SUCCESSION OF COLONELS (continued 3)

A very gratifying order was also issued by Major-General Sir John Lambert, K.C.B., commanding the south-western district of Ireland, relative to the conduct of the regiment. The regiment embarked for North America on the 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of May, 1824, on board the Indian trader “Prince of Orange,” “Cato” and “Fanny” transports, and anchored at Quebec, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of June.

1825.

In the year 1825, the establishment of the regiment was augmented from 8 to 10 companies, and formed into 6 service and 4 depôt companies, consisting of 42 sergeants, 14 buglers, and 740 rank and file.

In consequence of this arrangement, the officers and non-commissioned officers of 2 companies were sent to England, to join the depôt companies at Chichester.

1826.

The detachments stationed during the summer months at the posts of Sorel and Three Rivers, rejoined the head-quarters of the regiment at Quebec, on the 15th of October.

On the 25th of October and the 4th of November the service companies were inspected by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, the Commander of the Forces in British North America, who expressed his fullest approbation of their discipline and interior economy, as well as of their conduct and appearance.

1827.

The head-quarter division of the Seventy-first embarked at Quebec for Montreal, on the 17th of May, 1827, after having been stationed in that garrison nearly three years. Preparatory to this change of quarters, the service companies were again inspected by Lieut.-General the Earl of Dalhousie, who, in orders, assured Lieut.-Colonel Jones that he had never seen any regiment in more perfect order.

The service companies arrived at Montreal on the 19th of May, and detachments from them were stationed at Isle-aux-Noix, St. John’s, William Henry, La Chine, Coteau-du-Lac, and Rideau.

1828.

On the 8th of May, 1828, the Seventy-first embarked for Kingston in batteaux, and arrived there on the 16th of that month. It remained stationed here for 12 months. During the summer and part of the autumn it suffered much from fever and ague, having had at one period nearly a third of the men in hospital.

1829.

Upon the 1st of June, 1829, the head-quarters embarked in a steamboat for York, now called Toronto, the capital of the Upper Province, and arrived there on the following morning. One company was detached to Niagara, another to Amherstburg, and a third to Penetanguishene, on Lake Huron. A small number of men occupied the naval post at Grand River, on Lake Erie. The Seventy-first occupied these posts for a period of two years.

On the 10th of August, 1829, the depôt companies embarked at Gravesend, for Berwick-on-Tweed.

Major-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Ninety-fifth to that of the Seventy-first Regiment, on the 21st of September, 1829, in succession to General Sir Gordon Drummond, G.C.B., who was appointed to the Forty-ninth Regiment.

1830.

In June, 1830, the depôt companies were removed from Berwick-on-Tweed to Edinburgh Castle.

1831.

In May, 1831, the service companies moved down to Quebec, where the whole were assembled on the 16th of June. After a stay of nearly five months in that city, orders arrived for them to proceed to Bermuda. They embarked on the 20th of October, 1831, in the transports “Layton” and “Manlins,” arriving off St. George’s, Bermuda, upon the 11th of November, when they immediately disembarked, sending a detachment of 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and 120 men to Ireland Island.

The head-quarters were subsequently moved to Hamilton, and small parties were detached to the signal posts at Gibbs Hill and Mount Langton.

1833.

During the years 1832 and 1833, the service companies continued at Bermuda, and the depôt remained in North Britain. On the 30th of August, 1833, Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged from the half-pay to the Seventy-first Highlanders with Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Thomas Pidgeon.

1834.

On the 11th of September, 1834, the service companies embarked at Bermuda for Great Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 19th of October following. The regiment was afterwards stationed at Edinburgh, where it remained during the year 1835. It embarked at Glasgow, on the 11th of May, 1836, for Ireland, and was stationed at1836. Dublin during the remainder of the year. New colours were presented to the regiment while at this station, by the colonel of the regiment, Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., K.C.H., assisted by the Honourable Mrs. Grey, wife of the colonel commanding the regiment.

1837.

In June, 1837, the regiment proceeded from Dublin to Kilkenny.

1838.

Major-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B., was appointed Colonel of the Seventy-first Highlanders, on the 28th of March, 1838, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., appointed to the Thirty-first Regiment.

Meanwhile orders had been received for the regiment to proceed on foreign service, and on the 20th of April, 1838, the 6 service companies embarked at Cork, for Canada. The 4 depôt companies remained in Ireland.

1839.

On the 2nd of June, 1839, the depôt companies embarked at Cork, for North Britain, and were afterwards stationed at Stirling.

