The History of the Rifle Brigade by Sir William H Cope

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Title: The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th

Author: William Henry Cope

Release Date: August 3, 2019 [EBook #60048]

Language: English

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Original cover (with text of title and author added)

THE RIFLE BRIGADE

LONDON: PRINTED BY

SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE

AND PARLIAMENT STREET

Plate I.

RIF LE
CORP S ,

1800.

THE HISTORY

OF THE

RIFLE BRIGADE

(THE PRINCE CONSORT’S OWN)

FORMERLY THE

95th

BY

SIR WILLIAM H. COPE, BART.

LATE LIEUTENANT RIFLE BRIGADE

WITH MAPS AND PLANS

London

CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY

1877

TO

FIELD-MARSHAL

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G.

&c. &c.

COLONEL-IN-CHIEF

THIS RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF

THE RIFLE BRIGADE

IS

BY HIS GRACIOUS PERMISSION

MOST RESPECTFULLY

DEDICATED

PREFACE.

A wish had long been entertained and often expressed by Riflemen, both by those serving in the Regiment and by those
who had formerly served in it, that a detailed record of its services should be compiled. It was suggested to me by many
of my friends that I should undertake this task. The will certainly was not wanting; but the ability to carry out their wish
has not, I fear, been equal to their partial opinion, or to my own desire to do justice to the subject.

The materials for such a compilation were not wanting. The late Colonel Leach published a very brief sketch of the

Services of the Regiment,[1] and his ‘Rough Notes’[2] give many and accurate particulars of events during the time he
served in it. The Autobiography of Quarter-Master Surtees[3] is a most valuable record of the events in which he took
part. Surtees came as a private into the 95th from the 56th Regiment in 1802. His good conduct raised him through the
various grades of non-commissioned officer to Quarter-Master of the old 3rd Battalion. His book I have found, on
comparing it with other records, most accurate in every particular. As the 3rd Battalion was disbanded before the order
for drawing up and preserving regimental records issued from the Horse Guards, no formal record of its services
exists;[4] and had it not been for the facts and dates preserved and recorded by Surtees, I should have found it difficult,
if not impossible, to have given any detailed account of the actions of that Battalion in the Peninsula and at New
Orleans. Though tinged with the peculiar religious opinions which Surtees adopted, and which perhaps scarcely have
place in a military record, his work is written with a distinctness and in a style which do him honour. And the high
character of the man which breathes through his work has led me to place every confidence in his statements.

Very different are Sir John Kincaid’s two books.[5] These, though written in too jocular and light a strain for regular

history (‘ad jocos forte propensior quam decet’) contain many anecdotes and facts of which I have gladly availed
myself. And I have found his dates and statements confirmed by other and more formal materials to which I had access.

Costello’s little work[6] has also afforded me much information; and he has recorded many circumstances unnoticed

or lightly touched upon by others.

The ‘Recollections of Rifleman Harris’[7] have also been of considerable service to me in compiling this record,

especially as preserving many particulars, elsewhere unnoticed, of the retreat to Corunna and of the expedition to
Walcheren. His editor, however, seems to have used the materials Harris wrote or dictated without any attempt at
arrangement; so that it is difficult, and in some cases almost impossible, to disentangle the narrative, or to arrange the
events he describes in chronological order.

The valuable List of the Officers of the Regiment, compiled by Mr. Stooks Smith,[8] has also been of much use to

me; and I have to thank that gentleman for some additional information, and for permission to republish that list with
continuation to the present time, of which I hope at some future period to avail myself.

Nor can I close this list of printed works bearing on the history of the Regiment without mentioning the ‘Recollections

of a Rifleman’s Wife,’ by Mrs. Fitzmaurice, to which I am indebted for many facts and anecdotes, many of them
especially valuable because they relate to the less stirring times of peace; nor without expressing my thanks for her
permission to use the materials she has thus preserved.

When I proceed to acknowledge the personal recollections and the journals of services in the Regiment which have

been placed at my disposal, I scarcely know how adequately to express my obligations to those who have aided me.
Everyone who has worn the green jacket, from Generals to private Riflemen, to whom I have applied, or who has
heard of my endeavour to preserve a record of the services of the Regiment, has, almost without exception, most kindly
placed journals and letters in my hands, or assisted me by personal reminiscences.

