Historical Record of the Thirty-ninth, or the Dorsetshire Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1702, and of its subsequent services to 1853.

Chapter IV: Part 4

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On the 30th of May 1831, a general order was issued, acquainting the regiment that it was destined to proceed to India, upon the arrival of the Fourth foot in New South Wales.

Lieut.-General Darling embarked for England on the 22nd of October 1831, leaving the administration of the government of the colony in the hands of Colonel Lindesay, who continued to act as governor until the arrival of Major-General Richard Bourke, C.B., on the 2nd of December. During this period the command of the regiment devolved upon Major M^cPherson, who was withdrawn from the Bathurst district for that purpose.

[Sidenote: 1832.]

On the 5th of July 1832, a general order was issued, directing the head-quarters of the regiment to embark for Madras; upon which occasion an address was unanimously voted by the civil officers of the colony to Colonel Lindesay on his departure, as a mark of sincere esteem and respect; and he, together with the officers of the THIRTY-NINTH, received an invitation to a dinner, immediately after which the address, most numerously signed, and highly complimentary to the Colonel and to the regiment, was read by Chief-Justice Forbes. Colonel Lindesay, in reply, expressed his thanks for the honor conferred upon him and upon the THIRTY-NINTH regiment.

Six companies of the regiment embarked at Sydney on the 21st of July 1832, in three divisions, and disembarked at Madras on the 22nd of September, 10th and 14th of October. The remaining four companies embarked at Sydney on the 3rd of December, and arrived at Madras on the 21st of February of the following year.

The regiment was for a short period stationed at Poonamallee, about thirteen miles from Madras.

[Sidenote: 1833.]

After receiving several contradictory orders as to its final destination, the regiment marched on the 22nd of January 1833, for Bangalore in the Mysore territory, where it arrived on the 14th of February. On the following day, Colonel Lindesay assumed the command of the cantonment of Bangalore, and that of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Colonel M^cPherson. A week afterwards the remainder of the corps, with the exception of forty men left behind, had disembarked at Madras from New South Wales, under the command of Major Thomas Poole, and joined the head-quarters on the 15th of April; the strength of the corps had also been increased by one hundred and fifteen volunteers received from the Forty-sixth regiment. Lieutenant Charles Cox, who had been detached under the command of Captain Wakefield, to take charge of these volunteers, died of cholera while on the route to Hyderabad.

Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Robert William O’Callaghan, K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Ninety-seventh to that of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, on the 4th of March 1833, in consequence of the decease of Lieut.-General Sir George Airey, K.C.H.

Cholera broke out among the European troops at Bangalore about the 22nd of March 1833; and in the course of fire weeks the regiment lost Captain Thomas Meyrick, four serjeants, forty-two rank and file, two women, and eleven children. Captain Meyrick had served twenty-two years in the THIRTY-NINTH, fourteen of which he had been adjutant of the regiment.

In consequence of Lieut.-Colonel M^cPherson proceeding to England on the 15th of December 1833, on two years’ leave of absence, Major Poole became the commanding officer of the regiment.

[Sidenote: 1834.]

Early in 1834, the regiment was called upon to take part in active field operations against the Rajah of Coorg. This prince, a dependent ally of the British, had for some time excited the attention of the government by a series of cruelties and oppression towards his subjects, and had made open preparations to resist its authority. Confiding in the natural difficulties of his country, he presumed to defy the arm of British power, and encouraged proclaimed rebels to take refuge in his jungles and mountains; he finally reached the climax of misconduct, by the outrageous act of arresting an accredited envoy from the government, who had been sent to endeavour to re-establish amicable relations.

A field force, consisting of upwards of seven thousand men, was formed and divided into four columns; the command of the whole was assigned to Colonel Patrick Lindesay, C.B., who received the temporary rank of Brigadier, and Captain John Douglas Forbes, of the THIRTY-NINTH, was appointed deputy assistant adjutant-general of the force.

The regiment was directed to furnish four hundred rank and file to form the European force of the Eastern Column; and on the 17th of March, the following detail, under the command of Major Thomas Poole, marched from Bangalore in light service order:--

Field Offr. Captns. Subs. Staff. Serjts. Drms. Rk. & File
1 6 12 1 25 6 400

The column rendezvoused at Periapatam, within a few miles of the hostile country, where final arrangements were made for the attack.

It having been decided that the column should move on two points, it was divided into two divisions, and a part of the regiment attached to each. On the 1st of April, the head-quarters, consisting of four companies, with the part of the column under the personal direction of the Brigadier, marched for Bedalapoor; and Major Poole was nominated to the command of the Infantry Brigade, while Captain Horatio Walpole succeeded to the charge of that portion of the regiment. Captain Smyth, with the other three companies of the regiment, remained with the division under Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, of the East India Company’s service.

On the 2nd of April, the Cavery was crossed, and the Coorg country entered by both divisions; the opposition made by the enemy was trifling, and the casualties in the regiment were very few. Captain Smyth and one serjeant were wounded.

On the following day the troops advanced, and succeeded in carrying all the barriers and positions opposed to them; one private was wounded at the stockade, near Harringharry.

The difficulties of the country, both natural and artificial, became excessive, and demanded, as they received, the very utmost exertions of the troops to bring forward the artillery. In one day’s march of continued labour, for upwards of fourteen hours, a distance was gained of only five miles.

On the evening of the 4th, a flag of truce arrived from the rajah, proposing that the troops should halt until he could conclude a negotiation, into which he proposed entering. The Brigadier received the flag, and consented to a truce so far as regarded actual hostilities, provided the enemy refrained from them; but he signified his determination to advance until the rajah surrendered himself an unconditional prisoner.