The establishment of the regiment was augmented on the 12th of August, 1839, from 740 to 800 rank and file.

1840.

During the year 1840 the service companies were stationed at St. John’s, Lower Canada. The depôt companies proceeded from Stirling to Dundee, in April.

1841.

Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Eighty-seventh Royal Irish Fusiliers to that of the Seventy-first, on the 15th of March, 1841, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H., deceased.

In May, 1841, the depôt companies proceeded from Dundee to Aberdeen.

Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged to half-pay with Lieut.-Colonel James England, on the 8th of April, 1842.

1842.

The service companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in two divisions, on the 27th and 28th of April, 1842.

In consequence of the augmentation which took place in the army at this period, the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry was ordered to be divided into two battalions, the six service companies being termed the first battalion, and the depôt, augmented by two new companies, being styled the reserve battalion. The depôt was accordingly moved from Stirling to Chichester, and after receiving about 350 volunteers from other corps, was there organised into a battalion for foreign service. Nearly all these volunteers were English and Irish, who were allowed to join the regiment notwithstanding the protestations of the commanding officer, who requested that none but Scotchmen should be allowed to volunteer. The nationality of the regiment was thereby unnecessarily destroyed for many years.

The reserve battalion of the Seventy-first, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel James England, embarked at Portsmouth in Her Majesty’s troop ship “Resistance,” which sailed for Canada on the 13th of August, 1842, and the battalion landed at Montreal on the 23rd of September, where the first battalion was likewise stationed, under the command of Major William Denny, who, upon the arrival of Lieut.-Colonel England, took charge of the reserve battalion.

1843.

The reserve battalion marched from Montreal to Chambly on the 5th of May, 1843, and arrived there on the same day.

The first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel England, embarked at Quebec for the West Indies in the “Java” transport, on the 20th of October, 1843. The head-quarters disembarked at Grenada on the 15th of December following.

It is a circumstance worthy of record that all the men of the first battalion who were married without leave were replaced by volunteers from the reserve battalion, thereby preventing the separation and consequent misery of those families, and that all permanent volunteers for Canada, and old soldiers who were permitted from general good character to remain in the colony after discharge, or who were found unfit for service in a tropical climate, were replaced by volunteers from the reserve battalion.

1844.

The head-quarters of the first battalion embarked on the 25th of December, 1844, at Grenada, for Antigua. Lieut. Francis P. Stewart Mackenzie died of yellow fever at Grenada, on the 21st of December, much regretted by his brother officers.

1845.

During the year 1845 the head-quarters of the first battalion continued at Antigua.

The head-quarters and three companies of the reserve battalion marched from Chambly on the 11th of May, 1845, and arrived at Kingston, in Canada, on the 14th of that month.

1846.

On the 18th of April, 1846, the head-quarters and four companies of the first battalion embarked at Antigua, on board the transport “Princess Royal,” and landed at Barbadoes on the 24th of the same month.

The first battalion, under the command of Captain Nathaniel Massey Stack, embarked for England at Barbadoes on the 29th and 31st of December, on board of Her Majesty’s ship “Belleisle.” During this tour of service in the West Indies, which lasted just three years, 1 officer, 8 sergeants, and 124 rank and file died of fever and dysentery.

On the 6th of October, 1846, the reserve battalion left Kingston, in Canada West, and the head-quarters arrived at La Prairie on the 8th of that month.

1847.

The ship “Belleisle,” having the first battalion on board, sailed for Portsmouth on the 1st of January, 1847, and arrived at Spithead on the 25th of that month. After disembarking at Portsmouth, the battalion proceeded to Winchester, where it was stationed until the 19th of July, when it was conveyed in three divisions by railway to Glasgow, and on the 21st of December it was removed to Edinburgh.

In September, 1847, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion were removed from La Prairie to Chambly, and in October proceeded to St. John’s, in Canada East.

1848.

Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Ninth Foot to that of the Seventy-first Highlanders on the 18th of February, 1848, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart. and K.C.B., deceased.

Three companies of the first battalion proceeded from Edinburgh to Dublin on the 27th of April, 1848, and the head-quarters, with the three remaining companies, were removed to Dublin on the 1st of May. In June the head-quarters were removed to Naas.

During the year 1848, the head-quarters of the reserve battalion remained at St. John’s, in Canada East.

1849.

