three officers.
+
+This defeat, by a small portion only of the British force, of the whole
+of their troops placed in a position considered well-nigh impregnable,
+struck a complete panic into the Afghans, and no further resistance was
+offered.  In the night a great portion of the Afghan troops scattered
+and fled.  The cavalry under General Massy swept round Cabul, and came
+upon the Sherpur intrenched camp, where 75 guns were captured.
+Unfortunately considerable delay took place in the operations of our
+infantry; and in the face of the troops, who could easily have crushed
+them, the regiments which had taken the principal part in the massacre
+of Major Cavaignari marched off unmolested.  The villagers were to a man
+hostile, and seized every opportunity of firing upon bodies of our
+troops.  It was necessary to show considerable severity, and all
+captured with arms in their hands in such cases were shot at once.
+
+Cabul was now open to us; and upon the 11th October, Sir Frederick
+Roberts and his staff entered the Bala Hissar, and visited the ruins of
+the Embassy.  The Bala Hissar is a large enclosure containing many
+important buildings, and situate on the hill above Cabul, which town its
+guns command.  Even had the Afghans made a stand here, the place could
+not have resisted the British guns, as the walls were old and ruinous.
+
+On the 12th of October formal possession was taken of Cabul, the troops
+occupying the Bala Hissar.  Delay had taken place in this operation, as
+it was feared that the Afghans might explode large quantities of
+ammunition known to be stored there.  A _durbar_ was held after we had
+entered the Bala Hissar.  The whole of the sirdars and principal men of
+Cabul and its neighbourhood attended.  Of these the leaders, who had
+been more than suspected of heading the plot against us, were at once
+seized and held as prisoners.  A proclamation was issued by Sir
+Frederick Roberts, warning the people that any attempt against our
+authority would be severely punished; forbidding the carrying of weapons
+within the streets of Cabul, or within a distance of five miles from the
+city gates; and commanding that all arms issued to, or seized by, the
+Afghan troops should be given up, a small reward being given for the
+delivery of each.  A reward also was offered for the surrender of any
+person, whether soldier or civilian, concerned in the attack on the
+British Embassy.
+
+For some time things went quietly.  The people were clearly intensely
+hostile to us.  But except in the case of the women, no open insults
+were ventured upon.  But it was unsafe in the extreme for small parties
+to ride about the country.  On the 16th the camp was startled by a
+tremendous explosion at the Bala Hissar, where the 67th Foot were
+encamped, and where a body of Engineers, under Captain Shafto, were
+examining the various small buildings in which powder was stored.  The
+southern wall of the arsenal was blown down, and great damage was done;
+but, singularly enough, no soldiers of the British regiment were killed,
+but of the Ghurkas, who were on guard at the arsenal at the time, twelve
+were killed and seven wounded.  Captain Shafto was unfortunately killed.
+No examination could for a time be made, as some of the buildings were
+on fire, and explosions continued frequent.  In the afternoon another
+tremendous explosion occurred; four Afghans were killed and several
+soldiers hurt at a distance of 300 or 400 yards from the spot.  Although
+it was never proved, it was believed that these explosions were caused
+by the Afghans; and as large quantities of powder still remained in the
+Bala Hissar, it was determined that, for the present, the place should
+remain unoccupied.
+
+The little force at Cabul was now isolated.  Between that place and the
+Shaturgurdan the natives were in a restless and excited state.  Two
+attacks by 3000 men had been made on the garrison holding the crest of
+the Shaturgurdan, 300 in number.  These bravely sallied out, attacked
+the enemy in the open, and killed large numbers of them.  General Gough,
+with the 5th Punjaub Cavalry and 5th Punjaub Infantry and four guns, was
+therefore sent from Cabul to bring down from the Shaturgurdan all the
+stores accumulated there and the garrison, and then to desert the place,
+which would shortly be closed by snow.
+
+Several executions now took place at Cabul, of men who had shared in the
+attack on the Embassy.  Many of the villagers were also hung for
+shooting at bodies of our troops; and the position of the British force
+at Cabul was that of a body holding only the ground they occupied in the
+midst of a bitterly hostile country.  The Ameer was powerless, and,
+indeed, his goodwill was more than doubtful.  He was regarded as a
+prisoner, although treated with all courtesy; and feeling his own
+impotence, and being viewed with hostility by both parties, he resigned
+his position as Ameer, and asked to be sent into India, which was done.
+The abdication of the Ameer really took place on October the 12th, but
+it was not publicly known until the 28th.
+
+On the 4th of November, Brigadier-General Gough returned with the
+garrison of Shaturgurdan, which he had safely brought off just as their
+position was becoming almost untenable, so large was the body of men
+assembling round them.  The roads were now carefully examined upon the
+way down to Jellalabad, and communication was opened with the force
+occupying that valley.  Some of the cavalry were sent down to the
+valley, as it was clear that with all the efforts the commissariat could
+make, sufficient quantities of forage could not be collected for their
+support during the winter.  Up the Khyber Pass troops were slowly
+coming, destined in the spring to join the force at Cabul, should it be
+necessary to carry on further operations.
+
+The Sherpur cantonments were now occupied, and were made the
+headquarters of the force.  These cantonments consisted of barracks
+surrounded on three sides by a lofty wall, steep hills rising at the
+back.  They had been built by the Ameer for his own troops, but had
+never been used for the purpose.  The winter was now setting in.  Snow
+began to fall on the hills around, and ice formed in the pools every
+night.  Several expeditionary columns were sent out round the country to
+bring in provisions and grain, and these were attended with great
+success.  The enemy were, however, collecting in several places,
+specially at Kohdaman and Maidan, and had stopped the influx of
+provisions, which the natives were ready enough to sell for sums which
+to them were handsome indeed.
+
+Two columns were told off to march out and attack these parties of the
+enemy.  But the movement was an unfortunate one.  The force under
+General Macpherson found Mahommed Jan near Chardeh, and pushed on the
+14th Bengal Lancers, who came across several thousand men on their way
+to join Mahommed Jan.  A sharp fight ensued.  The guns shelled the
+enemy, but the water-courses prevented our cavalry from being of any
+service.  Mahommed Jan had with him 10,000 men, and, passing General
+Macpherson, placed himself between him and Cabul, and there watched the
+movements of our troops.
+
+Shortly afterwards, four Horse Artillery guns, under Major Smith
+Wyndham, moved along the Argandeh road to join the infantry.  Brigadier
+Massy, with a squadron of the 9th Lancers, and 44 men of the 14th Bengal
+Lancers, escorted the guns.  After a four-mile march, the advanced troop
+reported the enemy to be in sight.  It was apparent that the Afghans had
+thrown themselves between the infantry and the guns; but as only 2000 or
+3000 appeared, it was thought that they were fugitives, flying either
+from General Macpherson or General Baker.
+
+As they came streaming down the hill, General Massy got his guns into
+action.  After a few shells had been fired, the enemy advanced in full
+force.  Four thousand men were extended in the shape of a crescent,
+marching in good order, and in rear was an irregular body numbering
+6000.  The four guns pitched their shell rapidly into the thick of the
+enemy; but no effect was produced in the way of breaking the line of
+advance.  It never wavered, but came steadily on; and as General Massy
+had no infantry with him, he was obliged to retire.  The guns fell back
+a little, and again opened fire.  The enemy's bullets were now dropping
+fast among the cavalry and guns.  Thirty of the 9th Lancers dismounted
+and opened fire with their Martini carbines, but the enemy were too
+numerous to be checked by so small a body of men.
+
+While the artillery were in action, Sir F. Roberts with his staff joined
+General Massy.  General Roberts ordered him to send the Lancers at the
+enemy at a charge.  Colonel Cleland led his squadron of 126 Lancers of
+the 9th full at the advancing mass, the 14th Bengal Lancers, 44 in
+number, following in his wake.  On the right, Captain Gough, with his
+troop of the 9th, also took his men into action at the enemy's left
+flank.  Two hundred and twenty men, however, against 10,000 could
+scarcely be expected to conquer.  The three bodies of cavalry
+disappeared in a cloud of dust.  They were received with a terrific
+fire, which killed many horses and men, and, charging bravely on into
+the midst of the enemy's infantry, were surrounded, and their progress
+blocked by sheer weight of numbers.  The _melee_ was a desperate one.
+Many of the soldiers were struck from their horses.  Some were dragged
+up again by their comrades, others were killed upon the ground.  The
+chaplain of the force, the Reverend Mr Adams, had accompanied the
+troopers in the charge, and extricated one man from the midst of the
+enemy under a heavy fire, for which he was recommended for the Victoria
+Cross.
+
+When the dust cleared away, it was seen that the cavalry charge had made
+no impression upon the enemy, who were still steadily advancing across
+the fields.  The Lancers had fallen back, having suffered terribly.  Two
+of their officers, Lieutenants Hersee and Ricardo, had been left on the
+ground dead, with sixteen of their men.  The colonel and Lieutenant
+Mackenzie were both wounded, as were seven of the troopers.  This
+squadron rallied upon Captain Gough's troop, which had kept better
+together, and still held its post between the guns and the enemy.  A
+second charge was ordered; but it was not pushed home, the country being
+of extraordinary difficulty for cavalry, owing to the water-courses
+which cut it up.  As Major Smith Wyndham was falling back with his two
+guns, which had been advanced after the first charge, he found one of
+the other guns stuck in a water-course.  The greatest efforts of the
+remaining horses were insufficient to draw it from the mire in which it
+was bogged.  Lieutenant Hardy was killed by a shot through the head, and
+the gun was abandoned.  The other three guns were taken back 400 or 500
+yards farther.  They were then stopped by a channel, deeper and steeper
+than any which had been before met, and here they became hopelessly
+bogged.  They were spiked and left in the water, and the drivers and
+gunners moved off with the cavalry just as the long line of the enemy
+came upon them.
+
+General Macpherson's troops, which had been sent for by General Roberts,
+were now showing down the Chardeh Valley.  At their sight the enemy
+turned off from the Sherpur road and made direct for the city.  General
+Roberts sent a message to Brigadier Gough, commanding at Sherpur,
+ordering 200 men of the 72nd Highlanders to go out to the gorge at a
+double.  The cavalry retired steadily, keeping up a fire with their
+carbines, and checking the advance of the enemy.  But they could not
+have stemmed the rush had not Colonel Brownlow, with 200 rifles of the
+72nd, arrived at the nick of time.  These opened fire instantly upon the
+enemy, who charged down upon the village.  The steady fire of the
+Highlanders checked the rush, and after half an hour's persistent fire
+the enemy were forced back, their entrance to Cabul having been
+frustrated.  They occupied, however, a position on the heights to the
+south of the Balar Hissar region.
+
+General Macpherson had broken up a large body of Afghans higher up the
+valley, and pursued them towards Argandeh.  As he came back, he came
+upon the scene of the charge, and recovered the bodies of Lieutenants
+Hersee and Ricardo, and the troopers who had been killed.  The guns had
+already been carried off by Colonel Macgregor, who, with a small scratch
+lot of Lancers and artillerymen whom he had collected, worked round into
+the village, which had been left by the main body of the enemy, and,
+putting down the opposition of the villagers, carried off the guns.
+
+The next day a body of 560 men, composed of portions of the 67th Foot,
+the 72nd Highlanders, the 3rd Sikhs, and 5th Ghurkas, made an attack
+upon the enemy, who had established themselves on a lofty peak south of
+Cabul.  The enemy occupied the crest in strength, and away on the south,
+hidden from our view, had 5000 or 6000 men waiting for our attack to
+develop.  After several hours of fighting, the little British force
+drove the Afghans from the low hill, but were unable to carry the
+position above.  No more troops could be spared, and ammunition ran
+short.  It was determined, therefore, to put off the attack until
+morning.  At eight o'clock General Baker left Sherpur with a strong
+force, and attacked the enemy's position.  After desperate fighting, he
+stormed the ridge.  Great masses of the enemy in the meantime were
+moving round, so as to threaten the road to Sherpur.  The 9th Lancers
+charged with great gallantry among them, and defeated them.  Captain
+Butson, who commanded the Lancers, was, however, killed, and two other
+officers wounded.  Several other brilliant charges were made, and the
+plain was kept clear of the enemy.
+
+Our position, however, although actually victorious in the field, was
+getting more and more serious.  The city was now in open revolt.  Large
+numbers of natives continued to arrive and reinforce the enemy; and it
+was rapidly becoming clear that the British force, although strong
+enough to hold the Sherpur cantonments or the Bala Hissar, would not be
+able to maintain itself in both.  Upon the next day, the 15th, desperate
+fighting again took place.  General Baker, with 1200 bayonets and 8
+guns, left the cantonments to make another attempt to clear the hills,
+and in this he succeeded, but only after the greatest efforts.  Several
+officers were killed or wounded, but the enemy were driven from their
+first position.  Just as they had done this, a body of from 15,000 to
+20,000 of the enemy marched out upon the plain, and made towards the
+position captured by General Baker.
+
+Steadily they advanced, and the shells which our mountain guns sent
+among them, and the volleys poured down from the hills, did not suffice
+to cause the slightest faltering in their advance.  Steadily they came
+forward, and desperate fighting took place.  A position held by the 5th
+Punjaub Infantry was carried by their attack; two guns were lost; but
+the rest of the positions were held.  There were now 40,000 men, at
+least, gathered round the British forces, and General Macpherson was
+ordered to fall back to Sherpur with all his force.  General Baker was
+to hold the village he had occupied since the morning, until all the
+troops from the heights were within the walls.  The movement was well
+carried out, and although some loss took place as the troops fell back,
+by nightfall all the British forces were gathered in the cantonments of
+Sherpur.
+
+For some days fighting was suspended, the Afghans being busy in
+plundering the Hindoo portions of the city, and in preparing for an
+attack.  The British forces in Sherpur were now fairly besieged, and it
+was considered certain that nothing could be done until the arrival of
+troops from Jugdulluck and Gundamuck, down in the Jellalabad Valley.
+
+Unfortunately the position had been considered as so secure from attack,
+that no steps had been taken to demolish the old forts and villages
+standing round Sherpur, and these were now occupied by the enemy, who
+kept up a steady fire upon the cantonments.  Upon the 18th the enemy
+made an attack upon the place, but this, although hotly kept up, was
+repulsed without much difficulty.
+
+On the 19th, General Baker made an assault upon a small fort situate at
+a few hundred yards from the cantonment, from which the enemy had
+greatly annoyed us.  A portion of the place was blown up, the Afghans
+being driven from it after severe fighting.  Skirmishing went on each
+day; but the Afghans could not bring themselves to make another attack
+until the night of the 22nd, when 20,000 men advanced to storm the
+British position.
+
+The garrison had received warning, and at four in the morning signal
+fires were seen burning, and the fire of the enemy's skirmishers began.
+The enemy crept quietly up, and at six o'clock, with a shout, the whole
+body rushed out from the villages and orchards round the place, and
+charged upon the walls.  They opened fire with a tremendous roar, but
+this was drowned by the roll of musketry which broke out from the whole
+circuit of the walls, where the men had been lying for the last three
+hours, rifle in hand, awaiting the attack.  Some of the enemy pushed
+forward to within eighty yards of our rifles, but beyond this even the
+bravest could not advance.  For a few hours they skirmished round the
+place; but finally fell back, and the attack was abandoned.
+
+With the morning came the welcome news that General Gough had reached
+the Cabul plain, and the cloud of dust arising in the distance showed
+that the enemy had also heard of our reinforcement, and was marching out
+to attack him.  The garrison of Sherpur at once sallied out and attacked
+the Afghans, creating a diversion, and killing large numbers of the
+enemy.  By nightfall the whole of the Afghans were driven into Cabul.
+Upon the following day General Cough's force arrived, and the British
+were again masters of the country.  The whole of the Afghans engaged in
+the attack fled during the night, and the British marched into Cabul
+without resistance.  This was virtually the end of the fighting at this
+point.
+
+The time now passed quietly, and it was not until the month of May that
+any serious fighting took place.  Then the tribesmen again began to
+muster.  General Stewart was on his way from Candahar, and the tribes,
+feeling that if any hostile movement against us was to be successful it
+must be undertaken before the arrival of the reinforcements, assembled
+in great numbers.  General Macpherson moved out against them, and
+another battle took place at Charasia, and after some very severe
+fighting the enemy were scattered.
+
+Sir Donald Stewart's march had been uneventful as far as Shahjui, the
+limit of the Candahar province.  Here the Teraki country begins, and the
+Mollahs had been actively preaching a holy war, and had collected
+several thousand men.  As we advanced the villages were deserted.  Upon
+arriving at Ahmed Khel, the enemy were found to have taken up a position
+in front.  Our baggage stretched far in the rear, and it was
+all-important to prevent the column being outflanked.  General Stewart
+therefore determined to attack at once.  The two batteries of artillery
+opened fire upon the enemy, who numbered from 12,000 to 15,000, and who,
+at a signal, rushed headlong down from their position, and charged upon
+General Stewart's force.
+
+This charge was executed by some 3000 or 4000 Ghazees, as they were
+called--that is to say, fanatics sworn to give their lives to carry out
+their object of exterminating the hated infidel.  These men were armed,
+some with rifles and matchlocks, some with heavy swords, knives, and
+pistols, others with pikes made of bayonets or pieces of sharpened iron
+fastened upon long sticks.  Some were on foot; some on horseback.  So
+sudden and unexpected was the attack, so swiftly did they cross the four
+or five hundred yards of intervening ground, that they came upon the
+British before preparations could be made for their reception.