No further opposition was experienced, and the increasing strength of the stockades and positions, rendered it evident that, if adequately defended, they could only have been carried at an enormous sacrifice. The head-quarter division reached Mercara, the capital, on the 6th; and the British ensign displayed on the walls of its fort, speedily announced the addition which the force had made to British power. The rajah, who had retreated to a country palace, surrendered his person on the 10th of April, and the war was considered at an end.

The conduct of the regiment had throughout this short campaign met with the unqualified praise and approval of the Brigadier, who concluded one of his despatches by saying:--

“It remains, therefore, for me only to bring to the notice
of His Excellency the excellent conduct of that part of the
Eastern Column which has been acting under my orders. To Major
Poole of His Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment, whom I placed in
immediate command of the Infantry Brigade, I have been indebted
for the most zealous and able assistance; and I do but justice
in reporting that the officers and soldiers, of every rank and
degree, have under all circumstances, and in all respects,
merited my most perfect approbation.”

The following is an extract from the despatch of Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, commanding the second division of the Eastern Column:--

“The detachment of His Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment surmounted
all difficulties with the characteristic behaviour of British
soldiers.”

On the 11th of April, the three companies with Captain Smyth, who had been latterly employed in opening the communications, rejoined, and the regiment remained in camp at Mercara until the 11th of May, when, in consequence of an order for the reduction of the force, it marched for Bangalore, and arrived there on the 28th of May.

The casualties by war have already been shown to be trifling; those by sickness, notwithstanding the fatigue and exposure, were also singularly few. The regiment returned to Bangalore but six men weaker than it left that place.

Upon the Forty-eighth regiment being ordered to embark for England, thirty men of that corps volunteered to the THIRTY-NINTH, and joined the head-quarters on the 14th of November.

[Sidenote: 1835.]

Early in the year 1835, the following general order was received at the regiment, marking His Majesty’s extreme approbation of the conduct of Brigadier-General Lindesay, C.B., whilst commanding the force employed in the expedition against the Rajah of Coorg.

“_Head-Quarters_,
_Madras, 17th April 1835_.

“GENERAL ORDER.

“His Excellency Lieut.-General The Honorable Sir Robert William
O’Callaghan, commanding His Majesty’s Forces in India, has much
satisfaction in publishing the following extract of a letter from
the Right Honorable the General Commanding-in-chief, expressive
of His Majesty’s approval of the conduct of Brigadier-General
Lindesay, and the troops employed under his orders, during
the late operations in Coorg, and of His Majesty having been
graciously pleased in consequence to nominate that officer to be
a Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.”

Extract of a letter from General the Right Honorable Lord Hill, Commanding-in-chief, dated Horse Guards, 22nd October, 1834, to the Right Honorable Lord William Bentinck, G.C.B., Commander-in-chief in India.[30]

“I have had the honor to receive your Lordship’s letter on the
22nd of May, transmitting a copy of your General Order, on the
termination of the war against the Rajah of Coorg; and I beg
leave to offer to your Lordship my best congratulations on the
success of that operation.

“Having felt it my duty to lay your communication before the
King, and to solicit His Majesty’s attention to the terms in
which you speak of the conduct of Colonel Lindesay, of His
Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH Regiment, to whom you confided the command
of the Field Force, I have the honor to acquaint you, that the
King has remarked with much satisfaction, that the ability and
judgment of Colonel Lindesay in the performance of his important
service, have been eminently conspicuous; and in testimony of His
Royal approbation His Majesty has been pleased to nominate him a
Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order, the decoration of
which will be duly transmitted to him by the Hanoverian minister
at this court.

“_By order of His Excellency Lieut.-General the Hon.
Sir_ ROBERT WILLIAM O’CALLAGHAN, _Commanding
His Majesty’s Forces in India_.

(Signed) “R. TORRENS,
“_Colonel, Adjutant-General H. M.’s Forces in India_.”

Colonel Lindesay had, previously to the receipt of this communication, been removed from the command of the cantonment of Bangalore, and appointed on the 3rd of January to that of the southern division of the Madras army, with the temporary rank of Brigadier-General. He accordingly proceeded to Trichinopoly, the head-quarters of that division. From this place he made application that the THIRTY-NINTH might be permitted to resume the following distinctions, which had been borne on the regimental colour and appointments for many years, but which had been discontinued about the year 1807, namely the motto “_Primus in Indis_,” and the word “PLASSEY;” also the device of the “_Castle and Key_,” in addition to the word GIBRALTAR and the motto “_Montis Insignia Calpé_.” His Majesty King William the Fourth was graciously pleased to approve of these distinctions being resumed by the THIRTY-NINTH, and the result was communicated by the Adjutant-General on the 24th of November 1835, to Lieut.-Colonel Sir Robert William O’Callaghan, Colonel of the regiment.

On the 14th of December 1835, the regiment was reviewed at Bangalore by Major-General Hawker, commanding the Mysore division of the army, who after a minute inspection expressed to Major Poole his perfect approbation of its appearance, movements, and discipline.

[Sidenote: 1836.]

In February 1836, Colonel Lindesay embarked for Europe, having been relieved in the command of the southern division of the Madras army by Major-General Sir John Forster Fitzgerald, K.C.B., in the preceding October.

Colonel Lindesay, on his departure, was presented by the officers with a gold snuff-box, value nine hundred rupees, bearing the distinctions of the regiment, in which he had served for upwards of forty years.

[Sidenote: 1837.]