The aid of my friend Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Horsford procured for me the transcript of many valuable records

and the elucidation of many points which I could not otherwise have obtained. Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Lawrence
not only communicated to me many particulars of the services of the 2nd Battalion in the Crimea, but placed in my
hands his private letters written from thence, which afforded me most valuable information. Major-General Hill was so
good as to draw up for me a detailed statement of the services of the 2nd Battalion, which he commanded during the
Indian Mutiny. To Major-General Leicester Smyth I am indebted not only for a narrative of the battle of Berea, but also
for the perusal of a private letter written by him directly after, and describing that engagement, and for much valuable
information. By permission of Brigadier-General Ross, Lady Ross transmitted to me his letters to his family both from
the Crimea and from India, to the perusal of which I cannot attach too great importance.

Colonel Smith, now I believe the oldest officer of the Regiment living,[9] has freely and kindly communicated to me

his recollections of services in the Peninsula and elsewhere, and has patiently borne with my many enquiries which his
accurate memory has enabled him to answer. To Colonel Dillon I am indebted for much valuable information which he
kindly obtained for me. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander was so good as to write out for me from his journals a detailed

[Pg vii]

[viii]

[ix]

[x]

[xi]

account of the movements and actions of the 3rd Battalion in India, in which he took part. Lieutenant-Colonel Sotheby
had the kindness to transcribe for me his journal during the Indian Mutiny, and to illustrate it with sketch-maps.
Lieutenant-Colonel FitzRoy Fremantle, Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, Captain Percival, Captain George Curzon, and Major
Harvey placed in my hands their valuable journals and diaries. Colonel H. Newdigate and Captain Austin favoured me
with detailed and important particulars as to the services of the companies of Riflemen who formed the Camel Corps.
To Lieutenant-Colonel Green I am indebted for his own narrative and that of Mr. Mansel (drawn up at the time) of the
affair at Jamo in which he was so desperately wounded. I have to thank Captain Boyle for allowing me to see his
continuation to the year 1860 of Mr. Stooks Smith’s List of Officers, and for much other information. To Captain
Moorsom I am under great obligations, not only for the three plans (of New Orleans, of Cawnpore, and of Lucknow)
which he has contributed to this work, but for materially aiding me in obtaining important information. And to Surgeon-
Major Reade I am indebted for an accurate and interesting account of the march to Cawnpore of Colonel Fyers’
detachment, to which he was attached.

Sergeant-Major Bond, of the Sligo Militia, and formerly of the 1st Battalion, gave me a detailed account, from his

journal, of the Kaffir War of 1847–9; and Corporal Scott, late of the 1st Battalion, communicated to me a most minute
and accurate journal which he kept in short-hand during the Kaffir War of 1851–52, during the Crimean campaign, and
during his service in Canada. It is not too much to say that without the valuable contributions of these two non-
commissioned officers it would have been impossible to give any detailed account of the doings of the 1st Battalion
during these wars. Sergeant Fisher, late of the 2nd Battalion, placed in my hands an interesting journal kept during the
Indian Mutiny; and Sergeant Carroll, of that Battalion, has communicated many particulars respecting the Camel Corps.

To these and to other Riflemen I owe my thanks, not only for the documents they have communicated to me, but for

the kindness with which they have entertained, and the courtesy with which they have replied to my many questions for
further information or details.

The officers commanding the four Battalions have given free access to, or transcripts of the several Battalion

Records. These, though drawn up in obedience to an order issued in 1822, do not seem to have been compiled till
some years afterwards.

That of the 1st Battalion appears to have been written by, or under the eye of, Sir Amos Norcott, who then

commanded it, and by whom the transcript transmitted to the Horse Guards is signed. For it is very full and explicit in
relating the actions in which he was personally engaged (as, for instance, the account of the engagement at Buenos
Ayres, which bears internal evidence of having been drawn up by an eye-witness) but is rather slight and meagre in the
narrative of many Peninsular and other victories.

The Record of the 2nd Battalion, transmitted to the Horse Guards, and dated March 10, 1831, is a model of what

such a document should be. It has been compiled with great accuracy; and the movements and engagements of the
Battalion, the lists of killed and wounded, and the distinctions won by its officers and men, are recorded under separate
heads and with great minuteness.

