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'^i,X%J,J
l^arbarli College i/tbtars
FROM THB FUND OF
CHARLES MI2SrOT
(CIam of i8a8).
Received / f H'jtJy /^f? ,
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■ ? -«- < ■
THE 66th
BERKSHIRE REGIMENT-
■ > -■- « ■
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THE
66th BERK8HIEE REGIMENT.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF IT8 SERVIGEB AT HOME AND
ABROAD, FROM 1758 TO 1881.
COMPILED FBOM THB REGIMENTAL RECORDS, AND OTHER MS9.,
J, PERCY GROVES,
'* RESERVE OF OFFICERS"; LATE XXVII. INNISKILLINGS.
AUTHOR OF:—
" FROM CADET TO CAPTAIN " ; "A SOLDIER BORN " ;
) RIFLEMAN '* ; " THE WAR OF
"THE duke's OWN," &C., &C.
S&eaHtns:
PUBLISHED BY JOSEPH J. BEECROFT.
l^OntlOn: HAMILTON, ADAMS & CO.
1887.
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FEB 18 L.^i^
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TO
€akntl |0l^n %ahm §leabg,
WHO 8BSVBD IN THE BERKSHIRE REGIMENT
(from ensign to LIEUTENANT-OOLONEL OOMMANDING,)
FOR UPWARDS OF 32 TEARS, THIS LITTLE HISTORT IS DEDICATE
WITH THE CORDIAL RESPECT OF THE AUTHOR.
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CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.-— 1758-1804.— FormatioD of the Regiment-
Uniform — Early History — Embarks on Foreign Service — Quartered
in the Island of St. Vincent— Gibraltar— Ordered again to West
Indies— Active Service in St. Domingo — Quartered in Jamaica,
Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland — Returns to England— Second
Battalion raised. 1
CHAPTER XL— 1804-1817.— Services of 1st Battalion— Embark
for Ceylon— Services in that Island, and on the Madras Coast —
Moved to Bengal — ^The Nepaulese War — Embark for St. Helena 12
CHAPTER III.— 1804-1809.— Services of 2iid Battalion-
Stationed in Ireland until 1809 — Embark on active Service —
Arrival in Portugal — March from Lisbon to Coimbra — The advance
on Oporto — The passage of the Douro — Anecdote. 28
CHAPTER IV.— 1809-1810.— Services of 2nd BattaUon con-
tinued — Pursuit of Soult — Return to Oporto — Encamped at
Abrantes — Attached to the 2nd Division — Position of the French
Army Corps — The advance into Spain — Don Gregorio de Cuesta —
The Battle of Talavera. 86
CHAPTER v.— 1810-1811.— Services of the 2nd BattaUon
continued— Massena invades Portugal — Busaco — Lines of Torres
Vedras — Retreat of Massena— Forward movement of the Allies
— Flying Column into Andalusia — ^The battle of Albuhera. . . 47
CHAPTER VL— 1811-1813. -Services of the 2nd Battalion
continued — Arroyo de Molinos — Changes in the Brigade — The
66th reinforced — Retreat to Coria— General Rowland Hill and the
66th— Campaign of 1818— The battle of Vittoria. 67
CHAPTER VIL— 1813-1817.— Services of the 2nd BattaUon
concluded — Pursuit of the French — Marshal Soult reinstated —
Attack on the heights of RoncesvaUes— Fighting in the Pyrenees—
Nivelle— Nive — Orthes— Toulouse — Termination of the Peninsular
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VIII. CONTENTS.
PAOB
War — ^The 2nd Battalion return home— Bmbark for St. Helena-
Incorporated with the let Battalion. 67
CHAPTER Vin.— 1817-1827.— Death and Funeral of Napoleon
Bonaparte — The 66th leave St. Helena — Complimentary order —
Home services — "Peninsular Honours" granted — ^Embark for
Canada.... ... 78
CHAPTERIX.— 1827-1865.— Services in Canada— The Papineau
Rebellion — Affair of St. Charles — Suppression of the Rebellion —
The 66th return to England— Embark for Gibraltar— Sent to the
West Indies— Severe outbreak of Yellow fever —Canada — Presenta-
tion of New Colours at Quebec — Return to England and embark
for India — Grenadier and Light Companies abolished — Service in
India —Embark for England —The voyage Home. . 82
CHAPTER X.— 1870-1879.— Embark for India— Presentation
of New Colours by Lord Northbrook — Old Colours deposited in St.
Mary's Church, Reading — Camp of Exercise at Chinchured —
Movements of the Depdt up to January, 1878. .. 89
CHAPTER XL -1879-1880.— Arrival at Kurrachee— Inspected
by Brigadier Brice — Death of Lieutenant Smallpiece— Colonel
Barclay's Farewell order — Colonel Galbraith succeeds to the
Command of the 66th — Ordered to Afghanistan on Active Service
— Movements of Detachments — Ayoub Khan's Advance — Mutiny
of the Wall's troops— Girishk — Return to EushkifNakud. . . 96
CHAPTER XIL— MAIWAND-Lieutenant O'Donnel's account
of the action— Extracts from notes by Major Ready, commanding
the Baggage guard— List of Officers, N.C. Officers and Privates
who were killed — General Primrose's Letter to the Commander-in-
Chief in India. 102
CHAPTER XIIL— 29th' July, 1880, to 1st July, 1881. Siege
of Kandahar — Attack on deh Kojh — Relief of Kandahar bv General
Sir Frederick Roberts ^Burial of the dead at Mai wand — Return of
the regiment to England — Numercial distinctions abolished —
Finis
APPENDIX L— Succession of Colonels
APPENDIX II.- War Services of Officers
APPENDIX III— List of Officers in 1761
List of Officers in 1881
132
138
141
156
158
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THE 66th EEGIMENT.
Cj^apl^r t
1768-1804 — Formation of the Regiment — Uniform — Early History —
Embarks on foreign Service — Quartered in the Island of
St. Vincent — Gibraltar— Ordered again to West Indies — Active
Service in St. Domingo — Quartered in Jamaica, Nova Scotia, and
Newfoundland — Returns to England — Second Battalion raised.
N the middle of the last century, the exertions
of Great Britain in the prosecution of that
extensive and sanguinary struggle known as
the " Seven Years' War," rendered an addition
to her Land Forces imperative, and, Parlia-
ment having authorised the augmentation,
several new corps (from the 61st to the 70th inclusive,)
were ordered to be formed from the 2nd Battalions of
existing regiments.
In accordance with this order — ^which was issued in
the Spring of 1758 — ^the 2nd Battalion of the 19th (or 1st
North Biding of Yorkshire) Begiment was constituted a
separate corps, and numbered the .66th of the line.
Of the early history of the 66th but little is known,
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2 THE 66th begiment.
owing to the loss or destruction of the Eegimental Eecords
at the evacuation of Port au Prince, in 1797.
It must have been shortly after its formation that His
Majesty, George 11, approved of the new regiment being
styled the " 66th or Berkshire Eegiment," by which title
it has been known for nearly a century and a quarter.*
According to a Eoyal Warrant, dated 19th December,
1758, the original uniform of the " Berkshire ** Eegiment
was a red coat lined with white and faced with ** yellow-
green '* ; lace, gold for officers ; and white, with one
crimson and green and one green stripe for the men.
Waistcoat and breeches, white. The 66th retained their
green facings until the year 1880.
The first Colonel of the 66th was Edward Sandford,
whose commission bears date of the 21st of April, 1758.
This officer only had the regiment a few months, and
was succeeded, on the 24th August, by Colonel John La
FausiUe.
La Fausille held the Colonelcy until January, 1763,
when he gave place to Lord Adam Gordon. On the 10th
February, 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed, and, a
General Peace being proclaimed, the ** Seven Years*
War,'* and the War with Spain (conmienced in January,
1762) came to an end. There is no record to show
whether the 66th were employed on active or foreign
service during these Wars, nor can we discover where
the regiment was quartered for the first fifteen years of
its existence.
We now come to the period when light infantry .
* The first Anny List in which the County Title appears, is that
for 1783.
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EMBABKS ON FOREIGN SERVICE. 3
companies were permanently established in the British
Army, and by a Boyal Warrant, dated 25th December,
1770, a hght company was added to the strength of the
66th, and sixteen other line regiments.
In the month of May, 1773, the regiment marched
from Plymouth to Eomsey, and while stationed at
Eomsey had the honour of being reviewed by His
Majesty, George III., who expressed his approbation of
its appearance and discipline.
Shortly after this memorable inspection, the 66th
marched to Berwick, and from thence to Edinburgh Castle,
where.it remained until the autumn of 1775, when it
embarked for Ireland.
On the 13th January, 1776, Joseph Gabbett was
appointed Colonel, in succession to Lord Adam Gordon.
During the next nine years the regiment was stationed
in various parts of Ireland, and was distinguished as an
efficient and well-conducted corps.
On lihe 2nd April, 1785, the 66th embarked for the
West Indies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Forster; a captain and two subalterns remaining at home
in recruiting service. Before the regiment sailed, the
following complimentary General Order was issued at the
Cove of Cork : —
** 12th April, 1785. Colonel Crosby having obtained
leave of absence, is extremely happy to have it in his
power, before he resigns his command, to communicate
to the 66th and 67th regiments the approbation and
thanks of the Commander-in-Chief for the very honour-
able manner these regiments have left this country;
and the spirit, good order and cheerfulness with which
b2
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4 THE 66th regiment.
they embarked, of -which he will make a favourable
report to the King. The Colonel sincerely wishes
them a happy voyage, and a safe return to their native
country.
Signed, Charles Stuart, Adjutant 67th Eegiment."
The 66th was bound for the Island of St. Vincent, and
on the 4th of June, 1785, after a two months' voyage,
the transport dropped anchor in Kingston Bay; the
regiment disembarked next morning.
In 1787, Lieutenant-Colonel Forster retired from the
service, and the command of the regiment devolved upon
Major Henry Eoper, who was shortly afterwards
promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.
Colonel Roper returned to England a few months later,
and was succeeded in temporary command by Captain
Urquhart, who was relieved on the 6th December, 1788,
by Lieutenant-Colonel Bowyer.
During its stay in St. Vincent new colours were
presented to the 66th.
In the winter of 1792, orders were received for the
regiment to hold itself in readiness to proceed to Gibraltar
at an early date.
In communicating this order to the Eegiment, Major-
General Cuyler, in conmiand at St. Vincent, wrote as
follows : —
" I cannot part with the 66th Eegiment which has so
constantly gone on well since my arrival in this country,
without making known that I am sensible of their good
conduct, which sentiment I have expressed in the enclosed
letter to Sir Eobert Boyd.
Signed, C. Cuyler, Major-General."
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FIBST SET OF COLOURS. D
On hearing that the 66th was under orders for Gibral-
tar, the St. Vincent Government formally requested that
the old colours might be deposited in the Court House at
Kingstown — as ** a memento of the services of the corps
in the island."
This request was readily granted, and on the 8th
January, 1793, the old colours, which had been carried
by the "Berkshire" regiment for upwards of thirty years,
were placed with due ceremony in the Kingstown Court
House.
The St. Vincent authorities acknowledged the receipt
of these time-honoured ensigns in the following terms : —
"V^e receive these colours as a mark of attention
from the Regiment to the Colony, and will preserve
them as a memorial of their good conduct and
discipUne."
Next morning (9th January, 1793) the 66th, under
conmiand of Major Hildebrand Oakes, embarked at
Kingstown, and when the transport stood out to sea, the
batteries overlooking the Bay fired a salute as a compli-
ment to the regiment. The voyage to Gibraltar was of
two months*^ duration, and the 66th landed there on the
13th March.
In 1794, John, Earl of Clanricarde, was appointed
Colonel.
After three years* sojourn at the ** Rock," the 66th
received orders to make up their strength to 1,200 of all
ranks, prior to returning to the West Indies.
In order to complete the establishment with as little
delay as possible, vacancies were filled up by drafts from
the 2nd Battalion 82nd, the 108th, 128th, and 131st
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6 THE 66th REGIMENT.
Begiments. Early in 1796, the regiment left Gibraltar,
and, on the 23rd February, disembarked at Port au
Prince, in the island of St. Domingo.
St. Domingo was, at this period, in a state of complete
anarchy owing to the internal dissensions of the negroes,
into whose hands the decrees of the French RepubHc had
thrown the greater portion of the unfortunate island.
Port au Prince had been taken from the Eepublicans
by the British in the summer of '94, and was now held
by a garrison, under Lieut-General Williamson. That
officer had extended his posts in the island, and
being short of troops had raised several negro corps,
the command of which he gave to French RoyaHsts.
Between these black troops and the Republican negroes
there was constant warfare.
Such was the state of affairs when the 66th arrived at
Port au Prince.
On the 28th February, 1796, j&ve days after disembark-
ing, the regiment, consisting of eight companies, two of
which were detached in conjunction with other corps,
attacked and carried a post, at a place called Turgeau,
not far from Port au Prince. In this affair (of which no
details are given in the Records,) the 66th lost 3 men
killed and 3 wounded.
The following General Order was issued on the
occasion : —
" It is with the greatest satisfaction His Excellency
the Governor saw yesterday the complete execution
of the plan that had been concerted to possess the
heights and drive the enemy to the other side of the
mountains; from the judicious disposition that had
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SEYEBE LOSSES. 7
been made the enemy saw no safety but in flight.
His Excellency returns his best thanks to Brigadier-
General Bowyer, Baron Montalembert, Colonel Gar-
diner, the Commandant and the officers and men of
the different corps who contributed to the success of
the day."
The e6th remained in this unhealthy island for
upwards of two years, during which time it was engaged
in incessant warfare of an unusually harassing and
fatiguing nature. No records remain to tell of its ser-
vices, but it is probable that besides, being present at
many minor affairs, the regiment (or a portion of it)
formed part of an expedition, commanded by General
Forbes, sent against L^ogane on the 21st March, 1796 ;
and that it was present at the attack and capture of the
fort of Bombarde, on which occasion the British lost
, thirty officers and men killed and wounded. (June 8th).
An original document, signed by Lieutenant and
Adjutant David Gunn, shows that 16 officers* and
690 non-commissioned officers and men of the 66th Foot
died during their first year's service at St. Domingo —
from February, 1796, to February, 1797.
This is sufficient to prove how severely the corps
suffered, and that the dangers and hardships to which
the men were exposed during this almost forgotten war
were of no ordinary kind.
In the summer of 1798, arrangements were made by
Brigadier-General, the Hon. Thomas Maitland, for the
* List of Officers xnentiuned. Brevet-Majors Burvill and Gabbitt;
Captains Lipycatt and R. Gabbitt ; Captain-IJeutenant Long ; Lieu-
tenants Simms, Peach, Swainson, Arbuckle, Best, and Harrison; Ensigns
Ward and Carr (acting) ; Surgeons W. Long and Lander.
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8 THE 66th begiment.
British to evacuate St. Domingo, and by the end of that
year the French troops were also withdrawn, so that
Toussaint L'Ouverture and his sable brethren were left
in undisputed possession of the entire island.*
On the 24th September, 1798, the regiment embarked
at Cape St. Nicholas Mole, and sailed for Jamaica, where
it arrived on the 4th October, and marched to Up Park
Gamp.
The 66th was not long in Jamaica, for early in 1799
we find it at Halifax, Nova Scotia. The casualties of
war and the ravages of disease had by this time reduced
the Corps almost to a skeleton battalion, and the gaps in
its ranks were here filled up by 300 volunteers from the
7th Eoyal Fusiliers, and by a draft of recruits, which had
come out from home in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel
Hatton, who now assumed command of the regiment.
Early in November, 1799, the 66th marched to Anna-
polis Eoyal, and on the 2nd January, 1800, Lieutenant-
Colonel Urquhart arrived from England, and reHeved
Hatton in command of the regiment.
While the 66th lay at Annapolis Eoyal, H.E.H. the
Duke of Kent visited it, and remained for a few days as
the guest of the officers.
On the 26th May, 1800, the regiment embarked at
Halifax, on board the John transport, and, convoyed by
H.M. Frigate Cleopatra, sailed for St. John's, New-
foundland.
* Bryan Edwards in his History of the West Indies, says " The
attempts of reducing this island cost many lives .... the number left
alive and fit for service at the end of the year 1797, was not more than
3000 men. About 12,000 land forces, and 500 seamen, had in the space
of three years fallen a sacrifice to that pestilential climate.
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RETURN TO ENGLAND. \f
Here, on the 14th September, Lieutenant-Colonel
George Urquhart died, and was succeeded by Lieutenant*
Colonel John Hatton. v
The 66th remained in Newfoundland until the 9th
October, 1802, when it sailed for England, after seven-
teen years* continuous foreign service.
The following General Order was issued by Brigadier-
General John Skerrett (Colonel of the Loyal Durham
Fencibles) previous to the embarkation of the regiment : —
" 6th October, 1802. The Brigadier-General feels
much mortified in losing the services of H.M. 66tb
Eegiment from under his command. The striking
proof of loyalty, high discipline and obedience he has
experienced from this corps, call for his most grateful
acknowledgments to the officers, non-commissioned
officers and privates. By their admirable conduct the
tranquillity of this great settlement has been insured.
To Lieutenant-Colonel Hatton, who has assisted the
native valour of the corps by every exertion of the most
judicious and vigorous discipline, everything is ,due;
and Brigadier-General Skerrett considers it a bounden
duty to state the same to Lieutenant-General Bowyer^
for the information of the Commander-in-Chief. On
some future day he hopes to have the honour of serving
with the "Berkshire"* Eegiment, being assured that
the gallant conduct which has so often distinguished
them in the field, will add resplendency to the British
arms on whatever service they may be sent."
The 66th arrived at Portsmouth on the 24:th October,
* This is the first time the County title is mentioned in the
Regimental Records.
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10 THE 66th begiment.
1802, and, four days later, received orders to proceed to
Jersey, where it landed on the 3rd November, and
occupied Fort Henry and the Granville Barracks. At
Jersey the regiment remained for eleven months, enjoying
a well-earned rest after the vicissitudes and perils of a
long tour of foreign service.
In the spring of 1803, the arrogance and duplicity of
that mihtary autocrat, Bonaparte, first Consul of the
French Republic, brought about a rupture of the Peace
of Amiens, and hostilities so lately interrupted broke out
afresh; war with France being formally declared on the
18th May, 1803.
[Whatever reverses and humiliations other nations had
suffered at the hands of victorious France, England, at all
events, had more than held her own, both by sea and
land ; and the British were naturally exceedingly sensi-
tive on the slightest supposition of inferiority to their
ancient enemy; it is therefore not surprising that
Bonaparte's insolent and contemptuous treatment of the
British Ambassador, Lord Whitworth, aroused the
indignation of the country. The most animated feeUngs
of patriotism were now exhibited by the nation at
large, and ParHament readily responded to the King's
request that the army should be considerably increased.
Recruiting was carried on with unexampled despatch,
and many line regiments were ordered to raise additional
battalions. ]
The 66thxwas one of the corps required to raise a second
battalion, and a War Office letter (dated 18th August,
1803) to that effect was addressed to Lord Glanricarde,
as Colonel of the regiment. A second battalion, 1,100
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SECOND BATTALION RAISED. 11
strong, was rapidly raised, chiefly by drafts from the army
of Eeserve, and Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Benson was
placed in temporary command. The ten senior captains,
twelve lieutenants and eight ensigns of the regiment
remained with the 1st battahon, the rest of the officers
joined the 2nd battalion.
On the 24th September, 1803, the 66th moved from
Jersey to Winchester, arriving at that town on the 4th
October.
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Cj^apt^r 2.
1804-1817.— Services of 1st Battalion— Embark for Ceylon— Services
in that Island, and on the Madras Coast —Moved to Bengal —
The Nepaulese War— Embark for St. Helena.
^N January, 1804, it was intimated to the
Eegiment that the 1st Battalion -was to be
brought up to its full strength, by volunteers
for unlimited service from the 2nd Battalion,
prior to proceeding abroad.
The destination of the 1st Battalion was
not, however, made known.
On the 3rd March, 1804, the 1st Battalion 66th
Eegiment left Winchester, to be billeted in the neigh-
bouring towns during the Spring Assizes; but on the
following day, orders were received at Bishop's Waltham
— where the Headquarters had already arrived — for the
Battahon to proceed to Portsmouth, and there embark
for Ceylon, so soon as transport could be provided.
The 66th marched into Gosport — over 1000 bayonets
strong — on the 6th March, and next morning, went on
board the Brunswichj Canton^ and Marquis of Ely, three
merchantmen engaged in the China trade. Lieutenant-
Colonel Hatton was in command of the Battalion, and
Headquarters were on board the Brunswick.
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SERVICE IN CEYLON AND MADBAS. 13
On the 20th March, after laying off the Mother Bank
for a fortnight, waiting for a fair wind, the three vessels
weighed anchor, stood down Channel, and proceeded on
their voyage to Trincomalee, where they arrived on the
16th July. On disembarking at Trincomalee, a portion
of the Battalion was accommodated in Barracks, and the
remaining companies went under canvas.
A rest of about six weeks followed the tedious
voyage round the Gape, and then it was intimated to
Colonel Hatton, that the Battalion must be broken up
into detachments. In issuing this order, Major-General
Wemyss — the commandant at Trincomalee — expressed
his regret at having to separate the 66th, and also
declared himself highly pleased with ** the handsome
and soldier-like appearance of the men." For the next
two-years-and-a-half, the Battalion was employed on
detachment duty in various parts of the island of Ceylon,
and also in the Madras Presidency. In the spring of
1807, Colonel Hatton returned home on leave, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney took over the command.
On the 3rd September, 1807, the following Order was
issued by Lieutenant-General Maitland, on the occasion
of his visit of inspection at Trincomalee.
" Lieutenant-General Maitland felt great satisfaction
at the whole state of the Garrison of Trincomalee
and its dependencies, at his visit to that important
post. His Majesty's 66th Eegiment, he is happy to
observe, has not suffered by the temporary loss of
that excellent officer. Colonel Hatton. The steadiness
and appearance of the men is highly reputable to
Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney and the officers of the
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14 THE 66th begiment.
Corps. The general character and good conduct of the
officers does credit to the Begiment, and the whole
state of the Begiment does honour to the Service.**
In the year 1808, the history of the ** Berkshire **
Begiment was marked by two important events.
The 1st Battalion lost the valuable services of
Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney, who died on the 2nd July,
and was succeeded in temporary command of the
Battalion, by Major Charles Nicol.
Lieutenant-General Oliver NichoUs was appointed
Colonel of the 66th, on the 18th July, vice Lord
Clanricarde.
On the 28th July, 1809, an order was received from
General Maitland, for a detachment of the 66th to
embark immediately for Madras, in consequence, of
serious disturbances on the Coromandel coast.
In accordance with this order, Major Nicol, with 400
officers and men, went on board the H.E.I.C. ship,
Bussell, 74 guns, and sailed for Madras, touching at
Jaffnapatam, en route, to pick up a company stationed
there.
On arriving on the coast, the detachment was brigaded
with other troops, under command of Colonel Conran,
and marched towards Hydrabad. Conran advanced
with his little force as far as Gooty, a distance of 350
miles, when he received intelligence of the suppression
of the disturbances, and the "Ceylon Brigade** was
ordered back to Madras.
Major Nicol and his detachment then returned to
Ceylon, reaching Trincomalee on New Year's day,
1810.
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EMBABK FOR BENGAL. 15
Soon after they rejoined, General Maitland again
visited Trincomalee, and was so much pleased with the
appearance and conduct of the troops, but more especially
with the detachment that had lately been employed in
Madras, that he gave an entertainment to the Garrison;
half the non-commissioned officers and men being kej)t
off duty one day, and half the next.
The 66th remained in Ceylon until the spring of
1814, when, on the 12th April, it embarked, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Wardell, for
Bengal.
A highly complimentary order was promulgated by
the commandant of the Trincomalee Garrison, previous
to their departure.
* 'Major-General Jackson has to express his high
approbation and thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Wardell,
and the officers and men of his Regiment, for their
mihtary appearance, and exemplary conduct on all
occasions. His hearty wishes for their prosperity are
ensured by that steadiness and discipHne which
universally prevails amongst them.**
The Battalion arrived at Fort William, Bengal, on the
27th April, and there remained until the summer of
1815.
Since the autumn of 1814, the attention of the Indian
Government had been engrossed by the Nepaulese war,
which had been carried on more or less successfully, —
but with heavy loss to the British troops — by Ochterlony,
Marley, and the gallant Rollo Gillespie. .
The hardy Ghoorkas fought with courage and deter-
mination, but were compelled to retire towards their
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16 THE 66th regiment.
monntain fastnesses; and having been several times
-defeated, the Kadji Ameer Sing sued for peace. After
much delay and prolonged discussion, Colonel Bradshaw
on behalf of the Governor General, and Bam Sak
Ghantra, and a Brahmin, Gaj Baj Misr, acting for the
Nepaulese, signed a treaty of peace, and every warlike
preparation was thought to be at an end, but the Ghoorka
Eajah's object had been to gain time, and he suddenly
repudiated the treaty entered upon by Bam Sak Ghantra
and his brother envoy, and refused to be bound by its
terms.
War was again declared, and active measures taken to
bring the Nepaulese Potentate to reason.
On the 27th June, 1815, the 66th was ordered to
march from Fort WilHam to Gawnpore, so soon as it
should be relieved by the 53rd Shropshire Eegiment.
On the 30th an order was received changing its
destination to Dinapore. The Battalion embarked at
Fort William on the 9th August, and proceeded up the
Hooghly in boats to Dinapore. The distance from Fort
William to Dinapore by land is 400 miles, but by river,
it is close upon 600 miles, and the 66th did not arrive
there until the 19th September.
The next six weeks were spent in preparations for the
expected campaign, and all ranks looked forward to the
prospect of active service.
On the 1st November, the 66th, one battalion of
Native Infantry, and a force of artillery, quitted Dinapore,
and marched towards the Frontier.
Grossing the Ganges they proceeded to Mirzapore, and
after an easy and pleasant march of ten days' duration,
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THE MARCH TO NEPAUL. 17
arrived at Amowah, where the troops destined to
force the mountain passes and penetrate to Katmandoo,
the Nepaulese capital, were to rendezvous.
Colonel Kelly of H.M. 24th Eegiment was in command
at Amowah.
Amowah was about thirty-five miles from the great
forest of Nepaul, in reax of which were the strong forts
and stockades of the enemy, erected on hills whose
summits were lost in the clouds. In the distance could
be seen the lofty, snow-clad Himalayan mountains,
towering above the hills. The camp was pitched in a
healthy and picturesque spot ; the regular rows of white
tents standing in well-wooded glades, that sloped down
to, and surrounded a magnificent lake, covered with wild
fowl.
After a fortnight's rest in this beautiful place, the
troops struck their tents, and continued the march. On
the 25th November they crossed the Segouta river, and
next day encamped near Alowne.
On the 28th they reached Bulwee, a desolate and
uninteresting village, twenty-five miles from Amowah,
when a halt was ordered to allow the 87th Royal Irish
Fusiliers and some Native Infantry to come up.
On the 8th December, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles
Nicol arrived from England, and resumed command of
the Battalion.
General Sir David Ochterlony had now joined the
army, and was ready to take the field. He had at his
command close upon 17,000 men, including a strong
force of artillery under Major George Mason, of the
H.E.I. Company's service, and a few squadrons of
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18 THE 66th begiment.
*'Bohaia" irregular cavalry. Captain Watson wa»
Assistant-Adjutant-General, and Lieutenant Joshua
Pickersgill, Assistant-Quarter-master-General, and Chief
of the Intelligence Department. The infantry, consisting
of three British regiments of the line and 6000 native
troops, was divided into four brigades, commanded
respectively by lieutenant-Colonels, W. Kelly, H.M»
24th, Charles Nicol, H.M. 66th, Francis Miller, H.M.
87th, and Brigadier Dick, a " Company's ** officer.
Kelly, Nicol, and Miller, had each his own regiment,
and two or more battalions of natives in their respective
brigades. Dick commanded three battalions of Sepoys.
Sir David Ochterlony ("ould Maloney," as the Irish
soldiers loved to call him,) soon arranged his preliminary
movements, and Kelly's brigade moved on Bugwanpore,
while the 3rd and 4th brigades remained with the
General. The 2nd brigade, consisting of the 66th and
five Sepoy battalions, under Brigadier Charles Nicol, left
the camp on the 3rd February, 1816, and marched on
Bamnuggur, where they arrived on the 6th.
