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diff --git a/old/55804-0.txt b/old/55804-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e06f8e8..0000000 --- a/old/55804-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7058 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Recollections of a Peninsula Veteran, by Joseph Anderson - -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/license - - -Title: Recollections of a Peninsula Veteran - -Author: Joseph Anderson - -Release Date: October 24, 2017 [EBook #55804] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A PENINSULA *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS OF A - PENINSULAR VETERAN - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - [Illustration: _Lt. Col. Joseph Anderson. C.B._] - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS OF A - PENINSULAR VETERAN - - - - - BY THE LATE - - LT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON - C.B., KNIGHT OF HANOVER - OF THE 78TH, 24TH, AND 50TH REGIMENTS - (1805-1848) - - - - - LONDON - EDWARD ARNOLD - 1913 - - (_All rights reserved_) - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - INTRODUCTION - - -THE following pages have been selected from the autobiography of my -grandfather, the late Colonel Joseph Anderson, who was born in -Sutherlandshire, Scotland, on June 1, 1790, and died on July 18, 1877. -It should be stated that this narrative was written only for his own -family. He had never kept a diary—nor even any notes of his adventures -and travels—and only began to write his reminiscences of the long-past -years when he was seventy-four, in the quiet of his beautiful home near -Melbourne, Australia. His memory was perfectly amazing; but if any -slight inaccuracies should be discovered, the reader is asked to excuse -them, on account of his age. He was a “grand old man” in every sense, -and lived in excellent health of mind and body until his eighty-eighth -year. To the very last he was always keenly interested in military -matters, and never failed to attend, in uniform, all the important -volunteer reviews held in Melbourne, where his upright, soldierly figure -attracted universal admiration. His son, the late Colonel Acland -Anderson, C.M.G., was for many years the Colonel-Commandant of the -Military Forces of H.M. Government in Victoria, which appointment he -held till his death in January, 1882. He was the founder of the -Volunteer Organization, as in 1855 he raised a Rifle Corps in Melbourne, -which was not only the first in Victoria but probably the first in -Australia. - - ACLAND ANDERSON, - _Captain, late 3rd Dragoon Guards_. - - SEPTEMBER, 1913. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I - -EARLY EXPERIENCES - - Born in Scotland—At fifteen years old appointed to the 78th - Regiment—First visit to London—Join regiment at Shorncliffe—Embark - for Gibraltar—Put under arrest—Lieutenant James Mackay - - CHAPTER II - -THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA - - Expedition to Calabria—In General Acland’s brigade—Battle of - Maida—Sergeant McCrae and the wounded Frenchman—Reggio—Capture of - Catrone—Taormina—Syracuse - - CHAPTER III - -IN EGYPT - - Expedition to Egypt—We take possession of Alexandria—Entrapped by - the enemy at Rosetta—A trying retreat - - CHAPTER IV - -THE EL-HAMET DISASTER - - Colonel McLeod’s death and losses of his detachment—Captain Mackay - honoured by Turkish Pasha—Return to Sicily—78th goes to - England—Attack of ophthalmia - - CHAPTER V - -THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA - - Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th Regiment—Embarked for - Portugal—Battle of Talavera—Wounded—Soldiers seize Spanish pigs - - CHAPTER VI - -THE BATTLE OF BUSACO - - Army kindly received in Portugal—Much fighting with French army - under Massena—Lord Wellington’s retreat on the Lines of Torres - Vedras—Battle of Busaco - - CHAPTER VII - -THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS - - Continued fighting—General Beresford knighted—English and French - officers spend evenings together at theatres, etc., with consent of - their commanders—Massena retires to Santarem - - CHAPTER VIII - -THE LOST REGIMENTAL BOOKS - - Story of the lost regimental books and the honesty of the soldiers - - CHAPTER IX - -THE BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONORO - -Much fighting—We drive the enemy across the Mondego at Coimbra—Battle of -Fuentes d’Onoro—I go into the French lines to take away the body of a -friend - - CHAPTER X - -IN SCOTLAND - - On sick-leave in England—In Scotland—Journey of seventy miles in - twenty-four hours on foot after a ball—Appointed to assist at - brigade office, 1813—Appointed captain and brigade-major in the York - Chasseurs - - CHAPTER XI - -VOYAGE TO BARBADOS - - Portsmouth—Guernsey—Sail for Barbados—Honest Henry—Frightful - storm—Adventure at Funchal - - CHAPTER XII - -ST. VINCENT AND GUADELOUPE - - Life in Barbados—I am appointed acting-paymaster—President of a - court-martial—Deputy judge-advocate—At St. Vincent—Expedition to - Guadeloupe—Appointed deputy-assistant quartermaster-general and sent - to Guadeloupe - - CHAPTER XIII - -DOMINICA - - Sent to Dominica—A fatal foot-race—I give up appointment and rejoin - my regiment at St. Vincent—An awful voyage - - CHAPTER XIV - -AN AMUSING DUEL - - Jamaica—Return to England—York Chasseurs disbanded—Trip to France—An - amusing duel - - CHAPTER XV - -CHASED BY A PIRATE - - Appointed captain in the 50th Regiment—Embark for Jamaica—A terrible - storm and a drunken captain—Return to port—Sail again with another - captain—Ship chased by a pirate—Jamaica once more - - CHAPTER XVI - -LIFE IN JAMAICA - - Appointed deputy judge-advocate—Sir John Keane—An interesting - court-martial—Sent with a small detachment to Port Maria—Awful - outbreak of yellow fever - - CHAPTER XVII - -HOME AGAIN AND MARRIED - - Invalided to England—Ship injured on coral rock—Dangerous - voyage—Married on 25th November, 1826—Portsmouth—The Duke of - Clarence—Ireland—Complimented by Sir Hussey Vivian on execution of - difficult manœuvres. - - CHAPTER XVIII - -TO NEW SOUTH WALES - - Dr. Doyle’s sermon—Ordered to New South Wales—Sail for Sydney with - three hundred convicts—Mutiny at Norfolk Island—Appointed - colonel-commandant there - - CHAPTER XIX - -NORFOLK ISLAND - - Life at Norfolk Island—Trial of the mutineers—A fresh - conspiracy—Execution of thirteen mutineers - - CHAPTER XX - -SUNDAY SERVICES AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 I appoint two convicts (who had -been educated for the Church) to officiate—Find about a hundred -ex-soldiers among the convicts—Separate them from the others, with great -success - - CHAPTER XXI - -LIFE AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 Solitary case of misconduct among -the soldier gang—I get many pardoned and many sentences -shortened—Theatricals and other amusements—Visit from my brother—Mr. -MacLeod - - CHAPTER XXII - -MANGALORE CATTLE STATION - - Wreck of the _Friendship_—I am attacked by Captain Harrison and - MacLeod—I receive the Royal Guelphic Order of Knighthood—Secure the - sheep and cattle station of “Mangalore” in Port Phillip with my - brother—Leave Norfolk Island—Visit to Mangalore - - CHAPTER XXIII - -ON MY DEFENCE - - Court of inquiry as to my management of Norfolk Island—Major Bunbury - reprimanded by Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for his - unfounded charges - - CHAPTER XXIV - -ORDERED TO CALCUTTA - - 50th Regiment ordered to India—Sudden death of one of my boys—Voyage - to India—First experiences of Calcutta - - CHAPTER XXV - -LIFE AT CALCUTTA - - Magnificent entertainments at Calcutta—Dost Mahomet—Wreck of the - _Ferguson_—Preparations for Burmese campaign—Special favour shown to - soldiers of the 50th Regiment - - CHAPTER XXVI - -AT MOULMEIN - - Great welcome to Moulmein—No fighting after all—The Madras native - regiments - - CHAPTER XXVII - -VOYAGE UP THE GANGES - - Return to Calcutta—Much illness in regiment—Boat journey of three - months to Cawnpore—Incidents of the voyage—Death of Daniel Shean - - CHAPTER XXVIII - -IN COMMAND AT CAWNPORE - - Life at Cawnpore—Quarrel between Mowatt and Burke—Court-martial - - CHAPTER XXIX - -THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN - - Expedition to Gwalior—In command of the regiment—Brigadier Black—His - accident—I am appointed to the command of the brigade—Battle of - Punniar—In General Gray’s absence I order a charge on the enemy’s - guns—Severely wounded - - CHAPTER XXX - -WOUNDED AND MADE MUCH OF - - “My brigade had carried all before it”—Painful return to - camp—General Gray’s dispatch - - CHAPTER XXXI - -RETURN TO CAWNPORE - - Slow recovery from my wound—Painful journey by palanquin to - Cawnpore—Am created a C.B.—Other honours and promotions - - CHAPTER XXXII - -ON LEAVE FOR TWO YEARS - - Riding accident at Cawnpore—Foot seriously injured—Get two years’ - leave of absence—Voyage to Cape Town—On to Australia—A strange cabin - - CHAPTER XXXIII - -AUSTRALIA ONCE MORE - - Sydney once more—Visit Mangalore—Select land for house near - Melbourne—My War Medal - - CHAPTER XXXIV - -SECOND VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA - - Sail for India—Dangers of Torres Straits—Copang—Arrival at - Calcutta—My son appointed to the 50th Regiment - - CHAPTER XXXV - -TO CAWNPORE AND BACK - - Violent gale at Loodhiana—Two hundred men, women, and children - buried—By river steamer to Allahabad—Rejoin the regiment at - Cawnpore—Return voyage down the Ganges - - CHAPTER XXXVI - -INDIA TO CAPE TOWN - - The guns captured in the Sutlej campaign—Lord Hardinge’s compliments - to the regiment—I secure compensation for the regiment’s losses at - Loodhiana—Voyage to Cape Town - - CHAPTER XXXVII - -RETURN TO ENGLAND - - Return to England—Continued in command of the regiment - - CHAPTER XXXVIII - -FAREWELL TO THE 50TH REGIMENT - - Decide to retire—Return to Australia - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - ORDERS AND MEDALS - - OF THE LATE - - LIEUT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON, C.B., K.H., - - OF THE 50TH (QUEEN’S OWN) REGIMENT, - - And of Fairlie House, South Yarra, near Melbourne, Victoria. - - _Born July 1st, 1790. Died 18th July, 1877._ - - -------------- - - LIEUT.-COLONEL ANDERSON’S SERVICES. - -“Expedition to Calabria, including the battle of Maida, and subsequent -operations, and capture of the fortress of Catrone; expedition to Egypt -in 1807; Peninsular War from April, 1809, to January, 1812, including -the battles of Talavera (wounded) and Busaco; retreat to the Lines of -Torres Vedras and various affairs there; with the advance at Espinhal, -battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, and many other affairs and skirmishes. (War -Medal with four clasps.) Served at the capture of Guadeloupe in 1815. -Commanded a brigade at the battle of Punniar (medal), and was severely -wounded at its head when in the act of charging the enemy’s -guns.”—_Hart’s Army List._ - -1. “MILITARY ORDER OF THE BATH,” founded by King George I, 25th May, -1725. - -2. “THE GUELPHIC ORDER” (Hanoverian), founded by King George IV, when -Prince Regent, in the name of his father, George III, on 12th August, -1815. - -3. “THE WAR MEDAL,” granted by the Queen, 1st June, 1847, for services -in the Peninsular War (4 clasps):— - - 1. Maida, July 4, 1806. - 2. Talavera, July 27 and 28, 1809. - 3. Busaco, September 27, 1810. - 4. Fuentes d’Onoro, May 5, 1811. - -The War Medal has on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the date, -1848; and on the reverse Her Majesty, as the representative of the -country or people, is in the act of crowning with a laurel wreath the -Duke of Wellington, in a kneeling attitude, as emblematic of the army. - -4. MAHRATTA CAMPAIGN OF 1843: “INDIAN STAR OF BRONZE,” made from the -captured guns. Battle of Punniar, 29th December, 1843. - -“About four o’clock in the afternoon the enemy was observed to have -taken up a strong position on a chain of lofty hills four miles eastward -of the camp.... The Second Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Anderson, -of the 50th, arrived in time to put a finish to the action; forming on -the crest of a hill, he, by a gallant and judicious movement, attacked -the enemy’s left, and completely defeated him, taking the remainder of -his guns.... Major White took the Second Infantry Brigade out of action -upon Brigadier Anderson being wounded.”—Carter’s “Medals of the British -Army.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS OF A - PENINSULAR VETERAN - - - CHAPTER I - - EARLY EXPERIENCES - - -Born in Scotland—At fifteen years old appointed to the 78th - Regiment—First visit to London—Join regiment at Shorncliffe—Embark - for Gibraltar—Put under arrest—Lieutenant James Mackay - - -I SUDDENLY and most unexpectedly got my commission as an ensign in the -78th Regiment (27th June, 1805) through the influence of my brother -William, a captain in the same corps, being then only within a few days -of my fifteenth year. But before I go any further I must mention an -amusing incident which took place before I left Banff Academy to join my -regiment, and as in the present day it may not appear much to my credit, -I beg my dear ones who may read this to remember I was still a boy, and -with less experience of the world than most of the youths of the present -day. Out of my pocket money I managed to save six shillings, with which -I purchased an old gun to amuse myself, and to shoot sparrows during our -play hours; and this being contrary to all rules and positive -standing-orders, I kept my dangerous weapon at an old woman’s house a -little way from town. A few chosen companions knew of my secret and -accompanied me one evening to enjoy our sport, but there was one amongst -them to whom I refused a shot, so next day he reported me and my gun to -the second master. I was called up and questioned on his evidence, when -I stoutly and boldly denied every word he said. The good master, Mr. -Simpson, then said, “You have told a lie, sir, and I must punish you; so -down with your breeches.” I at once resisted, and said, “I am an officer -and won’t submit.” He then called two or three boys to assist him in -clearing for action, but I still resisted, and kicked and thumped them -all round, until the noise became so loud that the good old rector came -in from his room and said, “What is all this?” On his being told, and -also my reasons for resisting, he laughed most heartily and said, “I -will not disgrace you, sir; you are an officer, and I will not disgrace -you.” So I was allowed to escape and to go back to my seat. Many years -afterwards I returned to Banff, and the rector and I had many laughs -over this frolic, and at the same time I met Mr. Simpson, but found it -difficult to convince him of my continued good will, and that I never -forgot the good and salutary lesson he gave me. - -Six weeks after this I received a letter from my brother ordering me to -join my regiment, then stationed at Shorncliffe barracks in Kent, and -directing me at the same time to go in the first instance to my uncle, -Dr. Anderson, at Peterhead, to receive an outfit, and then, without -being allowed to go home to see my father, I was shipped off for London -in one of the trading sloops of that day, and consigned to another -friend of ours, Mr. Tod, who was married to my only aunt. They received -me most kindly, and here I found a number of young ladies, my cousins, -who were about my own age, and with whom I soon became happy and -intimate. I remained with them for a fortnight, and during that time Mr. -Tod took me to his tailor, who furnished me with all my necessary -regimentals, and not a little proud was I on finding myself for the -first time dressed out in scarlet and gold. Mr. Tod took me also to many -of the public places and streets of London, and to this day I cannot -forget how the good old man laughed at my surprise and remarks about all -the pretty women who unblushingly stared at me. - -On the 18th August, 1805, I took my leave, and by coach proceeded to -join my regiment at Shorncliffe barracks. My brother William received me -on my arrival, and then took me to the colonel to introduce me, and -afterwards to the adjutant to report my arrival, and then to my future -home for a time, his own house at Sandgate; and with him I remained for -two months, until we marched for Portsmouth to embark for Gibraltar. In -the meantime I attended all daily parades, morning and evening, and was -drilled and instructed in a squad with the men. - -But before I go any further I must mention that soon after joining the -regiment my brother told me I was never regularly gazetted to my -ensigncy. That appointment had been given to my brother John, who at the -same time got a cadetship in the Madras Army, which my father considered -the best appointment of the two, and consequently wrote to my brother -William to use his interest with General McKenzie Fraser, the full -colonel of the 78th (from whom the ensigncy was procured), to say that -his brother John was provided for, but that he had another brother, -Joseph, to whom he hoped he would kindly transfer the commission; and -this the general at once consented to do, and so I was ordered to join, -and for nearly two years after my name appeared “... Anderson” in the -Army List. Such chances do not happen nowadays. - -We arrived at Portsmouth at the beginning of October, and embarked on -the following day for Gibraltar. The transports of those days were -wretched, and their provisions were even worse, and in the miserable tub -_Neptune_, to which I was doomed, we were so crowded that I, as the -youngest subaltern, had neither berth nor cot allowed me, and I was -obliged to double up with another young ensign, and to make the best I -could of it. Yet we were very jolly, and all went on well until we got -off Lisbon, about the 19th of October, when the commodore of all the -other ships-of-war in charge of the convoy made the signal, “An enemy in -sight, put in to port in view,” and this was immediately answered by -every ship in the convoy. The whole fleet then went about and steered -direct for Lisbon, and so we continued with every sail set, until on the -same evening, and following day, we were all safely at anchor in the -Tagus. We heard soon after, that the enemy we discovered in time was -part of the French fleet then making for Trafalgar, and in a few days -more we had the great and glorious news of Nelson’s splendid and -complete victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape -Trafalgar, on the 21st October, 1805, and of their almost complete -capture and destruction. But, alas! how great was the price of this -national success, for Nelson fell, and many gallant officers, soldiers, -and sailors with him. - -A few days after receiving this great news we again sailed from Lisbon -for Gibraltar, and beyond Cape Trafalgar we came up with our own partly -dismasted and disabled ships, and all which could be safely brought away -of the enemy’s captured vessels, the former proudly distinguished by -their English tattered flags, and the latter humbled by the British -ensign flying triumphantly over the national emblems of France and -Spain. This was indeed a proud sight, and a lasting day of triumph and -renown to old England, for from that time to the present hour the might -of the Spanish navy was crushed and the French navy never appeared -formidable to us again. We soon passed our noble heroes and their -prizes, and our fleet reached Gibraltar a few days afterwards. - -The regiment landed next day, and occupied Windmill Hill and Europa -Point barracks. There were no less than four other regiments there when -we arrived, and I liked that gay station very much. But there for the -first and only time of my military life I was put in arrest, and became -so alarmed that I cried bitterly, and thought I was going to be hanged -at least! The other ensigns of the regiment were all many years older -than I, and one of them in particular used to bully and annoy me -constantly, so that on one of these occasions I made use of most -insulting and ungentlemanlike language to him. Our kind and parental -colonel (Macleod of Guinnes) was then in the habit of inviting all the -young officers to breakfast with him, and on the following morning I -went as usual in full dress to his house, about a mile from our -barracks, and there on entering I found Cameron seated with others. The -colonel soon appeared, and wished all good morning in his accustomed -kind manner and asked us to take our seats. Breakfast passed over as -usual. As soon as the table was cleared Colonel Macleod stood up and -called us all to him, and then, addressing me, said, “Mr. Anderson, Mr. -Cameron has reported to me that you have been making use of most -improper language to him, and as you seem to forget you are no longer a -schoolboy, but an officer, I must put you under arrest, and send you -home in disgrace to your family. Leave your sword there, sir [on the -table], and go to your barracks immediately.” Poor me! I at once showed -I was still but a schoolboy, for I cried and sobbed fearfully, and -returned to my barracks with a broken heart. - -The same evening a dear friend of my family, Captain John Mackay of -Bighouse, called on me (no doubt at the request of the colonel), and -frightened me more than ever, for he told me again that I would be -brought to a general court-martial and deprived of my commission. I now -cried more than ever, and I told him all that had passed between me and -Cameron, and the constant insults and liberties he attempted to take -with me in the presence of the other officers. I was glad to see from my -friend’s remarks that he began to think Cameron was more to blame than I -was, yet he still told me I must prepare for the worst, and so he left -me to my own misery. I shall never forget my sufferings that night. -However, next day I was ordered to attend at the colonel’s quarters, and -there found most of the officers assembled, Cameron amongst them. The -colonel then addressed us, and said, “Mr. Anderson, I have been -inquiring into your conduct, and find that you, Mr. Cameron, most -grossly insulted this young gentleman, and by your daring, -unwarrantable, and most unofficerlike conduct provoked a young boy to -forget himself. You, sir, are many years older and ought to know better; -I consider you therefore far more culpable and blameable in every -respect than Mr. Anderson. You have both acted very improperly, but for -the present I shall take no further notice of your conduct than with -this reprimand to warn you both to be more careful and correct for the -future; and now, Mr. Anderson, you are released from your arrest, and -will return to your duty.” Off I went in joy to my barracks, thankful -indeed for this proper support and friendly admonition, and from that -day I enjoyed myself and felt happy with my brother-officers. - -I was at this time attached to a company commanded by an old and -experienced officer, Lieutenant James Mackay, a most studious man, and -an acknowledged scholar, whose pride, next to his profession, was in his -books. His instruction and care did me more good than any previous or -subsequent opportunities I ever had for study. I was quartered with him -at Europa Point, and he made me rise early and visit our men’s barracks -at Windmill Hill, two miles distant, every morning. I then returned to -breakfast with him, after which we went to our public parade, which was -no sooner over than we got home, and then he made me sit down to certain -books and studies which he gave me. This he made me continue daily while -we remained at Gibraltar, although (at the instigation of the other -officers) I often tricked him, and tried hard to get off from such -control and (as I then thought) drudgery. Being a perfect master of the -French language, he was one of the British officers sent with Napoleon -Bonaparte to the island of St. Helena, and afterwards recalled by our -Government on the suspicion of being too intimate with the ex-Emperor. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II - - THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA - - -Expedition to Calabria—In General Acland’s brigade—Battle of - Maida—Sergeant McCrae and the wounded Frenchman—Reggio—Capture of - Catrone—Taormina—Syracuse - - -EARLY in 1806 our regiment left Gibraltar for Messina, where we -continued some months, and then marched for Milazzo, where we camped -until we embarked, in June of the same year, as a part of the expedition -under Lieut.-General Sir John Stuart for Calabria, landing with the -other troops in the gulf of St. Euphemia on the morning of the 1st of -July. The object of this force was to attack the French General Regnier, -then in that part of Italy with a considerable army. Our landing was but -slightly opposed, because our convoy, the _Endymion_ frigate (Captain -Hoste), took up her position as near the shore as possible, and by her -fire soon cleared the beach and drove the enemy far beyond our first -footing. He made a partial stand, however, on a rising ground inland; -but as our troops advanced, and after a skirmish, we soon forced him to -retreat on his supports and finally on his main body. We then halted for -the day, and the enemy left advanced posts and videttes to watch our -movements. We soon bivouacked for the night about 6 miles from the -beach, with, of course, the same precautions. During that evening and -the following day we were busily engaged in landing our heavy stores of -provisions. On the 3rd July we advanced a few miles to reconnoitre and -to gain information of the enemy’s force and main position, and on the -memorable and beautiful morning of the 4th July we finally advanced in -columns, and soon found ourselves on the unusually clear and extensive -plain of Maida, the enemy showing in mass on the distant hills and -woods, about three miles from us, with a river in front which greatly -strengthened their position. - -As soon as we got half across the plain, our columns were halted, and -the troops deployed into two lines, the one to support the other, with -our skirmishers thrown out in front to cover us. We were then directed -to “order arms and stand at ease”; thus formed, we offered a fair field -to the enemy. Our brigade, consisting of the 58th, 78th, and 81st -Regiments, under General Acland, formed our front line, and in this -position we remained at least half an hour gazing at our enemy; by this -time the French were seen in full view debouching from the hills and -woods, and, crossing the river, they advanced with all confidence -towards us. As soon as they had cleared the river their advance halted, -and the whole then formed into two columns, in which order they steadily -advanced with drums playing and colours flying. We remained quiet and -steady, but impatient, on our ground, and had a full view of our foes, -as they boldly and confidently advanced, evidently expecting that they -could, and would, walk over us; and so they ought to have done, for we -afterwards ascertained they numbered upwards of nine thousand of their -best troops, while our force did not much exceed six thousand men! Their -cavalry was also more numerous, for we had only one squadron of the 23rd -Light Dragoons; but ours was so admirably managed that it kept the -others in check during the whole day. - -As soon as these formidable French columns came sufficiently near, and -not till then, our lines were called to “attention” and ordered to -“shoulder arms.” Then commenced in earnest the glorious battle of Maida, -first with a volley from our brigade into the enemy’s columns and from -our artillery at each flank without ceasing, followed by independent -file firing as fast as our men could load; and well they did their work! -Nor were the enemy idle; they returned our fire without ceasing, then in -part commenced to deploy into line. The independent file firing was -still continued with more vigour than ever for at least a quarter of an -hour, when many brave men fell on both sides. Our brigade was then -ordered to charge, supported by our second line, and this they did -lustily and with endless hearty cheers, the French at the same moment -following our example and advancing towards us at a steady charge of -bayonets, the rolling of drums, and endless loud cheers. Both armies -were equally determined to carry all before them; it was not till we got -within five or six paces of each other that the enemy wavered, broke -their ranks, and gave way, turning away to a man and scampering off, -most of them throwing away their arms at the same time; but our men -continued their cheers and got up with some of them, and numbers were -either bayoneted, shot, or taken prisoners. The enemy was then fairly -driven over the bridge by which they had advanced, or forced into the -river, where numbers were captured or drowned. - -Our loss was comparatively small. The brave 78th had about a dozen men -killed and many wounded. The 20th Regiment landed during the action, and -by an able and hurried manœuvre managed to get on the enemy’s right -flank, and contributed much to the success of the day. Captain McLean, -of that regiment, was the only officer killed in the battle. I shall -never forget my horror when I beheld numbers of gallant French soldiers -weltering in their blood and groaning in agony from the most fearful -wounds. And here I must mention an incident to the honour and credit of -one of our Highland sergeants of grenadiers, Farquhar McCrae, who could -not speak one word of English nor of French. He was wounded after we had -passed over the first line of dead and dying Frenchmen, and while -passing through the heap of wounded one of them made him a sign that he -wanted a drink, on which McCrae immediately turned round and made -towards the river; but he had no sooner done so, than his ungrateful -enemy levelled his musket and wounded him slightly in the arm. McCrae -looked back, saw from whom the shot came, and going up to the man he -seized his firelock, and after a struggle soon got it away from him; -then, taking it by the muzzle, raised the butt over the Frenchman’s head -and said, with a terrible Gaelic oath, “I’ll knock your brains out!” But -a more generous impulse seized him; he actually went back to the river -and brought the wretched man some water! - -I have heard that in Lieut.-General Sir John Stewart’s official dispatch -concerning the battle of Maida it is stated that the bayonets of the -contending forces actually crossed during the charge. They may have done -so, in some parts of the line—but _so far as I could see_ they did not -do so, and I have never heard any one who was in the action say that -“the bayonets actually crossed.” - -The defeat was perfect, and the victory glorious beyond all praise. We -remained on the field of battle burying our dead and attending the -wounded and embarking our prisoners; then we marched for Reggio, the -castle of which was then besieged by some others of our troops from -Sicily, who now joined our force, except the 78th Regiment, which was at -once embarked under convoy of the _Endymion_ frigate and destined for -the capture of the fortress of Catrone, on the east coast of Italy. We -arrived and anchored off that place. About a week afterwards the -_Endymion_ took up her position within range of the fort, and all were -ordered to be in readiness for an immediate landing. Major Macdonnell -was sent on shore with a flag of truce and proposals to the governor of -the fort to surrender. He returned to say that the terms were accepted. -Some companies of the 78th were then landed near the fort, when the -whole French garrison marched out as prisoners of war and laid down -their arms in front of our line, being allowed to retain only their -personal baggage, and the officers their swords. They were at once -embarked and divided amongst our transports. The fort was dismantled and -the guns spiked. We re-embarked, and our little fleet sailed in triumph -back to Messina; but on landing we were ordered to Syracuse, and sent -detachments to Augusta and to Taormina. I was with the latter, and had -not been long there before I fancied myself in love with the daughter of -a widow, who did all she could to encourage me and tempt me to a -marriage by constantly parading a quantity of silver plate and jewels as -a part of my portion; but this chance of my imaginary good luck was soon -put an end to, for I was suddenly called back to headquarters, Syracuse, -and there forgot my love affair. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III - - IN EGYPT - - -Expedition to Egypt—We take possession of Alexandria—Entrapped by the - enemy at Rosetta—A trying retreat - - -IN March, 1807, we embarked as part of an expedition from Sicily under -General McKenzie Fraser, destined for Egypt. We sailed from Syracuse on -the 7th, arrived at Aboukir Bay about the middle of the same month, and -found there a large fleet of our men-of-war and a numerous fleet of -transports with the other troops of our expedition. The object of our -force was to create a diversion in favour of Russia against the Turkish -army in that country. - -On the following morning all our light men-of-war and gunboats took up -their stations as near the landing-place as the depth of the water would -permit. The first division of our troops were at the same time ordered -into the different ships’ launches and towed by the smaller boats to the -shore, a distance of at least four miles; but the weather was unusually -fine. A considerable body of the enemy appeared on the sand-hill above -the landing-place, but our gun-brig and gunboats soon dispersed them, -and we landed without difficulty, except a good wetting as far as the -knee, for the water was shallow and our boats could not get nearer than -a few yards from the beach. The remainder of the troops followed in the -course of the day, and landed with the same success and safety, and next -morning the stores, camp equipage, and guns were landed without -accident. The usual advance guard was pushed forward, and the remainder -of the troops followed in divisions, the enemy’s advanced posts retiring -before us, and that evening we camped, without any covering, on the dry -sand, about six miles inland. Some of the enemy’s cavalry were visible, -but only in small numbers to watch our movements. - -Next day we commenced our march for Alexandria, with very little -interruption, beyond occasionally seeing large detachments of Turkish -cavalry, with which our advanced guards and videttes exchanged shots and -some volleys occasionally. Our advance to Alexandria continued much in -the same way for a few days; we had fine weather and hot sands for our -beds, with which we covered ourselves over. We felt well and slept very -comfortably, and it was not till we arrived before the walls of the town -that the enemy appeared in force and attempted to dispute our advance, -but after a partial action and the loss of a few men killed and wounded -we soon drove them before us and forced them to take shelter behind the -walls of the town, and soon after the firing ceased on both sides for -that day. We camped as before, beyond the walls of the old town, with -our advanced piquets posted, and all other necessary precautions. It was -found next morning that the enemy had evacuated the city of Alexandria -during the night, and we then took formal possession, keeping most of -our troops still in camp. - -A force of about twelve hundred men was now told off and detached under -Brigadier-General Wauchope to proceed against the town of Rosetta, on -the Nile. They arrived before that place in twelve days, in safety. The -general marched his men right into the centre of the town without any -opposition, not even seeing an enemy, but then, being entrapped, a heavy -fire was opened upon him from the tops of the houses and windows, -without even the power of returning a shot. Death and confusion -followed. General Wauchope was amongst the first who fell dead, and in a -few minutes nearly all his detachment were either killed or wounded, and -those who escaped for the moment were made prisoners and with the -wounded put to death, so that only a few escaped altogether, and these -found their way back to Alexandria to tell the sad and murderous tale. - -This barbarous and butchering defeat required to be avenged, and a -second force of about eighteen hundred men, under Major-General Sir W. -Stewart, was told off for this service, in which my regiment, the 78th, -was included. We marched from Alexandria late in March and arrived -before Rosetta on the 7th of April, and on getting into position before -the town the first thing we saw was the dead and mutilated bodies of -hundreds of the former force. They were, of course, at once buried, and -vengeance was the prevailing cry and feeling of the living. The late -Field-Marshal Sir John Burgoyne was then a captain and our chief -engineer. He at once began to throw up breastworks and other temporary -defences for our guns and for the troops, these being partly completed -by the next day. Some of our heavy ordnance were in battery, and -commenced at once to shell the town; at the same time the enemy opened a -heavy fire of artillery upon us, which was continued by both sides until -dark. Rosetta is a walled town, known then to be strongly fortified. Our -works were continued day and night, and additional guns got into -position, until all were mounted and brought to bear on the town. The -only visible good effect our cannonade produced was the cutting in two -and upsetting of many lofty minarets of the mosques; we never heard the -extent of their losses, but as Rosetta was full of troops and -inhabitants, their casualties must have been very considerable. All our -efforts failed to make any practicable breach in the walls, therefore no -regular assault was attempted. Almost every evening the enemy sallied -forth in large detachments of cavalry and infantry to attack our advance -posts and picquets, but our troops of dragoons (ever on the watch) soon -met them, and generally dispersed them; but they never gave us a fair -chance, for they usually galloped off and got back to their stronghold -just as we had an opportunity of destroying them. - -Ten days after we commenced this siege, our good, gallant Colonel -McLeod, of the 78th, was detached with five hundred men for El-Hamed, -some 50 miles higher up the Nile, to check any reinforcements or -surprise by additional troops coming down the Nile from Cairo to -Rosetta, and our own main body continued the siege much in the same -daily routine for a fortnight longer, but still unfortunately without -any success in making a practicable breach in the outer walls so as to -give us a fair chance of assault. All this time we were losing many -brave men. It was then finally determined to raise the siege as -hopeless, and to return to Alexandria. Orders to this effect were sent -to Colonel McLeod, with instructions to meet us on a given day and hour -at Lake Etcho; therefore, during the night of the 20th of April our -batteries were dismantled and all our heavy guns spiked and buried -deeply in the sand. - -On the morning of the 21st our troops were under arms and formed into a -hollow square, with a few pieces of light artillery and ammunition and -stores in the centre. In this way we commenced our retreat for Lake -Etcho. We had scarcely moved off when our square was surrounded by -thousands of Turkish cavalry and infantry, howling, screaming, and -galloping like savages around us, at the same time firing at us from -their long muskets, but fortunately with comparatively little loss to -us. We occasionally halted our square, wheeled back a section, and gave -them a few rounds of shot and shell from our artillery, then moved on in -the same good order. This was a long and trying day, and the only -retreat in square I ever saw. It occupied us nearly twelve hours, from -five in the morning till the same hour in the evening. The enemy, with -fearful shouts, followed us, firing the whole of that time, but they -never showed any positive determination to charge or to break our -square. We were not so delicate with them, for we gave them many rounds -from our guns, and when they ventured sufficiently near they were sure -of more volleys than one, and we had the satisfaction of seeing numbers -of them fall. We had few men killed, who were unavoidably left behind, -but we were able to carry away our wounded. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE EL-HAMET DISASTER - - -Colonel McLeod’s death and losses of his detachment—Captain Mackay - honoured by Turkish Pasha—Return to Sicily—78th goes to - England—Attack of ophthalmia - - -WE had soon another trial awaiting us. When we got to Etcho there was no -appearance of Colonel McLeod or his detachment, nor any message from -him. It was therefore at once determined to march back to El-Hamet, to -ascertain his fate; and there we received information that Colonel -McLeod had been attacked that morning by a large force of Turks in boats -from Cairo, and the whole of his detachment destroyed, and he, that good -and promising soldier, was amongst the first who fell. After a short -council of war we again wheeled about and marched back to Etcho, where -we camped for the night. Next day we continued our retreat to -Alexandria, where we arrived without any further molestation. - -Day by day several rumours reached us about our lost detachment and the -gallant defence they made, but nothing positive or upon which we could -rely, until the sudden appearance, six weeks afterwards, at Alexandria -of Lieutenant Mathieson, who was one of the survivors, who now came to -us in a Turkish dress with some proposals from the Turks at Cairo. From -him we learnt that they were attacked most unexpectedly on the morning -of the 21st April by a large Turkish force, who came down the Nile in -boats from Cairo, on their way to Rosetta, and after gallantly resisting -until more than two-thirds of their number were either killed or -wounded, and the last rounds of ammunition expended, the remnant were -overpowered and obliged to surrender. He also described their position -at El-Hamet. Colonel McLeod and the main force were stationed on the top -of a hill, and detachments of fifty, thirty, and twenty men were posted -round the base, in the strongest possible places, with orders to fall -back on the main body if attacked. While so posted and before daylight, -the enemy landed from their boats, surrounded the hill, and at once -commenced the attack. Our men fought desperately, for they expected no -quarter, and numbers fell. Captain Colin Mackay with his grenadier -company commanded one of the outposts, and, like all the others, fought -heroically; but his two subalterns, McCrae and Christie, and nearly half -his men were soon killed. He himself received a fearful sabre cut in the -neck (from which, although he lived for many years, he never completely -recovered) and also a severe musket wound in the thigh, both of which -rendered him at once prostrate. But Mackay’s spirit was not gone, for he -then ordered his few remaining men to leave him to die there, and to -make the best of their retreat to the headquarters; but this they would -not do, declaring to a man that they would sooner die with him, than -leave him. Two of his remaining sergeants then got their captain on -their shoulders and succeeded under a heavy fire in carrying him off in -safety to the top of the hill, and there learnt that their Colonel was -already amongst the slain. - -The command then devolved upon a Major Vogalson (a German); he at once -wished to surrender, fixing his white handkerchief on the top of his -sword, as a sign of truce to the enemy. Colin Mackay lay under a gun -bleeding and suffering severely from his wound, but he happily still -retained his senses, and being told that Major Vogalson wished to -surrender he cried out, “Soldiers, never, never while we have a round -left!” upon which they cheered him again and again, and set Major -Vogalson’s authority completely aside; thus they actually continued to -fight until the very last round of their ammunition was gone. The enemy -pressed in upon them, and after a desperate struggle they were -overpowered and obliged to surrender. The Turkish Pasha who commanded, -then rode up and inquired, “Where is the brave man who has so long and -so ably resisted me?” Colin Mackay, the hero of the day, was pointed out -to him lying still in agony under a gun, on which Ali Pasha dismounted -and, creeping near Mackay, took the sword off his own neck and shoulders -and placed it gracefully on Mackay, saying, “You are indeed a brave man, -and you deserve to wear my sword.” From that time and long afterwards -(although still a prisoner) he received the most marked attentions from -the Pasha. - -The few prisoners who survived were then secured, the dead were -decapitated (and I fear many of the wounded also), and their living -comrades were forced to carry their heads in sacks to the boats, and -poor Colonel McLeod’s conspicuous amongst the number. Most of the enemy -then embarked with their prisoners and their trophies and returned in -triumph to Cairo. There the heads of the dead were exhibited on poles -for some weeks round the principal palaces of the authorities. The -survivors were committed to confinement, and the officers were allowed -at large on their paroles and treated well, especially Captain Mackay, -who continued to receive the most marked attentions from every one. In -this state they remained nearly eight months, when, after a variety of -negotiations, they were exchanged and sent back to join us at -Alexandria. - -In another month the whole of our force left Egypt and returned to -Sicily, far from proud of the result of our unfortunate and badly -managed expedition. The 78th went to Messina, and, without landing, were -ordered to Gibraltar, and on arrival there were sent direct to England. - -Here I must mention that during the last eight months of our inactive -life in Egypt our troops suffered much from ophthalmia. I was for many -months laid up from that fearful malady, from which I suffer to this -day, as I have partially lost the sight of my right eye; many of our men -lost one, some both eyes, and became totally blind. From that period -until now I have been subject to occasional attacks of inflammation of -the eyes, so bad in 1821 and 1822 that I was recommended by my medical -attendants to apply for a pension. This I did through Lord Palmerston, -then Secretary of War, on which I was ordered for treatment and report -to Fort Pitt at Chatham, where for six weeks I was exposed to all kinds -of pains and penalties. In consequence, I received a letter from Lord -Palmerston saying that His Majesty was pleased to grant me the pension -of an ensign, that being the rank I held when I received the injury to -my sight. I wrote back to thank his lordship, but saying that, as the -regulations for pensions had been changed, the amount now being allowed -to increase with the rank of the individual so favoured, I still hoped, -as I was now a captain, I should not be made a solitary exception to the -rule. To this I received a reply ordering me again to Fort Pitt for -treatment there. I remained under similar torture for another month. -Soon after, I had a third reply, informing me that on the second report -of the medical board His Majesty was pleased to grant me the pension of -a lieutenant. I was then quartered in the Isle of Wight, so got leave of -absence and went to London, determined in so good a cause to see Lord -Palmerston in person. I was admitted, and then renewed my application -and entreated his lordship to reconsider my case, adding that not only -one eye was nearly gone but the other suffering much also. He was -writing at the time and never took his pen from his paper, yet he was -very kind and appeared to listen to me attentively; then, looking up, -said, “I must put you on half-pay, sir, if you are so great a sufferer.” -I said, “I hope not, my lord, while I am able to do my duty, as I have -nothing else to depend upon but my commission.” He then smiled and said, -“Well, write to me again, and I shall see what can be done.” I did so, -and in due course had the satisfaction to receive a notification stating -that under the circumstances of my case His Majesty was graciously -pleased to grant me the pension of a captain. - -But to return from this long digression to where I left my early history -in the brave 78th, I proceed to say that after finally leaving Gibraltar -we arrived safely in Portsmouth and marched for Canterbury, a few months -after to Chichester, and then to the Isle of Wight, where we detached in -companies to all parts of the island. I was sent even further with a -small detachment to Selsea barracks in Sussex, to take charge of a large -ophthalmic depot of that station. