BATTLE OF MEEANEE. 17th. February, 1843.
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Having thus commenced hostilities, the Ameers assembled a numerous force to destroy the few British troops in the country. Sir Charles Napier, trusting to the valour of the force under his orders, advanced to meet the enemy. On the 30017th. of February, twenty-two thousand Scindian troops were discovered encamped at Meeanee. The position of the enemy had been chosen with great skill, and they were immensely superior in numbers. Both their flanks were covered by thick woods, and their front was protected by the dry bed and steep banks of the Fulailee river. The British, mustering two thousand eight hundred men, advanced in echelon of regiments to attack their numerous opponents, and the 22nd., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel (now Lieutenant-General Sir John) Pennefather, led the attack. As soon as the British forces came within range, a battery of fifteen guns opened upon them, a numerous body of Beloochees discharged their matchlocks and pistols at the 22nd., and then rushed forward sword in hand to close upon the British line; but these bold and skilful swordsmen went down under the superior power of the musket and bayonet.[109]
In the stirring words of General W. F. P. Napier—the Beloochees—“Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they shook their sharp swords beaming in the sun, their shouts rolling like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures, they dashed forward with demoniac strength and ferocity, full against the front of the 22nd. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong, the Irish soldiers met them with the queen of weapons—the musket, and sent their foremost masses rolling back in 301blood. These wild warriors continually advanced, sword and shield in hand, striving in all the fierceness of their valour, to break into the opposing ranks; no fire of small arms, no thrusts of bayonets, no sweeping discharges of grape from the guns—could drive the gallant soldiers back. They gave their breasts to the shot, they leaped upon the guns by twenties at a time; their dead went down the steep slope by hundreds; but the gaps in their masses were continually filled up from the rear; the survivors of the front rank still pressed forward with unabated fury, and the bayonet and the sword clashed in full and frequent conflict.”
After a severe contest of three hours the Scindian army was defeated, and, on the day following the victory, six of the Ameers delivered their swords to the British General upon the field of battle. The Beloochees lost five thousand men, and all their guns, ammunition, and treasure were taken, together with their camp and standards.
In the Notification of the Right Honourable Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, it was directed, “That the unserviceable guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent to Bombay, and there cast into a triumphal column, whereon shall be inscribed in the English, and two native languages, the names of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., and of the several officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, and likewise the names of the several officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may be for ever recorded of those who, at Meeanee, obtained for themselves that glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier.” Sir Charles Napier set the example, which has since been more or less followed, in naming the non-commissioned officers and men who had specially distinguished themselves.[110]
The loss of the 22nd. regiment was Captain J. Mc Leod Tew, one sergeant, and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather, Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. Mc Murdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one sergeant, one corporal, and fifty privates wounded.
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