Lieut.-General Sir James Macdonell, K.C.B. and K.C.H., was appointed from the Seventy-ninth to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 8th of February, 1849, upon the decease of Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B.

In compliance with instructions received upon the occasion of Her Majesty’s visit to Dublin, the head-quarters of the first battalion, with the effectives of three companies, proceeded from Naas to that garrison on the 28th of July, and were encamped in the Phœnix Park. The three detached companies also joined at the encampment on the same day. On the 13th of August the head-quarters and three companies returned to Naas.

The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal, in aid of the civil power, on the 28th of April, 1849. The head-quarters and three companies quitted Montreal, and encamped on the island of St. Helen’s on the 30th of June, but returned to St. John’s on the 16th of July. On the 17th of August, 1849, the head-quarters and two companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in aid of the civil power, and returned to St. John’s on the 6th of September.

1850.

In April, 1850, the first battalion proceeded from Naas to Dublin.

The head-quarters and two companies of the reserve battalion quitted St. John’s and Chambly on the 21st of May, 1850, and arrived at Toronto on the 23rd of that month, where the battalion was joined by the other companies, and it continued there during the remainder of the year.

1851.

In April, 1851, the first battalion proceeded from Dublin to Mullingar, and in July following was removed to Newry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William Denny.

During the year 1851, the reserve battalion continued to be stationed at Toronto.

1852.

In May, 1852, the reserve battalion proceeded from Toronto to Kingston. On the 8th of June following, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart., retired from the service by the sale of his commission, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Massey Stack.

In August the first battalion moved to Kilkenny, sending detachments to New Ross and Wexford.

On the 1st of November orders were received from the Horse Guards by the first battalion to hold itself in readiness for embarkation for the Mediterranean.

1853.

On the 3rd of January it received new colours, shortly after which it moved to Cork. Soon after the arrival of the first battalion at Cork, the old colours were placed over a tablet erected at Kinsale to the memory of the late Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, a native of that place, who commanded the regiment for many years.

During the months of February and March the first battalion embarked in three freight ships for Corfu. By a War Office Letter of 20th February, 1854, the first battalion was augmented from the 1st April by 1 pipe major and 5 pipers. In May, 1853, the reserve battalion proceeded to Quebec, and was quartered in the Citadel. After the embarkation of the first battalion, the depôt proceeded to Chatham.

1854.

The reserve battalion embarked at Quebec on the 20th September, landed in England on the 13th of October, and proceeded to Canterbury, where it was shortly afterwards joined by the depôt from Chatham. On its departure from Canada, 100 men volunteered to the Sixteenth and Canadian Rifles. On the 1st of January of this year the following was the composition of the first and reserve battalion. The depôt is not included:—

1st battalion Reserve battalion Total

Scotch. 540 470 1,010

English. 21 38 59

Irish. 34 26 60

Total. 595 534 1,129

Presbyterians. 517 467 984

Church of England. 37 34 71

Church of Rome. 41 33 74

The English and Irish were all, with the exception of boys from the Military Colleges, the remains of the volunteers who joined the reserve battalion in 1842. On the 24th of November, all the effectives of the reserve battalion, consisting of 1 major, 3 captains, 6 subalterns, 1 assistant surgeon, 20 sergeants, 6 buglers, and 391 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board the line-of-battle ship “Royal Albert,” for the Crimea, and landed at Balaclava on the 20th of December, where it was kept, sending frequent working parties to the front. The reserve battalion thus had six weeks’ home service after being twelve years abroad.

1855.

The first battalion embarked at Corfu for the Crimea on board the transport “Medway” on the 26th January, 1855, and landed at Balaclava on the 7th of February. On the 13th the first and reserve battalions were amalgamated into one battalion of eight companies, about 900 strong, of all ranks. It remained at Balaclava till the 3rd of May, when it embarked on board the “Furious” and “Gladiator” steam frigates, forming part of the first expedition to Kertch, which, however, was recalled without accomplishing its object. The regiment was disembarked on the 8th of May, and marched to the front, joining the third brigade of the fourth division, and serving in the trenches. It was re-embarked on board the frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous” on the 22nd of May, and proceeded to Kertch with the expeditionary force of the Allied army. The whole landed at Kamish Burnu (about five miles from Kertch), under cover of the gunboats, bivouacked that night, and proceeded the next day, marching through Kertch to Yenikale, where it encamped. The regiment re-embarked at Yenikale on the 10th of June, on board the steam frigates “Sidon” and “Valorous,” to return to Sebastopol, but was again disembarked on the 12th, the head-quarters and right wing remaining at Yenikale, and the left wing proceeding to Cape St. Paul, to protect those points in conjunction with a French and Turkish force.