Here Nicol halted for some days, in order to allow a
commissariat train from Bettiah to join him.
The advance was continued on the 13th February,
when the 66th and their Sepoy comrades marched to an
old and very sacred pagoda, known as Maha Juggee,
situated on a precipitous hill. Three days were spent in
fortifying the pagoda, which was garrisoned by a force of
. 300 men with two guns, so that communications with
Sir David might be kept up, and the commissariat
convoys coming by that route, protected.
On the 17th, Nicol left Maha Juggee, and led his
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THE BICENEE PASS. 19
brigade through the dense forest, entering the Bicknee
Pass on the same day, without being opposed by the
enemy.
The Bicknee Pass was simply a deep, stony, "nullah ''
or dry river bed, varying from fifty to one hundred yajds-
in breadth; the banks were high and steep, covered with
.thick underwood, and topped on either side with well
grown trees, whose trunks and dense foliage afforded
excellent cover for hidden foes.
Colonel Nicol took every precaution to guard against a
surprise, and ordered the hght companies of battalions
to feel their way along the wooded banks, whilst the
main body of the brigade advanced slowly up the
boulder-strewn pass.
In this order the brigade moved forward, every officer
and man on the alert, expecting each minute to heax the
hoarse wax cries of the hardy Ghoorkas.
For three days Nicol and his men marched through cu
most difficult country, meeting with no opposition from
the enemy, although "Dame Nature'* threw almost
insurmountable obstacles in their way; for as they went,
the 66th and their brethren-in-arms had to widen and
improve goat tracks, and make roads where roads had
never before existed.
On the 20th February it was reported that the
Ghoorkas were in force in a stockade not far distant.
An advanced party was pushed forward to reconnoitre,,
when it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned
their work and retired further into the country.
The fact was, that Sir David Ochterlony with the
other columns had completely turned the Bicknee Pass,
o2
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20 THE 66th begiment.
which if properly defended could only have been forced
with great difficulty and severe loss.
The brigade passed through the deserted stockade on
the 23rd; it was judiciously placed and very strong, and
would have proved a troublesome place to carry by
assault.
As the troops advanced the Ghoorkas retreated, Jbut
many of the peasantry returned to their homes, when
they saw that their lives and property were respected by
the invaders.
Having crossed the first range of hills skirting the
Himalayas, Colonel Nicol descended into a well-cultivated
valley, watered by the Eapte, a tributary of the Ganges.
The Fort of Eckore and several of the enemy's hill
strongholds were now in sight; and two Native battalions
with a few field-pieces, were detached from the brigade,
and left to garrison Jowannie, a village not far from
Eckore.
The remainder of the brigade then proceeded along the
beautiful banks of the Eapte, whose sinuous course
rendered it very often necessary for the troops to cross
the stream during their march.
Nature here seemed to surpass herself, and the
'* Berkshire" men were greatly struck with the strange
beauty of the country through which they were passing.
The magnificent fruit-laden trees, the variegated shrubs,
the birds of gay plumage which darted amongst the rich
fohage, and the bands of chattering monkeys clinging to
the branches and swinging from bough to bough, combined
to excite the surprise and admiration of the British
soldiers, and even the Sepoys-^accustomed as they were
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AREIVE AT MUCKWANPORE, 21
to tropical profusion — appeared impressed with the
grandeur of the scenery.
. On the 1st March, the brigade encamped near Hettor-
ah, where Colonel Nicol received a note from Sir David,
giving a brief account of a sharp skirmish that had taken
place on the previous day, in which the Ghoorkas were
worsted, but not vdthout loss to the British, who had
lieutenant Turrell of the 20th Native Infantry killed,
and two other officers severely wounded. The General
also requested Colonel Nicol to join him as soon as
possible. The brigade marched at once, and arrived at
Muckwanpore— where the army, with the exception of
Colonel Kelly's command, was now assembled — on the
8rd March.
There had been another smart affair the day before, on a
ridge of high hills close to the camp, when the Ghoorkas,
who had fought vdth great bravery, were defeated and
driven from part of their position by the Light Company
of the 87th Fusiliers. In this skirmish. Ensign John
Shipp, of the 87th, attacked and slew in single combat
a distinguished ''sobah," or chieftain, named Khissna
Ehannah Bahador, who was said to be the identical
personage who planned and executed the atrocious
massacre at Summanpore and Persah, the previous
season.
The 66th were much chagrined at being too late to
participate in this affair, but as the enemy were still
entrenched on the further and more inaccessible part of
the heights, they hoped to have an opportunity of
meeting them at closer quarters before long.
The arrival of NicoFs brigade was most opportune,
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22 THE 66th regiment.
for the Ghoorkas had been preparing to attack the 87th,
but the sight of fresh troops, who had pierced through
their valleys, by roads and passes hitherto deemed
impenetrable, perplexed and disconcerted them.
A road was now commenced up the steep side of the
hill, and during the afternoon four companies of the 66th,
a battalion of Native Grenadiers, and half-a-battery of
6-pounders, under Major Carlyon, were marched to the
summit.
Next morning the remainder of the 66th was sent up,
as there came a report that the enemy were approaching
in force. The troops kept the ridge of the hills, marching
cautiously in an easterly direction, until they reached a
spot where the pioneers were throwing up some earth-
works and a 4-gun battery. This battery appeared, at
first sight, to be about 1,000 yards from the Ghoorkas first
stockade, but it was presently discovered that the enemy
had a second work some 500 yards more in advance.
In the evening a "Vakeel,** or envoy, passed through
on his way from the enemy's camp to the General, and
in an hour or so he returned. Shortly after this, an order
was issued forbidding the men to fire, except in retaliation,
before 10 a.m. next day. The troops accordingly lay in
the trenches during the night, fully accoutered, and with
bayonets fixed.
The preparation for immediate action, and the sight of
the Ghoorkas so close at hand, produced intense excite-
ment amongst the troops of NicoFs brigade.
The 66th were especially anxious to have a brush
with the enemy, and every man was on the qui vive;
flints were carefully adjusted, cartridges arranged;
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TERMINATION OP THE NEPAULESE WAR. 23
and in breathless expectation they waited for. the
morrow.
The Battalion — ^which mastered 900 bayonets, and was
in splendid condition— had, since its arrival in India,
been often tantalized with the prospect of a fight, but
.had hitherto been disappointed; but now the men felt
certain that their hopes would be realized, for the enemy
were within pistol-shot, and the first dawn of day would
Assuredly be the signal for an attack.
So ardently did the ''Berkshires" long to meet the foe,
that, during the night, several sick men stole away from
the hospital tent, and, clambering up the hill, joined
their comrades ; only four invalids remained in the tent,
and these were unable to rise to their feet.
But once again the Corps was doomed to be dis-
appointed !
The Vakeel who had passed through the camp on
the previous evem'ng, was the bearer of the acceptance of
the terms of peace offered by Sir David Ochterlony
to the Nepaulese Government; and next morning the
brigade retired from the hills, and marched into camp in
the plain below.
On the 8th March, the return march to Dinapore was
commenced.
The excitement had hitherto been so great and the
desire to engage the enemy so absorbing, that the soldiers
had scarcely felt the fatigue, privations and hardships
they had undergone ; in short their indomitable energy
had made them almost proof against sickness and
exposure.
But now a reaction took place, and the 66th had
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24 THE 66th begiment.
barely turned their backs upon the hills of Nepaul, when
severe disease broke out amongst the men. On the 16th
March the brigade arrived at Bettiah, where it was
broken up; and the regiment marched on to Dinapore^
arriving there on the 28th.
The following is an extract from the Governor-General's.
Order in Council, published at the termination of the
war: —
" The zeal, judgment, and energy of Major-General
Sir David Ochterlony, have been brilliantly conspicuous
in the late operations Brigadier Kelly,
by- the able and gallant manner in which he
achieved the arduous task assigned him, and Brigadier
Nicol, by the judicious and active management of his
column, have entitled themselves to a distinction
beyopd the praise of this order, which they share in
common with the rest of the army, and the Governor-
General in Council assures them that he duly estimates
their exertions."
Sir David Ochterlony, too, was warm in his praise of
Colonel Nicol and the 2nd Brigade. In a General Order,
dated 5th April, 1816, he says : —
"In the conduct of the Western Column, firmness,,
decision, mildness and humanity were required, and
these qualities were eminently shown, as occasion
called for them, by Colonel Nicol. But the Major-
GeneraFs thanks are more particularly due for the zeal
and anxiety by which his long and fatiguing marchea
were conducted, to join the Headquarters at a moment
when the services of his brigade were most useful and
necessary."
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ORDERED TO ST. HELENA. 25
The above account, together with Sir David Ochter-
lony's remarks, tend to show, that, although NicoFs
Brigade was never actually engaged with the Ghoorkas^
their great exertions were not made in vain, for there can '
be little doubt that their advent at Headquarters at
Muckwanpore, on the morning of 3rd March, had a great
moral effect upon the enemy, and in no small degree
influenced his decision to sue for peace.
We may remark, with reference to the Nepaulese towns,
villages, and other places mentioned above, that no two
accounts of the campaign agree in the manner of spelUng
their names.
The 66th remained at Dinapore until the 3rd July,
when they embarked in boats on the river Ganges, for
conveyance to Cawnpore.
At this season of the year, the Ganges is usually very
low, and the stench from all manner of decaying matter
— animal and vegetable — lying on its banks and in
shallow water is simply unbearable.
The battaHon was exposed to this unhealtliy effluvia
during the whole of the passage to Cawnpore.
On arriving at Cawnpore no barracks were ready, and
the men had to remain on board the boats for nearly a
fortnight. The result was that a deadly fever broke out
and carried off numbers of the battalion.
The 66th was stationed at Cawnpore for nearly six
months, during which period they suffered severely from
sickness ; and at one time upwards of 300 men were in
hospital. On the 19th January, 1817, the battahon left
Cawnpore and proceeded to Calcutta, orders having been
received for its removal to the Island of St. Helena.
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26 THE 66th REGIMENT.
Calcutta was reached on the 15th March, and the
battalion marched into Fort William, where it was to be
quartered until embarkation.
On the 16th March, an order was issued, of which the
following is an extract : —
"The Commander-in-Chief takes this occasion to
record his fullest approbation and applause of the
discipline and conduct of this highly distinguished and
truly efficient corps, since its arrival in India, both in
the field and in quarters; and although the stay of the
regiment in this country has been but short — ^which
His Excellency has reason to regret — yet it has been
sufficient to afford the strongest assurance of its value
in His Majesty's army, and its loss to the general
service of India."
On the 24th March, 1817, the 66th marched out of
Fort Wilham, and proceeded down the river to Saugur,
where the vessels, which were to convey it to St. Helena,
were laying. The battalion embarked on the 1st April
on board of the Dora (Hd. Qrs. ship), the Maira, and
the Catherine Griffiths,
The Moira and Catherine Griffiths anchored at St.
Helena towards the latter end of June, but the Borah
having run short of water, had to put into Port Louis,
Isle of France, and did not reach her destination until
the 5th July.
The disembarkation took place on the 18th, and the
men marched into quarters; five companies going to
*Deadwood, three to Francis Plain, and two remaining
in James Town.
* ? Longwood.
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INCORPORATION OF THE IST AND 2nD BATTALIONS. 27
On the 24th July, an Order was issued at the Horse
Guards to the effect that the Ist and 2nd Battalions of
the 66th should be incorporated.
The establishment of the Begiment at that date was
61 officers, 125 non-commissioned officers, 22 drummers,
and 1,140 privates. By an Order dated 23rd November,
1818, the establishment was reduced to 89 officers, 65
non-commissioned officers, 22 drummers, and 620 privates.
This Order was notified to the Begiment at St. Helena,
on the 16th March, 1819.
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Cl^apter
1304-1809.— Services of 2nd Battalion— Stationed in Ireland until
1809 — Embark on active Service — Arrival in Portugal — ^March
from Lisbon to Coimbra — The advance on Oporto — ^The passage"
of the Douro — Anecdote.
^^||pi|^tURING the early spring of 1804, the 2nd
ri \ ^ill ^^**8.1ion of the 66th Regiment, under com-
mand of Lieutenant- Colonel I^eter, embarked
for Ireland, and landing at Cork in the month
of March, went into quarters at the Geneva
Barracks.
During the years 1805-6-7, the battalion was stationed
in the South of Ireland. In June 1808, it was encamped
on the Curragh pf Kildare; and when the Camp at
the Curragh broke up, it marched to Dublin, and there
remained until the spring of the following year.
About this time, the enthusiasm for the hberation of
the Peninsula, then prevalent throughout Great Britain,
was increased by the disasters that had befallen our
forces in Spain, and the death of the gallant Sir John
Moore at Corunna. There appeared to be a general desire
that immediate steps should be taken to drive the French
out of Spain, and avenge the losses that Moore's army
had sustained during the terrible retreat from Sahagun.
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EMBABK FOR THE PENINSULA. 29
This feeling was particularly strong amongst all ranks in
tlie Service, and it was therefore with genuine satisfaction
that the 66th received notice that it had been specially
selected to form part of the Division, destined to embark
for Lisbon, under Major-General Eowland Hill.
Though but lately raised, the 2nd Battalion was in a
most efficient condition; the officers were young, active,
high-spirited men; the non-commissioned-officers and
privates, able-bodied, well disciplined, and fit for any
service.
Under command of Major Murray, the 66th, mustering
720 bayonets, with a full complement of officers, left the
Irish Metropolis and proceeded to Cork, from whence
they were to sail for Portugal. During the march, a
gloom was cast over the whole battalion, by the untimely
death of Major Eichard Lloyd, a very popular and able
officer, who was accidentally drowned whilst bathing.
On arrival at Cork, the battalion at once went on board
ship, but the transports did not weigh anchor for some days.
The late Colonel Clark of the 66th, in his (manuscript)
'* Eeminiscences of the Peninsula,*' describes the embarka-
tion and subsequent march to Coimbra.
"In June, 1808, I got my ensigncy, and after
spending seven months in Dublin garrison, the
Eegiment, with several others, got orders to march for
Cork. We embarked at the Cove of Cork on the 10th
of March, 1809, under command of Eowland Hill,
our entire force being about 5000 men. On the 4th
April, we entered the Tagus, disembarked at Belem on
the 6th, and marched on the 8th, taking the northern
route towards Oporto. Most of the officers carried a
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80 THE 66th begimbnt.
small oil-skin knapsack, containing a couple of shirts,
stockings, and a change of boots; as to dressing cases,
but few of us required a razor \ Our route lay over
part of the ground on which the battle of Yimiera had
been fought, and we passed through the old towns of
Leira and Alcobasca. Our force was concentrated at
Coimbra, where we remained until Sir Arthur Wellesley
took command of the army/'
By the end of the first week in May, Sir Arthur
Wellesley had collected his forces upon the Mondego,
near to Pombal and Coimbra, and found himself at the
head of 13,000 British, 9000 Portuguese, and 8000
Hanoverians. On the 7th May he gave orders for the
army to march on Oporto, which was held by the French,
under Marshal Soult, Duke of DaJmatia.
General Hill's division,* (to which the 66th was
attached), advanced upon Aveiro, while Sir Arthur, with
the rest of the army, marched by the direct road on
Youga. On the 10th May, Hill embarked his division at
Aveiro in boats, to cross lake Ovarre, and at a place
called Erigo, his advance guard encountered a body of
the enemy's cavalry under Franceschi. A slight skirmish
— in which the Light Company of the 66th took part —
ensued, and the French retired, but were briskly pursued.
Next day, after a long and fatiguing march over a sandy
country. Hill's Division reached the left bank of the
Douro, and, having taken up a position opposite to, and
about 9 miles from Oporto, bivouacked for the night.
"During the night," writes Colonel Clark, "our
* Greneral HiU was nominally Brigadier of the 1st Brigade, 8rd
Division ; but as a matter of fact he commanded the whole Division.
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PASSAGE OP THE DOURO. 81
bivouac was disturbed by a tremendous noise accom-
panied by what some deemed a shock of earthquake.
We marched soon after, and arrived early in the day,
(12th,) at Villa Nuova, a suburb of Oporto, on the left
bank of the Douro ; it is a large place, and contains the
chief stores of the Oporto Wine Company. We soon
learnt the cause of the noise during the night; the
French had blown up the bridge, and used a great
quantity of powder in the operation."
Early next morning, the 66th entered Villa Nuova^
and halted in the streets to await orders.
The opposing armies were now face to faice, but having
destroyed the bridge, Soult considered himself secure
from any attack on his front and right. A deep, swift
river, more than 300 yards wide, and guarded by a
Corps d*Arm^e of Veterans, would have proved an
impassable obstacle to most men, but Sir Arthur Wellesley
determined to make the attempt, and set about to find
means of crossing the Douro. By a fortunate chance
Colonel Waters, of the Staff, discovered that a barber of
Oporto had eluded the vigilance of the French, and come
over in a skiff the previous night, and that his boat was
concealed among the rushes. The httle craft was
dragged from its hiding place, and Waters, accompanied
by the Prior of Amaranthe, rowed across to the opposite
bank, and there found three barges, which he succeeded
in bringing away without attracting attention.
At 10 a.m., (12th May, 1809), Colonel Waters reported
that one boat was ready. ** Well, let the men cross,"
was Sir Arthur's laconic order; and an oflicer and twenty-
five men of the 3rd Buffis (which Eegiment, together
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32 THE 66th eegiment.
with the 48th, was brigaded with the 66th,) silently
entered the barge, were rowed across unperceived by the
enemy, and immediately possessed themselves of a large
<letached building on the Vallonga road, called the
"* Seminary." This building was easily approached from
the river, but on the land side, it was surrounded by a
high wall, pierced with' one gateway; the ** Seminary"
commanded all the country on the north bank of the
Douro, but was itself commanded by the Sierra Eock on
the Villa Nuova, or south side; and here, Sir Arthur had
eighteen guns placed in battery.
The banks of the Douro being steep and precipitous,
and the point of crossing concealed from the city by a
bend of the river, the enemy remained in ignorance of
the daring manoeuvre for some little time; and the Ught
companies of the 3rd, 48th and 66th regiments had
crossed and occupied the Seminary before the alarm was
given. But as the fourth boat — ^in which was Lieutenant
<Teneral Paget — was making the passage, the alarm was
given, and presently General Foy, with the 17th
Voltigeurs, rushed from out the city to drive the British
back. Foy was soon reinforced by Mermet's brigade, and
the Seminary was furiously attacked.
General Paget fell badly wounded, and Eowland Hill
assumed the command. More troops were ferried across
to the assistance of their comrades, who were contending
against terrible odds, and in a short time Hill had the
whole of the three battalions of his brigade within the
walls of the Seminary.
The ground to the west of the building was completely
•swept by the battery on the Sierra Eock, so the French
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DEFEAT OP THE FRENCH. 33
were forced to con&ie their attack to the face farthest
removed from its fire, which Hill defended with obstinacy.
The arrival of fresh troops enabled a portion of the
brigade to assume the offensive, and advance against a
7-gun battery, which they carried in the face of a wither-
ing fire of grape and musketry. Here the Light Company
of the 66th captured and brought off a beautiful brass
field-piece. Shortly after noon, the French evacuated
the lower town of Oporto, and the inhabitants rushing
down to the now unguarded quays, jumped into boats
and rowed across to the south bank.
Sherbrooke's Brigade of Guards at once went over in
these boats; and almost at the same time General
Murray — who had crossed the river at the ferry at
Avintas, three miles up stream — ^was seen advancing
down the right bank with the German Brigade and the
14th Light Dragoons.
All was now over; the French broke and retired in
confusion along the Vallonga road, and that afternoon
the British troops entered Oporto, and were received
with every manifestation of joy by the delighted citizens.
In this action the French lost 500 men and 5 guns,
(one of which was taken by the 66th) in the field, besides
leaving 50 guns, a quantity of military stores, and all
their sick at Oporto. The British casualties numbered
115 killed and wounded; the 66th alone lost 35 men, or
nearly one-third of the total. Three officers of the
Begiment — Major Murray, Captain Benning and Lieu-
tenant Farr — ^were amongst the wounded.*
* Tbe ftbove aooount of the passage of the Douzo is taken from
the M.S. Eeoords of the 66th, and Clarke's " ReminiscenoeB " ; Colonel
Clarke was then a Subaltern in the Lis^ht Company.
D
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34 THE 66th regiment.
Sir Arthur Wellesley thanked the Brigade on the spot
for its conduct on this occasion, and that same evening
issued the following Order : —
"G.O., Oporto, 12th May, 1809. The Commander
of the Forces congratulates the troops upon the
success that has attended the operations of the last
four days; during which they have traversed above 80
miles of most difficult country, have carried some
formidable positions, have beaten the enemy repeatedly,
and have ended by forcing the passage of the Douro
and defending the position so boldly taken, with a
mmiber far inferior to that by which they were attacked.
In the course of this short expedition the Commander of
the Forces has had repeated opportunities of witnessing
and applauding the gallantry of the officers and men."
Colonel Clarke, in his "Eeminiscences," relates a
ludicrous incident that occurred during the march to
Oporto. He says —
*' From the time we left Lisbon we had experienced
the greatest kindness from the Portuguese. In passing
through the towns we were not allowed to halt, but the
ladies would run out and fill our hands with cakes and
sweetmeats. The day before entering Oporto, I carried
the " King's Colour," my brother ensign being a young
and very handsome lad. A number of good-looking
girls were standing in the road-way with pitchers of
water, ready to give a drink to our thirsty soldiers; as
the colour-party passed, a fine, handsome woman
suddenly pressed forward, and seizing my astonished
comrade in her arms, kissed him on both cheeks. Her
act seemed infectious, for in an instant the young
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ANECDOTE. 85
ensign was surrounded by a score of Portuguese lasses
who embraced him again and again. The roars of
laughter that greeted this extraordinary display of good
feeling for the British troops, attracted the attention of
our Commanding Officer, and he came galloping up to
enquire the cause of the disturbance; a glance showed
him the state of the case, and he too joined, good-
humouredly, in the laugh against the embarassed
subaltern."
d2
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tx 4.
1809-10 — Services of 2nd Battalion continued — Pursuit of Soult—
Betum to Oporto — ^Encamped at Abrantes — ^Attached to tiie 2nd
Division — Position of the French Army Corps — ^The Advance into
Spain — Don Gregorio de Cuesta — The Battle of Talavera.
HE 66th marched with the rest of brigade in
pursuit of the enemy, and entered the ancient
city of Braga on the 15th. It was now
known that Soult had succeeded in leading
his demoralized forces into Spain, and joining
Ney at Lugo. During his flight he abandoned
nearly all his artillery, stores and baggage, and reached
Lugo in a deplorable plight. Li fact the retreat of Soult
from Oporto was to the full as disastrous as that of
Sir John Moore to Gorunna, six months before, and it was
generally felt that the honour of the British army had
been vindicated, and Moore amply avenged. The Eegi-
ment was billeted at Braga for a few days, and then
returned to Oporto. From Oporto the British forces
marched to Coimbra, and from thence — over a wild,
desolate country, covered with thick, resinous under-
growth — ^to Abrantes, a fortified town in Estramadura,
on the banks of the Tagus. Here the army encamped
on an extensive plain on the south bank of the river.
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MABOH TO THE SPANISH FBONTIEB. 37
While at Abrantes, the different Brigades of the army
were reformed into Divisions : the brigade to which the
66th belonged was attached to the 2nd Division, the com-
mand of which was given to Major-General Bowland
Hill. The brigade was commanded by Brigadier Tilson,
At this period the several French Army Corps were
distributed as follows : — Soult and Ney — who had been
driven out of Portugal and Galicia— were in the north of
Spain, vrith some 60,000 troops; Suchet and St. Oyr held
Arragon and Catalonia, but were fully occupied in hold-
ing their own against the Spanish patriots of those
provinces; Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Jourdain
were in the neighbourhood of Madrid; Sebastian held La
Mancha; and Marshal Victor VTith 23,000 men, was at
Merida, a fortified town situated at the confluence of the
rivers Guadiana and Matachel, in the province of Estra-
madura. After much deliberation. Sir Arthur Wellesley
resolved to co-operate with the Spanish forces under
Cuesta, (then occupying the left bank of the Tagus, in
the vicinity of Almarez) and advance against Madrid.
The camp near Abrantes was broken up in June, 1809,
and Sir Arthur Wellesley, at the head of 22,000 men,
marched for the Spanish frontier.
The 66th, under Captain Kelly, left Abrantes with
their brigade on the 27th, and traversing a rocky, barren
tract of country, halted near the village of Garia. After
a brief rest, the march was resumed, the Tagus was
crossed — by means of a flying-bridge — at Villa Vilha,
and the following day the army entered Spain.
On the 20th July, Sir Arthur effected a junction at
Oropesa with the Spanish General, Cuesta, who had with
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38 THE 66th eegimbnt.
him 32,000 foot, 6,000 horse, and 46 guns. The Spaniards
were half-clad, indifferently armed, and badly disciplined;
their leader, Don Gregorio de Ouesta, possessed in no
ordinary degree the worst characteristics of the typical
Spanish Hidalgo — arrogance, obstinacy and indolence;
moreover he was old and infirm, and not particularly
scrupulous. From the very first de Cuesta threw every
obstacle in Sir Arthur's way, and treated him with
petulant insolence. A grand review of the British troops
was held on the 22nd, on which occasion General Cuesta
appeared in an odd-looking vehicle drawn by a team of
Mules. After the review the combined armies moved to
Talavera-de-la-Beyna, and encamped close to the town.
Marshal Victor had warned Joseph Bonaparte that
Madrid would be probably threatened by the Allies, and
the soi-disant King, alarmed for the safety of the capital,
called in all his detached troops, placed Marshal Jourdain
in command, and prepared to face the enemy.
Talavera stands on the right bank of the Tagus, and is
surrounded by vineyards, cork plantations and enclosures.
The Alberche, a tributary of the Tagus, flows near the
town; and at a distance of about two miles a chain of
steep hills runs parallel to the Tagus; beyond these hills,
and separated from them by a deep and rugged valley, is
a mountain range which divides the Alberche from the
Tietar.
The Anglo-Spanish position extended from Talavera to
the heights on the west. The Spanish troops were posted
on the right, which rested on the town, their front
being covered by a convent and some hastily-thrown-up
entrenchments; their left was protected by a mound
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BATTLE OF TALAVERA. 39
npon which was a large redoubt; in rear of this mound
a brigade of British cavaby was posted.
Campbell's Division touched the Spanish left, then
came the Guards, and next to them Mackenzie's Division.
The 2nd Division with two brigades of artillery, occupied
an isolated hill, on the extreme left of the line; this point
was deemed the key of the whole position.
The French advanced early on the morning of the 27th,
and fording the Alberche, attacked Mackenzie's Division,
which was posted at the Casa de Salinas, and had not yet
got into line. Taken by surprise and ,hotly pressed,
Mackenzie retired in some disorder. His retreat was
covered by the 45th Eegiment and some companies of the
5th, or Eifle, Battalion of the 60th, led by Sir Arthur
Wellesley in person. Mackenzie's Division then took up
its allotted place in the line. In the meantime the
French light cavalry under Milhaud made a demonstration
against the Spaniards, who fired one volley, broke their
ranks and fled, headed by Don Gregorio de Cuesta him-
self. Sir Arthur brought up some British cavalry to
flank them, and the fire of two or three batteries checked
the enemy; Cuesta recovered his senses, succeeded in
stopping the stampede and induced the fugitives to return
to their position.
Observing the confusion which now existed on the
right of the allied position. Marshal Victor — ^who had
marched to the assistance of King Joseph — thought that
a smart attack upon their left just before nightfall, might
probably terminate the action, and gain him the exclusive
glory of winning the day; he — without communicating
with Joseph or his brother Marshal — accordingly gave
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40 THE 66th bbgimbnt.
orders for an assault to be made upon Bowland HiU's
position.
It was nearly dark, and the " Bufifs," 48th and 66th,
with the other regiments of the 2nd Division, were resting
on the sunmait of the hill, ready for action, when the
tramp of men ascending the hill was heard. The sentinels
challenged, and a hoarse voice repHed that the new-comers
were some of the German Legion. Upon this Eowland
Hill and his Brigade-Major, Fordyce, rode forward, only
to find themselves in the midst of the French. Several
shots were fired, Fordyce fell dead and the General's
horse was wounded. A grenadier rushed forward and
seized his bridle, but, putting spurs to his horse, General
Hill rode over his would-be captor, and galloped off to
the 29th Begiment.
