Chapter VIII · ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND—REVIEW BY HER MAJESTY—EMBARK FOR INDIA.

On arriving at Portsmouth, the 79th was ordered to proceed by rail to Aldershott, now a very extensive military station. As regiment after regiment arrived at this place from the Crimea, we congratulated one another on our safe arrival. The appearance of the Crimean soldier told at once of his late sufferings;—his care-worn visage, which could be easily distinguished at the first glance, was a proof that he had undergone the Crimean campaign. We were told that Her Gracious Majesty the Queen was to inspect at Aldershott the survivors of the Crimean army. The day at last arrived, and Her Majesty inspected regiment after regiment minutely; and to some of her soldiers she spoke in words of such an affectionate character, that the tears started in the eyes of those brave fellows, from whom, in the heat of action, all feelings would be banished; and no wonder that the tears would start on hearing from the lips of the Queen such words as these:—“I have watched and prayed for you in your recent struggle; and now I congratulate you, my brave soldiers, on your return to your native land; but again I have to deplore the loss of many of the brave who have fallen in battle.” Language so pathetic could not but fill the hearts of the soldiers with pride and admiration.

After the breaking up of the camp at Aldershott, the 79th was ordered to Dover Castle. We were very much disappointed, as we always hoped that we would have been sent to our native soil; but the soldier’s motto is obedience. But little did we know that we were soon to be called away to a far distant land. We passed a few months at Dover, when we were ordered to Canterbury, where we passed a few months. From Canterbury we were sent to Shorncliffe, and formed part of a brigade there. The 79th was again hastily ordered to London, and were glad of the opportunity of getting a glance of the great metropolis. We went by rail, and were quartered in Portland Street Barracks. On the following day we were reviewed in Hyde Park; the Queen and all the officers of state were present, and thousands of spectators viewed with admiration the defenders of their country. We were next ordered to Dublin, and at the shortest notice took rail for Liverpool, and embarked on board a steamer for Dublin. We landed at Kingstown after a passage of forty-eight hours, and proceeded by rail to Dublin; and it was here, in the summer of 1857, we received the alarming intelligence of the Indian mutiny—a mutiny which brought along with it crimes of the deepest dye. What was now to be done? All eyes were turned to the safety of our empire in the east; statesmen turned pale, and officers were eagerly bent on promotion. Our country looked for an able general to go at once to India and quell the rebellion, which had already been kindled into a flame. All eyes were turned on officers of experience to take command in India. Such a general Her Most Gracious Majesty found in Sir Colin Campbell, and he was selected for the duty. A short interview between Her Majesty and Sir Colin was sufficient to enable the gallant chief at once to proceed to the seat of war. When asked how soon he could be ready to proceed, he replied, “To-morrow morning shall see me in France!”

The 79th were again ordered to the seat of war, and India was the country of our destination. Details of the horrid cruelties of the sepoys were arriving daily, and feelings of indignation were aroused throughout our land, and we soldiers burned to be revenged on the black villains, and the 79th went on board at Kingstown on the 27th of July, 1857. The hopes I had hitherto entertained of visiting my friends in bonny Scotland were now blighted; but duty called, and there was nought for it but to obey. After bidding adieu to all around us, we stood out to sea, and on the following morning we lost sight of land. As I have kept a diary of my homeward passage, I will pass over the outward voyage.

I shall not now trouble my readers by telling about catching albatrosses, flying fish, spearing dolphins, hooking sharks, weathering the Cape, taking in water, latitudes and longitudes, and keeping a log-book. Suffice it to say, that after a tedious passage we arrived at Calcutta on the 27th of November. We found the inhabitants of this city in a state of great anxiety on account of the mutiny. As we sailed up the river Hooghly, we were greeted with cheers by our countrymen. It was then that the soldier was appreciated. Ah! how true are the words of the poet—

We found Calcutta at this time of the year very hot, especially in the day time. The roads and streets were very dusty; and it was a very novel sight to see large numbers of bheastee wallahs (water-carriers) going about naked watering the roads, and keeping down clouds of dust, which would at every other moment arise and darken the air.