Note 179 — SIEGE OF DELHI. 30th. May to 14th. September, 1857.

In addition to these two officers there were Sergeants John Smith and A. B. Carmichael, and Corporal F. Burgess, alias Joshua Burgess Grierson, of the Sappers and Miners; Bugler Hawthorne, of the 52nd. Light Infantry, and twenty-four Sappers and Miners, viz.:—fourteen Native and ten Punjabees. Covered by the fire of the 60th. Rifles, this party advanced at the double towards the Cashmere Gate; Lieutenant Home, with Sergeants John Smith and Carmichael, and Havildar Madhoo, all of the Sappers, leading and carrying the powder-bags, followed by Lieutenant Salkeld, Corporal Burgess, and a section of the remainder of the party. Sergeant Carmichael was killed whilst laying his powder, and Havildar Madhoo was wounded. Whilst endeavouring to fire the charge Lieutenant Salkeld was shot through the leg and arm, and handed over the slow match to Corporal Burgess, who fell mortally wounded just as he had successfully performed his duty. Havildar Tiluk Singh, of the Sappers and Miners was wounded, and Ram Heth, Sepoy, of the same corps, was killed during this part of the operation. The demolition having been most successful, Lieutenant Home then caused the bugle to sound the regimental call of the 52nd. as the signal for the advance of the column; this was repeated three times, as it was feared that amidst the noise of the assault the sound might not be heard. The bugler, Robert Hawthorne, after performing his own dangerous duty, humanely attached himself to Lieutenant Salkeld, and after binding up that officer’s wounds under a heavy musketry fire, had him removed without further injury. For this deed, pronounced to be “as noble as any that has ever graced the annals of war,” he received the Victoria Cross.