These Records have been continued to the present time, for the most part with great accuracy and precision.
The Records of the 3rd and 4th Battalions have also been placed in my hands. The latter, containing, of course, only

the movements of the Battalion, calls for no comment; that of the 3rd Battalion has been, in the earlier parts, kept
irregularly, probably in consequence of the Battalion being broken up and constantly in the field; and no one perusing it
could form an idea of, or trace accurately the distinguished service of that Battalion during the Indian Mutiny.

Nor is it to Riflemen alone that I am indebted for assistance. I have to thank Major-General Sir John Adye for

permission to use the plan of Cawnpore, published in his account of those eventful days; Major-General Payn for an
interesting letter on the same subject; the author of the articles on Ashantee in ‘Colburn’s United Service Magazine’ for
his liberal and unsolicited authority to use them as materials for my narrative; and especially Lieutenant-Colonel Home,
R.E. for his kindness in giving me tracings of the plans of the operations at New Orleans deposited in the Quarter-
Master General’s Office, and for permission to have copies made of the plans prepared in the topographical
department of that office for the Record of the 52nd.

I have expressed in another place the assistance I have derived from the accurately kept journal of the late Major

George Simmons, and from his separate memoir on Waterloo, which were placed in my hands by his widow.

I have not attempted to trace the strategical or tactical movements of the armies of which the Battalions have formed

part, for two reasons: my own inability to record what has been so well described by abler pens; and also because any
attempt to have done so would have swelled this book to an extent altogether disproportionate to its object.

For it must be borne in mind that I profess to be the historian, not of wars, but of this particular Corps only, and of

that part it alone bore in them.

So, in like manner, I have not recorded the deeds of other regiments which may have acted with the Riflemen, save in

a very few instances where it was impossible to separate the narrative of their movements from that of the movements
of regiments which fought beside, or supported them. In the case of their old and most frequent companions in arms, the
43rd and 52nd, it was unnecessary that I should record their actions, since the histories of both these distinguished
Corps have been fully and well written.[10] And if others who have fought, and fought well, beside the Riflemen are here

[xii]

[xiii]

[xiv]

[xv]

unnoticed, and as yet without a special history, they must believe that their gallant deeds, albeit unrecorded here, live in
the recollection and the praise of many Riflemen.

To some readers some of the facts and anecdotes I have here recorded may appear trifling and unworthy of mention.

But it must be borne in mind that I write for Riflemen, at the desire of Riflemen, and to preserve the memory of the
deeds of Riflemen. By them I am sure nothing will be considered trivial, nothing out of place in a history of the
Regiment, which records the valour, the acts, the sufferings or even preserves an anecdote of any (of whatever rank) of
the members of that brotherhood.

W. H. C.

Bramshill: December 1876.

FOOTNOTES:

‘Sketch of the Field Services of the Rifle Brigade from its Formation to the Battle of Waterloo.’ London,
1838, pp. 32.
‘Rough Sketches in the Life of an Old Soldier.’ London, 1831.
‘Twenty-five Years in the Rifle Brigade.’ Edinburgh, 1833.
The order for keeping regimental records is dated September 1822. The 3rd Battalion was disbanded in 1818.
‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade’ and ‘Random Shots from a Rifleman.’
‘Adventures of a Soldier.’ London, 1852.
Edited by Henry Curling. London, 1848.
‘Alphabetical List of the Officers of the Rifle Brigade from 1800 to 1850.’ London, 1851.
He joined the 1st Battalion in April 1808.
‘Historical Records of the 43rd Regiment.’ By Sir Richard G. A. Levinge, Bart. 1868.
‘Historical Records of the 52nd Regiment.’ Edited by Capt. W. S. Moorsom. 1860.

[1]

[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

C O N T E N T S.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

Formation of an Experimental Corps of Riflemen—Expedition to Ferrol—Re-formation of the Rifle Corps—First list of officers—

Account of Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. Stewart—Standing orders—First Expedition to Copenhagen—Nelson’s testimony—
He gives a medal to the Riflemen—The Rifle Corps numbered 95—Camp at Shorncliffe under Sir John Moore—Formation of
the 2nd Battalion—Account of Lieut.-Colonel Wade—Sidney Beckwith’s magnanimity—Expedition to Germany—Attack on
Monte Video—Attack on Buenos Ayres—Second Expedition to Denmark—Battle of Kioge—Three companies proceed to
Sweden—Arrival of Riflemen in Portugal—Affair at Obidos—Battle of Roleia—Battle of Vimiera—Both Battalions in Spain—
Meeting of the Riflemen at the Trianon—Retreat—General Craufurd’s stern discipline—2nd Battalion embarks at Vigo—
Fight at Cacabelos—Tom Plunket shoots a French General—Battle of Corunna—Embarkation of 1st Battalion—Casualties—
Arrival in England—Death of Colonel Manningham
1

CHAPTER II.