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA - - -Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th Regiment—Embarked for Portugal—Battle of - Talavera—Wounded—Soldiers seize Spanish pigs - - -I WAS not long at Selsea barracks before I wrote to the Horse Guards -soliciting promotion, for I was then more than three years an ensign—an -unusual period at that time. I received a sharp answer informing me that -I ought to make my application through the officer commanding my -regiment. This frightened me a little, for I now dreaded his displeasure -also, for he was a perfect stranger to me. I had never seen him, having -lately been appointed from another regiment. In a few days I regained -confidence and made up my mind to write and tell my colonel frankly what -I had done in ignorance of the rules of the service, and begging him to -renew my application to the Horse Guards. I acted wisely, for a few -weeks later I saw myself gazetted to a lieutenancy in the 24th Regiment, -and being relieved of my command at Selsea, I joined that corps soon -afterwards in Guernsey. This was in October, 1808; after remaining there -till April, 1809, we embarked for Portugal to join the army under Sir -Arthur Wellesley. - -After a prosperous journey I found myself again in Lisbon. The march of -the 24th to join the army was by a route along the banks of the Tagus, -our principal halting-places being Villafranca, Azambuja, Cartaxo, -Santarem, Abrantes, and Portalegre. We halted a month at Santarem, where -we were most hospitably treated by the inhabitants. There, at a large -convent, the mother abbess paid us great attention, and not only -entertained us occasionally with fruits and sweetmeats, but allowed us -daily to visit the convent and see the nuns. There was a large hall or -reception-room, where visitors assembled, in which, at the far end, -there was a large grated window in an unusually thick wall; both sides -of the window were barred, but sufficiently open and lighted to enable -us to see through the adjoining room. The nuns appeared in twos and -threes in the inner room, and in this way we chatted and made love for -hours daily, but the gratings between us were so far apart that we could -only reach the tips of their fingers. It was during one of these visits -that the mother abbess sent a privileged servant to lay out a table with -fruit and cakes, and in return for all these favours we sent our band to -play under the convent walls every other evening. We left Santarem with -much regret. - -We joined General John Ronald McKenzie’s brigade, consisting (with the -24th) of the 31st and 45th Regiments; during the months of May and June -we joined many other brigades and divisions of the army. Early in July -the whole British force was concentrated and reviewed on the plains of -Oropesa by the Spanish general, Cuesta, who proved afterwards a -worthless man and a bad soldier, and yet he was then, by gross -mismanagement and perhaps by the treachery of the Spanish Government, -considered senior to Sir Arthur Wellesley. Our whole army in line at -that review made a grand and magnificent appearance. - -It was now known that the French army under General Marmont was not very -far ahead of us, and every one believed we were now concentrated and -advancing to the attack. These reports were soon confirmed by facts; -after a few days of marching we found ourselves on the 23rd July -encamped near the river Alberche, with General Cuesta’s Spanish army on -our right, the town and position of Talavera de la Reina a few miles in -front on the opposite side of the river, with Marshal Marmont and the -whole French army not far distant facing us. It was afterwards well -known that Sir Arthur Wellesley fully intended to cross the Alberche on -the following morning and attack the enemy, but General Cuesta overruled -any such advance on the pretence that the river was not fordable. It was -then suspected that the real reason for delay was to allow the enemy -time to fall back on his reinforcements. On the 25th, when our advance -was ordered and made, we found the water of the river only knee-deep; so -we crossed, guns, cavalry, and infantry, without any difficulty, and -heard that the French had actually retreated on reinforcements they -expected from Madrid under King Joseph. Our main body was now halted, -and in course of the day occupied the position of Talavera de la Reina; -the whole of the Spanish army went on _pretending_ to watch the -movements of the enemy, while at the same time General Donkin’s brigade -and ours, consisting of the 87th and 88th Regiments, followed close upon -the Spaniards with the intention of watching _them_! We halted at Santa -Olalla, eight or ten miles in front of Talavera, and there took up a -strong position. The Spaniards continued their advance and marched -farther. On the following noon we were astounded by seeing the whole -Spanish army in confused mobs of hundreds retreating past us without any -attempt at order or discipline, shouting that the French army was upon -us. Our two brigades immediately got under arms and formed in line ready -to receive the enemy, without making any attempt to stop the cowardly -fugitives, and we soon lost sight of them. We remained firm in line till -the French came well in sight; then we gave them a few volleys and -retired in echelon of brigades, each halting occasionally and fronting -as the ground favoured us, giving the enemy volley after volley. - -This order of retreat was continued for some miles through a thickly -wooded country. At last we got upon a most extensive plain, keeping the -same order till the enemy affronted and opened a heavy fire, but -fortunately their guns fell short, and we returned the fire with more -success, and soon we saw our own gallant army drawn up in order on the -heights and grounds near Talavera. This cheered us, and we continued our -retreat and defence in the most perfect order. It was a most splendid -sight; on nearing the main position of our army a considerable body of -our cavalry advanced to meet us, and our batteries from the heights -opened a heavy and destructive fire at the enemy. - -Then commenced in earnest the glorious battle of Talavera, on the 27th -July, 1809. The enemy made several deployments of their numerous columns -during the action, attacking with desperation almost every part of our -extended line, but on every occasion they failed and were driven back; -yet fresh troops were brought up, the battle raged furiously, and there -was much slaughter on both sides. I was slightly wounded in the thigh -just as we got into our own lines. On the morning of the 28th a heavy -and constant cannonade was commenced, and the battle was renewed with -more vigour. The French columns came on boldly and tried again and again -to walk over us and break our lines, but we defied them, and at every -assault they were driven back with fearful slaughter; then they advanced -with fresh troops, cheering and shouting “Vive l’Empereur!” The others, -disheartened by our determined resistance, faced about with the altered -cry “Sauve qui peut.” The slaughter on both sides was fearful butchering -work, and was continued by both armies the whole of that memorable day. -Our loss in men was unusually great, and the French loss was said to be -greater than ours. When the morning of the 29th dawned, not a Frenchman -was to be seen! Their whole army had retired during the night of the -28th! leaving us the victors and masters of the field of battle. - -A fearful and most distressing sight that field presented as we went -over it, covered with thousands of the enemy’s dead as well as our own, -and thousands of wounded, numbers with their clothes entirely or -partially burnt off their bodies from the dry grass on which they lay -having caught fire from the bursting of shells during the action; there -were many of the wounded who could not crawl away and escape. Those who -still lived were at once removed, and the dead were buried. We remained -on the field of battle three days more, attending to the wounded. Having -then received information that Marshal Soult with the French army was at -Plasencia and advancing on us, our whole army was put in retreat towards -Portugal by Truxhillo, Arzobispo, and Merida, leaving the wounded and -many medical officers in hospitals at Talavera. The road taken was -across country, and so bad that we were obliged to employ pioneers and -strong working parties to enable us to get on. From these unavoidable -causes and delays, our marches on many days did not exceed ten miles, -and our provisions became very limited. We had much rain, and our men -suffered much from sickness, fevers, agues, and dysentery; the latter -was much increased by the quantity of raw Indian corn and wild honey -which the country produced, and which the soldiers consumed in spite of -every threat and order to the contrary. - -This retreat lasted three weeks, and I never remember seeing more -general suffering and sickness. On crossing the bridge of Arzobispo we -met a division of the Spanish army driving before them a herd of many -hundreds of swine. Our men broke loose from their ranks as if by -instinct, surrounded the pigs, and in defiance of all orders and -authority, the men seized each a pig, and cut it up immediately into -several pieces; so each secured their mess for that day, then again fell -into place in the ranks, as if nothing had happened—this in open -defiance of the continued exertions and threats of all their officers, -from the general downwards. The Spaniards stood still in amazement, -evidently in doubt whether they should attempt to avenge their losses, -but they did not do so, and each army continued its march in opposite -directions. When we camped for the night our good soldiers sent a -liberal portion of their spoil to each of their officers, nor were the -generals forgotten! and they, like the youngest of us, were thankful, at -that time, for so good a mess. We continued our retreat by Elvas and -Badajoz, then halted at various stages, and were quartered in the -different towns and villages on the banks of the Guadiana for some -months afterwards. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE BATTLE OF BUSACO - - -Army kindly received in Portugal—Much fighting with French army under - Massena—Lord Wellington’s retreat on the lines of Torres - Vedras—Battle of Busaco - - -WE were now in Portugal, and by the kindness and hospitality of the -inhabitants were made truly comfortable. We felt this change, for in -Spain we were always received coolly, and got nothing in the way of food -from the inhabitants upon whom we were quartered, whereas in Portugal we -were received and welcomed with open arms by every one; whether rich or -poor, these good people upon whom we were billeted always shared their -food with us, and gave us freely of the best of every sort of provisions -they had. Towards the end of this year (1809) the army was again in -motion for the north of Portugal, and after a variety of marches and -changes of quarters my division halted at Vizeu, Mangualde, Anseda, -Linhares, and Celorico; at each of these places we had abundance of -provisions and supplies and were, by the kindness of the inhabitants, -most comfortable. Some time before this, the 31st and 45th Regiments -were removed from our brigade and replaced by the 42nd and 61st -Regiments. - -Our troops remained inactive till about the beginning of July, 1810; -then we heard that the French army, greatly reinforced, was advancing -upon us under Marshal Massena. They were checked for a time by some hard -fighting with our advance light division, under General Crawford, also -by continued resistance of the garrisons of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. -The former was occupied generally by Spanish troops and some Portuguese -militia, the latter fortress by one English regiment and three or four -Portuguese regiments, with brave Colonel Cox, of our service, as the -governor. Both these forts resisted gallantly and successfully for a -short time, but after a siege of a fortnight Ciudad Rodrigo surrendered, -and in ten days more the principal magazines and public buildings in -Almeida were levelled to the ground by a sudden explosion, killing five -hundred troops and inhabitants and destroying the principal works and -means of defence; in this state of confusion and terror the brave -governor, Colonel Cox, was obliged to capitulate. It was afterwards -discovered that this shame and sacrifice was occasioned by the treachery -of one of the Portuguese officers, who was actually the -lieutenant-governor of the fort, and who openly headed a mutiny of the -garrison against the governor, Colonel Cox, aided and assisted by -another Portuguese officer, who was the chief of the artillery, and who -had been for some time in secret correspondence with France! - -The surrender of these two important strongholds encouraged the enemy to -renew their advance, so that in the beginning of September Lord -Wellington commenced his able and well-devised retreat on the Lines of -Torres Vedras, within thirty miles of Lisbon. The Portuguese army under -General Beresford and the Spaniards under the Marquis de la Romana, -retreating on our flank for the same destination, all believed that we -were making the best of our way to our ships for embarkation, and with -the full intention of finally quitting the country. So secretly had the -works of the Lines of Torres Vedras been carried on, that only rumours -of their existence were heard, and those only by very few officers of -high rank. It was even said that neither the English nor Portuguese -Government knew anything positive about these works nor where they were -constructed, and I remember well that most of our officers laughed at -the idea of our remaining in Portugal, and heavy bets were daily made, -during our retreat, on the chances or the certainty of our embarkation. -But different indeed were the results, and all the world soon -acknowledged the master-mind of our most noble and gallant commander. - -I have said that we commenced this retreat early in September, disputing -the ground daily as opportunities offered, and as we were covered by our -Light Division, these brave men had nearly all the hard work and most of -the fighting, but, when necessary, other troops were brought up to their -support, and occasionally to relieve them from this constant harassing -duty. For a few days the Portuguese militia under Colonel Trant and the -Spaniards under the Marquis de la Romana were constantly kept to guard -our flanks. In this way the main body, by different roads, retreated in -good order for twenty or thirty miles a day, most of the inhabitants -leaving their homes and property and falling back in thousands before -us, rich and poor, men, women, and children, carrying little with them -beyond the clothing on their backs, and halting and bivouacking in the -open fields, a short distance before us, whenever the army halted for -the night. - -A month after we started, our division was suddenly moved off the main -line of road, from the crossing of the Mondego River above Coimbra, to -the mountain position of the Sierra de Busaco, some miles farther in -rear of the above river and city; all the other divisions of the army -were directed to the same point. Having scrambled up that mountain as -best we could, our whole army was soon formed in order of battle. Below -us was an extensive open but thickly wooded country, and there we saw -the whole of the French army, under General Massena, advancing in many -columns to attack us. The Sierra de Busaco is a very extensive range of -mountains, and the main road from Coimbra, passes over the centre of it, -to the interior; but in all the other places it is so precipitous and -rocky, that our gallant old commander was obliged to be carried up in a -blanket by four sergeants, for no horse could ascend there. By two -o’clock on the afternoon of the 27th September our whole army was in -position, our guns in battery, and our light troops thrown out in front -for some distance. These arrangements were not long completed when the -French, in different columns, advanced to attack, covered by clouds of -their light troops and skirmishers. As soon as they came within range -they commenced the battle with continued rounds from their numerous -artillery, and our batteries returned the compliment. The skirmishers of -both armies opened their fire furiously, and two of their columns pushed -forward up the most easy and accessible part of the mountain with drums -playing and endless cheers, and appeared as if determined to carry all -before them. Our lines stood firm and retained their fire till the enemy -came within easy range; they then gave a general volley, followed by a -thundering, well-directed independent file firing, covered by our -artillery, which soon made the enemy halt, stagger, and hesitate, and in -a few minutes they were seen to face about and to retire in very good -order. Their loss must have been great, and so was ours. At daylight on -the morning of the 28th the battle was again renewed in a more extended -and general way by the enemy, for they attacked simultaneously several -points of our position; at the same time column after column was seen -pressing up the mountain in every direction, and in one place so -successfully, that at break of day one of the heaviest and largest of -these actually managed to reach within a few yards of our position -before it was seen by our troops. They were no sooner seen than received -with a volley; yet they gallantly kept their ground, and returned our -fire without ceasing for about half an hour; during that time neither of -the contending lines advanced, nor gave way one inch. At last our men -were ordered to charge; then the enemy retired, and, at the point of the -bayonet, were driven down the hill pell-mell, in the greatest confusion, -leaving many hundreds of their dead and wounded behind them. Their other -minor columns of attack were repulsed in like manner. In course of that -day the battle was again renewed, and the French were finally driven -back, although they fought ably and with much gallantry. During this -day’s battle our invincible and gallant Commander-in-Chief, Lord -Wellington, pulled up with all his staff in front of my regiment, and -dismounted, directing one of his orderlies to do the same and to hold -his horse steady by the bridle. He then placed his field-glass in rest -over his saddle, and for some minutes continued coolly and quietly to -reconnoitre the enemy, and this under a heavy fire! - -On the morning of the 29th there was not a Frenchman to be seen. They -had retired during the night, and were soon known to be moving to turn -the left of our position, so as to cut off our retreat by Coimbra and -the main road. But our “master-mind and head” was equal to the occasion, -and in another hour the whole of our army was in retreat by a different -route, to cross the Mondego River at and above Coimbra. This we did many -hours before the enemy could reach us. For days we kept possession of -Coimbra and the neighbouring banks of the Mondego, to give our faithful -friends the inhabitants time to destroy, bury, or remove their -valuables, and above all their provisions, lest they should fall into -the hands of the enemy. These arrangements were made from the -commencement of our retreat, and strictly carried out by the -inhabitants. They left their homes and accompanied the army, taking with -them only a few of their valuables. Before reaching Torres Vedras I -remember seeing many of these noble patriots, rich and poor, all -barefooted and in rags. When we finally halted they went to Lisbon. -These arrangements were more distressing to General Massena than all the -fighting and opposition he met with, for he was so sure of driving us -into the sea, or forcing us to embark, that he left his principal -magazines of provisions behind, confident of finding sufficient supplies -in the country through which he passed. In all these hopes and -speculations he was indeed sadly disappointed; the consequence was that -they were sorely tried, and suffered much from their limited and always -uncertain commissariat. We arrived at the Lines of Torres Vedras on the -10th and 11th of October, closely pursued by the enemy, their advance -guards and our rear troops constantly skirmishing, and causing some loss -to them and to us; but we always found time to bury our dead and carry -away the wounded. - -We had no sooner taken up our relative positions than we were surprised -and amazed at the formidable and strong appearance of the temporary -works in which we found ourselves, and which we soon learnt extended in -a direct line for thirty miles from Alhandra, on the banks of the Tagus, -to Mafra, on the sea coast, thus covering Lisbon completely, from the -broad and deep river on one side to the wide ocean on the other, this -line forming in most places a continuous chain of rising ground. My -division (the 1st) was stationed at headquarters, Sobral, about the -centre of the lines. By this happy chance we had an opportunity of -seeing Lord Wellington daily, and of sharing his dinners occasionally, -in our turn, for he made a point of asking the juniors as well as the -senior officers; and dinner then, with good wine, was worth having! Yet -upon the whole we fared very well, for we had a good and regular supply -from Lisbon. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS - - -Continued fighting—General Beresford knighted—English and French - officers spend evenings together at theatres, etc. with consent of - their commanders—Massena retires to Santarem - - -THE French were up and in position along our whole line. The next day -Marshal Massena massed the strongest of his columns in front of our most -formidable works, and desperate attacks were made on various parts of -our line, but these, after hours of hard fighting, were always repulsed. -The rest of each day was spent in staring at each other and watching the -movements of the enemy, and frequently by a heavy cannonade for hours by -both armies. Our loss was considerable; and from the French deserters, -who were very numerous at this time, we learnt that their killed and -wounded far exceeded ours, and that they were suffering much from -sickness and want of provisions. In this way we remained constantly on -the defensive, and frequently fighting, for upwards of four months, our -army keeping our own ground and never attempting to attack the enemy, -and always driving them back with much slaughter whenever they advanced -to storm or carry away any of our works. During these operations the -Marquis de la Romana, with his division of the Spanish army, joined us. - -When we had been so employed for about two months, an authority reached -Lord Wellington from England to confer the honour of knighthood on -General Beresford, then the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese army. A -general order was issued by Lord Wellington inviting one-third of the -combined armies of England, Spain, and Portugal to assemble at the royal -palace of Mafra, on a given day, to witness the ceremony of General -Beresford being knighted, which stated that the Commander-in-Chief -intended to return to his post at an early hour that night, and wished -every officer to do the same, and concluded with an expression of his -confidence that the remaining generals and officers of the army who were -left at their posts would do their duty if attacked by the enemy during -his absence. I was one of the happy ones who took advantage of this -invitation, and at an early hour on the day named I started for the -palace of Mafra, a distance of about fifteen miles. On our arrival there -we found not only many hundreds of officers—English, Spanish, and -Portuguese—but also a great portion of the Portuguese nobility, all come -to do honour to the occasion, Lord Wellington and his brilliant staff -amongst them; and, what was more remarkable, large masses of the French -army not a quarter of a mile away from us, with their advanced piquets -and sentries, were looking quietly and coolly on at our gathering, and -although our visitors from Lisbon advanced in crowds as near as possible -to look and stare at them in turn, not the slightest attempt was made by -our brave enemies to alarm or disturb them. The same consideration and -courtesy was continued during the whole of that memorable occasion, so I -think to this day that the good feeling and understanding must have been -previously arranged between Lord Wellington and General Massena. - -As soon as the whole company had arrived, as many as could be got in -were assembled in the principal hall of the palace; then appeared Lord -Wellington with General Beresford on his arm, followed by a numerous -suite of general officers and Portuguese nobility, and the -Commander-in-Chief’s personal staff. A circle was formed in the centre -of the hall, into which all the grandees entered. His Majesty’s commands -were then read, on which General Beresford knelt down, and Lord -Wellington, drawing his sword, waved it over the General’s head, saying, -“Arise, Sir William Carr Beresford,” and ended so far the imposing -pageant. Then was opened a folding door, displaying many tables laid out -with a most recherché dinner and choice wines for at least five hundred -people. I was one of the fortunate ones who succeeded in getting early -admission. Then dancing was commenced, and kept on without ceasing until -daylight. Our popular commander danced without ever resting, and -appeared thoroughly to enjoy himself, though he retired at midnight, and -many followed his example; but by far the greater number remained till -morning, much to the delight of all the lovely and illustrious donnas -and señoras of Lisbon. The night was very dark, and many officers going -home lost their way and got into the enemy’s lines, but on stating -whence they came, were all treated most kindly, and at daylight were -allowed with hearty good wishes to proceed to their respective quarters. - -For many weeks after this we continued in the Lines of Torres Vedras -receiving the enemy’s attacks, and after many hard struggles invariably -driving them back in confusion. At last Marshal Massena saw he could -neither force our position, nor hope for any lasting success by -continuing his efforts, so about the middle of January, 1811, being -known to be sorely tried for supplies and provisions, he retreated with -his army thirty miles or more, then established his headquarters at -Santarem, the approach to which he at once fortified. We followed -without delay and fixed our headquarters at Cartaxo, within ten miles of -Santarem, with one Light Division in front and in sight of the enemy. -The remaining corps were distributed on the various roads to our right -and left, following and watching the movements of our foes; and so we -continued for two months, without anything important being done. Our -Light Division did make some attempt to force the enemy’s advance -position in front of Santarem. This was a narrow causeway nearly a -quarter of a mile long, built with stone and lime over the centre of an -extensive bog or morass, very soft and knee-deep in water, at the -enemy’s end being strongly fortified with numerous covering breastworks -and guns in battery; but each attack failed with considerable loss to -us. For some weeks no further efforts were made in this direction, for -after a long reconnaissance it was believed that the storming and -carrying of such a place would entail a fearful sacrifice of life. It -was then determined to make one more effort, and the three grenadier -companies of my brigade were told off to lead the advance of the -storming party across the causeway. For this perilous duty we marched -off one morning before daylight to a certain rendezvous in a wood near -the site of our intended operations. There we found, in considerable -numbers, masses of infantry and many guns in battery, ready to support -us, and a part of the Light Division prepared to flank our advance, by -taking at once the swamps and marshes, and so clearing the way for other -troops to follow with the hope of turning both the enemy’s flanks and -getting into their rear, while we, the storming party, at the double, -with our powerful supports, should pass the causeway and storm and carry -the enemy’s stronghold and batteries at the end of it. All was well -arranged, and willing and ready were all to make the attempt; but -fortunately for many of us, just about the appointed hour for our -advance it came on to rain heavily, and so continued without ceasing for -some hours after daylight. As we could no longer conceal our movements -from the enemy, this attack was given up, and we marched back to our -quarters without any loss, but with a good wetting. Had the attack taken -place our loss would have been terribly heavy. - -The most happy feeling prevailed between our Light Division and the -French advanced posts and garrison at Santarem. Many of our officers -used to go by special invitation to pass their evenings at the theatre -with the French officers at Santarem, and on every such occasion were -treated in the most hospitable manner, and always returned well pleased -with their visits. Of course, the sanction of the Commanders-in-Chief of -both armies was given to this intimacy. The Marquis de la Romana died at -Cartaxo while we were there, and was laid in state for many days, and -buried with much splendour and all military honours. - -While here our “patrone,” the owner of our house, used to visit us very -frequently. One morning, while he was present, I was sitting before the -fire and poking with the tongs at the back of the chimney, when suddenly -it gave way, exposing a tin box, on which “patrone” called out in alarm, -“Mio dinhero! mio dinhero!” and at once seized it; but we insisted on -seeing the contents, and found a considerable sum of money, the poor -man’s all, and of course we restored it to him. When the French were -advancing some months before, most of the inhabitants hid their -treasures much in the same way. - -I was one morning taking an early walk with Lieutenant Hunt, of my -regiment, in the immediate neighbourhood of Cartaxo, when we observed in -a field a mule and a donkey grazing; not far off was a Portuguese -peasant. I called him and asked to whom the animals belonged; he said he -did not know, but that he believed they had strayed from the French -lines, so I told him to drive them up to my quarters, and that I would -give him a few dollars for his trouble. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - THE LOST REGIMENTAL BOOKS - - -Story of the lost regimental books and the honesty of the soldiers - - -I MUST now tell a more creditable story. At this time I commanded a -company, and had also unofficially the charge of the accounts and -payments of another company, the captain having a great dislike to -bookkeeping. In those days the military chest of the army was so low -that the troops were frequently two or three months in arrear of pay; -but the soldiers’ accounts were regularly made up and balanced every -month, and carried forward ready for payment when money was available. I -was then sufficiently lucky to have a donkey of my own, although before -this I was, like most subalterns, contented to share a donkey or mule -with another officer, for the carriage of our limited baggage and spare -provision; the Government allowing us forage for one animal between -every two subalterns, and one ration of forage to each captain. My good -and trusty beast carried two hampers covered with tarpaulin, on which -was printed most distinctly my name, “Lieutenant Anderson, 24th -Regiment,” and in these I carried not only my few changes of clothes and -spare provisions, but also my two companies’ books, ledgers, etc., and -at that time about two hundred dollars in cash. We had all native -servants at this time; mine, a Portuguese boy, was always in charge of -my baggage and donkey. The day we marched into Cartaxo, all the baggage -arrived in due course except mine, and for some hours we could hear -nothing of my boy nor of my donkey. At last, about dusk, he came up -crying, and told me he had lost my all. I waited for many days, still -hoping to hear something of my property, but all to no purpose. There -were no records kept of the soldiers’ accounts except the company’s -ledgers, so I was thus, in consequence of my loss, entirely at the mercy -of my men, and had no other course left to me but to parade my own, and -then the other company, and explain the situation, and my confidence in -them all, and then to take from their own lips the amount of balances, -debit or credit, of their respective accounts. I committed their -statements at once to paper, but of course I could not say if they were -correct or not. I then gave up all hope of ever seeing my lost property -again. - -I was advised to request the adjutant-general of the army to circulate a -memorandum in General Orders, describing my donkey and baggage, and -offering a handsome reward for discovery, recovery, or for any -information respecting them. A few days afterwards I received a letter -from a corporal of the 5th Dragoon Guards, stationed at Azambuja, -informing me that on the very evening of my loss he found my donkey -feeding in a cornfield near his quarters; soon afterwards, seeing two -soldiers of the 24th Regiment, he asked them if they knew Lieutenant -Anderson; being told that they did, he asked if they would take charge -of the donkey, to which they willingly consented, so he gave all over to -them, with directions to be sure to deliver them in safety. This letter -I at once took to my commanding officer, who ordered me to go without -delay to Azambuja to see the corporal, and ask if he thought he could -remember and identify the men. I rode off alone through a wild country, -a distance of twenty miles, got to Azambuja in good time that evening, -and found the corporal, whose name I cannot now remember. He expressed -great surprise at my not having received the things, as more than a -month had passed since he had given them over to the two men of the -24th. He said one was a grenadier and the other a battalion man, that he -had not noticed them much, but thought he might be able to point them -out. On this I went to General Sir Lowry Cole and told him my story; he -at once ordered the corporal to accompany me back to Cartaxo. That -evening we started under heavy rain, and rode all night. The corporal -was a tall and powerful man, and I must confess that I felt a little -afraid of him. The night was very dark, and the ride for many miles was -through a long wood. I more than once thought that if the corporal was -himself the thief he might now dispose of me without any one being the -wiser, so I ordered him to ride some distance in front, on pretence of -looking for the road, so as to give me time for a bolt should he turn -upon me. My fears proved ungenerous and unfounded, for without any -accident we arrived at Cartaxo. - -I reported myself to my commanding officer, who ordered the adjutant to -parade the whole regiment in front of my quarters. This was done, and -man after man was called in for the corporal’s inspection, then passed -out by a back door, without any communication with those still outside. -After about a hundred had passed, the corporal, looking at the next man -who entered, said, “I’ll swear this is one of them.” The accused became -at once indignant and insolent, denying all knowledge of the charge. He -was searched, and a few dollars were found between his coat and the -lining, but these he said he got, like most soldiers, in course of the -war. - -The adjutant then proceeded to call in the remaining men; at last the -corporal fixed his eyes on one of the men who entered, and said, “This -is the other man; I feel sure these are the two men; I’ll swear to them -both.” This was a private of the grenadiers, and he, like the other, -boldly denied the charge. Both were then secured and sent under escort -to the guard-house, and were given till twelve o’clock to make a full -confession; if they did not, they would be brought to a general -court-martial, and would be shot if found guilty. They both knew that -such tragic ends were then by no means uncommon. They were also told the -serious inconvenience and loss which their officers and fellow-soldiers -had sustained, and if they would tell how the books could be recovered -the commanding officer would be as easy as possible with them, and that -Mr. Anderson did not care much for the rest of the things. But still -they denied, swearing vengeance on the corporal. At last they saw their -danger and sent for the sergeant-major and made a full confession, -saying they knew there was money in the hampers, and that tempted them; -they had led the donkey into a wood near Azambuja, tied him to a tree, -taken the money, and buried the hampers and all their contents on the -spot, and offered to show the place. I was ordered to march the two -prisoners under a strong escort to the wood they mentioned, and there we -found, still tied to the tree, the skeleton of my poor donkey, dead for -at least a month. We began to dig, and soon came upon my long-lost and -precious hampers, and found everything destroyed by the rain, but the -books, though greatly injured, were still legible. We marched back to -Cartaxo, and on arrival the prisoners were recommitted to the -guard-house. My next care was to compare the verbal statements given to -me by the men with the original accounts in the ledgers; and here comes -the cream of my long story, and my reasons for going into this lengthy -digression. To their honour, therefore, be it told, there was not -half-a-crown’s difference between the accounts in the ledgers and those -given by each soldier from memory, the voluntary statements of no less -than a hundred and fifty men! I consider this a great proof of the -general honesty and integrity of the British soldier. The two prisoners -were brought before a regimental court-martial, found guilty, and -sentenced to corporal punishment and to be put under stoppages of pay -until the money taken from me was made good. The former they suffered, -but I never got back a shilling of my money. One of them died some -months afterwards from wounds received at the battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, -and the other was killed by another soldier in a boxing match. - -We remained at Cartaxo, with the armies in the various relative -positions which I have already described, and without any great -fighting, until the morning of the 7th March, 1811, when we heard that -the main body of the French army had been for some days retreating, and -that their headquarters, under Marshal Massena, and their rear guard had -that morning retired from Santarem. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONORO - - -Much fighting—We drive the enemy across the Mondego at Coimbra—Battle of - Fuentes d’Onoro—I go into the French lines to take away the body of - a friend - - -THE whole of our troops were put _en route_ to follow them. The 1st -Light Division and our headquarters and brilliant staff were all much -excited, and anxious to be at them. We soon arrived at, and crossed -without opposition, the formidable causeway and works which so long -defied us, and which even now startled us not a little. In a few hours -more we were passing through the now empty and deserted town of -Santarem. We were now halted, and could not see much, but amongst the -many signs of devastation and plunder we passed under the remaining -walls of that once peaceful convent where, two years ago, we had spent -many happy days and hours. Nothing now remained but the bare crumbling -walls. The dear nuns were gone, no one knew where, most likely to -Lisbon. The building was destroyed and plundered by the enemy, and we -afterwards heard that such was the fate of all the convents within reach -of the French during their advance towards the Lines of Torres Vedras, -and that many of the nuns who had not time to escape, or who trusted to -their religion and calling for protection and safety, were shamefully -treated by the French officers and soldiers. Of this I can have little -doubt, for when our advance was over, and we got settled amongst the -inhabitants, we heard many sad stories of this description. - -We had not advanced many miles from Santarem when we heard the distant -firing of our Light Division and our advanced field train, now evidently -up with the enemy. This went on till dusk, and we then bivouacked for -the night. Next morning we were again in pursuit, without pressing the -enemy, rather to allow them to get away, unless they offered battle. -Their first stand was for some hours in force in front of the village of -Pombal. As soon as our troops got within reach they opened a heavy fire -from a numerous artillery upon us, but our troops and guns, being now -well up, returned the compliment with their accustomed vigour and -interest; some manœuvring and changes of position followed on the part -of the French, and additional troops were shown and brought into action. -Our 1st Division was then hurried to the front to support our troops, -and having got into action, the fight was continued with determined -valour for some time, until the enemy began to give way, and finally to -retreat in some confusion. We followed them till dusk, when we halted -and took up our position for the night. For days after this we had no -fighting, till we drove them across the Mondego at Coimbra, and by some -other bridges and fords of that splendid river, at each of which places -there was a great deal of fighting. - -The scenes of destruction and murder which we frequently passed in the -villages and on our daily march, were dreadful. Houses and furniture -burnt, men and women mutilated and murdered, lying about in the most -disgusting and barbarous manner, some with their throats cut, some with -their eyes and ears gone, and others cut up and most dreadfully exposed; -all this for revenge, because they would not, or could not, supply the -French army with provisions, and in the hope that these savage -proceedings would terrify others into instant compliance. The French -were suffering fearfully at that time from want of food, and their -deserters to us were then unusually numerous. We had almost daily -evidence of the former fact, for as we entered villages which they had -left, it was an ordinary sight to see in the houses one or more dead -French soldiers lying on the floor in full uniform, their arms still -grasped in their hands as if asleep, also sitting in chairs with their -caps on, and in full uniform, their firelocks standing upright between -their legs, and quite dead; evidently they had died from want of food. I -may mention that during our pursuit of the enemy we always took up our -position each night in the open fields, without any covering beyond our -blankets, and these were generally saturated with wet, for in Portugal -rains are frequent, and dews and fogs unusually heavy during the night. -If we remained for a few days or weeks we cut down some trees and bushes -and made ourselves as comfortable as we could in shelters. In permanent -quarters the army was always housed in the neighbouring towns and -villages. When the towns and villages were deserted we were distributed -among a number of empty houses and streets. The country abounded with -game, especially hares, so during our idle time we were coursing or -shooting with success. Each company cooked its own food, and divided it -in the usual form. The officers of one or two companies messed together, -giving and taking dinner with their friends occasionally. We arrived -near the frontiers of Portugal driving the enemy before us, passing -through Vizeu, Mangualde, Celorico, and Guarda, and some of the other -villages we had occupied. The army was halted for some weeks, and many -of the inhabitants joined us and again occupied their houses, but in all -of these places we found the same sad evidence of the reckless -destruction of houses and property of every description. - -When we reached the town of Sabugal on the Coa we found the enemy -strongly posted to dispute our passage of that river. After a good deal -of fighting our Light Division forced and carried the bridge, and a -general engagement for some hours followed, with much slaughter on both -sides. In the evening the enemy gave way and continued the retreat. It -rained fearfully during the night. In the fields which my brigade -occupied we were up to our ankles in mud. It was one of the most trying -nights we ever had; our men suffered so much from the wet and cold that -two or three were found dead on the ground when the assembly sounded -next morning. Massena halted his army again in the neighbourhood of -Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, in both of which fortresses he had a strong -garrison; there he was allowed to remain unmolested for some months -longer. We in like manner halted, and were put in quarters in the -different villages in advance of the Coa, my brigade being comfortably -housed at Alfaiates, and while here we enjoyed ourselves much in field -sports and coursing. Headquarters were again near us, and Lord -Wellington mixed frequently with us in the chase. Our quartermaster got -sick about this time, and I was appointed to do his duty, which gave me -an opportunity of improving my Portuguese. About the last week in April, -1811, the army was again put in motion to the front. Early on the -morning of the 3rd of May we came in sight of the French army posted in -order of battle in and beyond the village of Fuentes d’Onoro. The -weather was beautiful, and both armies fought without either gaining any -decided advantage. On that day the casualties on both sides were -numerous, when night stopped the battle. Next morning at daylight it was -renewed, and continued at various intervals in various parts of the -line, until again checked by darkness. On the following morning, the 5th -of May, it began again in earnest, and was more formidable and general, -the numbers of killed and wounded and prisoners on both sides being very -considerable. Upon the whole the French gained ground upon us, where my -brigade and divisions were posted, and drove us from the village of -Fuentes. This occurred about midday, and the weather being unusually -hot, a suspension of hostilities was agreed upon for the purpose of -carrying away the wounded and burying the dead. - -I had charge of one of the fatigue parties sent on this service, and -passed at once over to the village of Fuentes, then in possession of the -enemy, from which they had driven us. We were received most kindly, and -proceeded at once to our work of burying the dead and removing the -wounded. This was continued for only an hour, when the bugles of both -armies sounded “To arms!” on which the French troops near us immediately -fell in, shouldered their arms, and taking off their caps, gave us three -cheers. We at the same time, shaking hands with some of them, made off -as fast as we could back to our own lines, and there, forming in order -of battle, took off our caps and returned the same hearty good cheers. -Then, and not until then, was a shot fired by either of the contending -parties, and the battle again commenced with more vigour than ever, and -continued with fearful slaughter until night. - -Amongst our losses on that memorable day was a very dear friend of mine, -Lieutenant Edmond Kelly Ireland, of the 24th Regiment. I was with him -when he fell, and I knew where to find him. He was equally well loved -and regretted by all his brother-officers, and Lieutenants Moorsoom and -Pell and I, after a talk, determined to go at once to the French lines -to claim his body; so, accompanied by two of our soldiers carrying a -blanket, and without leave, we moved boldly off to the French side until -stopped by one of their sentries. We answered “English officers,” on -which he ordered us to stand still, then turned out his guard, or -picquet. A French officer and a dozen men then advanced, and asked who -we were and what we wanted, and being told we came to request to be -allowed to look for and claim the body of an officer and friend of ours -who fell that day on their ground, our brave foe said at once, -“Certainly, gentlemen; give me up your swords and I shall be happy to -conduct you wherever you wish to go.” We accompanied him under escort to -his bush hut. He spoke freely and kindly of the battle, boasting a -little that they had driven us off so much of the ground and from the -village. He gave us a glass of brandy and water and biscuits, then said, -“Gentlemen, I shall now conduct you where you like,” so off we went to -the spot where I knew poor Ireland fell. We soon recognized him amongst -heaps of slain; he was lying on his back stripped of all his clothing. - -He was shot right through the head, and must have died at once. We -placed him in the blanket and carried him back with us, returning as we -came, by the French officers’ bivouac, there receiving our swords. In a -quarter of an hour more we were safely back in our own lines, without -having been missed. Our next work was to dig a grave, and that being -damp and watery, we opened another in a higher ground, and there we laid -our dear and much-lamented friend. Our doings soon became known; some -one told all to our colonel, who at once assembled all the officers, and -gave us a most severe lecture, pointing out to us how improper and -imprudent our conduct was, and how difficult it would have been, if we -had fallen into the hands of a dishonourable enemy, to prove that we -were not deserters, and we were cautioned not to attempt any such folly -for the future. Later, we were told by one of the senior officers that, -although obliged to reprimand us, no one thought more highly of our -conduct than our good Colonel Kelly. We fully expected to renew the -fight on the morning of the 6th, but to our surprise and satisfaction, -as that day dawned not a Frenchman was to be seen. They retired beyond -our reach during the night, and so ended the battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, -fought on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of May, 1811. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X - - IN SCOTLAND - - -On sick-leave in England—In Scotland—Journey of seventy miles in - twenty-four hours on foot after a ball—Appointed to assist at - brigade office, 1813—Appointed captain and brigade-major in the York - Chasseurs - - -WE remained a week or more in the neighbourhood. The whole army was then -again put in motion towards the south-east of Portugal, in consequence -of the state of affairs previous to the battle of Albuera, under Marshal -Beresford. The weather during a part of this march was very wet and -stormy; our army suffered much from fever and ague. I was myself amongst -the number, and was attacked so severely that after some days’ -suffering, without any covering or shelter, I was ordered to the rear -and then on sick-leave, in December, 1811, and I arrived in Plymouth in -January, 1812. - -My leave was for six months, which enabled me to visit my father and -friends in Scotland. I was ordered to join the depot of my regiment at -Maldon, in Essex, and soon after I was sent with a recruiting party to -Dornoch, in my own native country. Lieut.-General Sir David Baird was -then the colonel-in-chief of my regiment, and he thought that by sending -me with a party to the Highlands I might find some countrymen for his -regiment; but in this both he and I were disappointed, for I remained at -Dornoch four months and never got a man. I was now ordered to leave my -recruiting party with an officer of the 21st Regiment and to proceed to -the Isle of Wight to embark for India to join the first battalion of my -regiment. This most unexpected official letter reached me while actually -at a public ball; but I determined to enjoy myself for at least one -night, so danced away till six in the morning, then went to bed and -slept till nine, when I started on foot on a journey of seventy miles -(two-thirds of which was over Highland moors and mountains) without even -a path to guide me; but I was then young, and, moreover, I fancied -myself in love, and that gave me heart and vigour to push on. In the -last forty miles I was obliged to have a guide, and having walked the -whole of that day and night, I completed my journey in twenty-four -hours. I may also mention that my lady-love was at this time the -acknowledged belle of all the country, but for various reasons our -courtship ended in nothing beyond a sincere and friendly feeling, even -to this day. I found another official letter countermanding my orders -for India and directing me to return with my recruiting party and rejoin -the depot at Maldon. Six weeks after this the remains of my regiment -returned from Portugal and were quartered at Chelmsford, in Essex, and -there we joined soon after. - -General W. P. Acland commanded the district, and soon ordered an -inspection of the regiment. When he came to the companies’ books he was -so much displeased with the irregular and imperfect manner in which they -were kept that he found fault with all except Lieutenant Anderson’s -books, and ordered all the officers to be confined to barracks until our -lieutenant-colonel could report that the books were properly posted and -ready for his final inspection. This was a great triumph for me, and -much good, as I shall presently show, came out of it; for in about a -month England was sending a considerable force to Holland, and amongst -the staff for that service General Acland’s brigade-major was included. -On the following day I was actually marching off in charge of our -barrack guard, when an orderly arrived to say the general wished to see -me at once. Another unfortunate officer was then crossing the barrack -yard with his gun on his shoulder, going with others on a shooting -excursion, but as he was next for duty he was ordered to get ready at -once to take my place in charge of the guard, much to his annoyance. I -repaired at once to the general’s quarters, and on being shown in he -said, “My brigade-major has been ordered away, and I want you to come -and assist me at the brigade office until a successor is appointed.” I -thanked him, and said I should be most happy to attend and do my best. -He then took me to the office and made me copy some returns; in course -of the day he looked in, examined my work, and ordered me to come to him -every morning. Here I must mention that beyond dining with him -occasionally in my turn with the other officers of the garrison, I knew -nothing of General Acland, nor he of me; but now, being nominally on his -staff, I used to ride with him and dine with him more frequently, and so -began to feel myself a great man, for I had much to do, having no less -than six regiments and depots in the district, the reports and -correspondence all passing through my hands; and my responsibilities and -duties were increased by the general’s frequent absence in London and -other places, on which occasions he always authorized me to act in his -name and to carry on all correspondence and duties as if he were -present, except that if any unusual thing occurred, or any official -letter arrived requiring his opinion and decision, I was to forward all -such matters to his address, which he always left with me. I was also to -keep his absence a secret from every one. In this way I got on most -happily, when one morning he asked me, “How long have you been in this -service, and what service have you seen?” I told him, and that my first -battle was under him, as commanding my brigade at Maida. This seemed to -surprise him, for he was not aware of my having been at Maida. He then -said, “Bring me a memorandum in writing of your services.” I did so on -the following morning, without suspecting what use he was going to make -of it. Conceive, then, my joy and surprise in seeing myself a fortnight -afterwards gazetted as captain of a company in the York Chasseurs. Of -course, I thanked my benefactor with all my heart and soul; but he only -said, with his accustomed kindness, “You deserve it, and I hope you will -get on.” This was not all, for he next applied to the Horse Guards to -have me permanently confirmed as his brigade-major; but that was refused -on the ground that I was appointed to a new regiment where experienced -officers were immediately required, and therefore I must join at Sandown -barracks in the Isle of Wight with as little delay as possible. Still, -he kept me for some weeks longer with him. At last the time came when I -was obliged to leave. He then asked me to write to him occasionally, but -he lived only for three years after. I did write repeatedly, and as -often heard from him, and it is in fond and grateful acknowledgment of -my much-lamented friend that I gave my dear son the name of Acland. Had -I never seen General Acland I would not have been a captain for ten -years or more. - -On joining the York Chasseurs at Sandown barracks I was pleased at -finding the officers a fine set of young fellows, all promoted from -other regiments for their services or strong family interest. -Lieut.-Colonel Coghlan was a smart, experienced officer, very kind to -all, but a strict disciplinarian; and as there was no end to our -parades, we soon became a most efficient regiment, and the most united -and happy corps of officers I ever knew. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - VOYAGE TO BARBADOS - - -Portsmouth—Guernsey—Sail for Barbados—Honest Henry—Frightful - storm—Adventure at Funchal - - -I HAD the good fortune to see at Portsmouth the Prince Regent of -England, the Emperor of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, the King of -Prussia, the Duke of Wellington, Marshal Blücher, Marshal Beresford, -Lord Hill, Lord Combermere, Prince Esterhazy, Contezoff, and many more -distinguished English and foreign officers, all in uniform, and covered -with their brilliant stars and orders. This was immediately after the -first occupation of Paris and the declaration of peace. It was a -glorious day, and all the world was there to see them. A few months -afterwards we embarked for Guernsey, and remained there till October of -the same year, when we embarked for Barbados. - -Our residence in Guernsey was more than usually gay. There were several -other regiments of the line stationed there at the same time, and the -people of the town and neighbourhood were more than hospitable, for we -had constant dinner-parties and public and private balls. The young -ladies were more than usually numerous, and very many of them very -beautiful. In such a society, and with such luring temptations, it -cannot appear a matter of wonder that most of our young men were, or -fancied they were, desperately in love; and to encourage our pretensions -our kind and ambitious colonel (who was himself a married man) at every -ball slyly hinted to the elderly ladies and mothers, as his officers -passed near, “That is the nephew or cousin of Lord So-and-so,” and “That -is a young man of considerable property in the West Indies,” and so on, -in the most seductive manner, until he made us all out to be men of -substance and wealth. How far this marvellous information was believed I -know not, but it did not in any way lessen the continued friendship and -hospitality which we invariably received. Every evening after dinner -carriages from our friends assembled in front of our messroom, and as -the constant use of these caused many of us to be absent from parades on -the following mornings, with the consequent displeasure and reprimand -from our colonel, we used to allow them to remain stationary for some -time after the appointed hour for our departure, knowing well that our -colonel (who lived opposite our messroom) was watching us all the time, -and that, although he did pitch into us for being absent from his -parades, he was nevertheless as anxious for our enjoyment and fun as we -were ourselves; therefore we pretended to show no desire to be off, -until this mock indifference brought our kind commander over and in -amongst us, saying, “Gentlemen, gentlemen, you are late: why are you not -off?” On this one of our captains (Parker), who was for many years -private secretary to his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent and a man of -courteous address, used to get up and say, “Really, colonel, you are -very good, but we have determined not to go to any more parties for fear -of being late for parades in the morning.” Then he would answer, “Pooh, -pooh! d—n the parades; you must all go—you must all go.” And so we -started for our rooms and dressed and were off as usual. So long were -our dancing and parties continued that most of us were again absent from -parade the following morning. Our colonel still continued to send -sergeants to town to look for us, and to say he wished to see us -immediately. Soon after that, Captain Parker followed alone to smooth -the way and to prepare for our reception. This he effectually did by his -well-timed excuses and his courteous manner, so that when we arrived in -barracks the colonel was so perfectly satisfied that he only said he was -glad to hear that we enjoyed ourselves so much. This was latterly almost -an everyday occurrence, and I mention it here to show how happy young -men may be under a good and kind colonel. - -But all things must have an end, and so had our fun in Guernsey; for, as -I have already said, we all embarked in October for Barbados, leaving -our sweethearts and friends without coming to any positive understanding -as to the future. On our voyage we called at the Cove of Cork, where we -remained for some days, and were then joined by the 40th Regiment in -transports, bound for the West Indies and finally for New Orleans, and -here our good and much respected friend Colonel Coghlan left us and -retired on half-pay. - -I was at this time in command of one of our transports, and here must -notice an instance of true honesty that occurred. Being tired of -visiting the Cove, I agreed with some officers to take a run up to Cork -for a day or two; but, before leaving my ship, I gave orders to the -senior officer not to allow any of the men to go on shore. On my return -to the Cove I met some of the officers, who told me that my servant had -deserted, having got leave to land on the pretence of taking my clothes -to be washed. This alarmed me not a little, for I had then between three -and four hundred pounds belonging to the troops and to myself in one of -my trunks, in dollars and doubloons, and as I entrusted my servant, whom -I had long known, with my keys, I now made sure all was gone; I hurried -on board and found the door of my cabin locked, and, inquiring for the -key, an officer handed it to me, saying my man Henry gave it to him with -a request to let no one have it except his master, should I return -before he did. I instantly opened my cabin, and the first thing I -observed was my bunch of keys hanging by a piece of twine from the top -of the berth; I seized them with a trembling hand and heart, and -instantly opened the money trunk, and on counting my bags and treasure, -to the honour of poor Henry be it told, not one dollar was missing. -Poor, honest Henry was never afterwards heard of by me, and I was glad -he had secured his escape, for had he been captured and brought back he -must have been severely punished. - -We finally sailed from the Cove of Cork escorted by a line-of-battle -ship and two small men-of-war, and for a day or two made good progress; -but we were then caught in a severe gale, right against us, and after -struggling for a day or two the sign was made by our commodore to return -to “port in view,” namely Bantry Bay, on which all the fleet put about, -and, led by the line-of-battle ship, steered direct for that safe and -splendid anchorage, which is very extensive within, but narrow and -dangerous at its entrance, so that not more than one ship can enter with -safety at a time. As we were passing in, one of our fleet, the _Baring_ -transport, with the 40th Regiment on board, got so near the rocks that -she struck, and immediately after went broadside on, and finally became -a total wreck. My ship followed in her wake and passed within fifty -yards of the stranded vessel, and it being then early in the day, it was -most distressing and heart-rending to see the sufferers all in confusion -crying for help, which from our position it was quite impossible to -render, for we were obliged to run in, in order to save ourselves. So -was every other ship as she reached and entered the same narrow passage. -But the men-of-war and other vessels which had got safely into the bay -soon sent their boats to the rescue, and all the soldiers and crew, -excepting about fifteen wretched men, women, and children who were -drowned in their hurry to jump on the rocks, were saved, but the ship -and nearly all the baggage and cargo were lost. I remember as we passed -the ill-fated ship seeing an officer’s wife standing and screaming on -the poop, her infant in her arms, and with no covering beyond her -nightdress; I heard afterwards that the child fell out of her arms and -was drowned, but she herself was saved. The survivors were encamped on -the beach for some days, and then were divided for a time amongst the -other transports, on which the whole fleet again returned to the Cove of -Cork to charter another vessel for the sufferers. - -About a week after that we sailed once more for our destination. The -weather was fair and beautiful until we arrived off Funchal, in Madeira, -and thence we had a dead calm. Some of my brother-officers from another -ship came on board, and being, as we supposed, close in to the town, we -proposed after dinner to go on shore. We had a lieutenant of the navy as -agent of transport in charge of us. As he made no objection to our -landing (believing the calm would continue until the following morning) -our captain consented, and ordered two boats to be manned, so eight of -us started on the clear understanding that we should return by daylight -next morning. Our sailors, who were promised all sorts of drinks and -rewards, pulled most heartily, but the distance to the shore proved much -further than we expected, and a dark night overtook us; but still we -pushed on, and the brilliant lights in the town cheered us. At last we -reached the beach and found a heavy surf running in, and none of us knew -the proper place for landing; but the sailors, undaunted, assured us -there could be no danger, so one of the boats (not mine) took the lead, -and was no sooner in the surf than she was instantly upset and all her -passengers were seen struggling in the sea; but after a good ducking -they all got safe on shore, and also managed to secure their boat. - -My sailors wanted to try the same risk, but I would not allow them. -Seeing a shore battery near us, we approached, and were challenged by a -Portuguese sentry, and answered, “English officers, who request to be -allowed to land.” This the sentry refused, and said his orders were to -allow no one to land. My knowledge of the language was now of some use -to me, and after talking to the sentry quietly and kindly and promising -him a dollar, the brave man suffered us at once to step on shore, and -showed us the way to the town. There we found our friends, still -dripping wet, but with some good wine before them. After refreshing -ourselves a little, we went to look after our boats and sailors, and -found all safe. We then gave them sufficient money to make them -comfortable, and urged them to leave one man at least as sentry over the -boats. This they promised to do, so we returned to our hotel, determined -to have our fun also. Soon after this the weather from a calm suddenly -changed to a strong wind and heavy rain, which continued to pour without -any change during the whole night. This damped our follies, but we were -up and at our boats before daylight next morning. These we found all -safe, but not a sailor to be seen anywhere; and when daylight appeared -not one of our ships was in sight. This was truly distressing and -alarming, but we had still hopes of seeing and overtaking our fleet, for -beyond the town, and in our course, a long promontory of land projected, -sufficient to conceal our ships from us, even if they were close behind -that obstruction. - -Without further delay we searched for our sailors and eventually found -them, but in such a state and humour from drink that they positively -refused to go to their boats, or any farther with us, saying that we all -had been dry and enjoying ourselves, while they were left hungry and wet -watching the boats. All our coaxing and entreaties had no effect, and -they got worse and worse and even insolent. At last large promises of -grog and money when we should reach our ships made some impression on -the best of them, and after many more oaths and much grumbling, the -others at last consented to go with us, still believing our ships could -not be far beyond the distant point. Our next care was (having had no -breakfast) to get some cold meat and bread and a couple of kegs of good -wine. Our boats were then launched, and off we started with three -cheers. It took us two good hours to pull round the point; then came our -great fear and alarm, for although the wide ocean was then clear as far -as the eye could reach, only one solitary ship was to be seen, and that -nearly hull down, in our direct course. Here the sailors again declared -they would not go one yard farther. Much conversation and many arguments -followed, and for a time we did not know what to do. To go back to -Funchal would be our ruin, and risk perhaps our commissions; moreover, -all our money was gone, and as we were strangers we did not know where -to get more. At last great promises were renewed, and after another and -another tumbler of wine our mutinous crew consented to try to make the -ship in sight. Fortunately the weather was moderate, and we had a light -breeze in our favour; by good luck, also, we had a few empty bags in our -boats, which were intended to carry off some vegetables to our ships; -with these the sailors managed to rig out some sails fixed upon oars; -this assisted them very much in their pulling, yet with all their -struggling and endless swearing it was not till four in the afternoon -that we managed to reach the ship, which we hoped to be our own, but, -alas! we were again disappointed, for she proved to be an American -whaler; but we were received most kindly, and provided at once with a -good dinner. - -From her deck another ship was in sight, about ten miles distant, which -the American captain assured us was one of our own convoy, and that he -had observed her all day, as our fleet went by, trying to remain as much -as possible behind, on the pretence of making repairs. This was -cheering, if we could but get our men to take again to their boats. At -last we prevailed, and off we started, the American captain giving us a -small cask of water and some rum to cheer us; and at seven o’clock that -evening, after a trying exposure and fatigue of eleven hours, we reached -the sail in sight (which proved to be our ship) in safety, thankful -indeed for our escape from the tremendous danger to which we had so -foolishly exposed ourselves. Had it come on to blow hard at such a -distance from the land, the chances were that we must have perished or -been starved to death from want of provisions. When we got on board our -fleet was just visible ahead from our decks, and it took us two days -under all sail to make up with them. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - ST. VINCENT AND GUADELOUPE - - -Life in Barbados—I am appointed acting-paymaster—President of a - court-martial—Deputy judge-advocate—At St. Vincent—Expedition to - Guadeloupe—Appointed deputy-assistant quartermaster-general and sent - to Guadeloupe - - -WE had no more mishaps during that voyage, and got safely to Barbados on -December 14, 1814. We landed on the following morning, and occupied St. -Anne’s barracks, and the same evening dined with the officers of the -80th West India Regiment. None of us had been in the West Indies before, -so that everything was new to us. Nothing attracted my notice so much as -the imposing display of well-dressed negro servants who attended at -dinner; most of them were boys, but very efficient and up to their work. -The lights, all in glass shades (for all the windows were open), were -also more than usually brilliant, and the dinner and wines excellent. As -to dessert, it was in profusion, with countless fruits which we had -never before seen. We spent, indeed, a happy night, and our first -impressions from all we saw, and the kindness and hospitality with which -we were received, gave all a charming and contented hope of a continued -happy residence in the West Indies. - -There were no less than four more regiments of the line in Barbados at -that time, so that each succeeding day we were more and more entertained -and feted. The garrison was then very healthy, and we began to think -ourselves in good quarters and the climate not quite as bad as all the -world represented it to be. For weeks and weeks we got on very well, and -without much sickness. At last a gradual change took place, and we began -to lose men daily, and soon the numbers increased, the prevailing -complaint being yellow fever, which also attacked the other regiments in -garrison. We were the last comers, and lost considerably more than any -of the other regiments. Amongst our dead was our paymaster, Captain -Thompson. His death occasioned a committee of paymastership to be -appointed, of which I was the junior member, and as the others disliked -the work, I engaged, with the consent of my commanding officer, to do -all, and consequently I got the whole of the allowances, namely, nine -shillings per day in addition to my pay. I also continued to do my -regimental duties. - -About this time I was appointed president of a garrison court-martial. -The case was one of much difficulty and complicated evidence, but we -got through it, and the proceedings were forwarded to Major-General -Robert Douglass (then Adjutant-General to the Forces in the West -Indies and commanding the garrison), by whom they were at once -approved, and nothing more was heard on the subject till a fortnight -later, when, to my surprise, I saw my name in General Orders as deputy -judge-advocate-general! I immediately wrote to General Douglass -thanking him for the appointment and stating that I should endeavour -to fulfil the duties to the best of my powers. On the following -morning I received the more than flattering answer as follows:— - - “SIR,—In appointing an officer to perform the important duties of - Deputy Judge-Advocate it was my duty to select a competent one, and - I am satisfied I have done so. - - “I have the honour to be, etc., etc., etc., - - ”ROBERT DOUGLASS, - - “_Major-General and Adjutant-General_.” - -The first case for trial in my new appointment was unfortunately that of -a captain of my own regiment (for being drunk on duty). He was found -guilty and cashiered, but strongly recommended to mercy on account of -his former services, and this recommendation from the court induced His -Majesty to allow him to retire from the service by the sale of his -commission. After this I had occasion to see General Douglass -repeatedly, but, as he was a very reserved man and at all times a very -strict disciplinarian, I had no intimacy with him then beyond our formal -meetings; however, as I shall hereafter show, we became intimate soon -afterwards. - -The York Chasseurs were removed to the island of St. Vincent, and we had -not been many months there under our new Lieut.-Colonel Ewart, when -General Orders reached us from headquarters (Barbados) detailing an -expedition then ordered from the various islands in the command to be -immediately formed to proceed against the islands of Martinique and -Guadeloupe, and to rendezvous in the first instance at the small group -of islands called the “Saints.” The York Chasseurs were included and -attached to Major-General Campbell’s brigade, and all the staff -appointments were filled except that of brigade-major. Our senior -captain at this time was Holland Daniel, a distant relative of Sir Henry -Torrens, then Adjutant-General to His Majesty’s Forces at the Horse -Guards, and from whom my friend Holland Daniel brought out letters to -our Commander-in-Chief, Lieut.-General Sir James Leith, who was also an -officer of some service with the 61st Regiment in Spain and Portugal, so -that when the General’s orders appeared with the staff vacancy which I -have named, Captain Holland Daniel made sure he would be the fortunate -man to fill it. In a few days our transports arrived, and we embarked -and sailed for the appointed rendezvous, and there found a considerable -number of troops already arrived; and several ships-of-war, with the -admiral and Sir James Leith, and other transports with troops were -standing in. As soon as we got to anchor Colonel Ewart went on board the -admiral’s ship to report his arrival, and on returning in his boat we -observed him standing up and waving a paper over his head. We at once -believed this to be good news, and on reaching the deck he said: -“Anderson, you are the lucky man; you were appointed major of brigade, -but in justice to myself and my regiment I have been obliged to object -to your leaving me, and I have done so, with the assurance to the -Commander-in-Chief and to General Douglass, who recommended you, that no -one rejoiced more than I at your good fortune, and that I objected to -your leaving me solely on the grounds of your being one of the few -officers of my regiment who ever saw service, and to whose experience, -therefore, I attached the greatest importance, as we were now sure of -going into action. I told the Commander-in-Chief that I had the highest -opinion of you as an able and intelligent officer, and that I should be -willing to part with you when the fight was over should his Excellency -then see fit to give you any other staff appointment.” - -All this was very gratifying, yet very galling, for staff appointments -are not so easily had, but I could not do less than thank him for his -good opinion and patiently bear my fate. Ewart saw my distress and said: -“Come, I must take you on board the flagship and introduce you to the -Commander-in-Chief.” So off we started, but on getting on board Sir -James Leith was so engaged that he could not see me, but General -Douglass received us, and Colonel Ewart went again kindly over his -objections and said much more to please and flatter me. General Douglass -said that I must remain for the present with my regiment, and that he -was glad to hear such a good report of me. We then took leave and -returned to our own ship. - -During that and the following day the whole of the troops of the -expedition arrived, and about the same time a frigate came from England -bringing the news of the battle of Waterloo, the abdication of -Bonaparte, and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne of -France. This great and astounding news was at once dispatched under a -flag of truce by the admiral, Sir Charles Durham, and Sir James Leith to -the respective governors of Martinique and Guadeloupe, with the earnest -request that they would at once acknowledge and show their loyalty to -Louis XVIII, their now reigning King, and thus put an end to our -intended hostile proceedings and useless effusion of blood. The governor -of Martinique at once acknowledged the sovereignty of the Bourbons, and -hoisted the white flag, but General Boyer, of Guadeloupe, returned an -answer that he did not believe one word of the news, and that he was -determined to fight for his Emperor and to resist to the last. - -On the following morning, the 9th of August, 1815, our armament sailed -from the Saints in two divisions for Guadeloupe, the main body of the -force under the Commander-in-Chief for Grande Ance Bay, and one brigade, -consisting of the 63rd Regiment and York Chasseurs under Major-General -Douglass, for Bailiffe. In a few hours the whole were landed in safety -at these places respectively. Our landing at Bailiffe was opposed by a -considerable number of French infantry, but we had a man-of-war with us, -which covered our landing and cleared the beach for a sufficient -distance to enable us to get on shore safely. The enemy formed again at -a little distance inland, and there we at once attacked them, and -finally drove them before us till they reached Basse Terre and got under -the protection of the batteries of Fort Matilda, beyond which we took up -our position for the night, expecting to be joined by our main body next -day. In the course of this day we lost some men, but no officers except -Captain Lynch of the 63rd. The main body of our troops was also opposed -on landing, and constantly during this march of two days from Grande -Ance to Basse Terre, but their casualties were not numerous, and they -joined us in safety at the expected time. Guns were then put into -position, and they began battering the town, the fire being ably -returned from Fort Matilda. Preparations were at the same time made by -us for storming, and when the proper time arrived a flag of truce was -sent in, giving the enemy the choice of surrendering without risking any -further additional loss of life. This the governor refused, but the -French general officer, who was next in authority, at once complied. He -hauled down the tricolour and hoisted the white flag, acknowledging all -as prisoners of war. The 63rd and some more of our troops marched in and -took possession, the French garrison having first marched out under arms -and laid them down in front of our main force, which was drawn up in -line ready to receive them. The French troops, as prisoners of war, were -formed in separate divisions and marched back to town into separate -places of confinement until ships were ready to receive them, which -finally took them back to France. The officers were allowed to retain -their swords, and both they and the men were allowed to keep their -private baggage. The governor, General Boyer, was nowhere to be found, -till after a long search he was discovered concealed in a wine-cellar, -determined to the last to uphold the honour of his Emperor. Of course, -he was treated with every kindness, and was sent with the others to -France. - -A week afterwards the whole of our troops were re-embarked and went back -to their former quarters in the different islands, except the 25th -Regiment, which was left to garrison Basse Terre and Guadeloupe, and the -latter was now made the headquarters of the British troops in the West -Indies. I returned with my regiment to St. Vincent and continued my -additional duties as acting-paymaster, expecting nothing better for some -time. In a few weeks the General Orders arrived, and to my great delight -and surprise I read: “Captain Joseph Anderson, of the York Chasseurs, to -be Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General to the Forces, and to repair -forthwith to Headquarters, Guadeloupe.” I was indeed proud of my -extraordinary good luck, and so was Colonel Ewart, and as a mark of his -regard he made me a present of a handsome staff sword, which he had -himself worn for many years in a similar appointment. I soon handed over -my company and my accounts as paymaster to officers appointed for those -duties, and availed myself of a passage in the very first vessel that -started for Guadeloupe, and arrived there safely. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - DOMINICA - - -Sent to Dominica—A fatal foot-race—I give up appointment and rejoin my - regiment at St. Vincent—An awful voyage - - -COLONEL POPHAM, of my old regiment, the 24th, was then -deputy-quartermaster-general and the head of my department. He was -always on the staff, and had not served much with the 24th during my -time, so that I was very little known to him; but he received me most -kindly, and set me at once to work in his office at correspondence and -various public returns, which gave me a good idea of the duties. Thus I -continued more than a month, until at last, being considered up to my -work, I was sent off to Point à Pitre, thirty miles from Basse Terre, to -take the sole charge of that station, or rather of the duties of the -department, for there I found Colonel Brown as commandant with his 6th -West India Regiment. A more charming man and able officer I have seldom -or ever met. I became a member of the mess, which was well conducted and -most comfortable. Although we had little society at Point à Pitre, I -found enough to do, and spent my time very happily there for some -months. - -I was then suddenly ordered to hand over my charge to Captain Killy -Kelly, of the 6th West India Regiment, and to proceed to Roseau, in the -island of Dominica, to take charge of the department there, and I found -the change a very agreeable one. The governor at the time, Colonel -Maxwell, was a most kind and hospitable man, and I lived within a few -yards of Government House. There was a very extensive and pleasant -society amongst the residents and settlers in the town of Roseau and its -neighbourhood. Parties and dinners were frequent, and I enjoyed them -very much; but, alas! our greatest pleasures are subject to change, and -ours had a partial check which proved very distressing to many. I was -dining with a large party at Government House, and amongst the guests -was a Dr. de Ravière. The conversation turned on foot races, and he -boasted much of his powers and success in that line. I had had some -experience in running also, and asked him what odds he would give me in -a thousand yards. He declined giving any odds, and so we agreed to run -equal for two hundred dollars. A place and day was at once appointed. At -the given day and hour (three in the afternoon) no less than four -thousand people had assembled, lining each side of the road we were to -run. Tents and marquees were pitched for our dressing and for -refreshments. Amongst the spectators were Dr. de Ravière’s two lovely -sisters. We soon appeared, both dressed in flannel, and the word being -given we started. I allowed him to lead for twenty yards, then pushed -on, and for a few yards we ran abreast; then I passed him, increasing my -advantage. He (in trying to overtake me) fell down, and became for a -time almost insensible. He was carried home and put to bed; fever soon -followed, and next day he was dead. In the absence of a medical man a -Major Jack undressed me and put me into a tub of rum as a bath, then to -bed, giving me a mixture of brandy and porter till I became almost -unconscious, and finally fell into a sound sleep, from which I did not -awake till next morning. I was free from fever, but was confined to my -bed for that and the following day, and was kept ignorant of the fate of -Dr. de Ravière for some days longer. It was indeed a foolish frolic to -attempt to run a thousand yards in such a climate and at such an hour. - -I remained at Roseau for some months after, with an excellent house and -good allowances, amounting in all to more than double my regimental pay. -Early in 1817 orders arrived from England for the removal of the York -Chasseurs from the Windward and Leeward Islands to Jamaica, a distinct -and separate command. I was then written to, officially, to say that my -staff appointment would be continued if I exchanged into another -regiment within that command, but if not I must follow the York -Chasseurs to Jamaica in command of a detachment of the regiment still -remaining at St. Vincent. This was a serious step for me to decide on, -and I took some days before I finally made up my mind. I was then the -second captain of my regiment, and to exchange into another would place -me at the bottom of the captains, and yet my appointment was a most -important and lucrative one, and such as I might never again hope to -enjoy. For days I was quite undecided and did not know what to do, but -at last I thought the least risk and the best chance of promotion was to -give up my appointment and to follow my regiment. I wrote to the -adjutant-general (my friend General Douglass) accordingly, and in due -course I saw my name in General Orders directing me to hand over the -charge of the quartermaster-general’s department and to join a -detachment of my regiment at St. Vincent. - -The first opportunity was from Barbados, from which island I knew I -could readily get a passage to St. Vincent. I left Dominica in a small -colonial schooner, the _Johanna_, commanded by a mulatto and manned -exclusively by negroes. Our captain knew nothing of navigation, but was -in the habit of making this voyage successfully by taking his departure -from Point des Salines, in Martinique, and steering direct east, against -the trade winds, for a day or two, to clear the islands, and then due -south, with a man at the mast-head to look out for Barbados, which is a -very high land. In clear weather it is seen at a distance of fifty-nine -or sixty miles, but we had thick fogs and much rain, so that though we -cruised about with a man constantly at the mast-head for some days, we -could nowhere discover the island nor any other land. In despair our -captain turned back before the trade winds, sure of making some of the -islands, from which he could again take a fresh departure. About sunset -we recognized Martinique, and on the following morning Point des Salines -once more, from which we again took our departure; but that effort -proved worse than the former, for on the second day we were opposed by a -fearful hurricane, which carried away both our masts, and left us a -helpless, unmanageable hulk in a wild and terrible sea. Our situation -became indeed most fearful and alarming. The sea was constantly breaking -over us, and wherever there was any opening it rushed in tons below, -until the cabin, where I was alone, was completely flooded by many feet -of water. All the crew except the captain gave up in despair, and shut -themselves up below, crying and moaning all the time. The captain -manfully kept to the deck, lashing himself to the tiller ring-bolts. In -this perilous situation we continued for two days and one night, -expecting every moment to be our last, for our ill-fated barque, being -under no control, was tossed about at the mercy of the raging seas. We -gave up all hope—then, recommending ourselves to Providence, we expected -every moment to founder. In this awful and long-continued danger I must -confess my mind was much troubled about a few hundred pounds which I had -on board with me, in doubloons and dollars, and which I sorely grieved -to think my sister would now lose. On the second day of this hurricane a -sail appeared in sight (or rather a vessel under almost bare poles). It -soon passed near us, and our captain managed to show his ensign on a -spar upside down, expecting that the stranger would try and come to our -assistance; but instead of doing so, he hoisted his own flag reversed, -and continued his course. Although this was an English man-of-war, she -was in such distress and danger in this heavy gale and raging sea that -it was quite impossible for her to come near us or to render any help. - -Towards the evening of the following day the storm moderated, and by -great exertions our people managed to rig up something like a jury-mast, -on which they hoisted one or two of the smaller sails, and we bore away -before the trade wind, sure of making some of the islands which we knew -must be to leeward. In the evening land was seen ahead, but the sea was -still running so high that our captain was afraid to go too near it, and -so kept an offing as he best could until next morning. Then at daylight -we steered for the land; in a few hours we were satisfied that it was -the island of St. Lucia, and about noon we got to the anchorage, with -our lives at least in safety, and truly thankful, indeed, for our -marvellous escape from death. I took my final leave of the schooner -_Johanna_ and landed at once, and here I found my friend General -Douglass acting-governor of the island. I dined with him, and on the -following day, with his advice, took my passage in a small vessel bound -direct for St. Vincent, where I arrived in safety, and took command of -the detachment of my regiment, then under orders for Jamaica. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - AN AMUSING DUEL - - -Jamaica—Return to England—York Chasseurs disbanded—Trip to France—An - amusing duel - - -I HAD not been many days at St. Vincent before the papers announced that -no less than sixteen vessels had foundered in the late hurricane, and as -none of the crews were heard of it was taken for granted that they must -have all perished. I soon afterwards left St. Vincent with my -detachment, and after a pleasant voyage arrived in safety at Port Royal, -Jamaica. On the following day I landed and joined the headquarters of my -regiment at Stony Hill barracks. The change from staff to regimental -duties I did not much like, but there was no help for it. I found myself -again associated with my gay and happy brother officers, with Major -Dumas in command, Colonel Ewart having gone on leave. Some months -afterwards four companies of the regiment were detached and sent under -my command to Falmouth, Montego Bay, Marroon Town, and Savanna-lamar, my -station being at the former of these places. Our barracks there and at -all the other stations were very good and we enjoyed ourselves very -much. For nearly two years we were quartered in that part of Jamaica. My -orders were to visit each detachment occasionally, which I did -repeatedly, not solely as a point of duty, but also for my own -amusement. - -About the month of March, 1818, our senior major arrived from England -and took command of the regiment at Stony Hill; Major Dumas joined us at -Falmouth, and relieved me of my charge. I now began seriously to think -of a trip to England, for my health was not particularly good and I -required a change. On consulting our assistant-surgeon, he advised me to -apply for a medical board, so I wrote officially to Major Dumas, who -forwarded my application to the deputy adjutant-general at headquarters, -Kingston, and by return of post I was advised to repair to Stony Hill, -to appear before a medical board. I made that journey, a hundred and -twenty miles overland, on horseback in four days. I appeared before the -board, who, without asking me any questions, recommended me for twelve -months’ leave of absence to England. We sailed from Port Royal early in -April, and touched at Havana, where we remained ten days, shipping at -night (contrary to the laws of the port but with the connivance of the -governor) thousands and thousands of dollars and doubloons on account of -merchants in England, upon which our admiral and his senior officer had -a large percentage. We left Havana, and arrived in England early in May, -1818, after a most agreeable passage. The admiral and his captain were -particularly jolly, and very kind to us all; the former had the officers -of the wardroom daily at dinner in their turn, and entertained us with -his numerous stories; among other things he told us he had made a -hundred thousand pounds during his three years’ command on the Jamaica -station. - -Again in England, and with my health much improved by the voyage, I -endeavoured to enjoy myself as much as I could. About December, 1819, I -heard that the York Chasseurs were ordered from Jamaica to Canada, to be -there disbanded, consequent upon the general peace which followed the -battle of Waterloo and the great reductions in the British army. Soon -afterwards I received an official letter informing me that I was to -consider myself on half-pay in three months from that date. This was -indeed bad and most unexpected news for me, but I endeavoured to make -the best of it, consoling myself with the hope of getting employed again -as soon as possible by an appointment to some other regiment, and in -this mind I returned soon afterwards to London, determined to see what -chances I had at the Horse Guards. After waiting some time I attended -the levée of the Military Secretary, Lieut.