A number of the enemy had now" penetrated to the
British lines, some of them crying out that they were
Germans, others Spaniards. But the men of the 2nd
Division were on the alert, and met their adversaries at
the point of the bayonet. A fierce hand-to-hand fight
ensued; muskets were clubbed, shots fired at close quar-
ters, and the cold steel used with deadly effect. The
British disputed every inch of ground, but, outnumbered
by their assailants, were gradually giving way, when a
loud cheer was heard, followed by a crashing volley, and
Bowland Hill at the head of the gallant 29th, charged
up the height and fell upon the enemy, who turned and
fled down the hill in disorder.
The light companies of battalions were now extended
along the front, and the troops sat down with their
firelocks at hand, to wait for dawn of day. About
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BATTLE OP TALAVERA. 41
midnight, the Spaniards gave a false alarm, and kept up
a musketry fire for some time, which had the effect of
putting everyone on the qui vive, without doing much
harm to the enemy. About 5 a.m. Victor resolved to
renew the attack, and sent to Joseph to request that
Sebastiani should be ordered to support him.
Colonel Clarke gives the following account of this
second assault.
"Shortly before dawn on the morning of the 29th,
we could distinguish the dark masses of the enemy
stationed along our front, their guns in battery. The
country was clear of wood, but broken by fissures, the
bed of a small stream lay between the two armies.
Suddenly, a gun was fired from the centre of the French
line, the roar of artillery inmiediately followed, and
their columns under cover of this fire, advanced to the
-attack. A few moments before the firing conmienced,
the covei'ing-sergeants of our Brigade of Guards took
up their distance in the line, and the companies moved
on their coverers. But the march of the enemy was
rapid, and the shells falling so thickly, caused the
Guards to get into confusion. The French saw their
advantage and rushed on cheering; but their triumph
was short, for the 1st Battalion of the 48th charged,
and drove them like dust before the wind. We had
just time to witness this before our turn came. Oiu:
orders were to lie down behind the ridge until the
enemy's column had gained the top, then to rise,
deUver a volley, and charge. I was sent to the
aummit by the commanding ofl&cer to let him know
where the enemy were, and returned with the
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42 THE 66th regiment.
intelligence that a strong column was only fifty yards
off. * Eeady men/ was scarcely uttered, when a shell
fell at my feet; I threw myself on the ground, and it
instantly exploded. The commanding officer was
wounded in the arm, my brother subaltern had his
right arm carried off, two men were killed, and several
wounded. But there was no time to spare; the volley
was delivered, and we rushed on them with the bayonet »
At first, they appeared as if they would stand the
charge, but when we closed, they wavered, then turned
and ran down the hill in the wildest confusion. The
Conmiander-in-Chief with his staff, was close to me;
as the enemy's column advanced, a French officer
rushed to the front, fired a pistol into the group, and
fell himself, covered with wounds.
"After this affair, the enemy retired to their position
of the morning, and we sat down amidst the dying and
the dead ; those who were so fortunate as to have a
crust, and a little wine in their calabashes, took a little^
and shared with those around.^'
About 10 a.m.. Marshal Victor held a council of war
with his colleagues. The King and Jourdain wished to
postpone any further operation until the arrival of
Mortier with fresh troops, but the gallant Victor^
undaunted by his double repulse, over-ruled them, and it
was decided to make a gener^al assault, from right to left^
on the alHed position.
During this brief cessation of hostilities, the tired
soldiers of both armies rushed down to the stream to
drink; and, separated only by the narrow brook, the
men who had been engaged in mortal combat, now met
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CHABGE OF THE 23bD LIGHT DBAGOONS. 43
ono another in perfect amity, and shared the contents of
their canteens, and exchanged friendly (though probably
unintelligible) greetings, until the roll of the drum, and
shrill blast of the bugle recalled them to their respective
regiments.
Sir Arthur had in the meanwhile occupied the ravine
with his cavalry, and Bassecour's Spanish infantry.
Towards 4 o'clock the French renewed hostilities, and
their columns of attack advanced in splendid style.
General Sebastiani with the Grenadiers of the Imperial
Guard, Yillatte's and Buffin's Divisions, and two regiments,
of Ghasseurs-&-Cheval, was seen advancing upon the
British left. The 23rd Light Dragoons and 1st German
Hussars went off at a canter, to charge the head of
these columns, but suddenly came upon a deep dry water
course. Arentschild, who led the Germans, halted his
men on the very brink; but the 23rd continued their
course, and rolled down the chasm in a confused mass.
The survivors scrambled out, re-formed, charged right
through Villatte's Division, and found themselves con-
fronted by a brigade of Polish Lancers and Westphalian
Light Horse. The gallant 23rd, unable to make any
stand against this powerful body of cavaJry, were forced
to retreat in hot haste, leaving 207 officers and men on
the field, victims of their glorious, but reckless charge.
Whilst Villatte engaged the British cavalry, Sebastiani.
with his Grenadiers advanced against Hill's position,,
covered by a cloud of tirailleurs and by a heavy artillery
fire. But as the tall bearskins of these picked troops^
appeared above the crest of the hill, they were received
with a withering volley ; and then, cheering as only British
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44 THE 66th begiment.
soldiers can cheer, the "Buife," 48th, 66th and other
regiments of Tilson's and Stewart's Brigades, charged
down the slope with an impetuosity that carried every-
thing before it ; and the Imperial Grenadiers — the corps
d' elite of the French army, victors in a hundred fights —
found that they had met their match, and facing about
fled down the hill into the valley. The enemy had now
had enough of it ; even Victor confessed himself beaten,
for the French had been repulsed along the whole line.
Marshal Jourdain — who had from the first opposed
giving battle at all — countermanded all further attacks,
«,nd ordered the whole army to retire beyond the Alberche.
A desultory artillery fire was kept up for a short time,
but by 10 p.m., the alhes remained in possession of the
field.
The 66th had 16 ofl&cers and 83 men killed and wounded
«.t Talavera. Captain and Brevet-Ldeutenant-Colonel
Adams, Lieutenants Dudgeon, Steel and Cottin* sub-
sequently died of their wounds; Captain Stevens,
Lieutenants A. Morris and Morgan, were wounded and
taken prisoners. The other wounded ofl&cers were,
Captain Kelly (who commanded the battalion during the
action) Lieutenants Harvey, Pardy, S. Morris, Farr,
Mc'Caxthy, Hand, Whitney, and Morris. The total loss
of the British army was 767 killed and 3,718 wounded
and missing; the French had 944 killed and 6,294
wounded.
Many of the wounded perished in the field of battle
after the fight was over, owing to some smouldering
♦ ? R. B. Dobbin.
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BAPn> MARCH OF THE UGHT DIVISION. 45
cartridge-cases igniting the long dry grass ; the unhappy
men were sufEbcated or burnt to death before they could
be removed. Talavera gained Sir Arthur Wellesley a
peerage, with the title of Baron Douro and Viscount
Wellington. It was decidedly the most important^
action that had hitherto been fought in the Peninsula.
Napier says, ** Hard, honest, fighting distinguished
the battle of Talavera, and proved the exceeding
gallantry of the French and English soldiers. The
latter owed much to their leader's skill, and something
to fortune; the French owed their conmianders-
nothing; but 80,000 of their infantry vainly strove
for three hours on the 28th to force 16,000 British
soldiers, who were for the most part so recently drafted
from the Militia, that many of them still bore the
distinctions of that force on their accoutrements.''
On the day after the battle (29th) the Light Division
under General Crauford arrived at Talavera. Theso
splendid troops had just come out from England; on
halting at Malapartida de Placentia on the previous day,
Crauford heard that Sir Arthur was hard pressed, he
instantly ordered the " fall in " to sound, and leaving the
weakly men behind him, he pushed on for Talavera, and
actually marched 62 miles in 26 hours. Only 17 men
fell out during the march.
The army remained encamped at Talavera until the
3rd August, when Sir Arthur decided to fall back on
Truscillo and Montego in consequence of the appearance
of Soult, with Mortier* and Ney, and 34,000 men in his
rear.
The army commenced to retire in September, but many
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46 THE 66th begiment.
of the sick and wounded had to be left at Talavera, and
fell into the hands of the French.
The 2nd Division was quartered at Montego until the
end of the year ; it was an exceedingly unhealthy town,
and the 66th — ^which was considered a healthy corps —
lost nearly 100 men in four months.
In the month of January, 1810, the French continuing,
to advance, Lord Wellington fell back across the frontier
into Portugal.
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Cj^apttr 5.
1801-1811. — Services of the 2nd Battalion continued — Massena invades
Portugal — Busaco — Lines of Torres Vedras — Retreat of Massena
— Forward movement of the Allies — Flying Column into Andulasia
—The battle of Albuhera.
the summer of 1810, the French had 360,000
men in the Peninsula; 80,000 of these,
including the Corps of Ney, Junot and
Begnier, were massed at Salamanca, and
Napoleon ordered Marshal Massena to assume
command of this force.
Massena declared his intention of invading Portugal
and driving the English into the sea. To oppose the
Marshal, Wellington had only 23,000 British and 30,000
Portuguese troops ; so a retreat was ordered and the Allied
army retired on Busaco.
On the 27th and 28th September, an action was fought
on the Sierra Busaco, in which the Allies lost 1,300 men,
and Massena 4,500. The 66th were only partially
engaged, but one officer. Lieutenant Fox, was killed
during the fight. Wellington continued his retreat, and on
the 2nd October reached the famous lines of Torres
Vedras, which had been commenced in the previous
December.
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48 THE 66th begiment.
The 2nd Division was posted on the right of the
position, the 66th occupying Alhandra, a village on the
Tagus; close to their lines H.M.S. "Growler" and
several gunboats were moored. During the following
month, the regiment was busily engaged on the entrench-
ments constructing and strengthening batteries and other
field-works. The lines of Torres Vedras effectually barred
the further advance of Massena — ^who had been ignorant
of their existence, when he so rashly vowed to drive
Wellington out of the Peninsula. For several weeks he
watched these impregnable defences, in the hope of
starving his enemy into surrender; but as the AlHed
Army were now plentifully suppHed with provisions and
munitions-of-war by sea, this hope was in vain. At
length Massena C* V enfant gate de la victoire/* as
Bonaparte dubbed him, on account of his unvarying
success in the field of battle) seeing that he had no
chance of forcing the lines, and that his communications
with his brother-marshals were threatened by the
guerillas and armed peasantry under Julian Sanchez, the
"Empecinado" and other Partida Chiefs, reluctantly
retired to Santarem, where he went into winter-quarters.
When Lord Wellington discovered that the French
were in full retreat, he summoned his divisional leaders
to Pero Negro to consult upon a forward movement, and
sent a message to Admiral Berkeley to request him to
provide boats to convey the troops across the Tagus, if
necessary.
On the 17th November (the day after the French
retreated) the 2nd Division crossed the Tagus by a
pontoon-bridge, and followed the enemy to Ghamusca,
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BETBEAT OP MASSBNA. 49
where the Brigade (which was now commanded by
Brigadier Colbome, and consisted of the 3rd Buffs, dlst
Huntingdonshire, 4:8th Northamptonshire and 66th
Berkshire, regiments) took up its quarters until the
Spring of the new year.
, On the 6th March, 1811, Massena quitted Santarem
and retreated up the valley of Mondego, towards Ciudad
Bodrigo. His line of retreat was marked by blood and
flame, and the treatment the unhappy Portuguese experi-
enced at the hands of the French soldiery has — ^to quote
Lord Wellington's own words — "been seldom equalled,
and never surpassed." Early in April, Massena recrossed
the frontier, having lost during the invasion and retreat,
by sickness and other causes, no fewer than 30,000
men.
The 2nd Division — which was at this time commanded
by Marshal Beresford, ' General Hill being away on
leave — followed in pursuit of Massena, and hanging upon
his rear caused him much loss and^ annoyance.
In April the Division marched on Campo-Mayor, which
was occupied by the enemy. As the British approached
the town, the French infantry defiled out, their flanks
protected by cavalry. The 13th Light Dragoons charged
and cut up the enemy's horse, but rashly attacking the
infantry in square they were severely handled. On the
following day the Division took up a position in sight of
Olivenca, and Colbome's Brigade encamped on the slope
of a barren ridge, opposite a small village where the
staff had taken up their quarters for the night. During
the night the French cavalry surprised the 13th picket,
entered the village and captured the staff-officers' horses.
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50 THE 66th bbgiment.
The alarm w^s given, but the enemy made off, and
escaped without loss.
Beresford continued in pursuit, and crossing the
Guadiana at Yalverde, marched to Almendralejo, where
he halted for a few days.
On the 2nd of May, a flying colunm, commanded by
Brigadier Golbome, and consisting of his brigade,
Murillo's Spanish brigade, 2 squadrons of the Idth
Light Dragoons and 3 guns, was dispatched into
Andalusia to feel the enemy and ascertain his force.
Having accomplished his object, Golbome retired across
the Sierra Morena, and rejoined the Division at Albuhera,
after marching 250 miles in 11 days.
Marshal Beresford had taken up a position on the
heights of Albuhera, to cover the siege of Badajos,
information having been received that Soult was
advancing from Seville, at the head of 23,000
veterans, to the relief of the beleaguered fortress.
Beresf ord's force comprised the 2nd Division and a strong
body of Spanish and Portuguese troops under Blake and
Gastanos ; in all about 32,000 men, of which nimiber
only 7,000 were British soldiers.
The Albuhera range extends for about four miles, and,
being of easy ascent, is practicable for artillery and
cavalry; the Albuhera and its tributary the Feria (a
mere rivulet) flow along the eastern base of the hills ;
above the river is situated the village of Albuhera, at the
junction of the roads to Badajos and Seville, Talavera
and Valverde. Near the village, on the left of the line,
Golbome's Brigade was stationed; the Spanish and
Portuguese held the right.
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ALBUHEBA. 51
Soult arrived on the evening of May 15th, and he soon
perceived that Beresford had neglected to occupy a
wooded range of hills between the Albuhera and Peria.
The French Marshal at once made use of this range,
postitig behind it a force of 15,000 men and 30 guns ; of
the close proximity of this force to his right wing
Beresford was entirely ignorant, and only reckoned on
the enemy attacking his front. The French advanced
on the position early on the morning of the 16th;
Godinot, with the light cavalry and ten guns, made a
feint of attacking the village ; whilst Soult led a heavy
column of infantry supported by artillery, against the
Spaniards on the right. He soon drove them from the
heights, and commenced to deploy his force along the
position. Colbome's Brigade was hurried up to check
this movement, and had almost succeeded in driving the
French Infantry back, when a strong force of PoKsh
Lancers, and Chasseurs (which had got iround the right
of the line unperceived) charged the brigade in rear, and
threw it into confusion.
But we will here quote Colonel Clarke, who gives a
graphic account of the part played by the 66th at —
*' Albuhera, fatal Md of Strife ! "
*' On the evening of the l5th May," the Colonel
writes, " We arrived at th§ heights of Albuhera. After
we had been a couple of hours in line, I had to parade
for picket. My picket was placed in front of the
bridge Albuhera-a narrow stone bridge, wide enough for
two horses to walk abreast. About 8 a.m. on the 16th,
the enfemy sent a brigade of guns and a force of cavalry
towards the bridge. The guns commenced a smart
- e2
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52 THE 66th regiment.
fire and the cavalry dashed forward, as if they were
going to charge the bridge. Marshal Beresford, who
had come down to my picket, asked me what r^narks
I had been able to make during the night. I told him.
" He then asked some questions of another ofi&cer.
I said to a friend, ' This is a feint, they are going to
turn our right.'
"The Marshal heard me, and quickly said, 'They
are going to retreat, gentlemen. I expect to attack
their rear-guard by 9 o'clock.'
**A few moments after, an aide-de-camp galloped
up from the right, where the Spaniards under Blake
and Castanos were stationed, and Colbome's Brigade
was ordered to .move to the right in open column of
companies at the double. The fact was, our right was
turned. The rain was falling fast and the ground was
very heavy. When near the point on which we were
to form, it was perceived that we were marching rear
rank in front ; we countermarched, on the march,
under a tremendous cannonade, and I can safely say
that the movement was never better performed by the
66th on its own parade ground. Fifty yards from us
was an isolated hill, its summit enveloped in a heavy
fog. We wheeled into line and opened a destructive
fire upon the enemy, who were in close column. The
order was given to * charge * ; when quite close to the .
enemy the 'halt* was sounded, followed by the 'retire';
then we were again ordered to advance. At this
moment the French cavalry got round to our right
flank under cover of the fog. The * Buffs ' had been
ordered to reform column, their right wing to cover
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OHABGE OF THE POLISH LANCEBS. 53
the rear of the Brigade; to effect this they faced
about, a very dangerous manoeuvre when near an
enemy. The enemy's cavahy suddenly appearing in
their rear, great confusion ensued. We advanced again,
but at that moment a crowd of PoKsh Lancers and
Chasseurs-i-Cheval swept along the rear of the
Brigade ; our men now ran into groups of six or eight,
to do as best they could; the officers snatched up
muskets and joined them, determined to sell their lives
dearly. Quarter was not asked, and rarely given.
Poor Colonel Waller, of the Quarter-Master-General's
staff, was cut down close to me ; he put up his hands
asking for quarter, but the ruffian cut his fingers off.
My Ensign, Hay, was run through the lungs by a
lance which came out of his back; he fell but got up
again. The Lancer dehvered another thrust, the
lance striking Hay's breast-bone ; down he went, and
the Pole rolled over in the mud beside him. In the
evening I went to seek my friend, and found him sit-
ting up to his hips in mud and water. He was quite
cool and collected, and said there were many worse
than him.
'* The Lancers had been promised a doubloon each,
if they could break the British Une. Li the m^We,
when mixed up with the Lancers, Chasseurs-i-Cheval
and French infantry, I came into collision with a
Lancer, and being knocked over was taken prisoner ;
an officer ordered me to be conducted to the rear.
Presently a charge was made by our Dragoon Guards
in which I Hberated myself, and ran to join the
Fusilier Brigade at the foot of the hill. When I got
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54 THE 66th begiment.
close to the 7th regiment, they knelt to receive cavalry,
and I threw myself down to avoid their jfire, I got up,
and passing through the regiment met Lieutenant
Anderson carrying a colour. He said, ' I thought, my
dear fellow you must have been riddled, it was only
presence of mind saved you.' I went a few paces
to the rear, and fell exhausted."
In this hand-to-hand encounter, Colbome's Brigade
suffered terribly ; of the four regiments composing it, the
31st alohe was able to form square when attacked by
the cavalry; the "Buffs," 4:8th and 66th were nearly
annihilated.
At length Brigadier Lumley, who was in the plain
below, saw the desperate state of affairs, and sent four
squadrons of heavy cavalry £|.gainst the lancers : at the
same tii^e the 29th Foot, Houghton's Brigade and some
artillery under Major Julius Hartmann came up to the
assistance of their well-nigh vanquished comrades.
The fight was now continued with redoubled fury,
and the carnage on both sides was awful ; the regiments
present had lost more than two-thirds of their men.
Marshal Beresford tried all he could to induce the
Spaniards to advance ; he even sei;sed a Spanish Ensign
in his powerful grasp and Uterally carried him, colours
and all, to the front, trusting that the regiment would
follow. But the recreant Spaniards remained inmoiovable,
and the Ensign ran back as soon as he was released.
The ammunition now began to fail, and the British fire
slackened, while another French column was established,
in advance upon the right flank.
Beresford saw that a retreat was absolutely imperative.
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ADVANCE OF CbLE's DIVISION. 55
and gave the unwelcome order. But at this critical
moment, Colonel Hardinge, entirely on his own responsi-
bility, rode off to the 4:th Division, which had just come
up from Badajos, and induced its leader. General Cole,
to advance, supported by Colonel Abercrombie with the
3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division.
Cole mounted the hill, attacked the Lancers, who
were galloping about the captured guns, drove them off,
recaptured the guns, and then dashed up to the right of
Houghton's Brigade, just as Abercrombie passed to the
front on its left.
"Such a gallant line," writes Napier, ''issuing
from the midst of the smoke, and rapidly separating
itself from the confused and broken multitude,
startled the enemy's masses, which were increasing
and pressing onward as to an assured victory.
. ... In vain did . Soult with voice and gesture
animate his Frenchmen, in rain did the mass itself
bear up, and, fiercely striving, fire indiscriminately
' upon friends and foes, while the horsemen hovering on
the flank endeavoured to charge the advancing line.
Nothing could stop that astonishing infantry. . . .
In vain did the French reserves mix with the struggling
multitude to sustain the fight, their efforts only
increased the irremediable confusion, and the mighty
mass, breaking like a loosened cliff went headlong
down the steep. . . Eighteen-hundred unwounded
men, the remnant of 6,000 unconquerable British
soldiers, stood triumphant on the fatal hill.'* ^
The fight was over, and by 3 o'clock all firing had
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56 th:^ 66th begiment.
The Allies lost 7,000, and the French 8,000 killed and
wounded on this bloody field. The 66th had 16 officers
and 310 men killed, wounded, and missing. The
regiment went into action 400 strong, and on the
morrow only 53 bayonets mustered at parade. Captain
Benning (commanding the regiment) Lieutenants
Shrewbridge, Ensigns Walker and Colter were killed;
Captain f'ems; Lieutenants St. George, Hicken,
L'Estrange, Harvey, McCarthy, Codd, Hand and
Chambers; Ensigns Hay, Mack and Warren, were
wounded. When Benning fell. Captain Goldie assumed
conmiand, and was granted a medal and promoted to a
majority for this action ; >a medal was also sent to the
relatives of Captain Benning.
After the battle of Albuhera the 3rd, 29th, 31st, 48th,
57th and 66th regiments were so reduced in nimibers
that they were formed into a Provisional battalion. The
31st and 66th continued together until the termination
of the war ; Lieutenant-Colonel Alexaaider Leith of the
31st taking command of the two corps.
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Cl^apter B.
1811-1813. — Services of 2nd Battalion continued^-Arroyo de Molinos
— Changes in the Brigade — The 66th reinforced — Retreat to
Ooria — ^General Rowland Hill and the 66th — Campaign of 1813 —
The Battle of Vittoria.
October, General Eowland Hill — who had
rejoined from leave, and now commanded in
North Estramadura — received orders to drive
Geneiral Girard frpm Caceres, so. that the
district might be opened to Murillo's foraging
parties. Girard left Caceres in very wet and
stormy weather, and was pursued by Hill who caught
him up at Arroyo-de-Molinos. At 2 o'clock on the
morning of 28th October, 1811, the British troops halted
within half-a-mile of Arroyo ; Hill at once formed three
columns of attack, the infantry on the right and left,
the cavalry in the centre.
The French were on the move, and one brigade had
already marched. Girard was in total ignorance of the
proximity of his foe, until a terrific shout arose above
the noise of the elements — ^for there was a sharp storm
at the time. The French General, who had not yet
mounted, thought it was a mere guerrilla raid, when
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58 THE 66th regiment.
suddenly he heard /the bagpipes of the 71st and 92nd
Highlanders playing ** Hey, Johnny Cope I " and the
next minute the left British column came charging down
the street.
The French were taken by surprise ; their cavalry was
driven to the eiid of the town, while their infantry
hastily formed squares and endeavoured to cover their
retreat.
Girard who was badly wounded, strove to keep his
men together and retreat in good order ; but his force
was entirely surrounded, and he only succeeded in
bringing off 600 men. The French lost upwards of 2,000
killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, besides all their
baggage and artillery. The Allies had very few men
placed hor^ de combat. After this brilliant affair, Hill
retired to Portal^gre.
The new year 1812 found the 66th with their Brigade
in Portugal ; the Brigade remained in that country until
March, when it once more advanced into Spain.
During the sieges of jCiudad Eodrigo and Badajos the
regiment, with the rest of Hill's force, was quartered at
Merida, on the banks of the Guadiana, covering the
siege of Badajos. About this time a strong draft arrived
from England, and the ranks of the 66th werQ once
more filled.
Changes too had taken place in the Brigade, which
was now commanded by Major-General Byng, and
consisted of the 3rd, 81st, 57th, and 66th regiments.
In June, 1812, the 2nd Division was again posted at
Albuhera, in expectation of an attack by a French force
under Comte d'Erlon.
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BBTREAT TO CORIA. 59
Every measure was taken to strengthen the position
and give the enemy a warm reception, but no enemy
appeared.
In September, Hill advanced on Truxillo, crossed the
Tagus and arrived early in October, at Aranjuez, about
35 miles from Madrid.
The French having collected in great force in the
neighbourhood of the capital, Hill deemed it advisable
to retire on Giudad Kodrigo and the northern Portuguese
frontiers. He accordingly retreated to Albade Tormos
and from thence, by way of Salamanca and Oiudad
Bodrigo, to Goria, where he estabHshed his head-quarters
for the winter.
During this retreat, the French cavalry hanging upon
the rear of the Division (which marched in solid columns
and squares) caused some annoyance at different times,
and in one of the skirmishes that took place, two 66th
men were captured by the enemy. The retreat was long
and fatiguing, and provisions not too plentiful ; but thanks
to the vigilance of the Brigadier and the excellent
management of the Brigade-Gommissary, the men of
General Byng's Brigade were scarcely a single day
without food.
The conduct of the 66th while on the line of march
was admirable, and elicited the warm praise both of the
General aind Brigadier.
Eowland Hill had a great liking for the "Berkshire"
regiment, and specially selected it to foi:m part of his
conmiand when ordered to the Peninsula.
It is said, that at the time the officer commanding the
Cork district asked General Hill why he chose a
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60 THE 66th regiment.
battalion, the men of which, though stout built, were
somewhat low-sized.
"Perhaps you may find my short fellows foremost in
the advance some day," retorted Hill.
His opinion of the physical qualities of the
"Berkshires" was justified on more than one occasion
during the war; notably so at Talavera, when the
quick, dashing movements of the battalion attracted the
attention of the Commander-in-Chief.
"What regiment is that?" Wellesley asked, as he
, watched the 66th charge the enemy down hill, put them
to flight, and then regain its position with unusual celerity.
" The 66th, Sir " replied General Hill ; and turning to
one of his staff, he added, "You see my short-legged
fellows know how to advance."
The Winter of 1812-13 saw Lord Wellington on
something like an equality with his adversaries in point
of numbers; nearly half-a-million of the veterans of
France had perished on the snow-clad steppes and hills
of Bussia, and large drafts had been drawn from the
ajmies in Spain to reinforce Napoleon's shattered legions,
and enable him to make one grand effort to retrieve his
fallen fortunes. These reductions and the losses inflicted
on the French troops by the guerrilleros, had brought
Joseph Bonaparte's forces down to about 197,000 men;
while the Allied armies had swelled to 200,000. Less
than half this force,, however, were British, Germans, or
Portuguese, on whom alone reliance could safely be
placed ; the rest were Spaniards, but as Wellington had
a*t last obtained from the Cortes the supreme command
of all the Spanish troops, he had been able to train
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AFFAIR NEAR SAIiAMANOA. 61
** los Valerosos" into something like what soldiers should
be.
Active operations were commenced about the middle
of May, when the Allied forces were concentrated and
put in motion against tlie enemy.
On the 19th May, 1813, Sir Eowland Hill broke up
his quarters at Coria, and advanced through the Pass of
Banos, on Salamanca. His fc«:ce consisted of the 2nd
Division, three regiments of Portuguese infantry, and five
regiments of Cavalry, in all, about 17,000 men with
24 guns. The weather was beautifully fine, the roads
unusually good, and the troops were in the highest spirits
and confident of a successful campaign.
The column came in sight of Salamanca on the 28th^
having marched nearly 200 miles in eight days, and a
body of French troops was descried retiring on the
heights to the eastward of the city. Hill at once
ordered a brigade of cavalry and a battery of horse
artillery to start off in pursuit ; and this force came up
with, and dispersed the enemy, taking beliween two and
three hundred prisoners.
After this affair, HilFs corps and the Light Division
encamped at La Urbada, fifteen miles from Salamanca,
to await the arrival of Sir Thomas Graham with the
other divisions.