In the beginning of August a draft of 120 men, under Captain Rich, disembarked at Balaclava, and marched to the front. It was attached to the Highland division, being occasionally employed in the trenches. At the end of September it embarked for Yenikale, and joined the head-quarters on the 2nd of October. On the 24th of September three companies, under Major Hunter, crossed the Straits of Yenikale, in conjunction with a French force, to Taman, where a large quantity of hutting material and fuel was obtained. The expedition returned to Kertch on the 3rd of October.

1856.

The strength and composition of the regiment on the 1st of January was as follows, exclusive of a depôt at Malta, which was about 100 strong:—

Scotch. English. Irish. Total.

Head-quarters 823 36 44 903

Depôt at Perth 264 37 50 351

Total 1,087 73 94 1,254

of which, Presbyterians 1,061, Church of England 77, Church of Rome 116.

The head-quarters and six companies, under Colonel Ready, remained in Yenikale, having two companies on detachment, under Major Campbell, at Kertch, till the 30th of May, when the head-quarters moved into Kertch, which was handed over to the Russian authorities on the 22nd of June. On the same day the head-quarters and six companies embarked on board the steam ship “Pacific,” and two under Major Campbell, in the steam ship “Edina,” and disembarked at Malta on the 29th of June.

The Highland brigade having been kept in reserve during the war, had few casualties in proportion to other regiments. The Seventy-first had only 2 men killed, 6 wounded, and 1 taken prisoner. Major K. Hunter, Lieut. Northey, Assistant-Surgeon Gilborne, and about 100 non-commissioned officers and men died of sickness. The regiment whilst stationed at Malta occupied the Floriana, Ricasoli, and Verdala Barracks.

1857.

On the 1st of January, 1857, the following was the strength and composition of the regiment:—

Nationality. English. Irish. Scotch. Total.

Head-quarters 32 47 795 874

Depôt at Perth 25 37 290 352

Total 57 84 1,085 1,226

of which, 1,043 Presbyterians, 67 Church of England, and 116 Church of Rome.

On the 26th of November, a draft of 2 officers and 41 men joined the head-quarters from the depôt.

1858.

On the evening of the 2nd of January, 1858, the regiment received orders by telegram to proceed overland to India. The head-quarters and six companies, under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, embarked on board the line-of-battle ship “Princess Royal,” on the 4th, 36 hours later, and disembarked at Alexandria on the 18th. Two companies, under Major Hope, which proceeded in Her Majesty’s ship “Vulture,” disembarked there a few days previously. The regiment then proceeded in two divisions, by railway, to a place half way between Cairo and Suez, where they were mounted on donkeys, and proceeded to Suez, a distance of about 20 or 25 miles. Owing to the smallness of the donkeys, and the size of many of the men, most of them preferred marching to riding. The head-quarters and right wing, under command of Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, arrived at Bombay on the 6th of February, and proceeded to Mhow by bullock train in several detachments, the last of which arrived on the 17th of March. The whole marched from Mhow on the 30th of March, to join the Central India Field Force, under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B. They joined the second brigade at Moti on the 3rd of May, were present at the action of Koonch on the 7th of May, the actions at Muttra and Deapoora on the 16th and 17th of May, action at Golowlee on the 22nd of May, occupation of Calpee on the 23rd of May. This wing was also present at the action of Morar on the 16th of June, on which occasion Lieut. Wyndham Neave, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 2 privates were killed and 8 privates wounded. Private George Rodgers was granted the Victoria Cross for distinguished conduct and courage on this occasion. Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, Major Rich, and Lieut. Scott were especially mentioned.

On the 19th and 20th the whole force, in conjunction with Brigadier Smith’s column, took possession of Gwalior. Great sufferings from the excessive heat were undergone by the Central India Force, all the actions having taken place in the two hottest months of an Indian summer. To avoid the excessive power of the sun, the marches were always, when practicable, conducted at night, but owing to the heat and the plague of flies, but little rest could be got in the daytime, the thermometer in the tents generally standing at 120°. About 50 men of the regiment died of sunstroke on the march, and many died soon after arrival at Morar from utter exhaustion and weakness.

