Chapter M: DCCC XLVIII (3)

At this period, a numerous American force had penetrated Upper Canada; and a small expedition was fitted out on Lake Champlain, with the view of calling the attention of the Americans to the defence of their own settlements on the borders of that sheet of water. To engage in this service, nine officers and one hundred and eighty-one soldiers of the THIRTEENTH foot crossed the river St. Lawrence in boats, on the 24th and 25th of July, and proceeded to the Isle aux Noix, where an expedition was assembled under Lieut.-Colonel J. Murray; Lieut.-Colonel William Williams, of the THIRTEENTH, being second in command. Sailing from the Isle aux Noix in boats, the expedition navigated the lake, and as it approached the enemy’s post at _Plattsburg_, the American militia abandoned the place. The British landed, destroyed the arsenal, block-house, commissary’s buildings and stores, with the barracks at Saranac, capable of containing four thousand men. The flotilla afterwards returned to Isle aux Noix. In concluding his public despatch, Lieut.-Colonel Murray expressed his sense of the conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Williams, of the THIRTEENTH foot, in terms of commendation; and added, ‘I have to report in the highest terms of approbation, the discipline, regularity, and cheerful conduct of the whole of the troops; and feel fully confident, that, had an opportunity offered, their courage would have been equally conspicuous.’

[Sidenote: 1814]

Active operations were continued during the winter, when the weather permitted; and in the spring of 1814, Lieut.-Colonel Williams, of the THIRTEENTH foot, had charge of the advance-posts on the river Richelieu.

The American commander, Major-General Wilkinson, concentrated a considerable force for the invasion of Lower Canada; the THIRTEENTH and forty-ninth regiments, the Canadian voltigeurs, a troop of the nineteenth light dragoons, and a field train, were assembled at St. John’s, and its vicinity, to oppose the invaders. This force was placed under the orders of Colonel Sir Sidney Beckwith, and it was ordered to dislodge a body of Americans, who had taken post at Philipsburg, in the seigniory of St. Armand; but the enemy made a precipitate retreat across the ice on Lake Champlain.

On the 30th of March, the American light troops entered Odell-town, followed by three brigades of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and eleven guns; they drove in the British piquets, and attached the post at Burton Ville; but were so well received by the troops stationed there, that they soon desisted in the attempt on that post. Their leading brigades afterwards attacked the mill and block-house on the _La Cole_ river, where a detachment of the THIRTEENTH foot and a party of Canadians were stationed, under Major Handcock, of the THIRTEENTH. The Americans drove in the piquet, gained possession of a wood, established a battery among the trees, and opened a sharp fire upon the post, which was gallantly defended. Major Handcock having ascertained that the flank companies of the THIRTEENTH had arrived at the mill, directed an effort to be made to capture the American artillery, when Captain Ellard led his company to the charge with distinguished bravery, and a spirited attempt was made on the battery; but the wood was found crowded with American infantry. Captain Ellard was severely wounded, and the few men who had made the sally, finding themselves opposed by several entire regiments of the enemy, withdrew from the unequal contest. The Americans persevering in the attack, a second attempt was made to capture their guns, but their brigades were too numerous to admit of a chance of success. The post was, however, successfully defended; every attempt of the Americans to capture it was repelled, and they retired, after sustaining considerable loss.

Major Handcock, and the officers and soldiers who had so nobly defended this post, were thanked for their conduct, by the commander of the forces, Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost. The regiment had thirteen rank and file killed; Captain Ellard, Ensign Whitford, two serjeants, and forty-six rank and file wounded.

In April the war with France was terminated, and Napoleon Buonaparte was removed from the throne of that kingdom; but the contest in America was continued, and the THIRTEENTH regiment was employed on the frontiers of Lower Canada, but it had no opportunity of distinguishing itself.

[Sidenote: 1815]

Peace was concluded with the United States in 1815, when the regiment received orders to return to England: it embarked from the Isle aux Noix in bateaux, was removed into smaller boats at William Henry, on the river St. Lawrence, and embarking in transports at the Three Rivers, arrived at Portsmouth on the 15th of July, when it landed, and was employed in garrison duty at that fortress. The period of its arrival from America, did not, therefore, afford an opportunity of the services of the regiment being available on the occasion of the return of Buonaparte to France, his overthrow at Waterloo, nor on the restoration of Louis XVIII.

The regiment remained at Portsmouth until August, when it embarked for the island of Jersey, where it was stationed upwards of two years; and its orderly conduct, on all occasions, procured for it the respect and esteem of the inhabitants and civil authorities of the island.

[Sidenote: 1816]

In January, 1816, an order was received for the reduction of the regiment to ten companies, of sixty rank and file each.

[Sidenote: 1817]

On the 24th of May, 1817, new colours were presented to the regiment, on the parade in Fort Regent-square, Jersey. The colours bore on them the “SPHINX,” with the words “EGYPT” and “MARTINIQUE,” and were consecrated by the Rev. George Lawrence, garrison chaplain, who delivered a very learned and suitable address to the regiment on the occasion.

In June of the same year, the establishment was augmented to nine hundred and seven officers and soldiers.

The regiment embarked from Jersey in August, and proceeded to the islands of Guernsey and Alderney. Its conduct, while at Jersey, had excited the admiration of the inhabitants and civil authorities of the island; and on its departure, a numerous public meeting of the inhabitants and functionaries of the parish of Saint Heliers, expressed the high sense they entertained of the distinguished merits of the corps, which was communicated to the commanding officer, Colonel Sir William Williams, by the principal constable of St. Helier. The states of the island also passed an act, setting forth their estimation of the discipline and orderly behaviour of the regiment;[11] which was communicated to the commanding officer, by his Excellency Major-General H. M. Gordon. In acknowledging the receipt of the act of the states, Colonel Sir William Williams observed, ‘To possess the good wishes of those with whom a soldier resides must ever be the most pleasing reflection, but particularly where, in the performance of his duty, approval emanates from so high and so respectable an assembly as the states of Jersey; it thence becomes a source of the most heart-felt and lasting gratification, and will be recorded, and handed down, as one of their dearest memorials. In communicating the contents to the officers of the THIRTEENTH regiment, I am to request you may accept their thanks; they being actuated with the most fervent wishes for the prosperity of the island.’