The Allied army having assembled, a forward movement
took place, the different columns marching, as far as
possible, parallel to one another. Before this advance
the enemy retired, breaking down the bridge that spanned
the Douro at Toro.
Hill forded the river on the 4:th June, and marched on
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62 THE 66th begiment.
Duenos and Xorqueniada ;, on the 12th, the French
showed themselves in considerable force on the heights
of Burgos, and their tirailleurs and other light troops
engaged the advanced-guard, but they made no real stand,
and having blown up the Castle of Burgos fell back
across the Ebro. The enemy's flank was turned, and
he was com,pelled to abandon position after position.
Biscay was evacuated with the exception of the
fortified towns of San Sebastian, Santona and Bilboa;
the seaports were instantly seized by British war-ships,
and Wellington was thus able to change his base of
operations from Portugal to the northern coast of Spain.
Joseph Bonaparte, dreading lest hd should be cut off
from his friends in the north, retired hastily from
Madrid, and fell back across the Ebro.
Sir Eowland Hill, after the destruction of the Castle
of Burgos, pushed forward his corps to the Ebro, crossed
that river at the strong defile of Puente d' Arenas, and
and so turned the fortified bridge of Pancorvo, which
was held by the French.
A long and fatiguing march brought the Allies in front
pi Vittoria (where Joseph Bonaparte had concentrated
his forces), a small town in the Basque Provinces, 190
miles north-north-east of Madrid, and 70 miles west of
the frontier fortress of tampeluna.
Vittoria is situated on a gentle elevation over-looking
a plain that stretches down to the river Zadora; this
river — or rather stream — ^keeps a westerly course along
the plain for two or three miles, and then sweeping
round to the south, flows through a narrow gorge called
the Puebla Pass, which separates the Morillo and
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BATTLE OP VITTOEIA. 63
Paebla Mountains. The main road from Madrid to
Bayonne enters the plain at the Puebla Pass, traverses
it in a north-easterly direction, passes through Vittoria,
find again touches the Zadora at Durana.
Joseph placed his 70,000 men in position, along the
main road, from Durana on the extreme right to the
heights of Puebla on the extreme left : Eeille held the
ri^ht of the French line ; Gazan the centre, and Maransin
the left ; D'Erlon's division formed a second line, on the
centre and left. Fifty guns were placed so as to
command the bridges of Mendoza, Tres Puentes, Villodas,
and Nanclares, by which the Allies must cross to attack
the position. Joseph, however, neglected to break down
any of these bridges, nor did he defend them with field-
■<7orks ; moreover he left Puebla un-entrenched, and the
heights above insufl&ciently defended.
Wellington had with him 60,000 British and Portuguese
troops, and 18,000 Spaniards ; he disposed his forces as
follows :— On the left, Sir Thomas Graham with 20,000
men was to attack Eeille and force a passage! at Gamara
Mayor and Aiiaga; Wellington himself, with the 3rd,
4th, 7th, and Light Divisions, the heavy cavalry and a
strong force of artillery, was in the centre of the line,
and purposed carrying the bridges at Mendoza, Tres
Puentes, Villodas, and Nanclares ; on the right was Sir
Rowland Hill, with the 2nd Division, Murillo's Spaniards,
Silviera's Portuguese, and some cavalry and guns ; he
was ordered to force the Puebla Pass, assail Maransin on
the heights, and so turn and menace the enemy's left.
The morning of the 21st June dawned in thick mist
and drizzling rain ; at an early hour the three Allied
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64 THE 66th regiment. ,
columns quitted their encampments on the Bayas Hills
and advanced to the positions assigned to them. Sir
Rowland Hill's corps was the first engaged.
About 10 a.m., Brigadier Byng was ordered to seize
the village of Puebla, which was held by a battalion of
Voltigeurs, but was not entrenched. Byng accordingly
pusjied forward the light companies of the 31st, 57th,
and 66th to the attack. These companies moved out at
the double, supported by the rest of the brigade, and
after a brief, though sharp fight, gained possession of
the village.
Hill then sent Murillo's Spanish division to climb the
Puebla heights and attack Maransin : the 1st Brigade
had nearly reached the summit when it was vigorously
attacked, and Murillo received a severe wound. The
2nd Brigade came up and joined in the struggle, but the
French General Gazan— aware of the importance of the
position — despatched a fresh regiment to Maransin's
assistance. The 50th or West Kent regiment, and the
71st and 92nd Highlanders then advanced to support
the Spaniards, whereupon Gazan sent Villatte's division
to reinforce Maransin. Hill seeing that his troops on
the heights were out-numbered and hard pressed, ordered
a Portuguese brigade to go to their assistance, while he
himself, with Byng's brigade and the 28th, 34:th, and
39th regiments, turned to the left, marched to the Puebla
Pass, and about 1 p.m., carried the village of Subijana
de Alava at the point of the bayonet'; and thus he
connected his own right with the troops on the mountains.
In the meanwhile the fighting on the hill-side was
continued with unabated fury, and for some time the
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VIOTOBY. 65
result was doubtful. Cadogan the brave Colonel of the
71st fell mortally wounded ; maddened by the death of
their beloved <ihief, the Highlanders charged their foes
with redoubled vigour, and gained a footing on the
sunmiit of the hill. They were well supported by the
50th and 92nd, and a battalion of Portuguese Ca9adores ;
the enemy wavered; the Highlanders pressed their
advantage, and at length remained in undisputed
possession of the heights.
The attack on the French centre had been equally
successful, and towards 6 p.m; Joseph ordered his
troops to retire along the Salvatierra road. The French
at first retired in good order, but the British followed
hard on their heels, and soon a scene of indescribable
confusion ensued. The artillery-drivers cut their traces
and abandoned their guns, and the vanquished infantry
fled in disordered masses towards Salvatierra; the
cavalry alone maintained a semblance of order and
covered the retreat of the fugitives;
General Eeille on the right had made a vigorous defence
against Graham's troops, but when the French centre
and left were defeated, the Allied cavalry, passing
through Yittoria, took him in rear and forced him to
retreat to Betonio, and from thence to Metauco ; it was
not till he had passed that village, some hours after night-
fall, that the last shot was fired.
So ended the battle of Vittoria, the crowning victory
of the Peninsula War.
The trophies were innumerable. The French lost all
their artillery, with the exception of two light field-
pieces ; all the parks and depdt from Madrid, Valladolid
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66 I THE 66th begimbnt.
and Burgos, carriages, ammunition, treasure, everything
fell into the hands of the AlHes. Captain Wyndham
of the 10th Hussars captured Joseph Bonaparte's private
carriage, and found therein Jourdain's Baton of command
and a valuable painting by Corregio. These trophies
Wellington forwarded to the Prince . Regent, who in
return sent him his commission as Field-Marshal.
The Allies lost 5,176 in killed, wounded, and missing ;
the 66th regiment had 3 Officers* and 51 men placed
hors de combat The French lost aboilt 6,000 men,
including several hundred prisoners.
Alison in writing of this victory, remarks that, ** The
campaign of Marlborough presents no example of so
remarkable a triumph; the campaigns of Cressy and
Agincourt were fruitless in comparison."
.At one blow the French were driven from the
Peninsula, and the soi-disant King's crown dropped
from his head.
The nameB of these officers are not given in the Becords.
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Cj^apt^r 7,
1813-1817.— Services of the 2ncl Battalion concluded — Pursuit of the
- French — Marshal Soult reinstated — Attack on the heights of
Boncesvalles — Fighting in the Pyrenees — Nivelle — Nive — Orthes
— Toulouse — ^Termination of the Peninsular War — ^The 2nd
Battalion return home — Embark for St Helena — Incorporated
witii the Ist Battalion.
HE allied Army advanced, the day after the
battle, in pursuit of the vanqnished foe.
Hill led his column to Barrisplano, two
leagues from the fortress of Pampeluna
(which was still held by the French) and
there encamped, on the 27th June.
The 66th, with the other regiments of Byng's Brigade,
was now attached to the Spanish Division commanded
by General Murillo, who received instructions from Sir
Bowland Hill to take up a position on the top of the
Pyrenees, and hold the Pass of Eoncesvalles.
On receiving the news of the battle of Vittoria,.
Napoleon at once reinstated Marshal Soult in command
of the Peninsular army, with the rank and style of
Lieutenant de V Empereur. Soult hastened to Bayonne,
which he fortified, and there collected the remains of the
beaten armies. By the 24th July he had 70,000 men
f2
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68 THE 66th begiment.
and 60 gans in position to force the passes of Boncesvalles
and Maya.
On the morning of the 25th July, under cover of a
dense fog,. Soult's lieutenant, General Olausel, advanced
with 18,000 troops against Murillo and Byng, who held
the heights of Altobiscar in the Boncesvalles ; the allied
Generals could not muster more than 5,000 bayonets.
With this force they held their position from dawn to
dusk, and repeatedly drove back their assailants, inflict-
ing upon them severe loss. Towards evening Soult sent
a strong column to reinforce Olausel, and the AUies
found themselves surrounded by a force nearly six times
their number. Byng's brigade was hotly engaged the
whole day, but being well under cover the loss was
comparatively trifling. The Spaniards fought with
determination, and their leader Murillo exhibited great
personal courage. Mounted on a fine Andalusian, the
Spa4ish General, sabre in hiind, encouragied his troops
both by voice, and gesture, and repeatedly exposed
himself to the enemy's fire.^ At length an officer rode
up, and informed him that his small force was surrounded
and a retreat was inevitable.
" Ca/rajo I " exclaimed the fiery Spaniard ; " they will
not dare to surround my Englishmen I " and with the
well known war-cry Mueran los Francescas I he excited
his soldiers to fresh efforts.
But Byng saw that if they did not retire, their .force
must either surrender or be annihilated, and he therefore
induced Murillo to fall back.
The fighting was however continued, almost without
intemussion, from the 26th to the 30th July ; the 66th
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FIGHTING IN THE PYRENEES. 69
was in action every day; and dxiring these operations
lost 2 officers* and 25 men killed and wounded.
On the 30th July, Soult received a severe check and
was forced to retire in haste up the Pyrenean valleys,
hotly pursued by the Allies, buring the nine days
fighting the French lost 15,000 men including 4,000
prisoners; and so dispirited were their soldiers by
repeated defeats, that on the 2nd August, at the affairs
of Echellar and Ivantelly, 6,000 veterans broke and fled
before the attack of 1,500 British.
General Byng was four times mentioned in despatches,
and his Brigade received the thanks of the Commander-
in-Chief for its services in the various actions in the
Pyrenees.
From the 2nd August to the 8th November, the column
to which the 66th was attached remained in the Pyrenees,
covering the siege of San Sebastian and the blockade of
Pampeluna ; when these fortresses fell it advanced into
French territory.
Soult's efforts to carry the war into Spain had failed,
and Wellington prepared to invade France ; the nation
which had inflicted the horrors of war upon nearly every
European country, was now herself to feel the iron-hand
of a conqueror.
On the 10th November the enemy's fortified position
on the Nivelle, covering Bayonne was attacked. ,Byng
was ordered to advance against one of the strongest
points of the French line of defence ; and the 31st and
66th were sent forward to storm a powerful redoubt.
With loud cheers the two battalions crossed the
* See Appendix.
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70 THE 66th begiment.
intervening ground, led by Lieutenants-Colonels Leith
31st and Kicol 66th. These officers leaped the ditch
together and scrambling up the parapet, entered the
work ahead of their men, who however quickly followed
them, and drove the French out of the redoubt.
On this occasion the 66th had two officers mortally
wounded, and 46 men killed and wounded.
The day after the passage of the Nivelle, Byng's
brigade went into the cantonments at Espilette.
Soult's position in the entrenched camp at Bayonne —
commanding as it did the bridges over the Nive and
Adour — was very advantageous for foraging, while the
Allies found it a matter of considerable difficulty to
obtain supplies. Wellington, therefore, resolved to
extend his cantonments by forcing the passage of the
Nive, extending his line to the Adour, and driving Soult
back under the cannon of Bayonne.
The attack was made on the morning of the 9th
December.
Hill's corps forded the Nive at Cambo, and established
itself betweeii the Nive and Adour ; Beresford, with the
centre column, crossed by a pontoon bridge ; and Hope
and Allen, with the left column and Vandeleur's cavalry,
drove in Soult's advanced posts in front of the entrenched
camp.
The passage was forced, and the French left driven
close under the walls of Bayonne, but the Allies found
themselves divided (the right from the centre and left)
by the Nive — an almost unfordable stream — with
Beresford's pontoon bridge as their sole means of com-
munication ; while Soult was in a position to throw the
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NIVE. 71
whole weight of his force on the one flank or the other
at pleasure.
On the 10th, 11th, and 12th December, the French
Marshal directed his attacks against the British left and
centre, but was repulsed with considerable loss.
During the night of the 12th there was a heavy rain-
fall, and the swollen waters of the Nive carried away
the pontoon bridge: Hill with the right column, was
thus isolated on the right bank of the river, and Soult
seized this favourable opportunity to attack him in force.
Early on the 13th December, Soult launched 35,000
men against Hill's front, while 7,000 more threatened
his rear. To resist this attack Hill only had some 14,000
men with 14 guns.
He disposed his force as follows. The Left (28th,
38th, and 39th), under Brigadier Pringle^ occupied a
wooded, broken ridge, covering the shattered pontoon
bridge, and separated from the centre by a stream and a
chain of ponds in a deep, marshy valley. General
Stewart commanded the centre, which was posted on a
crescent-shaped height on both sides of the village of
St. Pierre ; the 7l8t Highlanders being on the left ; the
60th and 92nd on the right ; Ashworth's Portuguese in
advance ; 12 guns massed in front of the village to sweep
the high road ; and Le Cor's Portuguese with 2 guns,
were placed in reserve, half-a-mile in rear. The right,
under Byng, consisted of the 3rd Buffs, 57th and 31st
and 66th ; the two latter corps being formed into one
battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Leith of
the 31st ; the Buffs occupied a position in advance ; the
other regiments of the brigade were covered by an
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72 THE 66th begiment.
extensive sheet of water, which nearly filled the valley.
The ijiature of the ground and the state of the roads
prevented the action of cavalry, and for the same reason
Soult was unable to attack with large masses, but was
forced to bring his troops into line in succession, and
so fight in dptail;' this tended to counterbalance his
immense superiority in numbers.
Shortly after 8 a.m., the attack commenced. Soult
forced the British pickets to retire, and the noise of
battle spread along the hill side. General Darican
attacked Pringle, whilst Abb^ assailed the village of
St. Pierre; Byn'g*s brigade was engaged with
D'Armagnac*s corps.
Abba's attack on St. Pierre was vigorously delivered,
and Ashworth's Portuguese were driven back ; the 50th
was terribly cut up, and the 71st Highlanders were with-
drawn out of action by their Colonel, who was afterwards
cashiered for his pusillanimous conduct. At this crisis
the gallant 92nd charged the French and forced them to
give way, but more French troops were brought up, and
a battery of horse-artillery opened upon the 92nd at
short range. The carnage was terrible, the ground was
covered with the dead, and numbers of wounded men
were s^en crawling painfully to the rear. Byng's
brigade, too, was hard pressed, for the ** Buffs" were
overwhelmed by numbers and forced to fall back upon
the other regiments.
The situation of the Alhes seemed desperate, and
Hill had no resource but to bring his reserves into action.
He rode up to the 71st, and ordered them back to their
position; the brave Highlanders, burning to efface the
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COBPOBAIi DAVIS. 78
memory of their mihappy chiefs weakness, rushed to
the attack with such fury that the French centre was
taken aback, and gave way; Da Costa's Portuguese
brigade came up /to support the 71st, and the 92nd
having reformed in rear of St. Pierre, were led forth by
Colonel Cameron — ^with pipes ** skirling " and colours
flying— to the charge ; at the saitie time, Byng advanced
with the " Buffs," 57th, 31st, and 66th, supported by
Le Cor^ At first the French seemed inclined to face
their foes, but an officer at their head, suddenly turned
his horse, and appeared to order a retreat, for they
faced about and retired across the valley to their
original position.
As the 66th advanced, they perceived directly in their
front, two light guns, covered by a party of Chasseurs-
^.-Cheval. Captain Bulstrode (66th) at once placed
himself at the head of his company, and rushed forward
to capture these field-pieces. The French gunners
opened fire, and the gallant Bulstrode fell, his jaw
shattered by a grape-shot.
Lieutenant John Clarke (author of ** Eeminiscences
of the Peninsula") took command of the company; a
well-deHvered volley knocked over half of the Chasseurs, ^
and sent the rest to the right-about ; before the French
gunners could reload, the Berkshire men were upon
them. Corporal Davis was the first man to reach the
guns, and he called out, '' I take these guns in the name
of King George I "
The Frenchmen did not wait to dispute the corporal's
right to the field-pieces, but retired precipitately. For his
gallantry on this occasion. Corporal Davis was promoted.
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74 THE 66th regiment.
The pontoon bridge over the Nive had^® valley,
been repaired, and Lord Wellington ai
reinforcements; but Sir Eowland Hill had
own victory, and *' after a manner'* writes Napie:
in less eventful times would have made him the hero
nation."
This action was one of the most desperate of
whole war ; 5,000 men were killed or wounded in three
hours, upon a space of one mile square. Lord Wellington
remarked that he had never seen a field so thickly strewn
with^ dead.
The British lost 1,500 men, out of which number, the
66th had 2 ofScers* and 85 men killed and wounded.
Colonel Leith, 31st, who commanded the 31st and
66th, was severely wounded, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Nicol, 66th, succeeded him in command of the two
battahons.
Operations in the South of France were resumed
towards the middle of February, 1814.
The right wing of the allied Army broke up from its
cantonments in front of Bayonne on the 14:th, an^
the following day Sir Eowland Hill attacked the heights
of Garris, near to St. Palais, and carried them after
sharp struggle, in which the 66th lost 2 officers and
men killed^and wounded.
By the 26th, the investment of Bayonne was completed,
and Soult, driven from the shelter qf its guns, took up a
strong position on the heights of Orthes, in rear of th(
Gave du Pau ; his force numbered some 40,000 of all armfj
* Captain Bulstrode, and one other officer, whose name is not mentioi
in the Records.
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OBTHES. 75
^P On tHe 27th, Wellington advanced to the attack with
37,000 Anglo-Portuguese veterans, including 4,000 cavalry
and 4:8 guns. Beresford, with the left, was to turn the
French right; Picton, with the "fighting 5th Division,"
was to attack their centre, and Hill, with the right, to
force the passage of the Orthes, and turn the enemy's
left.
The general movement commenced at 9 a.m. On the
British left. General Cole carried the village of St. Boes^
after a fierce and bloody fight; but on attempting to
advance from the village to the open ground, his troops
were met with a heavy concentric fire from Eeille's
artillery. Five times did Boss's Brigade and Vasconcello's
Portuguese make the attempt without success, and after
three hours hard fighting, Cole was forced to retire them.
Picton too, was roughly repulsed in his attack on the
French centre ; and it is said that Soult, in his exultation,
exclaimed, ** At last I have him ! ** But his triumph
was short-lived, for Wellington — changing his plan of
attack — sent the 7th Division and Vivian's cavalry to
support the left at St. Boes, and the 3rd and 6th
Divisions to Picton's assistance*. These simultaneous
. attacks were perfectly successful, and the French were
forced to retire in some confusion..
This movement opened up the Pass of St. Boes, and
the 4th and 7th Divisions, Vivian's cavalry and two
batteries of artillery, immediately pushed through and
spread out beyond. By this time Sir Eowland Hill's
Corps had forded the Gave d' Oleron, above the town of
Orthes, and turned the enemy's left.
Soult ordered a general retreat, which was made in,
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76 THE 66th bbgiment.
good order at first; but Sir Stapylton Cotton and Lord
Edward Somerset, with the British Dragoons, pressed
the fugitives so hard, that their retreat became a rout.
The Allies lost 2,383 killed, wounded, and missing;
amongst the wounded was Lord Wellington, who was
shot in the thigh.
Soult lost about 4,000 men.
On the 2nd March, Sir JElowland Hill's corps attacked
a French column, under General Harispe, which was
posted near the town of Aire. Li this affair the 66th
was foremost in the fight, and the senior major,
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Dodgin, received a severe
wound.
^ During the advance of the Allied- army, the 66th was
engaged in several minor affairs, previous to the crowning
victory at Toulouse, on the 10th April.
After the battle of Orthes, Soult retreated to Toulouse,
a town surrounded by fortified suburbs, the great canal
of Langiiedoc and strong walls. Here the final battle
of the Peninsular War was fought, and Soult was defeated
with a loss of 3,000 men, including five general officers.
In this action, Byng's brigade was employed in a false
attack on the tete du pont on the left bank of the
Garonne, and being sheltered by the houses of the suburb
of St. Cyprian, suffered very little loss.
On the 11th April the hostile armies remained on the
same ground, but during the night Soult decamped
leaving 1,600 wounded on the field. Next day Wellington
entered Toulouse, and was warmly received by the
citizens, many of whom had mounted the white cockade
— the badge of the Bourbonists. That same afternoon
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ST. HELENA. 77
the news arrived that Napoleon Bonaparte had abdicated,
and that Louis XVni had been proclaimed Eong of the
French.
Thus ended this long and arduous war, in which the
armies of Great Britain and her Allies had given
independence to Spain and Portugal, and had defeated
in nineteen ** stricken fields" the bravest troops and most
experienced generals in Europe.
Major-General Sir John Byng publicly thanked the
2nd Battalion 66th, for its admirable and gallant
behaviour, during the time it served under his command.
The Prince Eegent accorded the battalion his permission
to emblazon on its colours the words, ** Peninsula,"
"Dourp," **Talavera," Albuhera," "Vittoria," *<Nivelle,"
"Nive," and **Orthes."
During its tour of service in the Peninsula, from the
6th April, 1809, to 6th July, 1814, the battalion lost
647 officers and men on the field of battle and by
disease.
On the 6th July, 1814, the 2nd Battalion, 66th,
embarked at Pouillac near Bordeaux, and sailed for the
Cove of Cork, where it landed on the 15th.
The battalion was quartered in the United Kingdom
until the 2nd Janustry, 1816, when it sailed for St. Helena,
under command of Lieutenant-Golonel Dodgin.
Early in July, 1817, the 1st battaHon arrived at St.
Helena from Bengal, and the two battalions were then
incorporated.
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Cl^apter 8.
1817-1827.>~Death and funeral of Napoleon Bonaparte— The 66th
leave St. Helena — Complimentary order— Home services — *' Penin-
sular Honours " granted — Embark for Canada.
||HE 66th remained in the island of St. Helena
until the death of the ex-Emperor, Napoleon
Bonaparte. It was the 6th May, 1821,
towards 6 p.m., when the illustrious exile,
who had been lingering in a delirious stupor
for some days, pronounced the words, " Tete d*a/nrUe,*'
and then, with a last sigh, passed for ever from his
dreams of warfare.
On the following day, M. Antommarchi, assisted by
Assistant-Surgeon Henry, 66th regiment, and four other
medical officers, made a post mortem examination of the
body, in the presence of Counts Bertrand and Montholon,
and several British officers.
The body of the Emperor, clad in his favourite uniform
of the Chasseurs of the Guard, lay in state during the
7th, and the officers ai;id men of the garrison filed past
the couch ; each officer pausing to press respectfully the
cold han4 of the dead man, who, with all his faults, had
been heart and soul a soldier.
On the 8th the members of the late Emperor's house-
hold. Sir Hudson Lowe, and the military and civil
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.
FUNERAL OP BONAPARTE.
79 ^
authorities of the island attended the funeral. The
road from Longwood being impassable for carriages,
Napoleon was borne to his totnb (beneath a weeping
willow in Slane's Valley) by a party of the Grenadier
Company of the 66th; the pall that covered the coffin
being the military cloak that Napoleon wore at the
battle of Marengo. The flagship lying off James Town
fired minute guns, while the priest, Vignali, read the
service of his church ; the coffin was then lowered into
the grave amidst a discharge of three volleys from
fifteen cannon, and a huge stone was placed to mark
the spot where reposed the remains of one who needs
no epitaph.
On the 26th May, 1821, the Grenadier and Light
Companies, with the band, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Nicol, embarked in the Camel store-ship and
sailed for England ; Colonel Nicol had under his charge
Counts Bertrand and Montholon, and several members
of the suite of the late Emperor. Lieutenant-Colonel
Lascelles and the head-quarters sailed a fortnight later
in H.M. Store-ship Abundance; and the remaining
companies were sent home as opportimities occurred.
The day before the Camel sailed from James Town,
Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe, Governor of St.
Helena, published a general order (dated 23rd May, 1821),
highly compUmentary to the 66th, from which we give
the following extracts : —
** The 66th regiment ^1 commence its embarkation
after muster to-morrow. The regiment being on the
point of departing, the Lieutenant-General Command-
ing desires to express his sense of the services they
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80 THE 66th begiment.
have performed during the time they have been under
his command. They have had the Jongest share of,
and for a considerable time the execution almost solely,
of the most important . part of the public duty. . .
The Lieutenant-General Commanding begs Lieutenant-
Colonel Nicol will himself accept, and convey to the
ofl&cers and men of the regiment, his best thanks for
the very correct and attentive manner in which the
duty was always performed by them. . . The 2nd
battalion of the 66th regiment having arrived here in
the first instance under command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Dodgin, and that ofl&cer having retained command of
the 2nd battalion when incorporated into one, for a
long period subsequently, the Lieutenant-General
desires that Colonel Nicol will assure him of the
high sense entertained of his services during the
above time. The Lieutenant-General Commanding
. desires Colonel Nicol will also express to Assistant-
Surgeon Henry the high sense entertained of his very
, meritorious services in this island."
The 66th arrived in England in August, 1821, and was
stationed at various towns until the end of July, 1822,
when it proceeded to Edinburgh; and one company,
under command of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Dimbar,
was sent to Stirling Castle, and had the honour of doing
duty to His Majesty George IV, during his sojourn in
Scotland.
On the 21st February, 1823 — ^the head-quarters being
then quartered at Sunderland — the following letter was
received by the commanding ofGicer and pubHshed in
orders: —
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BBIBABK FOB CANADA. 81
'* Horse Guards, 14th February, 1823.
"Sir,
**I have the honour to acquaint you, by the
direction of H.E.H. the Commander-in-Chief, that
his Majesty has been pleased to approve of the 66th
bearing on their colours and appointments, in addition
to any other badges or devices which may have here-
to-fore been granted to the regiment, the words —
*Talavera,* ' Albuhera,* * Vittoria,* 'Pyrenees,' *Nivelle,'
* Nive,' * Qrthes,* in commemoration of the distinguished
conduct of the late 2nd battaHon at the battle of
Talavera on the 27th and 28th July, 1809 ; at Albuhera
on the 16th May, 1811 ; at Vittoria on the 21st Jime,
1813; in the Pyrenees, in July, 1818; in the passage
of the Nive on the 9th, 10th, and 11th December,
1818 ; and at Qrthes on the 27th February, 1814.
** I have, &c.,
*^ (Signed) **Henby Torbens,
"Adjutant-General."
On the 24th March, 1823, the 66th sailed from Liverpool
for Ireland, and reached Dublin on the 26th. The 66th
was stationed in Ireland until the summer of 1827, when
it was again ordered on foreign service. On the 1st
June, 1827, the 1st Division of the 66th embarked at
the Cove of Cork on board the Arab transport, under
command of Major Baird, and sailed for Canada on the
10th. The/ head-quarters, under Colonel Nicol, sailed in
H.M.S. Borrmey on the 20th June. The two vessels
arrived at Quebec on the 21st July and the 18th August
respectively.
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Cj^aptjer 9.
1827-1865.— Services in Canada—The Papineau RebelKon— Affair of
St. Charles— Suppresedon of the KebeUion— The 66th return to
England^-Embark for Gibraltar — Sent to the West Indies —
Severe outbreak of Yellow Fever — Canada — ^Presentation of New
Colours at Quebec — Return to England and Embark for India-
Grenadier and Light Companies abolished — Service in India —
Embark for EngUmd — ^The Voyage Home.
Ij EOM August, 1827, to November, 1837, the
66th was stationed in different cities and
^15^ towns in the Dominion of Canada; and
'^^^ during the greater part of that long period
^^^ the regiment was cut up intp detachments.