+
+Cavalry were moving in front of the infantry, and these, before they
+could be got into line for a charge, were surrounded by the enemy.  In
+an instant they were lost to sight in the cloud of dust and smoke caused
+by the battle; and in the confusion a troop charged to the right in rear
+of our infantry line, and burst into the 19th Punjaub Native Infantry,
+in rear of the General and his staff.  All was for a moment confusion.
+The ammunition mules were stampeded, riderless horses dashed hither and
+thither, and behind the cavalry came in the Ghazees with a furious rush,
+and a hand-to-hand fight took place.
+
+So impetuous were they, that on the left they swept round in the rear of
+our infantry; and the results would have been most terrible, had not
+Colonel Lister, V.C., commanding the 3rd Ghurkas, formed his men rapidly
+into company squares, and poured a tremendous fire into the fanatics.
+All along the line the attack raged, and so hurriedly had the affair
+come on that many of the men had not even fixed bayonets.  Desperate was
+the hand-to-hand fighting; and valour more conspicuous than that of the
+Ghazees was never shown.  But the three regiments, British, Sikh, and
+Ghurka, to whom they were exposed, held their own, and poured rolling
+volleys into the ranks of the enemy.  So fiercely did these charge that
+they came up to within thirty yards of the muzzles of Major Waters'
+guns, which were firing case and reversed shrapnel, and mowed them down
+in hundreds.  The 2nd Punjaub Cavalry charged again and again in the
+most gallant manner, and protected the guns from the Ghazees' attacks.
+The General, surrounded by his escort, was in the midst of the fight,
+the enemy having burst in between the guns and the 59th Foot, and
+officers and troopers had alike to fight for their lives, several of the
+escort being killed.  At last, however, the Ghazees fell back before the
+terrific fire, and the 1st Punjaub Cavalry, coming up from the rear,
+took up the pursuit.
+
+The fighting had lasted but an hour; but of the enemy 1000 dead lay upon
+the field, besides those bodies which had been carried off, and their
+wounded must have been even more numerous.  Among our troops 17 were
+killed and 126 wounded.  Our native allies, the Hazaras, seeing the
+Afghans defeated, took up the pursuit, and the rout of the enemy was
+complete.
+
+Ghuznee fell without opposition, the fighting men having been engaged in
+the battle of Ahmed Khel, and having had enough of hostilities.  A force
+was sent out from Ghuznee on the 23rd of April, under Brigadier-General
+Palliser; and this had a severe engagement with the natives near the
+village of Shalez, where they fought with a desperation equal to that
+shown by the fanatics in the previous battle.  Our men, however, were
+this time prepared, and were able to inflict very heavy losses upon the
+enemy, without allowing them to get to such close quarters as before.
+This was the end of the Afghan resistance, and General Stewart moved on
+to Cabul, and effected a junction with General Roberts.  This brought
+the second period of the Afghan war to a close.
+
+For some months the forces remained quiet at Cabul.  Negotiations were
+now going on.  Abdul Rahman was advancing upon Cabul.  This chief had
+long been a resident among the Russians, and had assumed the Ameership,
+and had been received cordially in the north of Afghanistan.  As no
+other competitor appeared to have equal chances with him, and as the
+British Government were most desirous to retire from the country, his
+authority was recognised by us, and upon his approach to Cabul the
+British force was ordered to retire.
+
+Just at this moment, however, news came which showed that the work was
+not yet over.
+
+When General Stewart left Candahar in his march towards Cabul, a strong
+British force had been left at that city.  A protege of the British,
+named Wali Shere Ali, had been appointed by us Governor of Candahar.
+His native army was not, however, regarded as reliable; and when the
+news came that Ayoub, a brother of Yakoob, was moving down from Herat,
+of which town he was the governor, with a large force, a body of British
+troops advanced with the Wali's army towards Girishk on the river
+Helmund.
+
+On July the 14th the conspiracy which had been going on among the Wali's
+troops came to a head.  The whole of them deserted, and the small
+British brigade found itself alone on the Helmund.  General Burrows had
+with him but 1500 infantry, 500 cavalry, and 6 guns, a force clearly
+inadequate to meet the large body with which Ayoub was advancing, and
+which would be swelled by the addition of the Wali's late troops.
+General Primrose, who commanded at Candahar, decided that no more troops
+could be sent forward to strengthen this brigade.
+
+Ayoub was advancing steadily, and, after deliberation, General Burrows
+fell back from Girishk to a point upon the road near Maiwand.  Ayoub had
+crossed the Helmund higher up, and was moving in a parallel line to that
+taken by the British; and the object of the English commander was to
+take up a position which would at once bar the road to Candahar and
+would prevent Ayoub striking by a more northern road, by which he would
+place himself north of the city and on the road to Cabul.  The
+camping-ground was a village called Khussk-i-Nakhud.  Reconnaissances
+were made by General Nuttal's cavalry in the direction of the enemy; but
+General Burrows had but bad information, and had no idea of the real
+strength of the force with which Ayoub was advancing.
+
+It was not until the 26th that the forces came into collision.  It was
+known then that Ayoub was trying to reach Maiwand without fighting, and
+General Burrows at once marched from Khussk-i-Nakhud to Maiwand to
+anticipate this movement.  At half-past six the troops marched, the
+general belief being that it was only Ayoub's cavalry with which he
+should have to deal.  Upon arriving near Maiwand, however, our spies
+brought in the news that the whole of Ayoub's force was in front.
+
+The morning was thick, and but little could be seen of Ayoub's army.
+The cavalry were indeed found moving about in large masses, but these
+fell back on our advance.  Lieutenant Maclean, with two Horse Artillery
+guns and a small cavalry escort, galloped out on the extreme left, and
+got his guns into action on the Afghan cavalry.  The position was
+considered a dangerous one, and the guns were withdrawn.  Large numbers
+of the enemy, led by Ghazees, were now seen swarming down over the low
+hills.
+
+The British infantry were formed in the following order:--On the right
+were the 66th Regiment, the Bombay Grenadiers formed the centre, and
+Jacob's Rifles the left.  Two guns were placed in position to support
+the 66th on the right, the remaining ten--for the six British guns had
+been increased to twelve by a battery captured from the Wali's
+mutineers--between the Grenadiers and the main body of Jacob's Rifles.
+There was no reserve, nor, indeed, with so small a force could there
+have been any.  The cavalry, the 3rd Scinde Horse and 3rd Bombay
+Cavalry, formed up in the rear of the left centre.
+
+Our guns shelled the enemy as they advanced, and it was fully an hour
+before his artillery opened in reply, when five batteries unmasked and
+opened fire.  Under cover of this artillery fire, the enemy's irregulars
+advanced.  When within 600 or 700 yards of the 66th, the Martini fire of
+the latter checked them, and in this quarter for a moment the attack
+ceased.
+
+Unfortunately our position was in every way a bad one.  Deep ravines ran
+both to the right and left of our force.  By these the enemy could
+advance until within a short distance of us.  The position, too, was
+dominated by the hills on either side, and after an artillery duel
+lasting for some time, the enemy's guns were moved on to the hills and a
+terrible fire opened upon our infantry.  At about two o'clock the
+smooth-bore guns began to run short of ammunition, and as only sixty
+rounds had been captured with them and there was no reserve, these were
+abandoned.  The enemy's battery now came boldly up, their cavalry
+manoeuvred on the left flank of the brigade, large numbers of their
+infantry and irregulars got into the villages behind us, and the
+position became more and more serious.
+
+Half an hour later the two companies of Jacob's Rifles on the extreme
+left began to waver.  The retirement from the smooth-bore guns
+demoralised them, and they broke their ranks and fell into utter
+confusion, breaking in upon the Grenadiers, who had up to that time
+fought steadily.  The Ghazees swept down in great masses, and the
+Grenadiers likewise gave way.  The remaining companies of Jacob's Rifles
+shared in the panic.  The enemy now swept in in all directions, their
+guns from the heights poured volleys of shell into the ranks of the
+crowded British, and the 66th, borne in upon by the rush of native
+troops on the one side, pressed by the Ghazees on the other, and cut
+down by the artillery fire, began to fall back also.
+
+The confusion became hopeless.  The artillery fired until the Ghazees
+were within a few yards of them, and two of the guns were lost.  The
+cavalry were ordered to charge; but they had already been much
+demoralised by the artillery fire, and could not be persuaded to charge
+home.  In the walled enclosures behind, the 66th and the Grenadiers
+rallied, and fought nobly.  Here Colonel Galbraith was killed and nine
+other officers of the 66th.  Some bodies of troops, entirely cut off
+from the rest, fought desperately to the end, and, dying, surrounded
+themselves with a ring of slaughtered enemies.  But at length the
+surviving troops were extricated from the villages, and the retreat
+commenced.
+
+Fortunately the pursuit lasted only two or three miles, the enemy having
+themselves suffered terribly, and being, moreover, anxious to take part
+in the loot of the camp.  The retreat was a terrible one.  Fifty miles
+had to be passed, and no water was obtainable on the way.  Along the
+whole line the villagers rose upon the fugitives, and the loss was
+terrible.
+
+Had the cavalry remained, as was their duty, behind the infantry,
+protected the retreat, and so given time to the fugitives to rally, the
+result would have been different.  But the conduct of the native cavalry
+regiments was the reverse of creditable.
+
+Fortunately Ayoub's army had been to a great extent demoralised by the
+tremendous losses which it had incurred in the defeat of this handful of
+British troops, and some days elapsed before it could continue its
+advance.  This gave time to the garrison at Candahar to put all in
+readiness.  The doubtful portion of the population was cleared out of
+the city, provisions collected, and all put in readiness for a siege.
+
+The news of Maiwand aroused tremendous excitement throughout India, and
+orders were at once issued for the carrying out of relieving operations.
+General Roberts was to march from Cabul with a strong division,
+consisting of tried troops, while General Phayre, with another force,
+was to move from Quettah.  Unfortunately the same false economy which
+had so delayed the advance after the massacre of Cavaignari, by the
+instant break-up of the transport trains, again operated to delay
+General Phayre; and although every possible effort was made, the force
+advancing from the Bolan could not reach Candahar until after that
+coming down from Cabul, although the latter had many times the distance
+to march.
+
+The forces which took part in the memorable march of General Roberts
+were the 92nd Highlanders, 23rd Pioneers, 24th Punjaub Infantry, 2nd
+Ghurkas, 72nd Highlanders, 2nd Sikhs, 3rd Sikhs, 5th Ghurkas, 2nd, 60th,
+15th Sikhs, 25th Punjaub Infantry, and the 4th Ghurkas.  There were
+three batteries of artillery, and four cavalry regiments--the 9th
+Lancers, the 3rd Bengal Cavalry, the 3rd Punjaub Cavalry, and the
+Central India Horse.  This gave a total of about 10,000 men.  The march
+would be between three and four weeks.  There would, in addition, be
+8000 followers to feed, 2000 horses, and some 8000 transport and
+artillery mules and ponies.
+
+The new Ameer did his best, by sending orders that all should be done to
+assist the march.  But the operation was in any case a dangerous one,
+and it was questionable whether the force would be able to subsist upon
+the road.  However, it started, and marching steadily day by day, passed
+through Ghuznee and down to Khelat-i-Ghilzai, where Colonel Tanner had
+been besieged.  No difficulties were met with, and scarce a shot was
+fired on the way down.  In seven days Ghuznee was reached, in fifteen
+Khelat-i-Ghilzai, the marching being no less than 15.7 miles per day,--
+not an extraordinary distance for a single regiment to perform, but a
+wonderful feat for a force containing some 18,000 persons, and 9000
+baggage animals, marching through mountainous valleys.
+
+Candahar had held out during the advance of General Roberts.  Indeed,
+Ayoub's forces had never ventured upon anything like a formidable attack
+upon it, believing that they would be able to starve out the garrison in
+time.  A sortie had been made, but with disastrous effects, and the
+garrison were now standing strictly on the defensive.
+
+As the relieving force advanced, Ayoub drew off and took ground on some
+hills near the town.  On the 27th of August the cavalry established
+heliographic communication, this being the nineteenth day of their march
+from Cabul.  On the 31st the entry was made into Candahar.  There was
+little delay here.  Ayoub's army had taken up its position on the Baba
+Wali Hills.  On the south-west his right was protected by the Pir-Paimal
+Hill.  This, however, was liable to be turned.  A reconnaissance was at
+once made by the cavalry, and the enemy unmasked five guns and opened
+upon them.  The Afghans poured out to the attack of the 15th Sikhs.  But
+these retired steadily, as there was no wish to bring on an engagement.
+General Macpherson's brigade, with those of Generals Baker and
+Macgregor, were to take part in the fray, the latter being in reserve.
+
+The men breakfasted at eight o'clock, and at nine were ready for the
+advance.  The attack commenced by General Macpherson's brigade carrying
+a village which the Afghans had occupied in advance of the range.
+Without maps, it is difficult in the extreme to describe battles; but it
+may be briefly said that Generals Macpherson and Baker advanced round
+the end of the Pir-Paimal, carried village after village, in some of
+which a desperate defence was made by the enemy, and so at last, winning
+every foot of the ground by hard fighting, they swept round the hill,
+and turned the enemy's left.  Many of the men were killed by Ghazees,
+who shut themselves up in the houses of the villages and sold their
+lives dearly, firing upon our troops until house after house was carried
+by storm.  The whole ground was orchard and enclosed fields, and each of
+these was the scene of a conflict.  Behind the northern hill, where the
+country is cut up by water-courses and canals between the river and the
+slopes, the Afghans made their last stand.  A deep water-cut, twelve
+feet broad, with banks two or three feet high, and with cultivated
+fields in front, served them as an excellent defence.  The banks had
+been ingeniously loopholed for rifle fire, and two camps lay in rear of
+it.  The Highlanders, however, carried the place with a rush, losing
+upwards of 40 men as they did so.  The rest of the enemy, numbering from
+8000 to 10,000, who had been gathered in the orchards, were driven round
+the rear of the line of hills.  Wherever they tried to rally, the
+British were upon them, and at last the fugitives reaching their camp,
+the whole body of Ayoub's army took to flight, although his regular
+regiments had never been engaged during the day, the whole fighting
+having been done by the irregulars.
+
+In four hours from the time the fight began, the Afghan army was driven
+from the position it had taken up, its camp and all its appurtenances
+falling into our hands, as well as thirty-one guns and two Horse
+Artillery guns, which had been captured at Maiwand.  They had made
+certain of victory, for not a tent was struck, nor a single mule-load of
+baggage off.
+
+This action, which completely crushed the force of Ayoub, concluded the
+campaign.
+
+The battle cost the lives of three officers--Lieutenant-Colonel
+Brownlow, commanding 72nd Highlanders, Captain Frome, 72nd Highlanders,
+and Captain Straton, 2nd battalion 22nd Foot.  Eleven officers were
+wounded, 46 men were killed and 202 wounded.  The enemy's loss was about
+1200 in killed alone.  Their work was over; and as General Stewart, with
+the army of Cabul, had retired from beyond the borders of Afghanistan on
+the one side, so General Roberts, with his relieving force, fell back on
+the other, and the Afghan Campaign came to a close.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+THE ZULU WAR--1879.
+
+Towards the end of the year 1878, serious disputes arose between the
+British authorities of Natal and Cetewayo, the King of the Zulus, a
+savage monarch possessing a large army of warriors, composed of men
+well-trained according to the savage idea of warfare, and possessed of
+extreme bravery.
+
+The ill-feeling had commenced at the time that the British took over the
+Transvaal.  Between the Boers and the Zulus great hostility prevailed,
+the Boers constantly encroaching upon the Zulus' ground, driving off
+cattle, and acting with extreme lawlessness.  The Zulus had long been
+preparing for retributive warfare; and as the Boers had proved
+themselves shortly before unable to conquer Secoceni, a chief whose
+power was as nothing in comparison with that of Cetewayo, the Zulus
+deemed that they would have an easy conquest of the Transvaal.  The
+occupation of that country by the English baulked them of their expected
+hopes of conquest and plunder, and a very sore feeling was engendered.
+This was heightened by the interference of the English with the tribal
+usages.  Wholesale massacres had been of constant occurrence in
+Zululand, the slightest opposition to the king's will being punished not
+only by the death of the offender himself, but by the destruction of all
+the villages of the tribe to which he belonged.  Every fighting man was
+in the army, and the young men were not permitted to marry until the
+king gave permission, such permission being never granted until after
+the regiment to which the man belonged had distinguished itself in
+fight.  Hence it happened that frequently the men were kept single until
+they reached middle age, and this privation naturally caused among the
+whole of the younger population an intense desire for war.
+
+The British Government, seeing the danger of such an organisation, and
+feeling that unless it was broken up war would shortly break out, called
+upon Cetewayo to abolish this institution.  At the same time the
+Government was acting as arbitrator between the Zulus and the Boers on a
+question of frontier, and there was also a minor dispute concerning some
+chiefs who had crossed the Tugela, the frontier river, and carried off
+some captives.
+
+In December a _durbar_ was held, in which the Government gave the
+decision on the frontier question in favour of the Zulus, ordered the
+persons who had violated the frontier to be given up, and at the same
+time gave in an ultimatum to the Zulu king respecting the dissolution of
+his army.  It was not known what answer the king would give; but it was
+believed that it would be unsatisfactory.  Accordingly every effort was
+made to place a strong force upon the frontier.  Three columns were
+assembled, one near the mouth of the Tugela, which was to march along
+the coast; another was to cross the river at Rorke's Drift; a third was
+to enter Zululand from the Transvaal.  The first of these was to be
+commanded by Colonel Pearson; the second would be commanded by Colonel
+Glyn, and accompanied by the General, Lord Chelmsford, himself; and the
+force acting from the Transvaal would be commanded by Colonel Evelyn
+Wood.