After the capture of Gwalior the regiment returned to Morar, where it was stationed till the 12th of August, when it returned to Gwalior, and was stationed at the Lashkar and Phaol Bagh, and returned again to Morar on the 6th1859. of June, 1859. On the 11th of November a small field force, under Lieut.-Colonel Rich, Seventy-first, including a detachment of the Seventy-first, went out into the jungle to look for the rebel forces, and defeated them at Ranode and at Nainwass, on which last occasion 3 privates were killed. This detachment returned to Gwalior on the 27th of May, 1859.

The left wing, which had arrived at Bombay on the 8th of February, started on the 11th of March for Mhow, and arrived there on the 17th of April. On the 9th of June a company was sent to Indore. On the 2nd of September the whole of the detachment in Mhow marched with a field force under command of Major-General Michel, C.B., in pursuit of the rebels, under their celebrated leader Tantia Topee. It was present at the actions at Rajghur, 15th of September, Mongrowlee, 9th of October (on which occasion 1 private was killed), Sindwaho, 19th of October, and Koorai, 25th of October, and afterwards marched to Goonah, where it arrived on the 17th January, 1859. On the 25th of November a party of 50 men, mounted on camels, left Mhow with a small column, under command of Major Sutherland, Ninety-second Highlanders, and was engaged with the rebels at Rajpore on the 25th November, when the latter were defeated, after which they returned to Mhow.

On the 1st of January, 1859, the company which had been stationed at Indore marched to join a column under Brigadier-General Sir Robert Napier, K.C.B., and was present at the attack on the fort of Nahargurh on the 17th of January, on which occasion 2 privates were severely wounded. Captain F. W. Lambton, in command of the company, was specially mentioned for his daring attack, for which service he was subsequently granted a brevet-majority. Two companies joined head-quarters from Goonah, in June, leaving a detachment of three companies there.

The head-quarters were inspected on the 2nd of December, 1859, by the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Clyde. His Excellency was pleased to express his satisfaction, both at what he himself saw, and at the reports which he had received regarding the state of the regiment from other sources. The report of His Excellency to His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief produced the following letter from the Adjutant-General of the Forces.

“Horse Guards, “24th January, 1860.

“Sir,

“His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief is much gratified to hear from General Lord Clyde, Commander-in-Chief in India, that at his Lordship’s late visit to the station occupied by the regiment under your command, he found it in the highest order. After the recent arduous and continuous duties on which it has been employed, great credit is due to its Commanding Officer and to every rank in the corps, and His Royal Highness requests that his opinion may be communicated to them accordingly.

“I have the honour to be, Sir, “Your most obedient servant, (Signed) “G. A. Wetherall, General, “Adjutant-General.

“Colonel W. Hope, “Commanding Seventy-first Regiment.”

The three companies on detachment at Goonah rejoined head-quarters on the 19th of December, and the regiment, after being broken up into detachments for two years, was brought together again.

In the month of December Colonel R. D. Campbell died in London, and the command of the regiment devolved on Colonel W. Hope, C.B.

1860.

On the 22nd of July cholera broke out in the regiment, and in spite of every sanitary measure being taken, did not finally disappear till the 16th of September, during which time it carried off 1 colour sergeant, 2 sergeants, 66 rank and file, 11 women, and 11 children. It is worthy of remark that during this time only 1 officer was slightly attacked.

On the 20th of December, the regiment having been relieved by the Twenty-seventh Enniskillens, marched to Sealkote, in the Punjab. The state of discipline of the regiment whilst at Gwalior can be gathered from the following official reports:—

Extract from a Report from the Political Agent at Gwalior to the Government of India, dated 15th June, 1859:—

“When it was determined in June last to post a British force at the Laskar, the people expected with dread and deprecation a violent and dangerous, at the least a rude and overbearing, soldiery; but Her Majesty’s Seventy-first Highlanders soon falsified their expectations, and created new feelings. His Highness and the best informed men of the Durbar have assured me that those soldiers, who passed ten months in the Phoolbagh, have by their manners, habits, dealings, and whole demeanour so conciliated the respect and regard of all, that nothing could be more acceptable than the domestication of such a force in the capital. The Durbar further considers that it would bring to Gwalior incalculable industrial advantages, through affording a constant supply of superintendents of public works and skilled labour. I venture to express the hope that His Excellency may consider the Durbar’s view of the conduct of Her Majesty’s Seventy-first Highlanders, commanded by Colonel Campbell, C.B., a very high and true compliment, as worthy of express recognition as good conduct in the field. It is, in my humble judgment, a most fully deserved compliment.