In the aiitumn of 1837 the ''Papineau" rebellion
broke out at Montreal, and on the 25th November of
that year a detachment of the 66th, commanded by
Lieutenant Johnston, consisti^g of two subalterns and
sixty non-commissioned ofl&cers and privates, formed
part of a force under confunand of Colonel George
Augustus Wetherall, which attacked the rebels at St.
Charles. In this affair the 66th had one private (WiUiam
Atkins) killed, and four privates wounded; Lieutenant
Johnston was mentioned in General Orders for his
gallantry on this occasion.
During the winter of 1837-8 four companies of the regi-
ment were employed in active service on the river
Bichelieu.
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SERVICB IN CANADA. 83
In the spring of 1838 the insurgent leaders, Louert
and Matthews, were captured and hanged as traitors,
aind the rebellion was thought to be crushed; but* in
the following November there was a fresh rising in
Beauharnois, and the rebel forces concentrated at
Napiersville. After a few sharp skirmishes — ^in which
the 66th took some parfe — ^the insurgents laid down their
arms; and Sir John Golbome, in despatches dated
November 17th, 1838, informed the Home Government
that the insurrection was at an end.
In October, 1840, after thirteen-and-a-half years*
service in the Dominion; the 66th sailed for England
in the transports Samphire and Athol, and disembarked at
Gosport on the 3rd December.
From Gosport the regiment was moved to Portsmouth,
and from thence to Winchester, in which city it was
stationed until November, 1841.
On the 15th, 16th, and 17th November, the 66th left
Winchester for Manchester, where it remamed until the
spring of 1842, when it was ordered to Glasgow ; one
company proceeding on detachment to the Isle of Man.
On the 13th September, 1842, the "Berkshires"
furnished a guard of honour to Her Majesty at Falkirk.
This guard consisted of two companies under command
of Major W. L. Dames, who on completion of the duty
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
From Glasgow the 66th moved to Edinburgh, and
while stationed in Edinburgh Castle the old flint-locks
were given into store, and the new pattern percussion
muskets served out to the men.
In September, 1843, the 66th embarked for Ireland,
g2
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84 THE 66th begiment.
and the following complimentary order was issued by
Major-General Sir Neil Douglas, K.O.B*
<* Edinburgh, 12th September, 1843. Major-General
Sir Neil Douglas cannot allow th6 66th regiment to
leave the district under his command, without express-
ing his sense of the meritorious conduct of the corps,
which in discipline and every other soldier-like quality,
has earned his entire approbation. ... In parting
with this regiment, the Major-General feels that he
is parting with old friends ; and he requests that they
will accept his best and most sincere regard^ for their,
future welfare and prosperity."
After four years* home service, the regiment, under
conmiand of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, sailed from
the Cove of Cork in H.M.S. Besistance for Gibraltar,
and landing there on the 22nd of July, 1845, occupied
the South Barracks. About this period the Horse Guards
authorities issued orders that the Grenadiers of line
battalions should discontinue their bearskin caps.
The 66th remained at the "Eock" until the 25th of
January, 1848, when it embarked on board the freight
ship Herefordshire, and sailed for the West Indies.
The Herefordshire anchored in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
on the 22nd of February, and the dis-embarkation took
place next day. The Grenadier and D. Companies did
not land at Carhsle Bay, but were transhipped to the
Princess Royal for passage to Demerara, under command
of Captain Turner.
The following garrison order was issued by General
Sir Eobert Wilson, K.C.B., on the departure of the 66th
from Gibraltar.
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EPIDEMIC OP YELLOW FEVER. 86
** Gibraltar, January 24tli, 1848. The 66th regiment
being under orders to embark for Barbadoes to-morrow
morning at eight o'clock, the General Commanding has
much satisfaction in being enabled to put on the
records of the garrison, his fullest commendation of
this corps for its progressive military efl&ciency,
attentive execution of its duties, zealous labour at the
public works, and general propriety of conduct,
which he feels confident will be maintained."
Extract from garrison orders, Gibraltar, January 25th,
1848:—
"Her Majesty's 66th re^ment embarked this
morning in the presence of the General Commanding,
and his Excellency has the further satisfaction to
notice the exemplary appearance of the corps under
arms on this occasion ; there could not be altogether a
more creditable and soldier-like parade."
Shortly after the arrival of the 66th in the Island of
Barbadoes a severe epidemic of yellow fever broke out,
and the regiment suffered terribly.
In September, October, November, and December,
1848, six ofl&cers and fifty non-comnlissioned officers and
men became victims of that fearful malady. The names
of the officers were : — Lieutenant H. K. Holms,
September 11th; Lieutenant W. E. Pyne, October 26th;
and Captain F. W. Astley, November 13th. Paymaster
K. T. Boss, Lieutenant and Adjutant J. H. Boss, Mrs.
and Miss Boss (father, son, mother, and daughter) died
respectively on November 24th, 25th, and 27th. Quarter-
master Matthew Biley died on the 17th December; a
few days before his death he was gazetted Adjutant,
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86 THE 66th begihent.
vice Lieutenant Boss, but he did not live to hear of his
promotion.
During the remainder of their services in Barbadoes
the 66th lost two more ofl&cers (Captains Turner and
Birch) and thirty-six non-commissioned officers and men
by yellow fever.
On the 12th of July, 1860, Lieutenant-Colonel J. H.
Grubbe assumed command of the regiment, having
exchanged from the reserve battalion 76th Foot, with
Colonel Johnston.
On the 26th of May, 1851, the 66th sailed for Canada
in the Jcma freight ship, and on landing at Quebec (June
24th) occupied the Jesuit Barracks.
New colours were issued to the regiment in July, 1861,
and handed over on parade by Lieutenant-Colonel
Grubbe, without the usual ceremony of consecration
being performed; the old colours were sent home to the
depdt at Guernsey.
The 66th remained in Canada until September, 1864,
when it embarked for England, and landed at Portsmouth
on the 24th October. From Portsmouth the regiment
proceeded to Preston, Lancashire, where the dep6t com-
panies, under Captain Benson, had already arrived. On
the 1st November, two new companies (**K" and **M**)
were added to the strength of the regiment.
On the 23rd November, 1854, the service companies,
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Grubbe,
left Preston, were billeted one night at Beading, arrived
at Southampton on the 24th, and there embarked
for Gibraltar on board the steamer Tamar. A four-com-
pany dep6t was left at Preston, under command of Brevet
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GBENADIEB AND LIGHT OOMPANIBS ABOLISHED. 87
lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Gordon, Bart. The
66tli landed at Gibraltar on the 30th November.
On the 9th January, 1855, Colonel Grubbe retired on
half-pay, and Sir William Gordon succeeded him in
command of the regiment. In June of the same year
Gordon exchanged to the 3rd West India Regiment with
Lieutenant-Colonel Law. The 66th was stationed at
Gibraltar until June, 1856, when it returned to England,
and went into quarters in Plymouth Citadel. In March,
1857, the regiment was moved to the North Camp
Aldershot, and there remained until the following
August, when it proceeded to Portsmouth and embarked
(August 29th) on board the s.s. Qioeen of the South, for
passage to India, Colonel C. E. Law being in command.
After a voyage of one hundred and six days' duration,
the regiment arrived at Cananore on the 13th December,
1857, and went into quarters in the European Barracks.
On the 26th January, 1858, an order was issued that the
flank companies should no longer bear the designations
** Grenadiers" and "Light," and that in future the com-
panies of all line battalions should be ''numbered"
instead of "lettered." This order created universal
dissatisfaction throughout the service, for the "Flankers"
had always been couQidered the smartest men of a regi-
ment, and highly prized their distinctions, titles, and
appointments.
The 66th remained at Cananore until the commence-
ment of the year 1863. While at that station it was
repeatedly praised by the Brigadier commanding the
provinces of Malabar and Canara, at the half-yearly
inspections, and gained the enviable reputation of being
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88 THE 66th begiment.
a smart, well-disciplined, well-educated corps. From
Cananore the regiment moved to Bangalore, where it
was stationed for two years.
On the 7th March, 1865, the head-quarters and right
wing of the 66th, left Bangalore for Madras, and there
embarked in the Tybv/mia for passage to England;
Lieutenant-Colonel Benson was in command. The
Tybunvia sailed round the Cape, and touched at St.
Helena on the 6th May, the anniversary of Bonaparte's
death ; the ofl&cers of the regiment visited the tomb to
which the remains of the great warrior had been borne
forty-four years before by the Grenadiers of the 66th.
The left wing of the regiment, under Major C. W.
Aylmer, sailed from Madras on the 11th March, 1865,
in the ship Merchantman* The Tybumia anchored off
Falmouth on the 24:th June, and the right wing went
into quarters in the Citadel, Plymouth ; the Merchantman
arrived four days later, and the left wing occupied the
Baglan Barracks at Devonport.
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Cj^aijft^r 10-
1870-1879.— Embark for India — Presentation of New Ooloure by Lord
Northbrook — Old Colours deposited in St. Mary's Church,
treading — Camp of Exercise at Chinchured — Movements of the
Depdt up to January, 1878.
i Pl^J "^"^ ^^*^ remained at home until the spring
^W^^ of 1870, and was stationed at Plymouth,
^(?jlt!^ Aldershot, the Channel Islands, and in
^^^ Ireland. On the 17th February, 1870,
*nr the left wing, under command of Major
Galbraith, embarked in the troop-ship Serapis, and sailed
for India. Oil the 24:th February, the headquarters and
right wing, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel George
Vinpent Watson, left the Curragh Camp for Queenstown,
and there embarked in the troop-ship Crocodile.
A dep6t, commanded by Captain J. T. Eeady, was
formed, proceeded to Portsmouth, and was attached to
the 66th regiment.
On arrival in India, the 66th was stationed at Kurraohee,
in the Sind district. On the 11th November, 1872, the
regiment paraded at Kurrachee for the presentation of
mew colours by H.E. the Eight Honorable Lord North-
brook, Governor-General of India. His excellency was
received with a royal salute, and the old colours having
been **jtrooped/* the new colours were first consecrated,
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90 THE 66th regiment.
and then handed over to the regiment by the Viceroy,
who addressed the officers and men as follows :~
** Colonel Watson, officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men of the 66th Berkshire regiment ; there is no
duty that I could be called upon to perform, as the
representative of her most gracious Majesty the Queen,
which affords me greater honour or greater pleasure than
this which I have to perform to-day, that of presenting
you with new colours.
"From your regimental records I find that the
regiment has been embodied more than a hundred
years, and that during that time it has seen a greater
proportion of foreign service, in all quarters of the
globe, than has fallen to the lot of the majority of the
regiments in the British army.
*' We first find it on service in the West Indies, and,
on its return home after being divided into two
battalions, the 2nd battalion took a most distinguished
part in the glorious operations in the Peninsula, during
the years 1809 to 1814. It was prominent for its
gallantry at the passage of the Douro ; at Albuhera,
which was one of the most fiercely contested battles
in the Peninsula, it suffered the great loss of 17 officers
and 310 rank and file, killed, wounded, and missing ;
and at Talavera it also lost heavily. In the year 1813
it was engaged and distinguished itself at the battle
of Yittoria, in the passes of the Boncesvalles, at
Nivelle, Nive, and Orthes ; and the proud distinctions
you carry on your colours commemorate your achieve-
ments on those great historic events. The 1st
battalion also distinguished itself in this country.
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LOBD NOBTHBBOOK'S SPEECH. 91
taking a prominent part in the successful expedition
against Nepaul.
"It is not alone on the field of battle that regiments
of the British army suffer severe losses. There are
times when a regiment is obliged for the public service
to be quartered in deadly climates, and where ofl&cers
and men are liable to be struck down by the fell hand
of disease. Your regiment has upon two occasions
suffered severely from this cause, and so long ago a&
the end of the last century, when, at St. Domingo, no
less than 15 officers and 600 men died from the effecta
of the unhealthy climate in the short space of twelve
months ; and again, in later times, in the year 1848, at
Barbadoes, the regiment sustained severe loss from
fever.
**I am exceed,ingly glad to hear from Colonel
Watson, that the regiment has, during the whole of
its service, been distinguished for its good conduct and
discipline. The steadiness and efficiency of the
regiment have merited the approval of General
Addisoiv in the reports I have seen, and it has also
on several occasions been favourably noticed by
H.E.H. the Field-Marshal Oommanding-in-Ohief.
These maorks of approval are most creditable to the
regiment, as discipline and good conduct are especially
necessary in a country like India, where it^is the duty
of every Englishman by his example and good
behaviour to produce a favourable impression on. the
minds of the natives, and so gain respect and honour
for the British name. It is, I say, a great pubhc
advantage that a distinguished regiment, such as yours^
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92 THE 66th begiment.
should gain the approval of the superior authorities ;
and it must be great satisfaction to Cblonel Watson,
who so worthily conunands the regiment, and who alone
of the officers was present on the last occasion when
colours were given, to find that his exertions of many
years have their reward.
" Colonel Watson, officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men, this opportunity of bringing back to your
recollection the stirring events of past years should
not be thrown away and leave no trace behind. The
officers and men of this regiment, who died in war and
from disease in the service of their country, lie in their
quiet graves in distant parts of the world, but their
memories remain with you, and such is the admirable
constitution of the regimental system of the British
army, that the youngest recruit' can take a pride in
the glorious victories of his regiment in past times;
but while he feels that pride he also has a duty to
perform, and there is not a man in the regiment, who
cannot by self-sacrifice and prompt obedience to
command — ^which is the root of all discipline, and
which distinguishes the British army — help to main-
tain the honour of the corps to which he belongs.
'* By the blessing of God, peace prevails throughout
the British Empire, and in the domains of her Majesty
in this country, not a breath of war or disturbance
even to this remote portion whose bounds I see before
me. But I am sure of this, that should the Queen
Tequire the services of the 66th — as expressed in that
beautiful prayer which you have just heard, that 'for
just and righteous hands to , defend the right ancL
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OLD COLOUBS DEPOSITED IN ST. MAET S CHURCH. 93
punish the wrong-doer' — the colours which, as her
Majesty's representative, I have now presented to
you, will be borne in the front of victory. I am satisfied
that they could not be confided to more loyal hearts
or braver arms than those of the 66th Berkshire
Eegiment."
Colonel Watson replied in suitable terms, and the
ceremony terminated. The old colours were retained in
the regimental recreation room, but were subsequently
sent home to the dep6t, and on the 27th February, 1877,
were deposited in the church of St. Mary, Beading. On
this .occasion the time-honoured flags were escorted by a
party of ofi&cers and nien of the 66th depot, and the
band of the Eoyal Berks Militia, and a strong guard of
honour of the Berkshire Volunteers took part in the
ceremony of handing them over to the Vicar and Church-
wardens of St. Mary.
The 66th left Kurrachee in November, 1873, and
joined the camp of exercise at Chinchured. The
mancBuvres commenced on the 8th December, and
terminated on the 23rd, when the camp was broken up.
The 66th was especially noticed by the Commander-in-
Chief and his personal staff for its excellent drilling
and general appearance during the mancBuvres.
On the 29th December, 1873, the 66th commenced its
march to Belgaum, where it arrived on the 22nd January,
1874. In July, 1875, Colonel Watson exchanged to the
24:th Foot with Colonel F. d'Epinay Barclay. From
Belgaum the regiment moved to Poonah (February,
1876) and took up its quarters at the Ghoorpoorie
Barracks.
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94 THE 66th begiment.
In March, 1876, Captain Murphy, 66th Foot, was
appointed Adjutant of the Eoyal Berks Militia, and
Captain John Quarry (late Ceylon Eifles) was transferred
to the regiment from the 28th Foot, vice Murphy.
The headquarters of the 66th moved to Ahmednuggar
in November, 1876, and the left half-battalion under
Major Galbraith was ordered to Bombay. The head-
quarters, under Lieutenant-Colonel d'Epinay Barclay^
proceeded to Bombay in January, 1878. On the
8th December, 1878, the companies at Bombay were
inspected by lieutenant-General Warre, C.B. (Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army) who expressed
his satisfaction and congratulated the 66th on its chance
of active service in Afghanistan. On the 7th of
December lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith, with four
companies, embarked in the ship Scotland for Eurrachee,
to relieve the 83rd, ordered on service.
Movements op the Dep6t 66th Foot, fbom
Febbuabt, 1870, TO Januabt, 1878.
On the 26th February, 1870, embarked from Ports,
mouth under Captai,n J. T. Eeady. Moved from
Portsmouth to Winchester, and from thence to Aldershot
in May and June, 1870; returned to Winchester in
September, 1871. From the first of July, 1874, to the
28th of February, 1875, the depdt companies were
attached to the 1st battalion 23rd Fusiliers. On the
1st of March, 1875, the depdt left Aldershot for Parkhurst,
and was attached to the 49th, Princess Charlotte of
Wales* (Hertfordshire) regiment, with which corps the
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MOVEMENTS OF THE DEPdT. 95
66th had been afiUiated, under Mr. Gardwell's ** linked
battahoa" system, 1876 — The Lords Gommissioiiers of
H.M. Treasury awarded a sum of £10 to Private James
Drury, 66th regiment, in recognition of his exemplary
conduct at a fire which occurred at the Boyal Victoria
Hospital, Netley, on the 9th of April, 1876.
On the 25th of January, 1878, the dep6ts of the 4:9th
and 66th regiments proceeded to Beading and oQCupied
the new bajracks built for the "41st Brigade Depot."
l^m^
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n 11 •
1879-1880. — ^Arrival at Kurrachee — Inspected by Brigadier Brice —
Death of Lieutenant Smallpiece — Colonel Barclay's Farewell
Order — Colonel Galbraith succeeds to the Command of the
66th — Ordered to Afghanistan on Active Service — Movements
of Detachments— Ayoub Khan's Advance — Mutiny of the
Wall's troops — Girishk — Return to Kushki Nakud.
^N New Year's Day, 1879, the 66th regiment
arrived at Kurrachee, and three companies
(D, F, and G) under command of Captain
John Quarry proceeded by train to Hydrabad.
The regiment was inspected by Brigadier-
General Brice, commanding the Sind District
on the 11th and 12th, and that ofi&cer expressed his
satisfaction in the following: —
"Colonel Barclay, I have just completed a very
minute inspection of ^your regiment, and the result is
most satisfactory, and bears out what I have always
heard of the high character of the 66th. On parade the
men were both steady under arms, and well turned
out; especially, when it is taken into consideration,
that the equipment is new, and the straps not yet set.
In the barracks everything was very clean, and the
kits exceptionally good and well laid out. The
conduct of the regiment has been very good. . . •
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COLONEL bakclat's fabewell oedbr. 97
I trust, G6th, that you will continue your present good
behaviour, and thus sustain the high character I have
always heard of you/'
On the 29th April, the instructor of musketry,
Lieutenant H. H. Smallpiece, died, and his death was
thus announced in Eegimental Orders : —
" It is with deep regret that the Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding has to notify the death of Lieutenant
H. H. Smallpiece, the instructor-of-musketry to the
battalion; and he feels sure that his loss will be
sincerely felt by all with whom he has served, during
the thirteen years he has been in the 66th: six of
which have been in the capacity of musketry-instructor.
The Lieutenant-Colonel cannot olnit this occasion of
recording his high sense of the zealous manner in
which Lieutenant Smallpiece performed his duties;
and fully appreciates the good results of his services
to the regiment during his tenure of ofi&ce on the
regimental staff."
Lieutenant-Colonel T. 0. D. B. Barclay left Kurrachee
en route to England on the 10th November, 1879, on
completion of his five years' command. The following
address was published in Regimental Orders, by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Barclay on his quitting the battalion: —
'* In relinquishing the command of the battalion, the
Lieutenant-Colonel wishes to thank all the officers for
, the ready support he has at all times received from
them, and to place on record his opinion as to the
manner in which all ranks have performed their
^ respective duties. He especially thanks the Adjutant
(Captain Roberts) for the pains he has taken with the
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98 THE 66th begiment.
general insfcruction of the non-commissioned ofl&cers,
particularly the younger ones; and he has kept this
most essential branch of the battalion in a very
efficient state. His thanks are due to Quartermaster
Jones for his unremitting attention to the dutiies of
that important branch of the regimental staff; also
to the officiating Paymaster (Major Eeady) for the
satisfactory manner in which he has conducted the
duties of that office. Amongst the non-commissioned
officers, he desires to record the very high opinion he
holds of Sergeant-Major Guppage and Quartermaster-
Sergeant Hollyer,* both young non-commissioned
officers of about eleven years* service, and who have
gained their high positions through deserving good
conduct and a thorough knowledge of their respective
duties. The Lieutenant-Colonel sincerely wishes
further, promotion may be awaiting them. The
general conduct of the battalion affords him the
greatest satisfaction, and he feels sure that the 66th
Berkshire regiment will ever maintain that high state
of discipline he found it on joining four years ago, and
in which he believes he now leaves it."
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. Galbraith assumed com-
mand of the regiment on the 16th of November, 1879.
The regiment was placed under orders for service in
South Afghanistan, and proceeded to Sibi en route to
Kandahar, as follows: — ^The' detachment from Hydrabad
(consisting of 15 officers, 12 sergeants, 12 corporals, 3
drummers, and 219 privates) under the command of Major
* Now Lieutenant Hollyer ; QoartermaBter 3rd (Militia) Battalion
Koyal Berks.
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SENT TO EANDAHAB. 99
C. F. Oliver, left that station on the 9th February, 1880,
by rail, arriving at Sibi on the 11th February, to await
the arrival of the head-quarters. The head-quarters,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Galbraith
(consisting of 15 ofl&cers, 26 sergeants, 21 corporals, 9
drummers, 388 privates) left Kurrachee by rail on the
10th, arriving at Sibi on the morning of the 13th
February, 1880. The regiment (with the exception of
the D company) under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel J. Galbraith, marched from Sibi, en route to
Kandahar, via Quetta, arriving at its destination on the
25th of March, 1880.
D company, which was left as an escort for C-2 Boyal
Artillery, was subsequently selected for the sole charge
from Sibi of a battery of smooth-bore guns, a present
from the Government of India to Sirdar Shere Ali Khan,
Governor of Kandahar. The guns having been con-
ducted over the Kojak Pass without mishap were handed
over to Sirdar Shere Ali Khan's men at Chaman. For
this service Captain Mac Math and his company received
by telegrajn the thanks of Lieutenant-General Sir Donald
Stewart, commanding Kandahar field forces.
The Lidian depot, consisting of the women and children
and sickly men, under the command of Lieutenant A. J.
Price (instructor-of-musketry) was located at Kurrachee
on the departure of the head-quarters.
A detachment, consisting of G and H companies,
under the command of Captain J. Quarry, was sent to
the citadel of Kandahar on the 29th March, 1880. A
detachment, consisting of A and E companies, under
the command of Captain McKinnon, left Kandahar, en
h2
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100 THE 66th -REGIMENT.
route for Khelat-i-Ghilzai on the 6th April in relief of two
companies of the 59th Foot. A draft arrived at Kurrachee
on the 15th February, 1880, from England, and left on
the 2nd March, en route to Kandahar, to join the service
companies arriving at the latter station — one detach-
ment on the 7th, the other on the 10th April, 1880.
Early in July, 1880, Wali Shere Ali — who was encamped
at Girishk — reported that Sirdar Mahomed Ayoub Khan,
Governor of Herat, was marching on Kandahar at the
head of a powerful army. In consequence of this report
Brigadier-General Burrowes was ordered to proceed at
once to Girishk to check Ayoub's advance, and accord-
ingly he left Kandahar on the 5th July, with the 2nd
infantry brigade, two regiments of native cavalry, and
a battery of horse-artillery. The head-quarters and
B, C, D, F, G and H, companies of the 66th, under
conmiand of lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith, formed part
of Burrowes' force.
Burrowes marched as far as Kokeran on the 5th,
where he found supplies scarce, but excellent water.
At 6 a.m. on the following day, tents were struck, and
the column pushed on towards the Argandab Biver, and
halted at Ashoulkhan, where there was an abundance of
fruit and water. Atta Karez was the next halting place,
and on the 8th the column encamped at Kushki Nakud.
From thence it proceeded to Mez Karez (a deserted
town) and on the 10th arrived at the Helmund near to
Girishk, which was on the opposite side of that river.
The Helmund is some thirty leagues from Kandahar.
On the 14:th, Burrowes received intelligence that the
Wah's troops had mutinied, whereupon he marched-
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AFFAIB AT GIBISHE. 101
against them with five companies of the 66th, three
companies 80th native infantry, 400 eavabry, and the
horse-artillery ; the remainder of the column he left to
guard the cajnp.
The mutineers numbered between four and five thousand
men and had with them the smooth-bore battery, which
the Indian Government had presented to the Wall,
Towards 10 a.m. they opened fire on Burrowes' force,
but the horse-artillery returned the fire with jsuch good
effect that in about an hour's time the mutineers had had
enough of it, and retired from their position, leaving two
guns behind them.
^he cavalry and infantry pursued them, and after
killing a considerable mmaber, took the other four guns.
Burrowes returned tp his camp about 4 p.m., with
the captured guns escorted by a party of the 66th. In
this affair the regiment had four men wounded.
On the 16th July, in consequence of the scarcity of
supplies in the vicinity of the Helmund, Burrowes
returned to Kushki Nakud, where he encamped on the
18th. Here a telegram was received from his Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief thanking the troops for their
gallant behaviouit and the capture of the Wali's guns.
On the 20th one of the men wounded at Girishk died.
On the 21st the column went into laager at Kushki
Nakud, where there was an enclosure in which the
field-hospital and commissariat stores were placed.
At Kushki Nakud Burrowes* force was strengthened
by a troop of the 3rd Sind horse ; and at the same time
horses were provided for the captured battery, which
was then manned by a detachment of the 66th.
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Cj^aphr 12,
MAIWAND — Lieutenant O'Donnel'd Account of the Action — Extracts
from Notes by Major Ready, Commanding the Baggage-guard —
List of Officers, N.C. Officers and Privates who were killed —
General Primrose*s Letter to the Commander-in-Chief in India.
^N the 27th of July, the brigade marched to
Maiwand, where it attacked the force of
Ayoub Khan, which numbered about 25,000
men. The following accountof this celebrated
action is taken from a letter written by Lieu-
tenant O'Donnell, 66th regiment : —
"The first whispers of the disaster reached us at
Eelat on the 2nd of August. It was a native rumour,
and spoke of annihilation, giving circumstantial details.
Ayoub was also said to have detached a force to operate
against us. Though scarcely able to credit the terrible
news of the disaster, we made every preparation for
defence, and sent out strong foraging parties through
the neighbouring country.
" But our scepticism of the news was strengthened
by finding the people more than usually quiet and
willing to sell their grain. So passed ten days of doubt
and anxiety ; our belief that something must be wrong
being gradually established by the absence of all news
from Kandahar, to which we had despatched several
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COMPOSITION OF BUBROWJj'S COLUMN. 103
messengers. At last on the 12th, one of them returned
with letters, and we learned the whole sad truth, so
far as our losses were concerned. I feel pretty clear
now as to how the whole thing happened ; so I may
as well tell you of it here.
'*0n the 26th of July, Colonel St. John informed
General Burrowes, who was encamped with his force
at Kushk-i-Nakud, that a Ghazi advanced-guard of
Ayoub's army had got to Maiwand, some ten miles to
the north. The next morning Burrowes marched off
his force, with bands playing, and everyone rejoiced
at the thought of having to turn the Ghazis out of the
Maiwand Fort. He had an effective fighting force,
numbering about as follows: — ^E-B. Boyal Horse
Artillery, 6 guns, about 150 men; 6 smooth-bores,
taken from the Wall's mutineers, supplied with horses
and drivers by the E-B., and worked by trained men
of the 66th ; 6 companies of the 66th regitnent, about
490 men; 1st Bombay Grenadiers N.I., about 550
men; 30th Bombay NJ. (Jacob's Eifles) about 550;
Sid Bombay Light Cavalry, about 300 sabres; 3rd
Sind Horse, minus one squadron about 200 sabres;
total 1,600 infantry, 500 cavalry, and 12 guns. This
included men in hospital, about 3 per cent.
"This force, when nearing the village of Maiwand,
about ten a.m., came upon — ^not a few hundred Ghazis,
but — the whole of Ayoub*s a/rmy, also on the march, and
stretching for miles across the plain — Ahorse and foot —
as far as eye could reach. The bands stopped playing,
and the General formed line of battle, having, I believe
orders to stop Ayoub at all hazards.