A gold snuff-box, value five hundred rupees, was also presented, in January 1837, to Arthur Hamilton, Esq., surgeon of the regiment, on his return to Europe.

A detachment, consisting of two captains, seven subalterns, nine serjeants, four drummers, and two hundred rank and file, marched from Bangalore on the 10th of April 1837, under the command of Captain Walpole, to assist in quelling an insurrection which had taken place in Canara and Malabar.

Directions were given to Captain Walpole to proceed with all expedition to the French Rocks, there to place himself under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel William Williamson, commanding the force moving towards Bisley Ghaut. On arriving at the former place, Captain Walpole received instructions to continue his march in the direction of Mercara; and came up with Colonel Williamson’s force, consisting of a brigade of horse artillery, one squadron of native cavalry, and the Twenty-seventh Native Infantry, five miles to the west of Seringapatam, after a march of twenty-five miles. This force then marched to Frazerpet, and from thence (its movement to Mercara having been countermanded) along the Cavery river to Bisley, where it arrived on the 23rd of April, after thirteen days of very harassing marching from Bangalore, upon an average of nineteen miles a day, and with only one halting-day.

The Pass of the Bisley Ghaut was cleared after some slight resistance offered by the insurgents at the barriers which they had erected, and the force descended upon the Canara country and encamped at Cuddal, until tranquillity was restored.

Captain Walpole’s detachment was then ordered back to Bangalore, where it arrived on the 20th of May without any casualties, and only sixteen sick, although the men had been exposed in small tents in the jungle to the heat of the sun, and had performed a succession of forced marches, besides the laborious duty of assisting in drawing the artillery guns up the difficult ascent of the Ghaut. Lieut.-Colonel Williamson, of the East India Company’s army, who commanded the force, was in the following year nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

[Sidenote: 1838.]

On the 6th of January 1838, the regiment received a very handsome piece of plate from their late Lieut.-Colonel, Major-General Sir Patrick Lindesay, C.B. and K.C.H.

The right wing marched to Bellary on the 20th of October 1838, to replace the Forty-first regiment, and was followed by the left wing and head-quarters on the 16th of January 1839.

[Sidenote: 1839.]

Upon the head-quarters leaving Bangalore, the following order was issued by Major-General Sir Hugh Gough K.C.B. (now Viscount Gough), then commanding the Mysore division of the army:--

“DIVISION ORDERS.

“_Bangalore, 15th January 1839._

“Major-General Sir Hugh Gough on parting with Her Majesty’s
THIRTY-NINTH Regiment feels great satisfaction in being able
to record his unqualified approbation of the soldier-like,
creditable, and uniformly correct conduct of the corps during
the sixteen months it has been under his immediate command
at the head-quarters of the Mysore division; and he requests
Lieut.-Colonel Poole will, himself, accept the Major-General’s
best thanks for his judicious arrangements and unceasing
attention to the various duties attendant on his situation as
commanding-officer, and that he will also convey to the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of Her Majesty’s
THIRTY-NINTH regiment his best thanks and good wishes, with
the assurance that the Major-General will consider it a most
gratifying event again to have this distinguished corps under his
orders, the more particularly should his services be required in
the field.

“The Major-General cannot avoid at the present moment noticing
the circumstance so confirmatory of the good feeling and high
state of discipline of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment;
namely, that for the six years it has been quartered at
Bangalore, not one solitary instance of complaint has been
preferred against an officer, or a soldier, by an inhabitant for
insult or injury of any kind.

“By Order,
(Signed) “G. C. WHITELOCK,
“_Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General,_
“_Mysore Division of the Army_.”

The head-quarters arrived at Bellary on the 5th of February, and the regiment was stationed there at the end of March when the cholera broke out in the regiment, and raged for some time with considerable violence. One of the last victims to the disease was the Senior Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Poole, who died on the 23rd of April, and was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Wakefield. Lieut.-Colonel Poole entered the service on the 4th of September 1803, as Ensign in the Twenty-second regiment, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 20th of June 1805, and served for some time as Adjutant; he was appointed Captain in the same regiment on the 26th of December 1811, and was advanced to the rank of Major on the 14th of February 1828; he exchanged from the Twenty-second to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment on the 21st of February 1828, and was promoted Lieut.-Colonel in the latter corps on the 10th of January 1837. Major Thomas Wright was promoted to the vacant Lieut.-Colonelcy on the 24th of April 1839.

On the 30th of August 1839, the regiment left Bellary for field service under Major-General Wilson, C.B. The intended destination of the force was at that time unknown to the Major-General himself. The troops reached Adoni, which had formerly been a favourite stronghold of one of the minor branches of the Mogul dynasty, and the ruins of which attest its former strength and magnificence, on the 3rd of September.

The regiment was halted there until the 21st, during the greater part of which time it rained heavily, but the men were very healthy. On the 27th it reached Coodamoor, where the whole force was assembled, consisting, in addition to the THIRTY-NINTH, of two squadrons of the Thirteenth light dragoons, the Seventh regiment of Native cavalry, the Third, Sixteenth, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-ninth, and Fifty-first regiments of Native infantry. The head-quarters of the Sappers and Miners, a troop of horse and two companies of foot artillery, with four eighteen-pounders, four twelve-pounders, several mortars, howitzers, and a large and well equipped park. A formidable resistance was, therefore, expected by the Government; and subsequent inquiries proved that the intended antagonist was supplied with most numerous and well constructed implements of destruction, and that a part of his force consisted of brave and determined soldiers.