(Signed) “A. A. Charters Macpherson, “Political Agent.”

“Camp, Agra, “29th November, 1859.

“My Lord,

“As your Lordship is going to Gwalior, I trust you will not think that I exceed my office if I venture to send you an extract from a report of June last, in which I attract the attention of Government to the admirable conduct of Her Majesty’s Seventy-first Highlanders, and to its appreciation by Maharajah Scindia and his people. The importance of such conduct on the part of the first British troops stationed at the capital of Gwalior might scarcely be over-stated. Having lived with the Seventy-first at the Phoolbagh for about twelve months, my pride in them as soldiers and countrymen must be my excuse to your Lordship for venturing upon the irregular communications of my impressions.

“General Napier’s views will, I trust, confirm them.

(Signed) “A. A. Charters Macpherson, “Political Agent.”

Extract from remarks by His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief, on the Confidential Reports for the year 1859:—

“Horse Guards, “10th November, 1860.

“Brigadier-General Sir Robert Napier’s Report upon the Seventy-first Regiment is as satisfactory to His Royal Highness and as creditable to the corps as it is excellent in itself.

(Signed) “H. D. Torrens, “Assistant Adjutant-General, “Her Majesty’s Forces.

“Simla, “1st March, 1861.”

1861.

The regiment marched into Sealkote on the 17th of February. The following was the strength and composition of the regiment at this time:—

Nationality. English. Scotch. Irish. Total.

In India 29 659 43 731

Depôt at Perth 36 177 41 254

Total 65 836 84 985

of which 790 were Presbyterians, 67 Church of England, and 128 Roman Catholics. A draft of 130 men on its way to India is not included. The proportion of English and Irish in the regiment at this time was less than in any other Highland regiment.

1862.

The regiment remained stationed at Sealkote till the 1st of November, 1862, when, having been relieved by the Ninety-third Highlanders, it marched to Nowshera, where it arrived on the 21st of November, detaching one company to Attock.

1863.

The regiment remained at Nowshera till the 14th of October, 1863, when, in accordance with instructions received from head-quarters, it marched to Nawakilla, in the Yusufzai country, leaving all sick men and invalids behind at Nowshera. The force which was assembled at Nawakilla for service in the hill country was under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B. The object of the expedition was to destroy Mulka, on the Mahaban Mountain, the stronghold of certain Hindoostanee fanatics, generally known as the “Sitana” fanatics, who infested our frontiers, and were incessantly attacking the villages in our territory. Mulka is just beyond the English frontier, and in the territory of the Indoons. The force marched in two divisions; the first, entirely composed of native troops, marched on the 18th; the second, composed of European troops, marched on the 20th. The Umbeylah Pass was seized without difficulty, but, owing to the bad road, the march, although a comparatively short one, lasted nearly 24 hours, and several days passed before all the guns and baggage were brought up. On the 21st the regiment encamped near the village of Umbeylah. On the 26th of October, 150 men of the Seventy-first, under Major Parker, were engaged in repelling an attack from the enemy, on which occasion 1 private was killed and 5 were wounded. Privates William Clapperton and George Stewart were recommended for the medal for service in the field on this occasion. On the 30th the enemy made another attack on the pickets, but were repulsed. The Seventy-first had 3 privates wounded on this occasion. On the 6th November a party of the regiment was attacked by the enemy, having been sent too far to the front, and not properly supported. Ensign C. B. Murray, Lieut. Dougal, Seventy-ninth, attached, 1 sergeant, and 3 privates were killed, and 4 privates were wounded. Captain Mounsey and Lieut. Davidson, the latter of the Indian Army attached to the Seventy-first, were specially mentioned for their gallantry on this occasion. On the 18th the whole force changed position to higher ground, and was immediately attacked by the enemy, who was not repulsed before night. On this occasion Captain C. T. Smith, Lieut. Gore Jones, of the Seventy-ninth Highlanders, doing duty with the Seventy-first, and 4 privates, were killed, 1 sergeant and 4 privates were wounded. Major Parker was specially mentioned for his services. On the 19th Captain Aldridge and 1 private were killed; 1 private was wounded. On the 20th, the enemy, having succeeded in driving out the 101st Fusiliers from the “Crag Picket,” by a sudden and unexpected attack, the Seventy-first were ordered up to retake it. The “Crag Picket” was situated at the top of a very rocky hill, which rendered the operation doubly difficult. Led by Colonel W. Hope, C.B., who was severely wounded, and supported by two native corps, the Seventy-first, in spite of the natural obstacles and the determined resistance of the enemy, retook the “Crag Picket” at the point of the bayonet. The loss on this occasion was 7 privates killed, 1 field officer, 2 sergeants. 3 corporals, and 19 privates wounded. On the 27th, 1 private was killed. On the 15th of December Major-General Garvock, commanding the Peshawur division, had succeeded Sir N. Chamberlain in the command of the whole force, when the latter was wounded on the 20th of November. Having received strong reinforcements, he attacked and defeated the enemy on all points. The regiment, being on picket duty, was not engaged on this occasion. Shortly after the Boneyrs asked for and obtained terms of peace. The regiment returned to Nonshera on the 30th December.

