BATTLE OF HYDERABAD. 24th. March, 1843.
Reading edition
The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the chiefs who continued to resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere Mahomed. The British advanced from Hyderabad at daybreak on the morning of the 24th. of March, and about half-past eight o’clock twenty thousand Scindian troops were discovered in order of battle behind a nullah. Arrangements were immediately made for commencing the action, and the 22nd. regiment led the attack. Major Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. George the regiment, which advanced steadily against the enemy’s left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot until arriving within forty paces of the entrenchment, when it stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees. Lieutenant Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of the enemy’s standards, and was severely wounded while in the act of waving it and cheering on his men; Lieutenant Powell seized another, and the gallant example of the officers stimulated the men to similar deeds. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. Mc Cartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson, and J. Oakley shot the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, making five of their opponents prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured colours; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, taking from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.
The Second Jellalabad Medal. The Maharajpoor Star.
Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, “The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty’s 22nd. regiment.”[111]
The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert.[112] Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the 22nd. regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Chute, Coote, Evans, and Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six sergeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates were wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder, being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur, in Upper Scinde.
These successes gained for the troops the high honour of the thanks of Parliament, and the Order of the Bath for several of the officers.
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