At Coodamoor the regiment remained halted for many days; and on the 1st of October the cholera unfortunately broke out, and lasted with considerable violence for about ten days, during which time Lieut. Samuel Philips, Assistant Surgeon Robert Martin Davis, M.D., of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment (a most valuable and excellent medical officer), and six men died therefrom.

On the 3rd of October, an order was received from the Commissioners for the affairs of _Kurnool_ to detach a portion of the force in advance; two companies of the THIRTY-NINTH, under the command of Captain Henry Clarence Scarman (who died of cholera in the Fort of Kurnool on the 12th of the same month), with a detachment of the artillery, and the Fifty-first Native infantry, marched on the 4th of October. This force was led into the Fort of _Kurnool_ by the Nuwaub’s head minister, Numder Cawn, who subsequently was proved to have been a traitor to both parties. The Nuwaub and his party vacated the fort by an opposite gate. This apparent surrender turned out to be a _ruse de guerre_, as the Nuwaub, it is believed, fully expected to re-occupy the fort; for there were no visible symptoms of preparations, all munitions of war being buried or built up, and the whole wore a peaceful aspect; subsequent discoveries proved that peace was not his object, but that he contemplated lulling the Company into security, until he was prepared for active operations. On the 9th of October, the Commissioners applied for a reinforcement; and two companies of the THIRTY-NINTH, the whole of the Thirty-fourth Native infantry, with a detachment of cavalry and artillery, were despatched under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Edward Wright. These two companies were encamped outside the Fort of _Kurnool_ for some days; but on the morning of the 18th, Lieut.-Colonel Wright was privately informed that his two companies would be required to assist in endeavouring to force the Nuwaub to surrender, and to make his followers, principally composed of Arabs, Rohillahs, and Patans, lay down their arms. It is well known that Arabs particularly have a great objection to do this, and will rather fight under very adverse circumstances than comply; resistance was, therefore, expected. Negotiations were soon seen to be unavailing, as some of the Rohillah chiefs (a brave people, whose sole and only occupation is mercenary fighting) accused their opponents of cowardice.

A fire of artillery and musketry of twenty minutes’ duration was opened upon, and returned by the Nuwaub’s party, when an order was given to the THIRTY-NINTH to charge, which they did, and after a well contested struggle obtained possession of the person of the Nuwaub, and made prisoners a great number of his followers. Several escaped, and were pursued by a party of the Thirteenth light dragoons, which guarded the ford of the river; about three hundred are supposed to have fallen on the side of the enemy. The two companies of the THIRTY-NINTH were about eighty strong in rank and file. Lieut. Thomas White, one colour-serjeant, and one private were killed; and Lieut.-Colonel Wright was most dangerously wounded. Four privates were dangerously wounded, two of whom died, and one had his arm amputated; five privates were slightly wounded.

The conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Wright, and that of the officers and men of his detachment, was highly commended in the public despatch on the occasion. Captain William Wood, Lieut. Edward Croker, and Ensign Owen Wynne Gray, were the officers present, together with Lieut. Thomas White, who was killed.

In the despatch of Lieut.-Colonel Dyce, commanding the detachment of the Kurnool field force, giving an account of the affair at _Zorapore_, near Kurnool, on the 18th of October, it was stated “that the conduct of the detachment of the THIRTY-NINTH was such as always characterises British soldiers;” and he added,

“I beg particularly to bring to the notice of superior authority
the conspicuously gallant conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Wright, of
Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment, who has been dangerously
wounded.”

The loss of the enemy was severe; several chiefs were among the slain, and a number of elephants, horses, and treasure were captured.

The Governor of Madras in Council stated in general orders, dated Fort George, 25th October 1839, in publishing Lieut.-Colonel Dyce’s despatch, that “while he laments the humane efforts of that officer to prevent bloodshed have been defeated by the infatuation of the Nuwaub of Kurnool’s followers, he cannot refrain from expressing the high sense he entertains of the gallantry and soldier-like conduct displayed by Lieut.-Colonel Dyce, and the officers and men of the detachment in the attack upon the durgah at Zorapore.”

The regiment returned to Bellary on the 8th of November 1839, leaving two companies to garrison the Fort at Kurnool. Shortly afterwards intimation was received that it was to march for Kamptee, and accordingly on the 24th of December the regiment quitted Bellary.

[Sidenote: 1840.]

The two companies which had been left at Kurnool, rejoined the head-quarters at Nagumpilly, near Secunderabad, on the 12th of January 1840, and the regiment arrived at Kamptee by the route of Secunderabad and Hingolee, a distance of six hundred and forty miles, without a single casualty. Previously to quitting Bellary the regiment received from Major-General Francis W. Wilson, C.B., in orders, the expression of his entire approbation of its “excellent discipline, efficiency, and exemplary behaviour both in garrison and the field.”

Lieut.-Colonel Wakefield died of fever on the 17th of May 1840, and Lieut.-Colonel Wright assumed the command of the regiment. Major Horatio Walpole was promoted to the vacant Lieut.-Colonelcy.

Lieut.-General Sir Frederick Philipse Robinson, G.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Fifty-ninth to that of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment on the 15th of June 1840, in succession to Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Robert William O’Callaghan, G.C.B., deceased.

[Sidenote: 1841.]

From the unsettled state of India, rumours were constantly stirring that the regiment would be ordered to march in the direction of Bombay; it remained quiet, however, until November 1841, when two companies were ordered at a few hours’ notice to join a small force under Lieut.-Colonel Dowker, of the Madras army, for the purpose of pursuing and chastising a pretender to the name and person of Appa Sahib, who had been deposed from the Nagpore throne in 1818, and had made his escape from the escort of British troops, and, although frequently heard of, had never been seen by the British authorities.