The following was the loss sustained by the regiment in the Umbeylah Pass. 5 officers (including Lieutenants Dougal and Jones of the Seventy-ninth attached), 1 sergeant, and 17 privates killed; 1 officer, 4 sergeants, and 42 privates wounded.

1864.

On the 4th of January the regiment marched for Peshawur, where it arrived on the 5th. On the 21st of January it was inspected by His Excellency Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B., who expressed himself in the most complimentary manner with reference to the conduct of the regiment in the late campaign. The three men whose names had appeared in General Orders, Privates William Malcolm, William Clapperton, and George Stewart, were called to the front, and were addressed by His Excellency in terms of approval of their gallant conduct in the presence of the enemy. On the 23rd of October the regiment commenced its march for Calcutta prior to embarkation for England. At Rawal Pindee it was called upon to give volunteers for the other regiments in the Bengal Presidency. 200 men volunteered, and were transferred accordingly. At Umbala, on the 14th of December, at a general parade of the garrison, medals for “gallant conduct in the field” were presented by Major-General Lord George Paget, commanding the Sirhind division, to Sergeant-Major John Blackwood, Privates William Malcolm, William Macdonald, William Clapperton, and George Stewart. Sergeant-Major J. Blackwood, who had been dangerously wounded, was also granted an annuity of £15 a year, and was shortly afterwards invalided on account of his wound. He has since been appointed one of Her Majesty’s Yeomen of the Guard and Sergeant-Major of the Second Royal Lanark Militia.

1865.

On the 4th of February the head-quarters and right wing under Colonel Hope, C.B., embarked at Calcutta; the left wing, under Major Gore, embarked on the 14th of February.

The right wing arrived at Plymouth on the 29th of May, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Edinburgh Castle, where it was joined by the left wing, which disembarked at Gravesend on the 19th of June.

The following divisional and general orders were published before the regiment left India:—

Extract of divisional order by Major-General Sir John Garvock, K.C.B., Commanding Peshawur Division.

“Rawul Pindee, “1st November, 1864.

“The Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry being about to leave the Peshawur Division en route for England, the Major-General desires to offer them his best wishes on the occasion. He has known the regiment for a number of years. He was very intimately associated with it in the Mediterranean, and his interest in it is now materially increased in no small degree by its having served under him in the field, and done its part, and done it well, in obtaining for him those honours which Her Majesty has been pleased to confer. The Major-General had not assumed command of the Yusufzai Field Force when the Seventy-first recaptured the ‘Crag Picket,’ but he well knows it was a most gallant exploit. Sir John Garvock, K.C.B., begs Colonel Hope, C.B., and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Seventy-first Light Infantry to believe that although they will be soon no longer under his command, he will continue to take the liveliest interest in their career, and he now wishes them a speedy and prosperous voyage.

(Signed) “J. Wright, Lieut.-Colonel, “Assistant Adjutant-General.”

General order by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

“Head-quarters, Calcutta, “27th January, 1865.

“The services of the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry in India entitle them, on their departure to England, to honourable mention in general orders. A wing of the regiment, on their arrival in India in 1858, joined the Central India Field Force, and His Excellency is enabled to bear testimony to the good services which they performed, and the excellent spirit which they displayed during that campaign. The regiment more recently distinguished itself under their Commanding Officer, Colonel W. Hope, C.B., in the late operations on the frontier. Sir Hugh Rose cannot, in justice to military merit, speak of the Seventy-first in a general order without reverting to an earlier period, when in two great campaigns in Europe they won a reputation which has earned them an honourable page in history.

“Sir Hugh Rose’s best wishes attend this distinguished regiment on their leaving his command for home.