Formation of the 3rd Battalion—1st Battalion again proceed to Portugal—Join the Light Division—March from Calzada to

Talavera—March to the bridge of Almaraz—Scarcity of food—Winter quarters at Campo Major—2nd Battalion embark for
Holland—Humbley seizes a French picquet—Siege of Flushing—Walcheren fever—1st Battalion on the Coa—Fight at Barba
del Puerco—Craufurd’s Divisional Order—Beckwith’s system of command—Night march to Gallegos—Fight at the Coa—
Casualties—Battle of Busaco—Lines of Torres Vedras—Fight at Sobral—Simmons takes some French prisoners—
Massena’s retreat—Fight near Valle—Winter quarters—A company of the 2nd Battalion with Ballesteros—Defence of Tarifa
—Defence of Cadiz—Battle of Barrosa
42

CHAPTER III.

Massena’s retreat from Santarem—Skirmishes at Paialvo; at Pombal; at Redinha—French politeness—Skirmishes at Casal-

nova; at Foz d’Aronce; at Ponte da Murcella; at Freixadas—Lieutenant James Stewart—Combat at Sabugal—Skirmish at the
bridge of Marialva; at Fuentes d’Onor—Battle of Fuentes d’Onor—Night panic at Sabugal—March to the Alemtejo—
Cantonments on the Agueda—Retreat to Soita—Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo—Assault of San Francisco—Storming of Ciudad
Rodrigo—Casualties—Anecdotes of General Craufurd—Military Executions—Siege of Badajos—Capture of La Picurina—
Storming of Badajos—Casualties—Harry Smith’s romantic adventure
71

CHAPTER IV.

Character of Sidney Beckwith—Riflemen reviewed by Lord Wellington—Skirmish near Rueda; at Castrejon—Manœuvring near

Salamanca—Battle of Salamanca—March to Madrid—2nd Battalion companies fight at Seville; at Puente Larga—Departure
from Madrid—Death of Lieutenant Firman—Retreat to the frontier of Portugal—Sufferings of the Riflemen—Their high state
of discipline—Spanish recruits—Campaign of 1813—Affair at the Hormuza—Skirmish at San Millan—Battle of Vittoria—The
95th capture the first gun; and the last at the Araquil—March to intercept Clausel; to Pamplona; to the Pyrenees—Skirmish
at Santa Barbara—Night marches—Fight at the bridge of Yanci; at Echalar—First Regimental dinner—Storming of S.
Sebastian—Fight at the Bidassoa—Cadoux’s picquet at the bridge of Vera—Forcing the pass of Vera—The Arrhunes
112

CHAPTER V.

Battle of Nivelle—Fight at Arcangues—Good feeling between the Riflemen and the French outposts—Battle of the Nive—

Outpost courtesies and discourtesies—Gave d’Oleron—March to Orthez—Battle of Orthez—Battle of Tarbes—Fight at
Tournefeuille—Battle of Toulouse—Suspension of arms—Embarkation for England and arrival there—Expedition to Holland
—Investment of Bergen-op-Zoom—Skirmishes before Antwerp; at Donk—Fight at Merxem—Failure of Graham’s attempts
on Antwerp—Bergen-op-Zoom—Sorties from Antwerp and alarms—The companies in this expedition occupy Belgium, and
eventually join the Battalions in the Waterloo campaign—Expedition to New Orleans—Disembarkation—James Travers
captures an American picquet—Attack on the bivouack of the Riflemen—Hallen’s picquet—Advance towards New Orleans
—Attacks on the American lines—Truce to remove dead and wounded—Dishonourable conduct of the Americans during
the truce—Difficult march to the shore—Re-embarkation—Arrival at Île Dauphine—Sergeant Fukes turns the tables on a
Yankee officer—Fort Boyer surrenders—Return to England
154

CHAPTER VI.