+
+On the 31st December, Cetewayo returned an answer, expressing his
+willingness to give up some of the persons whose surrender was demanded,
+and to pay the fine imposed upon him.  As to the other points, however,
+his answer was purely evasive, and preparations were made to cross the
+frontier at once.  On the 3rd, General Lord Chelmsford left Capetown for
+the front, and the time given to Cetewayo to return a favourable answer
+was extended to the 11th.  On the 12th, no further reply having been
+received, the British troops crossed the Tugela River.  Lord
+Chelmsford's column moved slowly forward, and occupied no less than ten
+days in getting to Isandula, a place little more than ten miles from the
+frontier.  On the morning of the 22nd, Lord Chelmsford, taking with him
+the main body of the column, advanced to reconnoitre the country
+beyond,--five companies of the 1st battalion of the 24th, one company of
+the 2nd battalion of the 24th, two guns, two rocket tubes, 104 men of
+one of the frontier corps, and 800 natives remaining behind to guard the
+camp.  These were further reinforced in the course of the day by the
+arrival of Colonel Durnford with a body of frontier troops.  The Zulus
+were presently seen advancing towards the camp.  This was situate in a
+valley.  At the back of the camp was a very high and steep hill, which,
+had time been given, could have been occupied and held against
+overwhelming forces.  Unfortunately, however, no steps had been taken to
+occupy this point of vantage, or in any way to strengthen the camp.  Had
+the force been pitched in Salisbury Plain, it could not have acted as if
+in more perfect security.
+
+Upon the Zulus making their appearance, advancing in their usual
+formation,--namely, that of a great crescent,--two companies of the 24th
+advanced to meet them, and Colonel Durnford, with his horse, went out to
+skirmish.  The Zulus, however, were so numerous and came on with such
+determination, that even the rapid fire of the infantry rifles scarcely
+sufficed to check them for an instant.  The cavalry were forced to fall
+back; the infantry, after resisting to the last moment, also retired
+hastily.  In the meantime the wing of the Zulu force had swept round,
+and came down upon the baggage waggons in the rear of the camp.  Then
+the whole body fell upon the little force of British.
+
+So sudden and determined was the attack, so unexpected in its character,
+that the British force had scarcely time to prepare in any way for it.
+For a few minutes they fought fiercely, and then the Zulus, with a
+tremendous rush, were upon them.  Then, in a moment, all was confusion
+and disorder.  Some stood in groups and fought desperately, back to
+back.  Others broke and fled.  But to all, whether they fought or fled,
+the same fate came.  A few, and a few only, of the mounted frontiers
+succeeded in cutting their way through the enemy and making for the
+river but the footmen were, to a man, killed.
+
+The loss was over 1000, and scarce 50 of those engaged effected their
+escape.  Among the dead were Colonel Durnford and Lieutenant Macdonald,
+Royal Engineers; Captain Russell and Captain Stewart Smith, Royal
+Artillery; Colonel Pulleine, Major White, Captains Degacher, Warden,
+Mostyn, and Younghusband; Lieutenants Hobson, Caveye, Atkinson, Davey,
+Anstie, Dyson, Porteous, Melville, Coghill; and Quartermaster Pullen of
+the 1st battalion 24th Regiment; and Lieutenants Pope, Austin, Dyer,
+Griffith, and Quartermaster Bloomfield, together with Surgeon--Major
+Shepheard, of the 2nd battalion 24th Regiment.  A large number of
+British officers commanding the native contingents were also killed.
+
+Among those who had ridden off while the fight was raging were
+Lieutenants Melville and Coghill.  These were both mounted, and Melville
+bore the colours of the regiment.  Cutting their way through the
+surrounding Zulus, they rode for the river, hotly pursued by the enemy.
+Lieutenant Coghill swam safely across; but upon reaching the other side,
+perceived that his comrade was helpless in the river, his horse having
+thrown him, and he clinging to a rock.  The gallant young officer at
+once returned and rescued his friend; but the delay was fatal.  The
+Zulus were upon them, and, after a desperate resistance, the young
+officers were both killed.
+
+In the meantime, by some extraordinary neglect, the column under Lord
+Chelmsford was marching on without having any idea of what was happening
+in its rear, no communication whatever being kept up between the two
+bodies.  At last, late in the afternoon, just as it was preparing to
+halt, the news was brought of the attack upon the camp.  The column
+marched back with all speed; but only arrived at the camp late at night,
+to find it deserted by the enemy, and strewn with the bodies of those
+they had left in high health and spirits in the morning, and with the
+remains of waggons and stores of all descriptions.
+
+That night the force lay on their arms on the scene of the encounter,
+and next morning marched back to the Tugela, and crossed at Rorke's
+Drift.
+
+Here another conflict had taken place upon the previous day; and had it
+not been for the gallantry and presence of mind of two young officers,
+not only would the depots here have fallen into the hands of the Zulus,
+but the retreat of the column would have been cut off, and in all
+probability it would have shared the fate of those at Isandula.
+
+At Rorke's Drift was a depot of provisions and stores.  This was guarded
+by a little force of some 80 men of the 24th Regiment, under the command
+of Lieutenant Bromhead; Lieutenant Chard, Royal Engineers, being senior
+officer.
+
+In the afternoon the news reached them that the enemy were approaching
+in force; and without a moment's loss of time the young officers set
+their men to work to form an intrenchment with the grain bags and boxes,
+to connect a house used as an hospital with the storehouse.  Scarcely
+were the preparations complete, when the Zulus, several thousand strong,
+crossed the river and advanced to the attack.  The little garrison
+defended themselves with heroic bravery.  Fortunately, among the stores
+was a large quantity of ammunition, and they were therefore enabled to
+keep up a steady and incessant fire all round, without fear of running
+short.  Several times the Zulus charged up to the breastwork and
+endeavoured to climb over; but each time these efforts were repulsed.
+The little force, however, was unable successfully to defend the
+hospital, which, after desperate fighting, was carried by the Zulus and
+burnt, the garrison then being concentrated in the storehouse and a
+small piece of ground enclosed by meal-bags in front.  For twelve hours
+the fight continued, and then the Zulus, after suffering a loss which
+they themselves admit to exceed 1000, fell back, and the all-important
+station was retained.
+
+Upon the 23rd, as Colonel Pearson's column was advancing from the lower
+Tugela Drift, they were attacked by the enemy at the Ebroi River, and a
+fierce fight ensued.  The Zulus, however, were kept at bay by the fire
+of the rifles, artillery, and rockets, and were unable to come to close
+quarters.  After making several efforts to charge, they fell back with a
+loss of 300 killed.  The force pushed on as far as Ekowe, and there
+receiving the news of the defeat at Isandula, Colonel Pearson set to
+work to intrench the position, sent back his mounted men and the native
+contingents, and determined to hold the place to the last.
+
+When the news of the disaster at Isandula reached England, the effect
+was immense, and preparations were instantly made to send reinforcements
+to the Cape, to the extent of six battalions of infantry, two regiments
+of cavalry, and two batteries of artillery.  The 88th Regiment, which
+was at the Cape, was at once hurried round, and every available man who
+could be spared landed from the men-of-war.  For a few days a panic
+pervaded the colony, as it was feared that the Zulus, inflamed by
+victory, would cross the river and invade Natal; and had this bold
+policy been carried out, there can be no doubt that wholesale
+devastation could have been caused by them.  Fortunately, however, the
+Zulus, satisfied with their victory and to a certain extent appalled by
+the tremendous loss which had been inflicted upon them, both at Isandula
+before they overwhelmed the 24th, and at Rorke's Drift, where they
+failed in their attack, fell back from the frontier and allowed the
+British preparations to be made without interruption.
+
+The column of Colonel Evelyn Wood was attacked two days after the battle
+of Isandula; but having received news of that disaster, they were well
+prepared, and repulsed the enemy with much loss.  They then fell back to
+the frontier, and, like the other columns, stood on the defensive.
+
+The troops on the way from England made rapid passages, and arrived at
+Durban earlier than could have been expected.  About the same time
+Prince Napoleon, who had gone out from England with the permission of
+Government as a spectator in the war, also arrived there, and was
+permitted to accompany the British column.  Upon the arrival of the
+first troopship at Natal all fear of an invasion passed away, and as
+vessel after vessel arrived with its load, the hopes of the British,
+that the defeat of Isandula would speedily be wiped out, rose high.
+There was, however, considerable delay in obtaining the waggons and
+mules required for transport.
+
+The first operation to be undertaken was the relief of Ekowe.  This
+position had been attacked, and had not only defended itself
+successfully, but the little garrison had sallied out, and burned
+various kraals in the neighbourhood.  Considerable anxiety, however, was
+felt as to them, for they were entirely cut off from news.  A few
+runners only had managed to make their way through, and these had now
+ceased, the Zulu watch being too strict to allow any of them to pass.
+Fortunately the Engineers were able to establish communication by means
+of flashing signals, and from that time news was received daily, giving
+an account of the camp, and acquainting those there of the preparations
+which were being pushed forward for their relief.
+
+On the 12th of March, 100 men of the 80th Regiment, under the command of
+Captain Moriarty, when marching from Durban to Luneberg, on the
+north-western frontier of Zululand, were attacked in the night by the
+enemy; Captain Moriarty and half the force being killed, while the
+remainder of the party, who were encamped upon the other side of the
+river Intombi, succeeded in making their escape.
+
+On the 29th of March the column of relief advanced from the Tugela.  It
+consisted of the 99th, 91st, 57th, 3rd, 60th, several companies of the
+Buffs, the Naval Brigade, 200 cavalry, and two battalions of the native
+contingent.  The Naval Brigade, consisting of the men of the _Shah_ and
+_Tenedos_, with two 9-pounders and three Gatling guns, led the advance.
+No enemy was met with during the first day's march, and they encamped on
+the Ioyuni, nine miles north of the Tugela, where they threw up
+intrenchments at once.  The next day they marched to Matacoola, and
+thence on the following day seven miles farther, to Gingihlovo.
+
+This camp was situated on slightly rising ground, and the tower of Ekowe
+was distinctly visible from it.  From this Colonel Pearson flashed
+signals that a large force of the enemy was on the march.  Intrenchments
+were thrown up, and the force remained in readiness for an attack.  At
+half-past five in the morning large masses of the enemy were sighted.
+They crossed the river Inyanzi, and advanced in their usual
+crescent-shaped formation.  The camp was formed in a square; the 60th
+Rifles were holding the face first threatened by the enemy.  For half an
+hour the 60th were hard at work; but their steady fire beat back the
+enemy at this point.  Sweeping round to the right, they then made a
+determined effort to force their way in on that side, but were met and
+checked by a tremendous fire from the 57th and 91st.
+
+Nothing could be finer than the way in which the natives advanced to the
+attack upon the line of intrenchments, and, notwithstanding the
+tremendous musketry fire which they encountered, they pressed forward so
+closely that for some time it appeared as if they would force their way
+to the intrenchments, and bring the matter to a hand-to-hand fight.  The
+fire, however, proved too much for them, and they wavered and began to
+fall back.  Then the little body of cavalry sallied out from the camp,
+and fell upon them, and the native contingent followed and took up the
+pursuit hotly.  The Zulu army was composed of some of the picked men of
+the best regiments of the king, and the result showed conclusively that
+British troops, if only properly led, can resist an attack of any
+number, even of the most gallant savages.  The loss of the Zulus was
+estimated at 1500.
+
+The relieving force now pushed on to Ekowe, where they found the gallant
+garrison in great straits from want of food and from disease, brought on
+by living so long in confinement.  During the siege 4 officers and 26
+men had succumbed.  Ekowe was evacuated, a force was left at Gingihlovo,
+and the column then returned to the Tugela.
+
+On the 28th of March, the day before the relief column started for
+Ekowe, very heavy fighting had taken place in the north-west of
+Zululand.  Colonel Wood had, during the whole of the time of inactivity,
+harassed the enemy with great success.  A chief by the name of Umbelini,
+however, had made repeated attacks, and it was now determined to punish
+him by an attack on the strong plateau of Mhlobani, on which Umbelini
+kept the greater part of his herds.  On the morning of the 28th, Colonel
+Buller, with all the mounted forces, started, gained the plateau without
+much difficulty, collected great herds of cattle, and prepared for the
+return.
+
+When, however, they were on the point of leaving the plateau, vast
+bodies of Zulus were seen approaching from the plains.  These were an
+army which had been sent by Cetewayo to the assistance of Umbelini.  The
+cavalry, scattered among the herds, and unable to act from the rocky
+nature of the ground, were now in a bad position, and suffered most
+heavily.  Captain Barton's Volunteer Horse and Colonel Weatherley's
+troop suffered most heavily, losing no less than 86 men and 12 officers.
+Among these were Colonel Weatherley himself, Captain Hamilton of the
+Connaught Rangers, and Captains Campbell and Burton of the Coldstream
+Guards.  The rest of the force succeeded in getting away, and, hotly
+pursued, fell back upon the camp at Kambula.
+
+The following day the Zulus were seen approaching in great force.
+Colonels Buller and Russell, with the cavalry, went out and skirmished,
+but were speedily driven in.  The enemy came on in great force until
+within 300 yards of the intrenchment, when a heavy fire was opened upon
+them by the men of the 13th Regiment.  This checked their advance upon
+the front, and they then threatened the cattle laager, hard by, by a
+flanking movement.  Major Hackett of the 90th, with two companies, moved
+to this, and for three hours a desperate fight raged round the whole
+circuit of the camp.  At the end of this time the Zulus, having suffered
+terribly from the fire of our breechloaders, began to fall back, when
+our cavalry under Colonel Buller at once sallied out and fell upon them,
+and for seven miles pursued and cut them up.  Our loss was comparatively
+small.  Lieutenant Nicholson, R.A., and Lieutenant Bright of the 90th
+were killed, Major Hackett and several other officers being severely
+wounded.
+
+Many weeks now passed without striking events, and the greatest
+discontent was caused by the long inactivity.  Kambula and Gingihlovo
+had shown how British troops, when steady, could defeat great masses of
+the enemy; and it was inexplicable to all why a British force of some
+15,000 men could remain for weeks inactive within but four days' march
+of the stronghold of the enemy.  So great had the discontent become,
+both in England and Natal, at the extraordinary inaction of the British
+troops, that the greatest satisfaction was diffused when, on the 26th of
+May, Sir Garnet Wolseley was appointed to the chief command at the Cape.
+
+On the 1st of June an occurrence took place which cast a gloom over the
+whole country.  The Prince Imperial started with Lieutenant Carey of the
+98th, and six men of Bettington's Horse, on a reconnoitring expedition,
+and reached a kraal some ten miles from the camp.  Here they unsaddled
+their horses and rested for an hour.  As they were in the act of
+resaddling, a party of Zulus suddenly sprang out.  All leaped to their
+horses and rode off, unhappily headed by the officer, who should have
+been the last in the retreat.  The Prince Imperial was unable to mount
+his horse, and was overtaken by the Zulus within 300 yards of the kraal,
+and, being deserted and alone, was killed by the Zulus, making a noble
+resistance to the last.  There is no blacker episode in the history of
+the British army than this.
+
+Another month was passed in tedious delays and crawling movements.
+General Sir Garnet Wolseley reached the Cape in the last week in June,
+and the news of his approach appears to have quickened the faculties of
+the officer until then commanding the British troops, who accordingly
+advanced, and upon the 4th of July fought the battle of Ulundi.  The
+British were formed in square, and upon their approach to the king's
+head village, were attacked by the Zulus.  The fight was never for an
+instant in doubt.  From the four sides of the square a tremendous fire
+from our breechloaders, aided by guns and Gatlings placed at the angles,
+mowed down the Zulus, who advanced bravely, but were wholly unable to
+stand the withering fire.  The conflict lasted but a very few minutes,
+at the end of which the Zulus were in flight, and the war in Zululand
+was virtually at an end.
+
+After this there was no more actual fighting.  Scattered bands were
+dispersed and places occupied; but the Zulus lost all heart, and went
+off at once to their villages.  A hot pursuit was kept up after the
+king, and he was finally captured and sent a prisoner to the Cape.  The
+troops were sent back to England as speedily as possible.
+
+After the pacification of Zululand, Sir Garnet Wolseley carried out a
+very dashing little expedition against Secoceni, who had long defied the
+strength of the Boers and the authority of the English.  His stronghold
+was captured after sharp fighting, and for a time the South of Africa
+was pacified.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+THE EGYPTIAN WAR--1882.
+
+In the spring of 1882 a movement, in which the military were the
+principal actors and Arabi Pasha the guiding spirit, took place in
+Egypt; and although Tewfik, the Khedive, was not absolutely deposed, his
+authority was set at naught.  He had, from the commencement of his
+reign, acted under English advice, and as there was a strong
+anti-foreign element in the movement, considerable apprehensions were
+excited lest the safety of the Suez Canal would be threatened, should
+the revolution be carried to a successful end.  The support given by the
+English to the Khedive excited against us a strong feeling of hostility
+on the part of Arabi's party, and the position grew so threatening that
+an English and French fleet was sent to Alexandria to give a moral
+support to the Khedive, and to protect the European inhabitants.  The
+situation was further aggravated by a serious riot in Alexandria on 11th
+June, arising primarily from a quarrel between the natives and the lower
+class of Greeks and Levantines.  The riots spread, and a considerable
+number of Europeans were killed and wounded.