[Sidenote: 1818]

[Sidenote: 1819]

The regiment remained at the islands of Guernsey and Alderney during the two following years. In October, 1818, the establishment was reduced to seven hundred and forty-six officers and soldiers. In May and June, 1819, the regiment embarked by detachments for Portsmouth.

On quitting Guernsey, the following letter was received, dated 4th May, 1819:--

‘SIR,

‘The Royal Court of this island have desired me, as their
president, to express the high regard which they in common with
its inhabitants entertain for the officers of His Majesty’s
THIRTEENTH regiment of foot; as well as their approbation and
admiration of the general good conduct of the men of that corps,
while quartered among us; and I feel much pleasure, in being thus
enabled to assure you, Sir, that from all classes I have heard
no other sentiments but those of regret, at the approaching
departure of the THIRTEENTH regiment, which under your command,
and that of Lieut.-Col. Sir William Williams, has shown itself
throughout so orderly, and worthy of the esteem of this and the
neighbouring islands; and the officers in particular, by their
gentlemanly and social manners, have so thoroughly gained the
good will of those who had the pleasure of their acquaintance,
that one and all unite in the best wishes for the happiness and
prosperity of the whole corps, in which none is more sincere than
he who has the honour to be,

‘Sir, yours, &c.,
‘PETER DE HAVILLAND,
‘_Bailiff of Guernsey_.’

In acknowledging the receipt of this letter, Lieut.-Colonel R. B. Hancock, stated,--‘It will, no doubt, be extremely gratifying to Sir William Williams, as it is to all ranks of the regiment now here, to find that their conduct has been thought deserving of so great an honour. Penetrated by the repeated proofs of esteem and affection, which they have received from the inhabitants of Guernsey, the officers request me to offer their sincere wishes for the general prosperity of the island, and for the individual happiness and welfare of those friends to whose polite and marked attention they are so deeply indebted.’

In September the regiment embarked for Scotland, and landing at Leith, proceeded from thence to Stirling castle, with detachments to Dumbarton castle, Paisley, Callender, and Buchlivie.

[Sidenote: 1820]

The regiment marched to Edinburgh castle in September, 1820: towards the end of October it proceeded to Port Patrick, where it embarked for Ireland, landing at Donaghadee, marched from thence to Dublin, with detachments to Stranorlane, Carndonagh, Greencastle, Buncrana, Rethinilton, and Letterkenny.

[Sidenote: 1821]

After occupying these stations ten months, the regiment called in its detachments, and marched to Richmond barracks, Dublin, where it arrived on the 21st of September, 1821.

[Sidenote: 1822]

From Dublin the regiment embarked, on the 18th of July, 1822, for England, and two days after landing at Liverpool, orders were received from the Horse Guards for the regiment to embark for Greenock, proceed from thence to Edinburgh, and do duty there during the visit of His Majesty King George IV. to that city.

The regiment arrived at Edinburgh on the 31st of July and 1st of August: it had the honour of mounting guard over the royal person, when the King visited that city, and Captain Ellard, who commanded the guard of honor assembled to receive His Majesty on landing, obtained the brevet rank of major.

After His Majesty’s departure, the regiment embarked for Chatham, where it arrived on the 21st, 23rd, and 24th of September.

The regiment having been selected to proceed to India, made preparations for transferring its services to that part of the British dominions. Previous to embarking, it was constituted a corps of LIGHT INFANTRY, to take date as such from the 25th of December, 1822; and the usual augmentation was made to its numbers.

[Sidenote: 1823]

On the 1st and 3rd of January, 1823, the regiment embarked on board the ‘General Kydd’ and ‘Kent’ Indiamen, under Lieut.-Col. M‘Creagh and Major Robert H. Sale, and landed in May at Calcutta, where it received six hundred and twenty volunteers from corps about to return to England.

[Sidenote: 1824]

Soon after the arrival of the regiment in India, the tranquillity of the eastern dominions of Great Britain was interrupted by the sovereign of Ava, who governed a numerous nation of Burmans, inhabiting an extensive territory, lying in one direction, between the Chinese dominions and Bengal. For many years the Burmese officers, in the country contiguous to the British territory, had been guilty of acts of encroachment and aggression, which at length became of so outrageous a character, as to render it necessary to call upon the court of Ava for an explanation. No answer was given; but after overcoming several petty tribes by which his kingdom was surrounded, the King of Ava made preparations for invading the British territory. Troops were assembled to penetrate the Burman empire, and to put an end to these acts of aggression, and an armament was prepared at Port Cornwallis, under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell and Commodore Grant, for the capture of _Rangoon_, a city, and the principal part of the Burmese empire, situate on the north bank of the river Irawaddy, thirty miles from the sea. The THIRTEENTH light infantry embarked on this service, on the 5th of April, 1824; their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel M‘CREAGH was appointed to the command of a brigade, with the rank of Brigadier-General, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major SALE. The fleet entered the Irawaddy on the 10th of May: the Burmese made a feeble attempt to defend the city, but their batteries were soon silenced, and the place was captured without the loss of a man; the inhabitants quitting their houses and seeking refuge in the thickly-wooded country.

Brigadier-General M‘Creagh was detached with three companies against the island of _Cheduba_, on the Arracan coast, where he landed on the 14th of May, captured the Burmese stockade by storm on the 17th, made the rajah, or governor, prisoner, and reduced this fertile and productive island to submission: in which service the THIRTEENTH had Brevet Major Thornhill, Ensign Kershaw, one serjeant, one bugler, and eighteen rank and file wounded.