These two companies did not fall in with the rebels, and their return to Kamptee was hastened by an order for the regiment to march to Cawnpore, in the Bengal presidency, with the least possible delay. On the 27th of December 1841, the regiment left Kamptee, and on approaching Jubbulpore received orders to change its route to Agra, which it accordingly did, and reached its destination, _viâ_ Sangor, Jhansi, and Gwalior, a distance of five hundred and twenty miles, on the 1st of March 1842, with only two casualties.

[Sidenote: 1842.]

[Sidenote: 1843.]

On the 8th of October 1842, the regiment marched, _viâ_ Muttra, Delhi, and Kurnaul, to join the army of reserve assembled at Ferozepore, on the return of the troops from Affghanistan, where it remained until the army was dissolved in January 1843, when it marched to Delhi, and formed part of the Governor-General’s escort there, returning to Agra by way of Allyghur, on the 4th of March following.

On the morning of the 23rd of March 1843, at six o’clock, Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, presented new colours to the regiment.

The corps received his Lordship with a general salute, after which the ranks were closed. It then formed three sides of a square, and the new colours were deposited in front, where they were consecrated with a prayer every way suited to the solemnity of the occasion, by the Rev. Mr. Rice, Chaplain at Agra. His Lordship then affably desired that sufficient space might be afforded for his voice to be heard by all the regiment, and spoke as follows:--

“Lieut.-Colonel Wright, officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment, I present to
you new colours, consecrated with all the solemn ceremonies of
religion, to be borne, as your colours always have been, with
honor before the enemy.

“These colours have already inscribed on them the names of
many victories, wherein those who have preceded you in the
THIRTY-NINTH, and some amongst yourselves, have borne part.

“There is yet space for more inscriptions to commemorate other
victories; and be assured that, if the necessity for action
should occur, I shall afford you the opportunity of acquiring
distinctions similar to those which have been obtained by your
predecessors, with the conviction that you will display courage
like that which distinguished them upon the field of battle, that
these colours will never retreat before the enemy, but that every
one of you would give his life to bear them on to victory.

“In England and in the colonies, and in other parts of the world,
Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment may stand in the same line
with other regiments which have gained glory in the field. In
India you are the first. Your predecessors laid, at _Plassey_,
the foundation of the glorious empire you now behold; an empire
won by arms, and by arms alone to be preserved.

“Other inscriptions on your colours commemorate victories
in which your predecessors participated in Spain, under the
immediate eye and direction of the greatest of generals, of him
who now again in the command of the army in England, watches
over the interest and honor of those he so often led to victory.
Loyalty to our Sovereign is the first duty of us all. It has at
all times been the virtue of the British soldier; but how much is
there to animate our loyalty, to give the character of enthusiasm
to our feelings for our Sovereign, when the Queen evinces, as
Her Majesty always has done, the deepest personal interest, the
warmest zeal and regard for the honor of the army!

“Eleven regiments of Her Majesty’s army have, in this last
year, obtained from Her Majesty’s gracious favour, for their
services in Affghanistan and China, medals commemorative of those
services, to be for ever worn upon their breasts.

“I know that whenever your services may be required in the field,
you will follow these colours, not with any thought of pecuniary
advantage to be gained by success, but with the one absorbing
thought, that, through the success you may obtain by your
courage, you may return to your families, to your friends, and
to your country, bearing upon your breasts the decorations which
evince your Queen’s approval of your devotion to Her Majesty, and
of your duty well performed before the enemy.

“My fortune has given to me, and I regret it, a career different
from yours. I have been, and must remain, employed in civil
duties; but I tell you, as I have already told some of your
comrades, the first of all professions is that of a soldier, and
the first of all rewards is military honor!!!

“I now deliver to you these colours, in the conviction that they
will ever be borne before you with honor, and that there is not a
man amongst you who would not give his life to preserve them.”

Lieut.-Colonel Wright replied to his Lordship to the following effect:--

“That both himself and the officers and soldiers of the regiment
were deeply sensible of the honor his Lordship had conferred
upon them; that he was unable to enlarge on the topics usually
advanced on such occasions, as his Lordship’s speech had both
anticipated and exhausted his resources; but that his Lordship
might rely upon it, every member of the corps would endeavour
to maintain the honor of their colours, and the renown of Her
Majesty’s arms, unsullied.”

The regiment then reformed line and the audience retired. The colours were trooped in the usual form; and on arriving at the right of the line were brought up by the grenadiers (the band playing their march) along the front of the line, opposite to the old colours, where they were exchanged; the senior ensigns falling in with the new colours in the centre of the line, whilst the old colours fell in respectively on the flanks of the grenadier company, which were faced outwards by sub-divisions, and conveyed (music playing) round the flanks of the regiments to the rear of the centre, when they were sent away. The grenadiers then resumed their post in line, and the regiment then marched past in slow and quick time, reformed line, and presented arms.

A ball and supper were given by the officers to commemorate the event, to which every member of society in and around Agra was invited. These festivities were attended by his Lordship, and were subsequently followed by others on succeeding evenings, in which the serjeants, corporals, and privates of the regiment participated.

In the month of August 1843, cholera appeared with great virulence. Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Donald Urquhart, Surgeon Robert Stark, M.D., two serjeants, two corporals, forty-eight privates, women, and children, died of this disease in the course of a month, after a few hours’ seizure. The hospital was crowded with patients. All the officers, Lieut.-Colonel Wright with about five others excepted, were attacked with cholera symptoms. Captain Charles T. Van Straubenzee of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, was promoted to the rank of Major on the 27th of August, in succession to Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Urquhart.