+
+Preparations were at once made for war, but before the troops could
+arrive upon the scene a crisis occurred.  Arabi's troops commenced
+throwing up fresh batteries, in positions menacing the English fleet.
+Admiral Seymour requested that the work should be discontinued; but as
+it still went on, he sent in an ultimatum.  This was not attended to,
+and at the expiration of the time given, the British fleet opened fire
+upon the Egyptian forts and batteries.  The events of the action belong
+rather to _Our Sailors_, than to the military branch of the service.
+The firing continued all day, and by the afternoon the Egyptian
+batteries were all silenced.
+
+The next day the enemy exhibited a flag of truce, and negotiations were
+kept up until evening.  That night the Egyptian troops evacuated the
+town; but before leaving, they, with the fanatical portion of the
+populace, set fire to the greater portion of the European quarter, which
+was almost entirely destroyed.  Little loss of life, however, took
+place, as the greater part of the European inhabitants had gone on board
+ship previous to the commencement of the bombardment.
+
+The next day 600 marines and seamen landed, and took possession of the
+town.  The troops now began to arrive from Malta and Gibraltar, and a
+position was taken up outside the town at Ramleh, facing the army of
+Arabi.  Several small skirmishes took place at the outposts, a body of
+twenty mounted infantry, under Lieutenant Pigott of the 60th Rifles,
+particularly distinguishing themselves.  The troops arrived fast,
+General Sir Archibald Alison took the command, and reconnaissances of
+the enemy's position were made by the troops and by an armour-clad train
+manned by sailors.
+
+On the 6th of August a reconnaissance in force was made.  Six companies
+of the 60th Rifles, four companies of the 38th, and four of the 64th
+marched out from the lines at Ramleh, accompanied by seven companies of
+the marines with the iron-clad train.  The 38th and 46th moved forward
+with one gun, on the left bank of the Mahmoudieh Canal; the 60th, also
+with a gun, moving on the right bank, while the marines advanced on the
+railway embankment.  The enemy were seen in large numbers in front of
+the Rifles, and these advanced in skirmishing order.  The enemy lined a
+ditch which ran across the country with a dense jungle on its rear, and
+opened a heavy fire from the cover upon the Rifles.  A hot fire was kept
+up on both sides, the English gradually pressing forward towards their
+invisible foe.  When the Rifles reached within 100 yards of the ditch,
+the Egyptians began to steal away through the jungle, and the 60th
+charged down upon the ditch with a cheer, when the enemy at once took to
+their heels.  The marines were equally successful along the line of the
+railway embankment.  The enemy made a bold stand at the point where the
+canal and railway approach each other, and, strong reinforcements coming
+to their assistance, the British fell back in good order, the Egyptians
+declining to pursue.
+
+At the commencement of the fight, the mounted infantry under Captain
+Barr and Lieutenants Pigott and Vyse were in advance of the 38th.  The
+officers with six men went forward to reconnoitre, and suddenly found
+themselves in front of a large body of the enemy; the infantry
+dismounted and returned the fire opened upon them, expecting support
+from the rear.  Orders, however, came for them to retire.  In the
+meantime two of the little band were struck dead, and two were wounded.
+Lieutenant Vyse, a great favourite with his men, was struck high in the
+leg, and, the arteries being severed, bled to death.  His comrades would
+not desert his body, but carried it off under a tremendous fire, the two
+wounded men, who were still able to use their rifles, covering the
+retreat with their fire.
+
+Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived at Alexandria on the 15th of August, and on
+the 19th, the whole of the troops from England having arrived, the fleet
+with a large number of transports sailed from Alexandria, leaving a
+division under the command of General Sir Evelyn Wood to defend the
+town.  Arriving at Port Said, the fleet sailed up the Suez Canal to
+Ismailia, which they occupied without resistance, and the troops at once
+began to land.
+
+On the 24th an advance was made on Ismailia, and at a distance of seven
+miles the enemy was encountered.  The force was not sufficient to attack
+the enemy, but an artillery fire was kept up hotly all day.  In the
+evening British reinforcements came up, and the Egyptians in the morning
+retired without fighting.  They made a stand, however, farther back; but
+the cavalry under General Drury Lowe pushed forward on their flank, and
+after a short resistance the Egyptians fled, a great number of them
+making their escape in the railway trains.  Seven Krupp guns, an immense
+quantity of rifles and ammunition, and seventy-five railway waggons,
+loaded with provisions, fell into our hands.  The troops now advanced as
+far as Kassassin, where the advanced troops were under the command of
+General Graham.
+
+On the 29th of August the enemy were seen in considerable force near
+this post, and the cavalry at Mahsameh, four miles in the rear, rode out
+to assist the force there.  The enemy, however, made no attack, and in
+the afternoon the cavalry returned.  Scarcely had they reached camp when
+a heavy and continuous roar was heard; the Egyptians, with a force of
+13,000 men, had advanced with the intention of crushing the small bodies
+of British troops in their isolated posts.  The garrison of Kassassin
+consisted only of a battalion of Marine Artillery, the 46th and 84th
+Regiments.  The enemy came on in overwhelming numbers, and with great
+resolution.  The British infantry turned out to defend the positions,
+manning the slight earthwork which had been thrown up round the camp.
+The Egyptians advanced in a storm of bullets, their artillery playing
+heavily on the camp.  The Egyptians suffered heavily, but advanced with
+considerable courage, and the position of the British was becoming
+serious.
+
+At this moment, however, the British cavalry, consisting of the Horse
+and Life Guards and the 7th Dragoon Guards, with the Horse Artillery,--
+who had remounted and advanced when the recommencement of the cannonade
+told that the attack had begun in earnest,--came into action.  Instead
+of advancing direct upon Kassassin, General Lowe took his men by a long
+detour by the right, and so came round in the darkness upon the enemy's
+rear.  It was not until they arrived within a mile that the enemy saw
+the black mass advancing in the moonlight over the sandy plain.  A
+battery of nine guns at once opened upon them, and the Horse Artillery
+replied immediately to the enemy's fire.  Bullets as well as shell were
+now falling fast around the cavalry, and General Lowe gave the order to
+charge the guns.  Led by Colonel Sir Baker Russell, the cavalry rode
+straight at the enemy's battery.  Fortunately, in their haste the
+Egyptian gunners fired high, and with a few casualties the cavalry
+reached the guns.  The Egyptian gunners were cut down, and then the
+horsemen dashed into the infantry behind, who were already turning to
+fly.
+
+The opening of the British guns in their rear at once checked the
+advance of the assailants of the garrison of Kassassin.  The cavalry
+charge completed the confusion of the enemy, and in a short time the
+plain was covered with bodies of the flying Egyptians making their way
+back to Tel-el-Kebir, from which they had started in the morning,
+confident in their power to annihilate the little British force at
+Kassassin.  Large numbers were killed, and the rout would have been even
+more complete had not the horses of the cavalry been too much exhausted
+with their long day's work under a broiling sun, to permit the pursuit
+being vigorously continued.
+
+The British advance had been terribly hindered from the difficulties of
+transport, but at last all was in readiness, and the division which had
+come from India having been brought round from Suez to Ismailia, all was
+prepared for the advance against the strong Egyptian position at
+Tel-el-kebir.
+
+On 9th September the enemy again advanced in great numbers, many of them
+having been brought up by train from Tel-el-Kebir.  The videttes of the
+Bengal Lancers, who were now at the front, brought in the news of their
+approach, and the infantry and guns moved out to check them.  The enemy
+had, however, already reached positions whence their fire commanded the
+camp, and opened fire with thirty guns upon the camp and moving column.
+The English artillery returned the enemy's fire, but the numbers were so
+great that for a time the position of the force appeared critical.
+General Lowe with his cavalry rode out from camp, and repeated his
+manoeuvre of the previous engagement.  The enemy's flank movement was
+checked, and their cavalry fell back, and for half an hour the two
+bodies of cavalry manoeuvred to outflank each other, halting
+occasionally while the light artillery on both sides opened fire.  In
+the meantime the Egyptian infantry had advanced on either side of the
+canal and railway, and down the slopes of the sand-hills, until within
+800 yards, when they opened a continuous rifle fire.  The 60th Rifles
+and the marines advanced to meet the enemy coming by the canal and
+railway line, when the 84th pressed forward against those on the high
+ground.  For a time a tremendous fire was kept up on both sides; then
+the fire of the Egyptian guns began to slacken under the superior aim of
+the British artillery.
+
+The order was given to advance, and the three regiments, supported by
+two others in reserve, went at the enemy, who at once broke and fled,
+abandoning three of their guns.  The English pursued them until within
+four miles of Tel-el-Kebir.  The cavalry, on their side, had not only
+driven in the cavalry of the enemy, but 5000 of their infantry, who were
+advancing from Salahieh to outflank our position.  So completely
+demoralised were the enemy by their defeat, that there can be little
+doubt the force engaged would have been sufficient to have carried
+Tel-el-Kebir at a rush.  Sir Garnet Wolseley, however, ordered a halt,
+as he had no wish to attack their position until able to deliver a
+crushing blow with his whole force, which was now close at hand.
+
+On the 12th the whole expeditionary force was assembled at Kassassin,
+and in the evening the camp was struck, and the army, 14,000 strong,
+moved out, and, piling their arms, lay down on the sand until one
+o'clock; then they again fell into rank and advanced.  Scarcely a word
+was spoken, and the dark columns moved off almost noiselessly, their
+footfalls being deadened by the sand.  On the right was Graham's
+Brigade, which had already done such good service by twice repelling the
+assaults of the enemy; next to them came the brigade of Guards, which
+was, when the action began, to act as their support; next to these moved
+42 guns of the Royal Artillery, and on the line of railway the Naval
+Brigade advanced with the 40-pounder on a truck; beside them came the
+Highland Brigade,--the Cameronians, 74th, Gordon Highlanders, and Black
+Watch,--the 46th and 60th forming their support.  It was upon these that
+the brunt of the action fell.  So silent was the advance in the
+darkness, that the enemy did not perceive the advancing column until
+they were within 300 yards.  The Highlanders were advancing to attack
+the face of the works nearest to the line of march, and consequently
+arrived at their destination some time before Graham's Brigade, which
+had to make a sweep round.  Suddenly a terrific fire broke from the
+Egyptian intrenchment upon the Highlanders.  Not a shot was fired in
+reply, but with a wild cheer the Highland regiments dashed at the
+enemy's line.
+
+Against so fierce and rapid an onslaught the Egyptians could make but
+little stand, and the Highlanders dashed over the line of earthworks.
+Scarcely, however, had they won that position when the Egyptians opened
+a tremendous fire from an intrenchment farther back.  The Highlanders
+for a minute or two replied, and then again advanced at a charge.  The
+Egyptians fought stoutly, and for a time a hand-to-hand struggle went
+on; then some of the Highlanders penetrated by an opening between the
+Egyptian intrenchments, and opened fire upon their flank.  This was too
+much for them, and they almost immediately broke and fled.
+
+In the meantime fighting had begun on the other flank.  Warned by the
+roar of conflict with the Highlanders, the Egyptians were here prepared,
+and for a time kept up a steady fire upon our troops.  The 18th Royal
+Irish were sent to turn the enemy's left, and dashed at the trenches,
+carrying them at the bayonet's point.  Next to the 18th came the 87th
+and 84th, with the Guards close behind.  For a short time the enemy
+clung to the line of intrenchments, but their fire was very ineffective.
+By this time the Highland division was already in their camp, and soon
+losing heart they too fled, and the whole Egyptian army were in full
+rout.  With hardly a moment's delay, the cavalry were pushed on in
+pursuit, and, riding forward with scarcely a halt, reached Cairo in
+twenty-four hours.  Although there was a strong garrison here, it at
+once surrendered, and Arabi Pasha gave himself up to the English.  The
+instant the news reached the Egyptian army facing Alexandria, it
+dispersed in all directions, and the war in Egypt came to an abrupt
+termination.
+
+On every occasion throughout this war, when the British came in contact
+with the enemy they behaved with great valour; but the nature of the
+conflict, and the poor fighting power of the Egyptian troops, afforded
+comparatively few opportunities for the display of deeds of individual
+heroism.
+
+England, however, has every reason to be proud of the conduct of her
+soldiers and sailors during the Egyptian Campaign, which was
+accomplished with a dash and rapidity, and with a smallness of loss, in
+comparison with the number of the enemy's troops and the strength of
+their artillery, altogether unprecedented in the annals of modern
+warfare.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THE MAHDI--1883-1885.
+
+Although the defeat of Arabi was complete, another and much more serious
+danger to Egyptian civilisation soon after arose in the Soudan.  An Arab
+of Dongola, a Moslem fanatic, who had been accepted by many of the Arabs
+as the Mahdi or prophet, the expected Messiah of Islam, had, as far back
+as 1881, resisted and defeated the Egyptian forces, and during 1882, by
+repeated successes, had largely increased his power and the number of
+his adherents.  In 1883 serious preparations were made by the Egyptian
+Government for a campaign against these rebels; and in August an army of
+over 10,000 men of all arms was collected and despatched against the
+Mahdi under the command of Colonel Hicks, a retired Indian officer, and
+at this time a Pasha in the Egyptian service; and with him were many
+other English officers.  For some weeks nothing was heard in lower Egypt
+of the expedition, but at last news reached Khartoum that the whole
+force had become entangled in a defile in which an ambuscade had been
+prepared by the enemy, and that after three days' fighting, the
+ammunition being exhausted, the army had been annihilated by the
+superior numbers of the Mahdi's followers.  In this awful slaughter
+there fell with Hicks Pasha, the Governor of the Soudan, and more than
+1000 officers; while all the guns, munitions of war, and transport
+animals fell into the hands of the Mahdi.
+
+This and other victories of the Mahdi and his lieutenants added greatly
+to his prestige as prophet, and to the number of his fanatic followers,
+who now overran the whole of the Soudan.  The British Government urged
+upon the Egyptian Ministry the necessity of relieving the various
+invested garrisons, and withdrawing from the country without delay.  To
+this plan the Egyptians reluctantly agreed, but they found themselves
+unable to accomplish it.  The British Government then applied to General
+Gordon, who had formerly acted as Governor-General of the Soudan, and
+who had more influence over the Arabs than any other European, to
+undertake the task of the evacuation of Khartoum, the civil population
+of which was about 11,000, an operation which, as they could only hope
+to retire by the Nile, would require months of preparation.  General
+Gordon set out at once for his post, and, reaching Cairo on the 24th
+January 1884, left for Khartoum on the 26th, with General Stewart as his
+sole companion.  Travelling up the Nile, these two reached Korosko on
+1st February, and then mounting camels rode for six days across the
+desert, and eventually reached Khartoum on 16th February, where they
+were hailed with the greatest enthusiasm by the people.  At first all
+seemed well, the country was fairly quiet, and Gordon hoped to be able
+to send the garrison back, and indeed did send in safety some 2500
+widows and children to Korosko, but events soon occurred which destroyed
+all hopes of a peaceful retreat.
+
+After the defeat of Hicks Pasha, Baker Pasha, another quondam British
+officer, had been collecting a force of Egyptians at Suakin, and while
+Gordon was still on the road to Khartoum came into contact with the
+Mahdi's men.  Baker's force consisted of some 3000 or 4000 Egyptians,
+who proved of such miserable quality that at the first attack of the
+enemy they were seized by wild panic, and notwithstanding the heroic
+effort and example of their European officers, could not be prevailed
+upon to stand, but broke and fled in all directions, followed by the
+relentless Mahdists, who massacred them without pity, 2300 men being
+slaughtered like sheep, and with no more show of resistance, in fifteen
+minutes.  Nearly all the European officers were killed fighting, and
+only a few, among whom was Colonel Baker, succeeded in cutting their way
+through, and returning to Suakin.  Soon after this disaster Sincat fell;
+its gallant garrison, under Tewfik Pasha, refusing to surrender, blew up
+the forts, and then marched out and fell fighting to the last; and Tokar
+also fell into the Mahdists' hands, its garrison agreeing to terms of
+surrender, thus leaving Osman Digna, the Mahdist leader, free to attack
+Suakin itself.
+
+BATTLE OF EL-TEB--1884.
+
+As it was now clear that no reliance could be put upon Egyptian troops,
+even when led by British officers, it became necessary for Great Britain
+to intervene if Suakin was not to fall into the hands of the Mahdi.
+This had to be prevented at all costs, and by the end of February a
+British force consisting of about 3500 troops was assembled at Suakin
+under General Graham.  The Arabs had taken up a strong position at the
+village of Teb, a few miles inland of Trinkitat, at the scene of the
+defeat of Baker's army, and it was decided to drive them from this
+position.
+
+Early on the morning of 29th February the British column set out,
+marching in the form of a hollow square, with the transport animals
+carrying reserve ammunition and hospital equipment in the middle.  The
+force consisted of 3000 infantry selected from the Gordon Highlanders
+and Black Watch, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, King's Royal Rifles, York
+and Lancaster Regiment, Royal Marines, and some Engineers, 115 of the
+Naval Brigade, six machine guns and eight Royal Artillery 7-pounders,
+and some 750 mounted troops.