The Burmese army continued in great force in the neighbourhood of Rangoon, under the protection of fortifications of wood, called stockades, and of the thick jungle which covered the face of the country.

On the 28th of May, a hundred rank and file of the THIRTEENTH regiment, commanded by Major William H. Dennie, with a detachment of the thirty-eighth, advanced, under Sir Archibald Campbell, and attacked two stockades by storm, without ladders, captured the works with the bayonet, and killed about five hundred of the enemy. The THIRTEENTH had Lieutenant A. Howard killed; one bugler, and nine rank and file wounded.

When driven from one series of stockades, the Burmese erected another at a greater distance. On the 10th of June, two companies of the THIRTEENTH, under Major Robert Henry Sale, advanced with other troops, to attack the enemy’s stronghold at _Kemmendine_; when about two miles from the town, the head of the column was stopped by a strong stockade, full of men, against which the British artillery opened a well-directed fire, and in half an hour a breach was made. The forty-first, and part of the Madras European regiment, stormed the works in front; and the detachments of the THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth assaulted the rear face which was ten feet high. The soldiers being encouraged and animated by the spirited conduct of Major Sale, who showed an example of valour and personal agility, climbed the works, one helping another up, and entering simultaneously with the party by the breach, they bayoneted every man that opposed them. The loss of the THIRTEENTH was limited to one private soldier killed; Lieutenant Petry, and ten soldiers wounded.[12]

This point being gained, the column advanced about a mile, and at four o’clock in the afternoon, took up a position against the enemy’s principal stockade; batteries were erected during the night, the artillery opened a heavy fire at daylight, and the Burmese forsook their works and fled.

On the 17th of June, Brigadier-General M‘Creagh joined with the three companies from the island of Cheduba.

In the beginning of July numerous columns of Burmese warriors were seen in front of the British position, when four companies were ordered to make a reconnoissance under the command of Major Dennie: they discovered the enemy in force on the plains of Kumaroot, and returned with the loss of one man wounded. On the same day, the Burmese attacked the British posts, but were repulsed: the THIRTEENTH had two men wounded.

The Burmese position in the rear of the great pagoda was attacked on the 5th of July, when the regiment had one private soldier killed; Lieutenant Knox Barrett, one serjeant, and sixteen rank and file wounded.

A general attack was made on the 8th of July, and three hundred men of the THIRTEENTH, under Brigadier-General M‘Creagh, formed part of the force detached, under Brigadier-General M‘Bean, to storm the enemy’s works. The attack was led by Major Sale, at the head of the soldiers of the THIRTEENTH regiment, with heroic gallantry, and seven stockades were carried in rapid succession. Major Sale encountered the Burmese commander-in-chief in the works, and slew him in single combat, taking from him a valuable gold-hilted sword and scabbard. Three other stockades were captured by other portions of the armament; and the men, under Brigadier-General M‘Bean, fell in with a number of Burmese flying from a stockade attacked by the shipping, of whom they bayoneted a great number. Eight hundred Burmese were killed on this occasion, and thirty-eight pieces of artillery, forty swivels, and three hundred muskets were captured.[13]

Two serjeants of the THIRTEENTH were killed; Captain Johnson, two corporals, and five private soldiers were wounded.

The terror of these attacks caused the Burmese troops to remove to a greater distance; and the difficult character of the country, rainy weather, inundations, and the necessity for procuring a large supply of provisions before the army advanced, detained the British some time in the neighbourhood of Rangoon.

Meanwhile the Burmese recovered from the consternation into which they had been thrown, and a veteran chief, named Maha Bandoola, was appointed commander of the army of Ava. This chief approached the British position on the 1st of December, with upwards of fifty thousand foot, a body of Cassay horse, and three hundred pieces of artillery, and commenced forming entrenchments. The British beheld the legions of Ava, ten times more numerous than themselves, without dismay; and the left of the Burmese line presenting a favourable opportunity for an attack, Major Sale advanced with two hundred of the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry, under Major Dennie, and two hundred and fifty of the eighteenth Native Infantry, under Captain Ross, and stormed the entrenchments with distinguished gallantry, in sight of the whole army. The soldiers of the THIRTEENTH led the charge with great intrepidity; they burst through the entrenchments, overthrew all opposition, and spread terror and dismay on the enemy’s flank. The native infantry followed the example; the Burmese fled, and the victorious British soldiers returned to their posts laden with trophies.[14]

The THIRTEENTH foot had Lieutenant O’Shea, one serjeant, and three rank and file killed; Captain Clark died of his wounds: Ensigns Blackwall and Croker, one serjeant, and twenty rank and file wounded.

This victory was followed by a decisive triumph over the left wing of the Burmese army, on the 5th of December, on which occasion two hundred and forty-five rank and file of the THIRTEENTH, under Major Dennie, formed part of the first column of attack, under Major Sale, which penetrated the enemy’s lines, and routed the legions of Ava with a facility which proved the superior prowess of British soldiers. The first advantage was followed up, the powerful army of the enemy was overthrown, and of the three hundred pieces of ordnance which the enemy had in position, two hundred and forty were brought into the British camp.[15] The loss of the regiment was six rank and file wounded.

Anxious to retrieve his disgrace, the Burmese commander rallied his broken legions, called reinforcements to his aid, and took up another position, which he fortified with great labour and art. These formidable works were attacked on the 15th of December, when two hundred of the THIRTEENTH, under Major Sale, formed part of the column of attack under Brigadier-General Cotton, which made a detour round the enemy’s left to gain the rear of his position at _Kokien_, which was to be attacked in front by another column. On arriving in front of the position it presented a very formidable appearance; but the English general knew from experience the character of the troops he commanded, and he gave the signal for the attack, when the soldiers rushed forward with the most determined and enthusiastic bravery, and in less than fifteen minutes they were in full possession of these stupendous works. The THIRTEENTH met with very determined resistance; their commanding officer, Major Sale, received a severe wound in the head; he was succeeded by Major Dennie, who was wounded in the hand, but who continued at the head of the regiment until the action was over. The Burmese only resisted a short time, and then fled in a panic, leaving their camp standing, all their baggage, and a great portion of their arms and ammunition behind them.