Embarkation for the Netherlands—Advance of the 1st Battalion to Brussels—March to Quatre Bras—Battle of Quatre Bras—

Riflemen the first English engaged; under the eye of the Duke of Wellington—Retreat through Genappe to Waterloo—Battle
of Waterloo—Casualties; and Anecdotes—Charles Beckwith—March to Paris—Army of occupation—The 95th made ‘the
Rifle Brigade’—Return to England—Death of Amphlett—The 3rd Battalion disbanded
195

CHAPTER VII.

[xvi]
[xvii]

[xviii]

[xix]

Home Service—1st Battalion sent to Glasgow to suppress riots—2nd Battalion proceeds to Ireland—The Duke of Wellington

Colonel-in-chief—Address to him on that occasion—Both Battalions in Ireland—Names of victories to be borne on the
pouch-belt—Outrage on some women of the Regiment—Engagement with Irish insurgents at Carrigamanus; and at Dasure—
Embarkation of the 1st Battalion for Nova Scotia; and of the 2nd Battalion for Malta—The Depôt engaged against rioters in
Ireland—Death of Sir William Stewart—The Depôts of both Battalions reviewed by the Duke of Clarence—Service abroad
and at home—A Depôt Company of 1st Battalion suppresses smuggling at Hastings—Return of the 1st Battalion to England
—Riflemen sent to Persia—Death of Colonel Eeles—Return of the 2nd Battalion to England—Coronation of Queen Victoria
—Review in Hyde Park—Inspection by the Colonel-in-Chief and Marshal Soult—Birmingham Riots—The 1st Battalion
embarks for Malta—Guards of Honour to Queen Victoria—Riots in South Wales—Embarkation of 2nd Battalion for Bermuda
—Reserve Battalion formed—1st Battalion ordered to the Cape—Speech of Lord Seaton
217

CHAPTER VIII.

Landing in South Africa—Marches to Kaffraria—Death of Captain Gibson and Assistant-Surgeon Howell—Bivouack on

Mount Misery—Fording the Kei river—Attack on the Kaffirs—Fire at King William’s-town—Expedition to the Amatola
Mountains—Surrender of Sandilli—Arrival of Sir Harry Smith—War against the Boers—Crossing the Orange river—Battle
of Boemplaats—Death of Captain Murray—Submission of the Rebels—Riflemen employed in building—2nd Battalion in
Canada—Shipwreck at Sault Ste. Marie—Embarkation of the 1st Battalion—Sir Harry Smith’s General Order—Return to
England—The Reserve Battalion done away with
245

CHAPTER IX.

Last review by the Duke of Wellington—1st Battalion again embark for Kaffraria—Disasters of the ‘Megæra’—Landing at

Algoa bay—Marches up the country—Skirmishes at Mundell’s Krantz; at Ingilby’s farm—Reconnaissance to the
Waterkloof and Blinkwater—Patrols and reconnaissances—Attack on the Waterkloof—General Cathcart’s General Order—
Escorts—Final attack on the Waterkloof—Road-making and patrols—Expedition to Moshesh’s country—Battle of Berea—
Death of the Duke of Wellington—Riflemen guard and escort his body—His funeral—Return of the 2nd Battalion to England
—The Prince Consort appointed Colonel-in-Chief—Return of the 1st Battalion—General Cathcart’s order on that occasion—
Camp at Chobham
269

CHAPTER X.

Embarkation for the East—The 2nd Battalion in Turkey and Bulgaria—Disembarkation in the Crimea—Kindness of Sir George