+
+The Arabs were found in carefully made intrenchments, on which were
+mounted the guns recently taken from Baker Pasha's force, but their rear
+was unprotected; the attack was therefore made on this side.  After the
+village had been shelled by 7-pounders for some time, the square marched
+against the rear of the Arab lines, the storm of bullets and shell by
+which they had been greeted having by this time ceased.  As the column
+reached the lines the Arabs, who were concealed on all sides, suddenly
+sprang up, and with the reckless courage which the British soldier was
+often to witness in the near future, rushed upon the square, upon three
+sides at once; they had now, however, a foe of a quality widely
+different from that of Baker's force to deal with, and a continuous and
+well-directed hail of bullets swept them down by hundreds, while all who
+reached the square fell by the bayonet on its outside, the square
+meantime steadily advancing.  As the village was approached the
+formation could no longer be kept so regular, and there was fierce
+hand-to-hand fighting.  When the fort was reached, a company of the
+Black Watch charged, with them being Colonel Burnaby and some
+bluejackets.  The enemy stood their ground, and fought like heroes; in
+the _melee_ Colonel Burnaby was wounded, and also Captain Wilson, R.N.,
+of the _Hecla_.  The latter, seeing a marine in difficulties with five
+or six of the enemy round him, went to his assistance, and after
+breaking his sword set to with his fists, doing terrible work with the
+hilt.  The enemy were at length driven out at the point of the bayonet,
+and though they stubbornly contested every inch of the ground for three
+hours and a half, at length gave way in all directions.  The cavalry
+were now called into action to pursue the scattered ranks of the
+Mahdists and prevent their re-forming.  The enemy again met the attack
+with great bravery, and it was at this stage of the action that the
+principal British losses occurred, for the Arabs lying concealed in
+holes in the sand and behind hillocks, drove their spears into the
+horses and men as they passed over them, the sword proving a very
+inefficient weapon in the encounter, a fact which led to the general use
+of the lance on future similar occasions.
+
+The Mahdists suffered a crushing and, as it seemed at the time, a
+complete defeat, and the troops meeting with no further opposition
+advanced to Tokar, and after destroying the fort returned to Suakin.  On
+our side Major Slade, Lieutenants Freeman and Probyn, and Quartermaster
+Williams, and 26 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, and 142
+officers and men wounded; whilst of the enemy 2500 were found dead upon
+the field, and probably as many more were wounded.
+
+BATTLE OF TAMANIEB--1884.
+
+It was naturally hoped that after so thorough a beating the Arabs round
+Suakin would make their submission, and a proclamation was issued
+calling upon the Sheikhs to do so.  This, however, only provoked
+defiance, and it soon became known that the Mahdists were collecting in
+force at Tamai, about 16 miles to the south-west of Suakin, and
+accordingly another fight, which proved to be a very severe one, became
+necessary.
+
+This took place on March 13th, the troops having bivouacked on the
+previous night a mile or two from the enemy's position.  The force
+consisted of two brigades under General Sir Redvers Buller and General
+Davis respectively, the first consisting of men from the Gordon
+Highlanders, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and King's Royal Rifles; and the
+second of some of the Black Watch, York and Lancaster Regiment, and
+marines, with a force of 10th and 19th Hussars, and mounted infantry
+under General Stewart.
+
+The Hussars and mounted infantry first came into touch with the enemy,
+dismounting and firing by volleys and independently, the nature of the
+ground not being suitable for charging; the enemy faced their fire with
+great courage, and retired in good order and slowly, as though
+unwillingly; the loss on our side being only two killed and eight
+wounded, a number quite out of proportion to the services rendered and
+loss inflicted on the enemy.
+
+The second brigade, which was leading, had a very severe fight, and
+suffered heavy loss, which was mainly owing to the open formation of the
+square at a critical moment.  On this account it was not strong enough
+to resist the sudden rush of the Arabs, who had lain concealed about
+fifty yards away.  The charge being delivered at such close quarters and
+so suddenly, enabled the enemy to get to close quarters before the guns
+of the Naval Brigade could be got into position.  A charge was ordered,
+but the Arabs swept round each line as it charged, burst through it, and
+pressed it back, and a terrible hand-to-hand fight followed.  The Black
+Watch lost many men, being attacked both from front and rear.  Three
+times the naval officers commanding the guns, which they would not
+leave, were surrounded; at last all of them and many of their men were
+killed, and for a few minutes the guns were in the hands of the enemy.
+The York and Lancaster Regiment were also hard-pressed.  Seeing the
+serious position of the brigade, General Stewart sounded a charge, and
+700 flashing sabres swept down upon the enemy,--an awe-inspiring sight,
+which even the courage of the Mahdists could not endure, and after a
+moment's hesitation they retreated.  Upon this Colonel Wood, commanding
+the Hussars, ordered his men to halt, dismount, and fire upon the enemy;
+at the same time General Buller's brigade poured in a heavy fire, thus
+affording the second brigade time to re-form, and in a few minutes the
+victory was complete.  The guns were retaken, and the whole force
+advanced and took possession of the enemy's position, and destroyed the
+village and tents, all opposition having entirely ceased.
+
+There fell in this action 120 British officers and men, the heaviest
+losses being among the Black Watch.  Lieutenant Montresor, R.N.,
+Lieutenant Almach, R.N., and Lieutenant Houston, R.N., with seven of
+their men, were killed at their guns.  The enemy's force was estimated
+at 15,000 and their loss at over 5000.
+
+THE EXPEDITION TO KHARTOUM--1884 AND 1885.
+
+The fighting around Suakin in 1884, though successful as to its
+immediate result, namely, the defeat of local levies of the Mahdi, had
+no beneficial effect upon the position of Gordon in Khartoum; rather, it
+would appear, the contrary.  The defeat and terrible slaughter of the
+Arabs at El-Teb and Tamai seem to have been taken as an earnest of the
+intention of the British to reconquer the Soudan, and so to have decided
+many hitherto friendly, or at least neutral, Sheikhs to throw in their
+lot with the Mahdi.  Whether this view is correct or not, the fact
+remains that up to March Khartoum was open, and by the end of the
+operations it was besieged.  Our purpose being rather to relate
+achievements of "Our Soldiers" than a history of the events which
+preceded them, we will not attempt to state the cause which led to the
+seclusion of Khartoum and the isolation of the heroic Gordon and his
+companions, Colonel Stewart and Consul Power, nor the causes which
+rendered the splendid engagements at Suakin fruitless, and led to the
+fall of Berber.  It is enough to say that at length the people of Great
+Britain could bear the spectacle no longer, and the force of public
+opinion compelled the Government to take steps in the summer of 1884 to
+achieve, if it were not too late, the relief of Khartoum.  What was a
+possible task a few months before had now become an exceedingly
+difficult, if not impossible, one, and it was thought that, under the
+circumstances, the route which was the most feasible would be by the
+Nile.
+
+In the early part of October news arrived that Colonel Stewart and Mr
+Power, the special correspondent of the _Times_, who had also acted as
+Vice-Consul at Khartoum, had been murdered on their way to Dongola.
+They were proceeding down the Nile in one of Gordon's steamers in order
+to open communications with the British expedition under Lord Wolseley,
+which was then advancing up the river, and with them were some
+forty-five other people, including the French Consul at Khartoum.  The
+steamer struck on a rock, and the whole party had to disembark.  They
+were hospitably received by the Sheikh, who promised no harm should
+happen to them if they came unarmed.  This they accordingly did; but no
+sooner had Colonel Stewart and the Consul entered the Arab's house than
+they were attacked, and having no weapons but their fists, were
+eventually overcome and killed.  General Gordon was now absolutely
+alone, and still holding Khartoum against the Mahdi, and no time was to
+be lost if he was to be released.  Strenuous efforts were made to push
+on the expedition, and by the middle of December a strong force had
+assembled at Korti, on the Nile, 1400 miles by the Nile from the sea.
+
+Here Lord Wolseley arrived on the 16th of December.  The latest news
+from General Gordon was dated 14th November, saying that his steamers
+awaited the expedition at Metammeh, and that he could hold out for forty
+days, but that after that the defence would be difficult.  Upon this
+news Lord Wolseley decided to send a flying column as soon as possible
+across the desert to Metammeh, with instructions to send a detachment by
+the steamers up to Khartoum.  The desert route to Metammeh direct from
+Korti is 176 miles, but the distance is very much greater by the river,
+which between these two places makes a bend of three parts of a circle.
+The command of the force selected was given to General Sir Herbert
+Stewart, with Sir Charles Wilson as second in command.  A strong depot
+having previously been established at the wells of Jakdul, about 100
+miles towards Metammeh, the expedition started on the 8th January.  It
+consisted of 5 naval officers and 53 bluejackets under Lord Charles
+Beresford (sent for service on the steamers), a battery of artillery, 9
+officers and 120 men of the 19th Hussars under Colonel Barron, the
+Guards Camel Regiment under Colonel Boscawen, the Heavy Camel Regiment,
+consisting of Household troops and cavalry, under Major Gough, infantry
+mounted also on camels, 400 men of the Royal Sussex, some transport
+engineers and hospital details--in all 114 officers and 1687 men, with
+153 horses and 2888 camels, and some 350 native drivers, etcetera.
+
+THE BATTLE OF ABU KLEA.
+
+Nothing of importance took place until the 17th of January, when the
+wells of Abu Klea were approached and found to be held in great force by
+the enemy.  Leaving a few men of the Sussex and mounted infantry to hold
+the camp, the General advanced the remainder of his force to seize the
+wells, the possession of which was, of course, a matter of supreme
+importance.  The British as usual advanced in the form of a hollow
+square, the troops being disposed as in the diagram.
+
+As the square approached the enemy's position, the attack was delivered
+in the shape of a well-ordered charge, commencing with a wheel to the
+left and falling upon the left front and rear of the square.  It was a
+matter of wonder to our men how such a regular formation was preserved
+over a space of 300 yards in face of a continuous and withering rifle
+fire.  When the enemy got well within 100 yards, the fire of the mounted
+infantry and Guards began to tell, and the Arabs fell in heaps.  The
+rear left was not so fortunate, for either from the rear not closing
+rapidly enough, owing to the fact that the Heavies were not trained to
+infantry work, or from its opening out in order to bring the Gardner gun
+into action, the square at the left rear corner was not able to bear the
+force of the charge, and was driven in by sheer weight of numbers, and
+several of the Arabs got inside.  The Gardner gun had become jammed at
+the tenth round, and so became a source of weakness to the solidity of
+the square, a fact of which the enemy was quick to take advantage.  At
+this point Colonel Burnaby, who had joined the expedition as a
+volunteer, was killed while gallantly facing the crowd.  The Naval
+Brigade, as usual refusing to retire from their gun, suffered heavily,
+and lost all their officers except Lord C. Beresford, who was knocked
+down in the _melee_.  For a few moments the Arabs were in the square and
+among the camels, and many of the officers had narrow escapes, while
+Major Gough and others were killed.  For five minutes it was a
+hand-to-hand fight, but after the first wild rush no more of the enemy
+could pierce the ranks of the Heavies, and all who had entered the
+square were killed; and the enemy retreated, while the column marched
+down to and occupied the wells, and rejoiced in abundance of sweet if
+muddy water.  The square had another fight of the same nature before the
+Nile was reached, but on this occasion the enemy failed to penetrate the
+zone of fire, and left all their leaders and many of their men lying
+dead on its front.  In the early part of the day General Stewart
+received a wound which subsequently proved fatal.
+
+It is sad here to relate that all this gallantry of the men, the loss of
+valuable lives, and the slaughter of thousands of Arabs, which had
+become necessary by delaying operations until the Mahdi had gathered so
+much strength, failed in its object, namely, the relief of Khartoum and
+the rescue of its heroic defenders.  For when Colonel Wilson and his
+party, having found Gordon's steamer, reached the city, they found it in
+the possession of the Mahdi, and subsequently learned that Gordon had
+been killed, and the garrison put to the sword, but two days before
+their arrival; but, in the words of Lord Wolseley's despatch--
+
+"It was not through any lack of zeal or want of energy that the steamers
+only reached Khartoum two days after it had fallen.  There is no
+hesitation in saying that all ranks worked as hard as human beings
+could, hoping to render the earliest possible assistance to their heroic
+comrade who was besieged in Khartoum."
+
+FIGHTING ROUND SUAKIN--1885.
+
+In addition to the operations undertaken for the relief of Khartoum by
+way of the Nile and across the desert, the British Government had placed
+General Sir G. Graham in command of a strong force collected at Suakin,
+with instructions to destroy the power of Osman Digna, and to occupy the
+Hadendowa territory in order to enable a railroad to be built between
+Suakin and Berber, for which purpose vast quantities and stores had been
+despatched from England.  Among the components of this force were not
+only Indian troops, both the cavalry and infantry, but for the first
+time in history a well-equipped body of Volunteer Horse, some 800
+strong, despatched at the expense of the Colony of New South Wales, who
+joined the force on March 8th, and proved to be of great assistance and
+well worthy of a place among the Soldiers of the Queen.
+
+The Arabs had been in no way disheartened by the defeats inflicted upon
+them by Sir G. Graham in the preceding year, and from the very first
+offered a fierce resistance to the advance of the expedition, so that
+skirmishes of more or less importance took place daily.  The first
+serious battle took place on March 20th near the village of Hasheen,
+upon which the British column was advancing.  About nine a.m. the
+Berkshire Regiment, supported by some marines, advanced upon the
+Dhilibat Hill, which was held by swarms of the enemy, who were soon
+driven down the opposite slope.  In pursuing these the 9th Bengal
+Cavalry were ordered to dismount and fire volleys, but as this most
+unfortunately took place in thick bush, they were placed at a great
+disadvantage when the Arabs turned upon them, and they in turn were
+pursued, and many who were unable to mount in time lost their lives.
+This pursuit, however, cost the Arabs very dear, for it brought them
+right down to the square of the Guards, who were in reserve below the
+hill, before they were aware of them.  With their usual bravery the
+Arabs charged the square, but so heavy and well-sustained was the fire
+that none got within fifteen yards of the rifles.  The hills for the
+time were cleared, but the Arabs did not retire far, and hung in around
+the troops in the dense bush, full of fight and as undaunted as ever.
+The estimate of the enemy's losses was about 250, while the British loss
+was 22 killed and 43 wounded; and, in the words of the official
+despatches, "The conduct of the force was satisfactory in all respects.
+The Dhilibat Hill was carried by the Berkshire Regiment with the
+greatest spirit, and the behaviour of the Guards' square under a heavy
+fire from an unseen enemy was marked by extreme steadiness."
+
+MCNEILL'S ZAREBA.
+
+Two days later, on Sunday, March 22nd, a second engagement took place,
+very much more serious than the first, and much more important in its
+result.  General Graham had decided to form a zareba eight miles out on
+the road to Tamai, in order to make a depot for water and stores,--more
+especially the former,--preparatory to an advance in force on that
+place; it was intended to leave troops in this zareba, and on the return
+of the main body to form and occupy a smaller zareba between it and
+Suakin.  The force selected for the purpose of effecting this object
+consisted of one squadron 5th Lancers, Naval Brigade with four Gardner
+guns, detachments of Royal Engineers, Berkshire Regiment, Royal Marines,
+and company of sailors with four Gatlings, some Royal Engineers, Madras
+Sappers, 15th Sikhs, 17th Bengal Native Infantry, and 28th Bombay Native
+Infantry, and one squadron of Hussars, and was under the command of
+General Sir John McNeill; General Hudson of the Indian force being
+second in command.  The convoy which these troops had to protect
+consisted of about 1000 camels carrying water and supplies, as well as a
+large number of mules and horses--no easy task in a country covered with
+dense bush, which afforded concealment to an enemy who were absolutely
+fearless.  The column started at 6:30, and its troubles soon began, for
+no sooner was it fairly within the bush than the difficulty of keeping
+the transport together became apparent, and the rate of progress was
+necessarily so slow that Sir J. McNeill saw that it would be impossible
+to carry out the programme of building and occupying the two zarebas
+before night, and therefore decided to form one only on an open space
+that the troops had reached about 10:30 a.m.  Up to this time no sign of
+the enemy had been seen, but all precautions were taken to prevent a
+surprise.  The force was drawn up as follows: the Indian troops occupied
+three sides of a hollow square, the open side being towards the bush
+through which the column had just come; outposts of infantry, and beyond
+them of cavalry, were placed in advance on the three sides; and the road
+to Suakin in the rear was patrolled by the Lancers, and all the convoy
+was drawn up in the square.  All hands at once proceeded to form the
+zareba.  The idea was to form a zareba with its north-east corner
+pointing to Suakin, and its south-west to Tamai, and at each of these
+corners to form a minor zareba or redoubt to contain two Gardner guns
+apiece, and to leave these garrisoned by the Berks, the marines, and the
+bluejackets, who would thus be able to guard the main zareba, all sides
+of which could be swept by their fire.  The work proceeded merrily, and
+by three o'clock was nearly finished.  At that time the marines had got
+inside the north-east zareba, and half the Berkshire were having their
+dinner outside, behind the camels, which, by this time having unloaded,
+were filing out of the square at the rear of the open side; the other
+half of the Berkshire were busy cutting bush, leaving their arms piled
+in the south-west zareba, with half the bluejackets and the two Gardner
+guns, and the central zareba was nearly completed.
+
+Suddenly a yell was heard, some cavalry videttes came galloping in, and
+in a moment 5000 Arabs were rushing upon the unclosed square.