“By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

(Signed) “G. Haythorn, Colonel, “Adjutant-General.”

The losses of the regiment during the seven years it was quartered in India were Captain W. F. Smith, Captain R. B. Aldridge, Lieut. Wyndham Neave, and Ensign C. B. Murray, 2 sergeants and 24 rank and file killed, 1 officer, Colonel W. Hope, C.B., 4 sergeants, and 50 rank and file wounded. Major H. Loftus, Lieut. and Adjutant Cowburn, Ensign Swainson, and Surgeon W. Simpson, and about 250 men, died of disease. About a half of the loss incurred by disease occurred during the six weeks that the Central India campaign lasted, and during the six weeks that the cholera was raging in the regiment in 1860.

The depôt companies joined the regiment in Edinburgh, and the establishment of the regiment was fixed at 12 companies, with 54 sergeants, 31 buglers and pipers, and 700 rank and file.

In October occurred the death of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Parker, of typhoid fever, after a service of 23 years in the regiment.

1866.

In February, authority was received from the Commander-in-Chief for the officers of the regiment to wear a sword with a cross hilt instead of a basket hilt on all occasions except at levees, &c.

In the same month the regiment embarked at Granton, for Aldershot, where it arrived on the 19th, and remained stationed there till December, when it proceeded to Portsmouth, and embarked on board Her Majesty’s ship “Tamar” for Ireland, where it arrived on the 14th. The head-quarters and five companies proceeded to Fermoy, detaching three companies to Cork and two to Ballincollig. During the whole of this year, when a Fenian outbreak was anticipated, the regiment was much broken up into detachments, having at different times sent detachments to the following places:—Cork, Ballincollig, Mallow, Millstreet, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, Tralee, Limerick, Killarney, and Rathkeale. On the 27th of November Colonel W. Hope, C.B., retired on half-pay, after a service of 32 years in the regiment, and after having commanded it for eight years, much and deservedly respected and regretted by all ranks. The command now devolved on Major J. J. Macdonell.

1868.

The regiment proceeded to Dublin on the 30th April, 1868, at which time its establishment was increased to 800 privates. On the 22nd of July the regiment proceeded to the Curragh Camp, and remained there till the 17th of October, when it embarked on board Her Majesty’s ship “Simoom” for Gibraltar, where it arrived on the 22nd of the same month.

1869.

On the 1st of April the establishment of the regiment was reduced by 100 privates.

1870.

On the 31st of March the regiment sustained the loss by death of Lieut.-General the Honourable C. Grey, the Colonel of the regiment. General Grey had previously commanded the regiment from 1833 to 1842, and had always taken the greatest interest in its welfare. He was succeeded by Lieut.-General R. Law, K.H., who in the earlier part of his military career had served in the Seventy-first during the whole of the war in Spain, having been present with the regiment at all the actions in which it was engaged, and having been wounded several times. He was also severely wounded by a cannon ball at the battle of Waterloo, whilst performing the duties of adjutant. On the 1st of April the establishment of the regiment was reduced from 12 to 10 companies.

According to a return furnished to the Horse Guards in 1872, the Seventy-first proved to be the most national one among the Highland corps, the numbers being 710 Scotch, 25 English, and 18 Irish.

1873.

By general order dated 17th March, 1873, the regiment was associated with the Seventy-eighth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs), and formed into the Fifty-fifth Brigade, together with the Ross, Caithness, &c., and Inverness, Nairn, and Elgin militia regiments, with its depôt established permanently at Fort George.

1874.

On the 24th of April the service companies embarked on board Her Majesty’s ship “Tamar,” for passage to Malta, where they disembarked on the 30th of the same month.

On the 10th of May the death of Lieut.-General Law took place. He was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieut.-General the Honourable G. Cadogan, who was transferred from the 106th at his own request. General Cadogan is nephew of Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable H. Cadogan, who commanded the regiment throughout the whole of the Peninsular war, and was finally killed at the battle of Vittoria.

1876.

The regiment still remains quartered at Malta. The composition and nationality of the regiment at the present date is as follows:—

Mode of Enlistment. English. Irish. Scotch. Total.

Enlisted for Seventy-first 12 6 526 544

Transfers from other regiments 7 3 — 10

From schools 7 — — 7

Fifty-fifth Brigade 34 25 — 59

Total 60 34 526 620

It will be seen by the above how little the Seventy-first has profited by the Depôt Brigade system.

HARRISON AND SONS, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY, ST. MARTIN’S LANE.