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104 THE 66th begiment.
**The fight began by two guns of the B brigade,
under McLaine, dashing away to the left front and
opening fire on Ayoub's people. Burrowes then
advanced, leaving behind, unreconnoitered, a village
with gardens, in front of which ran a deep nullah or
water course, an admirable defensive position.
" Advancing a few hundred yards into the open, but
undulating, plain, he halted about 150 yards in rear of
another nullah, and prepared for action. Holding in
support — and that only for a short time — two com-
panies of Jacob's Bifies, he formed the remainder of his
infantry into one solitary two-deep line, with the guns
at intervals, five companies of the 66th on the right,
then the Jacob's Bifles, and the Ist Grenadiers on the
left. Quarry's company (G) was on baggage-guard;
the cavalry was massed in columns in rear of the left,
in a perfectly exposed position. The baggage was
hidden from fire as much as possible in the deep nullah
which had been left behind. Ayoub kept the mass of
his force concealed from view behind some rising
ground, while his cavalry, spreading out in clouds on
both flanks, began gradually to over-lap our line. For
half-an-hour the fire from our artillery was not replied
to ; then all at once, from five different points, thirty-
six guns — six pf them breech-loading Armstrong's —
opened upon our line, and never ceased firing till the
end of the battle. Our men were lying down, the
marksmen being out a few paces to the front trying to
pick off the enemy's gunners. Our guns meanwhilQ
blazed away as fast as they could, but with only
twelve against thirty-six it was an unequal fight.
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ADVANCE OP THE GHAZIS. 105
This kind of work lasted till about one o'clock.
" In the meantime, no sooner had our people become
engaged than it became evident that the village, which
had been left in the rear of our right, was occupied by
hostile villagers who opened fire against the back of
our line, and Quarry had to detach half his company
to act against them. This half -company was engaged
in and near the gardens the greater part of the day ;
with the other half-company Quarry guarded the
baggage against the enemy's cavalry, who hung in
heavy clouds about our left flank, but contented
themselves with threatening.
** All this time our cavalry was sitting idle under a
heavy artillery fire, which was knocking over some
men and many horses. In fact they were given over
to the enemy to be pounded into demoralization.
" Our artillery horses were also suffering severely,
but in the infantry line very few casualties had
occurred. It was not till half-past six o'clock that
Ayoub made any move with his infantry. Then there
was a great advance along the whole line; swarms of
the white-coated Ghazis came on, followed by the
regular regiments in red and blue, and to meet them
the whole of our infantry was allowed to open fire.
The 66th took to firing volleys by companies. McMath's
company (D) was moved by him to a short distance in
front of the line, where a fold of the ground gave
good cover.
** Among the Ghazis nearly every man seemed to be
carrying a standard of some description. At the begin-
ning of their advance, they made no rushes, but came
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106 THE 66th begiment.
quietly on a few paces at a time, then halting they
would plant their flags in the ground, fire, and again
move on ; but when they got nearer, and the volleys
began to tell upon them, the slaughter was terrific ; in
some places they would be seen to fall three deep, and
always as they went down, those behind would quietly
step over them and come on with their gleaming knives.
All along our line a tremendous fire was kept up.
"The men soon ran through their seventy rounds,
and were working away on their reserve ammunition.
The smooth-bore battery fired every round ; retired,
replenished, and came into action again.
'* McMath was voiceless from shouting the word of
command, so he stood apart from his company and
raised his sword as a signal when the volley was to be
delivered.
** One of Ayoub's regular regiments came up on the
left, and exchanged volleys at a few hundred yards
with the 1st Grenadiers, who sustained a roaring fire
all the time. An attempt of the Ghazis to encircle
our right was met by throwing back B and C companies,
which, under Cullen and Eoberts, fijred some beautiful
volleys; and two guns which the enemy rolled up to
within a hundred-and-fiifty yards, to ply the 66th with
grape, had several successive gun-detachments swept
away by D company. So great was the effect of the
fire in front of the line, that at last it seemed as if all
the assailants had been cleared off the face of the earth ;
and Major Blackwood, of the artillery, exclaimed to
Peirse, who commanded our left company, *By Jove !
they are all gone.' But they had not.' Sending the
/
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THE BEaiNNINa OF T?HB END. 107
fire in front of the line too intense to advance straight
up against it, the great mass of the Ghazis/ some of
them carried up in rear of the horsemen, had incKned
to the right and left, and entering the nullah, which
crossed the ground in front of our line, spread them-
selves along it,' and concentrated under cover for a
rush at our centre.
** Up to that time, (except Surgeon-Major Preston,
who was wounded while tending the first man hit among
the 66th,) not an officer had been touched. But when
the enemy emerged from the nuUah, the only European
officer with the two companies of Jacob's Eifles,
between the guns and Peirse's company, was shot
down. Then came the crash. As the Ghazis rushed on
they were still met by the same steady volleys from our
men — still by the heavy fire of the Grenadiers, and by
case from the artillery. But Jacob's Bifles wavered,
and when the enemy were within fifty yards the two
companies broke and ran, not straight back, but
behind the 66th — who were still standing firm — as if
seeking for safety there.
** Bushing wildly along our line and carrying con-
fusion everywhere, they came full against the rear
of Cullen's company, which was thrown back and
broke its formation to pieces.
"Into the gap they had left, the Ghazis rushed and
captured the two guns before they could retire, only a
few of the gunners cutting their way out. The Ghazis
were then all round the line, both in front and rear,
and the remainder of the native infantry, aiter
attempting to form square, gave way and fell back in
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108 THE 66th bbgimbnt.
disorder. But the rear rank of F and H companies,
66tK, were turned about by word of command, and
kept up the fire on both sides; and in the other
companies many of the men did th$ same of their
own accord.
**Then from somewhere or other the *Eetire* was
sounded, but even after that, there is evidence that a
portion at least of the regiment made a move, not
away from but towards the. enemy.
" However, the Colonel ordered those about him to
retire to the gardens, and soon the whole regiment
followed, ir^ confusion of course, and still mixed up
with the Jacob's Eifles. The smooth-bore battery,
again out of ammunition, had retired just before the
line broke; and the four remaining guns of E-B. fell
back past the gardens, in rear of Quarry's baggage
guard.
''There remained the cavalry. At the moment of
the smash Burrowes ordered Nuttall, the cavalry
Brigadier, to charge across the front, but (as I believe
Burrowes put in his despatch) General Nuttall foimd
himseK unable to comply with this order, the fact
being that the men could not be got to obey. Without
a blow, the 500 sabres retired rapidly through Quarry's
extended line. As the infantry made for the gardens
the enemy followed them close, some of the Ghazis
pressing round the flank, and reaching the enclosures
even before our troops. Then the heavy losses began.
The native infantry had become an unresisting mass :
even the 1st Grenadiers who, before the panic spread,
had fought so well. Among the Ghazis pressing on
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CKOSSINCJ THE NULLAH. 109
their heels one would sometimes be seen to stretch
out his arm, and drag a grenadier from the ranks, then
with one hand he would knock off the man's turban,
and with the other cut him down. The same game,
when tried on with our 66th men, was a signal failure,
and in the retreat to the gardens the enemy kept at such
a respectful distance that our fellows had no need to
use their bayonets. As each man retired he would be
busy inserting a cartridge in his rifle, and then he
would turn round, fire, and continue the retirement.
**The confusion was great from the commencement,
but when the retreating line reached the deep nullah,
a considerable obstacle at the best of times, it became
a regular chaos.
"Into it they all tumbled pell-mell, and such was
the rush that McMath's colour-sergeant fell upon his
own sword and was killed ; of the oflScers many were
wounded before reaching the gardens; Garrett was
shot through the legs, and after trying in vain to
struggle on fell down. McMath was wounded in the
hand just before the line gave way, and shortly after
he was seen on his horse slowly retiring with his
company, his right arm shattered and hanging by a
shred of desh, but after that he must have been hit
again, for he never reached the gardens, though his
horse came into Kandahar.
**The Colonel was aJso wounded when he reached
the gardens, and poor Bayner, our Adjutant, had his
shoulder shattered. Honeywood, Olivey, Barr, and
Lynch all entered the gardens unwounded, and so I
believe did Boberts, but I am not sure about that.
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110 THE 66th BEaiMENT.
Cullen was shot dead at an early period of the retire-
ment. Of four youngsters who joined us at Kandahar,
only the other day, only one came out of the battle.
* * At the beginning of the fight the colours were carried
by OHvey and Honeywood, both of whom clung to
them after they were wounded;, OKvey, it is said,
angrily refusing to give them up. Honeywood, badly
hurt in the legs and unable to stand, was holding his
colour up high, and calHng on the men to rally round
it, when the death-shot struck him. Barr and Sergeant-
Major Cuppage, who took them next, were killed almost
at once ; and the Colonel when last seen, was on his
knees, clinging to one. It soon became evident that
the attempt to stand in the garden was hopeless. The
General could do nothing without his staff, and Heath,
his Brigade-Major, had had his head taken off with a
round shot, and Harris, of our regiment, Deputy-
Assistant-Quarter-Master-General, was wounded. In
our regiment, of eighteen ofl&cers who went into action,
eleven were killed or wounded either before, or shortly
after, entering the gardens.
** Of the remainder, Eeady was Field Officer of the
day, and had charge of the baggage of the brigade;
Quarry and Bray were with the baggage of the
regiment; MelKss and the regular transport officer
were also with the baggage. Peirse got a bullet
through his helmet, which partially stunned him, and
when he recovered he was sent to the back of the
gardens by Colonel Mainwaring, of Jacob's Eifles, to
prevent any men leaving it. Faunce had retired with
the smooth-bore battery, whose left division he corn-
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THE FIGHT IN THE GABDENS. Ill
manded, so of all our ofl&cers only two were left unhurt
with the men in the gardens. The native infantry
regiments had lost nearly as many in proportion to
their numbers. Broken up, and scattered, and crowded
upon by the panic-stricken Sepoys, the 66th continued
to fight in knots and groups. Many who tried to rally
to the colours were carried away by the stream of
fugitives — *in the lost battle borne down by the flying.'
So utterly cowed were the men of Jacob's Eifles that
when Peirse, standings with his cocked revolver at
the rear entrance of one of the gardens, forbade
them to leave it, they crouched down by the back wall,
until they were killed like a flock of unresisting sheep.
At last the General saw it was of no use, so he ordered
the 'retire' to be sounded, and told the men to make
the best of their way to Kandahar, some five-and-forty
miles away." Then most of the men that could extricate
themselves withdrew from the garden, though some
would not retire, and stood to the last where the
colours, or some disabled ofGicer, offered a point of
attraction. Many a V.C. was gained that day by
those who are beyond the reach of all reward !
**0f all the 66th ofiicers who entered the geirden,
only OHvey,. Eoberts, Peirse, Lynch, and Lonergan
left it. Eoberts, who was mortally wounded, was
carried off on the general's horse — his tliird — two
having been killed under him.
"Lynch was also wounded, though able to walk. As
the men came out of the enclosures, they were at one
point pressed rafcher closely by some of the enemy's
cavalry ; but a few of our fellows, chiefly belonging to
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112 THE 66th} eegiment.
ray old company F, rushed at the horsemen with the
bayonet and drove them off. The enemy's infantry
and Ghazis did not press the retreat far beyond the
gardens. In the meantime Quarry's company was
successfully guarding the baggage against the enemy's
cavalry, though our own squadrons in retreating had
thrown the camels into confusion, and nearly ridden
over some of his men; but soon the camel drivers
took to their . heels, and the animals scattered
hopelessly. Quarry, abandoning the hopeless attempt
to guard the baggage, then betook himself to the task
of covering the guns, already well started on the line
of retreat. Falling back slowly, but steadily, he
crossed the fatal nullah in good order, and, from
behind it, deHveted some telling volleys. The enemy's
cavalry were hovering all round him, but his men's
steady shooting kept them at a respectful distance;
and so fighting for every yard of ground, and preserving
something of the nature of a well ordered rear-guard,
G company of the 66th regiment, the last remnant of
Burrowes' brigade, left the battle-field of Maiwand.
"It was now past four o'clock; the prospect of
plunder offered by the baggage, stopped anything like
a vigorous pursuit on the part of the enemy, otherwise
not a man — not an infantry man at any rate — would
have got into Kandahar. Still, the retreat was terrible
business, though not so disastrous as some of the
telegrams reported. Of the 276 killed and missing in
our own regiment, only about 20 men were~lost in the
line of retreat, and some of those were killed by
villagers, who turned out in arms all along the road. No
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THE BETBEAT TO EANDAHAB. 113
attempt was made by the General to rally the scattered
brigade and get them into something like formation ; but
the remnant of our own regiment was moved in two
collected bodies, one going ahead with Beady and Peirse,
and the other, under Quarry, bringing up the rear.
" No food or drink had passed the men's lips since
they left camp in the early morning, and the road was
known to be waterless for the first twenty miles ; and
when at last they came to the spot where they expected
water the spring was dried up.
"No attempt was made to 'turn the fugitives from-
the waterless main road.' All through the night they
struggled on, the men taking it in turns to ride on
camels and on the guns and waggons.
"The gunners of the E.B. behaved nobly, and
were always ready to give up their seats to wounded
or over-wearied men.
"The smooth-bore battery stuck in the Argandab
river, the horses being utterly done, so the guns were
spiked and abandoned.
"At Kokeran, part of the 2nd Brigade, who had
been sent to bring in the fugitives, met them and
drove off the tribesmen, who had collected to intercept
them.
"The last of the force with Quarry entered
Kandahar about three o'clock on the afternoon of the
28th. In pur regiment two wounded ofl&cers and
thirty wounded men were brought in. I am not
certain of the number of wounded in the other
regiments, but the killed and missing were about
as follows (N.B. — The terms are synonymous for
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114 THE 66th beoimekt.
Europeans, but not necessarily so for natives) : — R
Battery, Boyal Horse Artillery, 3 officers and 40 men ;
66tli Begiment, 10 officers and 276 men; 1st Grenadiers,.
2 officers and 360 men (about); Jacob's Bifles, S
officers and 230 men; sappers, 1 officer and 20 men ;
cavalry brigade, 1 officer and 60 men ; staff, 1 officer.
Total, killed and missing, about 20 officers and 980
men. This does not include followers. I am proud
to say that not one unwounded man of ours threw
away his rifle.
'*! need not speak of what I feel for the loss of all
those fine fellows. Except two or three, all my
greatest friends in the regiment have been swept away.
The Colonel was as fine, honest, straightforward a
gentleman as ever conmianded a regiment.
"McMath, CuUen, Boberts, and Bayner were as
fine fellows as there are in the army.
"Honeywood, Olivey, and Barr were, I believe, as
promising young fellows as one could wish for in one's.
, regiment, and they all died nobly and as soldiers
ought to die.
"But it is for poor Chute that I grieve most of
all. There is no satisfactory evidence about what
became of him. He was acting Quarter- Master,, and
very busy during the day bringing up and serving out
reserve ammunition ; but after the line broke no one
appears to have noticed him ; no one saw him fall, and
I am afraid the exact manner of his death will never
be known."
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MAJOR ready's report. 116
Extracts from notes by Major Ready, 66th regiment,
dated 10th November, 1880.
*'0n the 27th July last, I was in charge of the
baggage-guards of Brigadier^General Burrowes* force.
The guards consisted of — 1 company 66th regiment
under X command of Captain John Quarry; 1 company
1st Bombay Native Infantry ; 1 company 30th Bombay
Native Infantry; a small guard of 1st N.I. with the
treasure, and one of the 30th, N.I, with the Com-
missariat Stores.
"Marching from the camp near Kushk-i-Nakud, en
route for Maiwand, we proceeded about eight miles,
when we halted for about an hour near a village.
Shortly after leaving this village, I descried the enemy,
away to our left front, marching on a line converging
towards our route to Maiwand ; there was a good deal
of mirage, and it was difficult to see clearly, but, at
the time, I estimated their strength at about 15,000
men.
**Our force changing direction towards the left,
apparently to attack the enemy, I wheeled the baggage
column to the left and followed on, until I reached a
wide nullah ; which I entered, halting the baggage on
its sheltered slope. In this nullah the field^hospital
was placed.
"Towards 11 a.m. our artillery opened on the enemy,
who soon repUed with 30 guns ; these guns kept up a
vigorous fire throughout the action. Finding that
Ayoub's cavalry threatened our left flank, I extended
Captain Quarry's company, so as to cover the left front
of the baggage, and keep them off by their fire ; and
i2
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116 THE 66th regiment.
this they did most effectually. I continued the line
of Captain Quarry's skirmishers with half the company
of the Bombay Grenadiers, and made a similar dis-
position across our right front with the remaining half-
company, and the company of Jacob's Eifles.
**A number of the enemy — ^horsemen, Ghazis
and villagers — making repeated attempts to push
down the nullah, I found it necessary to call on
Captain Quarry for 20 men, under 2nd-lieutenant
Bray ; and this party I posted on the left bank of the
nullah, so that they commanded the nullah, and thus
prevented any of the enemy getting round to our rear.
As some of the enemy's shells fell amongst the baggage.
Colonel Malcolmson, who conmianded the rear-guard,
requested me to withdraw the camels a little distance ;
this was done, but the baggage-guards continued to
hold their positions.
" About 3 p.m., I observed some of our cavalry in
the nullah, and presently E-B. battery E. H. Artillery,
and some more cavalry crossed over (the smooth-bore
guns, manned by the 66th, had crossed some time
before); whereupon Captain Quarry withdrew his
company to the left bank of the nullah, and joined
Lieutenant Bray's party ; with whom I had remained
since 2 o'clock. I now saw numbers of men — ^mostly
sepoys — passing to our rear in twos and threes;
having crossed the nullah higher up. Some of these
men joined the baggage, which was then retiring ; but
the majority made for the hills, looking, I presume,
for water.
"Captain Quarry's company covered the retreat in
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MAJOB BEADY's report. 117
skirmishing order; and a few of the 1st and 30th
Native Infantry, with some other men whom I was
able to collect, also formed part of the general line.
Captain Slade, E.H.A., now called upon us to support
him, and came into action firing several rounds with
excellent effect. The enemy did not maintain a
vigorous pursuit. • At about 5-30 p.m. their guns ceased
firing, and after that, I consider that the pursuit ended.
**2nd-lieutenant Melliss, 66th regiment (the Begi-
mental-Transport-Ofl&cer), joined the baggage-guard
during the action^ and assisted Captain Quarry and
2nd-lieutenant Bray. These three ofl&cers showed
great coolness and judgment and did excellent service.
As we retired from the field, I saw Lieutenants Melliss
and Bray carrying a box of ammunition, the contents
of which they served out to all who had space for
more. The men were greatly exhausted from want
of food, as well as from the intense heat; and we
were obliged to mount them (after providing for the
sick and wounded) on baggage animals. As our field-
hospital was for a time exposed to a heavy fire, I fear
many of our sick and wounded perished. Towards the
evening a squadron fell back and covered the retreat.
About 9 p.m., I rode along the line of retreat, and
endeavoured to restore some sort of order ; collecting
men and baggage animals in parties, as far as was
possible. I
"I reached the Argandab river, near Kokeran, at 5
a.m. on the 28th, having .with me a number of sepoys
and camp followers ; also artillery waggons and baggage
animals. Shortly afterwards I was met by Brigadier-
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118
THE 66th begiment.
General Brooke, to whom I reported myself, and
requested that doolies and spare horses might be sent
to the Argandab ford, to bring on the wounded, and
help the guns across. I also reported that bodies of
villagers were collecting, but that the pursuit had
ceased. After this I proceeded to cantonments, and
from thence went on to Kandahar."
The undermentioned officers, non-commissioned officers
and men of the 66th Foot, fell at Maiwand.
Lieutenant Colonel
Captain
Galbraith, J.
Garratt, E. S.
McMath, W. H.
Cullen, T. J.
Eoberts, W.
Eayner, M. E. (Acting
Adjutant)
Chute, E. Trevor
Honywood, A.
„ Barr, H. J. 0.
„ Ohvey, W. E.
Surgeon Major Preston, and Lieutenant Lynch were
wounded.
Lieutenant
2nd Lieutenant
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KILLED AT UAIWAND.
119
Regimental
No.
Bank.
Names.
1171
Sergt. Major
Cuppage, A.
245
Arm Sergeant
Colley, Eobert
1410
Colour-Sergeant
Apthorpe, John
640
>»
Bayne, Ja.Tnes
1011
>t
Gover, Frederick
1340
tt
Scadding, Samuel
1486
Sergeant
Cosgrave, John
770
»>
Cruise, John
726
>>
Davis, Thomas
1615
»
Fitzgerald, Eichard
1485
»
Guntripp, William
1466
i>
Eice, George
1416
i>
EoUings, Jesse
. 672
If
Spencer, Isaac (Pioneer-
Sergeant)
1635
ti
Symonds, William
1072
It
Walker, James
1185
Tiance-Sergeant
Ireland, Eobert (Acting
Dnim-Major)
1010
Corporal
AyKng, William
1495
>l
Bolton, George
200
a
Brennan, Michael '
4146
n
Connolly, Eichard
725
ti
Davis, Eli
1493
>»,
Hanks, Charles (Acting
Pay-Master-Sergeant)
1621
tf
Mahoney, Eugene
1643
>>
Milsome, William
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120
THE 66th beqiment.
^gimental
No.
Kank.
Names.
677
Corporal
Moreoroft, Enoch (Band-
Corporal)
1476
>>
Smith, William
1423
>i
Travers, Hugh
1644
Drummer
Cohen, Henry
1497
t*
Darby, Michael
1639
jf
Groves, John |
941
it
Goddard, George '
175
it
Johnstone, James
1253
Private -
Acott, John
678
if
Adams, John
591
it
Allen, Edward
520
it
Ambrose, Thomas
688
it
Ashton, Samuel ^
147
»
Adams, Patrick
1437
it
Allen, Edwin
1519
a
Anderson, George
3381
it
Almond, Bobert
1440
if
Ackins, John
114
it
Barratt, Crispin
1175
»t
Beard, John
U7
it
Burton, James
1310
it
Basden, Alfred
1096
it
Beech, David
966
it
Beggs, Edward
392
it
Belcher, Abraham
312
»f
Bennett, James
833
ii
Bentley, George
850
a
Beard, John
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gimental
No.
Bank.
1632
Private
1129
677
1387
29
1408
1646
1474
488
1380
1071
644
77
419
1438
1396
1327
187
661
473
639
1277
81
316
1361
1672
1213
616
828
KILLED. AT MAIWAND. 121
Namee.
Biffin, George
Blake, Francis
Bolton, Edwin
Boon, Samuel
Boucher, Henry
Bracken, Michael
Brown, James
Brown, Thomas
Brown, William
Brown, Henry
Bryant, Benjamin
Bullock, David
Burgess, John
Burke, Edmund
Burling, William
Butler, Joseph
Capel, Charles
Campbell, John
Cannings, John
Carter, George
Casey, Patrick
Castle, Alfred
Chamberlain, Charles
Charman, John
Clarke, James
Churcher, George
Cheeseman, William
Cobem, William
Collins, William
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122 THE 66th begiment.
«gimental
No.
TjAiik
1544
Private
1155
)>
349
»»
1304
M
405
»»
1460
»)
1486
>>
1075
>>
274
■>»
1241
>>
1421
>>
159
>>
1531
»
1229
i»
615
>»
1347
>»
1433
>>
1499
>»
845
>>
1471
>)
1279
i>
1434
»>
1273
»>
1567
»>
1262
>i
301
>»
1645
>>
1487 ,
>>
420
»}
Names.
Coleman, John
Connolly, Bichard
Cooke, Charles
Cooke, William
Cope, Joseph
Cooney, John
Cooper, Joshua
Corke, James
Croft, Charles
Daniels, William
Davis, George
Davis, John
Dawson, Frederick
Dawson, John
Dewe, Albert
Diamond, Martin
Didcock, Job
Diningan, Peter
Donnon, Eobert
Donoghue, Charles
Doran, Edward
Dovmes, Patrick
Dovmey, Owen
Doyle, James
Drewdtt, Philip
Drew, Albert
Dudman, James
Duffy, Edward
Dunne, Andrew
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KILLED AT HAIWAND.
123
sgimenuu
No.
Rank. Names.
1203 Private Dunn, Andrew
ITU
, Durrant, Daniel
216
, Eaton, John
1401
, Edwards, John
886
Elvidge, Mark
1364
, Evans, John
566
, Evans, John
1495
, Evars, David
3452 '
, Fahey, Edward
1494
, Faulkner, Joseph
109
, Feeney, John
1169
, Fields, John
288
, Fisher, Frederick
1660
, Fitzgerald, John
1320
, Fitzpatrick, James
1630
, Fleming, William
1491
Foley, Patrick
1512
, Ford, John
429
, Fraher, Michael
260
, Froude, Henry
1561
Gibson, William
1243
, Gilbert, Frederick
1508
, Gunney, George
1493
, Gray, Jacob
687
Green, William
1403
Green, Henry
430
, Greenstock, John
318
, Grimshaw, Joseph
163
, Grist, Levi
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124
THE 66th BEQIMENT.
Uegimental
No.
Rank. Names.
1461 Private Hanson, Joseph
1330
, Harmsworth, Thomas
352
Harding, Henry
U07
Hazzell, WiUiam
1097
, Healey, James
1381
Hill, Charles
291
, Hines, Eobert
816
, Hinton, George
1413
, Hoare, John
1479
, HoUoway, Thomas
665
Hohnes, Jesse
925
, Hoskins, William
1223
, Houlehan, Edward
1206
, Hughes, Thojnas
1273
, ' Hmne, Benjamin
691
, Huzzey, Andrew
686
, Ingerfield, George
1449
, Jackson, Joseph
607
, Jackson, William
407
, Jacobs, Edward
498
, James, William
275
, James, Isaac
1268
, Jenkins, John
1550
, Jefferies, Alfred
1667
, Jones, George
831
, Jones, Joseph
166
, Jones, William
1407
, Kelly, James
1510
, Kelley, Thomas
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KILLED AT MAIWAND. 125
Kegimental
No.
Rank.
Names.
905
Private
Kent, John
1066
>»
King, John
1506
>i
King, Thomas
468
if
Knight, Daniel
1381
ft
Lambert, Eeuben
1329
>>
Laing, Henry
1480
ft
Lawrence, George
1031
tt
Leach, Eobert Daniel
1583
tt
Lennon, WilUam
1378
tt
Lewis, Henry
1319
tt
Lennard, Henry ""
706
ft
Lee, Eichard
1391
tt
Lock, John
1596
tt
McCaffery, O^wen
1257
tt
McDermott, John
433
tt
McGinley, John
1404
ft
McLaren, James
1637
ft
Mc Manns, William
1380
it
Maloney, Cornelius
654
ft
Mannons, John
701
tt
Martin, Henry
141
tt
Martin, John
580
tt
Masterson, John
1294
ft
Mathews, David
219
ft
Meadhurst, Frederick
261
if
Mead, William
306
, J
Merritt, James
1298
tt
Morgan, Joseph
373
tt
Munday, Walter
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126 THE 66th begiment.
Regimental
No.
Rank.
Names.
1555
Private
Murrell, Henry
1616
Neal, Martin
492
Newton, Thomas
973
Northcott, Alfred
Ull
OUey, Joseph
1464
O'Niel, Thomas
1529
Orris, Arthmr
1339
O'Eielly, Michael
970
Palmer, John
123
Partington, Matthew
341
Perkins, William
326
Perris, Frederick
1673
Pettit, Oscar
1546
Pooley, Philip
' 181
Pound, John
680
Proctor, John
974
Eavensoroft, Joseph
206
Richardson, James
1638
Kechall, John
1231
Bitchie, John
470
Roach, Joseph
1419
Rolf, Charles
1787
Ryan, Alfred
416
Seery, Patrick
1488
Sharp, Richard
1426
Shelly, Shadrack
590
Sherville, Herbert
640
Shiner, Henry
968
Shute, Edwin
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ehiLBD at uaiwand.
127
Regimental
No.
Bank. Names.