Lieutenants Darby, Petry, and Jones, two serjeants, and seven rank and file, of the THIRTEENTH, were killed; Majors Sale[16] and Dennie, Captains Thornhill (Brevet Major) and James M‘Pherson, Lieutenants M. Fenton and Pattisson, Ensigns Wilkinson and Blackwell, two serjeants, and forty rank and file wounded.

[Sidenote: 1825]

These splendid successes, connected with the services of the royal navy, had produced important results; the maritime provinces of Mergui, Tavoy, Yeb, and Martuban, had been captured, and seven hundred pieces of artillery had been taken from the Burmese. To wrest additional territory from the court of Ava, the THIRTEENTH regiment was detached, under Major Dennie, with other troops, the whole under Major Sale, against the city of _Bassein_, in the south-west part of the ancient kingdom of Pegu, which constituted part of the Burmese empire. The regiment embarked on this service on the 10th of February, and after a tedious passage arrived, on the evening of the 14th, off Pagoda Point, Great Negrais. On the 26th the expedition entered the river, and the THIRTEENTH, thirty-eighth, and twelfth Native Infantry landed and captured a stockade. The troops afterwards re-embarked, and proceeded to the next stockade, which the Burmese abandoned as the soldiers went on shore to storm the works; and so great was the consternation of the enemy, that the city of Bassein was set on fire and abandoned. The expedition anchored opposite the smoking ruins on the 3rd of March, when the troops landed and took post in the area of the principal pagoda: many private houses were not destroyed, and the inhabitants were induced to return to their homes. On the 13th of March, Major Dennie made a reconnoissance up the Bassein river; he was afterwards joined by another party under Major Sale, and the whole proceeded one hundred and twenty miles up the river, to Lanrince, and returned to Bassein on the 23rd, having had two men wounded.

No resistance being met with in the province of Bassein, the THIRTEENTH regiment embarked for Rangoon, where it arrived on the 2nd of May; meanwhile the army under Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Campbell had advanced up the country, and had captured several strong towns.

On the 8th of August, the regiment embarked from Rangoon, to join the army at Prome, where it arrived in boats on the 25th. Soon afterwards overtures of peace were made by the Burmese, but hostilities were resumed in the middle of November; and the army of Ava having repulsed the attack of three bodies of sepoys, became suddenly elevated with a high idea of its own power, and advanced to envelop the British troops at Prome.

About sixty thousand Burmese environed six thousand British and native Indian troops; but undismayed by this formidable host, the English general left four native regiments for the defence of Prome, and advanced, on the 1st of December, to attack the enemy’s left wing at _Simbike_. This post was stormed by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton,[17] and the works were carried, in gallant style, in ten minutes. The THIRTEENTH were engaged in the operation, but did not take part in the assault.

After a harassing march of about twenty miles, the troops bivouacked at Ze-ouke, and at daylight on the following morning (2nd December) they were again in motion, to attack the formidable position occupied by the enemy’s centre division on the _Napadee Hills_. Arriving in the vicinity of the position, the British artillery commenced a sharp cannonade; Brigadier-General Elrington’s troops drove the enemy from the jungle, six companies of the eighty-seventh regiment carried the posts at the bottom of the ridge, and the Burmese were driven from the valley to their principal works on the hills, which appeared very formidable; the heights could only be ascended by a narrow road, commanded by artillery, and defended by stockades crowded with men armed with muskets. As soon as the artillery had made an impression on the works, the THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth regiments sprang forward with astonishing resolution and steadiness, rushed into the enemy’s works, overthrowing all opposition with the bayonet, and driving the Burmese from hill to hill, over precipices that could only be ascended by a narrow stair, until the whole of the position, nearly three miles in length, was captured. Lieut.-Colonel Sale and Major Thornhill, of the THIRTEENTH regiment, distinguished themselves.

On the 5th of December, the enemy’s right wing was driven from its post; the immense army of Ava was thus forced from its positions by the fierce attacks of the British soldiers; and the Burmese legions sought safety in flight.

After this success, the army continued to advance; the Burmese evacuated Meeday, and took post at _Melloon_, at the same time they renewed their offers for terminating the war; but this appears to have been done with the view of gaining time to re-organize their army for a more determined resistance.

[Sidenote: 1826]

The conditions of peace not being ratified by the stipulated time, hostilities were resumed on the 19th of January, 1826, on which day the THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth regiments embarked in boats under Lieut.-Colonel Sale, to assault the main face of the enemy’s fortifications at Melloon; at the same time other corps embarked to storm the works at different points. The whole of the boats quitted the shore together; but the current and breeze carried the THIRTEENTH and thirty-eighth to their point of attack, before the other divisions could reach the opposite bank of the river, and Lieut.-Colonel Sale was wounded in his boat; but the two regiments landed, formed under the command of Major Frith of the thirty-eighth, and rushed forward with such intrepidity and resolution, that they overpowered all resistance, and were speedily masters of these formidable works.[18] Major Frith was wounded in the assault, and the command of the brigade devolved on Major THORNHILL, of the THIRTEENTH regiment, who distinguished himself.

The loss of the regiment was one man killed; Major Sale and three men wounded.

The army advanced upon the capital of the Burmese empire, and the legions of Ava resolved once more to try their fortune in battle; they met the British in the open fields near _Pagahm Mew_, where an action took place on the 9th of February. The THIRTEENTH led the right attack in their usual gallant style, the Burmese troops soon gave way before the superior prowess of the British soldiers, and another victory was gained. The regiment had one soldier killed; Captain Tronson and six soldiers wounded.