Cathcart—Advance to Kentúgan and Kamishli—Popularity of the Riflemen with the inhabitants—False alarms—Advance to
the Búlganak—Battle of the Alma—March to the Katchka and the Belbek—Russian baggage captured at Mackenzie’s farm
—Attack on Balaklava—Both Battalions before Sebastopol—Wheatley disposes of a live shell—Remarkable shot by a
Rifleman—Attack on Fyers’ picquet—Hugh Hannan’s single combat—Battle of Balaklava—Markham’s picquet at the
Magazine Grotto—Wing of 2nd Battalion sent to the heights of Balaklava—Battle of Inkerman—Exploit at the Ovens—
General Canrobert’s ‘Ordre Général’—Severe duty—Sufferings and sickness—Russian attempt to retake the Ovens—
Reconnaissance on Kamara—Increased suffering and disease—Huts erected—Death of Sir Andrew Barnard—Second
reconnaissance on Kamara—A 3rd Battalion added—Attacks and volunteers—Victoria Cross won by three Riflemen—New
clothing—Wing of the 2nd Battalion embark for Kertch, but return countermanded—Queen Victoria distributes the Crimean
Medal to 24 Riflemen (officers and men)—Capture of the Quarries—Attack on the Redan—Death of Lord Raglan—Thirteen
Riflemen shot down coming off picquet—Captain Balfour’s affair in the trenches—Final attack on Sebastopol—Captain
Hammond—Explosion in French lines—The armistice—Reviews by French and Russian Generals—Embarkation for England
—Corunna in 1809 and 1856—Both Battalions at Aldershot—Reviewed by the Queen—Formation of the 3rd Battalion—The
1st Battalion proceeds to Scotland—Fire and riots—2nd Battalion reviewed by the Queen in Hyde Park, when Her Majesty
gave the Victoria Cross to eight Riflemen (officers and others)—Afterwards proceeds to Dublin—A 4th Battalion added to
the Regiment
298

CHAPTER XI.

The Sepoy Mutiny—2nd and 3rd Battalions embark for India—Woodford’s detachment arrives at Calcutta—March up the

country—Arrival of Fyers’ detachment—Woodford’s party reach Cawnpore—Fight at the Pandoo Nuddee—Battle of
November 27—Fyers’ march from Futtehpore to Cawnpore—Atherley’s company (3rd Battalion) reach Cawnpore—Battle of
November 28—Death of Colonel Woodford—The Riflemen take two guns—Fight on November 29—Woodford’s body
recovered and buried—Arrival of the 3rd Battalion at Calcutta—Marches up the country—Final battle of Cawnpore—Attack
on the Subhadar’s tank—Arrival of the 2nd Battalion Head-quarters—Marches and expeditions—Capture of the fort of
Etawah—Operations on the Ramgunga—Return to Cawnpore—Formation of the Oude field force—Expedition to intercept
the Nana—Return re infectâ—Escorts—Advance towards Lucknow—The Riflemen join Outram’s force—Operations on the
left bank of the Goomtee—First engagement there—Attack on a picquet of Riflemen—Capture of the Yellow Bungalow—
Escort of mortars—Reconnaissance in force—The iron and stone bridges—Wilmot’s fight near the iron bridge—Deaths of
Captain Thynne and Lieutenant Cooper—Capture of Lucknow—Expedition to Koorsie—Formation of the Camel Corps—
Sickness in the 3rd Battalion—Fight at Baree—Expeditions—Pursuit of Beni Madhoo—March to Nuggur—Sufferings from
the heat—Fight at Nuggur—Night panic—Pursuit of rebels—Camp at Chinhut—Night march to Nawabgunge—Sufferings of
the Riflemen from fatigue, dust, and thirst—Battle of Nawabgunge—Sir Hope Grant’s opinion of the enemy—Shaw’s combat
with a Ghazee—Casualties from wounds and sunstroke—Sir Hope Grant’s despatches
347

CHAPTER XII.

Return of the 3rd Battalion to Lucknow—Distressing march of the 2nd Battalion to Sultanpore—Cross the Gogra—A company

of the 3rd Battalion proceed to Sundeelah—Green’s fight at Jamo—Capture of Birwah—Death of Ensign Richards—
Expedition to the fort of Amethie—March to Shunkerpore—Escape of Beni Madhoo—Expedition to Koilee—Fight near
Hydergurh—Pursuit of rebels—Riflemen mounted on gun-limbers—Trans-Gogra campaign—March to Baraitch—Christmas
dinner at Jeta—Skirmish near Churdah—Capture of Mejidia—Night march to Bankee—Fight at the Raptee—Renewed
pursuit of Beni Madhoo—Capture of Oomria—March to Gonda—Expedition into Nepaul—Fight at Sidka Ghât—Expeditions
near the Raptee—Fight at Akouna—Clearing the Jugdespore jungles—Patrols near the fords of the Raptee—End of the
Mutiny—2nd Battalion return to Lucknow—Marches, services, and casualties of the 2nd Battalion—Inspection by Lord
Clyde—3rd Battalion moves to Tulsipore to receive captured guns—Proceeds to Agra
394

CHAPTER XIII.