The regiment was encamped at Rambaugh, near Agra, for ten days, in consequence, until the disease disappeared.

The THIRTY-NINTH regiment formed part of the fifth brigade of the “Army of Exercise,” assembled at Agra on the 25th of November 1843. This force had been assembled in consequence of affairs in the state of _Gwalior_, which had for some time required the attention of the Indian Government, although it was not anticipated that actual hostilities would take place. The events which led to the collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of the once powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow:--Upon the decease of Maharajah Jhunkojee Rao Scindia, the British Government promptly acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Jyajee Rao Scindia, who was nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose adoption by the Maharanee, his Highness’s widow, was approved by the chiefs. During the minority of the Maharajah, the office of regent was to be held by Mama Sahib. In a short period the regent was compelled by force to quit the Gwalior state, and the Dada Khasgee Walla succeeded to the confidence of the Maharanee without possessing generally that of the chiefs, and by his influence various acts were committed insulting and injurious to the British Government. The delivery of the Dada being peremptorily insisted upon as a necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of the customary relations with the Gwalior state, the Maharanee at length complied with the request. The Governor-General, in order to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindia, and a strong government having been established at Gwalior, they received orders to withdraw; but were not destined to return to their own territory without a severe conflict. They had quitted Agra in the early part of December, immediately after the arrival there of the Governor-General of India, The Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough. His Lordship accompanied the troops, and on the 23rd of December they crossed the Chumbul river, and halted at Hingona, about twenty miles from Gwalior, where the army rested for five days.

During this interval the Mahratta vakeels, or agents for the Gwalior durbar, had an interview with the Governor-General, and the negotiations appeared proceeding to an amicable issue. The design of the enemy was, however, merely to gain time to concentrate his forces, and this at last became so evident that his Lordship determined upon active measures of hostility. While the main body of the army, of which the THIRTY-NINTH formed part, moved on from Agra under General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, Bart., G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief in India, another division under Major-General John Grey, C.B., advanced on Gwalior from Bundlekund.

The THIRTY-NINTH, with the main division, crossed the Koharee river early in the morning of the 29th of December, and found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of the village of _Maharajpore_, in a very strong position, which they had occupied during the previous night, and which they had carefully entrenched. The British were about fourteen thousand strong, with forty pieces of artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen thousand men, including three thousand cavalry with a hundred guns. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of the country, intersected by deep and almost impassable ravines, the whole of the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed positions by eight o’clock in the morning of the 29th of December. The action commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler’s column, which was exactly in front of _Maharajpore_; and although the Mahratta troops fought with desperate bravery, nothing could withstand the rush of British soldiers. The part taken by the THIRTY-NINTH in the victory which ensued, is shown in the accompanying extracts from the despatch of General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B. “Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH foot, with their accustomed dash, ably supported by the Fifty-sixth Native infantry, drove the enemy from their guns into the village, bayonetting the gunners at their posts. Here a most sanguinary conflict ensued; the Mahratta troops, after discharging their matchlocks, fought sword in hand with the most determined courage.

“Major-General Littler, with Brigadier Wright’s brigade, after
dispersing the right of the enemy’s position at _Maharajpore_,
steadily advanced to fulfil his instructions of attacking the
main position at Chonda in front, supported most ably by Captain
Grant’s troop of horse artillery, and the First regiment of light
cavalry. This column had to advance under a very severe fire over
very difficult ground; but when within a short distance, again
the rush of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, us before, under Major
Bray, gallantly supported by the Fifty-sixth regiment of Native
infantry under Major Dick, carried every thing before them, and
thus gained the entrenched main position of Chonda. In this
charge the THIRTY-NINTH regiment lost the services of its brave
commanding-officer, Major Bray, who was desperately wounded by
the blowing up of one of the enemy’s tumbrils in the midst of the
corps, and were ably brought out of action by Major Straubenzee.
This gallant corps on this occasion captured two regimental
standards.

“A small work of four guns on the left of this position was long
and obstinately defended, but subsequently carried, and the guns
captured by the grenadiers of the THIRTY-NINTH, under Captain
Campbell, admirably supported by a wing of the Fifty-sixth Native
infantry under Major Phillips.”

Major-General Grey, who had been directed to push on with the left wing as rapidly as practicable to _Punniar_, twelve miles south-west of Gwalior, gained also a complete victory on the same day as the battle of _Maharajpore_ was fought, namely, 29th of December. The Mahratta army were thus placed between two corps capable of supporting each other, should it remain in the vicinity of its capital; or of subdividing that army to repel, or attack, these two columns; the latter alternative was adopted by the enemy, and the consequence was most decisive and honorable to the British arms, and the mutinous troops which had overawed and controlled the government of His Highness the Maharajah Jyajee Rao Scindia, were signally defeated.

These victories were not gained without severe loss, owing to the enemy’s force considerably outnumbering the British, particularly in artillery, and to the commanding position of his guns, which were well served and determinedly defended both by the gunners and infantry; the peculiar difficulties of the country gave also additional advantages to the gallantry of the Mahratta troops, whose loss was exceedingly great;--in the battle of _Maharajpore_ fifty-six guns were captured, together with the whole of the enemy’s ammunition waggons.