After this victory, the army continued its advance upon Ummerapoora, the capital, situated upon the shores of a romantic lake; and when within four days march of that city, the King of Ava sent the ratified treaty, paying the expenses of the war and giving up a considerable portion of territory.

On the conclusion of this splendid undertaking, the following statement appeared in orders:--‘While the Governor General in Council enumerates, with sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the achievements of the first, or royals, the 13th, 38th, 41st, 45th, 47th, 87th, and 89th regiments, the Honorable Company’s Madras European regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European artillery, as the European troops which have had the honour of establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region, His Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous hosts with which they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed the virtues, and sustained the character of the British Soldier.’

Lieut.-Colonel SALE, and Majors DENNIE and THORNHILL, were rewarded with the honour of being constituted Companions of the Bath: and the word “AVA,” on the colours of the regiment, commemorates its gallantry during these campaigns.

The regiment embarked in boats, from Yandaboo, on the 7th of March, arrived at Rangoon on the 22nd, proceeded on board of transports on the 23rd, and arrived at Calcutta in the middle of April.

After remaining a few days at Calcutta, the regiment embarked by divisions for Berhampore, where it was stationed several months.

[Sidenote: 1827]

On the 15th of November, the regiment commenced its march from Berhampore, for Dinapore, where it arrived on the 3rd of January, 1827.

[Sidenote: 1831]

[Sidenote: 1832]

The regiment remained at Dinapore nearly five years, and towards the end of 1831, commenced its march for Agra, a city situate on the river Jumnah, the capital of a province of the same name, where it arrived in January, 1832.

[Sidenote: 1835]

[Sidenote: 1836]

At the city of Agra, which exhibits numerous marks of its ancient greatness, the regiment was stationed four years. From Agra the regiment marched, in December, 1835, for Kurnaul, where it arrived in January, 1836.

[Sidenote: 1837]

Early in the year 1837, the regiment furnished a detachment, under the command of Captain N. Chadwick, to accompany the commander-in-chief, General Sir Henry Fane, G.C.B, on a visit to the ruler of the Sikhs, Maharajah Runjeet Singh, at Lahore, the capital of his dominions. After a journey of several weeks, General Sir Henry Fane arrived at Lahore on the 10th of March, and was greeted at the court of the ruler of the Sikhs by a gorgeous display of oriental magnificence, for which Asiatic potentates have been celebrated. The British troops which accompanied the commander-in-chief, were reviewed, on the 17th of March, by the Maharajah, who expressed great admiration of their appearance and discipline, and in a general order published immediately after the review, it was stated,

‘The Commander-in-Chief has much pleasure in communicating to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the escort, that their appearance and steadiness under arms, this morning, met with much approbation, and their performance of the various movements will leave in the Punjaub a very favourable impression of their discipline.’

Very valuable presents were made to the officers of the escort, and the Maharajah also gave eleven thousand rupees (1100_l._) to be distributed among the non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

The Commander-in-Chief remained seven weeks at the capital of the ruler of the Sikhs, and afterwards commenced his journey back to the British dominions, and the officers and soldiers of the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry rejoined the regiment at Kurnaul.

[Sidenote: 1838]

Events occurred in the years 1837 and 1838, which appeared to render a temporary departure from those pacific councils, which have marked the British policy in India, necessary, and which occasioned the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry to take the field, under the following circumstances. Shah Shoojah-ool-Moolk had been driven from the throne of Affghanistan, and his kingdom divided among several chiefs. A Persian army besieged Herat, on the frontiers of Affghanistan, and the court of Persia claimed an extensive portion of that kingdom, which lying between India and Persia appeared to menace the safety of the British dominions in the East Indies. These circumstances, and the unprovoked attack made on an ancient British ally, Runjeet Singh, by Dost Mahomed Khan, who relied on Persian encouragement and assistance, were followed by the conclusion of a tripartite treaty, between the British, Runjeet Singh, and Shah Shoojah, for the purpose of effecting the restoration of the dethroned monarch of Affghanistan, and a British force was assembled to achieve this important change in the aspect of affairs beyond the river Indus; this force was called the “ARMY OF THE INDUS,” and the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry having been selected to take part in this enterprise, left Kurnaul in November, and proceeded to the rendezvous of the army at Ferozepore, where they arrived before the end of the month. They encamped within four miles of the Gharra, beyond which river the crimson tents and pavilions of the army of the Punjaub, designed to co-operate in the enterprise, presented a splendid and imposing appearance. The ruler of the Sikhs was with his forces; the governor general arrived at the camp, and grand interviews, entertainments, and reviews, took place, which were conducted with great magnificence. In the meantime the Persians had raised the siege of Herat, and the strength of the army was, in consequence thereof, reduced.

From the gala scenes on the banks of the Gharra the troops were called to the more arduous duties of the field, and they advanced upon the capital of the Daoodpootra state; the country was open, the roads good, the air clear and healthful, the river contiguous, and this pleasant march was completed before the end of December, 1838, when the army pitched its tents at the city of Bhawalpore.[19]

[Sidenote: 1839]

After a short halt, the THIRTEENTH resumed their march in the beginning of January, 1839, and after passing the boundary of Bhawul Khan, they entered the territory of the Khyrpore Ameer, where the inhabitants evinced a disposition bordering on hostility, and withheld aid of every kind. Towards the end of January they arrived at Roree, and beheld the river Indus, which they were about to pass, upwards of half a mile broad, with its banks clothed with groves of date trees covering hills, which presented a striking contrast to the plains near them, green with corn and tamarisk bushes. After some delay, the fortress of Bakkur was delivered up to the British, as a place of arms during the war in Affghanistan.