+
+The outposts got together and stood back to back, forming rallying
+squares which the enemy could not break; the Berkshire men who were
+cutting bush rushed back to the zareba where the small naval brigade was
+suffering severely, for the guns not being in position the enemy got
+into the square, but so quickly did the Berks men follow them and
+recover their weapons, that, though 124 Arabs got into the square no
+Arab came out again.  The other half of that regiment formed square, and
+with a steady fire kept the Arabs at bay, and eventually gained the
+north-east zareba without losing a man.  But amongst the transport
+animals the state of affairs was very different.  The 17th Native
+Infantry fell back before the rush, and the enemy, following their
+retreat, dashed into the central zareba among the transport animals,
+cutting and slashing in every direction, and in a few moments a general
+stampede ensued; camels, mules, and horses made one wild rush for Suakin
+followed by triumphant Arabs, who in their turn were met and routed by
+the Bengal Cavalry and 5th Lancers.  At the first rush a number of the
+enemy succeeded in getting into the north-east zareba, the east side of
+which was at the moment undefended, and for a few minutes the marines
+were in a dangerous position, but while the front rank continued to fire
+on the enemy on their side, the rear rank faced about, and, fighting
+back to back, soon cleared the zareba of the enemy and lined the open
+side.  After about twenty minutes the bugle sounded "Cease fire," and as
+the smoke cleared away, the enemy were seen streaming away.  Thus ended
+the fight.  It was indeed a soldiers' battle, and but for the steadiness
+and heroism of the individuals it would have proved another Isandlana.
+The enemy's loss was very heavy, and the power of Osman Digna utterly
+crushed; but the cost to the British was heavy, for the losses of
+British and Indian troops was 600 in killed and wounded, and a large
+proportion of the transport train was destroyed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+THE CHITRAL CAMPAIGN--1885.
+
+In January 1895 the reigning Mehtar of Chitral was murdered by his
+brother, whom, in breach of a time-honoured custom of Chitralis, he had
+neglected to murder or exile upon his own accession.  Umra Khan, the
+chief of Jandol, who had long had designs upon Chitral, made this
+occasion a pretext for invading the territory off which he had been
+repeatedly warned by the British Government as the Suzerain of Chitral,
+and laid siege to Kila Drosh.  On February 1st, Dr Robertson, the
+British resident at Mastuj, arrived in Chitral, and at once ordered Umra
+Khan to retire.  Umra Khan, however, who had in the meantime taken Kila
+Drosh, retorted by calling upon Dr Robertson to retire, and to
+recognise Sher Afzul as Mehtar.  This, of course, the British resident
+refused to do; and called a _durbar_, at which Soojah-ul-Moolk was
+declared Mehtar of Chitral, on 1st of March.  The position of the
+British resident and his small party, which by way of precaution had
+occupied the fort some time previous, now became very serious.  On 2nd
+of March, Sher Afzul had advanced upon them, and Chitral was very soon
+invested on all sides, and indeed, as will be seen, the actual siege
+commenced on 3rd of March.
+
+THE SIEGE AND DEFENCE OF CHITRAL.
+
+With Dr Robertson were Captains Colin Campbell and Townshend of the
+Central India Horse, Lieutenant Harley of the 14th Sikhs, Surgeon--
+Captain Whitchurch, Captain Baird of the 24th Punjaub Infantry, and
+Lieutenant Gurdon, who was acting as political officer before Dr
+Robertson's arrival; the troops consisted entirely of natives, there
+being eventually shut up in the fort, in addition to those named, 543
+persons, of whom 460 were combatants, namely 361 Kashmirs and 99 Sikhs.
+On the 3rd of March, Captain Campbell with 200 men was sent out to make
+a reconnaissance in the direction of Sher Afzul's position, and with him
+were Captains Townshend and Baird, and Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch,
+joined afterwards by Dr Robertson and Lieutenant Gurdon.  They were at
+once attacked by the enemy in strong force, and were met with a very hot
+fire, and eventually had to retire to the fort, fighting every inch of
+the ground, with the enemy on the front and both flanks, and firing from
+the cover of garden walls.  Captain Campbell being wounded, the command
+devolved upon Captain Townshend, who fought his way back with his
+wounded to a small hamlet where Dr Robertson was rallying the men;
+meantime a message had brought out from the fort Lieutenant Harley and
+50 Sikhs, a reinforcement which enabled the party to retire steadily
+into the fort, which they reached at eight o'clock.  At the same time a
+detachment of 50 men under Captain Baird and Lieutenant Gurdon were
+hotly engaged in another part of the ground.  Captain Baird was wounded
+early in the action, and under the care of Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch,
+while Lieutenant Gurdon conducted the retreat to the fort.  With
+Whitchurch were a few Kashmir sepoys and some hospital bearers, but the
+two parties soon got separated in the _melee_, and Whitchurch and his
+men had to fight their way back inch by inch, carrying their wounded
+officer.  Every now and then they had to stop and make bayonet-charges
+to clear the enemy out of the shelter of stone walls around them, and
+when at length they reached the fort nearly half the party had been left
+dead on the field, yet not a man had left the party.  Poor Captain Baird
+was hit three times in the retreat, and died next day; while, strange to
+say, his gallant rescuer, Whitchurch, escaped untouched.  Many heroic
+acts are done by our men in war and peace, but none can be greater
+heroes than these few sepoys, who were able so long to bear the strain
+of an apparently hopeless retreat and retire orderly, resisting all
+temptation to a _sauve qui peut_, when a speedy retreat without
+encumbrance of the wounded and bearers must at times have seemed the
+only chance for life.  For his gallant conduct on this occasion,
+Surgeon--Captain Whitchurch received the Victoria Cross.
+
+The total loss on this day was very heavy, and in addition to Captain
+Baird, General Baj Singh and Major Bhikam of the Kashmirs, and about 60
+men, were killed; an ominous outset for the defence, which at first had
+a very depressing effect upon the troops, the majority of whom, it must
+be remembered, were of newly raised regiments, and without any British
+troops to give them confidence.  Everything therefore depended upon the
+vigilance and calmness of the few British officers, one of whom
+unfortunately, Captain Campbell, was severely wounded in the knee, the
+command in consequence falling upon Captain Townshend.
+
+From this day the siege commenced, and the fort was cut off from the
+outer world.  On taking stock of their resources the garrison found
+that, everyone being on half rations, there was supply until about the
+middle of June, by which time, if they could hold out, they might expect
+relief; while there was a supply of about 300 rounds of ammunition per
+man.  Of water there was no lack, as fortunately when first the fort was
+occupied a covered way had been made down to the river, and this covered
+way was all through the siege one of the principal objects of the
+enemy's attacks, and had to be held day and night by a strong guard.
+The fort itself was 80 yards square, the walls being 25 feet high, and
+made of stone held together by a frame-work of wood, and 8 feet thick at
+each angle was a tower, while a fifth guarded the way to the water.
+Outside the walls were gardens and out-buildings, which afforded shelter
+to the enemy; these, owing to the rapidity with which the siege had
+developed, there had been no time to destroy, and this necessary work
+had therefore now to be done under fire.  The enemy all through fought
+very well, and made every use of the cover afforded to their riflemen,
+who were excellent shots; and they built sangars on the rising ground
+above, commanding the fort, so that it was necessary for the besieged to
+build sheltering galleries to protect the men going from post to post.
+Hardly a night passed without an attack of some sort, and three times
+the enemy succeeded in setting the towers on fire, only to be
+extinguished with great difficulty by the use of earth and water.  The
+enemy employed every device to get into the fort, and succeeded in
+mining close up to the walls, adding thus the labour of making
+counter-mines to the other tasks of the garrison.  The principal fight
+took place on the 17th April.  The enemy had been for some days previous
+in the apparently innocent amusement of making a noise with drums and
+pipes in a summer-house not far from the walls.  One of the men
+suggested that the noise was made to cover the sound of mining--a not
+uncommon trick of Umra Khan's.  Accordingly men were told off to listen,
+and the sound of mining was heard close to a tower, so close indeed that
+no time was to be lost in blowing it up.  This dangerous duty was
+successfully performed by Lieutenant Harley, who rushed the summer-house
+with 100 men.  There was a fierce hand-to-hand fight, and some 30
+Chitralis were killed, and the mine successfully destroyed; Harley and
+his men regaining the fort in an hour and twenty minutes.  From the
+start 22 of the brave 100 were hit, of whom 9 were killed.  Nothing of
+importance occurred after this, for the enemy had heard of the close
+approach of Colonel Kelly, and by the 19th of April had disappeared.
+
+Thus ended a defence as gallant as any recorded in this book.  For
+forty-six days this little band of sepoys, with five English leaders,
+held the fort, with inadequate defences and no artillery, against a
+superior force; the sepoys suffering greatly from want of food, for
+their caste forbade their eating horseflesh,--their ghi or melted
+butter, which is as meat to the native, had run out, and all they had
+left was half rations of flour.  To the want of food must be added the
+mental effect, first of the disastrous day at the opening, then of the
+absolute ignorance of the measures taken to relieve, and the apparent
+hopelessness of their position, if we are to take due measure of the
+pluck and determination of the garrison.
+
+THE DEFENCE OF RESHUN.
+
+On the 5th of March, Lieutenants Edwardes and Fowler left Mastuj with
+orders to join the British agent at Chitral, and they had with them 20
+Bengal Sappers and 40 men of the Kashmir Rifles, conveying sixty boxes
+of ammunition and seven days' rations.  The day on which they arrived at
+Reshun they heard rumours of opposition ahead of them, and therefore
+intrenched themselves as well as possible near the river.  The next day
+they were attacked by the tribes, and finding the position too exposed,
+they carried the houses of the village close by with the bayonet, and
+hastily made them defensible, and succeeded by nightfall in getting in
+all their ammunition and supplies and all the wounded.  Here the little
+force, now reduced to about 50 men, was regularly besieged.  The first
+great difficulty was the want of water, as the enemy had diverted the
+rivulet, thus making it necessary for the garrison to go some distance
+under fire to bring in sufficient for their daily wants.  Food was
+fortunately plentiful, as, in addition to the rations, eggs and fowls
+and flour were found in the village.  The enemy, after several attempts
+to take the place by assault, contented themselves with besieging the
+village, doing as much damage as possible by a continuous fire from the
+cover of houses and trees, and at length succeeded in occupying a house
+not more than a few feet from the wall.
+
+On the 13th the enemy hoisted a white flag, and informed the officers
+that there had been some fighting at Chitral but that now peace was
+made, and offering to let the garrison go either to Chitral or to
+Mastuj.  Lieutenant Edwardes upon this agreed to a three days'
+armistice, and sent letters to Chitral and Mastuj; meantime the garrison
+were well treated and supplies sent in to them.  On the 14th the enemy
+proposed a game of polo, and invited the officers to come and see it.
+This invitation was unfortunately, as it turned out, accepted, for,
+although under the fire of their own men, the two officers were suddenly
+seized from behind and bound, and a sudden attack was made upon the
+house occupied by the troops.  This was taken by assault, most of the
+sepoys being killed.  On March 16th, the officers were taken to Chitral,
+where they found about a dozen of the sepoys who had been taken
+prisoners; after being kept here some time, they were sent to Drosh to
+Umra Khan.  He treated them very well, and even offered to let them join
+the force in Chitral, but as he would not let their men accompany them
+they declined.  They were afterwards taken with Umra Khan on his return
+to Jandol, and though strictly guarded were treated with every respect
+and courtesy, and finally sent in safety to Sir R. Low's camp.  The
+sepoys also were allowed to go unharmed--an act of forbearance on the
+part of Umra Khan almost without precedent among Pathans.
+
+The affair of Reshun, which cost the lives of so many brave men, was the
+indirect cause of the loss of many more at the same time.  For as soon
+as the British officers discovered the state of things at Reshun, they
+sent back word to Mastuj, and Captain Ross and Lieutenant Jones with 93
+Sikhs at once set out to their assistance.  Thirty-three men were left
+at Buni, and the remaining 60, with the two officers, pushed forward
+towards Reshun.  On the way they had to pass through a narrow ravine
+with precipitous cliffs on either side.  Here they were suddenly
+attacked by the enemy in great force from the cliffs above.  Soon the
+enemy closed the end of the pass, and retreat or advance was equally
+impossible.  For a time shelter was found in a cave, and an attempt was
+made to rush out of the defile in the night; but the enemy were found on
+the alert, and though the rifle fire could be faced, it was impossible
+to pass several stone shoots which were in the possession of the enemy,
+who could annihilate with avalanches of rocks any troops passing below.
+The cave was again occupied for a day, but without food, and therefore
+it was necessary to make one desperate effort if the men were to escape
+starvation.  Accordingly, in the middle of the night a sudden rush was
+made, and after a desperate fight the sangars held by the enemy were
+taken, but with heavy loss, Captain Ross being among the first killed.
+Eventually, after desperate fighting, and a great number having been
+killed in crossing the stone shoots, a small remnant reached the end of
+the ravine; here a stand was made, and at length Lieutenant Jones with
+17 men, of whom 9 and himself were wounded, returned to Buni, where the
+enemy did not attack them; and on the 17th reliefs arrived from Mastuj,
+to which the whole party returned.  Here they were besieged, and would
+in all probability have in time been reduced by famine had not Colonel
+Kelly's force arrived.
+
+COLONEL KELLY'S MARCH.
+
+While these stirring events were taking place on the frontier, the
+Indian Government had not been inactive, for in the month of March an
+army of 14,000 men was mobilised, under the command of Major-General Sir
+R. Low, the intention being originally that this expedition should be
+sent to Chitral through Swat and Bajour, starting in April.  On receipt
+of the news of the disaster at Karagh it became necessary to not only
+advance the troops as early as possible, but also to take immediate
+steps for the relief of Chitral at the earliest possible moment, as it
+was known that that place was only supplied till the end of April.  It
+was impossible to send troops from India to Gilgit for this purpose, as
+the passes would not be open till June.  Most fortunately a force of the
+32nd Pioneers, under Colonel Kelly, were at this time road-making at
+Bunji, on the Indus, only 38 miles from Gilgit; it was therefore
+determined to send Colonel Kelly with all the men he could collect to
+march as rapidly as possible to Chitral.  On the 21st of March Colonel
+Kelly received orders by telegraph to march, and he set off the same
+afternoon.  And a famous march it was!
+
+On the 23rd of March the expedition set out from Gilgit.  It consisted
+at starting of 400 men of the Pioneers, two guns of Number 1 Kashmir
+Mountain Battery, and 100 Hunza and Puniali Levies under their own
+chiefs; the officers with Colonel Kelly being Captain Borrodaile,
+Surgeon-Captain Browning-Smith, and Lieutenants Beynon, Bethune, Cobbe,
+Paterson, and Cooke; and these were joined at Gupis by Lieutenant
+Stewart, R.A., who took charge of the guns, and Lieutenant Oldham, R.E.,
+with 40 Kashmir Sappers, and Lieutenant Gough with 100 Kashmir Rifles.
+It will be noticed that again the troops and non-commissioned officers
+were entirely native.
+
+On April the 1st, in spite of five days' snow, the column set out from
+Ghizr to attempt the Shandur Pass.  The first difficulty was a stampede
+of the impressed native bearers, who had bolted in the night and were
+not collected again till late in the afternoon.  After a few miles the
+guns stuck in the deep snow, and it was found impossible to get them
+along.  Captain Borrodaile, with Lieutenant Oldham and 140 men, with the
+Hunza Levies, remained at Teru with provision for ten days.  The rest of
+the column with the guns had reluctantly to return to Ghizr.  The snow
+continuing, it was impossible to attempt the pass; but the Kashmirs set
+to work to dig a road from Teru through the snow to Langar, the
+camping-ground on their side of the pass, and on the next day the guns
+were got along to Teru and thence to Langar, but this was only effected
+by _carrying_ the guns, carriages, and ammunition.  These were divided
+amongst squads of four men, relieved every fifty yards, so that the
+progress did not exceed a mile an hour, the men being often up to their
+middle in snow in a bitter wind and a glaring sun.  The camping-ground
+at Langar, some 13 miles from Teru, was not reached till near midnight,
+and the guns had to be left by their exhausted bearers a mile or so
+outside the camp.  This was indeed a great achievement, but there
+remained still the pass.  First there was a very stiff climb for about a
+mile, then a more gradual ascent up to 12,300 feet above sea-level, then
+five miles of fairly level plain, a sheet of glaring snow swept by a
+bitter wind.  The distance from Langar to Laspur on the other side of
+the pass is only ten miles, but though Borrodaile's party of Pioneers
+and Levies started early next day, they did not reach Laspur till
+evening.  The villagers were as surprised as though the party had
+dropped from the moon, and thought it expedient to be friendly.  The
+enemy had so implicitly relied upon the impossibility of getting through
+the pass in such extreme weather that no preparation to block our
+movements had been made.  The next day the village was put into a state
+of defence, and supplies were collected, and with the aid of the
+villagers the guns were brought down.  Both men and officers suffered
+severely; most had blue spectacles, but by the time the whole column had
+got over there were 68 cases of snow-blindness and 43 of frost.  The
+opposition shown by the enemy as the column proceeded was overcome by
+the gunfire, which the Chitrali seemed quite unable to stand; and
+Mastuj, from which the enemy had retired on the same day in the
+direction of Chitral, was reached on the afternoon of the 9th of April.
+The march was continued the next day, and after a sharp fight on the
+13th, in which Colonel Kelly lost eight men, Chitral was entered on the
+20th.  In this wonderful march the column had gone 350 miles in 35 days
+over a very difficult country, climbed a difficult pass, carrying the
+guns through the snow and in the face of an enemy.  The men carried each
+two days' rations; and only seven days' rations being provided, after
+that the force had entirely to depend upon what the country afforded,
+which was very little.