The THIRTY-NINTH had Ensign Theodore David Bray, two serjeants, one drummer, and twenty-six rank and file killed. The following officers were wounded:--Major Edward William Bray (severely), Captains Robert Newport Tinley (severely), and Charles Campbell; Lieutenant and Adjutant William Munro (severely); Lieutenants James S. Atkinson (severely), Humphrey Gray (very severely), Robert Hamilton Currie, and Hugh George Colvill (very severely); Ensigns Simon George Newport, and Thomas Scarman (severely); seventeen serjeants, and one hundred and fifty-seven rank and file were wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Wright, of the THIRTY-NINTH, who served os a Brigadier-General, and commanded the brigade of which his regiment formed part, was particularly noticed in the official despatch. Major Bray, who commanded the regiment, Major Charles T. Van Straubenzee, Captain Marmaduke George Nixon (Major of Brigade), Captain Charles Campbell, and Lieutenant Edward Croker, Assistant Quartermaster General, fifth brigade of infantry, were all honorably mentioned.

Lieut.-Colonel Wright and Major Bray were subsequently nominated Companions of the Order of the Bath: the latter officer with Major Straubenzee, received the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel; Captains Nixon and Campbell were promoted to the rank of Major in the army.

The THIRTY-NINTH also received the Royal authority to bear the word MAHARAJPORE on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this victory.

The Governor-General in his proclamation thus alluded to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment:--

“The Governor-General’s especial thanks are due to Her Majesty’s
THIRTY-NINTH and Fortieth regiments, to the Second and Sixteenth
regiments of Native Grenadiers, and to the Fifty-sixth Native
Infantry, which took with the bayonet the batteries in front of
_Maharajpore_.

“Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH regiment had the peculiar fortune of
adding to the honor of having won at _Plassey_ the first great
battle which laid the foundation of the British empire in India,
the further honor of thus nobly contributing to this, as it may
be hoped, the last and crowning victory by which that empire has
been secured.

“Her Majesty’s Fortieth regiment, and the Second and the
Sixteenth regiments of Native Grenadiers, again serving together,
again displayed their pre-eminent qualities as soldiers, and well
supported the character of the ever victorious army of Candahar.

* * * * *

“The Government of India will, as a mark of its grateful sense
of their distinguished merit, present to every general and
other officer, and to every soldier engaged in the battles of
MAHARAJPORE and PUNNIAR, an _Indian Star of bronze_, made out of
the guns taken in these battles; and all officers and soldiers in
the service of the Government of India will be permitted to wear
the Star with their uniforms.

* * * * *

“A triumphal monument commemorative of the campaign of _Gwalior_
will be erected at Calcutta, and inscribed with the names of all
who fell in the two battles.”

Major Thomas Ryan, of Her Majesty’s Fiftieth regiment, was attached to the THIRTY-NINTH, and distinguished himself by his cool and gallant conduct at the battle of Maharajpore. Major Ryan and Lieut.-Colonel Wright had their horses shot under them.

[Sidenote: 1844.]

The “_Army of Gwalior_” was broken up on the 28th of January 1844. The THIRTY-NINTH remained at Gwalior from the 29th of January until the 4th of March, when the right brigade, with the regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Wright, returned to Agra, where it arrived on the 10th of that month.

In addition to the star manufactured from the ordnance captured at Maharajpore, a donation of six months’ batta was granted by the Governor-General in Council to the army employed during the campaign in Gwalior.

The regiment remained at Agra until the 20th of October, when it marched for Dinapore, and arrived at that station on the 13th of December following.

[Sidenote: 1845.]

On the embarkation of the Thirteenth light infantry at Kurrachee for England, two hundred of the men volunteered to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment. These formed a portion of Major-General Sir Charles Napier’s force in his expedition against the mountain desert robbers of Beloochistan in the spring of 1845.

In storming the nearly inaccessible heights of Truckee a serjeant’s party of fifteen men pre-eminently distinguished themselves by their undaunted gallantry, in forcing their way, after a lengthened and sanguinary struggle, to the summit of a hill, which was defended by about a hundred and eighty of the enemy.

This exploit called forth the following letters from His Excellency Sir Charles Napier, and His Grace the Duke of Wellington.

“_Sukkur, 30th March, 1845._
“SIR,

“It will gratify you, and be just to some brave men, who
volunteered from the Thirteenth for your regiment, to send to
you a copy of my letter to the Commander-in-Chief, relative to a
gallant action performed by them on the 8th instant.

“The whole of the volunteers for your regiment have behaved
admirably during the five months they have been serving under
my own immediate observation; they have shown themselves worthy
of the regiment they have left, and of that which is under your
command. I have, &c.,

(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_,
“_Governor of Scinde_.

“_Officer commanding H. M. 39th regiment._”

“_Camp Sukkur, 25th March 1845._
“SIR,

“It is with regret I have to say that, misled by the report of
Captain Beatson, I stated that the six soldiers, who, on the
8th instant, fell on the heights of Truckee, were killed in
consequence of their own imprudence. This was incorrect and
unjust. They acted in obedience to their orders, and died in the
fulness of glory, worthy of the brightest names in our military
annals. The enclosed return, received from the orderly room, is
more eloquent than any thing I can say. I am convinced that one
who has so often witnessed the gallantry of soldiers, will not
read unmoved this proud but distressing record of heroism and
death.

“The survivors of those who reached the top, merit the honor to
have their names laid before His Grace the Duke of Wellington,
and it would be very grateful to their feelings if your
Excellency would do this. They are men of excellent character;
most of them had two, and some three medals. The bold Sepoy of
the camel corps is highly praised by them for his courageous
conduct.

“Hoping that some mark of approbation may be bestowed on these
admirable soldiers, I have, &c.

(Signed) “C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_,
“_Governor of Scinde_.”