The troops from Bombay having met with some interruption in their advance through Lower Scinde, part of the Bengal force, including the THIRTEENTH, quitted the Indus, to menace the city of Hyderabad; but returned to Roree in the middle of February, in consequence of the submission of the rulers of Lower Scinde. A bridge of boats had, in the meantime, been placed across the great river Indus, and the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry crossed this celebrated stream, to traverse regions which a British army had never before penetrated, but which are interesting from their association with ancient history, being the scene of the operations, and reverses of Alexander the Great, upwards of two thousand years since: after a march of four days they arrived at Shikarpore, when the difficulties of the enterprise began to assume a formidable character.

Advancing from Shikarpore the regiment proceeded through a desert country to Usted, and afterwards continued its route through the arid plains of Beloochistan, occasionally suffering inconvenience from the want of water, and from the predatory habits of the Beloochees, and arrived in the middle of March, at Dadur, situated a few miles from the Bolan Pass.

From Dadur the regiment continued its route; and penetrating the Bolan Pass, marched between mountains covered with snow: in some places the pass was not more than seventeen yards wide, with gloomy crags rising perpendicularly in awful grandeur on each side. In these wild regions bands of Beloochees lurked to avail themselves of every opportunity to follow their predatory habits, and they murdered several camp followers, and plundered some baggage. Issuing from this gloomy defile of more than fifty miles in length, the regiment entered the Dusht-i be-doulut, or the unhappy-desert, and halted a short time at Quettah, situated in the centre of the valley of Shawl, of which it is the capital. Supplies of provisions could not be procured for the army in these sterile regions; the issue of grain for the horses ceased, the soldiers were placed upon half rations, the native followers upon quarter, and several men, who were searching for forage at a distance from the camp, were murdered by the ferocious natives, who hovered round the army to avail themselves of every opportunity of destroying small parties.

The soldiers bore all the hardships to which they were subjected with fortitude, and in the early part of April the army commenced its march through the vale of Shawl; it descended the picturesque height of Kotul full one thousand feet, into the valley of Koochlak; forded rivers; traversed a difficult country spangled with flowers of every hue, and passed the height of Kozak, where the soldiers had to drag the artillery over the precipice with ropes. The army, surmounting every obstacle with patient perseverance, continued to press forward; the rulers of western Affghanistan were struck with dismay at the appearance of the formidable British host, and they fled from the capital, leaving the country to the Sovereign whom the British were advancing to restore. As the army continued its march, various classes of individuals tendered their submission, and on the 27th of April the British troops arrived at Candahar, the capital of western Affghanistan, where the soldiers obtained provisions and repose. The tents were pitched in the grassy meadows, among enclosures covered with crops of grain. The watery exhalations from the low grounds proved injurious to the health of the men, and the great heat experienced in the tents, with a saline impregnation in the water, augmented the number of the sick.

Breaking up from Candahar on the 27th of June, to reduce the remainder of the Shah’s dominions to obedience to his authority, the army advanced along a valley of dismal sterility to the Turnuk river; then proceeding up the right bank, traversed the country of the Western Ghilzees, and arrived in the vicinity of _Ghuznee_, a strong fortress garrisoned by three thousand Affghans under Prince Mahomed Hyder Khan, who were well provided with stores, and had determined on a desperate defence: they had blocked up every gate by masonry excepting one.

The army having arrived before Ghuznee without a battering train of sufficient power to proceed by the regular method of breaching the walls, &c., the commander of the forces, Lieut.-General Sir John Keane, resolved to storm the place without delay. On the 21st July, a company of the THIRTEENTH under Captain Sutherland accompanied Captain Thomson, Bengal Engineers (Chief Engineer) on his reconnoitre, and had one man killed, and two wounded. During the night of the 22nd of July a quantity of gunpowder was brought secretly to the gate which was not blocked up by masonry, and which was destroyed by an explosion before daylight on the following morning.

To the THIRTEENTH was assigned the duty of covering the operations, in blowing open the gate, and they paraded at two o’clock, A.M. The regiment proceeded in advance of the storming party to the causeway of the gate, under cover of the darkness of the night, and the fire of the batteries of the assailants. Six men of the leading company were told off to assist in carrying the powder bags. On reaching the causeway, the THIRTEENTH extended in light order, along the ditch, and by their fire distracted the enemy’s attention from the gate. After the explosion a company of the regiment, under Lieutenant Jennings, moved up with the Engineer Officer to ascertain if the operation had been attended with success; on which the light company of Her Majesty’s Second regiment of foot, No. 9 company of the THIRTEENTH under Captain Vigors,--the light companies of Her Majesty’s seventeenth and of the Bengal European Regiment, which had been named to form the advance of the storming column, immediately pressed forward under the command of Brigadier Dennie of the THIRTEENTH, and under a heavy fire, gallantly gained an entrance into the fort. These were quickly followed by the main storming column under Brigadier Sale (who was severely wounded on this occasion), of which the THIRTEENTH formed part, having been ordered to close on the advance of the four companies; and the whole were soon established in possession of the fort.

The THIRTEENTH and seventeenth regiments were directed against the citadel, which was found evacuated by the enemy. Large supplies of grain, ammunition of all kinds, and several guns and military weapons, with about two thousand horses, fell into the hands of the victors. A company of the regiment under Lieutenant Arthur Wilkinson succeeded in capturing the redoubt (or outwork), and took two standards and about sixty prisoners.

The distinguished conduct of Brigadier Sale was highly commended by the Commander in Chief Lieut.-General Sir John Keane; and Brigadier Dennie, Major Tronson, and Captain Kershaw were distinguished in the despatches. The regiment had one man killed, and three serjeants and twenty-seven rank and file wounded.

When the Affghan horsemen, who had assembled in the neighbourhood, learnt the fate of the fortress, they abandoned their camp equipage and baggage, and fled towards Cabool, the capital of eastern Affghanistan, in the direction of which city the British forces immediately advanced.