[xx]

[xxi]

[xxii]

The Camel Corps—Riding drill—Move to Cawnpore—Proceed to join Sir Hugh Rose—Cross the Jumna—Battle of Goolowlee

—Capture of Calpee—Return to Cawnpore—Move to Allahabad and Benares—Cross the Ganges—Expedition to Mohaneea
—Standing camp at Kurroundea—Expedition to Nassreegunge; to Bikrumgunge; to Kochus—Fight at Sukreta—Various
expeditions in pursuit of rebels—March to Fyzabad—Ordered to Lucknow—Pursuit of Tantia Topee—Capture of Tantia
Topee—Camel Corps cross the Chumbul—March to Saugor—Operations in the jungles—Fight at Mitharden—Chase of
rebels near Shahgurh—Move to Agra—Camel Corps broken up—Colonel Ross’ testimony to their zeal and discipline
429

CHAPTER XIV.

Home service—1st Battalion inspected by Sir Harry Smith—His speech—4th Battalion embarks for Malta—Death of Sir Harry

Smith—Marches in India—1st Battalion in Ireland—The Rifle Brigade exempted from being required to carry a colour on
guards—The ‘Trent’ affair—Embarks for North America—Dangers of the voyage—Death of the Prince Consort—The
designation ‘The Prince Consort’s Own’ granted to the Regiment—Journey from St. John’s New Brunswick to Rivière de
Loup—Service abroad—Sir George Brown Colonel-in-Chief—Expedition against the Mohmunds—Battle of Shubkudder—
Testimonies to the good conduct of the 1st Battalion in Canada—4th Battalion proceeds to Canada—Death of Sir George
Brown—Bravery of two Riflemen—Fenian raid—Return of the 2nd and 4th Battalions to England—The Prince of Wales
Colonel-in-Chief—Prince Arthur joins 1st Battalion as Lieutenant—Two Battalions at Aldershot—Flying columns—Return
of the 1st Battalion to England—Autumn manœuvres—Return of the 3rd Battalion to England—Illness of H.R.H. the Colonel-
in-Chief—Autumn manœuvres, 1872—Thanksgiving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales—2nd and 4th Battalions move
to Ireland—Review before the Shah—Ashantee Expedition—2nd Battalion embarks for the Gold Coast—Autumn manœuvres
of 1873—4th Battalion proceeds to India—Entry of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh into London
451

CHAPTER XV.

Disembarkation at Cape Coast Castle—March to the Prah—Meeting with a supposed rhinoceros—African fever—Death of

Captain Huyshe—Advance beyond the Prah—First contact with the Ashantees—Battle of Amoaful—Defence of Quarman
—Advance from Amoaful—Fight near the Ordah—Crossing the river—Fight at Ordahsu—Advance to Coomassie—Return
towards the coast—Aggemamu fortified—Arrival at Cape Coast and return to England—Reception at Portsmouth and
Winchester—Reviews—2nd Battalion proceeds to Gibraltar—Death of Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon—The Colonel-in-Chief in
India—The Duke of Connaught takes command of the 1st Battalion—Conclusion
482

APPENDIX I.

Succession of Colonels-in-Chief and Colonels-Commandant
513

APPENDIX II.

On the Armament of the Regiment
515

APPENDIX III.

Actions and Casualties of the Regiment
518

APPENDIX IV.

Rewards for Distinguished Service
523

INDEX
529

[xxiii]

LIST OF PLATES.

Uniform of the Rifle Corps
Frontispiece

Plan of the Coa
to face page
56

Plan of Busaco
”
60

Plan of Barrosa
”
68

Uniform of the 95th
”
71

Plan of Sabugal
”
81

Plan of Fuentes d’Onor
”
85

Plan of Badajos
”
105

Plan of Vittoria
”
135

Plan of Vera
”
151

Plan of Nivelle
”
155

Plan of New Orleans
”
187

Plan of Waterloo, I.
”
202

Plan of Waterloo, II.
”
206

Uniform of the Rifle Brigade
”
217

Plan of Berea
”
292

Uniform, 1856
”
347

Plan of Cawnpore[11]
”
350

Plan of Lucknow
”
374

Uniform, 1872
”
474

Plan of Amoaful
”
488

⁂ I have not inserted plans of the Crimean actions, as accurate and detailed plans of these battles are to be found in Mr.

Kinglake’s ‘Invasion of the Crimea,’ and in other works of the period, which are generally accessible.

[xxiv]
[xxv]

[xxvi]