“_His Excellency_,
“_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._,
“_Commander-in-Chief in India_.
“&c. &c. &c.”

Nominal roll of the serjeant’s party of a detachment of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-NINTH, volunteers, which stormed the hill at Truckee on the 8th of March 1845:--

“_Horse Guards_,
“_12th June 1845_.

“SIR,

“I have had the honor to receive your letter on the 15th
of April, with a letter and its accompanying return from
Major-General Sir Charles Napier, setting forth the conspicuous
gallantry of a party of Volunteers from the Thirteenth Light
Infantry to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, in storming the almost
inaccessible hill position of Truckee, occupied by a strong
force of the Mountain Desert Robbers; and having laid these
papers before the Commander-in-Chief, I am instructed to request
that you will cause the expression of his highest approbation
to be conveyed to such of these brave men as have survived the
attack; and that you will further be pleased to recommend them
specially to the notice and protection of the commanding officer
of the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, and ascertain and report for His
Grace’s information whether the Serjeant is qualified to hold a
commission in Her Majesty’s service.

“The Duke of Wellington deeply laments the loss of those who fell
on this memorable occasion.

“I have, &c.
(Signed) “FITZROY SOMERSET.

“_General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B._,
“_Commander-in-Chief in India_.
“&_c._ &_c._ &_c._”

In the month of October 1845, four companies, under the command of Captain Wood, were detached to garrison Fort William.

[Sidenote: 1846.]

In the beginning of 1846, in consequence of the great demand for fighting men on the north-west frontier, the regiment was directed to volunteer to the extent of five hundred men: the detached wing rejoined the head-quarters at Dinapore in March. In October 1846, the THIRTY-NINTH again volunteered, preparatory to embarkation for England, when two hundred and seventeen men were transferred to other corps.

On the 30th of December following the remainder of the corps, consisting of about three hundred men, embarked in boats for Calcutta.

[Sidenote: 1847.]

The regiment arrived at Calcutta on the 27th of January 1847; and on the 7th of February, the head-quarters, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Wright, consisting of seven officers, seven serjeants, five corporals, six drummers, and one hundred and eleven privates, embarked in the “Tudor,” and landed at Gravesend on the 9th of June following, losing one serjeant, one corporal, and three privates, during the passage.

The remainder of the regiment, consisting of ten serjeants, nine corporals, eight drummers, and one hundred and forty-five privates, with six officers, under the command of Captain Wilbraham, embarked in the “Pekin” on the 23rd of February, and arrived in England on the 13th of July 1847, losing only one man during the voyage.

On the departure of the THIRTY-NINTH, with other corps, from India, the Right Honorable Lord Gough, Commander-in-Chief in that country, issued the following complimentary orders:--

“_Head-Quarters_,
“_Camp Seharunpore_,
“_9th February 1847_.

“GENERAL ORDER.

“The Right Honorable the Commander-in-Chief in India avails
himself of the opportunity which the approaching departure from
India of those distinguished regiments, the Ninth, THIRTY-NINTH,
and Sixty-second foot affords, of recording the high sense he
entertains of their respective merits, and the admiration with
which he has witnessed their uniform good conduct in quarters,
and their gallantry in the field.

“Each regiment bears on its colours the names of many hard-fought
battles in the “Peninsula,” and each regiment will carry home
the record of victories achieved in the wars of this country,
nobly gained by their indomitable bravery under his Lordship’s
immediate command.

“The Ninth regiment has completed a service abroad of upwards
of fourteen years. In 1842 it formed part of the force under
Major-General Sir George Pollock in the second campaign of
‘Affghanistan,’ and subsequently had the good fortune to partake
in the memorable battles of the Sutlej. The despatches of the
former period have testified to its gallantry, its noble bearing,
and high spirit under extreme sickness and privation; and
upon the latter, Lord Gough has recently in orders and by his
despatches, expressed his sense of its valuable services.

“The THIRTY-NINTH regiment, ‘Primus in Indis,’ having obtained
imperishable renown in the earlier wars in India, bearing
upon its colours the record of its gallantry at ‘Plassey,’
quitted this country in 1758; and after a lapse of seventy-four
years, during which it reaped a rich harvest of glory in the
‘Peninsula,’ again returned to India, and has again profited
by the opportunities, which a long service in this country has
afforded, of adding fresh lustre to its fame. The victory of
‘Maharajpore’ is already recorded on its colours, and nobly did
it earn that badge. The distinguished conduct of the THIRTY-NINTH
regiment on the 29th of December 1843, could not be surpassed for
bravery and determination.

“The Sixty-second regiment gallantly aided in the defence of
Ferozepore, when that station was invested by an overwhelming
force; and when called into action in the late brilliant
campaign, it evinced that indomitable bravery and obedience to
orders, for which the British army is justly renowned.

“Lord Gough feels happy in having it in his power to state, that
the conduct of these regiments throughout their Indian service
has always been such as to merit his warmest commendation. He
feels a pride in recording all that he has said in praise of
these gallant corps; and in parting with them, begs to assure
them that he will always feel a lively interest in their welfare.

“By order of the Right Honorable the Commander-in-Chief.

(Signed) “C. R. CURETON, _Colonel_,
“_Adjutant-General H. M. Forces in India_.”

The THIRTY-NINTH regiment, on arrival in England, was stationed at Canterbury, and on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December 1847, proceeded to Gosport by railway.

[Sidenote: 1848.]

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Historical Record of the Thirty-ninth, or the Dorsetshire Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1702, and of its subsequent services to 1853.Chapter IV: Part 4

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