Dost Mahomed Khan, the ruler of the country, assembled a formidable host in position near Ughundee; but ascertaining that his soldiers had resolved to abandon him, he fled with a body of select cavalry, leaving his artillery in position; and the British army, advancing by triumphant marches to the capital, replaced Shah Shoojah-ool-Moolk in the possession of the palace of his forefathers, from which he had been an exile many years. The conquest of a kingdom was thus achieved, by British skill and enterprise, with trifling loss, and the army pitched its tents in a rich valley near the capital.

The services of the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry were afterwards rewarded with the royal authority to bear on their regimental colour the words “AFFGHANISTAN” and “GHUZNEE.” A medal was given by the restored monarch to the officers and soldiers present at the storming of Ghuznee, which Her Majesty QUEEN VICTORIA authorized them to receive and wear. An order of merit was also instituted by the Shah, called the ORDER of the “DOORANÉE EMPIRE,” the decorations of which were conferred on’ the general and field officers; and Her Majesty was graciously pleased to grant permission to Sir Robert Sale, of the THIRTEENTH, to accept and wear the insignia of the first class, and Brevet Major James Kershaw and Captain Hamlet Wade the insignia of the third class of the order. Colonel Robert Henry Sale, was promoted to the rank of Major-General in Affghanistan, and was appointed by Her Majesty to be a Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Major Edward T. Tronson was promoted to the rank of lieut.-colonel in the army, and Captain James Kershaw to that of major, for their services in this campaign; the promotions taking place from the 23rd July, 1839, the date of the capture of Ghuznee.

NAMES of the officers of the THIRTEENTH who received the Ghuznee Medal:--

Brigadier Robert Henry Sale.
---- William Dennie.

Major Edward Tronson.
---- Tristram Squire.

_Captains._

George Fothergill.
William Sutherland.
James Kershaw.
Robert Pattisson.
John Taylor.
Horatio Vigors.
Henry Havelock.

_Lieutenants._

Arthur Wilkinson.
James Fenwick.
John Foulston.
Peter Jennings.
Philip Von Streng.
Alexander Holcombe.
George King.
Rollo Burslem.
John Wood.
Frederick Holder.
William Sinclair.
Hon. Emilius Forester.
Thomas Oxley.
David Rattray.

_Ensigns._

Edward King.
George Mein.
Richard Frere.
George Wade.

_Paymaster_ Harry Carew.--_Adjutant_ Hamlet Wade.
_Assistant Surgeons_ J. Robertson, M.D. and G. Barnes, M.D.

A complete change had been achieved in the aspect of affairs beyond the Indus; the chiefs of Cabool and Candahar, who had entertained hostile designs against the British interest, had been deprived of power, and the territories they ruled had been restored to a friendly monarch. These splendid results accomplished, part of the army was withdrawn from the country; but the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry were selected to remain in Affghanistan, to support the government of the restored Shah, against the machinations of the chiefs who had usurped his authority during his exile.

The regiment was encamped near Cabool until November, when it marched into garrison at the Bala Hissar, or citadel of Cabool, in which stands the palace, with the thirty-fifth native infantry, and a detail of artillery, and remained there during the winter, which was an unusually severe season. Brigadier Dennie commanded the garrison, and Lieutenant Hamlet C. Wade, who had been selected by Lieut.-General Lord Keane to serve on the general staff of the army, was appointed major of brigade to this force.

[Sidenote: 1840]

In May, the regiment moved into camp much reduced in numbers, having suffered very severely from disease. On the 24th September it was again called upon to take the field, having been attached to the force, under Sir Robert Sale, directed against Dost Mahomed in the Kohistan of Cabool; and it marched that day.

On the 29th September, the regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Tronson assisted in carrying the town and forts of _Tootumdurra_, at the entrance of the Ghorebund Pass, occupied by Ali Khan, a refractory chief of the Kohistan. The loss of the THIRTEENTH was limited to two privates wounded; one mortally.

On the 3rd October, the regiment was again engaged with the enemy at _Julgar_, about sixteen miles from Charekar, and although the attack of the storming party on the fort was not successful, yet Lieut.-Colonel Tronson, commanding the storming party, and Brevet Major Kershaw, Lieutenant and Adjutant Wood, Lieutenants Edward King, and George Wade (the four latter officers having at one time attained the crest of the breach) highly distinguished themselves, and were particularly mentioned by Major-General Sir Robert Sale in his despatch, who also acknowledged the assistance he received from his major of brigade, Captain Hamlet Wade. The scaling-ladders, hastily constructed from the poles used in carrying the litters for the sick, were of little use; no sooner did the soldiers attempt to ascend them, than they sank into the soft débris on which they were planted: under these circumstances the storming party retired, leaving the Serjeant-Major of the Regiment (Airey) and fourteen men lying dead under the walls. Serjeant Hurst, of the THIRTEENTH, unable to move from his wounds, was carried off by Lieutenant King; and a Sepoy was, in like manner, conveyed to the rear by private Thomas Robinson of the regiment, under a most terrific fire. Lieutenant and Adjutant Wood, three serjeants, two corporals, and twelve privates were wounded.

It was subsequently determined to renew the attack, when it might be made by a combined movement against the breach, gateway, and wicket, with better chances of success, but the enemy, however, notwithstanding the precautions taken to intercept them, succeeded in escaping from the fort before seven o’clock P.M., at which hour the British took possession of it, and measures were taken for its destruction.

The THIRTEENTH came again in contact with the enemy on the 19th October at _Babookooshghur_, when they were attacked in camp at night, but experienced little loss. On the 2nd November, the regiment was engaged with the Affghans at _Purwan_, where they had taken up a strong position under Dost Mahomed, who however retired from the field, and delivered himself up to the authorities at Cabool, when the purposes for which the force commenced operations being effected, it was directed to return to Cabool, and the THIRTEENTH took possession of the new cantonments there on the 8th November.