-General Sir Henry Torrens, -and stated my case, and my anxiety to be employed. He received me with -his usual consideration and kindness, and directed me to write to him on -the subject. I did so in due course, and soon received his answer saying -that on my stating my readiness to proceed to Sierra Leone I should be -appointed to a company of the 2nd West India Regiment. I immediately -wrote back saying that my health was still very indifferent, from my -services in the West Indies, but that rather than forfeit all hopes of -employment I would proceed to Sierra Leone, should his Royal Highness -the Commander-in-Chief wish me to do so. This was a decision forced on -me, and anything but satisfactory to my feelings, so with fear and -trembling I watched every succeeding gazette which appeared for the next -month, expecting to see myself appointed to the 2nd West India Regiment, -but to my joy no such notice appeared then or afterwards, and I again -began to breathe freely and hope for something better. - -Months of idleness passed in London, and as I was afraid to appeal again -to the Horse Guards for a time, I determined to go at once to France to -study the language, for I well remembered how much inconvenience I had -suffered while in the French island of Guadeloupe from not being able to -speak French fluently. Fortunately, at this time I was in correspondence -with a dear friend and brother officer, Lieutenant Wharton of the York -Chasseurs, and I persuaded him to accompany me to France. Having made -our arrangements, we left London early in 1820 for Southampton, where we -took our passages in a sailing mail packet for Jersey, and from thence -to St. Malo in Brittany, and there, for the first time, I found myself -in “la belle France.” Next morning we went up the St. Malo river, in a -passage boat, for about twenty miles to Dinan, and having procured good -lodging, we remained there for nearly a month, then started on foot, -determined to make easy stages in the same way until we reached Nantes. -After our second day’s travelling we found ourselves tired and done up, -so we rested a day, and on the following morning took our seats in the -diligence direct for Nantes. Here we managed to get most comfortable -lodgings with a widow named Fleury and her two pretty daughters, who -provided us with our breakfast in our own English fashion. We became -members of a most excellent table d’hôte, where we met many French -officers belonging to the regiment then in garrison, and with whom we -soon became intimate, for we told them we were officers, and had had the -honour of having been opposed to them. - -In February, 1821, I returned to London, stopping for a few days _en -route_ with a friend at Boulogne-sur-Mer. This was Dr. McLaughlin, whom -I knew in Portugal as a staff assistant-surgeon, who attended me while -sick at Lisbon. His name being now before me, reminds me of him as a gay -young fellow who, one morning at Lisbon, went to visit another assistant -staff surgeon named McDermot, who was not at home when he called, but he -saw his landlady, a handsome young widow, and, if the account be true, -he attempted to kiss her; at least, so she told her lodger on his return -home. McDermot at once called on McLaughlin and begged him to make her -an apology. This he refused, saying he took no improper liberties, and -saw no necessity whatever for an apology, and laughed at the very idea -of being asked to make one. They were good friends and spoke and argued -at first as such, but soon they both got very angry and excited, and -McLaughlin, having a whip in his hand, forgot himself, and actually -struck the other more than once with it, and then told him he was ready -to give him any satisfaction he required. Dr. McDermot then left him, -and McLaughlin came to me and told me the whole story, and that he, of -course, expected a challenge at once, and begged I would go out with -him, as his friend. - -I was then lying in bed, far from well, but I consented on the -understanding that he would allow me to use my own discretion in all and -every way. While we were talking, the hostile message was brought by an -officer, an Irishman, whom I found very stubborn and unreasonable then -and afterwards; we talked over the affair, and I used my best endeavours -to try and bring the matter to an amicable conclusion, admitting that my -friend had committed himself most seriously, and was truly sorry for -what he had done, and was ready and anxious to make the most ample -apology; but the Irishman would not hear of anything less than a -meeting, and said that nothing less would satisfy his friend or himself. -It was finally settled that they should meet at a given place next -morning, and with this understanding the obstinate Irishman left me. I -now sent for McLaughlin and told him all that had passed, and that he -must be prepared to go with me at the appointed hour next morning. He -was quite cool and collected, and then left me, as he said, to arrange -his papers and settle his affairs. He afterwards told me he was so -employed during the best part of the night, and he also gave me certain -instructions in case of anything happening to him. We kept our -engagement punctually, and we found the others waiting for us with a -medical man in attendance. After some talk and a toss up, it fell to my -lot to measure the ground (twelve paces), to see the principals into -their places, and to give the word or signal to fire; but I had -previously told McLaughlin to allow McDermot to fire first, then to fire -his own pistol in the air, thus showing he had given his adversary the -chance to shoot him, and by this action admitting himself to be in the -wrong; all this my friend agreed to, and promised to do. - -When they had taken their places I asked, “Are you ready?” and on being -answered “Yes,” I said, “Present,” and so kept them for a few seconds, -when I dropped my handkerchief as the signal to fire. McDermot fired and -missed my friend, who instantly afterwards fired his pistol in the air. -I stepped forward to McDermot’s friend and said, “Gentlemen, I hope you -are satisfied?” The Irishman answered, “Certainly not, they must go on.” -I endeavoured in vain to convince him that the rules of honour were -satisfied, that his friend had had the chance of shooting mine, and that -mine had fully acknowledged himself in the wrong by firing his pistol in -the air. Dr. McDermot appeared to agree with me, but said he must leave -all to his second; but the Irishman became more and more excited, and -said he could not be satisfied until they had another shot or two. I -then said, “Well, sir, it must be you and I to go on, for I cannot -suffer these gentlemen to go any further; so come on.” This worked a -marvellous change, and my brave Irish boy soon became cool and -reasonable; finally, we all shook hands and returned to Lisbon, and had -a comfortable breakfast together in a café. This was the first and only -duel I ever was concerned in, and yet in my early days duels and hard -drinking were frequent evils, and considered by many to be both -necessary and unavoidable. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - CHASED BY A PIRATE - - -Appointed captain in the 50th Regiment—Embark for Jamaica—A terrible - storm and a drunken captain—Return to port—Sail again with another - captain—Ship chased by a pirate—Jamaica once more - - -IN April, 1821, I again attended the Commander-in-Chief’s Military -Secretary’s levée. Sir Henry Torrens was still in office, and when I -told him of my anxiety to be employed he asked me where I would like to -serve. I said, “Jamaica above all other parts of the world”; he then -directed me to write to him to that effect. I did so next day, and three -weeks afterwards had the pleasure of seeing myself appointed captain of -a company in the 50th Regiment, and I soon received an official letter -advising me to join the depot of the regiment in the Isle of Wight, -which I did in the month of July following. I remained doing duty there -for nearly twelve months, and it was during that period that I had a -severe attack of inflammation of the eyes, which induced me to appeal to -Lord Palmerston for the second, and last time, for my pension. We -embarked for Jamaica in the hired ship _Echo_, but were detained by -contrary winds in Cowes harbour for a fortnight. The captain had his -wife on board during our detention, and we were so much pleased with his -manner and polite attentions that we invited him to become our guest -during the voyage (for in those days officers so embarked provided their -own messing), and all went on well until a fine fair wind enabled us to -sail: the captain then landed his wife, and from that hour and for ten -days after he was never sober. - -During this time the mate took charge, but in a few days we were met by -a fearful gale right against us, and every hour and day it became worse -and worse. Our captain still remained beastly drunk and most -troublesome, every now and then throwing handfuls of silver, and some -gold, amongst the soldiers on deck, allowing them to scramble for it, -and when spoken to by any of us, swearing and damning and calling out -that we were all going to Davy Jones’s locker together. - -The gale at last increased to a hurricane; the captain then became so -troublesome that the senior officers present (Captain Powell and I) went -officially to our commanding officer, Colonel P——, and advised him to -confine the captain to his cabin, and to order the mate to take the ship -back to port, as the sailors were already done up and grumbling. Colonel -P—— was a good and kind man, but without energy or resolution, and he -declined to interfere or to take any such responsibility on himself. We -urged and urged our request, as the lives of all were in danger, but -still finding Colonel P—— would not do anything, we insisted on having -his leave to act, so that we might ourselves carry out his orders. He -then said, “Well, boys, just do as you like.” We then at once forced the -captain off the deck into his cabin, and told him he must consider -himself under arrest. He got very violent, and swore he would not be -kept a prisoner by any one. Then we got him down again and placed two -sentries in his cabin, with orders not to suffer him to go on deck. We -next went to the mate and told him that his captain was a prisoner for -habitual drunkenness and neglect of duty, and that he (the mate) should -at once take the ship into port. This the honest sailor refused to do; -he could not, he said, act without his captain’s orders, that he would -be dismissed by the owners and ruined if he did so. We reported -accordingly to Colonel P——, who at once declined further responsibility. -The gale continued without any visible change; many of our sails were -blown away, the weather became very thick and dirty, our sailors were -done up and discontented to a man, yet the mate would do nothing. He -confessed the crew were overworked, but that he could not help it, and -dared not go back. In this state we got through another day and night, -and next morning found ourselves at daylight all but on shore on the -island of Alderney, with only enough sea room to clear the rocks ahead -of us, on which we must have been wrecked, had not the morning’s dawn -happily come in time to save us. - -When clear in the open sea, we again urged the mate to bear away for the -nearest harbour, but he still refused, urging his former reasons. We -then begged him to parade the whole crew on the quarter-deck, that we -might know their opinions. This he did, and the gallant fellows to a man -declared they could not possibly work any longer, and urged us, for the -safety of all, to put up in some harbour. For days we had made no -observations, but being satisfied it was the island of Alderney we saw -that morning the mate had no doubt of our whereabouts. We now went to -Colonel P—— (who seldom left his cabin, for he had his wife and a young -lady, Miss C——, with him), and we urged or rather insisted upon his -signing a written order which we had prepared, directing the mate at -once to take the ship back to the nearest port, telling Colonel P—— at -the same time the danger we had escaped, and the result of our parade of -the crew. As before, he resisted for some time all responsibility, but -at last we got him to sign the order. Then followed difficulties with -the mate, and it was not until we threatened to put a sentry over him -that he consented, and gave the order to bear away and steer for Torbay. -At four on the same evening land was reported ahead, and by sunset we -were close in, and hoisted a signal of distress, which soon brought us a -pilot boat, which boarded us and at once took us safely to anchor, -thankful for our escape from destruction. - -I now recommended Colonel P—— to report all that had occurred to us to -the different authorities in London, and to state the necessity which -obliged him to take all the responsibility and to act as he did. Poor -man! he became more than ever confused, and said that he would be ruined -and brought to a court-martial. I tried all I could to convince him, and -he asked me to write the reports in his name, and said that he would -sign them if I did so. I dispatched them at once, for fear of his -altering his mind, and he soon received an answer approving of all he -had done, and thanking him for his most able and judicious conduct. - -On the same day the owners came down from London, bringing another -captain with them. It was then found that the ship had suffered much, -and carpenters and shipwrights were sent from the dockyard at Plymouth -to examine and repair her. The owners were so pleased with the -assistance which the soldiers gave the sailors during the gale, that -they made the former a present of two tons of potatoes. It took more -than a fortnight before the _Echo_ was again reported fit for sea. -During that time we amused ourselves landing and making excursions daily -to different parts of the country, and in this interval Colonel P—— had -a second letter, saying that our application for additional allowances -for our losses during the storm was under favourable consideration; this -enabled us to replenish our sea-stock, and to make due provision for our -future comfort. We sailed again with a fair breeze, and in due course -reached Madeira, where we remained for some days, landing frequently and -enjoying ourselves much in that gay town. - -From Madeira we soon got into the trade winds, and had delightful -sailing, without any extraordinary occurrence, till we got off the -island of St. Christopher, when one morning the captain came and roused -us all from our beds, saying we were being chased by a pirate. This was -startling news, for we had heard that these seas were full of pirates, -and that they seldom showed mercy to any one. Our ladies and soldiers’ -wives began crying and moaning at once, for they expected nothing less -than our utter destruction. Most of us hurried on deck in our -night-dresses, and there saw a clipper brig bearing down upon us under -all sail, about fifteen miles distant. Our captain still trusted that -she might be a man-of-war, but when she fired a gun there was no doubt -of her being a pirate. We returned in great excitement to our cabins and -dressed with all dispatch. I then, as the next senior officer, went to -Colonel P—— to report our situation, and to request his orders as to -what we ought to do, and begged him to come up at once. His wife got -alarmed, and he merely said he could do nothing; but at last told me, -“Just do as you like.” I returned on deck and consulted with the -captain, who observed that it was useless to attempt to run away, as the -stranger was gaining fast upon us, and had fired another gun to bring us -to. Although we had about ten officers on board and about two hundred -soldiers, all these were recruits, and we had not one stand of arms -belonging to the troops nor to the ship. However, we decided to make -some appearance, and ordered the soldiers to dress in their red coats -and caps, to remain ready below, but not to move, till ordered on deck. -Meantime the captain furled every sail, except his three top-sails, and -with these and his colours flying he continued running easily before the -wind. We could clearly see with our glasses the well-known pirates’ -flag, blue with a white death’s-head, flying from the fore top-mast head -and the decks crowded with men. Captain Fraser determined to continue -our course till the pirate was all but on board of us, then to bring our -ship sharp round to the wind, and our men to run up and show themselves -in line under our bulwarks, with the officers flourishing their swords, -to show we were all ready for action, expecting by this sudden manœuvre -that the pirate would be right aboard or alongside of us before he had -time to take in his crowd of sails, and, if so, that we might then have -a chance of grappling and boarding him, when our numbers might give us -some advantage; but we were no sooner round and brought to the wind than -our adversary, as if by magic, had all his extra sails down, and was -round to the wind as soon as we were, showing a splendid broadside of -nine guns and a crew of no less than eighty men. - -We were now within a few hundred yards of each other, and expected every -minute a shot amongst us. Nothing was done for about ten minutes; the -pirate then lowered his boat, and sent her fully manned to board us. Our -captain said she must come to our leeside, and that our only chance was -to secure them. This we agreed to do, and at once to dress one of their -men in one of our sailor’s clothes and to hang him up at our peak, so as -to make the pirate believe that his men had taken possession of our -ship. This was a desperate resolution, but as we expected no quarter -from them we had no choice but to make the most of our perilous -situation. Just as the boat came under our stern a signal of recall was -made from the pirate, and the boat at once returned to the brig. We -continued to look with additional anxiety, expecting every moment to see -the boat come back, but for another ten minutes nothing was done, and -our captain then ordered our ship to bear away and continue our course, -so as to see what the pirate would do, and whether he would fire and -bring us up again. But he thought better of it and allowed us to -continue our course in peace, seeing no doubt that we were only troops -and that he could not expect much booty from us. During the whole of -this time Colonel P—— never left his cabin. His wife was crying and -sobbing the whole time, and all his endeavours were to comfort her. Of -the officers then present, only General Gallaway and myself are now -living, and on that occasion Gallaway proved himself to be a promising -young soldier, for he volunteered to lead the first boarders, should we -succeed in grappling with the pirate. - -We reached Port Royal in Jamaica a week afterwards, and at once reported -our adventures to the admiral, Sir Edward Owen, and from the description -our captain gave of the pirate our naval officers knew him well, and had -often given him chase in vain. Two or three men-of-war were now sent to -look for him, but returned in a few days without seeing him. Dozens of -pirates, of various classes, were at this time cruising in these seas, -and had made many captures, plundering and burning their prizes, and -barbarously ill-treating and murdering their victims. We had a large -naval force on the Jamaica station at this time, and they captured many -of these lawless pirates, who were at once tried, and in every instance -found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. I attended some of the trials -and saw many of these daring fellows, who were plucky to the last, for -they did not deny but actually gloried in their calling. They were men -of all nations, but principally Italians and Spaniards. We landed on the -following day at Kingston, and our different detachments of officers and -men joined their respective regiments, viz., the 33rd, 50th, and 92nd. - -The English mail which left England after us arrived at Port Royal some -time before we did, and Colonel P—— found a letter waiting for him from -the Secretary of War authorizing him to draw £80 as compensation for -lost sea-stock during the gale already recorded. He therefore called a -meeting of the officers who arrived in the _Echo_, and on our assembling -read the letter, and proposed dividing the money amongst us, claiming -three shares for himself—that is, for himself, his wife, and Miss C——. I -said, “No, colonel; you only subscribed one share of our additional -expenses, and you may remember that when we agreed to purchase extra -provisions at Torbay we, the officers, declined to allow Mrs. P—— or -Miss C—— to contribute one shilling to that expense.” On this he got -very angry and said, “Well, Captain Anderson, I’ll bring you to a -court-martial for attempting to obtain money under false pretences.” I -answered, “Very well, sir; I believe you signed these letters.” He was -thus settled, and most completely put about, and then said, “By G——! I -think you are right”; so ended our dispute, and the money was divided -share and share alike to each of us. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - LIFE IN JAMAICA - - -Appointed deputy judge-advocate—Sir John Keane—An interesting - court-martial—Sent with a small detachment to Port Maria—Awful - outbreak of yellow fever - - -MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY CONRAN commanded in Jamaica at this time, and the -billet of deputy judge-advocate being vacant by the death of Captain -Tonge, the general, knowing that I had formerly held this position, at -once appointed me to the office. This gave me additional work, and -considerable increase of pay. About a year afterwards Major-General Sir -John Keane succeeded General Conran, and he retained me still in the -appointment. As he was a most uncertain man, my work was trebled, for he -never hesitated to bring officers and men to court-martial, even for the -most trifling offences. Here, in justice to myself, I must notice that I -often told him so, but all to no purpose, for he was always obstinate, -and would have his own way. I may give one instance. Some officers of -the 90th had met together one evening in one of the rooms, and two of -them got into an altercation, followed by strong and improper language, -which induced the senior officers present to place them both under -arrest and to report them next morning to their commanding officer, -Major Charlton. He ordered a court of inquiry at once before himself in -the messroom. Among the witnesses then examined was the paymaster, -Captain Micklejohn, a truly noble fellow, who stated all he could -remember of what took place on the previous night between the offending -officers. He then left the room, but on getting outside and talking to -some other officers (who were waiting to be examined) and stating the -substance of his evidence to Major Charlton, one of them remarked, “But -did you say so-and-so?” “Oh no, I entirely forgot that, but I shall -instantly go back and state it.” Micklejohn then begged to be allowed to -add to his former evidence, but his commanding officer would not hear -him, and desired him to retire. The offending officers, Major W—— and -Ensign P——, were brought to general court-martial, and both were found -guilty and sentenced to be cashiered. The sentences were approved by his -Majesty, but in consideration of former services and the recommendation -of the court they were ordered to be severely reprimanded and to return -to their duty. - -My reason for writing all this is that before the same general -court-martial Paymaster Micklejohn was arraigned for conduct unbecoming -an officer and a gentleman, in withholding, at a court of inquiry by his -commanding officer, evidence which he afterwards gave on oath before a -general court-martial. I was the judge-advocate on these trials, and I -used every endeavour and argument to convince Sir John Keane and Major -Charlton of the injustice and cruelty of bringing an officer, and one of -known character, to public trial on such charges, especially as he had -returned voluntarily to his commanding officer at once, to offer the -evidence which he had forgotten at the moment, thus proving that he did -not willingly nor with any intention of screening the offenders withhold -his evidence in the first instance. I also pressed upon them the -difficulty, nay, the impossibility, for them to repeat word for word the -conversation during our own interview; but all was to no purpose: they -would not listen to reason, and so they determined he must be tried, and -exposed to all the disgrace and annoyances of a general court-martial. -He was tried, and the inquiry clearly showed that he did give evidence -on oath before a general court-martial which he did not give at the -court of inquiry. But it was distinctly proved that he did willingly, -and at once, return with a free offer of that evidence, which was -declined by his commanding officer. The court therefore found him guilty -of not giving the full evidence before the court of inquiry which he -gave before the general court-martial, but, under the circumstances -which were so clearly shown as to the cause of the omission, the court -acquitted the prisoner of all blame, though he was to be slightly -reprimanded. This was no more than we all expected, and I told Sir John -Keane before the trial that this and this only could be the end of it. I -could name other instances equally frivolous and provoking; it is -sufficient to say that very many others suffered through him in much the -same way. - -For the first two years of this my second visit to Jamaica I enjoyed -very good health, and yet we had a considerable amount of sickness -amongst the troops generally, and several of my friends of the good ship -_Echo_ died. As far as keeping away from the influence of the sun and -living very temperately, of course I took every care of myself. Towards -the close of the second year the negroes got very troublesome and -insolent to their masters on the north side of the island, and on one or -two occasions attempted to commit murder at a station called Port Maria. -A company was generally, and for years, stationed at this place, but in -consequence of the unusual mortality amongst the troops they were for -some months withdrawn, and the barracks were deserted and allowed to -fall into decay. During the above troubles the proprietors and -inhabitants of Port Maria made repeated applications to the governor, -the Duke of Manchester, for a detachment, and his Grace referred their -application to Sir John Keane; but the latter resisted on the plea that -the station was considered by the chief medical officers so unhealthy as -to be totally unfit for European soldiers, and, in proof of this, -repeated how constant and great was the mortality on every former -occasion when troops were stationed there. The inhabitants then said -that the sickness and deaths which had taken place were all owing to the -men being allowed to wander about the country and to get drunk at all -hours. These statements and appeals were at last listened to by Sir John -Keane, and he ordered a captain, two subalterns, and fifty picked, sober -men from my regiment to be at once embarked for Port Maria, with a -medical officer. This order was instantly carried out, and I was the -unfortunate captain named for this duty. The morning for our embarkation -I was sent for by Sir John Keane, who gave me the most strict orders -about keeping my men constantly employed by drills and marching out in -the mornings, and in the barracks during the days as much as possible, -and above all I was to keep them away from all chances and temptations -of drinking. He impressed upon me that I could have no excuse for -intemperance or irregularities, as all my men were picked and sober -soldiers from the different companies of the regiment. He desired me -further to report to him by every day’s post the state and health of my -detachment. - -All the previous reports we heard of this place damped our courage from -the first, and both officers and men considered our present duties and -chances very much like those of a forlorn hope; but on finding our -barracks newly done up and painted, and in every way most comfortable, -our fears almost vanished, and every succeeding day for a fortnight -found us all more and more contented, so much so that we began to wish -we might be allowed to remain there as long as we were to serve in -Jamaica. In this mind and spirit I continued my daily reports to Sir -John Keane, showing that we had not a man in hospital, and the men and -officers were most happy and contented. We really were so, though our -only society was the Rev. Mr. M—— and his family. With him I spent many -happy hours, for I soon discovered that during the Peninsular War he was -one of the Duke of Wellington’s principal spies, with the rank of -captain in the army, although he never joined a regiment in his life. He -was by birth a German, spoke many languages, and was a most intelligent -man and a good and sincere Christian. It was very difficult to make him -speak of his former exploits, but when he did he told us wonderful tales -of several marvellous hairbreadth escapes in all kinds of characters and -disguises, and I know from all reports that he was one of the most -efficient and successful spies. After the Peace of 1815 many half-pay -officers studied for the Church and took holy orders, and this reverend -gentleman was amongst the number. - -Up to this time the weather was dry and beautiful, but heavy rains then -followed, and continued for a week or more. Our barracks were situated -on a high neck of land projecting some distance into the sea, and on our -right there was a large mangrove swamp, almost dry until the rains -commenced. Then, filling from the hills and valleys to overflowing, it -suddenly burst towards the sea, carrying all before it, and from that -hour the stench became so powerful that we were all obliged to keep our -handkerchiefs to our noses, and so save ourselves as much as possible -from its fearful and disgusting effects. From the very first hour of -this escape of water, mud, and decayed vegetable matter the whole air -became actually poisonous, and our poor men fell sick daily, and in most -cases they died before the following day. Some were carried off a few -hours after they were attacked, amongst these my own servant, who -attended us in good health at breakfast and was dead and buried at -night. - -I continued well and able to attend to my duties, and by each post -reported our sufferings and losses to the Commander-in-Chief. Then, -after losing nearly half of my detachment, I received an order to hold -all in readiness to embark on the shortest notice to return to -headquarters at Kingston, leaving such sick men as could not be removed -in charge of our medical officer. This good news I made known at once, -and it was received with three cheers. Next morning a smart clipper was -seen standing in for our anchorage, and I instantly sent one of my -officers down to the landing-place with instructions to wave his hat as -soon as a boat came on shore, if he heard the vessel was for us. We -watched him with all eyes and the deepest anxiety, and as the boat -landed up went his hat; three loud cheers followed from us, and I at -once gave orders for immediate parade and embarkation. In half an hour -all who could move were on parade and with our baggage packed ready to -move off. On wheeling the detachment back into sections and giving the -words “Quick march!” agonizing cries and screams (which I can never -forget) were faintly heard from the few poor sick men who were left -behind in hospital. There were seven of these unfortunates, and all -urged the doctor to allow them to go with the others, saying they would -run all risks and would prefer death before reaching the beach, rather -than be deserted and left to die there; but the medical officer saw they -were too weak to be removed, and tried to comfort them by saying that he -himself ran the same risk by remaining with them. We left them, indeed, -with great sorrow, and in less than an hour we were safely embarked on -board the _Mandeville_ and off for Port Royal. Our happy escape from -Port Maria, the change of scene and air, soon restored our men to their -usual health; but it was very different with the poor fellows left -behind, for we heard that three of the number soon died; the remaining -four joined us later. I afterwards heard that the barracks at Port Maria -were burnt and levelled to the ground by the Government. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - HOME AGAIN AND MARRIED - - -Invalided to England—Ship injured on coral rock—Dangerous - voyage—Married on 25th November, 1826—Portsmouth—The Duke of - Clarence—Ireland—Complimented by Sir Hussey Vivian on execution of - difficult manœuvres - - -I REMAINED doing duty in Jamaica for some weeks longer, but began to get -anxious to get home, and latterly my health became indifferent. In -February, 1825, I applied for a medical board, which recommended me for -a year’s leave of absence, and with this prospect my health began to -improve. The Government decided to send home a number of invalid -soldiers, and I was commanded to take charge of them. I was not sorry, -for by this chance I was allowed a free passage home. There were several -other officers who were also going home on sick-leave in the _Speake_. -In all there were about two hundred men, a few women and children, and -an assistant-surgeon. - -We sailed on the 6th of March, and all went well till the night of the -9th, when, with a beautiful clear moon shining, we suddenly ran aground -on the outer coral rock of the small and low island of Magna. -Fortunately the night was calm, so that we were running not more than -three or four miles an hour. The full moon gave us nearly the light of -day, and before sunrise we could see the island low but distinctly above -the horizon, and then our captain changed our course to steer clear of -the land, but the currents must have got hold of us; yet it seemed to me -the captain and his chief officer were much to blame, for they were both -actually walking the deck when she struck, and had been there for hours -before in a clear night. Had there been a proper look out no such -accident ought to have taken place. We, the passengers, were all asleep -at the time, but the sudden shock and bump of striking roused us all -instantly. Officers, soldiers, and women rushed at once without dressing -on deck, where the confusion and screaming for some minutes became -fearful; but the captain and agent assured us that there was land in -front of us and that come what may we need not be alarmed for our lives, -as we could all be landed with safety. Meanwhile two of the boats were -lowered and carried our anchors astern, and with hawsers from these we -tried to work the ship off the rocks into deep water, and my endeavours -were equally pressing to clear the decks and to get all who were not -wanted for work to go below. It was not till I went down with them and -pledged my word to all that I should not leave the ship until the very -last man of my charge was landed that I got them all to obey me. - -Order was then so far restored, and from over the ship’s side we could -distinctly see the coral rocks upon which we were fixed, and soon -afterwards, from the violent bumping, parts of our copper and sheathing -got detached. The low, sandy island, without tree or other vegetation, -was within a few hundred yards of us, and every possible effort was -continued to heave her off, but all to no purpose. The boats and anchors -were then moved first off one quarter and then off the other, and in -each of these positions the heavy pulls and straining moved her head and -stern round a little. It was then clearly shown that she was fixed as on -a pivot in the centre, from which no efforts could move her. The pumps -were then tried, and she was found to be making a little water, but not -sufficient to cause any unnecessary alarm. At the critical moment it was -ascertained that the tide must soon flow inwards, and as both crew and -troops were fairly done up it was determined to wait patiently for the -tide, when, if the ship made no water, she would be sure to float off. -Meantime preparations were made for landing a quantity of provisions and -water in case of necessity, and the officers and men packed their -portmanteaux and knapsacks ready to make the best of the island of Magna -if obliged to land there. About four in the morning the tide began to -make, and by six the good ship was afloat again. She was then towed by -the boats into deep water and the anchors let go, the pumps tried, and a -strict examination made into our condition, when it was found that the -leak and water had increased. For some time the captain and agent were -undecided whether to continue the voyage or to return to Port Royal, but -after waiting for a couple of hours they determined to pass a sail under -the ship’s bottom and haul it as tight as it could be made, and then to -continue the voyage to England. This was done, and we were again -steering our way with a fair wind and fine weather. It was well for us -that our vessel was built of teak, which enabled her to stand the -bumping and thumping, which would at once destroy most ships. We now had -New Providence Island before us in our course, in case of being obliged -to seek shelter, but all went well till we got off Bermuda, when we were -overtaken by a strong gale and heavy sea. The ship laboured much, and -the men at the pumps discovered that the water had increased, but as the -wind was off the land we had no choice but to run on for England. The -pumps kept going during the days and nights. Our commander and our agent -showed the best example by their constant watching and exertions; we -soon began to lose all our fears in the sure hope of a speedy voyage and -a happy end to our troubles, and in another fortnight we were safely -anchored at Spithead. - -Our arrival was reported to the authorities in London, and orders came -down directing us to proceed without delay to Sheerness. I got leave to -land and go to London, on the understanding that I should on the -following day go to Sheerness, there to await the arrival of my charge -and proceed with them to Fort Pitt, Chatham, and so to deliver them, and -their accounts, to the authorities at that station. I applied to General -Thornton for leave of absence, but this was flatly refused, until he was -satisfied and could report favourably on the state of my depot. Soon -afterwards I had the chance of repeating verbally my desire for leave of -absence, but as usual he refused, saying it would be a pity to leave my -depot for some time longer, as they were getting on so well. I then told -him frankly that I was engaged to be married for some time past; that he -had obliged me twice already to put it off, and to break my word and my -faith; that if he did so any longer my character and my honour must -suffer. On this he laughed heartily and said, “This alters matters; of -course, you must go immediately. Send me your application, but you need -not wait for an answer—you may start at once.” By that night’s post I -wrote to my beloved one, told her my difficulties were passed, and that -I hoped to be with her soon after she received my letter, and that she -alone could now complete my happiness. Three days more found me in -London, received with open arms, and lodged in Park Street. A fortnight -was allowed to make the necessary dresses and preparations, then my -happiness was made perfect. I was married on the 25th November, 1826, at -St. Pancras Church, London, to Miss Mary Campbell, only daughter of -Colonel Alexander Campbell, by the Rev. Joseph Brakenbury. - -In the August following his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, as Lord -High Admiral of England, visited Portsmouth and honoured the 50th -Regiment by presenting us (on Southsea Common, in presence of all the -troops in garrison) with new colours, accompanied by a most flattering -speech. After the review his Royal Highness, the Duchess of Clarence, -and the Colonel-in-Chief, General Sir James Duff, and many of the county -families of Hampshire, were entertained at a luncheon in Portsmouth by -the officers of the regiment. Lady Duff and my dear wife had the honour -of receiving our guests, and about three hundred sat down. - -I must here mention a remarkable instance of his Royal Highness’s -memory. On his arrival at Portsmouth I was introduced to him by General -Sir James Lyons, commanding the garrison, and on mentioning our wish -that he should do us the honour to present our new colours he said, -“Yes, I shall be very happy; I know the history of your regiment quite -well, but you may bring me a memorandum on a card of the different -actions it has been in.” Next morning I returned to his Royal Highness -with a neatly written card showing the battles in which the regiment had -been engaged, commencing with Minden, August, 1759. Looking at it, he -said, “Sir, you had not a man at Minden; your regiment was then -quartered at Haslar barracks.” I answered, “I beg your Royal Highness’s -pardon, but we always thought our regiment, or some portion of it, was -at Minden, and I have myself seen an old breast-plate with the word -‘Minden’ on it, but I will have another card made out and omit the -word.” “Quite unnecessary,” he said, and, taking his pen, he scratched -it out. I then observed that a very old gentleman who was once in the -regiment was then living near Portsmouth, and that I would go and see -him, as he might perhaps give me some information on the subject. I took -my leave and returned to barracks, and told my colonel and the other -officers about my conversation with his Royal Highness; they all -laughed, and maintained that our flank companies were at Minden, and -urged me to go at once and see old Captain Thompson. I found him, and he -in like manner maintained that our flank companies were at Minden. I -returned in triumph, fully believing that his Royal Highness was wrong, -and on waiting on him next day I mentioned my interview with Captain -Thompson; but again he said, “No, no; you had not a man there,” so I -took my leave to prepare for the morrow’s parade. We decided on writing -to the Army Agents, Messrs. Cox & Co., begging them to go at once to the -War Office and request an immediate inspection of the public returns of -that period, and of the troops employed at the battle of Minden. In due -course we received their answer stating that we had not a man of the -50th Regiment there. His Royal Highness remained at Portsmouth ten days -longer, and was entertained daily during that time. - -We embarked in a steamer at Liverpool on the 29th June, 1830, and landed -on the following forenoon at Dublin. Next morning the 50th Regiment -marched in two divisions, headquarters and six companies, under Colonel -Woodhouse, for Waterford, and four companies under my command to -Clonmel, and in a few months we moved on to Templemore, with detachments -at Thurles and Roscrea; and here we enjoyed ourselves very much, Sir -Henry Garden and other residents in the neighbourhood having shown us -every attention. I was for some time in command of the regiment at -Templemore, and it was here that I first had the honour of forming the -acquaintance of Lieut. General Sir Hussey Vivian (afterwards Lord -Vivian), who then came to us on a tour of inspection, and who expressed -himself much pleased with the regiment. He was very fond of introducing -field movements of his own, and on this occasion asked me to “change -front from open column to the rear on a centre company.” I told him -there was no such movement in the book—but that I would at once do it. -He said, “Stop, until I explain it to you.” I begged he would not, but -allow me to proceed, and without hesitation I ordered the right centre -company to wheel on its centre to the rear, the left wing to go to the -right about, and then ordering the right centre company to stand fast, -and all the others to form line on that company, by right shoulders -forward, the left wing halting and fronting by companies, as they got -into the new line, followed by independent file firing from the centre, -and by each company as they got into the new alignments, supposing this -sudden change of front to be occasioned by the unexpected appearance of -an enemy from a wood in our former rear. This fire was kept up for some -time, and then we charged the supposed enemy and carried all before us. - -Sir Hussey was much pleased, and when our manœuvring was over he ordered -me to form the regiment into hollow square, and then addressed us, and -complimented me very much, saying I was the first commanding officer who -at once took up his ideas of providing against a sudden surprise from an -enemy, and that he “should not fail to make a special report of my -efficiency.” And I know that afterwards he did so, and that when he got -next day to Birr barracks, to inspect the 59th Regiment, he called upon -the colonel of that regiment to do the same manœuvre, in which that -officer altogether failed, and then Sir Hussey again spoke of how “Major -Anderson and the 50th had performed his wishes without the slightest -hint or hesitation.” I have mentioned this at length, because it was -much talked of at the time, and I was really proud of the opinion of so -able and distinguished an officer, and because, as I shall hereafter -show, this trifle led to much good to me some years afterwards. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - TO NEW SOUTH WALES - - -Dr. Doyle’s sermon—Ordered to New South Wales—Sail for Sydney with three - hundred convicts—Mutiny at Norfolk Island—Appointed colonel - commandant there - - -I WAS detached with four companies to Maryborough: soon afterwards the -well-known priest, the Rev. Dr. Doyle, visited the place, and on the -Saturday of his arrival it was publicly announced that he would preach -in the Catholic chapel. Being a very celebrated and popular preacher, -many of the Protestant inhabitants attended; the church was crowded -beyond comfort and standing-room, and all waited past the appointed hour -with anxiety and impatience. At last he appeared in front of the altar -in his full white robes, and, fronting the congregation, stared fiercely -and wildly all around the assembled crowd; he then took off his biretta -and threw it violently at his feet, and with his right arm stretched out -and his fist clenched he shouted: “I have not come to preach to you, you -midnight assassins, you skull-crackers! I am come to tell you that the -hand of God is suspended over you, and that you shall not know the end -thereof, until you are swept from the face of this earth and open your -eyes in hell!” - -The congregation moaned and crossed themselves again and again; there -followed endless sobs and lamentation, then a dead silence for a minute -or two. The Rev. Father now roused himself again and said (pointing to -me), “There is the officer commanding the troops, he has got the King’s -commission in his pocket; and” (turning round to another part of the -gallery) “there is the officer commanding the police, he has got the -Lord-Lieutenant’s commission in his pocket; and I have got” (slapping -his hand violently on his side) “the seal of Christ in my pocket. You -midnight assassins, go and repent of your sins, while you have yet -time.” He then retired, and the congregation broke up moaning and -crossing themselves as before, and my dear wife and I were truly glad to -escape without further fear of molestation. The cholera was raging at -this time, and such was the terror occasioned amongst the lower classes -by the Rev. Father’s denunciation that it was said the deaths from -cholera were more than usual for some time afterwards. - -We returned to Birr barracks after this, leaving a strong detachment -still at Maryborough, and early in April a letter was received by our -commanding officer to hold the regiment in readiness to embark for New -South Wales. The ship _Parmelia_ took on board some of her freight of -convicts at Gravesend, then sailed for the Cove of Cork to embark the -remainder; there we received two hundred more, making in all about three -hundred criminals. They were under the medical charge of Dr. Donoughoe, -a very pleasing Irishman, and our captain during the voyage was equally -pleasant. We were detained some weeks at the Cove from adverse winds and -other causes, and during that time it was very distressing to witness -the daily scenes which took place between the Irish convicts and their -numerous heart-broken relations. They came in boatloads to our ship -daily; they were not allowed to come on board, but only to talk to their -kindred, who crowded over the ship’s side or at the port-holes, and -these interviews lasted for hours. At last, about the beginning of -November, 1833, we got clear off and sailed for Sydney. The voyage was -long, but on the whole pleasant. The convicts behaved well except on one -occasion, when one nearly murdered another by striking him violently on -the head with a pumice stone used for scrubbing the decks. For this -daring and murderous assault the offender was placed in heavy irons, and -next morning the whole of the convicts were paraded on deck, and with my -detachment under arms and loaded, on the poop and in the cuddy, the -prisoner was brought forward, stripped, and tied to the main rigging, -and there received the severe corporal punishment of a hundred lashes. -This had the desired effect, and from that day all was order and -regularity. We arrived in Sydney on the 2nd March, 1834; the convicts -were landed next day and marched to their quarters, and my detachment to -the Sydney barracks. - -I brought letters of introduction to the governor, General Sir Richard -Bourke, from Sir Hussey Vivian, and also from Lord Stanley, then -Secretary for the Colonies. With these I called at Government House; but -the governor was at that time engaged and could not see me, so I left my -letters with the aide-de-camp, who requested me to call next morning. -Meanwhile Sydney was in a great state of excitement in consequence of -news having just been received of a general mutiny of the prisoners at -Norfolk Island, and an attack upon the troops there, with the loss of -several lives. This mutiny had occupied the minds of the prisoners for -many months, and was so planned that they were to attack the guards in -gangs simultaneously, armed with hatchets, hoes, crowbars, and hammers, -on going forth from their prisons to work; they were then to bind their -victims and keep them in front, as shields, while others, with the -captured arms, attacked the main body of the troops in barracks. They -had arranged to treat the free population with barbarity and cruelty too -fearful to mention, and to quarter the colonel and the captain alive. I -may mention that it came out in evidence during the trials that more -than half the prisoners were for weeks consulting and planning the best -modes of attack and of securing their purpose, and settling what to do -afterwards, if successful. Their final decision was that an unusually -large number should sham illness on the morning fixed for the attack, -and so go (as usual each morning) to the hospital, and there secure the -doctor and all the attendants, and then wait ready to make a rush behind -a corner of the gaol, where a sergeant’s guard of twelve men from the -garrison attended daily to receive and to take charge for the day of the -gaol-gang—amounting generally to thirty or forty of the very worst -convicts in double heavy irons. After this they intended to escape from -the island by the next Government vessel arriving. There were at this -time only a hundred soldiers with a captain and two subalterns of the -4th Regiment on the island, and the prisoners amounted to seventeen -hundred of the most desperate culprits on the face of the earth, but -happily they were completely defeated, with the loss of only a few -lives. - -I attended at Government House next morning as directed, and was kindly -received by Sir Richard Bourke, and after asking me a few questions -about our voyage he said, “You brought me some letters, Major Anderson, -and I am told you would like to be actively employed. You have, of -course, heard the news from Norfolk Island. I shall be happy to give you -the command, if you like.” I answered that I myself would much like the -appointment, but that I was a married man, and feared my wife would not -like going there, after all we had heard of the desperate state of the -prisoners, but that if his Excellency would give me an hour to consult -my wife I should then return to him with my answer. He said, “Certainly, -I will give you till to-morrow morning to make up your mind.” I hurried -home and told my wife all, and said that I saw no risk in accepting so -good an appointment; but she, under the alarm of all she had just read -in the papers, said nothing could tempt her to go there. I almost -despaired of getting her consent, till at last I proposed that I should -submit to the consideration of Sir Richard Bourke that I would gladly -accept the appointment, if he would kindly give me the option of giving -it up at once, should my wife dislike to remain there. He received me -kindly, heard my request, and said, “Certainly, I shall not keep you a -day longer there than you wish; meantime, I am going to-morrow to my -country house at Parramatta, and I shall be glad if you and Mrs. -Anderson will spend a few days there with us, and we can talk the matter -over.” I thanked him for his kindness, and said we should be most happy -to accept his invitation; I then returned to my wife much pleased, and -next day we went to Government House, Parramatta, and were very kindly -received by the governor and his daughter. We remained there three days, -and his Excellency took much pains to persuade my wife that there was no -danger in going to Norfolk Island, as we should always have a sufficient -number of troops to ensure our safety, that the climate was the best in -the world, and our accommodation very good, and far beyond anything we -could desire or expect. On leaving, the governor desired me to come to -him next day in Sydney, saying that I should then receive my final -instructions. I did so, and was told to hold myself in readiness to -embark in a few days, and that my first duty on arrival should be to -take depositions against all the convicts who were implicated in the -late mutiny, and to transmit the same to the Colonial Secretary for the -decision of the Attorney-General. I was then sent to the court to be -sworn in as a magistrate of the territory, and finally told that the -Government schooner _Isabella_ would be ready to receive me and my -family in a few days, and to sail at once for Norfolk Island. - -We embarked on the 12th March, 1834, for my important command. For the -first two or three days we had pleasant weather, but then it blew hard, -with the wind right against us, and was very boisterous for a week. Our -provisions now became short, and from this and the severity of the -weather we were very much inconvenienced, but at last had a favourable -change and made Norfolk Island in safety, and fortunately on a fine calm -day; for in bad weather the landing there is always dangerous. I was -received on the beach by a guard of honour of the 4th Regiment and by -Captain Foster-Fyans, who was then acting-commandant (Colonel Morrisett -and his family having previously sailed to Sydney). Captain Fyans -invited us all to his quarters to breakfast, and an excellent one we -had; nor must I omit mentioning how our dear children enjoyed the -abundance of cream and fruits set before them, after the hard biscuits -and salt pork which was their only food on board. - -After breakfast, Captain Fyans took us to Government House, with which -we were much pleased. It was a substantial building of one story and -standing conspicuously by itself, on high ground; the rooms were -numerous and well proportioned, the whole premises at the back being -secured within a high wall and the windows in front by iron bars. Thus -the whole residence might be considered (in case of an attack) a -fortress; there were also in front of the house two eighteen-pounder -guns mounted, and the military barracks were not a hundred yards -distant. I may add the prisoners’ gaols and other buildings were within -a thousand yards, and the guns before the house commanded the whole. The -more we saw the more we were delighted with our future quarters and -prospects. By this time a considerable portion of our baggage had been -landed and was arriving fast at Government House, and before night we -were as well settled and comfortable as if we had been there for months. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - NORFOLK ISLAND - - -Life at Norfolk Island—Trial of the mutineers—A fresh - conspiracy—Execution of thirteen mutineers - - -NEXT day I assumed my duties, and proceeded at once to take depositions -against the prisoners charged with the late mutiny. As is usually the -case on such occasions, many of the convicts concerned turned King’s -evidence, and the most willing of all these informers was a desperate -and cowardly villain named K——, who was at one time a captain in our -navy, and after various crimes was at last transported for forgery. He -had been many years a convict, and was always foremost in every crime -which promised him a chance of escape, yet when detected always turned -King’s evidence; but still he was trusted by his companions on account -of an extraordinary influence he had over them, and on this occasion -chiefly because he was the only one of them who understood navigation, -and could steer to a place of safety in the event of success in -capturing the island and gaining the shipping. Of course he took the -lead, and under his instructions the whole plan was for months secretly -and most ably arranged; consequently his evidence, and that of many -others whom he named, and who willingly came forward to save themselves, -confirmed without doubt the guilt of all the leading conspirators, so -that in a few days the depositions taken by me were complete against -about fifty of the most daring characters. For six weeks all went -peacefully, all the prisoners concerned being kept heavily ironed in -gaol, awaiting the result. - -In the meantime we continued making ourselves comfortable, daily -visiting and exploring various parts of the island, and each day made us -more happy in our lot. The island is evidently of volcanic origin, and -abounds in valleys in every direction, and in each of these there is a -stream of most pure crystal water. Lemons and citrons of the very best -kinds grow everywhere, and are so common in every part of the island -that many are allowed to drop from the trees and rot. Guavas and Cape -gooseberries are equally common, and at one time oranges were in -abundance; but my predecessor had all the trees destroyed, as affording -too great a luxury to the prisoners! By convict labour excellent roads -have been made everywhere. The climate is the best in the world, with -always a bracing air, never too hot nor too cold. There were many -hundreds of cattle and some thousands of Government sheep on the island, -so that all the free population had a ration of fresh meat daily, and -the officers were allowed to buy as much more as they wished, and flour -also, at the commissariat, at a nominal price, never exceeding twopence -the pound. All the officers had also gardens and convict servants to -work them. All had likewise as many pigs and poultry as they chose to -rear. My garden at Orange Vale was a splendid one, abounding with -everything one could desire. We made about four hundred pounds of the -best coffee annually, and many hundreds of pounds of arrowroot. My pigs -and poultry were kept near Government House, together with dozens of -turkeys, geese, guinea-fowls, and ducks. All our stock was fed from the -refuse of the prisoners’ breakfasts and from damaged corn, so that we -incurred no expense by keeping such numbers. We made the best bacon that -was ever known, and in large quantities, but could not succeed in making -hams. When the convict servants failed in this, our medical men tried to -secure success, but never succeeded; there was something in the air -which caused them to decay. We had tradesmen and mechanics of every -kind, and were allowed to have our boots and clothing of every -description made for us. The woods of the island were very beautiful, -and supplied material for handsome furniture of every kind. - -All these advantages I had as commandant without any limits, but no -officer could get anything done without a written requisition to me. The -public dairy was near my house, and every officer, soldier, and free -person on the island got a daily allowance of milk and butter. With all -these advantages we lived most comfortably and almost for nothing. - -The troops behaved remarkably well. We had only six court-martials -during the whole period of my command. All the soldiers had gardens near -their barracks, in which they grew all sorts of vegetables; they were -also allowed to keep fowls. This not only kept them in excellent health, -but gave them employment, and they were always at hand and ready for any -emergency which might arise. - -At last a ship was reported in sight, and proved to be his Majesty’s -ship _Alligator_, Captain Lambert, with Judge Burton and a military jury -on board, for the trial of the mutineers. They were at once landed, the -judge and some of the officers taking their quarters with me, the others -with the officers of the garrison. Our carpenters were then set to work -to prepare a spare room in the prisoners’ barracks as a temporary -court-house. This being soon completed, the trials commenced next day, -and were continued day after day for a fortnight. Fifty of the leading -conspirators were found guilty: more than half the number were sentenced -to death, the others to transportation in irons for life. During the -whole of this time the frigate was moored off the settlement, within -easy range, in case of any fresh disturbance. Two days after the trials, -Judge Burton spoke to me officially, and said he had the power of -ordering some of the worst of the prisoners who were sentenced to death -to be executed at once, before the frigate left, but that he would -prefer not doing so till the Governor and Council saw the proceedings, -provided I felt sure I could be answerable for their safe custody in the -absence of the frigate. My answer was that I felt no fear about their -safe custody, and had no hesitation in taking the responsibility; he -then said, “We had better put all this in writing. I shall at once write -to you on the subject, and let me have your answer as soon as possible.” -He did so, and in an hour had my answer. Judge Burton and the military -jury sailed next day. - -They had not been gone twenty hours before I received positive -information through my police that another general mutiny was brewing, -with the intention in the first instance to attack the gaol and release -all the condemned prisoners. This was startling, but I decided to wait -for further proofs. Next morning I had the names of about fifty of the -new conspirators brought to me, and as most of them were well-known to -be desperate characters, I gave instant orders for their arrest. They -were heavily ironed, and confined in different parts of the gaol, and, -as I fully expected, two or three of them offered to give me evidence. I -had them brought before me and examined, and each satisfied me that -efforts were being made for a general rising to rescue the condemned, -and that it was checked just in time, before more serious consequences -could follow. I now told the informers that they must be sent back -amongst the others, so as to deceive them, and make them feel sure that -they had made no disclosures as to the guilt of their comrades, and that -when all was over they would not be forgotten. Had I not done this, -these men would have been marked afterwards by every convict on the -island as informers, and would have been sure of vengeance in some way, -sooner or later. - -After these precautions all was peace for two months; then the -Government brig _Governor Phillip_ was reported. Our usual armed boat -was sent off, and brought back as passengers the Rev. Mr. Styles, the -Rev. Father McEncroe, and the hangman, and dispatches for me ordering -the execution of thirteen of the most guilty of the mutineers. All the -others were commuted to hard labour for life. It was left to my -discretion to carry out these most distressing executions at such time -and in such manner as I deemed safe, taking care that all prisoners on -the island should be present, and that the condemned should have the -presence and benefit of their respective clergymen for at least three -days before the execution. I issued written orders proclaiming my -warrant and authority for the execution, naming the unfortunates who -were doomed to die, fixing two mornings for carrying out the sentences, -and ordering one half of the convicts to be marched from their barracks -and formed into close columns in front of the gaol, on the walls of -which the gallows was erected, while the other half of the convicts -could see from the barracks all that was going on. This was the order -for the first day, when seven of the culprits suffered, and the -remainder were disposed of in the same way the next morning. Before the -execution I addressed the convicts, and said that if they attempted to -move or to show any sign of resistance the officer in the stockade had -my positive order to open fire on them at once. These preparations being -all completed, the seven men were brought forward, dressed in white and -attended by their clergy. They were composed and silent, and in a few -seconds all was over. Not a word, not a murmur, escaped from the -assembled mass. The following morning the same arrangements were made -for the other half of the convicts to witness the execution of the -remaining culprits, and all passed over as before. From that time order -reigned on the island during the whole of my government, from March, -1834, to April, 1839. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - SUNDAY SERVICES AT NORFOLK ISLAND - - -I appoint two convicts (who had been educated for the Church) to - officiate—Find about a hundred ex-soldiers among the - convicts—Separate them from the others, with great success - - -THE Rev. Mr. Styles and Father McEncroe remained a fortnight with us, -and took much pleasure in exploring the island. They left, promising to -use their best endeavours to have clergymen sent to us, but none came -for two years after this. On my arrival the only Sunday service we had -for the prison population was more a mockery than a benefit. All the -convicts, whether Protestants, Catholics, or Jews, were paraded together -and marched up in single file to a field strongly fenced in, and there -locked up. Then an officer stepped forward to the fence and there read -the prayers and litany of the Church of England, not a word of which -could be heard by the prisoners. They were then marched back to their -prison yards, and there locked up for the remainder of the day. The -troops and free population had prayers read to them in the military -barracks. I renewed my application for clergymen, but the answer -invariably was that none could be found to take up the appointment. - -This distressed me much, and, looking over the register of the convicts -some time after this, I discovered that one of the number was -transported for forgery while actually a chaplain on board an English -man-of-war, and also that another had been educated as a Roman Catholic -priest. These two men had behaved well since their arrival, so I thought -it possible I might make something of them. I sent for Taylor and told -him that I had discovered the cause and offence for which he had been -sent there, and I was glad to hear he was now considered a steady man. I -then spoke of the sad position of our convicts from their need of -religious teaching, and said that I considered what was now being done a -mere mockery, and that it was doing more harm than good; also that I -knew what he had been, and what he could do if earnest and willing; that -I would remove him from the other prisoners, give him a comfortable hut -to live in, plain clothes, and a convict servant to attend him, and -finally, if I saw hopes of doing any good, that I intended without delay -to build a temporary church for him, and place there a pew for myself -and my civil officers, that I might have the opportunity of hearing him -occasionally and judging for myself. He was delighted and appeared most -anxious and earnest. I dismissed him with the hope that he would -seriously ponder over all I had said, and pray to God to assist him and -to sanctify his endeavours. - -I then sent for the other, and spoke in the same way to the same effect; -he also most gladly and willingly entered into my wishes and promised -much. That same evening I put them both in my written orders to be -separated at once from their respective gangs, to be quartered by -themselves, and to read the services of their respective Churches to the -prisoners. This gave general satisfaction, and on the following Sunday -the Protestants were separated from the Catholics, and each division -marched to their respective places of worship, where the services were -read to them for the first time. This was continued every succeeding -Sunday with such success that pulpits, altars, and pews were soon built -and forms provided sufficient for each congregation, and in due time I -made it my duty to attend occasionally at either service, and I was -always much pleased with the order and regularity which prevailed in -both churches. The soldiers and free population continued their worship -as usual at the barracks. - -These arrangements succeeded so well that I reported the whole to the -Government, and by return of mail I had the satisfaction to receive the -Governor’s approval of all my proceedings and his desire that the same -arrangements should be continued, as he could not then prevail on any -clergyman to go to the island. In course of a few months I became quite -convinced that our humble endeavours were doing much good, that our -acting ministers were conducting themselves well, and that they were -respected and looked up to by their former associates. I therefore made -a report of this to the Government, and recommended that they should be -further encouraged by a salary of one shilling a day and the promise of -a commutation of their sentence hereafter, if recommended by me for -continued good conduct. All this was granted, and I had much pleasure in -promulgating the same and in carrying it all out. - -For two years this went on with much success, and greatly to my -satisfaction. Then we got into trouble. Two convicts attempted the lives -of two of their comrades, on different occasions, without any previous -cause of quarrel, and, as they afterwards admitted, for no other reason -than that they were tired of their own lives and wished to get hanged! -The first attack occurred when the convicts were going out from their -barracks after breakfast to their daily work. This gang was going to -farm labour, armed with field hoes. Without a word of previous warning -the would-be assassin raised his hoe and with all his might struck the -convict in front of him on the head, knocking him down insensible with a -fearful wound in his skull. The unfortunate sufferer was at once taken -to the hospital, and remained unconscious for many days. When he -recovered he clearly proved that he had never had any previous quarrel, -nor had he ever even spoken to the prisoner before. The other case was -that of a convict who had got away from his gang and concealed himself -in the hut of one of the overseers (who was allowed to live and remain -there at night), and whom he had determined to murder. He hid himself -behind the door, and when the overseer entered he knocked him down -senseless, but happily two other men followed, who at once secured the -culprit. These cases were too serious for me to deal with, so I took the -necessary depositions and sent them on to the Colonial Secretary for the -consideration of the Attorney-General, and by the next arrival of our -ship Judge Plunket and a military jury came for the trial of these two -men. They were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged; the execution -took place a few days later, in the presence of all the convicts, -without a murmur. One of the men who had been assaulted recovered in due -time, but the other died, and from that day we never had another serious -crime. - -I discovered from the registers that I had about one hundred former -soldiers (amongst the prison population of seventeen hundred) from -regiments in India and the Australian colonies, all transported for -assaulting or threatening the lives of their officers, generally while -under the influence of drink. I ordered them to be all paraded for my -inspection, and then said to them, “I find you have been soldiers. I -know that you were sent here for assaulting, or threatening to shoot, -your officers in your drunken bouts. I have examined your registers and -know all about you. Now, I am a soldier, and consider you are still -almost soldiers, so I shall at once separate you from your present -associates, whose offences have been very different to yours. Most of -them are criminals of the worst and deepest dye—murderers, thieves, and -assassins. Their companionship must in time degrade you and make you -desperate, and perhaps as bad as themselves. I shall therefore try to -save you as far as I can. I shall place you in rooms and messes by -yourselves, and in separate working gangs. More than this, if I require -you I shall put arms in your hands; for you have been soldiers (as I am -now), so I shall not be afraid to trust you if I require you!” - -They began to cheer with delight, which I at once stopped, reminding -them that I could not allow any such expression of their feelings, and -that from them I must expect perfect discipline and quiet obedience; -then I concluded by saying, “In this way I mean to trust you so long as -you behave yourselves and deserve my support, but if I ever again, from -this day, see you speak one word to, or associate in any way with, your -former companions, back again you go to them, there to remain always as -outcasts in misery.” They were delighted, and could only with difficulty -restrain expressions of their joy, and from that hour my arrangements -were carried out admirably to the last. The mass of prisoners were, -however, for some time, much annoyed by this arrangement and partiality; -but after longer reflection, I was assured, they were glad of it, as it -showed them that reason and justice ruled the commandant, and that -belief caused a general disposition towards good order and regularity. - -I may say that, taking them as a whole, and remembering their previous -numerous and great crimes, the convicts during my superintendence -behaved wonderfully well. After the capital crimes already mentioned we -had but individual offences, such as striking or threatening their -constables and overseers, disobedience of orders, and neglecting their -work. For these misdeeds they were always sent to gaol, and brought -before me in petty session next morning, and if found guilty, on sworn -evidence, sentenced to a week or fortnight, a month or two months’ -imprisonment in irons in gaol, according to their offences. In more -serious and aggravated cases they were sentenced to corporal -punishment—from fifty or a hundred to three hundred lashes; but these -instances were comparatively few, and always avoided if possible. The -average of the latter punishments, in my time, was from seventy to -seventy-five cases a year, whereas in Colonel Morrisett’s time they -always exceeded one thousand, though he had not at any time more than -twelve hundred prisoners, while with me their number increased year by -year, until we had over seventeen hundred. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - LIFE AT NORFOLK ISLAND - - -Solitary case of misconduct among the soldier gang—I get many pardoned - and many sentences shortened—Theatricals and other amusements—Visit - from my brother—Mr. MacLeod - - -I NEVER had a complaint, except one, against my soldier convicts. While -riding one day some distance from the settlement, the superintendent of -agriculture, Mr. MacLean, came galloping after me and reported that -there was a mutiny amongst the soldier gangs, or rather that they had -refused to do their work. I at once rode back to where they were, and -found them all idle and standing still. I ordered them to their work, -when one of them named Shean (formerly of my own regiment) stepped -forward with his hoe in hand (with which farm-implement they were all -provided), and in a loud and angry voice attempted to argue their -grievance with me. I instantly rode at him, and, with a heavy stick in -my hand, knocked him down and rode over him, saying: “You, who know me -long and well, you dare to raise your voice against my authority, you -dare to disobey my orders! Get up, and go back at once, every one of -you, to your duty!” When he recovered, he begged my pardon, and without -another word or murmur they all went back to their work. During this -disturbance there were three or four hundred other convicts working in -sight, looking on, awaiting the issue, and who doubtless would have -joined the soldiers’ gangs had anything more serious taken place. - -This was the first, the last, and only prisoner I ever had occasion to -lift my hand to while on the island. As I have already said, I always -found the soldier gangs very willing and obedient, and most thankful for -the promise of being trusted with arms should any general outbreak take -place which might justify me in calling for their assistance. - -I had indeed a soldier’s feeling for them. For their continued good -conduct I recommended many of them at various times to the Government -for pardon and restoration to their regiments, which was invariably -granted, and among that number was the above-mentioned Daniel Shean, the -50th Regiment, who afterwards served with me in India, and I found him a -good and faithful soldier. He was finally caught and eaten by an -alligator in the Ganges, while bathing, on our passage from Chinsurah to -Cawnpore in 1842. - -It was almost my daily practice to examine and study the public records -and registers of the prisoners and to select from them the names of all -men who had for years been noted for good conduct. When I found life -prisoners without any charge against them for six or more years, or -prisoners of fourteen years behaving well for three or more years, or -prisoners of seven years without a fault for two or more years, I -recommended them to Government for commutation of their sentence. These -recommendations were always attended to and granted, and when received -by me were promulgated in my public written orders and read to the -prisoners. This had the best effect, and convinced them all that it was -never too late to reform, and that the commandant had a constant and -friendly eye over all, even the worst of them. When these commuted -sentences were without fault, and nearly completed, I had them pardoned -altogether and removed to Sydney. - -About this time the officers and soldiers of the garrison applied to me -to have a temporary theatre erected for them, as they confidently hoped -they could make up a respectable “corps dramatique.” I entered at once -into their wishes, and promised them every encouragement, feeling -assured I could not do too much to amuse them; and having plenty of wood -and labour at hand, a very comfortable theatre was soon built, with -dress boxes and pit, and no sooner finished than our first play was -announced. I forget the name of the piece, but our principal performers -on that occasion and for many months afterwards were my secretary, the -Hon. Mr. Pery, Sergeants Cairns and Duff, Privates Thomas Smith and John -Swap, with occasionally Lieutenants Wright, Gregg, and Needham, and some -others, and as many minor performers as they needed from the troops. -Excellent scenery of all kinds was painted by artists amongst the -prisoners, and the orchestra was composed of about half a dozen -well-conducted convicts, who played the violin and clarions well. The -dresses were generally of coloured calicoes and such other imposing -materials as they could find. As the acting was always good, this was a -continued source of amusement and delight to us all for years. On one of -these nights, in the middle of the performance the “alarm” was sounded. -On this occasion many of the performers were acting as women, and of -course were dressed accordingly. When an “alarm” is given, no delay is -allowed, but all have to assemble as they are. On this night (which by -the light of the moon was as clear as day) the “corps dramatique” ran as -they were for their arms, and so appeared on the public parade amidst -roars of laughter, for their appearance was certainly comic in the -extreme, and such a sight of armed warriors in petticoats as never was -witnessed before. The “alarm” proved a false one, occasioned by a young -soldier firing from his post at the prisoners’ barracks on hearing some -quarrel amongst the convicts within. - -I have already said our roads were excellent all over the island, and -the scenery most beautiful and romantic. This encouraged us to pass our -time very often in picnics in every direction. There was not a pretty -spot at any distance beyond the settlement without a nice bower with -tables and seats for our accommodation; and in one or other of these -paradises we used to assemble and pass many hours. We had also frequent -dinner-parties and dances, and as I had then finished building the new -military barracks and hospital, the latter (for we had no sick) made a -most excellent and commodious ballroom. The officers of the garrison had -a comfortable mess, and were most liberal in their entertainments. In a -word, we all agreed well together, and although most of our young men -were tired of the limits of our little island, and compared their -situation to the monotony and confinement of ship life on a long voyage, -I do think we were all very happy, or ought to have been so. - -They had also other amusements—fishing, shooting, etc. Phillip Island -lay within four miles of us; it is a high land about a mile long, and -abounded with wild pigs, wild fowl, and a variety of birds, the most -remarkable being the Phillip Island parrots, which were never seen in -any other part of Australia. Whenever any of the officers wished for a -day’s sport there, they had a boat at their command for the day. -Starting early, with a good supply of provisions, they were obliged to -return before sunset, and generally brought back with them some -half-dozen or more pigs, besides other game. In like manner, when they -wanted a fishing excursion a boat was provided, and in a few hours they -generally returned with dozens of fine fish, caught over known coral -rocks. By this time I had an open carriage (made on the island), and as -we had many Government horses doing nothing, I wrote to the Colonial -Secretary requesting to be allowed to purchase two of them. The answer -was that they could not be sold, but that the Governor had no objection -to my making use of them as much as I liked. I then sent to Sydney for a -double harness, and from that time we had our carriage, and a first-rate -(convict) coachman. - -In September of this year my dear brother John paid me a visit from -India; he was then a colonel of the Madras Army. We had not met for -thirty-four years, and our pleasure was now very great in seeing each -other. I never saw him again till 1858, and that was our last meeting, -for he died soon afterwards at Folkestone. - -Reports had now reached Sydney of the better behaviour of our convicts, -and we were spoken of with hope and confidence for our continued -improvements, so the fear and dread of coming near us, and of residing -at Norfolk Island, became daily less. The Rev. Dr. Gregory and Father -McEncroe, both of the Roman Catholic Church, offered their services to -the Government in Sydney, to go and reside permanently with us, and -their services were at once accepted. They came to us by the next trip -of the _Governor Phillip_, and right glad was I to receive them. They -soon became very popular with us all, and did much good. Then the -Government sent down the Rev. Mr. Sharpe, of the Established Church, who -on his arrival took charge of our Protestants. - -I may here mention that my power was absolute, and that I could remove -any of the civil officers at pleasure from the island, but I am happy to -say I had but once occasion to exercise my authority. It was officially -reported to me that Mr. MacLeod, the superintendent of agriculture, had -been trafficking to a considerable extent with the convicts, actually -receiving money for them in letters from their friends in Sydney. At -first I could not believe this possible. I then got proofs beyond doubt, -consisting of letters addressed to Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod from persons in -Sydney with several sums of money enclosed for convicts therein named. -After some consideration I sent for MacLeod and told him the charges -brought against him; he at once boldly denied them, and said there was -not the slightest truth in them. I then showed him the letters from -Sydney; this staggered and surprised him, but he said he had never seen -them before and knew nothing about them. I had no other course left but -to suspend him from his duties and send him back to Sydney by the very -first opportunity, but it was not till six weeks later that the -_Governor Phillip_ arrived, and in her he and his family left the -island—but before that he gave me some more trouble. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - MANGALORE CATTLE STATION - - -Wreck of the _Friendship_—I am attacked by Captain Harrison and - MacLeod—I receive the Royal Guelphic Order of Knighthood—Secure the - sheep and cattle station of “Mangalore” in Port Phillip with my - brother—Leave Norfolk Island—Visit to Mangalore - - -JUST as these charges were brought against MacLeod, the hired schooner -_Friendship_ arrived off the island with Government provisions and -stores, and after exchanging signals she made fast to a large buoy and -moorings which had been laid down some months before by his Majesty’s -ship _Alligator_. Captain Harrison and Mr. Bull then landed to report -themselves, and I asked them to dinner. When this was over I told them -they must return at once to their ship and look to her safety, that I -should send a trusty constable and a few men with them, and that, should -it come to blow hard, they must immediately slip away from the moorings -and stand out to sea until the weather moderated. They returned to their -vessel, but about midnight it blew very hard, and at daylight we had a -very strong gale; the schooner was then seen dragging the moorings and -drifting fast towards the rocks in front of the settlement, yet not a -man could be seen moving on board. I was in bed at this time, and one of -my chief constables came and informed me that the schooner was drifting -fast on to the rocks, and the surf on the beach was running so high that -it was impossible to send out a boat, adding that no man could be seen -on board, and that they must all be asleep. I dressed hurriedly, and -sent to the military barracks for our gunners and some ammunition for -our great guns, and as soon as they arrived we fired round after round -over the schooner, yet not a man appeared on deck. At last they heard -us, and attempted to make sail. But it was too late; for by this time -the ill-fated vessel was amongst the breakers, and in a few minutes more -was broadside on the rocks, and soon became a total wreck. The crew and -guard got on shore in safety, and our next efforts were to save the -cargo, and for this purpose some dozens of prisoners volunteered their -services, and went off through the surf, up to their waists, some to -their necks, and succeeded in getting on board. Captain Fothergill and -about twenty soldiers followed to protect the property and preserve -order. There was a large fire seen burning in the caboose on deck, the -sparks flying about everywhere, and repeated cries were heard that there -was powder on board. The kegs were soon discovered and thrown overboard; -the prisoners then got into the hold, and managed to get small and large -cases of stores on deck, then handed them over the ship’s side to gangs -of prisoners on the rocks. In this manner the whole cargo was safely -landed without any loss or damage, but the unfortunate ship became a -greater wreck every day. At last what remained of her was towed into the -boat harbour, and several attempts were made to patch her up, but all to -no purpose, and at last all efforts were abandoned. - -I had to quarter Captain Harrison, his crew and passengers on the -different civil and military officers and free constables, and I took -Mr. and Mrs. Bull to Government House. Captain Harrison became the guest -of the military officers, and we all endeavoured to make them as -comfortable as we possibly could. About a month afterwards it was -reported to me that Captain Harrison talked of selling the wreck and -other materials and stores belonging to the vessel, and that MacLeod, -the late superintendent, was in his confidence, and was advising him to -do so. I took no notice of this at the time, but from other information -I clearly saw the object was to defraud the underwriters, as the ship -was insured. Captain Harrison had posted handbills over the settlement, -naming a day for the sale of the wreck and stores by public auction. I -ordered the bills to be torn down, and, sending for Captain Harrison, I -reprimanded him for attempting such proceedings without my order, and -told him I could not permit any sale of the kind, but that when an -opportunity offered for sending him and his crew back to Sydney they -should be allowed free passages and room for his stores and cargo also. -He appeared dissatisfied, and wished to argue the matter with me, saying -that he and others thought it better to sell everything on the island. I -begged to know his advisers, but he would not tell me, and from this -time he gave me much trouble. - -At last the _Governor Phillip_ was reported in sight. I ordered Captain -Harrison and his crew and passengers to embark in her for Sydney, and so -got rid of them after a detention of seventy days. I also sent MacLeod -away beyond my control for ever, and our mail contained my reports to -the Government of the wreck, and all details connected with the saving -of the cargo, the attempt to sell the wreck and stores by public -auction, and my refusal to allow Captain Harrison to do this. I also -reported the whole of MacLeod’s misconduct, and that I had suspended him -from his situation and sent him back to Sydney. I had the satisfaction -to receive the Governor’s entire approval of all these proceedings. Soon -after this several letters appeared in the Sydney papers abusing me, -reflecting on my “misgovernment” of Norfolk Island, and complaining of -my treatment of the captain, crew, and passengers of the schooner -_Friendship_. I was afterwards assured these letters were written, some -by Captain Harrison, others by MacLeod and Mr. Bull, who with his wife -left me and Mrs. Anderson with many tears and endless professions of -gratitude for our kindness and hospitality during their long stay with -us. Of these letters I took not the slightest notice. - -Early in 1838 I received a public notification that his Majesty King -William IV was graciously pleased to appoint me a Knight of the Royal -Hanoverian Guelphic Order for my past services in the field; at the same -time I received the Golden Star and Ribbon of the Order. I was indeed -proud of this distinction, as it was conferred without any application -from me, and I was included in a list of many brave officers specially -selected by his Majesty from different regiments for this mark of his -royal favour. - -Soon after this I received a letter from my brother John, recommending -that we should together take up a station for sheep and cattle in the -newly discovered district of Port Phillip, saying that he was willing to -purchase a few hundred sheep and cattle to make a beginning, if I could -find trustworthy persons to go and take up a suitable run and the charge -and management of the establishment afterwards, and that he wished to -include amongst the number to be employed a Mr. Howell, a young -_protégé_ of his. My brother-in-law, Septimus Campbell, had some time -before this expressed a wish to retire from the service and try what he -could do as a squatter, so I named this chance to him, and offered to -recommend him to my brother for the management, and for a share in the -concern hereafter if he proved himself capable and deserving of the -charge. He willingly accepted, and I wrote accordingly to my brother; I -named also three men then in Sydney, who had been until lately prisoners -at Norfolk Island. I knew they were not only trustworthy, but also well -acquainted with sheep and cattle, as they had been formerly employed as -shepherds on sheep and cattle stations. My brother wrote back approval -of my proposal and consenting to give Campbell the management of our -station, provided he could at once enter on the charge, as he was -already in treaty for the purchase of a few hundred sheep. Campbell now -sent in his application to retire from the service by the sale of his -commission, and I gave him leave to return by the _Governor Phillip_ -(then with us) to Sydney, and there he found my brother and Mr. Howell. -At that time convict servants were assigned by the Government to -officers in numbers according to their rank, and Campbell made an -application in my name, and in his own, for three men whom I had named, -Joseph Underwood, William Percival, and Richard Glegg. They were at once -granted, and most thankful they were for our confidence. - -My brother now concluded his bargain for the purchase of a few hundred -sheep, a dray and team of working bullocks, and a variety of stores and -farm implements, etc.; and having made his arrangements with Campbell, -and given him a few hundred pounds for the purchase of cattle, they -started for Port Phillip about October, 1838. They went overland, except -Campbell, who had decided on going by sea, so as to get down before -them. For the first week the overland party got on very well, but after -that they had endless difficulties and losses, for Howell gave himself -up entirely to drink and was seldom sober, and when his money was -expended he actually sold some of the bullocks and sheep. He frequently -remained for days and nights at miserable pot-houses quite insensible -from intoxication, and when he became sober he was not allowed to leave -till he had paid for his folly by giving up as many of his sheep and -bullocks as the equally drunken and unprincipled landlord chose to -extort from him. Fortunately, our men remained steady, especially -Underwood, who now took the lead and the entire charge of our property, -and with the other men watched the animals day and night, and never left -them; but in spite of all this they lost a number of sheep. Some were -stolen, some were knocked up and died, from bad roads and much rain. - -At last, after a long journey of two months, Underwood and his two men -reached the bank of the Goulburn River, in the Port Phillip district, -with about three hundred and fifty of our sheep, the dray, and three or -four of our bullocks. They had not seen Howell for some weeks before, -and he was drunk at a public-house when they last saw him. Underwood -determined on halting and taking possession until the arrival of -Campbell. Meantime Howell joined them, but left them again in a few days -for a public-house which was on the Sydney line of road, a few miles -distant. Campbell directed them to stay where they were, on our future -run and station, and to try and extend the boundaries as far as they -could, taking care to mark the limits as well as possible, and to report -to him by marks or other signs the extent of country they wished to take -up, so as to enable him to make a special application to the Government -for our right and title to the same. Underwood managed this admirably, -and, having had a good knowledge of sheep stations before, he took care -to give us a wide range. In front we had seventeen miles on the banks of -the Goulburn River, and from twenty to thirty miles in all directions -back. By a survey made a few years afterwards, our run was computed at -about eighty-five thousand acres. I named the place at once Mangalore, -in compliment to my brother, that being the name of his military station -in India, of which he was very fond, and so it remains on all charts to -this day. - -Campbell never stayed at Mangalore, as some pressing business obliged -him to go to Van Diemen’s Land, and thence to Sydney; so for many months -our station and property remained under the nominal care of Howell, but -in reality under the faithful management of Joseph Underwood. There was -little now to do, for when we took possession there was not one other -settler in that neighbourhood, nor nearer than the Devil’s River, a -distance of more than a hundred miles. There was a miserable -public-house and a small store in our neighbourhood known as Seymour, -and there all sorts of supplies and provisions could be purchased at -exorbitant prices, and they were always ready to trust squatters or -their agents, so that Howell had no difficulty in getting what he -required. I was still at Norfolk Island during this time, and knew -nothing of Howell’s doings for many months later. My brother had -returned to India, confident with me that all would be well at -Mangalore, and telling me, as his last instruction, that I was to -consider the whole as a joint speculation, and keep an account of all -additional expenditure. I wrote to Campbell and authorized him to draw -upon me for any money he required. - -We remained happily at Norfolk Island until February, 1839. About the -end of the month the _Governor Phillip_ arrived, bringing a detachment -of the 80th Regiment under the command of Major Bunbury to relieve the -50th, and with dispatches to me naming the major as my successor as -civil superintendent and military commandant of the island. - -After our arrival at Sydney I began to hear something about our sheep -station and the doings at Mangalore, and that Howell was constantly -drunk; so I made up my mind to go to Port Phillip and Mangalore. I left -Sydney in a sailing vessel in December, 1839, for Melbourne, and arrived -there after a week’s journey. Melbourne was then little more than a -village, and with only two or three very humble so-called hotels. On my -landing I was so fortunate as to meet a Mr. Michael Scobie, from my own -birthplace, whom I had known as a boy; he told me that my worthless -superintendent Howell was then, and for some time had been, in -Melbourne, and constantly drunk. Mr. Scobie accompanied me to search for -him, and we soon discovered that he lived in a miserable pot-house -called the Lamb Inn. He must have heard of my arrival and seen us -approaching, for as we entered he escaped through the back door. After -many more hunts we at last got hold of him, and I insisted on his going -with us on our journey the next morning. In two days we arrived at -Mangalore, where we found our true and trusty men, Underwood, Percival -and Glegg, evidently doing their best, but suffering a little from want -of tea and sugar and a scarcity of flour. Next day they collected the -sheep, and Scobie made a minute muster of all. They were reported all -healthy and in good order. He next rode with me round every part of the -station, and the more he saw the more he was pleased with the character -and capabilities of the run. What we heard from the men and saw for -ourselves convinced us that Howell was not to be trusted in any way with -the management of such an undertaking, and that the sooner I got rid of -him the better. I now appealed to Scobie, and offered him his own terms -if he would remain at Mangalore and take charge. He first said he would -willingly oblige me, but that he had a small station of his own near -Melbourne, and that therefore he must take time to consider my proposal. -We remained a week longer at Mangalore; Scobie occupied himself during -the whole of that time in riding about and gaining additional -information. He then consented to remain with me for one year certain, -for £100, and one-third of my increase of lambs, provided that I would -allow him to return to Melbourne with me for a few days to settle his -own affairs. I consented, and we at once signed a written agreement, and -Howell was told his services as manager were dispensed with, but that he -could remain at the station on a small salary as long as he conducted -himself properly and made himself useful, but if not, Scobie had my -authority to dismiss him at once. We then returned to Melbourne very -much pleased with our arrangements. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - ON MY DEFENCE - - -Court of inquiry as to my management of Norfolk Island—Major Bunbury - reprimanded by Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for his - unfounded charges - - -I SHOULD have mentioned sooner that when I left Sydney a dispatch was -received by the major-general commanding from Major Bunbury, reporting a -serious outbreak and mutiny amongst his detachment at Norfolk Island, -and that Sir Maurice O’Connell had determined to relieve the 80th at -once from Norfolk Island by an equal number again of the 50th Regiment. -I was sent for by the governor, and also by the general; and although -they gave me no particulars of Major Bunbury’s dispatch, I was asked -many questions about the soldiers’ gardens, when and why they were given -to the men, and my opinion respecting them. All this I explained, and -said they were established by me with the authority and approval of the -late governor, Sir Richard Bourke, as a means not only of amusement and -employment for the soldiers on the settlement, but also in order to give -them a constant supply of good vegetables. I was then told by the -general that he was determined to relieve Major Bunbury and to send -Major Ryan in command. I was not allowed to know more, but I heard it -whispered that the outbreak was in consequence of Major Bunbury -depriving the soldiers of their gardens and ordering them to be charged -a trifle daily for vegetables from the Government gardens, and that, the -soldiers having resisted, he actually sent gangs of convicts to root up -and destroy the gardens, which at once made the soldiers fly to their -arms and drive the convicts away, in open defiance of Major Bunbury’s -presence and authority. It was also hinted that he blamed me for all -this in having granted these gardens to the soldiers, which he -considered contrary to, and subversive of, good order and discipline. - -Having heard these whispers, I called upon the general and requested I -might be informed whether Major Bunbury had attempted to blame me for -the open defiance of his authority by his own men. The general again -said he could not then enter into any further explanation, but that I -should hear all when Major Bunbury returned; I was therefore obliged to -be satisfied so far, and I took my leave. Meantime a ship was chartered -and ready to take Major Ryan and his detachment to Norfolk Island, and -she was to be escorted by H.M.S. _Rattlesnake_, to force a landing if -necessary. In a few days I left Sydney, and did not go back for ten days -after Major Bunbury had returned, and the first news I heard was that he -had not confined nor punished even one man for the mutiny, which -displeased the general very much. Fifteen soldiers were then arrested as -the ringleaders and placed in confinement, and in due course were -brought to trial charged with mutiny. They were all found guilty and -sentenced to transportation for life. I was also informed that Major -Bunbury, in his evidence, did not hesitate to blame me for all these -irregularities, and for the insubordination and mutiny of his own men! -which he stated were the result of “the relaxed order and system and -total absence of military discipline” which I had allowed on the island. -This was the substance of his evidence, and as I was absent from Sydney -during the sitting of the court-martial, my friends took care to tell me -of it on my return. - -I went at once to Sir Maurice O’Connell and complained, and I requested -an immediate court of inquiry into my system and the efficiency or -otherwise of my command. The general hesitated, and said he saw no -necessity for any such inquiry, as he was perfectly satisfied; but I -said I was not, and that as every one had heard Major Bunbury’s serious -charges against me, it was no more than justice to me, and to my -reputation and character as an officer, that an immediate inquiry should -take place. He then consented to order a court of inquiry, and next day -Lieut.-Colonel French, Major Cotton, and a major whose name I forget, -were named for this duty, and directed to “inquire into the system and -discipline maintained by Major Anderson during his command at Norfolk -Island.” - -I was allowed to make a statement in detail of my system, daily duties, -and discipline. I then called in succession Captains Petit, Fothergill, -and Lieutenants Sheaffe and Needham, who served for years with me on the -island, and each of these officers stated to the court “that no -commanding officer could have been more zealous and attentive to his own -duties and to the efficiency of his detachment; that his parades were -regular every morning and evening; that the conduct of the detachment -was so uniformly good and regular that not more than two or three -soldiers were brought to trial while the 50th was at Norfolk Island; -that the detachment was inspected once a month, and the barracks and -messes were regularly visited by Major Anderson; that if possible he was -too strict rather than too easy with his officers and men.” Major -Bunbury was allowed to cross-examine each of these officers, but could -get nothing from them in support of his unfounded charges. The next -officer called was Colonel Woodhouse, commanding the 50th Regiment, who -informed the court that he “always considered Major Anderson an able and -efficient officer, that he received constant reports of the good conduct -and discipline of his detachment, and that whenever he had any -troublesome officers or soldiers he always sent them to Norfolk Island -to be schooled by Major Anderson.” The next called was Lieutenant and -Adjutant Tudor, who spoke to the same effect. Last of all I called Major -Hunter, the major of brigade in Sydney, and he stated that nothing could -have been more satisfactory than the official reports from Norfolk -Island, and that he had heard from many that the detachment was -considered to be in the highest possible state of good order and -discipline. I here declined calling any more evidence. - -Major Bunbury was then requested to state whether he wished to say -anything more, or to call any evidence. He first recalled Captains Petit -and Fothergill, and asked them whether they did not think the giving of -gardens to the soldiers injurious to military discipline and to their -drill and proper appearance as soldiers; they said, “Certainly not.” He -next asked them whether the soldiers did not sell their gardens to their -successors. They answered that they sold their crops, which they -themselves had grown and laboured for, but not their gardens. He then -called in one or two of his own sergeants, but the only thing he could -get out of them was that the soldiers of the 80th Regiment had paid the -soldiers of the 50th for the gardens, and therefore considered them -their private property. Major Bunbury declined to call in any of his own -officers. After some further debate the proceedings were closed. Here we -were all ordered to withdraw, and the court was closed for the recording -of its final opinion. - -I was not then allowed to know what that was, but from the clear and -most satisfactory evidence which had been given on my behalf there could -only be one opinion on the subject, and it was certainly a most -gratifying victory. A few days more confirmed this view of the case. I -therefore went to the general and said that I had waited patiently, -expecting he would publicly promulgate the opinion of the court of -inquiry, but to my surprise he said he saw no necessity for doing so. I -told him this did not at all satisfy me, that I felt I had a right to -request he would promulgate the opinion of the court, but all my -endeavours to this effect failed. I then asked him if I was at liberty -to proclaim the substance of my present interview with him. He said, -“Most certainly,” and on the same day I took care to do so. From that -day I had no further intercourse with Major Bunbury. - -Many months afterwards, while in India, I received an official -notification from the major of brigade in Sydney that the -Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards had approved of the proceedings -of the court of inquiry, and had directed the major-general commanding -in Sydney to convey a severe reprimand to Major Bunbury, and to inform -him that “if he attempted again to insinuate any such charges against -Major Anderson he would be brought before a general court-martial.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - ORDERED TO CALCUTTA - - -50th Regiment ordered to India—Sudden death of one of my boys—Voyage to - India—First experiences of Calcutta - - -I CONTINUED to receive good accounts of our station from Scobie, and -nothing remarkable occurred during the remainder of that year, until I -visited Mangalore to see for myself what he was doing. Having procured -six weeks’ leave, I left Sydney with Major Serjeantson, and in a few -days reached Melbourne. We hired horses, and found our way in two days -to Mangalore. I then made a partial inspection of many of our flocks and -herds of cattle, and of the improvements that Scobie had made, and was -very much pleased with all I saw and heard, and especially with the -large increase of lambs and calves. Everything was most satisfactory. I -saw at once that I could not have a better manager, and therefore, with -the fullest confidence in him, renewed the contract for another year. - -On my return to Sydney the first news I heard was that my regiment was -about to embark for India. I landed and hurried at once to the barracks, -and discovered this to be true, and all preparations already in progress -for our embarkation. I found my dear wife and children quite well, but -all very sad and excited, and wondering if I should be back in time. -This was about the middle of January, 1841, and I arranged with my wife -that she and the children should remain in New South Wales until I could -leave the service and return to them. We also settled that the two boys -should remain at Sydney College, and that my wife, with the other -children, should remove and live at Windsor (thirty miles from Sydney). -My two boys accompanied me to the ship, and ran back in all haste to be -in time at the College for their lessons, and no doubt got uncomfortably -heated; but they returned to their lodgings without complaining. About -two o’clock next morning we were roused by the landlord, who came to -tell us they were both very ill, and that we had better send a doctor -immediately. I at once went to our assistant-surgeon, Dr. Ellison, and -requested him to go as quickly as possible to see them; he did so, and -told us they had scarlatina, which was then very common in Sydney. They -became worse, and with the advice of the doctor we brought them home, -and now their dear mother gave her whole thought and attention to them; -but there was a continued change for the worse, and both became -insensible. - -The 80th Regiment from Parramatta marched into our Sydney barracks. They -asked me and my officers to dine with them, and I went, with a very -heavy heart, as I was in great anxiety about my boys. Just as the cloth -was removed one of the waiters told me my servant wanted me, and on -going to him he said, without any preparation or hesitation, “Master -Johnny is dead, sir.” I ran home at once, and the sobs of my dear wife -confirmed the sad tale. I went with her into the room, and there they -both lay, the one dead, the other unconscious, yet I could scarcely -believe the fact, for our beloved Johnny was still warm. No medical man -was present when he died, nor was his mother or nurse aware that his -soul had fled, till they observed he had ceased to breathe. Our agony -and sorrow may be imagined but not described. We retired to bed but not -to sleep, and had not been long there before the nurse came and said -that she did not believe the child was dead, as he was still warm. I -instantly flew to the room, but, alas! her hopes were only a delusion. -Next morning we determined on removing the other children, and our good -friend W. H. Wright took them at once to his residence at Clarendon -House, near Windsor, where my wife was to follow them with our dear boy -Acland, should God in His mercy be pleased to spare him. After this sad -and most unexpected bereavement, our quarters became indeed a house of -desolation, and the more so from the fact that I was to leave my wife -alone and helpless in her sorrow and continued fears for our only son. - -Our ships were now ready to sail, but were detained by contrary winds. -This delay gave me a little respite, and enabled me to go to Sir Maurice -O’Connell to submit to his consideration my helpless situation and my -grief, and above all the lonely position of my poor wife, and my hope -that he would grant me leave of absence pending my expected promotion, -and so allow the regiment to go on to Calcutta, where it would be under -the command of Major Ryan, who was to arrive from England at that time. -The general heard me with evident sympathy, and expressed his sincere -regret for me and for my wife, but would not grant my request. He said -that on delivering over my regiment in Calcutta I might then get leave -of absence and return, on sending in my application to retire from the -service by the sale of my commission. Our boy Acland continued in the -same uncertain state between life and death, and was still insensible -when I left. - -Days and days did I brood over my fears and misery, and I could not -conceal my grief. My brother-officers and the ladies on board tried to -rouse and amuse me. They were gay without a care, and every evening -amused themselves dancing on the quarter-deck. Our voyage was unusually -long and tedious. The only cause of excitement which I can remember was -that while off Cape Lewin we caught an albatross one fine morning, with -a 50th button tied round his neck by a piece of string; this convinced -us our other ship, the _Lady MacNaughton_, must be ahead of us, and that -our unfortunate captive must have been handled by some of our people -before, for in no other way could a 50th button get attached to the neck -of an albatross on the wide ocean. Of course we let our prisoner go free -again. - -On the 17th May we arrived and anchored in the Hooghly. Early next -morning we disembarked and marched into Fort William, and were welcomed -by Major Ryan and other friends. After this we endeavoured to make -ourselves as comfortable as we could in our respective quarters. Mine -were with Major Ryan, in a suite of very good and commodious rooms, but -the heat was so intolerable that we had neither comfort nor rest. We -suffered from the heat fearfully, though wearing only the lightest -possible clothing, and from utter exhaustion we expected almost every -moment to breathe our last. Next morning we had a visit from the fort -major, Major Douglass, who had been for many years in India, and he at -once asked us why our punkahs were not going. We said we did not know -how to work them. Then, observing our punkah wallas sitting idle in a -corner, he “pitched into” them, and abused them for not doing their -work; they at once answered they only waited for our orders, and then -commenced to pull. In a moment our rooms were full of refreshing and -pure air. We then could breathe freely, and from that hour became more -reconciled to our lot. - -Major Douglass then asked me if I had visited Lord Auckland, the -Governor-General, and Sir Jasper Nicoll, the Commander-in-Chief. He -recommended me to go at once and report myself and pay my respects to -them. He then ordered a palkee and told the bearers to take me to -Government House, and then to the residence of Sir Jasper Nicoll, and -back to the Fort. I had to dress in full uniform; the heat was fearful; -my thick padded coat was most distressing to me, and I got alarmed, -having more than once heard of people being found dead in their palkees -from the heat. My bearers, quite unconscious of my fears, jogged on and -carried me in safety to the Commander-in-Chief’s residence. I was -received by Sir Jasper and Lady Nicoll, and after half an hour’s -conversation about my regiment and voyage I took my leave. At Government -House I was most kindly received by Lord Auckland and his sisters, and -our conversation was much on the same subject, and I then returned to my -quarters. - -My first dinner at Government House appeared to me very imposing. The -grand apartments were truly splendid. There was a magnificent display of -plate—the countless native attendants were most brilliantly arrayed, and -all the Oriental splendour round us was dazzling in the extreme. Yet -with all this I sat without any dinner for some time, though every one -else was being waited on by one or two of their own kitmutgars. Not one -of these numerous servants offered to wait on me! At last the young lady -who sat at my right asked me if I had no kitmutgar present. I told her I -had not, as I was not aware that I could bring my servant to Government -House. She then begged me to allow hers to wait on me, and told me that -the custom was to take our kitmutgars to attend upon us, at all dinners -or other parties. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - LIFE AT CALCUTTA - - -Magnificent entertainments at Calcutta—Dost Mahomet—Wreck of the - _Ferguson_—Preparations for Burmese campaign—Special favour shown to - soldiers of the 50th Regiment - - -AT Government House the balls were really magnificent, and well worth -seeing. The company, of English ladies and gentlemen and of military men -in resplendent uniforms, was numerous, but scores of native princes and -rajahs, and wealthy baboos in the most splendid dresses and covered with -jewels, also constantly attended these brilliant assemblies and gave a -wonderfully dazzling effect. The suite of dancing-halls was magnificent, -with marble floors, and with dozens of punkahs constantly going to keep -all cool and comfortable; and there the young and the gay danced at -their ease and without the usual European exertion, from eleven until an -early hour in the morning. - -The most conspicuous and splendid person at all these parties was Dost -Mahomet, the ex-ruler of Afghanistan, who was then a State prisoner at -Calcutta. He and his numerous suite were paid the most marked and -courtly attentions by the Governor-General, and always invited to every -ball or dinner-party, and there, and everywhere else, he was received -and treated with all the honours due to a sovereign, and he gained by -his courtly manners and easy bearing the respect and goodwill of every -Englishman who came near him. He always appeared amongst the crowd in -his carriage, every morning and evening in the public course at Fort -William, and was invariably saluted by every officer and Englishman, and -all these greetings he returned with visible satisfaction. Many if not -all the British officers would have gone further and called upon him to -show their respect (for he was much liked by every one), but this was -forbidden by a Government order, and none but natives were permitted to -visit him; these visitors, however, were constant, many princes and -rajahs from all parts of India coming daily. - -About this time I was invited by the Governor-General to spend a few -days with him at his country residence at Barrackpore, and on the first -day of my visit the newspapers announced the arrival of a ship from -Sydney. This was great news for me, for I made sure of a letter from my -dear wife, and having said so to Lord Auckland, I begged to be allowed -to take my leave. He most kindly pressed me to remain, and said he would -dispatch a man at once for my letters; but I was too impatient, so after -thanking them for their kindness I started in all haste for Calcutta, -but on my arrival found no letter for me. This was indeed a sad -disappointment, and my restless mind at once attributed this silence to -the worst and most melancholy cause. After a trying suspense of six -months, I received a letter from Major Serjeantson enclosing a long and -cheering one from my wife, assuring me of our dear boy Acland’s recovery -and perfect health, and that she and all the children were quite well -and had removed to Windsor, where she had taken a comfortable house. I -was again happy and most thankful, and my great desire was to write to -my wife to assure her of my joy, and my gratitude to God. But there was -then no prospect of any direct ship for Australia, so I was obliged to -write via London. - -My present letter, sent through Major Serjeantson, was written in April, -three months after I had parted with my family, and it will be -remembered that when we left Sydney that officer remained there with his -own company and our sick then in hospital, and in expectation of -receiving and bringing on to Calcutta a number of recruits for the -regiment shortly expected from England. With these detachments and some -young officers, Major Serjeantson embarked at Sydney on board the ship -_Ferguson_ at the end of April; but while coming through Torres Straits -they were wrecked, and must have all perished, but for the fortunate -chance of two other ships being in company with them. These followed the -_Ferguson_, which took the lead through a narrow channel, and had just -time to bring up and anchor when she struck, and immediately fired guns -of distress. This happened before daylight, at four o’clock in the -morning. The boats from the other ships were immediately sent to assist, -but the sea began at once to break over the _Ferguson_, and for some -time so violently that the boats could not and dared not approach her, -and for a time they were obliged to keep at a distance, looking on only. -At last, during a lull, they managed to get a rope conveyed from the -_Ferguson_ to the boats, and by that means another and another. Her long -boat was then got into slings and hoisted over the side high up above -water. Mrs. Serjeantson and all the women and children were put into it, -and after a given signal it was lowered into the sea, the ropes from the -other boats having been made fast to it, and then it was hurriedly -hauled and dragged through the surf until it reached them in safety. -After many cheers they were taken to the other ships and made, so far as -possible, comfortable, but after that the sea became so rough that -nothing more could be done that day, and in continued fear and suspense -both parties remained watching each other until dark. - -For the rest of that long sad night the agony and fears of both the -rescued and of those more numerous ones still on the wreck may be -imagined. It must have been a truly dreadful position. Happily, next -morning the sea was more settled, but still too rough and dangerous for -boats to go alongside, though by pluck and daring energy they managed to -get in succession under the bowsprit of the _Ferguson_, from which man -after man of the soldiers and crew were dropped into the boats without -any greater accident than a heavy sea breaking occasionally over some of -them. This was done from the duty muster rolls, every man in his regular -turn and without any confusion, and my dear friend Major Serjeantson, -and the captain, Verity, were the last who left the ill-fated -_Ferguson_—all reaching the other two ships in safety. But they -unfortunately lost nearly the whole of their baggage. - -We had now been a few months in India, and some of our officers and many -of our men were sick in barracks and in hospital, and a considerable -number were suddenly carried off. Major Turner was the first officer who -died, and was soon followed by Ensigns Kelly and Heaton. This was during -the rainy season; when that passed away the regiment became more -healthy. - -In October of the same year I was sent for by the Governor-General and -told there was every prospect of war with Burma, and that he feared an -attack on our position and garrison at Moulmein, in the Tenasserim -province, so he had determined to reinforce that station at once. He -then asked how soon I could get my regiment ready for embarkation. I -answered, “In an hour, without difficulty or inconvenience.” He smiled -and appeared much pleased, but said he thought that was impossible. I -replied that we were always ready, and could embark the same evening if -necessary. He then ordered me to go at once to the Marine Board, to put -myself in communication with them, and to let them know I was ready to -embark my regiment at the shortest notice, whenever the transports were -prepared to receive us. I did so, and was told I might make my -preparations and expect further orders in the course of that day or the -next. A few hours afterwards the orders were issued for the following -morning, and punctual to the hour we were at the wharf at daylight, and -there found boats to take us to our ships. Mine was a large Government -steamer, in which our headquarters and eight companies were embarked, -and the remaining two companies were received on board a sailing ship, -under command of Major Serjeantson, who had succeeded to a majority on -the death of Major Turner. Lord Auckland and his staff attended at the -wharf to see us off. My fine regiment was in the most splendid order—not -a man was absent, and all as steady as rocks—and reached our ships -without the slightest confusion or accident. I was afterwards told that -the Governor-General and his staff expressed their admiration of the -steady and soldier-like appearance of the regiment, and their wonder and -surprise at not seeing one drunken man amongst them; this was so unusual -at former embarkations that Lord Auckland actually asked whether Colonel -Anderson did not screen his drunken men by keeping them confined in the -Fort! - -I shall not name the regiment which we relieved on our first arrival at -Fort William, but I saw them embarking at the same place, and I well -remember my amazement at seeing dozens of the men not only drunk but -most riotous and mutinous in conduct and language to their officers. -This reminds me of another most creditable contrast between the conduct -of the gallant 50th and what I was assured by the best authority had -been the conduct of another regiment and other corps previously -quartered in Fort William. On our arrival there I found the -standing-orders required that every soldier should return to the Fort by -sunset, and that none should be permitted, without written passes, to be -absent after that time. I considered this a most unnecessary check to -the recreations and reasonable enjoyment of good and well-behaved -soldiers, and represented this to the consideration of the principal -staff officer of the Fort, Colonel Warren; but all my arguments had no -effect on that stern and prejudiced officer, who had held his -appointment for many years, and strongly maintained that such were the -standing-orders of the Fort, and that they could not be changed. - -Seeing I had no chance with Colonel Warren, I went direct to Lord -Auckland and stated my opinion to him. He heard me with attention, but I -soon saw he also was opposed to my wishes, and unwilling to deviate from -an old-established standing-order. I told him I thought it was a great -restraint upon good soldiers, and that I had heard the men of former -regiments in the Fort were in the habit of lowering themselves by ropes -and blankets from the walls into the moat, and so escaping; that, in my -opinion, such confinement was enough to make bad men worse, and that if -his lordship would only make the trial and trust me and my men, by -allowing me to give a certain number of written passes for a few hours -each night, I would pledge myself to be responsible for their good -conduct in town, and for their punctual return to the Fort at the hour -required. He hesitated for some time, and, though surprised at my great -confidence in my men, he at last gave in, and next day a general order -was issued “granting this indulgence on trial, at the special request of -Colonel Anderson.” That very evening I granted passes till eleven -o’clock, and continued to do so daily while we remained at Fort William, -without ever having cause to regret it. More than once Lord Auckland -expressed his perfect satisfaction and his approbation of the measure; -but I never heard if this indulgence was continued to other corps after -we left. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - AT MOULMEIN - - -Great welcome to Moulmein—No fighting after all—The Madras native - regiments - - -WE now sailed for Moulmein, and found there the 63rd Regiment and four -strong and splendid regiments of Madras Native Infantry—all under the -command of Brigadier-General Logan, late of the Rifle Brigade, and now -of the 63rd Regiment. There was also a considerable force of European -and Madras artillery, engineers, and commissariat, and a very imposing -naval force under Admiral Cooper. - -Our residence at Moulmein was very comfortable and agreeable to us all; -the climate was cool and bracing, and under the hospitable rule of our -most able and kind brigadier we soon became all intimate and friendly, -and the most social dinner-parties at our messes and at the brigadier’s -became the order of the day. All the Madras regiments had excellent mess -establishments, equal in every respect to the Queen’s, and their -constant and liberal hospitality could not be surpassed by any of our -corps. A few days after our arrival in garrison the four Madras -regiments invited me and the officers of the 50th Regiment to dinner, -and for this purpose they pitched and joined their four mess marquees -together into one splendid pavilion, the interior decorated with -garlands and evergreens tastefully arranged, and with the spaces filled -up with arms and military trophies. The tables were covered with the -most brilliant plate and glass, and the lights were numerous and -magnificent. All round the outside was a double row of natives, double -torch-bearers, filling up the intervals between the sentries and the -bands of the regiments stationed on each side of this stupendous -marquee. The effect was truly brilliant and imposing, and no one could -approach the gathering without wonder and delight. - -We sat down, in all, nearly a hundred officers. The dinner and the wines -were excellent, and the attendance of so unusual a number of active -native servants in their thin white muslin robes and coloured turbans -and kummerbunds was really imposing, and something new to us at a -military mess. When dinner was over, and after the usual loyal toasts, -the president stood up and proposed a bumper to the health and welcome -of Colonel Anderson and the officers of the 50th Regiment. This was -drunk with much applause and deafening cheers, the band playing “John -Anderson, my joe.” I then rose and thanked them with much sincerity from -myself and my officers for their hearty welcome and good wishes, and as -they all knew my dear brother, Lieut.-General John Anderson, of their -own army, I said I felt the more gratified and flattered from the -conviction that their good feelings towards me individually were more -from their regard for my brother than from any good they could discover -in me, and that I was equally free to confess he was indeed much the -better man of the two; and here I was interrupted by one of them -standing up and shouting aloud, “A d—d deal better fellow than ever you -will be!” I instantly turned towards the speaker and told him, and all, -that a more gratifying compliment could not be paid me, and that I -should not fail to assure my brother of the very flattering and friendly -feeling which was thus so publicly expressed towards him. Three cheers -then followed for “Old Jock Anderson!” and, not yet satisfied, they now -(half a dozen of them) got me out of my chair and on their shoulders, -and so carried me round and round the table amidst deafening cheers. The -evening continued one of the most social and merriest of my life, and -dinner after dinner followed at each of our messes, and many quiet ones -also were enjoyed in succession at the married officers’ quarters, and -always on a large scale at the brigadier’s once a fortnight, where that -good man and Mrs. Logan made every one happy and at home by their kind -and courteous manner and genuine hospitality. - -Our military duties were not less exciting and, to me, not less -pleasing. We had grand field-days and sham fights once a fortnight, with -all the troops in garrison present, and I never saw any man handle his -force more ably or more effectually than Brigadier Logan. It was quite a -treat and a lesson to be manœuvred by that able and gallant officer. He -was a soldier every inch of him, and his ardent zeal for the service was -part of his character, but his then most anxious wishes and the object -of our expedition to Moulmein were defeated, for although we were ever -ready and expecting an attack every morning from the Burmese, they never -dared to come near us. The river Salwen or Martaban (from two to three -miles broad) separated the contending forces, for it will be seen by -reference to a map that Moulmein is situated on the left bank of the -Salwen River, about twenty miles from the sea, and the town and fortress -of Martaban, which was then strongly occupied by the enemy, immediately -opposite on the right bank of the river, and it was from that place that -we expected an attack every morning in boats. We could see their troops -distinctly every day parading and marching about in large bodies, with -their drums playing and their colours flying, and always with a large -fleet of boats moored under their fortifications, as if prepared and -meditating a descent. And they could also see our men-of-war and their -armed boats pulling about and doing night guard ready to receive them. - -In this way we continued for months staring at each other, but in the -meantime we made ourselves more comfortable by covering all our tents -with matting, which protected us not only from the rains and heavy dews -which are common there, but also from the heat and glare of the sun -during the day, and we occasionally enjoyed ourselves by exploring and -picnic parties in the men-of-war’s armed boats up the river; for we were -always on the most happy and intimate terms with the officers of our -little navy, dining with them now and then and having them as our guests -repeatedly. In a word, our sojourn at Moulmein was a very happy and -jolly one. We never knew positively the cause of the enemy’s hesitation -in making an attempt to attack us, but we heard that one or two flags of -truce had been sent from our Government at Calcutta up the Irrawaddy -with dispatches to Ava for the Burmese Government, and we concluded that -terms of amity and peace had been proposed and perhaps agreed to, and -this became the more probable when, early in March, 1842, orders were -received for the immediate return of the 50th Regiment to Calcutta. - -We were indeed sorry to leave Moulmein—the climate was so much cooler -and better than India; and we had made so many kind and agreeable -friends that to part with them—perhaps for ever—was far from pleasant. A -more than usual intimacy took place between our men and the soldiers of -the Madras Native Infantry, and they were frequently seen walking and -chatting together. Most of these fine-looking men knew and served -repeatedly under their own “General Anderson”—and they soon saw by our -strong family likeness that I was his brother, and whenever any of them -passed me they not only saluted but gave me a warm recognizing smile. -When I first saw them I was struck by their fine manly and soldier-like -appearance, superior in every way to the Bengal native troops and -evidently under better discipline, and now the best proof of this is -that when the whole of the Bengal native troops, cavalry, artillery, and -infantry, mutinied, and murdered their English officers in cold blood, -not one single corps of the Madras native army wavered for a minute. -They remained faithful and true to their salt and to their colours, -although it was well known, and beyond all doubt, that the leaders of -the Bengal mutiny had sent many emissaries and appeals for aid to them. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - VOYAGE UP THE GANGES - - -Return to Calcutta—Much illness in regiment—Boat journey of three months - to Cawnpore—Incidents of the voyage—Death of Daniel Shean - - -I CANNOT at this moment recollect how we left Moulmein, and here, for -the first time since I commenced this narrative, my memory fails me, but -I think it was in sailing ships, for I remember that on our arrival off -Fort William we were transhipped into country boats next day, and -proceeded with the tide up the Hooghly and landed at Chinsurah. There we -found Colonel Woodhouse, from Sydney, and a large detachment of recruits -and young officers from England under Captain Fothergill, and, what was -far more acceptable to me, letters from my dear wife with cheering -accounts of herself and my dear children. - -I now as a matter of course gave over the command of the regiment to -Colonel Woodhouse, and for a time I was, comparatively speaking, an idle -man. He, being a full colonel and of so many years’ standing, was -entitled by the orders of the army in India to the local rank of -major-general, and to a separate command. Therefore I felt sure of -getting the regiment again before long. We now got into the month of -April, and the heat was great and most cruelly trying. We spoke much of -the delightful climate of Moulmein, and of the dear friends whom we had -left behind us there. The heat and the change of climate soon produced -much sickness amongst our officers and men. Fever and cholera prevailed, -and we lost many men and Assistant-Surgeon McBean from the latter -fearful malady. He was quite well and dined at the mess the night of his -death. He sat opposite to me and was in high spirits, and I observed he -ate heartily and stayed at table for an hour or two afterwards. On -retiring to his room he was suddenly seized with cholera at about two -o’clock in the morning, and died in agony soon afterwards. He was buried -the same day. - -In June we had a fearful storm, or rather a hurricane, lasting two days -and nights. Much damage was done, and many ships and river craft driven -on shore and totally lost, but it cleared and purified the air, and -sickness and cholera disappeared for a time. - -Early in July orders were received to hold the regiment in readiness to -proceed in country boats to Cawnpore, and about the middle of the month -all the arrangements were completed by the commissariat, and a fleet of -about 80 or more boats had arrived at Chinsurah for our embarkation. The -officers were granted (according to rank) a liberal money allowance to -provide their own boat, and they generally got first-rate budgerows, -with accommodation for two or three officers, for less than the money -allowed by Government, so that the officers of each company might go -together or hire a budgerow for each individually, as they liked. These -boats were very comfortable, and had each two good cabins and a -bath-room; and the officers’ personal furniture of tables and chairs, -beds, and chests of drawers left nothing wanting. All the boats were -covered with canvas awnings. Each budgerow was attended by two small -boats—one fitted with a clay oven and fireplace for cooking, and the -other carried the luggage and servants, who kept close to their masters, -and came on board without delay or difficulty whenever they were wanted. -The men’s boats were large, clumsy craft, with matting awnings, and -calculated to accommodate from twenty to thirty soldiers, with their -arms, accoutrements, and knapsacks. These had each a cooking boat -attached, with cooks and assistants. There were also at least a dozen -commissariat boats, with live stock and bullocks, sheep and poultry, as -well as spirits and wine for the voyage, and there were hospital-boats, -where none but the ailing and sick were admitted. The commissariat had -also bakers’ boats, so that we had fresh bread daily. Before we started -each company was furnished with distinguishing flags; mine was distinct, -a St. Andrew’s Cross on a red ground; and in addition to the -commissariat provisions, the officers had their own private stock of -poultry, hams, and wines. - -With all these means, good accommodation, and creature comforts one -might hope for a pleasant change and merry trip on the rivers Hooghly -and Ganges, but in course of this voyage we were disappointed. -Notwithstanding much variety and fun, we had occasionally to encounter -great difficulties. At last we got under way from Chinsurah about the -end of July, with strict orders to the boats of each company to keep as -much as possible together, and to be guided by their respective -distinguishing flags. Any neglect of this arrangement was at once -visible and checked. We had our advance and rear guards—the first an -officer’s budgerow, to point out any difficulties in the river to the -advancing fleet, and the rear guard consisting of the captain and -subaltern of the day, and one of the men’s boats from each company in -succession daily. Their duty was to assist any of the boats of the fleet -which got into distress from accident or bad management. When the winds -favoured the whole fleet made sail, and when they were against us the -boats were towed along the banks of the river, or from the shallow -sandbanks by the whole of the crews, by means of ropes tied to the top -of the mast. This was very slow and fatiguing work against the strong -currents. In this way we some days made fifteen to twenty miles, but -generally not more than six. - -At eight every morning the halt for breakfast was sounded, and the -officers on duty selected the next favourable bank of the river for -securing the boats during breakfast. To that spot all the fleet pushed -on, and made fast with ropes and pegs. The Hindoo bearers and servants, -on account of their religion, would not eat their food in the boats, but -landed and made their sacred circle for cooking and eating on shore. -Half an hour was allowed for breakfast, and the same time for dinner. At -one o’clock the halt for dinner was heard, and the officers again -selected a safe place. Frequent interruptions were occasioned by stress -of weather, and the loss or absence of one or more boats, and we had -many severe and sudden gales, which caused not only the upsetting but -the total loss of several boats, and in two instances the drowning of a -few unfortunate soldiers and women. At Dinapore we halted and dined with -the officers of the 21st Fusiliers, and a most happy evening we had with -them. We also had opportunities of visiting the principal towns on the -banks of the Hooghly and Ganges, viz., Barrackpore, Dinapore, Monghyr, -Patna, Benares, Ghazipore, Mirzapore, Allahabad, and several other -places. At Benares we were most hospitably received and feasted by the -rajah at his splendid country residence, after the English fashion. -There we had also a severe gale at noonday, which carried my budgerow -away from its mooring down the stream, but I managed to jump out of one -of the windows up to my shoulders in the river, and fortunately got safe -on shore, but of course with a good ducking. For some hours before this -we dreaded a storm; the clouds were dark and heavy all the morning, and -so visible was its approach that we got alarmed and landed our tents and -all our baggage on the banks of the river for safety. These precautions -were not long completed before the gale burst upon us with sudden fury, -carrying away my budgerow and many other boats. - -About this time cholera again broke out amongst our men, and we lost -several, but the greater number of those attacked recovered, owing, no -doubt, to our constant change of air. One supposed reason for these -attacks was that in most of the confined parts of the river the floating -dead and decomposed bodies of Hindoos of all ages were so numerous that -they were actually massed together in hundreds where the stream drove -them, and where the current was not sufficiently strong to disperse and -carry them away. The Hindoos generally disposed of their dead in the -holy Ganges, and consequently they were to be seen in all parts of the -river and in all stages of decomposition, with vultures everywhere -feeding upon them. In halting and securing our boats for the night we -always selected good and firm “lagowing” ground and smooth water, and as -our large fleet was packed all together, we were sure to find in the -mornings dozens of these floating bodies brought up by the current, and -jammed between and all round our boats in the most disgusting manner, -and we could not get rid of them, nor clear of them until we were again -under way and in the open running stream. - -During our voyage we saw many alligators daily sunning themselves on the -various sandbanks which appear in the middle and other parts of the -river. They were very wild, but sometimes our sportsmen got a shot at -them before they plunged into the water. Some may have been wounded, but -we never knew that any had been killed. Our men were strictly forbidden -to bathe, for fear of the strong currents, and of our friends the -alligators, but, notwithstanding these orders, some ventured on the sly -to indulge in this recreation. It was on one of these occasions that -Daniel Shean,[1] a soldier of the light company, who was an excellent -swimmer, ventured into the river, and was seen by his comrades soon -after to sink, and never to rise again. The firm belief of every one was -that he was seized and pulled under by an alligator and carried bodily -away. I omitted to mention that the officers had tiffin (lunch) at the -men’s dinner-hour, one o’clock, and dined after the halt of the day, -generally about sunset, and enjoyed themselves afterwards till bedtime -either visiting, or resting with every comfort round them, in their -budgerows. At last we reached Cawnpore, in the middle of October, having -been about three months on our voyage. - -Footnote 1: - - See above, p. 167. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - IN COMMAND AT CAWNPORE - - -Life at Cawnpore—Quarrel between Mowatt and Burke—Court-martial. - - -IN spite of our disasters and losses, we enjoyed ourselves fairly well. -Our commissariat was perfect. In fine weather, with the wind fair, it -was a novel and imposing sight to watch our large fleet under all sail -with our gay flags flying. The men’s barracks were ready to receive the -regiment, and as we had sent on our bearers some days before to select -quarters, we all found comfortable houses ready for us on our arrival. -The barracks were on a rising open ground near the river. We were -allowed lodging money according to rank, which was more than sufficient -for the field officers to have each a large and comfortable bungalow, -with many rooms, baths, and stables, and the others had similar -accommodation by two or three of them joining and living together. There -was also a most liberal money allowance for our mess house. The district -was commanded by Major-General Gray, and the station by Major-General -Sir Joseph Thackwell, and Captain Tudor of our regiment was A.D.C. to -the former. We found the 11th and 31st Regiments of Bengal Native -Infantry, and several batteries of European Bengal Artillery and the 5th -Bengal Native Cavalry in garrison on our arrival. The 9th Lancers joined -us soon after. Nothing very remarkable occurred during the first twelve -months of our residence at Cawnpore. We had frequent social gatherings -at our respective messes, and our two generals entertained us -repeatedly. In January, 1843, Colonel Woodhouse received the local rank -of major-general and was appointed to command at Meerut, and I succeeded -again to the command of the 50th Regiment. - -An unfortunate quarrel took place at Cawnpore between two of our -officers, Lieutenant Mowatt and Assistant-Surgeon Bourke, and a general -court-martial was unavoidable, the first which was known on an officer -of our regiment for thirty-nine years. They were playing billiards after -dinner and differed, or rather quarrelled, when some very offensive -language was used by both, but more especially by Bourke. A challenge to -fight a duel followed from Mowatt, and Bourke declined to fight except -with swords. The seconds objected to this, and insisted on pistols as -the customary weapon with Englishmen, but Bourke remained obstinate, and -would only fight with swords. Next morning they went out and met at an -appointed place, the seconds, or rather Bourke’s friend, being provided -with both pistols and swords. Here again Bourke insisted on his right to -choose his own arms. After a good deal of talk, without any effect on -Bourke’s decision, Mowatt said, “Well, sir, then here is at you, with -swords,” taking up one and putting himself in a posture of defence at -the same moment. Bourke then declined to fight at all! clearly showing -he never intended doing so, and that he named swords in the hope of -avoiding altogether a hostile meeting. They then returned to their -quarters and communicated all that happened to Captain Wilton, the -senior officer present when the quarrel took place, who at once put them -both under arrest and reported the whole of this most discreditable -affair to me as the commanding officer. Until then I knew nothing -whatever of it. - -After due consideration I was satisfied that nothing less than their -removal from the regiment or a general court-martial could take place, -and I was unwilling for the honour of the regiment to have recourse to -the latter expedient. I therefore determined to report the whole affair -to Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, commanding the garrison, and -afterwards, if necessary, to Major-General Gray, commanding the -district, and to procure leave of absence for them both for the express -purpose of exchanging at once to some other regiments; and in making -this request to both these general officers I founded my request on the -high character of the regiment and my unwillingness to stain our -reputation by a general court-martial, and told them that for -thirty-nine years the 50th Regiment had not had one officer brought to -trial. Sir Joseph Thackwell heard me most kindly and fully entered into -my feelings and wishes, and recommended me at once to see General Gray -on the subject; and that officer in like manner agreed to my request, -but stated that in making my application to Major-General Sir Harry -Smith, the Adjutant-General of the Army, for their leave of absence, I -must state the whole of the circumstances, and my unwillingness to -tarnish the high reputation of my regiment by recourse to a general -court-martial. To this I agreed, and made my application to the -adjutant-general accordingly (my old comrade, Sir Harry Smith), which -was forwarded and recommended in due course by Generals Thackwell and -Gray. But by return of post I received rather a severe letter from Sir -Harry Smith, informing me that if the officers named were not fit to -serve in the 50th Regiment they were not fit to serve in any other, and -ordering me at once to prefer written charges against them, with a view -to their being immediately brought before a general court-martial. - -I had now no other course left, so I sent in my charges without further -delay, and, in a few days more, the general order for the court-martial -appeared, to assemble at Cawnpore on a given day. That day soon arrived, -and the court-martial assembled accordingly, Colonel Scott, C.B., of the -9th Lancers, being the president. As a matter of duty, I was obliged to -appear as prosecutor, and the court being duly sworn and the prisoners -arraigned, I was called forward. I commenced my address to the court by -lamenting my present most painful and distressing duty, and yet my -comparative satisfaction in being able to say that my previous intimacy -and friendship with the prisoners, especially with Lieutenant Mowatt, -must prove to the court, to them, and to the world that I was in no way -influenced by any unkind or vindictive feeling: on the contrary, that I -sincerely sympathized with them, and with the distress of every officer -of the regiment on this trying occasion. I then spoke much of the high -character and reputation of the regiment, the constant and great -unanimity and brotherly friendship of its officers, and the absence for -thirty-nine years of any such occurrence; and concluded with an ardent -hope that the present would be the first and last occasion of its kind. -I then called in succession the officers who were present and witnessed -the various matters stated in the charges, and the prisoners having -offered nothing in their defence beyond calling on me and several of the -other senior officers to speak of their previous character and conduct, -the proceedings here closed, and the court was cleared to deliberate on -its finding and sentence. - -The proceedings were forwarded in the usual manner for the consideration -of the Commander-in-Chief, General Lord Gough. I remained very anxious, -for the evidence was so clear that I could not but anticipate the -result, and I was especially sorry and concerned for my little friend -and protégé, Lieutenant Mowatt. At last the General Orders promulgating -the finding and sentence of the court arrived. Both were found guilty. -Lieutenant Mowatt was sentenced to be severely reprimanded, and -Assistant-Surgeon Bourke to be cashiered. These sentences were approved -and confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief, but in consideration of the -high character and renown of the 50th Regiment, his Excellency the -Commander-in-Chief was pleased to remit both sentences and to order -these officers to return to their duties. This was most gratifying to us -all, for we considered this the highest compliment that could be paid to -the regiment, and next we rejoiced to find our friend Mowatt (who was a -general favourite) again back in safety and honour amongst us; but Dr. -Bourke was not much liked at any time, and now, from his pusillanimous -conduct, less than ever. Fortunately for him, his seniority in the -service led to his promotion at home to be surgeon of another regiment -before anything of this court-martial was known in England, and so he -left us for ever soon after. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN - - -Expedition to Gwalior—In command of the regiment—Brigadier Black—His - accident—I am appointed to the command of the brigade—Battle of - Punniar—In General Gray’s absence I order a charge on the enemy’s - guns—Severely wounded - - -SHORTLY after this we had more pleasant and exciting hopes and -prospects. War—war! Rumours of war were now heard everywhere, and I soon -received orders to hold the regiment in readiness for immediate service. -Most of our officers were young, and, with the exception of myself, I -believe not one of them had ever seen a shot fired in earnest. All our -men were equally strangers to a campaign, but all were full of ardour -and zeal, and most anxious to meet an enemy. As I knew them to be well -in hand and in the most perfect state of discipline, I was not less -proud of my command and of the prospect of showing (should the -opportunity offer) that we were all equal to our duty. In a few days the -General Orders detailed the particulars of an expedition against the -revolted troops of the Maharajah and government of Gwalior. Our forces -were divided into two distinct bodies. The larger, consisting of many of -her Majesty’s regiments of infantry and cavalry and European artillery, -and a number of regiments of Bengal native infantry and cavalry and -artillery, with commissariat and medical departments, was concentrated -from the different up-country stations, and ordered to rendezvous at a -given place under the immediate command of the Commander-in-Chief, then -Sir Hugh Gough, attended by the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, all -the headquarters staff, and several general officers in command of -divisions and brigades, and all these marched upon Gwalior by a given -route. The second column of the army, under Major-General Gray, -consisted of the 3rd Buffs, the 50th Regiment, and the 9th Lancers. Also -five regiments of Bengal native infantry, two regiments of Bengal native -cavalry, and several batteries of European artillery, commissariat, and -medical departments marched from Cawnpore and Allahabad and other -stations in November, and were concentrated for the first time in -brigades on a very extensive plain about half-way between Gwalior and -Cawnpore. There we halted, encamped, and remained for nearly three -weeks. - -Our brigade was composed of the 50th Regiment and the 50th and 58th -Regiments of Native Infantry, and under the command of Brigadier Black, -of the Bengal army. That officer had for many years held a civil -appointment, and candidly confessed that he knew nothing of the duties -of a military command and much less of manœuvring a body of men. At this -time General Gray had us out daily at brigade field-days, allowing each -brigadier to select his own manœuvres. I was the second in command of -our brigade, and our zealous brigadier used to come daily to my tent, -and, with all simplicity and candour, confess that he really could not -attempt to manœuvre his men unless I assisted him by giving him a -regular lesson of what he was to do each day. I, of course, consented to -do so, and wrote him out five or six simple manœuvres for each day, and -explained them over and over again until he appeared to understand them -perfectly. He used then to leave me and to study his lesson for the rest -of the evening, and so well that, when he appeared on parade next day, -from memory he put his brigade through the required movements with -perfect confidence and without once making a mistake, and he continued -this daily, while we remained in that encampment. - -During the whole of this time we knew that the main body of our army -under Sir Hugh Gough was halted and encamped within twenty miles of us, -on a different road to our right, and employed daily like ourselves in -field-days. Native troopers, with dispatches, passed between both -divisions almost daily. I never knew the reason of this delay; but it -was by many believed to be caused by awaiting the result of pending -negotiations. At last we again got _en route_, our division still -keeping the main road from Cawnpore to Gwalior through the Antre Pass, -with orders to examine that formidable position before we attempted to -enter it. While halted and encamped on the evening of the 25th December -our brigadier had a serious accident. He was examining his pistols, when -one of them suddenly went off and wounded him severely in the head. This -obliged him to be sent at once to the rear to the nearest military -station, and I was on the same day appointed by General Gray to the -command of the brigade, with the rank of brigadier. Such is the fate and -chance of war, and I was delighted with my promotion and prospects, for -we were now more than ever certain of meeting our enemy, the Mahrattas, -in battle. - -But before I go further I must mention that on leaving Cawnpore I wrote -to my agent, John Allan, at Calcutta, requesting him to insure my life -in favour of my dear wife for £6,000, and while delayed in camp Mr. -Allan sent me the necessary papers for me and our surgeon to fill up and -sign, to enable him to complete the insurance. This was duly done and -the papers returned to him, and by return of post I had another letter -from Mr. Allan, saying all was right, that I might make myself perfectly -easy. But on the very evening of my promotion as brigadier I received -another letter from Mr. Allan, informing me that the insurance office -(being now confident of our going into action) had declined the -insurance on my life without an additional high premium, and begging to -know what he was to do. I instantly wrote to him declining, and saying -that I would take my chance, as I had often done before. - -On the morning of the fourth day after this, namely, on the 29th of -December, we came in sight of the Antre Pass, and General Gray, with a -strong escort of cavalry, having been sent on to reconnoitre, soon -returned at full speed to inform the Commander-in-Chief that the pass -was strongly occupied by the enemy, with many guns in battery. A halt -was then ordered, and after half an hour’s consultation with his staff, -General Gray ordered us to stand again to our arms, and put the column -in motion at a right angle to our left, thus intending to turn the -enemy’s position, and so march upon Gwalior. Some of us felt this a -disappointment, but we soon heard that the general’s orders were not to -attack the enemy unless he attacked us. - -We commenced our flank march. There was a ridge of hills running for -miles directly parallel to our route, and not many hundred yards from -us. We, quite unconscious of any danger, never thought of reconnoitring -that ground, which our general decidedly should have done, and continued -our flank march with only the usual precautions of our advance and rear -guards, and from one end to the other (with our column and baggage, -commissariat, and bazaar) we must have occupied a line of road of at -least ten miles. Still nothing happened, nothing was expected, until -about three o’clock in the evening, when the column was halted for the -day and began to prepare to receive our tents and camp equipage. Then we -were suddenly roused by bang, bang of artillery in our rear, and soon -after by cavalry videttes from the rear guard (still many miles from us) -galloping into our lines in great confusion, and frantically shouting -that our rear guard was attacked and being cut to pieces. - -It was now ascertained that from the time we changed our line of march -to the left, so as to turn the Antre Pass, the enemy left that position -also, and moved all day parallel to our position and column, keeping the -ridge of hills between us until they came over and attacked our rear -guard. The “Assembly” was immediately sounded, and we stood to our arms, -and reinforcements of native infantry and cavalry were instantly -dispatched to assist the rear guard, and at the same time the 3rd -Regiment of Buffs, under Lieut.-Colonel Cluney, was sent to the left -front over a spur of the ridge of hills already mentioned, my brigade -and Brigadier Wheeler’s remaining stationary with the general and staff, -all ready for orders. Meantime the attack and defence of the rear guard -became louder and nearer, and we could hear not only constant discharges -of artillery, but regular volleys of musketry and independent file -firing, and with these we could distinctly hear a heavy cannonade at a -considerable distance. This we supposed at the time to be from Gwalior; -but it afterwards proved to be our troops under the command of our -Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough, engaged in battle with the enemy at -Maharajpore. - -In a very short time a staff officer came galloping back from Colonel -Cluney and reported that the enemy was in great force in his front; on -which General Gray ordered me to advance with my brigade to the support, -with all speed. We moved off in open columns of companies at the double, -and soon found ourselves under the range of the enemy’s guns, fired from -the other side of the ridge of hills, and the shot now passing over us. -When we got close under the rising ground I halted my brigade in close -columns of regiments, and the general rode up and inquired angrily why I -had halted. I said to load, as I thought it was now high time to do so, -for the enemy’s shots were still passing rapidly over us. As soon as we -had loaded, I advanced the whole brigade as we then stood, in close -column of companies by regiments, and as soon as we reached the summit -of the hill we came at once in sight of a large portion of the Mahratta -army in order of battle, and were instantly under a heavy fire from -their artillery and infantry. I rode in front of my column, and deployed -them on the grenadiers of the 50th Regiment, the 50th Native Infantry -taking our right and the 58th Native Infantry our left. All this was -done in double quick and without the slightest confusion, and all as -steady as rocks. I then took my station in rear of the centre, and -ordered my bugler to sound “Commence firing.” Up to that time, so -admirably steady were the men that not a shot was fired until the order -was given. But then they opened in earnest, and kept it up with the most -steady regularity. Meantime, two batteries of our artillery were brought -to our right, followed by our first infantry brigade, and these got at -once into action, and about half a mile to our left we saw Colonel -Cluney and his regiment and a battery of our artillery warmly engaged, -and sending shots occasionally into the enemy’s columns and batteries in -our front. - -By this time a number of our men fell killed and wounded, and it was now -getting late and the sun about setting. A deep rough and rocky valley -separated us from the enemy. My men were falling fast, and I saw no -chance of driving our foes before us without crossing the valley and -giving them the bayonet. I looked round everywhere for General Gray and -his staff, but could nowhere see them. I asked my brigade-major if he -knew where the general was, but he did not; so rather than lose a -chance, and my men, without doing any good, I instantly made up my mind -to advance and at them. I ordered my bugler to sound the “Advance.” It -was at once passed along the line, and off we went at a rapid, steady -pace down the valley, keeping up a brisk independent firing all the -while, and receiving the enemy’s shot and shell and musketry in rapid -succession. The ground was so rough, with loose rocks and stones, that I -and all the mounted officers were obliged to dismount; but with the loss -of some men killed and wounded we managed to reach a clear space at the -bottom of the valley. It was then all but dark, when, after hurriedly -reforming our ranks, I gave the order to charge the enemy’s guns, and at -this instant I positively saw one of the Mahratta artillerymen put his -match to his gun (not many hundred yards from us), the contents of which -(grape-shot) knocked me and Captain Cobbam and about a dozen men of my -brave 50th over. Captain Hough and two or three men came instantly to -assist me, and offered to take me to the rear, where the medical -officers were sure to be found; but I said, “No; never mind me: take -those guns!” and with many hearty cheers they were all taken in a few -minutes, the brave Mahrattas standing by their guns to the last, and -refusing to quit them or to run, when positively ordered and pushed -aside by our men’s bayonets. Move they would not, until they were -slaughtered on the spot. - -When I was hit I was knocked clean over, and thought it was from a round -shot, and that I was, of course, done for. My only care and regret was -that my dear wife would lose the intended insurance on my life, and so -be left, with our children, worse off than I intended. These thoughts -occupied my mind until I was soon after assisted off the field by -Sergeant Quick and two soldiers to where the medical officers were -attending to the wounded. I had not got far when, by the light of the -new moon, just rising, I saw an officer sitting under a tree, bleeding -profusely, and resting his head on one arm, and with two or three -soldiers supporting him. I inquired who it was, and was told Captain -Cobbam, wounded severely in five different places, but still alive. I -told them who I was, and that I was then on my way to the doctors, and -begged the men to take him there also. A few yards farther on I met the -surgeon of the 9th Lancers. He then examined my wound, putting one of -his fingers in where the ball entered, and another where it passed out -of my body, and then said, “Never fear; you are all right.” This was -indeed cheering, and enough to make me forget my fears about the loss to -my dear wife of the insurance on my life. He then ordered my escort to -take me a little way farther over the hill, where they would find all -the medical officers and wounded. We reached them in safety, but faint -from much loss of blood. I was again examined, dressed, and well -bandaged, and again reassured and told not to be alarmed, as my wound, -though severe, was not dangerous. They then put me in a doolie with four -bearers and my escort, and ordered them to carry me direct to our camp. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXX - - WOUNDED AND MADE MUCH OF - - -“My brigade had carried all before it”—Painful return to camp—General - Gray’s dispatch - - -I NOW felt much refreshed, and was more pleased with my wound and my -good luck than if I had altogether escaped, and, finally, I began to -calculate on the honour and glory which must follow our victory, for I -was told before I left the field of battle that my brigade had carried -all before it. The new moon soon failed, and my escort and I were -suddenly left in utter darkness, in a rough and undulating country, -without a path or any other means to guide us. It was a bitter cold -night, and I soon became alarmed lest we should lose our way and perhaps -get into the enemy’s lines, and I was not less afraid that my -doolie-bearers might bolt and leave me to my sufferings for the night. -In this critical situation I called to Sergeant Quick to halt for a -moment, and then told him and his men to keep a sharp look out on the -bearers, and if they attempted to run, to fire upon them, and, if -possible, to try and explain this to them. I then told him that if he -heard or saw any suspicious-looking men to let me know at once, but not -to attempt to fire until I ordered. I still retained my sword in my -hand, and had perfect possession of my faculties, and, if attacked, my -mind was fully made up to fight for my life. - -We wandered and wandered for nearly an hour without any signs of our -camp, or meeting any one, or knowing where we were going. I felt the -piercing cold more and more, for there was a sharp frost, and I was -sensible of losing blood fast through my bandages, for my doolie was -well saturated with it. I confess I felt uneasy and alarmed, and in this -state I now ordered Sergeant Quick to put me down so as to rest the -bearers, and himself to go a little in front and to lie down and listen -for any sounds which might reach him. He soon returned and said he could -hear nothing, and proposed that we should go on to the top of a rising -ground not far from us. We did so, and again I was put down, and the -sergeant went out in front again to listen, returning soon with the -joyful news that he heard the noise of wheels, as if of artillery or -wagons. I then directed them to take me up and to make for that -direction. My teeth were now chattering with the cold, and I felt weaker -and weaker, but we managed to get over another half-mile or more of -ground, and then I was put down once more, and the sergeant, as before, -went to listen. He now returned in all haste, saying he could see -numerous lights and was sure it was our own camp! This truly revived and -cheered us all, and off we started almost at a trot, and, sure enough, -in half an hour more we entered our camp, and soon after I was in my own -tent and my own bed. - -I was indeed thankful, but so cold and shivering that I asked a native -hospital assistant, who soon found me, if a glass of hot brandy and -water would do me any harm. He said not the least, so I immediately sent -my kitmutgar to our mess-man to get one for me; it was brought, and I -did enjoy it, and was just finishing the last drop, when in came our -surgeon, Dr. Davidson, and on being told what I had done he instantly -pitched into his hospital assistant, and in real anger threatened to -destroy him, for giving me the means of causing inflammation and fever! -When he got a little cool he removed my bandages, dressed my wounds, and -again wrapped me up securely for the night, and put me to bed, leaving -strict orders with my bearer and kitmutgar to remain with me, to give me -nothing but barley-water if I wanted a drink, and to call him if -necessary. I soon became warm and composed, and upon the whole had a -good and quiet night, and slept at intervals soundly. Next morning Dr. -Davidson examined and dressed my wound, and told me I had had a narrow -escape, and that I was now doing well. He also informed me that poor -Cobbam was dead; he had received no less than five grape-shot, three in -his body and two in his arm, and died in a doolie soon after I saw him. - -My wound was about three inches above the left groin, close to the hip, -and happily without touching the bone; had it been one inch more to the -right it would have been fatal, and instant death, but it pleased God to -order otherwise, and I was then, and continue to this day, truly -thankful. I said before, I was knocked clean over, and thought it was by -a round shot. It struck me on the waist-belt, carrying parts of my belt, -trousers, drawers, shirt, and flannel in with it, and the getting rid of -these fragments day after day in threads and small particles afterwards -caused me more pain than any sufferings from my wound. These grape-shots -were made up in a canvas bag as large as the body of a bottle, with -wooden bottoms, and tied at the top with strong cord. They contained -from eighty to a hundred jagged balls, nearly twice the size of an -ordinary musket-ball, and they were secured by cords wound crossways and -about an inch apart on the bag. When discharged or fired the bag is -burst at once, and the balls carry death and destruction, broadcast, -wherever they fall. My belt being shot through, it dropped off, and with -it I lost my scabbard, which I regretted then, and do to this day. - -So ended in victory the battle of Punniar, on the night of the 29th of -December, 1843. All the enemy’s guns were taken, and the survivors of -their army fled in utter confusion and disorder, leaving all their -baggage and stores and many arms behind. Strange to say, on the same day -the main body of the Mahratta army was similarly defeated by Sir Hugh -Gough and our headquarters forces at Maharajpore. This was the distant -cannonade and firing which we heard before going into action. - -For a day or two the doctor would not allow any one to see me, but soon -after I had many visits from my brother-officers, and all to -congratulate me on my escape, and, above all, on what they were pleased -to call my “daring, dashing charge across the valley.” Every one spoke -of this, and said it had decidedly crowned the success of the day. - -At last General Gray’s dispatch appeared in the public papers, and after -detailing at length the operations of the day, he concluded by saying -that “the 2nd Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Anderson, of H.M. 50th -Regiment, by an able and judicious movement turned the enemy’s position, -charged and took his guns, and so contributed to the final success of -the day.” My officers were not even satisfied with this, and maintained -that much more should have been said, and all blamed Captain Tudor, the -A.D.C., who was known to have great influence with the general and to -have had much to say and to do in writing the official report of the -battle. In short, Tudor was everything with the general, even to the -management of his household, and for this he was familiarly and -privately called “the chief butler,” and during an angry discussion of -this dispatch, our paymaster, Captain Dodd (who was a witty fellow), -summed up by saying, “Yes, yes; the chief butler forgot Joseph!” It was -also urged and maintained that, supposing I had failed in my dash into -the valley and lost my brigade or been defeated, General Gray would then -have blamed me for attempting to move without his orders, and perhaps -brought me to a general court-martial. But all is well that ends well, -and so I am satisfied, although I do confess I was, like my friends, a -little disappointed at the time. - -We remained some days in our encampment at Punniar, and then marched for -Gwalior, where we found the rest of our field forces encamped under the -Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough. The Governor-General, Lord -Ellenborough, and his numerous staff were also encamped with our army. -Here we continued for nearly three weeks, during which time the most -happy and social intercourse took place between the different regiments -and corps. We all had our splendid mess marquees and full -establishments, wines and luxuries of every kind, and nothing wanting, -and public dinners every day followed as a matter of course. The -Governor-General and Sir Hugh Gough had also their magnificent -establishments, and had their tables crowded every day with guests from -each of the regiments. I and many others were confined to our tents and -to our beds from our wounds, and could not share in these festivities, -but whatever was ordered and good for us we received regularly from our -respective messes. - -I had another advantage: my tent was pitched so near our mess marquee -that I could almost distinctly hear every word that was spoken, and -frequently my own name and health drunk with much cheering and applause. -This acknowledgment may sound to others like vanity, but I still confess -I was well pleased and proud of the good opinion of my brother-warriors. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI - - RETURN TO CAWNPORE - - -Slow recovery from my wound—Painful journey by palanquin to Cawnpore—Am - created a C.B.—Other honours and promotions - - -THE weather still continued bitterly cold, and about daylight on one of -these mornings a tall figure, more than usually wrapped, entered my -tent, stood in the door, and asked kindly, “How are you getting on, -colonel?” I must have been in pain or bad humour, for I bluntly said, -“Who are you—what do you want?” He quietly answered, “Lord -Ellenborough,” so I at once asked a thousand pardons and begged he would -walk in and sit down. He continued his inquiries most kindly, and took a -chair and sat down by my bedside. He remained some time with me, and -paid me many more visits afterwards. He was also in the habit of -visiting all the other wounded officers and men daily, and to the latter -(in bad cases) he used to give gold mohurs to comfort them for their -sufferings, and these our men prized very much and made into rings in -remembrance of our good and popular Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough. - -After these battles the Mahratta army submitted to our Government, and -in about a fortnight afterwards six or eight thousand of them actually -volunteered to enter our service, and were at once formed into ten -regiments under British officers selected from the Bengal native forces, -and styled from that day “The Gwalior Contingent.” They remained -faithful to our service until the general mutiny of the native Bengal -army, and then I believe they joined the revolt to a man. - -About this time I had the happiness of receiving more than one letter -from my dear wife, and I made many efforts on my back and in my bed to -write to her. My first letter was written a few days after I was -wounded, and I managed to get my sash across my back under my arms, and -tied to that a piece of rope, secured and tightened to the top of the -pole of my tent, so as to raise and support my head and upper part of my -body, and so enable me to write pretty comfortably. I was in high -spirits, and I gave her a cheering account of my sufferings and a -glowing report of my success. - -Our encampment was outside the town and fort of Gwalior, and our -officers made frequent visits to both, and especially to the fort, which -was very extensive and well worth seeing. It is built upon a long and -very high range of rocks, and only accessible by one entrance over a -drawbridge, the road to which is a long and narrow one, over a minor -spur of the same chain of rocks. I was curious to see this formidable -fortification, and on one fine morning I was raised from my bed and put -into a doolie, well propped up with pillows by my good and trusty friend -Captain Dodd. He and a few more of the officers accompanied me on my -excursion. The change and fresh air did me great good, and I was much -pleased with all I saw, and with the marked and courteous civilities we -received from the Mahratta officers and soldiers who garrisoned the -fort, for at this time all enmity between us had passed away, and our -officers and men were in the habit of meeting them daily and constantly. - -I do not remember anything more of any particular note taking place -while our army remained before Gwalior. About the last week in January, -General Orders were issued for the whole of our forces to return to -their former respective quarters, and my regiment commenced its march -soon after for Cawnpore. After I was wounded I gave up the immediate -command of my regiment to Major Petit, leaving all the daily details to -him; but he consulted me in all important matters, and always fixed the -hours of marching in the mornings at the time most convenient to me. I -was carried in my doolie at the head of my regiment every day, and on -halting found my tent all ready pitched in proper position, with my bed -and all my comforts prepared for me; for in returning to Cawnpore -through a free country our baggage, commissariat, and stores always took -the advance of our column of march, and arrived on our camping-ground -each morning some time before us. Such was the efficiency of our native -servants that everything, even to our breakfasts, was ready on our -arrival. Our march seldom exceeded from ten to fifteen miles daily, so -that we were comfortably camped and settled before the heat became -oppressive, and the remainder of each day was spent by the officers and -men as they best could. I continued to get on as well as could be -expected, but as I could only lie in one position (on my right side), my -arm, shoulder, and hip became sore and chafed, and this and the jolting -of my doolie, and latterly of my palanquin, left me much fatigued each -day before our march was over. In this way our daily journey was -continued for three weeks, a distance of two hundred and twenty miles to -Cawnpore, and there we arrived at last in safety, about the middle of -February. I marched in, or rather was carried in, at the head of my -regiment, in my palanquin, with our band playing “See the Conquering -Hero comes.” All the women and children and the few troops and invalids -who remained in garrison turned out to receive and welcome us, and the -cheering and shouting which followed, and the welcomes, and “God save -the Colonel!” from one and all, were, I confess, most gratifying to me. - -We were soon comfortably settled in our old quarters. I was obliged to -keep my bed for some months afterwards, but continued otherwise in good -health and spirits, and my medical friends assured me I was progressing -as well as they could wish. My greatest sufferings were from the -constant and unchanged position on my right side to which I was obliged -to keep, and from the still continued extraction of threads and small -particles of clothing which had been carried into my wound. But at last -this painful annoyance ceased, and from that time healing followed -rapidly. - -In March we received official acknowledgment of our services from the -Home authorities, with notices of various honours and promotions -conferred in consequence. I had the proud satisfaction of seeing my name -amongst the few who were appointed by her Majesty to be Companions of -the Bath. My friends Majors Ryan and Petit were made brevet -lieut.-colonels, and Major-General Gray a K.C.B., and his A.D.C., -Captain Tudor (the chief butler), a brevet major. All other officers of -both divisions of our army who had similar claims were either decorated -or promoted. I had also the satisfaction of receiving a letter from our -agents, Messrs. Cox & Co., informing me that the Secretary of War had -been pleased to grant me eighteen months’ additional pay for my wounds -(commonly called “blood money”), and authorizing me to draw for the -same. We were further informed that her Majesty the Queen was graciously -pleased to order that the regiments engaged at Maharajpore should bear -the name on their colours and appointments, and the regiments engaged at -Punniar, that name in like manner on their colours and appointments. All -this good news was very cheering and gratifying to us, and all expressed -their readiness to fight and to conquer again. Then followed an order -from the Governor-General of India granting to each officer and soldier -who served in either of these battles a decoration, a bronze star to be -worn on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon of India, and to be -made from the cannon captured in these actions, with the words -“Maharajpore, 29th December, 1843,” on a silver medallion on the centre -of the star, for the troops who served there; the word “Punniar,” with -the same date, for those who fought and conquered at that place; and -soon after this I had the honour of receiving mine (one of the first -cast), with a kind and flattering letter from Lord Ellenborough. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII - - ON LEAVE FOR TWO YEARS - - -Riding accident at Cawnpore—Foot seriously injured—Get two years’ leave - of absence—Voyage to Cape Town—On to Australia—A strange cabin - - -ABOUT three months after our return to Cawnpore I was able to move about -a little on crutches, but not to go to parades for some months more, nor -to sleep nor rest on my left side. At last I managed to resume the -command of the regiment and to carry on the orderly room duties, and -finally to attend parades mounted; but I could not carry my sword, -although my wound was by this time quite healed up, for the parts were -so tender and sensitive that I could not bear the weight and friction of -my sword against my side. My orderly, therefore, always carried it for -me. On the very first ride I attempted to take into the country, my -horse shied while passing a bullock-dray on a small, low bridge (not -more than three or four feet high), slipping his hind legs over the -bridge and falling backwards right over with me. We both came down -together, and my right foot stuck in the stirrup, until the weight of my -body carried it clear away. My ankle was much sprained in consequence, -but I got up at once and managed, with the assistance of two officers -who were with me, to mount again and to ride home. I sent at once for -our surgeon, who ordered me to keep quiet and to bathe my ankle -constantly in cold water under a pump. For days and weeks I thought very -little of my accident, but my ankle and leg swelled very much and got -worse and worse, with much pain, for many months afterwards. Various -lotions were applied, but I got no better, and as my general health now -began to fail, I was frequently confined to bed for weeks, and almost to -the house for twelve months. - -I now seriously began to think of getting leave of absence, and in -December of this year (1844) I consulted our surgeon, Dr. Davidson, -accordingly, and he said there would be no difficulty in granting my -request. So he at once wrote an official letter recommending me for -leave of absence to proceed to Calcutta for the purpose of appearing -before a medical board, and that letter I myself (as commanding officer) -forwarded to the Adjutant-General of H.M. Forces in India for the -consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, and in the next General Orders -my name appeared for leave to Calcutta for the purpose above stated. - -In January, 1845, I took public leave of the officers of my regiment in -the messroom, and with Captain Waddy (who also got leave of absence), -Mrs. Waddy, and their children, left Cawnpore for Calcutta. We travelled -together as far as Benares. There I took passage in one of the -well-found and comfortable public river steamers, but Captain Waddy and -family hired a budgerow and soon followed with the current, but did not -reach Calcutta till a fortnight after us. I had previously written to my -friend and agent, John Allan (one of the wealthy merchants of the “City -of Palaces”), telling him that he might expect me, and requesting him to -make every inquiry for passages for us to Sydney or to any part of -Australia. He received me most kindly, and insisted on my taking up my -quarters under his hospitable roof. He told me there was no chance of a -direct passage to Australia, but that he had written to Mauritius and to -Singapore to inquire if we could get passages in a vessel from either of -these places for our destination. - -Meantime I reported my arrival to the military authorities, and was told -a medical board would assemble on a given day, and that I had better -call on Dr. Murray, Inspector of Hospitals and chief of the Medical -Department. I did so, and after a conversation, in which I expressed my -wish to be sent to Sydney, where my family then was, he said he was -afraid he could not recommend me to be sent there, as his instructions -were to send officers who received long sick-leave direct to England. I -explained that that would not suit me at all, as to see my wife and -family was of more importance to me than even my health. He then said he -would consider it and would give me an answer the next day. I called the -following morning, and he told me that in the event of my medical board -recommending me for leave of absence, he would request I might be sent -to Sydney. A few days afterwards I appeared before the board, and after -they had asked me a few questions my leave was granted for two years, to -proceed to New South Wales for the recovery of my health. - -By this time Mr. Allan had received answers to his letters to Singapore -and to Mauritius informing him there was not the slightest chance of -finding passages from either of those places to Australia; he therefore -advised me to go at once to the Cape of Good Hope, where we would be -sure to find vessels for Sydney, as many of the English traders for that -port called at the Cape for supplies. A fine ship was ready to sail in a -few days for England, touching at Mauritius and at the Cape, so the -Waddys and I secured our passages at once, with the understanding that -we might leave either at Port Louis or at Table Bay, but when we arrived -at the former there was no prospect of a passage for any port of -Australia, so we proceeded in a few days to Cape Town. There we landed -and took up our quarters at a most excellent lodging-house; with us were -two officers of the Madras army, one of whom was a medical man, well -acquainted with my late brother, and he was most kind and useful to me. -We were there for a week or ten days, and there being still no hope of a -passage, we all made up our minds to leave our lodgings and to go -together and occupy a very nice and partly furnished house in the -country, five miles from Cape Town. - -There we lived comfortably for another ten days, when Captain Waddy -returned in a great hurry from the town one day to tell us that the ship -_Penyard Park_ had just arrived, bound for Sydney; she had put in for -supplies, but was so full that he was afraid we should have some -difficulty in getting passages. We at once determined to take our -chances, no matter how limited the accommodation. Captain Waddy started, -intending to go on board and to secure, at any price, the best cabins he -could get for us. In a few hours he was back, and told us he had had -much difficulty in securing for us two cabins at exorbitant prices—one -cabin for himself and family on the lower deck, with scarcely any light -or air, and for me, the second mate’s cabin, of only five feet long and -four feet wide, leading from the quarter-deck into the poop, and where -it was impossible for me in any way to stretch myself or lie down at -full length. For this I was asked to pay seventy pounds, while Captain -Waddy was to pay eighty for his. But we could not help it, and Captain -and Mrs. Waddy made up their minds to go at any price, and to put up -with any inconvenience, rather than lose the chance and remain behind, -uncertain as to when another opportunity might offer, and for the same -reasons I decided to accompany them. The captain, Sam Weller, came on -shore to receive our money, and not one farthing less would he take. - -The passengers were a poor and humble set. The food was indifferent, but -the captain was a most attentive and first-rate seaman, and was never -absent from his deck when his services were required. We sailed from the -Cape about the end of April. My first night on board the _Penyard Park_ -was very miserable. I am six feet two inches, and could not stretch my -legs, and was obliged to lie all doubled up in a most intensely -uncomfortable position. I could not help complaining next morning. The -captain said he was very sorry, but could not help me. At last a -good-natured doctor said, “Well, Colonel Anderson, I’ll see if I can -help you.” He then consulted his wife, and soon returned to say that, as -his cabin was next to mine, he would order the carpenter to cut a hole -through the partition above the level of his bed and raise my bed to -that height, then to place over him a box long enough to receive my -legs, and thus lengthen my bed as much as necessary. This novel mode of -accommodation was soon completed by the carpenter, and from that day I -was comparatively comfortable in my little cabin, and more than glad to -hear that, although my box and my extra length were over the good -doctor’s legs every night during the voyage, he felt no inconvenience -from the intrusion. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII - - AUSTRALIA ONCE MORE - - -Sydney once more—Visit Mangalore—Select land for house near Melbourne—My - War Medal - - -AFTER a rather long and stormy passage we reached Sydney on the 4th -June. An old servant of mine came on board at once, and from him I heard -that my dear wife and children were all quite well and at Parramatta, so -I at once wrote to her to announce my arrival, and promised to be with -them in course of the day. I then hurried on shore and found a steamer -starting for my home. There were many passengers on board who recognized -me and who knew my wife, and from them I had the most delightful and -cheering accounts of my family. Two anxious hours took us to Parramatta, -and as we approached the wharf my house was pointed out to me on the -opposite side of the river, and also my dear wife and children hurrying -down to the bank to meet me, and my son Acland was seen by some of the -passengers on the wharf waiting to greet me. When he was pointed out to -me I said, “Quite impossible—that cannot be my boy!” but before I had -time to say another word he made a run, and a spring on to our deck, and -in an instant was in my arms. My joy and delight were so great that for -some seconds I could not speak. He was so grown, so handsome, well, and -cheerful. It will be remembered I left him on his bed of sickness, most -alarmingly ill; it was doubtful, indeed, if I should ever see him again. -He then pointed out his mother and sisters anxiously waiting for us, so -off we hurried. Our meeting was full of joy and thanksgiving. With the -exception of my eldest daughter, Mary, I did not know one of them. So -changed were they during the four years of my absence, that had I met -them anywhere else I could not in any way have recognized them. - -We went home and talked and talked, for we had much to say and no end of -inquiries to make. Days and days passed before we became regularly -composed and quietly settled down. I spent nearly a year with my wife -and children, going occasionally to Sydney for a change, and to attend -public and private parties and to dine at Government House. In December -of that year my wife accompanied me in a steamer from Sydney to -Melbourne for the purpose of visiting our station on the Goulburn River -and determining whether it was advisable to settle down permanently in -or near Melbourne. My health had by this time greatly improved, and I -was getting over my lameness. The long sea journey from Calcutta had -done me much good, and I became stronger daily. We started from -Melbourne in a gig for our station, Mangalore, and after four days’ easy -travelling got there early in January, 1846. My nephew, William -Anderson, was then in charge. When we arrived there was no better -accommodation than a common bark hut, with similar places at a little -distance for the men; but the weather being fine and dry, we thought we -could manage for a short time. My nephew did all he could to make us -comfortable, and with our daily fresh meat and vegetables we fared very -well. We took several drives in different parts of the station, and in a -fortnight began our return journey to Melbourne. On our arrival there we -took lodgings in Queen Street, intending to remain for some time and, if -possible, to select some ground for our future residence. - -Our inquiries for ground led me to make the acquaintance of a Mr. -Archibald MacLaughlin, a wealthy merchant of Melbourne, who took us one -morning to look at the land and site upon which my happy home, “Fairlie -House,” now stands, the adjoining land having been previously purchased -by himself. The situation we at once thought beautiful, though then -rough and without any house near it, or any signs or traces of the fine -roads, streets, and houses which are now so near and all around it. -However, after due consideration and visiting many other localities, I -made up my mind to wait on his Honour Mr. La Trobe and request I might -be allowed a special sale by auction of the land; he was the -superintendent of the Port Phillip district, and subsequently -lieutenant-governor of our colony of Victoria. He received me very -kindly, but said at once that he could not grant my request; that it was -quite impossible that he could do so. I then spoke of my claims on the -Government as an old officer and as the late superintendent for many -years at Norfolk Island, but all to no purpose. He said he could not do -it, and that he could make no distinction. I now remembered I had a -letter from Mr. Deas Thompson, the Colonial Secretary at Sydney, -expressing the readiness of the governor, Sir George Gipps, to assist me -in every way in getting land in the Port Phillip district, as he -understood I had thought of removing my family there. He read it, and, -turning round, said with a smile, “Oh, this alters the question; I shall -be glad to grant you a special sale by auction. Send me your application -and name a day.” - -With this assurance I returned to my wife, and we agreed (as we had to -return to Sydney) to leave all to Mr. MacLaughlin, and request him, as -my agent, to send in the application and name a day for the sale. He -kindly consented to do all this, and if successful at the sale to draw -upon me for the amount. In a few days we left in the _Shamrock_ steamer -for Sydney, and after a pleasant passage were soon again with our -children at Parramatta. - -The next mail from England brought me my Order of the Bath and the -long-expected War Medal with the four clasps for Maida, Talavera, -Busaco, and Fuentes d’Onoro. This last gratifying distinction was for -many long years objected to and opposed by the Duke of Wellington, but -as often urged and recommended as a right and just acknowledgment by his -late Royal Highness the Duke of York, and also by many peers and persons -of distinction, for services in all parts of the world by the British -army during the previous half-century. It was not till the year 1844 -that the late Duke of Richmond brought the subject before the House of -Lords, and, on his Grace’s able showing, his motion was carried by a -large majority, who recommended her Majesty to be pleased to grant to -each regiment and corps her royal permission to bear on their colours -and appointments the name of any victory in which they had been engaged -since 1793, and for the officers and men to wear a silver medal -suspended from a red ribbon with blue edge, and clasp thereon for every -battle or action, showing the name of every such victory. The officers -of the army were so grateful to the Duke of Richmond for this service -that committees were formed in London and in many of our principal towns -in England, and in all foreign stations, for the purpose of getting up a -subscription for a suitable testimonial in plate for his Grace, as a -humble acknowledgment from the officers of the British army of the -gratifying and very acceptable services he had rendered them. A large -sum was collected, and a service of plate purchased and presented. - -My next good news was a letter from Mr. MacLaughlin stating that at -the auction he had most fortunately been able to secure for me the -land I had selected. We were indeed glad, as its position is -delightful—overlooking the Botanical Gardens and the Government House -domain, and with exquisite views of the bay on one side, and of -Richmond, Kew, and the distant hills on the other. I at once wrote to -my brother, who was in London, to send me the framework of a wooden -house, on the plan of the Norfolk Island Government House, which he -used to admire. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV - - SECOND VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA - - -Sail for India—Dangers of Torres Straits—Copang—Arrival at Calcutta—My - son appointed to the 50th Regiment - - -THE period of my leave of absence was now drawing to a close. We -received accounts from India of the campaign on the Sutlej and of the -additional glory acquired by my gallant regiment in the battles of -Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon, and of all my dear friends who -suffered or fell in those engagements. This made me more than ever -anxious to be back with my regiment. In July of this year (1848) Captain -Waddy and I made up our minds to take advantage of the first opportunity -to secure our passages to India; soon afterwards we heard that the ship -_Mary Ann_ would sail for Calcutta in a few days with horses, and -Captain Waddy engaged to make the necessary inquiries to secure our -passages. In the meantime, after consulting with my wife and my son -Acland (now in his sixteenth year), I determined to apply by memorial to -the Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for an ensigncy for my son. -Captain Waddy secured our passages, and got himself appointed to take -charge of the horses, with, of course, a number of grooms under him; by -this he got free passages for himself and wife, and I believe the same -allowance in money which any other person so employed would have -received. - -I took leave of my dear wife and children on the 6th August. I slept -that night at the house of my cousin, Colonel James Gordon, who was then -commanding the Royal Engineers in Sydney, and embarked next day on the -_Mary Ann_. We sailed for our destination, steering for the inward -passage through Torres Straits. The weather was moderate and clear for -the first ten days, and by this time we had passed Cape York and got -well into the straits. The mainland at a distance and numerous small and -large islands and rocks were constantly in sight, many of them very -near. The wind was now fair, the captain and two men were constantly -stationed on the fore top-sail yard, the former calling out to the men -at the wheel “Port, starboard” or “Breakers ahead” or “Rocks on the lee -bow” or “Port, starboard, steady!” and these were the constant warnings, -almost every minute, daily. The lead was also kept going and the -soundings reported, and at times a perfect silence ordered. - -For days the navigation was most intricate. On one occasion we saw the -masts of a schooner over a point of land; we steered round for her, and -came to anchor near her. The captain asked me if I would accompany him -in his boat to board her; I did so, and was a little surprised, after -exchanging salutations, to find myself addressed by name by the captain, -who said, “I hope Master Acland is quite well now.” He told me he was -from Sydney, and that my two dear boys were lodging with him when they -were taken ill. This of course made me glad to meet him, to renew my -thanks for his kindness to them. He was employed in the straits with his -schooner, fishing for _bêche-de-mer_ (or sea slugs) for the Chinese -market. We left that anchorage the next morning, and after some hours’ -pleasant sailing got so near the mainland that we could see numbers of -natives, who made signs to us, and we returned their salutation. - -After this the weather got thick, with constant light rain for two or -three days, and our progress became more perilous, and at times -alarmingly dangerous. We could not see a hundred yards before us, and -the captain had to depend entirely on his charts. On one of these trying -days we reached a small island some hours before dark, and our captain -prepared to bring up and anchor under the lee of it, but on getting -there he could not find soundings. We then tried to get round as far as -the wind would permit, but still found no bottom. He was obliged to give -up all hope of coming to anchor, and could only carry on his course in -the direction of the next island on his chart. He was visibly anxious, -and so were we all, heavy rain still continuing and the night being -unusually dark. It was indeed a black and dreadful night, and one of the -most alarming I ever passed. We all kept on deck, no one went to bed, -and I must confess I was afraid of going below, for I thought that if -the worst happened we had a better chance of saving ourselves in the -boats from the deck than if we remained below. At about two next morning -the captain thought he had run a sufficient distance to be pretty near -the island for which he was steering, and he therefore brought the ship -to the wind, intending to lie off till daylight. This was still an -anxious time, for we had yet to wait some hours. At last the day dawned, -and he found himself within a few miles of the island, at the very spot -he believed himself to be in, and with the appearance of better weather, -the rain and fog having cleared away. - -We were indeed thankful, and soon forgot our troubles, for in two hours -more we were seated at a good breakfast, as merry as ever, and our ship -again on her course, running away from our island, with the sun shining -once more brightly on us. In another week we arrived off Booby Island, -the northern extremity of Torres Straits, thankful indeed for having got -safely through that perilous voyage. The captain and Captain Waddy went -on shore to the little island, taking with them, according to custom, a -cask of water, a cask of salt beef, and a bag of biscuits; these were -deposited in a cave in the rock called the “Post Office.” It had been -customary for years, for most vessels passing through the straits in -safety, to leave some provisions at Booby Island, as a certain store and -supply for shipwrecked sufferers, and, with humane feeling, this depot -is always respected by visitors. It is named the “Post Office,” as there -is a large seaman’s box there for letters, and also a book to insert the -names of any vessels passing through, and the particulars of any losses -or disasters occurring in the straits. Other ships passing take up these -letters for delivery, according to their destination. Our people left -letters at Booby Island, but one from me to my dear wife never reached -her. She was more fortunate eighteen months later in receiving a letter -left by our son Acland on his way to India. - -I hope I shall never again go through Torres Straits, for it is not only -a dangerous passage, but one which keeps one in constant alarm for three -weeks or more. Some of the rocks seen in the direct course are not -larger than a man’s head over the water, others increasing to various -sizes, and from the glare and rays of the sun, which are right ahead, -they are not seen till one is within a few yards of them. - -I have myself heard of several ships being wrecked going through the -straits, and of one case where the whole of the passengers and crew fell -into the hands of the natives, and were barbarously murdered and eaten, -with the exception of one little boy, the son of a Captain and Mrs. -D’Oyley—both of whom the unhappy child saw sacrificed with the others. -He was rescued many months afterwards by Captain Lewis, of the colonial -schooner _Isabella_, sent in search of the survivors by the Governor of -New South Wales when news arrived in Sydney that the ship had never -reached India, her destination. After many weeks’ search amongst the -islands, Captain Lewis got positive information from other natives that -the ship was wrecked, and all on board, with the exception of one child, -were murdered. He then made presents to these people, and got some of -them to accompany him to the island where the massacre took place; -there, through the efforts of his new friends and allies, he was kindly -received, and after many more presents the boy was delivered up to him. -He was also allowed to collect and carry away all the bones he could -find of the unfortunate victims. These he brought to Sydney, where they -were all buried together and a handsome monument placed over them. -Captain Lewis was allowed to take the survivor, little D’Oyley, home to -England, to his nearest known relative; this he did at considerable -inconvenience and expense. He soon discovered the grandfather, and -delivered the boy to him, but instead of being handsomely rewarded for -his services, he received nothing beyond expressions of many thanks, and -as Captain Lewis was a poor man, depending entirely on his profession, -all who knew him and this sad story were indignant, the more so as the -boy’s grandfather was known to be a man of considerable property. - -Our detention at Booby Island was not long. We soon entered the Indian -Ocean, and were steering for Copang, the capital of the Dutch island of -Timor, and in three days we were safely anchored there. Our object was -to fill watercasks for our horses, the consumption of water being great. -Copang is an extensive, straggling, clean town, with a small fort and -garrison of Dutch troops and a governor. For watering ships it is most -convenient, the anchorage being within a few hundred yards of the shore, -and the pure fresh water is carried in pipes to within a few yards of -the beach and boats. We visited the governor and officers in the fort, -who received us most kindly, and gave us coffee and cigars. We also -spent many hours daily in a large shop or store, where all kinds of -supplies could be purchased, and where the fat jolly Dutchman who kept -it constantly treated us to coffee. - -In a few days our tanks were full and all ready for sea, so we steered -for the Bay of Bengal. The weather continued fine, and nothing -remarkable occurred till our arrival off the Sand Heads. Then we -received a pilot for Calcutta from one of the beautiful pilot-brigs -which are constantly cruising off and on there. All was now excitement, -getting scraps of news and preparing for the end of our long journey. We -arrived about the middle of October, after a voyage of three months. I -had the satisfaction of receiving a packet of letters from my friend -John Allan, inviting me to come at once to his house, and with the -gratifying news that my boy Acland was appointed to an ensigncy in my -own regiment, also that the 50th was then on its march from the upper -Provinces, and actually under orders for England. All these unexpected -changes were in consequence of the end of our war with the Sikhs. I -landed the same evening, and was hospitably received by Mr. and Mrs. -Allan. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV - - TO CAWNPORE AND BACK - - -Violent gale at Loodhiana—Two hundred men, women, and children buried—By - river steamer to Allahabad—Rejoin the regiment at Cawnpore—Return - voyage down the Ganges - - -NEXT day I reported my arrival to the adjutant-general, to the officer -commanding at Calcutta, and officially to the officer commanding the -50th Regiment. I was next agreeably surprised by a visit from one of the -officers, Major Tew, who informed me that Colonel Woodhouse was on his -way down, and would soon be in Calcutta, and that they were both going -to England on sick-leave. He gave me much interesting news of the -regiment, and from him I heard for the first time of a regrettable -incident which occurred before they left Loodhiana on their present -march to Calcutta. The regiment was quartered there when the Sutlej -campaign commenced, and was suddenly ordered to join the army in the -field at half an hour’s notice. The officers were actually at their mess -table when the order arrived, and they and their men were obliged to -move at once, leaving the whole of their property, public and private, -behind them, in charge of a guard; also the women and children and a few -servants were left. The regiment was not gone many days when a large -body of Sikhs marched into the town and to the military cantonments, and -plundered, burnt, and destroyed almost everything there, not even -sparing the officers’ bungalows, many of which they either pulled down -or burnt; and as they had no relish for the mess wines, they actually -broke many dozens of full bottles. When the war was over the regiment -returned to Loodhiana, and all were then apprised of their losses, which -put them to serious inconvenience. They had not long returned before -they were visited by a most violent gale, which in a few minutes -levelled the men’s barracks to the ground—a terrible calamity, as it -buried beneath the ruins two hundred men, women, and children. About -fifty of these were got out dead, the others more or less seriously -wounded. To see so many brave soldiers, who had fought and escaped -during the whole campaign, thus cruelly sacrificed was indeed truly -heart-breaking. - -I remained with my friend John Allan for more than a month. During that -time I had many letters from the regiment, which kept me so well -informed of their movements and march towards Calcutta that I saw no -necessity to hurry my departure to meet them. An opportunity now offered -direct for Sydney, and I gladly availed myself of it to write to my dear -wife announcing my safe arrival. It was now the end of November, and -finding that the regiment could not reach Calcutta before the beginning -of March, I determined to join wherever I could most conveniently meet -them on their march, and with this view took my passage early in -December in one of the large and most comfortable river steamers for -Allahabad. We were full of passengers for the upper Provinces, many of -whom were very nice and agreeable. Our voyage up the Hooghly and Ganges -lasted upwards of a month. We often stopped for some hours at the -principal towns and stations to land cargo and passengers, to coal, and -to receive more goods and other passengers for the higher stations. The -weather was beautiful, and I enjoyed the trip and the pleasant society -very much. While we were at Dinapore another of the same steamers -touched there, bound for Calcutta, and in her I had the pleasure of -meeting Colonel Woodhouse on his way to England. He was not in good -health. Of course we had much to say during our short interview. It was -not till the 7th of January that we reached Allahabad, and there we all -parted, after a very agreeable voyage. - -I remained a few days at the hotel, and there found my old friends Sir -Harry and Lady Smith, also on their way to England. I started in a small -gharrie for Cawnpore, and there took quarters at an hotel, having heard -that my regiment would arrive in two days more. On the following day the -adjutant, Lieutenant Mullen, and Lieutenant Mowatt came in advance to -welcome me, and to escort me to the regiment, and the next day we rode -out to meet it. We had not proceeded more than three miles when we saw -them approaching, and as soon as they recognized me they gave three -cheers, and the band struck up “John Anderson, my joe.” I took off my -cap and returned their greeting with a fond and grateful heart, and -again, as soon as I had reached the head of the column, three more -cheers saluted me. Then Colonel Petit halted the regiment, to give me -the opportunity of seeing and shaking hands with all the officers, and -saying a few words to the men. - -We now again got _en route_, and were met by Colonel Deare and many -officers of the 21st Regiment and their band, who came from Cawnpore to -welcome us, and so, surrounded by many hundreds of spectators, civil and -military, we reached our camping-ground. No sooner had the Fusilier band -taken up its position at our head than it struck up “See the Conquering -Hero comes.” Colonel Deare and his officers asked us to dinner, and the -men of the 21st had our men in like manner to a general and merry feast. -There was no end to our toasts and our fun. Colonel Petit handed me over -the command of the regiment by a written order of that day. We continued -our march the following morning, and in four days reached Benares, where -we found a fleet of boats ready to receive us for Calcutta. I also found -letters at the post-office, leaving to me the option of taking the -passage from the Ganges to the Hooghly, or, if not practicable, to -proceed through the more lengthy and tedious passage of the Sunderbunds -(which are the numerous outlets of the mighty Ganges to the sea), from -one of which there is a canal to the Hooghly at Calcutta. - -We remained two or three days encamped near Benares, making our -preparations and purchasing our private stock and provisions for the -voyage. The commissariat having provided amply for our men, and all -being ready, we started. The weather was fine, and all went on well till -we arrived off the entrance of the Hooghly from the Ganges; there we -brought up, and sent boats to see, and to sound, if there was a -sufficient depth of water over the bar to carry our largest boats. They -returned in a few hours, and reported that there was not sufficient -water, and that we must take the passage through the Sunderbunds. Next -morning we started and steered accordingly, and brought up at the little -village of Calpee, where it is the rule to take in pilots and -provisions, and a sufficient quantity of fresh water to carry one -through the Sunderbunds, as the water there is brackish half the way, -and altogether salt afterwards. We found a resident magistrate at -Calpee, and he furnished us at once with three pilots, and most kindly -assisted us in getting provisions and many dozens of large earthen jars -of fresh water. Being thus provided with a sufficient supply of all -things needful for three or four weeks, we again proceeded on our -voyage. One of the pilots was stationed with the advance guard, one with -me as the commanding officer in the centre, and the third with the rear -guard. All the boats of our fleet had strict orders to keep as much -together as possible and not to lose sight of each other for a moment. -As I said before, there are numerous and endless twists and turns, -separate outlets and channels, in the Sunderbunds, and to take a wrong -one is to take a risk of being lost altogether, and in a position from -which one cannot extricate oneself to find the way back again to the -proper course. To make sure, therefore, our best pilot was with the -advance guard, and whenever he came to a fresh channel he halted till -all our boats were in sight, and could distinctly see the change of our -direction, then he again took the lead. - -Buglers were in the boat of each pilot; these sounded the “Halt,” -“Advance,” or “Close,” according to circumstances, yet, notwithstanding -all this precaution and care, we lost one of the boats, with soldiers -and their families in it. We halted many days for them, and, fearing -they might be short of provisions, I left a boat with supplies, as soon -as we entered the last clear and certain course for Calcutta, with -orders to come on if the missing boat did not appear in a week. Not only -is the navigation difficult and dangerous, but the low lands and banks -of the channels and creeks are covered with thick mangrove-trees and -scrub, and we were assured by the pilot that it was infested in many -places by tigers, ever ready to pounce upon any one within their reach. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI - - INDIA TO CAPE TOWN - - -The guns captured in the Sutlej campaign—Lord Hardinge’s compliments to - the regiment—I secure compensation for the regiment’s losses at - Loodhiana—Voyage to Cape Town - - -AT last, after more than a fortnight’s exposure to the pestilential -atmosphere of the mangrove marshes and swamps, and repeated causes of -uncertainty and anxiety about our proper course, we arrived early in -March in the Hooghly, off Fort William, and landed in safety about an -hour afterwards. We were no sooner formed in line than I observed an -unusual appearance—a square of artillery on the right of the direct road -to the fort; and on asking an officer what that was, he told me these -were all the guns captured from the enemy during the various battles on -the Sutlej. I instantly determined that my brave men should enjoy a near -view of these trophies and proofs of their valour, so, instead of -marching direct for the fort, I made a circuitous turn toward the guns, -and then all round them. The men were delighted, and their remarks were -very amusing on pointing to many of the guns; for instance, “That is the -fellow which knocked a whole section of ours to pieces!”; “That is the -chap that knocked the colonel off his horse!”; and “Look, these are the -very murdering devils which our charge settled and carried off at -Aliwal!” The sight was really most gratifying, and truly calculated to -inspire pride and glory in every British heart. There were in all -upwards of three hundred guns of all sizes, from six to sixty-eight -pounders, and principally brass, beautifully finished and mounted. After -many cheers we marched into our barracks in Fort William. For the first -ten days we had an increase of sick, but most of them recovered, though -two or three poor men died. Our missing boat and the one left to pick it -up both arrived in safety, about a fortnight after us; they were getting -near the end of their provisions when they discovered their relief. - -In Fort William we found the 16th Bengal Grenadiers, a regiment which -wavered and held back to a man at the battle of Ferozeshah, leaving -their English colonel to advance alone with our troops. He did all in -his power to rally his men, but all to no purpose, so at last that brave -man attached himself to our gallant 50th Regiment, and fought nobly with -them, till, sad to say, he was at last killed. - -Soon after our arrival at Calcutta we were asked to dinner by the -Governor-General, Lord Hardinge. He was most kind to us all, and after -dinner proposed the health of “Colonel Anderson and the officers of the -50th Regiment.” He made a most brilliant and flattering speech, in which -he enumerated most distinctly our services in all parts of the globe, -and especially spoke of our indomitable and gallant conduct in the -various battles of the Sutlej; then, turning to me, he said: “You may -indeed, Colonel Anderson, be proud of your noble and distinguished -regiment, and I have the most sincere pleasure in drinking your health, -and the health and continued success of every officer and soldier of the -brave 50th.” - -By this time I had heard much from my officers about the extent of their -losses at Loodhiana, and I determined to make a strong appeal to the -Government of India for remuneration. In due course I received an answer -saying it was not customary for the Government to grant any indemnity -for such losses, but that I might state the nature and particulars of -the losses and amount in detail, for further consideration. I -communicated the answer to the officers, and requested them to furnish -me with a detailed account of all their losses. When it was all complete -I forwarded it to the Secretary of the Military Department, and begged -that it might be favourably considered. A long time passed without my -receiving an answer; but at last I got a letter informing me that the -demands were unreasonable, that the officers had no claim or right to -such expensive bungalows, that they should have been built in value -according to their relative ranks, and that the officers’ mess should -not have had such costly wines. To this I replied that the comfort and -health of the officers was of the first importance to the efficiency of -the service, that the additional accommodation tended to their comfort -and good; and with respect to the expensive and large stock of our mess -wines, I said such was the custom of all officers’ messes in the -regiments of her Majesty’s Service, and more especially in India, where -the carriage was so expensive, and where the messes of British officers -were expected to entertain in suitable and becoming manner, which duty -they could not carry out if their supplies of wine were limited. To this -I received a reply that the Government of India could not, after due -consideration, grant any remuneration for the losses without -establishing a precedent which must be inconvenient hereafter. I wrote -once more, saying that I still ventured to make one more appeal in so -just and good a cause, and stated that the officers interested were -seriously inconvenienced by their losses, and by the very unexpected -decision of the Government, and consequently that I considered it my -imperative duty to request that the subject might be reconsidered. In -another week I got an answer granting all we claimed, with the exception -of a reasonable deduction from the value the officers had placed on -their expensive bungalows. This then was a great victory, and my -officers were indeed glad and thankful for the service I had rendered -them. - -Early in January, 1848, I received an order to hold the regiment in -readiness for embarkation, and I was at the same time informed that -one-third of the officers would be permitted to proceed home at once by -the overland route, at the public expense, if they preferred it. The -selection was left to me, and I was directed to forward the names at -once to the Adjutant-General of her Majesty’s Forces in India, that -their leave of absence might appear in General Orders. Accordingly, I -saw the necessity of keeping most of the senior officers to take charge -of and accompany their men during the long voyage, and was happy to find -that many had no particular wish to go overland. I therefore soon made -my selection without disappointing any one, and amongst the number I -included my own dear son. The names of the chosen few were forwarded, -and in due time appeared in General Orders, with three months’ leave of -absence. This liberal time was given to afford them an opportunity of -visiting any other parts of Europe and Asia beyond the immediate line of -route. In a few days the mail steamer for Suez started, and they went -off with light hearts. The arrangements and terms of the mail steamer -were most liberal, for they allowed passengers to leave them at any of -the ports of call for a month or six weeks, and took them up again at -the same place without additional charge. - -About the middle of January three splendid ships were placed at my -disposal for the conveyance of my regiment to England, viz., the -_Queen_, _Marlborough_, and _Sutlej_. They were all of the largest -class, and, after visiting and inspecting each, I could not make up my -mind which I should prefer for mine as headquarters. They were all -equally tempting, and the accommodation in all most inviting and -comfortable. At last I decided on the _Queen_ for headquarters, and for -three companies, and ordered the remainder of the regiment to be divided -between the _Marlborough_ and _Sutlej_, the former under the command of -Captain Bonham, the latter under Major Long. In the last week in January -the embarkation took place. The _Sutlej_ took the lead, and the -_Marlborough_ followed next day, and on the morning of the 3rd February -I embarked, thankful indeed to leave a land and climate which I always -disliked, and with an anxious hope that I might never be doomed to visit -it again. - -We all were comfortable and happy on board, and our table was most amply -and liberally provided. In addition to my officers we had a number of -passengers, and as we had our band with us, we had music and dancing -every evening. During the first three weeks the weather was very -favourable, then fresh breezes and contrary winds followed occasionally, -but nothing to disturb or distress us. About the middle of April we made -the Cape of Good Hope, and as we approached Cape Town we were joined by, -and came up with, a number of other ships, all steering for the -anchorage at Table Bay. One of these in the distance appeared under -three jury-masts, and to our surprise she proved to be one of our own -ships, the _Sutlej_. We were now all anxiety to know the cause of her -mishap and the extent of her damages and loss, fearing that some of our -men must have suffered much during so serious a misfortune; but we were -obliged to wait till both ships got to anchor. Then our captain and some -of our officers went on board the _Sutlej_, and on their return to us -reported that on the night of the 1st of April they had met a severe -gale, which suddenly carried away the three masts by the deck, but -fortunately without injuring any one, beyond a few bruises. They all had -a most providential escape. The sea was running mountains high, and when -the masts fell over the side and were being cut away clear of the hull, -the end of one of them was forced through one of the dead-lights in the -stern, which at once admitted the sea in tons, to a most fearful and -alarming extent, and so continued for some minutes, till stopped by -mattresses and some other temporary contrivances, and the pumps and -dozens of buckets were kept going all the time. I was assured that even -with all these precautions and means they must have foundered but for -the able and willing assistance the captain and crew received from our -gallant soldiers on board, for the former were all but exhausted with -the previous fatigues of the gale, and the soldiers were fresh and ever -ready to assist and lend a hand. - -General Cartwright of the Bengal army and Major Mackay of the 21st were -passengers on board, both so seriously ill that they could not leave -their cabins during the disaster, and the former had a narrow escape of -his life, his illness being much increased by one of the top-masts -actually falling through the deck into his cabin, but fortunately clear -of his bed. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII - - RETURN TO ENGLAND - - -Return to England—Continued in command of the regiment - - -SOON after we had anchored, I landed to report our arrival, and found to -my great pleasure that our old friend Sir Harry Smith commanded at the -Cape. He was very glad to see us, and at once determined to land the -whole of our detachment from the _Sutlej_, as the ship would require new -masts and thorough repairs, which would take many weeks to carry out. -They were disembarked and accommodated in barracks next morning, and on -that day we all dined with Sir Harry and Lady Smith. Neither of our -ships had seen our other vessel, the _Marlborough_, since the day she -left us at Calcutta. We in the _Queen_ remained in Table Bay for a week, -and continued to receive the greatest kindness and hospitality from Sir -Harry Smith. We then left and steered for St. Helena, which was reached -in about ten days. We anchored there three days, and the officers were -allowed to land daily if they wished. Finally we made all sail for -England, without anything remarkable beyond calms and contrary winds, in -consequence of which we had rather a long passage. We had no sickness on -board, and our evening musical parties and dancing were continued. About -the end of May we sighted the happy land of England, and on the 1st of -June were off the Isle of Wight; on the morning of the 3rd we passed -Deal, and there saw our good ship the _Marlborough_ at anchor and -without any troops on board, so we concluded at once that our detachment -from that ship had landed. This was soon confirmed by a boat which -boarded us and told us that they had disembarked some days before at -Deal, where the depot of the regiment was stationed. Our captain -continued his course according to instructions, and on the 4th of June -we anchored off Gravesend; and now all was excitement and preparation -for landing, and by that day’s post I reported our arrival to the -Adjutant-General of her Majesty’s Forces at the Horse Guards. Early next -day we were boarded by a staff officer from Tilbury Fort; he informed me -he expected the order every minute for our landing, and requested me to -prepare accordingly. We were soon all ready, and the order for our -disembarkation and route for the barracks in Chatham soon came. Boats -were immediately alongside, and in less than an hour the 50th Regiment -was again drawn up on English ground, with the shattered but proud -remains of our colours flying over us, and behind them three large new -embroidered Sikh colours captured by the regiment in the battles of the -Sutlej, and now the glorious trophies of our valour and renown. These, -and the well-known character of the “Fighting 50th,” caused great -excitement and a general gathering of the inhabitants of Gravesend. -There was no end to the cheering and welcomes which greeted us, and in -this way the mass of the crowd followed us nearly to Chatham, and there -we were received with similar honours by the commandant and all the -officers and soldiers of the garrison. We dined with the officers of the -garrison, and our men were feasted, and made much of by the soldiers of -the different depots. Next morning we marched for Canterbury, where we -halted and dined with the 21st Regiment, and went on by rail next -morning to Deal, where we were met by many of our depot officers and -men, and amongst the former my own dear son. We marched to our barracks -and spent a very happy evening. - -I had last seen my son on board the mail steamer at Calcutta, starting -for England. I now learnt from him that he and his companions had -stopped a few days at Cairo, and also at Alexandria, and then went on to -Malta, where they remained some days. They next took their passage in a -steamer for Civita Vecchia, thence by _diligence_ on to Rome; they then -went to Marseilles, and thence to Paris. Before they were many days in -the gay capital of France, the Revolution suddenly broke out in all its -horrors, and they managed by stratagem to escape from Paris, and to make -their way with others to Havre, where they at once embarked for -England—thankful, indeed, that they had got away with their lives, -without either wounds or broken bones, considering they were for a time -under fire and exposed to the risk of death. In their hurry to get away -they were obliged to leave most of their clothing and baggage behind. - -I was now expecting to be relieved from the command of the regiment. -Colonel Woodhouse was still absent on leave, but was expected to join -shortly. In another week I received an official letter informing me that -I and our supernumerary lieutenants (six) would be placed on half-pay in -a month from that date. This we expected, and I endeavoured to bear it -in the hope of better luck, and that I might again be employed on full -pay some future day—but I determined to stay with my dear regiment till -Colonel Woodhouse joined. I had not to remain long, for in another week -he was with us, and I, of course, handed the command over to him. Poor -man, he was in bad health, and was confined to his house and could see -no one. He was still commanding officer, and the adjutant carried on all -details in his name. I remained packing up and preparing for my final -departure, then took leave of my friends, little expecting to see them -or the regiment again, and started for London. - -Some days afterwards I attended the Adjutant-General’s levée at the -Horse Guards. He received me most kindly. After asking a few questions -about the regiment and our voyage, he suddenly said, “Would you, Colonel -Anderson, like to be employed again?” My answer was ready, that most -certainly I should. “Have you been with Lord Fitzroy Somerset?” he asked -(the Commander-in-Chief and Military Secretary). I replied that I had -not. On which he said, “You sit here, and I will see him at once.” He -soon returned, and told me he could not see him then, as the Duke of -Cambridge was with him, but added he would take an early opportunity of -seeing Lord Fitzroy about me. Shortly after this Colonel Woodhouse -retired. We all greatly regretted his loss. He had been nearly forty -years in the regiment, and had commanded it for twenty-five years. - -I attended Lord Fitzroy Somerset’s next levée. He received me very -kindly, and I mentioned my desire to be again employed. His lordship -replied, “Very well, Colonel Anderson, I will make a note of it; but you -had better write to me and state your wishes.” He made no allusion -whatever to Colonel Woodhouse, nor did I. Next day I wrote to his -lordship officially, merely requesting that I might be again employed. I -was some days without an answer, but I was not kept very long in -suspense ere I received a letter ordering me to proceed at once to Deal, -to resume the command of the 50th Regiment. This was great and glorious -news, and all that my heart could desire. Next day I arrived at Deal, -and was received most kindly by all. Colonel Petit handed me over the -command, and I was once more at the head of my dear regiment. Colonel -Petit handed me over, amongst other official papers, a letter from the -Adjutant-General intimating that Colonel Woodhouse was placed on -half-pay, and Lieut.-Colonel Anderson ordered to rejoin and take command -of the regiment. From this time all went well, but we had all enough -hard work in distributing our depot men amongst our battalion companies, -preparing our new clothing, and drilling and exercising morning and -evening and making everything ready for our next general inspection. -About the end of July we heard of the arrival of the _Sutlej_ off -Gravesend, with Major Long’s detachment, and in a few days they were -with us. Our colonel-in-chief, General Sir George Gardner, paid us a -visit about this time, and made a general inspection of the regiment. He -was considered a very able and strict officer. He now made a minute -inspection, and after seeing us go through various movements, he closely -inspected our interior arrangements and economy, and finally expressed -himself well pleased. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII - - FAREWELL TO THE 50TH REGIMENT - - Decide to retire—Return to Australia - - -I NOW heard from my wife in answer to my last letter, in which I urged -her to make such arrangements for the safety and management of our -property in Victoria and Melbourne as might enable her at once to return -to England, and so join me. Her answer was full of good sense, saying -she could not make up her mind to trust any one she knew with the entire -care and management of our property; that the risk and chances of loss -were too great for her to take the whole responsibility of appointing -any one to act for us, and therefore, however sad our continued -separation must be to us both, she considered it wise and prudent to -remain where she was till she heard further from me; and I could not but -concur in the wisdom of this opinion. - -Having long and well considered our relative situations and the -discomforts and distress which we must endure by a continued separation, -I now began for the first time to think seriously about retiring from -the service by the sale of my commission, and returning to my family in -Australia for the rest of my life. These were serious and most trying -thoughts, and not to be carried out in a hurry. To think of leaving my -dear regiment for ever, and the service, to which no man was ever more -devoted, and in which I had spent nearly the whole of my life, was most -agonizing, and I could scarcely endure it. - -At last we marched to Dover, and on the way I got into conversation with -Major Petit, then the senior major of the regiment and the first for -purchase. After much friendly talk I hinted to him that I would not mind -retiring if I was offered a good price above the regulations. At once he -asked me how much I would expect. I did not then give him any answer -beyond saying I would think about it. I did think about it again and -again, but I could not make up my mind, not that I hesitated about the -additional sum I would ask, but about going or not going. This was -towards the end of August, and I was then called on by a very dear -friend, Captain Dodd, who told me he was requested by Colonel Petit and -the next officers in succession for purchase to ask if I really had -serious thoughts of retiring, and, if so, what additional sum I would -expect. I told Captain Dodd that I had thought about it, but could not -make up my mind. As I have said, he was a dear friend of mine, and we -now talked long on the subject, which ended by his telling me he thought -he could get them to make an additional sum of fifteen hundred pounds -above the regulation. Finally I promised to make up my mind and give my -final decision in a few days. - -This fearful state of suspense and anxiety began to disturb my general -health, and it became so bad that I could not attend parade or even -leave my rooms. The surgeon attended me all this time, and recommended -me to go on leave of absence, as I required a change, and it would -certainly do me good. I was granted two months’ sick-leave, and I -promised Colonel Petit that he should have my final and positive answer -in a week. In ten days’ time I was really quite resigned when I saw -myself gazetted out of the service, and my friend Petit and the others -promoted in succession. This was a relief and great satisfaction to me, -as it at once removed the anxiety I felt about them, for I sometimes -doubted whether the succession and promotion would go in the regiment. A -few days more brought me a letter from Colonel Petit informing me that -he had instructed our agents, Messrs. Cox & Co., to place fifteen -hundred pounds (beyond the regulation) to my credit, these sums making -in all six thousand pounds for my commission, and so ended (on the 28th -of September, 1848) my services as a soldier. - -The die was cast, the deed was done and could not be recalled, and I was -indeed utterly unhappy and miserable. For forty-three years I had served -my Sovereign faithfully. My whole mind and heart were devoted to my -profession. I had risked my health and life in several countries and in -battlefields often and often, and these memoirs show the extent of -favour and success which repeatedly attended my humble endeavours. All -that was now left to me was the fond remembrance of the past and the -conviction that I had still, and ever would have, the heart of a -soldier, and I hoped to be able to pass the remainder of my eventful -life in peace and thankfulness with my dear wife and children. I must -here mention such was the state of my health at this time that I had -great fear that I should not live long enough to see them. But God was -good and more merciful to me than I deserved; for His mercy not only -restored me to them in due time, but He has granted me ever since to -this day many, many of the most happy, and I may also say most healthy, -years of my long life, and I am indeed thankful. - - - - - _The Gresham Press,_ - UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED - WOKING AND LONDON. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber's Notes: - ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected. - ○ Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended. - ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. - ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only - when a predominant form was found in this book. - ○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); - text that was bold by "equal" signs (=bold=). - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of a Peninsula Veteran, by -Joseph Anderson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A PENINSULA *** - -***** This file should be named 55804-0.txt or 55804-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/8/0/55804/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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