+
+THE CAPTURE OF THE MALAKAND PASS.
+
+We have now to return to the actions of the army, which, as we have
+seen, had been ordered to assemble under General Sir R. Low in March.
+The first Army Corps, consisting of 14,000 men, was mobilised at
+Nowshera and Hoti Mardan, with General Sir Bindon Blood, Chief of the
+Staff, and Lieutenant--Colonel H.S. Craigie, Assistant Adjutant-General;
+the three brigades being commanded by Generals Kinloch, Waterfield, and
+Gatacre.  When the news arrived of the danger at Chitral the
+preparations were pressed forward, and on the 1st of April the troops
+were moved forward, marching without tents, and water supplies for only
+three weeks; and on the 2nd of April the second and third brigades were
+at Dargai, a village at the foot of the Malakand Pass.  There are three
+passes into the Swat valley, namely, Malakand, Shakhot, and Morah; all
+of these were held by the enemy, but as it had been given out that the
+British intended to cross by the Shakhot Pass, to which the first
+brigade had been sent, the enemy were not in such force at Malakand as
+they should have been.
+
+The fact was that when Sir R. Low learned that the greater part of the
+enemy were at the Shakhot and Morah Passes he determined to mislead them
+into staying there by acting as though he intended to attack the Shakhot
+Pass, and for this purpose marched the first brigade in that direction
+with orders to rejoin him if possible at Dargai by a forced night-march;
+intending that the three brigades should meet on the 2nd of April at 8
+a.m. and carry the pass before the enemy had discovered their intention.
+The weather frustrated the carrying out of this plan, the night-march
+had to be abandoned and the attack postponed until the 3rd, but the plan
+of deceiving the enemy was quite successful, for the enemy had not time
+to get across the hills to help their comrades in the Malakand Pass.
+And this was fortunate, for the pass was so obstinately defended as it
+was that all three brigades, with the exception of one regiment held in
+reserve, were engaged in the attack.
+
+The pass is through a valley gradually narrowing for about two miles
+from Dargai, and at this point it bends for about a mile and a half to a
+point where the hills drop precipitately into the pass.  From this bend
+the pass was strongly defended, the whole range on the west side being
+held by the enemy.  The 4th Sikhs were sent along the heights to guard
+the left flank of the advance, and climbing up the sides cleared many
+sangars of the enemy with great gallantry.  The Guides Infantry had an
+equally arduous task on the hills.  Meanwhile the force advanced up the
+valley.  To quote from the General's despatch--
+
+"When the infantry advance was ordered it soon became apparent that if
+the assault was delayed till the position was turned by the Guides the
+action would be unduly delayed and the Guides themselves seriously
+out-numbered.  At this time I ascertained that though the pass appeared
+to lie in the valley itself, and to round the corner of the western hill
+where it dropped into the valley, yet beyond this point there was no
+path or roadway whatever, the valley being blocked with huge blocks and
+boulders; and that the crossing of the pass lay to the left, over the
+heights to our left which were so strongly held by the enemy.  Action
+was at once therefore taken to carry the hill to the left, which from
+this point was about 1000 feet high.  The Gordon Highlanders were
+directed up the end of the western hill from the point where it touched
+the valley, and the King's Own Scottish Borderers were directed up the
+centre spur; the 60th Rifles were directed up the slopes from farther
+back on the line, while the Bedfordshire Regiment and the 37th Dogras
+pushed on and rounded the point from which the Gordon Highlanders
+commenced the ascent, and, turning to the left, ascended the hill from
+the northern side--the 15th Sikhs being held in reserve.  As the
+infantry ascended it was seen how well the defence of the hill had been
+organised.  The Gordon Highlanders and King's Own Scottish Borderers,
+ascending as they did on a direct attack, met with the greatest
+resistance and suffered most.  Sangar after sangar was obstinately held;
+each sangar as it was rushed coming at once under fire of the one above
+it.  And here I may note the admirable service done by the artillery and
+Maxim guns.  Several attempts were made by the enemy to concentrate from
+above and hold the lower sangars and positions, but all such attempts
+were frustrated by the admirable practice of the Mountain Batteries and
+Maxim guns over the head of our advancing infantry.  Although at several
+points sangars were only carried by hand--to--hand fighting, the enemy
+were gradually driven from position to position, and eventually fled
+down the other slopes of the western hill as the heads of the attacking
+columns reached the top when the pass was captured and the fighting
+over, though they were pursued down the other side as soon as the men
+got together."
+
+The action commenced at 8 o'clock and lasted six hours.  The force of
+the enemy was estimated at 12,000 men, of whom perhaps 4000 or 5000 had
+firearms.  The loss on the British side was only 11 men killed, and 8
+officers and 39 men wounded.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+THE TERAH EXPEDITION--1897.
+
+In 1897 a general rising of the tribes took place along the north-west
+frontier, which, in addition to minor expeditions, was the cause of the
+despatch of an expedition through the Terah country, under Sir William
+Lockhart.  It is impossible here to detail the innumerable acts of
+gallantry called forth by almost daily skirmishes with fierce and
+numerous bands of hardy mountaineers, but we must content ourselves with
+referring only to the most stirring incidents of the campaign.
+
+THE FIRST ACTION OF DARGAI.
+
+It had become necessary to clear the enemy out of the commanding
+position at Dargai, from which a harassing fire had been kept up upon
+our men, and on 18th October this was achieved.  The village lies on the
+north of a small plateau, which ends in a steep cliff approached by a
+sloping ridge; this ridge is well within range of the cliff, but by
+keeping on the south side troops can approach under cover; but
+connecting the ridge with the cliff is a narrow neck 100 yards long by
+30 broad, completely open to fire from the cliffs, which must be crossed
+in order to get to the path up to the heights.  The enemy were in force
+on the top of the cliff, under cover of rocks and boulders.  On this
+occasion the attack was made by the 3rd Ghurkhas and the King's Own
+Scottish Borderers, and the Northampton Regiment in reserve.  Every
+point from which rifle or artillery fire could be brought to bear on the
+enemy was occupied, and at noon a rush of Ghurkhas and Borderers was
+made across the ridge.  A tremendous fire burst out from the heights,
+but so sudden was the rush that only twenty-two men were hit, of whom
+only three were killed.  The enemy did not stay long when once the ridge
+was crossed and the heights were occupied.  It was not, however, thought
+advisable to retain the position, and satisfied with having cleared the
+enemy out, Sir William Lockhart recalled the troops.  As they retired
+the rearmost regiments were pressed by the tribesmen, who in consequence
+lost heavily; but several men of the Gordon Highlanders were wounded,
+and Major Jennings Bromley killed, in the fighting that ensued.
+
+SECOND ACTION OF DARGAI.
+
+On 20th October the enemy were again in force on the heights, and in
+much greater numbers, and a second attack became necessary.  The troops
+upon whom this duty fell were the 2nd Ghurkhas, the 1st Dorset and the
+Derbyshire, with the Gordon Highlanders in reserve.  The first to cross
+were the gallant Ghurkhas, led by Colonel Travers, Captains McIntyre,
+Bower, and Norie, and Lieutenant Tillard; these succeeded in crossing
+unhurt, but with the loss of 30 men, and Major Judge and Captain
+Robinson.  The bullets now swept the ridge, and in attempting to follow
+many a brave Dorset and Derby was killed, officers and men, and but few
+reached the Ghurkhas.  To quote from the despatch of Sir William
+Lockhart--
+
+"By 11:30 the force was in formation under cover in readiness to capture
+the heights, but when the 2nd Ghurkas, accompanied by the Ghurka scouts
+of the first battalion 3rd Ghurkas, made their first rush across the
+open, they were met by such a hot and well-aimed fire that all they
+could do was to hold on to the position they had reached without being
+able to advance farther.  At 2 p.m. the Dorsetshire Regiment was ordered
+to storm the enemy's intrenchments, but though a few men were able to
+get across the fire-swept zone, an advance beyond the line held by the
+2nd Ghurkas was reported by the commanding officer to be impracticable
+owing to the large number of tribesmen lining the edge of the Dargai
+plateau, and the steepness of the slope leading up to it.  The General
+officer commanding the second division accordingly ordered
+Brigadier-General Kempster to move up the Gordon Highlanders and the 3rd
+Sikhs, the former regiment being replaced on the lower spur which it had
+hitherto occupied by the Jhind Imperial Service Infantry.
+
+"The Gordon Highlanders went straight up the hill without check or
+hesitation.  Headed by their pipers, and led by Lieutenant-Colonel
+Mathias, C.B., with Major Macbean on his right and Lieutenant A.F.
+Gordon on his left, this splendid battalion marched across the open.  It
+dashed through a murderous fire, and in forty minutes had won the
+heights, leaving 3 officers and 30 men killed or wounded on its way.
+The first rush of the Gordon Highlanders was deserving of the highest
+praise, for they had just undergone a very severe climb and had reached
+a point beyond which other troops had been unable to advance for over
+three hours.
+
+"The first rush was followed at short intervals by a second and a third,
+each led by officers, and as the leading companies went up the path for
+the final assault the remainder of the troops, among whom the 3rd Sikhs
+were conspicuous, streamed on in support.  But few of the enemy waited
+for the bayonet, many of them being shot down as they fled in confusion.
+The position was won at 3:15."
+
+Amongst the losses of this day were--
+
+_Dorsetshire_.--Nine men killed; Captain Arnold, Lieutenant Hewitt, and
+thirty-nine men wounded.
+
+_Gordon Highlanders_.--Lieutenant Lamont and two men killed; Colonel
+Mathias, Major Macbean, Captain Uniacke, Lieutenants Dingwall,
+Meiklejohn, Craufurd, and thirty-five men wounded.
+
+_Derbyshire_.--Captain Smith and three men killed, eight wounded.
+
+The Victoria Cross was awarded to Lieutenant Pennell, who endeavoured
+under fire to bring in Captain Smith; to Piper Findlater, who though
+wounded in both legs still continued to blow his pipes; to Private
+Lawson for carrying Lieutenant Dingwall out of fire and returning to
+bring in another, being himself twice wounded; to Private Vickery and
+Colonel Mathias.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+THE RE-CONQUEST OF THE SUDAN--1898.
+
+Once more our attention is directed to the doings of our soldiers in
+Egypt.  All the toil, all the bloodshed, and all the treasure expended
+against Mahdism had been in vain.  General Gordon nobly holding out at
+Khartoum waiting for the relief which the vacillating and divided
+counsels of the British Cabinet had delayed until it was too late, had
+been slain, and the inhabitants of Khartoum despoiled and massacred by
+the savage followers of the Mahdi.  Berber, Dongola, and Tokar had
+shared the same fate; and the Anglo-Egyptian army, leaving the Sudan to
+its fate, had fallen back to Wady Haifa, at which the southern frontier
+of Egypt was fixed, and which became a barrier against which the tide of
+Mahdism was to rush in vain.  Suakin was also strongly held, and the
+Mahdi's forces came no farther south; but the whole of the immense
+territory from the Second Cataract to the Equatorial Lakes was overrun
+by his fanatic hordes, who carried "fire, the sword, and desolation" far
+and wide over that unhappy land.  It is not to the British
+administrators in Egypt that the blame of all this failure, and of the
+purposeless bloodshed of the two expeditions from Suakin, is to be laid,
+nor can it be said that after the fall of Khartoum any other course
+could have been adopted than to retire for a time; but it is to the
+British administrators in Egypt, and not to the Home Government, that
+belongs the credit of years of patient perseverance, of restoring the
+finances and resources of Egypt, and of instilling so much character
+into an oppressed race that at length the poor fallaheen were able to
+hold their own against the Sudanese, and to wipe out the disgrace of the
+defeat at El-Teb and the slaughter of the army of Hicks Pasha in 1883.
+And it may be said that it was these same English rulers in Egypt--
+administrators, engineers, military officers, and drill sergeants--that
+made it possible for the English to march in triumph through Khartoum
+and to avenge the death of Gordon, to some extent to wipe out the
+humiliations and blunders of past years.
+
+The original Mahdi died within six months of General Gordon, and was
+succeeded by the chief Khalifa, Abdullah.  Abdullah was an ignorant and
+wholly abominable person, and by his unspeakable cruelty and rapacity
+soon alienated vast numbers of the followers of his predecessor, and by
+1889 Mahdism could no longer be looked upon as an aggressive but as a
+decaying force; yet, though dwindling, it still existed as a strong
+military power, with its headquarters at Omdurman.
+
+Meantime the English had been making soldiers of the fallaheen, to whom
+successful skirmishes under their English officers and drill instructors
+were yearly giving confidence and self-reliance; and in addition to the
+fallaheen regiments, Sudanese regiments were formed of the very men who
+fought so bravely against our squares at Abu Klea, the "Fuzzywuzzy" of
+Kipling, "a first-class fighting man."  Whilst the British campaigns in
+the Sudan, though affording many a brilliant fight, and many an example
+of the heroism and endurance of the British soldiers, were fruitless in
+result, the Egyptian campaigns were from 1885 onwards one continual
+success,--the fruit of steady effort and perseverance directed to one
+end through every kind of difficulty and disappointment, but which
+nothing could turn aside from its object, never faltering or swerving
+for fourteen years, the credit of which is wholly due to Sir Evelyn
+Baring (now Lord Cromer), Sir H. Kitchener (Lord Kitchener), Sir F.
+Grenfell, Colonel Wingate, Colonel H.A. Macdonald, and many others; and
+their subordinates, among whom must be remembered the English drill
+sergeants.
+
+In 1888 Osman Digna again threatened Suakin, and threw up trenches
+against the town, but was defeated by Sir F. Grenfell, the Sirdar or
+Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian forces, on December 20th.  Next,
+Wad-en-Nejunii, the great Emir who had defeated Hicks Pasha, came south
+in 1889, attempting to get to the Nile at Toski behind Wady Haifa, the
+garrison of which, under Sir F. Grenfell, attacked him at Toski, with
+the result that he was killed and his army annihilated, and Egypt freed
+from fear of invasion.
+
+After this Egypt began to advance; Sarras, beyond Wady Haifa, was
+reoccupied, and a railway laid between the two places.  In February 1891
+Colonel Holled Smith, commanding the Egyptian garrison at Suakin,
+marched out against Osman Digna's men with only Egyptian and Sudanese
+troops, and defeated them after a good fight and occupied Tokar.  In
+this action Captain Barrow was killed, and of the enemy a large number
+of Emirs; but Osman as usual got away.  The effect of this battle was to
+clear away the dervishes from the Eastern Sudan and re-establish
+Egyptian government there.
+
+In 1892 the dervishes again gave trouble both on the Nile and in the
+Eastern Sudan, and there were many skirmishes.  A serious attempt was
+made in January 1893 to cut the railway between Wady Haifa and Sarras,
+but without success; in the fight Captain Pyne, commanding the Egyptian
+force, was killed.  Osman Digna again turned up near Suakin, but had no
+success except in his usual flight.
+
+In this year Sir Horatio Kitchener, who had had a long experience both
+of Egypt and the Sudan, having been on active service in one or the
+other since 1882, became Sirdar in succession to Sir F. Grenfell, who
+was appointed to the command of the British forces in Egypt, and he set
+himself to the task of the re-conquest of the Sudan.  He had not the
+British tax-payer to draw upon, but the very meagre Egyptian Treasury,
+and he had therefore to work with very limited means.  His plan was not
+to raise a costly army for the purpose of winning victories glorious but
+fruitless, slaughtering Arabs by the thousand and then retiring till
+they gathered head and then slaughtering more, after the manner of the
+peace-loving Government of 1885, but to make sure of each stage of his
+progress as he went along, driving back the Mahdi and bringing
+confidence and commerce in his train, never retiring from ground once
+occupied, but never advancing till his course was clear; and his chief
+instrument for effecting his purpose was, as it will be seen, the
+railway.
+
+THE ADVANCE TO DONGOLA.
+
+During all these years, as has been said, the Egyptian army was in the
+making; and in 1896 it was decided to put it to the test, and to make an
+advance on Dongola.  On March 21st the Sirdar left Cairo for Wady Haifa,
+taking with him a British regiment, the 1st Staffordshire, to join the
+Egyptians already at the front; Indian troops having taken the place of
+the Egyptian garrisons of Tokar and Suakin.  Meantime, railway making
+had been pushed on apace, and the line reached Kosheh, a distance of 76
+miles, by the end of April; but rapid as this was, it was as nothing to
+the achievements of the following year.  On June 7th a considerable
+force of dervishes was attacked and utterly defeated by the Egyptian
+army, whose conduct delighted their officers and gave them all
+confidence in the future.  A further advance was made in September, and
+Dongola was occupied.  The campaign had been entirely successful, the
+character of the Egyptian soldiery was established, the fertile province
+of Dongola rescued from the devastating rule of the Khalifa, and the
+frontier pushed back as far as Mirawi and Abu Dis,--the steamboats could
+pass to this point up the Nile, and thus a great step was taken upon the
+road to Khartoum.