[Sidenote: 1841]

After having been nearly three years on active service, the regiment was in expectation of commencing its march back to India, in October 1841; but at this period the government of Shah Shoojah became so unpopular, that the Affghans appeared determined to effect, by violence or circumvention, the expulsion of the British, by whose aid he had been reinstated in the sovereignty of Cabool.

A body of insurgents having possessed themselves of the _Khoord Cabool_ pass, about ten miles from the capital, impeded the communication with India, when the first Lieut.-Colonel of the regiment, Major-General SIR ROBERT SALE, K.C.B., was detached with a small force, of which the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry formed part, to expel the rebels and re-open the communication. The regiment left Cabool on the 11th of October; the pass was forced on the following morning, and the troops penetrated to Khoord Cabool.[20] The regiment had three men killed and twenty-four wounded on this occasion:--Major-General Sir Robert Sale, Captain H. C. Wade (Major of Brigade), Lieutenant George Mein, and Ensign Oakes were wounded. Lieutenant Mein being dangerously wounded, was obliged to be sent back in a litter to Cabool. Upon Sir Robert Sale being obliged to quit the field from the severity of his wound, the command of the troops devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Dennie, C.B. of the THIRTEENTH. The regiment then faced about, to return through the pass according to the plan for executing the operation, leaving the other corps at Khoord Cabool. Possession was then taken of Bootkhak, where the regiment was stationed from the 12th to the 18th of October. During this delay, the corps was much harassed by incessant night-attacks from the enemy, called by them Shub Khoon (Night Slaughter), which caused it some loss, but by Sir Robert Sale’s precaution in ordering the men to lie down on their alarm posts, as soon as the enemy’s fire was opened on the camp, much loss was prevented. The orders prohibiting any return-fire from the troops saved much, and all the attempts of the enemy to force an entrance into camp were successfully resisted by the bayonet alone. Meanwhile the rebellion continued of a formidable character, and the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry were ordered to march to _Tezeen_, where they arrived on the 22nd of October and were engaged with a body of insurgents, whom they drove from some heights and strong positions. The regiment on this duty had the misfortune to lose Lieutenant Edward King, who fell at the head of his company, while gallantly charging the enemy. Lieutenant R. E. Frere was wounded: the other casualties were three privates killed, and nine rank and file wounded.

In consequence of orders from Cabool, the force under Major-General Sir Robert Sale marched for _Gundamuck_, and were continually pressed day and night, by insurgent bands hovering on their flanks and rear, which occasioned the fatigues and duties of the troops to be particularly harassing; the way led along defiles and over mountains, and when the soldiers halted, breast-works had to be thrown up to defend the bivouac ground from sudden attacks of the Affghan cavalry.

On the 29th of October the rebels were found in force at the _Jugdulluck_ Pass, and for some time they checked the advance of the column; but the skirmishers of the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry, sprang forward with distinguished gallantry, and driving the Affghans from almost inaccessible heights protected by breast-works, enabled the British force to surmount every obstacle in the defile, and to arrive at Gundamuck on the following day. Lieutenants P. R. Jennings, A. E. F. Holcombe, and David Rattray were severely wounded on this service; four privates were killed, and forty-two wounded. Lieut.-Colonel Dennie, Captains Wilkinson, Havelock, Wade, (Brigade-Major) and Fenwick, were specially mentioned by Major-General Sir Robert Sale in his despatch.

The troops under Major-General Sir Robert Sale remained at Gundamuck until the 5th November, when they proceeded and captured the fort of _Mamoo Khail_ in the neighbourhood, and returned on the 6th to Gundamuck; there intelligence was received of the breaking out of a violent insurrection at Cabool, on the 2nd of November, and of the probability that the rebellion would become general. Under these circumstances, two forced marches on Jellalabad were made, with a numerous enemy pressing on the flanks and rear; a body of insurgents were beaten at _Futtehabad_ by the rear-guard under Lieut-Colonel Dennie; and _Jellalabad_, the chief town in the valley of Ningrahar, was seized by the British troops on the 12th November, to establish a post upon which the corps at Cabool might retire, if necessary, and to restore a link in the chain of communication with India. The Affghan irregulars, left at Gundamuck, revolted, and a general rising took place among the tribes.

Major-General Sir Robert Sale, on taking possession of Jellalabad, found the fortress in a very dilapidated state, and the inhabitants disaffected to the government of the Shah. The Affghans collected to about ten thousand, and the walls of the fort being without parapets, and the garrison having only one day and a half supplies, on half rations, a sally was made on the 14th November, which routed the enemy, and enabled the troops to collect provisions, and erect works for the defence of the fortress. On this latter duty, the THIRTEENTH Light Infantry were conspicuous for the alacrity and indefatigable perseverance they evinced under circumstances of the most disheartening and trying character. The demolition of ruinous forts and old walls, filling up ravines, destroying gardens, cutting down groves, raising the parapets to six or seven feet high, repairing and widening the ramparts, extending the bastions, retrenching three of the gates, covering the fourth with an outwork, and excavating a ditch ten feet in depth and twelve in width round the whole of the walls, were works of great labour, which called forth the efforts of every individual. While thus employed another array of many thousands of Affghans on the 27th of November again invested the place, but they were completely routed and dispersed by a sally of the garrison on the 1st December.

[Sidenote: 1842]

On the 9th of January, 1842, the garrison was summoned to give up the fortress, by the leader of the Affghan rebellion, in fulfilment of a convention entered into at Cabool; but Major-General Sir Robert Sale, being fully assured of the bad faith of the insurgents, refused; the annihilation of the troops from the capital, in the Ghilzie defiles, by the severity of the climate, and the basest treachery on the part of those in whose promises they had confided, proved the correctness of the major-general’s estimation of the Affghan character.