461 Private . Sibson, George
448
, Sims, Thomas
1604
, Slevin, John
367
, ^taymaker, Charles
436
, Smith, James
444
Smith, Edwin
1254
, Smith, John
434
, Smith, Daniel
400
, Smith, John
1670
, Stacey, Thomas
447
Stallard, WilliR,m
1295
, Stevens, George
1513
, Stephens, Joseph
411
, Stroud, John
1248
, Sutton, James
1224
, Thompson, Charles
1655
, Thome, Bnos
1322
, Tippin, Emanuel
1409
, Townsend, John
205
, Trewenhard, William
1642
Tuttle, George
439
, Veeney, William
531
^ Vemum, Alfred
1660
, Vigors, Harry
410
, Waight, Harry
65^
Wakefield, James
1496
, Walsh, John
1509
Ward, Patrick
568
Watts, Joshua
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128
THE 66th begiment.
^f ^1 Rank. Names.
1123 Private
J Webb, Harry
391
Welsh, Samuel
179
Werrell, Frederick
1523
Weston, Lester
128
Willett, James
1362
Williams, Edward
210
Wilson, William
1593
Wilson, Henry
332
Winter, Isaac
1451
Wood, WilUam
1262
Wajnae, John
1315
Webb, William
824
West, George
1536
White, Henry
1550
Whiting, Charies
1280
Wiggins, Thomas
25
Wolstenholme, Eichard
1641
Wilson, James
1370
Yandall, George
The 66th lost both their Colours, and most of the
regimental papers.
In conclusion, we will quote at length, a letter (dated
1st October, 1880,) written by Lieutenant-General
Primrose, C. S. I.
" To His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief in India.
" Sib,
"In forwarding the accompanying documents,
I would most respectfully wish to bring to H. E. the
Commander-in-Chief's notice the gallant and deter-
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GENEBAL PBIMBOSe'S LETTEB. 129
mined stand made by the officers and men of the
66th Eegiment at Maiwand.
" The disposition of the Regiment wa^s as follows: —
*' Fighting line, 15 officers, 364 men all ranks.
" Baggage guard, 4 „ 63
" Smooth-bore battery, 1 officer, 42 men.
" Sick, 32 men.
*' Of this number, 10 officers and 275 men were
killed, and 2 officers and 30 N.C.O. and men wounded.
** These officers and men nearly all fell fighting for
the honor of their Queen and Country.
** I have it on authority of a Colonel of Artillery of
Ayoub Khan's Army, who was present at the time,
that a party of the 66th Regiment which he estimated
at 100 officers and men, made a ^lost determined
stand. They were surrounded by the whole of the
Afghan Army, and fought on until only 11 men were
left, inflicting enormous loss upon the enemy. These
11 meh charged out of the garden and died with their
faces to the foe, fighting to the death; such was the
nature of their charge and the grandeur of their
bearing, that, although the whole of . the Ghazis were
assembled around them, not one dared approach to
cut them down.
**Thus standing in the open, back to back, firing
steadily and truly, every shot telling, surrounded
by thousands, these eleven officers and men died; and
it was not until the last man had been shot down that
the Ghazis dared advance upon them.
'*He further adds that* the conduct of these men
w£liS the admiration of all who witnessed it; this is
E
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130 THE 66th regiment.
the testimony of a man who witnessed the scene, and
who gave the information l^efore Brigadier-General
Daubeny proceeded to Mai wand.
'* From an examination of the ground, from corrobo-
rative evidence, and from the position in which the
bodies were found, I have not the least hesitation in
stating that this account is true; and I think that
His Excellency will agree with me when I say that
history does not afford any grander or finer instance of
gallantry and devotion to Queen and Country than
that displayed by the 66th Eegiment on the 27th of
July, 1880.
** A nominal roll of the ofi&cers and men who fought
and died thus no.bly has been already forwarded to
you, and inquiries from survivors elicit the following
facts : —
''Lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith was last seen on the
nullah bank kneeUng on one knee with a Colour in
his hand, officers and men rallying around him, and
on this spot his body was found; here too, fell
Captain McMath a gallant soldier, and one who
would, had his life been spared, have risen to
distinction in H.M's Service-: close by, 2nd Lieutenant
Barr was shot dead over one of the Colours.
''Captains Garrett and CuUen were both killed on
the field in front of the nullah, up to the last moment
commanding their companies and giving their orders
with as much coolness as if on an ordinary regimental
parade.
" Captain Boberts was mortally wounded in the
garden, where the last stand was made, and here also
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GENERAL PRIMROSE'S LETTEti. 131
fell Lieutenants Eayner and Chute, 2nd Lieutenants
OUvey and Barr; the two latter officers were seen
holding up the colours, the pole of which was shattered
to pieces, as rallying points; and Lieutenant Hony-
wood was shot down whilst holding a Colour high
-above his head, shouting, ' Men what shall we do to
save this? '
" Sergeant-Major Cuppage was shot dead outside
the garden whilst carrying a colour, and many other
N.C. Oflficers and men laid down their lives in the
■attempt to save the Colours of their Begiment on that
day.
** With the gallant band who made this last grand*
•effort, fought and died Major Blackwood, E.H.A.,
Lieutenant Henn, E.E., and Lieutenant Hinde, Ist
•Grenadiers with some of his men.
" The men of the 66th Kegiment on baggage guard
under the command of Captain Quarry, did excellent
service during the retreat.
'* The party told off to man the smooth-bore battery
under Lieutenant Faunce, worked their guns steadily
and well during the fight.
** I have, &c.,
(Signed) J. M. Primrose, Lieutenant-Genetal."
k2
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Cj^ajjhr la*
29th July, 1880, to Int July, 1881.-~Siege of Kandahar— Attack on
Deh Kojah — Relief of Kandahar by General Sir Frederick
Roberts — Burial of the dead at Maiwand — Return of the
regim<)nt to England — Numercial distinctions abolished — Finis.
' FTER the return of the survivors of Brigadier-
General Burrowes* ill-fated column to Kanda-
har, the whole of the troops in cantonments
were moved into the citadel, where was
stored an abundant supply of provisions and
ammunition, and here they were besieged by
the Afghans until the 31st of August.
For some days there were comparatively few shots
exchanged, but on the 16th August a portion of the
garrison attacked the village of Deh Kojah, which was
held by a strong body of the en§my.
The force engaged in this sortie consisted of the 7th
Boyal Fusihers, and the 19th and 28th. Native Infantry,
under command of General Brooke. The remainder of
the troops in the citadel, including the 66th, manned the
ramparts, from whence the artillery poured a destructive
fire of shell into Deh Kojah.
Three companies of the Fusiliers fought their way into
the village, but being greatly out-numbered by the enemy
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SIEG]^ OF EANDAHAB. 133
— who kept running in from all sides — ^had a desperate
struggle to get clear again. They captured three guns,
which, however, they were forced to abandon, having no
means of bringing them into the citadel. The attack
was made shortly after five o'clock, and the fighting
continued until between nine and ten. The British lost
8 officers and 82 men killed; 7 officers and 97 men
wounded. Amongst the former was General Brooke.
The enemy's losses were estimated at 2000 killed, and
a great number wounded, including several of Ayoub's
principal officers.
The following telegrams were received on this occa-
sion: —
From the Queen Empress of India to the Viceroy —
" My heart bleeds for the loss of so many officers
and men; pray express my sympathy and anxiety for
the wounded.**
From the Commander-in-Chief in India —
'* I sympathise with you and the troops in the losses
sustained at Maiwand and on the 16th instant, greatly
regretting General Brooke and the brave fellows who
have fallen.'*
On the 27th August the beleaguered garrison sighted
the force which was marching to their relief, under
Major-General Sir Frede^ck Boberts.
Roberts reached Kandahar on the 31st, and that same
evening his cavalry brigade, when making a recon-
naisance, was fired upon by the enemy, and had to retire.
Next morning (1st September) General Boberts, at the
head of 11,000 men, with 32 guns, attacked Ayoub
Khan's army, which was strongly entrenched near Baba
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134 THB 66th begiment.
Wali. The action commenced about 8 a.m. ; soon the
enemy were forced to abandon their position, and flying.
in confusion, they allowed their camp and nearly all
their artillery to fall into the hands of the British.
Thirty-two guns were captured, amongst them the two-
field-pieces taken from the Horse Artillery at Maiwand.
The relief of Kandahar was thus successfully accom-
plished.
A few days — 9th September — after this brilliant
victory, Lieutenant Beresford Pierse was ordered to
proceed to M^iwand with a party (consisting of Lieu-
tenant Brpice, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 18 privates,)
for the purpose of burying the dead, who fell on the
fatal 27th July.
This mournful task completed, the party returned to*
Kandahar, arriving there on the 23rd September. The
previous day, Lieutenant-Colonel S. G. C. Hogge had
joined Head-quarters — from command of the Deolali
Dep6t — and on assuming command of the regiment, he
published the following order : — /
' '* Captain Pierse having reported most favourably
of the men who accompanied him to Maiwand, the
commanding-ofticer takes the opportunity of thanking
Captain Pierse, Lieutenant Bruce, and the non-
commissioned-officers and men for the manner in
which they performed the painful and arduous duty of
burying the dead who fell at Maiwand. He is proud
to inform the regiment that on all sides he heara
admiration expressed of the gallant conduct of the
regiment on the fatal field of Maiwand; and thal^
during the siege, the officers, non-comnciissioned officers^
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, BETURN HOME. 135
and men, were conspicuous for the cheerful and willing
way in which they.performed continuous and harassing
duties. Such conduct reflects the greatest credit on
all concerned, and he ventures to hope it will not be
un-recognised by higher authority.*'
Lieutenant Beresford Pierse was promoted to a
company on the 31st May; vice E. M. Hall retired on
half-pay, the notification of his promotion being received
during his absence at Maiwand.
The 66th marched from Kandahar on the 1st October,
1880, en route for India, and arrived at Quetta on the
13th. After a fortnight's rest at Quetta, the march was
resumed ; Pir Chowki was reached on the 3rd November,
and from thence the regiment proceeded by rail to
Kurrachee, where it arrived on the 7th November.
Major C. V. Oliver, who had been left at Kandahar
to bring down a convoy of sick and wounded, died of
small-pox, on the 10th October. He had served in the
66th for upwards of five-and-twenty years, and his death
was thus referred to in orders : —
"The Lieutenant-Colonel feels sure that the loss of
this officer will be deeply regretted by all who knew
him." I
On the 19th January, 1881, the 66th under tommand
of Lieutenant-Colonel S. G. C. Hogge, proceeded to
Bombay, and sailed for England next day in H.M.
troopship, Malabar.
The Malabar reached Portsmouth on the 18th
February, and on the 19th the regiment disembarked,
and proceeded to the Isle of Wight, to be stationed at
Parkhurst.
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136 THE 66th regiment.
On the 24th February, the regiment was inspected by
H.S.H. Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, commanding
the Southern District ; ancl a second inspection took
place on the 11th March, when the Inspecting Ofl&cer —
H.R.H. Duke of Cambridge, Field-Marshal-Commanding-
in-Chief — complimented the 66th on their soldierly
appearance on parade, and their admirable conduct
during the time they were in active service in Afghanistan.
Earily in April, a detachment of the regiment, under
command of Captain Murphy, with Lieutenant Williams
as his subaltern, proceeded to Cowes, and were there
stationed during xthe time Her Majesty the Queen
remained at O&bome.
We must now bring these brief records of the 66th to
a conclusion; for we have reached that period in its
history when — the territorial system of organization
being introduced — the regiment ceased to be designated
by its time-honoured number.
Oa the 1st July, 1881, the 66th Foot became the
**2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales* Berkshire
Regiment"; at the same time, the green, facings, which
had been worn for upwards of 120 years, were changed
to white. "^
Loyalty, courage, and obedience, have ever been the
characteristics of this good old corps. Whenever
engaged on active service — whether in the pestilential
island of St. Domingo — on the " stricken fields ** of the
Peninsula— amongst the jungles and mountain-passes of
* In 1886, in recognition of the gallantry displayed by the let
Battalion (late 49th foot,) during the Soudan War, the " Berkahires "
were made a " Royal " regiment, and blue facings were then substituted
for white.
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THE END. 137
l^epaul — or at the glorious, though fatal, fight of
Mai wand — the officers and soldiers of the 66th have
proved themselves worthy of the confidence of their
Sovereign, and of their country; and by their gallant
bearing and steadiness in action have helped to add
lustre to the British arms and exalt the military
reputation of the Empire.
THE END.
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APPENDIX I.
SUCCESSION OP COLONELS 66th EEGIMENT.
*Edwabd Sandpobd
♦John La Faussile,
♦Lord Adam Gordon,
♦Joseph Gabbett,
♦John, Earl op Clanricardb,
2l8t April, 1758.
24th August; 1758.
19th January, 1763.
13th January, 1776.
27th November, 1794.
Oliver Nicholls, 18th July, 1808.
This officer was the second son of Jaspar NicoUs, and was bom at
Duncannon Fort, County Wexford, on the Ist October, 1742. On
the 4th February, 1750, he was appointed a Mattross in the Corps
of Artillery, and on the 17th of the same month a Gunner. He
received his commis-sion as Ensign in the "Royals" on 22nd
November, 1756. Became Lieutenant in that Kegiment, 4th
March. 1760, and Adjutant on 30th May, 1767. In 1768, the
Regiment went to Gibraltar. He became Captain, 25th June^
1773, and in 1775, returned to England. In 1780, went to the
West Indies, and served on board the Fleet till the capture of St.
Eustatius. Became Major on 14th March, 1781, still retaining the
Adjutancy of the Regiment. In 1 785, when quartered in London^
deiTy as Major of the ** Royals," he received the freedom of that
city. On the 6th February, 1787, became Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in June of that year, was posted to the 45th Regiment, then in
the West Indies. Commanded the troops in Grenada, from 1789
to 1792. The Reg^ent then returned home to Guernsey, when,
he acted as Brigadier. When on leave in Wexford in July, 1793,.
he received the thanks of the inhabitants of that town, and a gold
medal, in recognition of the services he rendered to them in their
defence against an armed mob. Became Colonel in the Army on
the 1st March, 1794, and in December, 1794, went again to West
Indies fts Bricradier-General, and Quarter- Master-General. Was
* W e have not been able to obtain any recdrd of the services of these
officers.
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SUCCESSION OF COLONELS. 189
Bent to Grenada — then in a state of insurrection — ^which he
Bucoeeded in restoring to order. On the 20th May, 1795, was
appointed Colouel of the 4th West India Regiment, which he was
empowered to raise. He commanded the troops in Grenada till
Ad ay, 1796, when he was appointed Major-General to the ^^taff of
the Lancaishire (N. West ) District, and in 1798, succeeded to the
command of that district — Head-quarters, Liverpool. On 2nd
October, 1799, was presented with Freedom of Liverpool. Early
in 1802, was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Bombay Presidency^
becoming Lieutenaut-General, 25th September, 18(>3. Left
Bombay, 26th February, 1807, in the *» Ganges" When to S.E. of
Madagascar, this vessel sprang a leak, aod went down head
foremost. The passengers and crew were saved by the "<S^. Vincent",
one of the fleet of Indiamen, among which the "Ganges^' was
sailing, and" continued the voyage in that ship. On the 6th
September, 1809, went to Canterbury in command of the Kent
District, which command terminated on the •24th June, 1812. In
1808, he was senior member of the Court of Inquiry into the
Convention of Cintra — Sir Hugh Dalrymple, Sir Harry Burrard,
and Sir Arthur Wellesley, (afterwards Duke of Wellington,) being
the three Generals whose conduct of that affair was examined
into. General Nicholls died at Chichester, Sussex, on the 8rd of
December, 1829.
SiB W1LLIA.M Anson, K.C.B., 7th December, 1829.
Ensign, 1st Foot Guards, 13th June, 1739; Lieutenant and
Captain, 25th April, 1793; Captain and Lieutenant- Colonel, 28th
November, 1797; Colonel, 13th October, 1806; Major-General,
4th June, 1811; Lieutenant-General, 12th August, 1819. Sir W.
Anson served on the Continent, 1793-95, in Sicily, 1806-8. On
the 9th September, 1808, he embarked for Spain, and was 'present
at the battle of Corunna. He fought in the subsequent campaigns
in the Peninsula, and was present at Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees,.
Nivelle, Orthes, and Toulouse. His name was mentioned in the
vote of thanks from Parliament, for Salamanca, the Pyrenees, and
Orthes, and he was made a K.C.B., and awarded a cross, with three
clasps, for his services in the Peninsular War.
EiOHABD Blunt, 25th March, 1835.
Ensign, 3rd Foot, 31st January, 1787 ; Lieutenant, 23rd February,
1791; Ciiptain, 12th July, 1793; Major, 17th May, 1796; Lieu-
tenant-Qolonel, 23rd August, 1799; Colonel, 25th October, 1807;
Major* General, 1st January, 1812; Lieutenant-General, 29th
May, 1825; General, 23rd November, 1841. General Blunt
served in Lord Moira's expedition, and in Flanders in 1794-5.
He was actively employed under Sir Ralph Abercromby, iu the
West Indies, 1795-1802; and he also served in Hanover, Madeira,
and in the Peninsular War. General Blunt was a Knight
Commander of the "Tower and Sword of Portugal."
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140 THE 66th BEaiMENT.
Edwabd Wells Bell, 26th December, 1869.
Lieutenant, 16th May, Idll; Captain, 20th June, 1822; Major,
19th December, 1826; Lieutenant-Colonel, 29th June, 1830;
Colonel, 9th November, 1846; Major-GrenenJ, 20th June, 1854;
Lieutenant-GenexAl, 27th December, 1860. Lieutenant-General
Bell joined the 7th Royal Fusiliers in the Peninsula, in 1811, and
served there until the end of the war. In 1841, he embarked
with the Fusiliers, to join the force before New Orleans. He
subsequently joined the army of occupation in Paris, and remained
there until its withdrawal War Medal and three clasps.
Thomas Henry Johnston, 10th October, 1870.
Ensign, 66th Foot, 2l8t February, 1822; Lieutenant, 1st October,
1826; Captain, 24th October, 1826; Major, 20th May, 1836;
Lieutenant-Colonel, 28th December, 1838; Colonel, 11th November,
1851 ; Major-General, 4th June, 1857 ; Lieutenant-Greneral, 31st
January, 1864; General, 5th December, 1;<71. General Johnston
served with the 66th in Canada during the rebellion of 1837-8,
(see page 86.) and afterwards commanded the regiment for many
years on foreign service.
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APPENDIX II.
Wab Sebvices of Ofpicebs of the 66th Eegiment.
Adams, Captain and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel— Died of wound*
received at the battle of Talavera. See page 44.
Bablow, Paymaster Cuthbert. —Ensign, 7th January, 1810; Lieu-
tenant, 13th January, 1814 ; Paymaster, 22nd Regiment, 3rd
January, 1828. Mr. Barlow, previous to entering the army,
served three years as a Midshipman in the Royal Navy. He
served afterwards with tlie 66th Foot in the Penintiular Wiar, from
August, 1810, to April, 1812; also in the campaign in Nepaul, in
1816. Subsequently he served against the Mahrattas, in 1817-18 ;
also with the 10th Foot at the battle of Sol)raon, (Medal) ; and
with the 9th Lancers at the passage of the Chenab, at Ramnuggur,
and the battles of Chillianwallali, and Goozerat. (Medal and
clasps).
Babb, 2nd Lieutenant Habbt J. O. — 2nd Lieutenant, 14th January,
1880. Killed at Maiwand. Seep. 114.
Bbnnino, Captain C. — Wounded at the passage of the Douro. Killed
at Albuhera, when commanding the regiment. A medal was sent
to his relatives. See p.p. 33 and 56.
Bbbesford-Pierse, Major William J. de la Poer. — Sub-Lieutenant,
14th August, 1872 ; Lieutenant, 14th August, 1873; Captain, 31st
May, 1880; Major, 16th October, 1884. Served with the 66th in
the Afghan War Of 1879-80, and was present at Maiwand.
Mentioned in despatches. Medal with clasp. See p. 111.
Blakenet, Major Henbt Pearse.— Ensign, 66th Foot, 9th July»
18o3 : Lieutenant, 24th March, 1804 ; Captain, 25th April, 1806 ;
Brevet- Major, 12th August, 1809. Major Blakeney served with
the 6t>th in Spain and Portugal ; and in 1814, as Brigade-Major,
on the Staff of Major-General Lord Aylmer.
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142 THE 66th begimbnt.
BowYEB, Lieut. -General Henry.— Commanded the 66th, 1788-94.
Served as Brigadier-General in St. Domingo, (see page 7). Major-
General 26th February, 1795; Lieutenant-General, (local; West
Indies) 8th May, 1798. Colonel 16th Regiment of Foot, 15th
December, 1797.
Beat, Captain Reginald Edward Traherne. — 2nd Lieutenant, 14th
January, 1880; Lieutenant, 28th July, 1880; Captain, 13th
February, 1886. Captain Bray served with the 66th in the Afghan
War of 1880, and was present in the aflPair with the Wall's
Mutineers, (16th July), at Maiwand, and at the subsequent defence
and battle of Kandahar. Mentioned in despatches. Medal with
clasp. ('>ee pp. 116-17.) Captain Bray served also in the Soudan
Expedition of 1884-5. Medal with ^jlasp.
Bruoe, Captain F. Mc Crae.— Ensign, 24th December, 1870 ; Lieu-
tenant, 28th October, 1871 ; Captain, 28th July, 1880. Captain
Bruce serve^ with the t)6th Regiment during the Afghan War,
1879-80; march from Khelat-i-Ghilzai to relief of Kandahar;
battle of 1st September. Medal with cli^p, and bronze star.
BULSTRODB, Captain Augustus. — Served with the 66th in the
Peninsula, and was severely wounded at the Nive, 13th December.
See p. 71.
Bunnt, Captain F. Mo Tier. — 2nd Lieutenant, 14th January, 1880 ;
Lieutenant, 29th September, 1880 ; Captain, 16th November, 1886.
Served in Southern Afghanistan i^ 1879-80. Medal.
Campbell, Major Thomas Bucheley.— Quarter-Master, 66th Foot,
2l8t December, 1786 ; Lieutenant, 16th October, 1792 ; Captain,
2nd June, 1796 ; Brevet- Major, 13th May, 1804 ; Major, 62nd
Foot, 1st September, 1804. Rethred full pay, (rank stationary) in
1807. This oflBcer served with the 66th in St. Domingo, and was
present at the attack on Turgeau, and other affairs. • See page 6-7.
Oablton, MAjpB Edward.— Ensign, 24th March, 1803 ; lieutenant,
9th February, 1804 ; Captain, 25th July, 1805*; Major, 4th June,
1813. Served with 1st Battalion 66th in Jersey when arrange-
ments of defence against invasion were being concerted. Served
as Fort Major at Trincomalee, and as commandant of Batticaloa»
a fortress in the island of Pocliantove. Served with his regiment
throughout Nepaulese War, 1815-16, (see page 22) and accompanied
it to Saint Helena. Was transferred to 2nd Battalion on 24th
July, 1817, and placed on half pay when that battalion was
reduced, 24th November, 1817.
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WAB SEBVICES OF OFFICERS. 143
Oaulfeild, Lieutenant Algernon Montoomebib. — ^Lieutenant, 17th
December, 188 J. Served with the 6t)th in thft Afghan War of
1879-80. MedaL Mr. Gaulfeild was also awarded the Medal for
" Meritoiious Service in the Field,"
Chute, 2nd Lieutenant Trevor. — Killed at Mai wand. See p. 114.
Clarke, Lieutenant-Colonel John. -(Military Knight of Windsor).
Ensign, 14th July, 1808 ; Lieutenant. 3rd October, 1809 ; Captain,
13th January, 1825 ; Major, 28th June. 1838 ; Lieutenant- Colonel,
28th November, 1854. This gallant officer served in the Peninsula
with the 2nd Battalion 66th, from March. 1809. to the end of the -
war in 1814 ; including the passage of the Douro, the battle of
Talavera, lines of Torres Vedras, actions of Arroyos dos Molinos and
Campo Mayor, battle of Albuhera, siege of Badajoz, battle of
Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, actions of St. Palais
and Aire, and battle . of Tolouse ; besides numerous skirmishes.
At Albuhera, when commanding a company of flankers, he was ^
struck down and taken prisoner, but made his escape (see pp. 52-4) .
in a charge of cavalry. Colonel Clarke received the W ar Medal
with 8 clasps. He also served with the 66th during the Canadian
Kebellion of 1837-8.
CoATES, General James. — ^This officer entered the service in the year
1755, as an Ensign in the 19th Foot. In 1767, vthe 19th was
augmented to two battalions, the second of which subsequently
became the 66th Foot (Colonel La Pausille's). Ensign Coates was
attached to the new corps. On the 24th August, 1761, he succeeded
to the rank of Captain-Lieutenant, (see list for 1761,) and
on 2nd April, 1762, obtained his company. Up to this date,
Coates had been employed on the Recruiting Service ; but he now
embarked with his regiment for Lreland, and from thence sailed for
the West Indies. In 1766, he purchased the Majority of his
regiment, and after remaining ten years in the West Indies,
lHX)ught it home.*
Major Coates had been appointed Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel in
September, 1765, and on 25th October, 1775, he purchased the
Lieutenant-Colonelcy of his old corps, the 19th. A brigade was
subsequently formed; consisting of the 3rd, 19th, and 30th
Regiments, under Colonel Gould, which sailed for America, and
landed at Charlestown ; where Lieutenant-Colonel Coates was
appointed Brigadier-General. He was slightly wounded in America
When the American War was drawing, to a conclusion, this
Brigade was sent to the West Indies, and Colonel Coates was with
.the 19th at Jamaica, almost the whole time it was stationed there.
♦ Tlie M.S. Hecords of the 66tli do uot neiitit d tlis tour of foreign service (see
page 2) anil uufortonately, we obtained tie iuloimation too late to make the
necessary aiteiation in the body of the work.
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144 THE 66th beqiment.
This officer's subsequent oommissions bear date as follows: —
Colonel, 16th May, 1781 ; Major-General, 28th April, 1790 ;
Lieutenant-Greneral, 26th Januaiy, 1797 ; General, 29th April,
1802.
CoDD, Lieutenant John. — ^Wounded at Albuhera. See page 56.
COLTEB, Lieutenant. — Wounded at Talavera, and fell into the hands
of the French when they entered the town after the Allied Armies
retired tp Truscillo and Mondego. Colonel Clark relates that
lieutenant Colter was carried prisoner to Madrid, but died
suddenly on the road, from drinking cold water when heated. See
page 44.
Coulter, Ensign.— Killed at the battle of Albuhenw See page 56. '
CuFFE, Major Sir Charles Wheeler, Bart.— Ensign, 16th May,
1851; Lieutenant, 21 si; April, 1854; Major on retired list, 26th
April, 1859. Served as 2nd A. A. General on Lord Clyde's staff
during the campaign in Oude, 1858-9, and was present at the
actions of 1 )oondiakeria, Mugedia, and the Raptee. Medal with
clasp, and Brevet of Major.
Cullbn, Captain F. J.— Ensign, 21 st February, 1866; Lieutenant,
81st August, 1869 i Captain, 18th October, 1879; Killed at
Maiwandl See pp. 106 and 114.
Davenport, Captain Edward Montagu.— Ensign, 24th April, 1885;
Lieutenant, 6th August, 1838; Captain, 31st December, 1844.
Served with the 66th in Canada during the rebellion of 1887-8,
and was present at the action of St Denis.
DoDGiN, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel, C.B. -^Appointed Comet in the
2nd Dragoon Guards, 3rd September, 1794 ; he joined, the 7th
December following, and was in the action of Burin, on the Rhine,
8th January, 1795. He was promoted Lieutenant, 26th May,
1795, and returned with the Regiment to England in 1796 ;
promoted 3rd May, 1800, to the Captain-Lieutenancy, and
exchanged April, 18<)1, into the 54th Kegiment, which he joined
in the latter part of the Campaign of 1801, in Egypt. He was
placed on half -pay in Gibraltar, in September, 1802, and appointed
to the 60tb Regiment, May, 1803, and to the 66th Regiment, 9th
July. 1803. He left the 2nd Battalion in 1806, and joined 1st
Battali< n in Ceylon. He was appointed Major, 29th June, 1809,
and exchanged into the 69th Regiment, in April, 1810 : he was at
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WAB. 8EBVIGES OF OFFIGEBS. ].45
the taking of the Isles of Bourbon, in June, 1810, and France, in
November and December, 1810 ; but his exchange not being
approved, he returned to England in May, 1811 ; and embarked in
June, and joined the 2nd Battalion 66th, in the Peninsula. He
Commanded a battalion of Light Companies, in Major-General
Byng's Division, from 1811 to 1814 ; and was with it at the action
of Arroyo dos Molinos, 28th October, 1811 ; with the advance to
and retreat from Madrid and Salamanca, in 1812 ; at the battle of
Vittoria, (see p. 66), for which he obtained a medal, and the brevet
of Lieutenant-Colonel; at the actions of the Pyrenees, for which he
received a clasp; at St. Pallas, 15th February, 1814 ; at Orthes,
for which he received another clasp ; and at Aire, 2nd March,
1814, where he was severely woimded, (see p. 69 ) Lieutenant-
Colonel Dodgin was engaged with the Light Companies eleven
times, exclusive of the above.