+
+The Sirdar now conceived, and at once began to carry out, the bold idea
+of laying a railway from Wady Haifa across the desert to Abu Hamed, and
+thence to Berber and to Dakhala, and the junction of the Nile and the
+Atbara, a distance of nearly 400 miles.  A bold idea indeed, for not
+only had every rail and every sleeper to be brought up to Wady Haifa,
+and thence along the rail itself as it disappeared into the trackless
+desert, but every mile the railway advanced the work was getting farther
+away from its base and penetrating deeper into the enemy's country, for
+at this time Abu Hamed was still held by the dervishes.  Water was bored
+for and actually found along the route; and before the line arrived
+there Abu Hamed had been captured, and by the end of the year the
+railway reached the Nile again, at a point 234 miles from Haifa, and
+above the Third Cataract.  General Hunter, after a sharp fight in which
+Major Sidney and Lieutenant Fitzclarence were killed, had seized Abu
+Hamed; and by the end of the campaign, Dongola, Debbet, Khorti, and
+Berber were held by Egypt, while the Nile was patrolled even up to
+Metammeh by the six steamers which, despite all difficulties, had been
+passed over the cataracts.
+
+The railway making did not pause at Abu Hamed, but at once set out
+towards the junction of the Atbara with the Nile, a point 150 miles
+farther, and just south of the Fifth Cataract; the object being not only
+to provide for the rapid transport of provisions and stores, but also to
+get on to the Nile the three new steamers which had been brought from
+England in sections, so that they might be ready for the final advance.
+
+THE ATBARA CAMPAIGN.
+
+At the beginning of 1897 the Sirdar's force at the front was in four
+brigades, three Egyptian and one British.  The Egyptian division of
+three brigades was under Major-General Hunter; the first brigade, three
+regiments of black hoofs, Sudanese, and splendid soldiers, and one of
+Egyptian, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel H.A. Macdonald, and
+quartered at Berber.  The second brigade, also consisting of three
+Sudanese and one Egyptian regiment, and under the command of
+Lieutenant--Colonel Maxwell, was about half-way between Berber and the
+Atbara River; while the third brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis,
+consisting entirely of Egyptians, was at the Atbara.  The British
+brigade, commanded by Major-General Gatacre, had its camp about a mile
+away from the second brigade, and consisted of the 1st Lincolnshire,
+Colonel Verner; the 1st Cameron Highlanders, Colonel Money; 1st
+Warwickshire, under Lieutenant-Colonel Onagle Jones, and was afterwards
+joined by the 1st Seaforth Highlanders, Colonel Murray.  The whole force
+in the field, exclusive of the railway battalion and the crews of the
+gunboats, but including four batteries of artillery under
+Lieutenant-Colonel Long and eight squadrons of Egyptian cavalry under
+Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwood, amounted to about 14,000 men.
+
+About the end of February it was known that Mahmoud was concentrating at
+Shendy, and preparing to make an attack upon Berber, which being held
+only by Egyptian troops he hoped to capture before the Sirdar could come
+to its relief.  Nor was this by any means an impracticable plan, for
+Mahmoud's force consisted of some 20,000 horse and foot, with ample
+supplies of arms and ammunition, guns, and transport animals; but
+Mahmoud reckoned without the Sirdar.
+
+On the 25th February the British brigade was ordered to proceed from Abu
+Dis, to which point they had recently advanced, to Debeker, a village 10
+miles or so south of Berber.  The men had but just returned from a
+16-mile route march, but the start was made without delay.  The railway,
+which was always being pushed ahead, was available for 17 miles out, and
+by the evening of the 27th the whole force was on the march; while by
+the evening of 3rd March they had reached their destination,--as good a
+performance as even the records of British Infantry can show.  To quote
+the Special Army Order issued from the Horse Guards at the end of the
+campaign, "The march of the British Brigade to the Atbara, when in six
+days--for one of which it was halted--it covered 140 miles in a most
+trying climate, shows what British troops can do when called upon."
+
+On the 20th of March the entire force marched to Ras-el-Hudi, a point on
+the bend of the river which Mahmoud would have to pass if he decided to
+attack Berber.  But Mahmoud, finding now that he would have the British
+as well as Egyptians to deal with, changed his plans, and instead of
+advancing intrenched his position, hoping to receive assistance from the
+Khalifa.  On the 26th a raid was made on Shendy by the steamboats, under
+command of Commander Keppel and Lieutenants Beatty and Hood, R.N.; the
+troops being commanded by Majors Hickman and Sitwell, Captain Sloman,
+and Lieutenant Graham.  This was completely successful: the dervishes
+fled; Shendy, where was Mahmoud's reserve depot, was occupied, and the
+forts and depot destroyed, and a large number of female prisoners
+released.  Attempts to draw Mahmoud out of his cover were unsuccessful,
+and the Sirdar decided to attack him.
+
+On April 7th the force, with the British leading, made a night-march,
+and after a short rest took up a position about one and a half miles
+from the enemy's camp, and about 4:30 a.m. a general advance in attack
+formation was made.  The British brigade was on the left, Macdonald's in
+the centre, Maxwell's on the right, and Lewis's Egyptians were held in
+reserve.  The enemy were in a large irregular enclosure, with its rear
+on the now dry bed of the river.  The position was defended by trenches,
+and in part by palisades; and was surrounded by a strong zareba, the
+inside being full of shelter trenches and pits.  After a bombardment by
+12 guns and the rocket detachment, at 7:10 the general advance was
+sounded, and with pipes and bands playing the infantry bore down upon
+the zareba.  In front of the British were the Camerons in line, and
+behind them the Warwicks on the left, Seaforths in the centre, and
+Lincolns on the right; General Gatacre, the Staff, and Colonel Money in
+front.  The zareba was soon reached and torn aside, and in a few minutes
+our men were in the enclosure.  The enemy fought bravely, and, refusing
+quarter, died fighting.  In every hut and trench the dervishes were hid,
+and slashed and fired at their enemy till bayoneted, or shot themselves.
+There were many hand-to-hand fights and many narrow escapes, but in
+forty minutes the firing was over and the dervish army scattered and
+annihilated.  With the exception of Osman Digna, who with his usual luck
+escaped, and three others, all the important leaders were killed, and
+Mahmoud himself taken prisoner.  He was found in a hole under his bed! a
+rare instance of cowardice among dervishes.  Of the British, Captains
+Urquhart and Findlay of the Camerons, and Lieutenant Gore of the
+Seaforths, who had only recently joined, were killed leading their men
+over the trenches, besides 22 non-commissioned officers and men; and 10
+officers and 82 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.  The Egyptian
+army lost 57 officers and men, and 5 British and 16 native officers and
+365 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.  The dervish losses were
+estimated at over 3000 killed at and around the zareba; but of the whole
+dervish army but very few, and none of the wounded, could have escaped
+to Omdurman,--in fact the army was practically annihilated.
+
+Among the many escapes from spear or bullet that occurred, none are more
+curious than those of Corporal Lawrie of the Seaforths, which he related
+in a letter home, afterwards published in a daily paper.  A bullet took
+off the toe of his shoe, his bayonet was bent by a shot; a shot passed
+through his sleeve, his rifle was struck by a bullet; a dervish striking
+at him with a spear only split his haversack; a shot entered the lid of
+his ammunition pouch, passed into his coat pocket, smashing a penknife
+and two pencils, tore four holes in his shirt, made a surface wound on
+his left breast, and came out near his left shoulder through his coat
+and pouch braces.
+
+THE ADVANCE TO KHARTOUM.
+
+After the battle of the Atbara the troops returned to the Nile and went
+into summer quarters, waiting for the time of high Nile, when the
+advance would be made.
+
+The British troops settled down for a time in camp as in times of peace,
+for there was no fear of any dervish force, and were made as comfortable
+as possible; and the men, who were all well seasoned and inured to the
+climate, spared as much as possible during the heat.  But it was a very
+busy time with the Egyptians, and especially with the railway brigade,
+which, under the able direction of the director of railways, Major
+Gerouard, R.E., laboured incessantly to complete the track to Dakhala,
+which now became the base and depot of the autumn campaign.
+
+The new gunboats were brought up by rail in sections, and put together,
+as well as the barges for transport, and launched at Abadieh on the
+Nile, a village between Berber and the Fifth Cataract.  Camping-grounds
+were prepared, commissariat stores and ammunition forwarded to the
+front, wood cut and stacked for fuel, and every preparation made, so
+that there might be no delay or hitch at the critical moment.
+
+From the 17th of July, everything being in readiness to receive them,
+reinforcements for the British command, now to be raised to a division
+and commanded by Major-General Gatacre, were moved up from Cairo;
+amongst these were Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps,
+Medical Corps, and the 21st Lancers under Colonel Martin, a regiment
+which had never yet been in action, and was therefore burning to
+distinguish itself, as indeed it did, as we shall presently see.
+
+A second British brigade had been formed, under the command of Colonel
+Lyttleton; it was comprised of 1st Northumberland Fusiliers,
+Lieutenant--Colonel Money; 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, Lieutenant-Colonel
+Collingwood, from the Army of Occupation at Cairo; 2nd Rifle Brigade,
+Colonel Howard; and 1st Grenadier Guards, Colonel Hatton; which last two
+regiments had come direct to the front from Malta and Gibraltar
+respectively.  There was also a detachment of Royal Irish Fusiliers,
+with Maxims, making in all about 7500 men.
+
+The 21st Lancers numbered 500, the rest of the cavalry being Broadwood's
+Egyptians, about 1000 sabres.  There was also an addition to the
+artillery of the 32nd Field-Battery R.A., Major Williams; 37th
+Field-Battery with the new 5-inch howitzers firing Lyddite shells, and
+two siege-guns, besides some twenty or more Maxims.
+
+The first British division was composed, as before, of the Camerons,
+Seaforths, Lincolns, and Warwicks; the last two having changed
+colonels, Lieutenant-Colonel Louth now leading the Lincolns, and
+Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes the Warwicks.  The brigade was commanded by
+Colonel Wauchope; General Gatacre, as has been said, being now in
+command of the division.
+
+The land forces numbered over 8000 British troops and about 15,000
+Egyptian; in addition to this the Sirdar had a river flotilla of eleven
+steamboats well armed, besides iron barges especially made for transport
+of troops, and innumerable native craft.
+
+THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN.
+
+On 15th August the final advance began, and on the 22nd the whole force
+was concentrated at Wad Hamed, some 50 miles from Omdurman, a brilliant
+achievement even for the Sirdar, for it meant that 23,000 men, with all
+impedimenta, stores, and ammunition, had been moved within ten days 150
+miles across the desert into the enemy's country by means of marching
+and the use of the flotilla on the Nile.
+
+"The task before them is one of the most arduous that an army has ever
+been called upon to perform, being at a distance of something like 1200
+miles from the real base of operations, on the sea, in a climate the
+conditions of which are trying, and amidst deserts devoid of all
+resources--even of those few which existed in 1884 when the British
+forces under Lord Wolseley advanced to Metammeh, and which have since
+been utterly destroyed by the complete devastation of the villages on
+the banks of the Nile and the murder or despoliation of their
+inhabitants."--Field-Marshal Sir J.L.A. Simmons, in a letter to the
+_Times_.
+
+On the 2nd September the army lay encamped at Agaiga on the Nile, a few
+miles only from Khartoum, having already come into touch with he
+Khalifa's outposts, the main body of whose army, some 40,000 or 50,000,
+had come out of Omdurman, and was intrenched between them and the city.
+The Sirdar's camp was in the form of a semicircle, with about one mile
+of the Nile for its diameter.  On the extreme left was the 32nd
+Field-Battery R.A.; and next them, with their left on the Nile, and on
+the right of the guns, lay the second British brigade (Rifles,
+Lancashire, Northumberland, and Grenadier Guards); then the first
+British brigade (Wauchope's), Warwicks, Seaforths, Camerons, and
+Lincolns; then Maxwell's 2nd Egyptian; Macdonald's, and then Lewis with
+his right on the Nile.  On the left, and extending close down to the
+lines, was a small hill, Gabel Surgham; and on the right, some way off,
+the rising ground of Kerrin.  The camp was protected by a zareba and
+trench, with spaces at intervals, and all along the river were the
+flotilla of gunboats.
+
+At an early hour the whole army was armed and everything in readiness
+for the advance, when the scouts and the pickets of the 21st Lancers
+came galloping in with the astounding but most welcome news that the
+Khalifa, instead of waiting to be attacked behind his intrenchments, as
+did Mahmoud at Atbara, was rapidly advancing with his whole army upon
+the zareba.  Nothing could have been more fortunate for the Sirdar or
+more foolish on the part of the Khalifa; had he even remained in his
+position he would have caused his assailants heavy loss, while had he
+awaited our attack in Omdurman the siege might have presented many
+difficulties.  As it was, over-confident in the fanatic courage of his
+followers, and their superior numbers, he threw his host upon our fire,
+verily "Quem deus vult perdere prius dementat" was true in his case.
+
+The black flag of the Khalifa and the huge host of the Arabs was soon
+seen approaching, and at 6:30 a.m. the firing commenced.  First the
+Maxims and 15-pounder field-guns, 2800 yards; then the Lee-Metford
+rifles.  The air was full of shot and bullet, shrapnel and shell, mowing
+out great gaps in the charging masses, who never faltered in their
+movement.  Thousands upon thousands fell, and were succeeded by
+thousands upon thousands who likewise fell; and of all that host never a
+man reached the zareba.  Nothing could exceed the courage of the
+dervishes.  Following their old tactics, they meant to rush the zareba,
+piercing, as they hoped, the line of fire by sheer force of numbers.
+
+  "Stormed at by shot and shell,
+  Bravely they fought and fell."
+
+A large body of horse tried to break through the centre, and were
+annihilated.  At length human endurance could do no more, and the
+shattered remnants of what had been but an hour before a mighty host,
+withdrew behind Gabel Surgham.  So ended the first act, with a loss of a
+few hundred in killed and wounded; 10,000 dervishes were slain.
+
+It was at first thought when the last dervish disappeared behind the
+high ground that the fight was over, and that Omdurman lay open; and
+after a delay occupied in removing the wounded to the steamers, and
+replenishing ammunition, the army, about 9:30, re-formed for marching,
+moved out of the camp.  Lyttleton's and Wauchope's brigade, turning by
+the left, moved round the bottom of Gabel Surgham; Maxwell passing on
+their right, while Lewis and Macdonald moved away much farther on the
+right; and thus the brigades became at some distance apart.
+
+And now took place one of the most stirring events of this eventful day.
+The 21st Lancers, trotting ahead a mile or more beyond Gabel, came upon
+a small body of dervishes hiding in a hollow; and Colonel Martin having
+decided to cut them off, the regiment charged in line, led by Colonel
+Martin.  Within 200 yards of the enemy the horsemen saw the trap that
+had been laid for them; instead of 200 or 300 men in a hollow, 2000 or
+more dervishes lay in wait for them in a narrow and rather deep ravine.
+Four hundred against 2000 rode the Lancers, and somehow or another were
+into the ravine and out again, and with lance and sword and revolver had
+pushed and hacked their way through the dense mass of the enemy.  Clean
+through and out on the other side; but not all of them, for any whose
+horse fell and could not recover at once was cut to pieces.  There were
+many wonderful escapes, and many acts of bravery.  The colonel rode
+through well in front without drawing sword or revolver; his horse fell
+in the midst of the _melee_ but was up again, and both came through
+without a scratch.  Perhaps 80 dervishes were knocked over, but the
+Lancers suffered severely.
+
+Lieutenant Grenfell fell at the head of his troop, and ten of his men
+with him.  As he was lying surrounded by a crowd of dervishes,
+Lieutenant de Montmorency, who had got through safely, returned to his
+assistance.  He succeeded in driving off the enemy, and finding
+Lieutenant Grenfell dead he attempted to place the body across his
+horse.  While he was doing this his horse bolted, and he was left to
+face the enemy.  Captain Kenna and Corporal Swabrick came to his
+assistance, and fortunately caught the horse and were able to keep the
+enemy at a distance with their revolvers, while all three got safely
+through.  Lieutenant De Montmorency received the Victoria Cross, and
+also Captain Kenna, who had also saved Major Windham, whose horse was
+bolting, by taking him up behind him on his own horse.
+
+Meantime Macdonald's brigade, which had moved away to the right, had to
+bear a sudden attack of 15,000 dervishes who had rallied behind the high
+ground, and with reckless courage threw themselves upon the Egyptian
+ranks, who now found themselves attacked on three sides at once.  In old
+times no Egyptian troops could have sustained the shock, but all was
+altered now.  Admirably handled by their commander, both men and
+officers as cool as on parade, the brigade thrown practically into line,
+with the left and right thrown back, held their own, mowing down the
+enemy with a well-sustained fire.  The guns soon came to the relief, and
+shot and shell fell from steamers on to the devoted host; and Wauchope's
+brigade coming up, the rout of the dervishes was soon complete.
+
+Again the army advanced, and soon after four o'clock the Sirdar with the
+captured standard of the Khalifa entered Omdurman, arriving just after
+the Khalifa, with a small body of followers, had succeeded in slipping
+away.
+
+A Victoria Cross was also given to Captain Nevill Smyth, who galloped
+forward and engaged in single combat with an Arab who was attacking camp
+followers, and killed him, being slightly wounded himself.
+
+The Funeral of General Gordon.  On Sunday, 4th September, the Sirdar,
+Generals, and Staff, with detachments from all branches of the army,
+steamed up the Blue Nile to the ruins of Khartoum, and on the summit of
+Gordon's old palace, the scene of his death, hoisted the Union Jack and
+the Egyptian flag.  After this ceremony the bands played the Dead March,
+the chaplains--Presbyterian, Roman, Wesleyan, and Anglican--offered
+prayer, and hymns were sung on the very spot where the hero fell.
+
+Among the numerous rewards given for services in this campaign, none was
+more popular than the peerage conferred upon the Sirdar, now Lord
+Kitchener of Khartoum.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Soldiers, by W.H.G. Kingston
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