Dudgeon, Libutenant.— Died of wounds received at Talavera. Page 47.
Dupp, Quaeteb-Master Patrick.— Mr. Duff served with the 66th
during the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-8, and was present at the
affairs of St. Denis and St. Charles. Mr. Duff was appointed
Quarter-MasLter of the Cavan MiHtia, in 1855.
Dunbar, Lieutenant-Colonel William.— Ensign, 81st March, 1802 ;
Lieutenant, 8th August, 1803; Captain, 66th Foot, 4th August,
1808 ; Brevet-Major, 21st April, 1813 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, 2l8t
June, 1817. After serving with the 78th Highlanders in the
Mahratta Campaigns of 1808-4, this officer changed to the 19th
Light Dragoons, and was subsequently promoted into the 66th.
He embarked with the 66th for PortugsJ, in 1809, and commanded
his company at the passage of the Douro. Shortly after this he
was appointed to the Staff, and continued to serve in the Peninsula
until the conclusion of the war in 1814. He was- present at the
battles of Talavera, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, and Toulouse, and also
at Arroyo dos Molinos, Almarez, and St. Guadens; and was
favourably mentioned in despatches. In 1815, he joined the Staff
of the Army in France; and in 1818 returned home for the
purpose of commanding the 66th Dep6t.
Edmonds, Lieutenant-Colonel H. — (Barrack-master at Hounslow and
Hampton Court, in 1856). Served with the 66th Regiment during
the Peninsular War, from March, 1802 to 1814, and was slightly
wounded at Talavera.
Edwards, Captain Chablbs MoKenzie. — 2nd Lieutenant, 22nd
January, 1879 ; Lieutenant, 14th November, 1879 ; Captain, 28th
January, 1884. Captain Edwards served in the Afghan War of
1879-80. Defence of Kandahar, and battle of Si^ptember 1st.
L
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146 THE 66th begiment.
(Medal and daip). Also with the Ist Battalion Boyal Berks
Regiment in the Soudan Expeditions of 1885-6, including recon*
naissaace to Hasheen ; actions at Hasheen and Tofrek ; operations
at and destruction of Tamia ; and action at Ginnis. (Medal with
2 clasps.)
Faunoe, Captain G. db la Motte, — Lieutenant, 29th November, 1876;
Captain, 30th October, 1883 ; Paymaster, 2nd Battalion Roytd
Berks. Served with the 66th in the Afghan War of 1879-80 ;
including action at Uirishk, battle of Maiwand, and retreat to
Kandahar ; defence of Kandahar, and battle of the 1st September.
Mentioned in despatches, London Gazette, 19th November and
31st December, 1880. Medal and clasp. See page 131.
Fabu, Lieutenant Gerald. — Wounded at the passage of the Douro,
at Talavera, and at Vittoria. See pp. 33, 44, and 66.
Febns, Captain William. — Wounded at Albuhera. Page 56.
Fox, Lieutenant Chables. — ^Killed on 27th September, 1810, at an
action fought on the Sierra Busaco. See page 47.
Galbbaith, Colonel James. — Ensign, 12th December, 1851; Lieu-
tenant, 6th June, 1854 ; Captain, 29th February, 1856 ; Major,
18th August, 1869 ; Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 66th Foot,
14th November, 1879. Lieutenant-Colonel Galbraith was killed
at Maiwand. See pp. 109, 110-114.
Gabbatt, Captain E. Stephen. — Ensign, 2nd June, 1865 ; Lieutenant,
6th July, 1867 ; Captain, 5th March, 1870. Killed at Maiwand.
See p. 109.
€k)LDiB, Lieutenant-Genebal Geoboe Leigh, C.B. — Comet, 6th
Dragoon Guards, 1803 ; Lieutenant, 1805 ; Captain, 66th Foot,
21st January, 1808 ; Brevet-Major, 20th June, 1811 ; Lieutenant-
Colonel, 12th August, 1819 ; Colonel, 10th January, 1837 ; Major-
General, 9th November, 1846; Lieutenant-General, 20th June,
1854 ; Colonel, 77th Regiment, 22nd December, 1854. This
officer served with the 66th in tiie Peniiisula, from March, 1 809,
to November, 1813, including the passage of the Douro, battles of
Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria, and the Pyrenees ; besides
many other minor actions and skirmishes. He was severely
wounded in the Pyrenees, on the 30th July, 1813, and was
reported "mortally wounded'* (see pages 68-69.) For his
distinguished service. General Goldie received the G^ld Medal for
Albuhera, and the Silver War Medal with four clasps ; he was also
made a C.R
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WAB SERVICES OP OFPIOEBS. 147
Gordon, MAJOB-GiancRAL Sib Jambs Willouohbt, Babonbt, K.C.B. —
Ensign, 66th, 17th October, 1783 ; Lieutenant, 6th March, 1789 ;
Captain, 2nd September, 1795; Major, 9th November, 1797;
Lieut&nant-Ck)lonel, 21st May, 1801 ; Colonel, (Royal African
Corps), 26th July, 1810 ; Major- General, 4th June, 1813. After .
serving for four years with the 66th in the West Indies, this
officer joined Lord Hood's fleet as volunteer, and prooe)eded to
Toulon. He rejoined his regiment at Gibraltar, and was, in 1796,
employed on the Staff in Ireland. In March, 1793, he rejoined
the 66th at Halifax, and commanded the regiment until early
the following year, when he was appointed Military Secretary to
H.R.H. Duke of Kent, who was at that time Commander-in-Chief
in British North America ; and returned with His Royal Highness,
to England, in 1800. In the spring of 1801, Major Gordon was
appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the 86th. He subsequently held
various Staff appointments, and in October, 1818, was created a
Baronet. Before a Committee of the House of Commons, in 1809,
Colonel Gordon thus stated his services : — " I have served His
Majesty very nearly twenty-six years ; for the last twenty-four of
which, I have been employed in every part of the world, (the East
Indies excepted), where His Majesty's troops have been stationed.
I have been four times to the West Indies ; twice to America ; and
all over the Mediterranean. It has been my fortune, very
undeservedly perhaps, to have a sword voted for my services, and
to have been repeatedly thanked by General Officers under
whom I have been placed. It is perhaps a singular part of my
service, that I not oidy served in every situation in the Army, from
an Ensign up to my present rank, but I have also served in every
situation upon the Staff of the Army, without one single
exception.*'
Hall, Libutenant-Colonel Gbobgb William Monk. — Ensign, 31st
May, 1859 ; Major, Ist July, 1881 ; Honorary-Lieutenant-
Colonel, 6th September, 1883. Colonel Hall served with the 66th
in Southern Afghanistan, in 1879-80.
Hand, Lieutenant F. — ^Wounded at Talavera and Albuhera. See pp.
44 and 66.
Habvbt, Lieutenant Thomas J. — ^Wounded at Talavera and Albuhera.
See pp. 44 and 66.
Hat, Ensign. — Severely wounded at Albuhera by a Polish Lancer.
(See pp. 63). He recovered from his wound, but died of
consumption a few years later.
HiOKEN, Lieutenant T. B. — ^Wounded at Albuhera. See p. 66.
HONETWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant Abthub.— 2nd Lieutenant, 14th January,
1880. Killed at Maiwand. See pp. 109, 10-14, and 131.
l2
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148 THE 66th regiment.
Habrib, Major Thomas.— Ensign, 18th December, 1863; lieutenant
7th January, 1868; Captain, 10th October, 1874; Major, 8th
January, 1883. Served in the Afghan War of 1879-80, as D. A.Q.M.
General Kandahar Field Force, and was present in the engage-
ments at Girishk, (wounded), and on the Helmund (mentioned in
despatches), at Maiwand, (wounded), and in the defence of
Kandahar, (Medal). Major Harris is now serving as D.A.A.
Greneral, Madras, p. 110.
Hatton, Libdtenant-General John. — Ensign, 66th Foot, 29th June,
1780 ; Lieutenant, 16th July, 1782 ; Captain, 21st July, 1783 ;
Major, 2nd September, 1795 ; Lieutenant- Colonel, 17th August,
1797; Colonel, 30th October, 1805; Major-General, 4th June,
1811 ; Lieutenant-General, 12th August, 1819. This officer served
with the 66th in the West Indies for eight years, and at Gibraltar
for three years. As Major, he commanded *the regiment at the
attack on Leogane, St. Domingo (see page 7), and subsequently, as
Lieutenant-Colonel in North America, and India, (see pp. 9 and
13). In 1807, he returned from India, and was appointed to the
Staff in Aldemey ; in 1811, he was serving on the Staff at Perth,
with the rank of Major-General.
Healey, Lieutenant John. — ^Ensign, 4th December, 1857 ; Lieutenant,
21 St April, 1860. Served in the 83rd Foot during the Indian
Campaign; was present at the reduction of the fort of Arrah,
January, 1858, siege and assault of Kotah, defeat of Gwalior
rebels at Kotaria, and attack on rebels at Seckur. Medal.
HsNRT, In8Peotor-General-of-Hospital8 Walter. — Hospital Assis-
tant, 11th April, 1811 ; Assistant Surgeon, 19th December, 1811 ;
Surgeon, 8th June, 1826 ; Staff Surgeon, 4th Januaiy, 1839 ;
Deputy-Inspector-General, 16th December, 1848 ; Inspector-
General, 3rd December, 1818. Mr. Henry served with the 66th in
the Peninsula, from May, 1811, to the close of the war. (War
Medal with three dasps). He served with the Ist Battalion
during the Nepaulese War of 1816-7 ; and in the Canadian
Reb^on of 1837-8. Mr. Henry was present in St. Helena during
the last four years of Napoleon Bonaparte's life ; and after his
death was charged with the duty of preparing the bulletin of the
post-mortem appearance of the body, which was published by the
British Government. See pp. 78 and 80.
Hollter, Lieutenant and Quarter-Master Walter. — Quarter-
Master, 18th June, 1881. Served with the 66th in the Afghan
War of 1879-80, and took part in the defence of Kandahar, and
was present at the battle of Kandahar. Medal with clasp,
page 98.
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WAR SERVICES OP OFFICERS. 149
Jaoeson, Major-General Alexander CosBT.-Major-General Jackson
entered the Army as an Ensign in the 40th Foot, in July, 1799.
He embarked with that corps for Toulon, in 1793, but a fever
breaking out on board the transports, they returned to Plymouth,
where the 40th disembarked. In March, 1794, Jackson was
promoted to a company in the old 94th, (Lord Hutchinson's
regiment), and in the following year he obtained his Majority.
In March, 1798, the 94th was reduced, and the officers placed on
half-pay. Major Jackson was, however, reappointed to the 40th,
and served with that regiment during the Helder expedition ; also
in Minorca ; and in Sir Ralph Abercrombie's unsuccessful attack
on Cadiz. In July, 1803, Major Jackson was appointed to the
67th, and . served in India until 1810, when he obtained the
Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 66th. Colonel Jackson joined the
66th in Ceylon, and then held several important commands. In
June, 1813, he was appointed Major-General, and was subsequently
employed in Caiiada.
Kellt, Lieutenant-Colonel Richard.— Lieutenant, 41st Foot, 12th
January, 1799 ; Captain, 66th Foot, 6th March, 1806 : Major, 4th
Ceylon Regiment, 6th December, 1810 ; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel,
3rd August, 1815 ; Major, 83rd Foot, 1st January, 1818. This
officer, while serving as a Lieutenant in the 41st, was placed on
half-pay on the reduction of the Army after the peace of Amiens.
On war again breaking out, he was posted to the 67th, and shortly
afterwards he obtained permission to raise a company. Having
obtained the required number of men — chiefly from amongst hia
father's tenantry in Ireland — he was gazetted Captain, and posted
to the 2nd Battalion 66th. When the battalion embarked fdr
Portugal in March, 1809, Captain Kelly was senior Captain ; and
the lieutenant-Colonel (Sir Charles Wale) being employed on the
Staff in the West Indies, the battalion was commanded by Major
Murray ; Major Richard Lloyd being the junior Major. Lloyd
was drowned on the march to Cork, (page 29) so the battalion
landed in Portugal with only one Field officer, and thus Captain
Kelly had to peiiorm the duties of Major. At the passage of the
Douro the battalion was taken into action by Major Murray, and
he being severely wounded, the command devolv^ upon Captain
Kelly. Captain Kelly retained the command for nearly two years,
and took the 66th into action at Talavera, where he was wounded
by the fragment of a shell, but did not quit the field (pages 37 and
44). For his services at Talavera, Captain Kelly was specially
recommended for " a Majority, (not a brevet but a iiibstantive
Majority,) but was, to his great regret, posted to the 4th Ceylon
Regiment. Though his commission as Major bore date of 6th
December, 1810, he did not relinquish command of .the 2nd
Battalion 66th, until early in the following year, and so wag
present at the battle of Busaco, and also in the lines of Torres
Yedras. On his leaving the 66th, the officers of the 2nd Battalion
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150 THE 66th begiment.
presented Major Kelly with a silver mounted Sword, as " a nuirh
of ifidr high esteem and regoflrd^ and to return their acknowledgements
for his kindness to them while they had the happiness of serving
under his commamdJ*' Major Kelly received the Gold Medal for
Talavera, but died before the issue of the Peninsular War Medal —
to which he would have been entitled, together with three clajsps
for the Douro, Talavera, and Busaoo.
Major Kelly subsequently distinguished himself in Ceylon, during
the suppression of the Kandyan rebellion, for which he received a
highly complimentary letter from Sir Edward Barnes.
Kellt, Ensign. — This officer, who was the youngest brother of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Kelly, (see above) joined the 66th shortly before
Talavera. At the battle of Talavera, Ensign Kelly carried the
Regimental- Colour ; which was shot through, though he escaped
without a wound. Mr. Kelly, being of a delicate constitution,
could not stand the hardships of the campaign, and being left
behind in hospital, he fell into the hands of the French, and died a
prisoner of war.
Lynoh, Captain Hyacinth.— 2nd Lieutenant, 9th July, 1879 ; Lieu-
tenant, 10th April, 1880 ; Captain, 15th December, 1884. Served
on the Afghan War of 1879-80; including action at" Girishk ;
battle of Maiwand, (wounded, see page 111,) defence of Kandahar.
Mentioned in despatches, {London Gazette, 19th November, 1880).
, MedaL Also with the 1st Battalion Royal Berks in Soudan
Expedition, 1885, and fought in the action of Tofrek. Medal and
2 clasps.
L'EsTRANOE, Lieutenant. — Wounded at Albuhera. (p. 56.)
Mc Math, Captain W. H. — Ensign, 22nd August, 1865 ; Lieutenant,
Ist August, 1868 ; Captam, 14th April, 1877. Killed at Maiwand.
See pp. 109-14.
Mack, Ensign. — Wounded at Albuhera. See p. 56.
Mc Cartht, Lieutenant Charles.— Wounded at Talavera and
Albuhera. See pp. 44-56.
MACKINNON, Major W. A. Daniel.— Ensign, 29th May, 1867 ; Lieu-
tenant, 29th May, 1869; Captain, 13th April, 1879; Major, 14th
April, 1883. Served in the Afghan War, 1879-80, march from
Khelati-i-Ghilzai to Kandahar, relief of Kandahar, and battle of
Ist September. Medal with clasp ; and bronze star.
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WAR SERVICES OF OFFICERS. 151
MbllisSi Lieutenant G. Laurence. (Bombay Staff Corps). — 2nd
Lieutenant, January, 1879 ; Lieutenant, 28th July, 1880. Served
with the 66th Foot in the Afghan War, 1879-80, and was present
at the battle of Maiwand and retreat to Kandahar. See pp.
116, 17.
MoBGAN, Lieutenant H. — Wounded and taken prisoner at Talavera.
See p. 44.
MoBRis, Lieutenant Apollos. — Wounded and taken prisoner at
Talavera. See p. 44.
MoKius, Lieutenant S. C. — Wounded at Talavera. See p. 44.
Morris, Major Arthur. — After serving as a subaltern with the 73rd
in India, from 1798 to 1803, this officer was promoted to a company
in the 2nd Ceylon Regiment. Exchanging back to the 73rd, he
brought it home in 1806. In 1809, he exchanged to the 2nd
battalion 66th and accompanied it to Portugal, but the fatigue and
hardships of the campaign so impaired his health that he was
compelled to return to England. He then exchanged to the 2nd
Garrison Battalion, and was for some years employed on the Staff
as Major of Brigade. In 1814, he received a Brevet Majority,
and was subsequently placed on half -pay.
MuRPHT, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas. — Lieutenant, 8th January,
1856; Captain, 5th August, 1870; Major, 1st July, 1881; Hon.
Lieutenant-Colonel, 8th January, 1883. Served in the Koyal
Artillery throughout the Eastern Campaign, from June, 1854 to
January, 1856. Was present at Inkerman, and engaged in the six
bombardments of Sebastopol, and was not absent from regular
trench duty for a single day from first breaking ground to the end
of the siege, (recommended for distinguished conduct). Served in
the Turkish Contingent at Kertch, from January, 1856, to end of
war. Medal with two clasps, and Turkish MedaL Lieutenant-
Colonel Murphy is on retired pay. See page 94.
MuRRAT, Colonel James Patrick, C.B. — Obtained an Ensigncy in the
44th refifiment, 1796, and a Lieutenancy in 17 97. He was employed
on regimental duty until May, 1798, when he was appointed
Aide-de-camp to General D jn, with whom he continued until June,
1799, when he joined Lieutenant-General Sir James Pultenejr, and
served as Aide-de-camp to that officer during the campaign in
North Holland. He was present in the actions of the 27th August,
10th and 19th September, 2nd and 6th of October. On the 26th
December, 1799, he obtained a company in the 9th Foot. He next
served in the expedition to FerroL At the peace of 1802, he was
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152 THE 66th begiment.
placed on half -pay, and after studying for some time at the Royal
Military College, was appointed to a company in the 66th Foot
The 9th February, 1804, he obtained a Majority in the latter corps :
the 25th May, 1809, he received the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel,
and was appointed Assistant-Quarter- Master-General in Ireland;
and in November, 1809, Lieutenant-Colonel, 6th Garrison Battalion.
He also served in Portugal, and received a severe wound at the
passage of the Douro (see page 33) ; in 1813, 14 he was Assistant
Adjutant-General in Ireland. The 12th August, 1812, he received
the Brevet of Colonel.
NiOHOLLS, Captain Augustus. — Ensign, 5th October, 1809; Lieu-
tenant, 1st September, 1813; Captain, 17th March, 1837 ; Placed
on half-pay, 17th March, 1837. Captain Nicholls served in the
Peninsula with the 66th, from February, 1810, to the end of the
war in 1814 ; including the battles of Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria,
Orthes, and Toulouse ; also the actions of Arroyo dos MolinoB
Garris, and Aire. War Medal with clasps. *
Nicholls, Majob-Gbnbral Gboboe.— Ensign, 26th June, 1799 ;
lieutenant, 25th May, 1803; Captain, 23rd Februaiy, 1809;
Major, 5th July, 1821 ; Lieutenant-Colonel; 10th January, 1837 ;
Colonel, 11th November, 1851 ; Major-General, Slst August, 1855.
Joined 2nd Battalion 66th Regiment, in Spain, 1811, and was
severely wounded at Vittoria (see page 66), in skirmishing with
the enemy as Captain of the light Company, (Medal with clasp).
Subsequently he joined the 1st Battalion at St. Helena, and waa
appointed Orderly Officer to Napoleon, and had charge of the
Longwood Establishment during seventeen months. (Hart's
Army List, 1856.)
NiooL, Lieutenant-Colonel Chables.— Captain, 66th Foot, 26th
June, 1799 ; Major, Srd April, 1806 ; Lieutenant-Colone]^ 13th
June, 1811. This officer served with the 66th in Spain and
Portugal, and after the battle of the Nive, succeeded to the
command of the provisional battalion, composed of the Slst and
66th, (pages 70 and 74). Commanded a Brigade during the
Nepaulese War of 1816-17. (See p. 22). He subsequently
commanded the 66th at St. Helena, (page 79) and took the
regiment home in 1821. In 1827, Colonel Niool proceeded to
Canada in command of the 66th. Page 81.
Olivet, 2nd Lieutenant, Waltbb R.— 2nd lieutenant, 14th January,
1880. Killed at Maiwand. (See pp. 109, 10-14.)
Oliveb, Major Charles Valentine.— Ensign, 8th September, 1864 ;
lieutenant, 29th February, 1856; Captain, 21st April, 1863;
Major, 24th February, 1878. Died at Kandahar. See p. 135.
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WAB BEBYICES OF OFFIGEBS. 158
Pabkb, Lieutenant-Colonel William.— Ensign, 1791 ; Lieutenant,
1793 ; Captain, 1797 ; Major, 1811 ; Brevet-Lieutenant-Oolonel,
12th August, 1719. Colonel Parke first saw service with the
53rd Foot, in the West Indies ; from whence he returned home in
time to take part in the suppression of the Irish rebellion of 1798.
After serving in the Helder expedition ; in the Duke of York's
campaign in North Holland; and in Egypt, under Sir Ralph
Abercrombie ; Parke accompanied his regiment to Portugal, and
was present at the battle of Vimiera ; &isx> during Moore's retreat
through Spain, and was wounded at Corunna. He subsequently
served in the Walcheren expedition, and again accompanied the
53rd to the Peninsula, in 1811. In 1812, he exchanged — as Major —
into the 2nd Battalion 66th, and proceeded with the battalion to
St Helena, where he served until the reduction of the battalion in
1817, when he was placed on half-pay.
"Basdy, Lieutbnant T.— Wounded at Talavera. (See p. 44.)
Preston, Suboeon-Majob Alexander Francis, M.B. — Assistant-
Surgeon, 30th September, 1863 ; Surgeon, Ist March, 1873 ;
Surgeon-M^jor, 28th April, 1876. Mr. Preston served with the
66th in the Afghan War of 1879-80, and was present at the battle
of Maiwand, (severely wounded), the action of Girishk, and siege
of Kandahar. Mentioned in despatches. Medal. See page 107.
QuARBT, Lieutenant-Colonel John.— Ensign, 29th October, 1861 ;
Lieutenant, 4th March, 1868; Captain, 15th August, 1875;
Brevet-Major, 2nd March, 1881; Major 1st July, 1881; Hon-
Lieutenant-Colonel, 16th October, 1884. Served with the 66th in
the Afghan War, in 1879-80, and was present at the affairs on the
Helmund against the Wali's mutineers, and at Girishk; at the
battle of Maiwand and retreat to Kandahar ; the defence of
Kandahar ; including the sortie of the 16th August ; and at the
battle of Elandahar. Mentioned in three despatches. Brevet of
Major, Medal with dasp. See pp. 112, 13, and 115, 16, and 131.
Batner, Lieutenant Maurioe E.— Lieutenant, 11th February, 1875.
Killed at Maiwand, when Acting- Adjutant of the 66th. See p»
109-14.
Beadt, Colonel John Tobin. — Ensign, 9th September, 1854;
lieutenant, 28th August, 1857; Captain, 28th August, 1863;
Brevet- Major, 1st October, 1877; Major, 14th November, 1879;
Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st July, 1881; Colonel, Ist July, 1885.
Served with the 66th in the Afghan War of 1880, and was present
in the engagements at Girishk and Maiwand, and in the defence of
Kandahar, (Medal) (pp. 113, 114, &;c.) Betired from command of
87.
regiment, April, 1887
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164 THE 66th begiment.
Roberts, Captain Halter.— Ensign, 8th February, 1865 ; Lieutenant,
19th December, 18«ftj Captain, 14th November, 1879. Killed at
Maiwand. See p. 111-14
Ross, Colonel John, C.B. — ^Appoibt^d Lieutenant in the 52nd Foot
the 8th May, 1796 ; Captain, the H^ of January, 1800 ; Major,
the 15th of August, 1804 ; Lieutenant-€!(4pnel in the Army, the
28th X){ January, 1808 ; Lieutenant- Colonerth4be 52nd Foot, the
18th of February, 1801 ; Lieutenant-Colonel in this W^ Foot, the
18th July, 1814 ; Colonel the 4th of June, 1814. This «ftcer
commanded the 52nd Regiment at the battle of Yimiera, and M^
name was mentioned in the Duke of Wellington's despatch. He
was appointed the 20th of August, 1811, Deputy Adjutant-Greneral
in Ireland ; and on the 12th of August, 1819, Commandant of the
Depdt at the Isle of Wight.
Sbaton, General Lord (Sir John Colborne,) G.C.B., G.C.M.G.,
G.C.H.— Appointed Ensign, 20th Foot, 10th July, 1794; Lieu-
tenant, 20th Foot, 4th September, 1795 ; Captain-Lieutenant,
11th August, 1799; Captain, 12th .January, 1800; Lieutenant-
Colonel, 6th Garrison Battalion, 2nd February, 1809 ; Lieutenant-
Colonel, 66th Foot, 2nd November, 1809 ; Lieutenant-Colonel,
62nd Foot, 18th July, 1811 ; Colonel by Brevet, 4th June, 1814 ;
Major-General, 27th March, 1826 ; Lieutenant-General, 28th June,
1858 ; General, 20th June, 1854 ; Colonel, 2nd Life Guards, 24th
March, 1854. This officer served with the army in Spain and
Portugal ; in the first campaign he served on the staff of Sir
John Moore, whose distinguished opinion of him is recorded in
Major-General Anderson's letter. He was present at the battles
of Corunna and Albuhera ; siege of Ciudad Rodrigo ; battles of
Nivelle, Nive, Orthes and Toulouse. At Corunna he was Military
Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief. He also served in Flanders,
and was present at the battle of Waterloo. For his distinguished
services Sir John Colborne was created a Peer, under the title of
Baron Seaton, in 1839. Lord Seaton was decorated with the Gold
Cross and three clasps for Corunna, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo,
(where he was severely wounded) Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse.
Shrewbridge, Lieutenant L.— Killed at Albuhera. (Page 56.)
St. George, Lieutenant S.— Wounded at Albuhera. (p. 56.)
Steel, Captain. — Died of wounds received at Talavera. (p. 44.)
Stevens, Captain H. William.— Ensign, 31st August, 1804 ; Lieu-
tenant, 13th June, 1805 ; Captain, 26th February, 1807 ; placed on
half-pay, 25th February, 1816. Served in the Peninsula with the
66th, and was present at the passage of the Douro ; when, after
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WAB SSBVIGEB OF OFFICEBS. 155
Major Mttrray was wounded, he acted as field officer. This he
continued to do until the battle of Talavera, where his horse was
Bhot under him and he himself was severely wounded. (See p.
44). He afterwards fell into the hands of the French, and was
tskken to France, and there detained until the peace of 1814.
Medal and clasp.
UssHBB, LiEUTENANT-OoLONEL. — Served with the 66th in the Nepaul
Campaign of 1816,17.
Vjebnon, Lieutenant Genebal, Henbt Charles Edwabd, C.B.—
Ensign, 8th November, 1798 ; Lieutenant, 26th September, 1799 ;
Captain, 17th July, 1801 : Major, 13th June, 1811 ; Lieutenant-
Colonel, 4th June, 1813 ; Colonel, 22nd July, 1830 ; Major-
General, 23rd November, 1841 ; Lieutenant-General, 11th Novem-
ber, 1851. Served in the Peninsula in 1808, 9 as D.A.A.G.
Subsequently in the same capacity until June, 1811, and was
present at Talavera. Served with the 2nd BattisJion 66th at the
surprise of a French Division at Arroyo dos Molinos, and other
operations until the capture of Badajoz. With the ''Queen's'' at
the reduction of the Forts and battle of Salamanca, (severely
wounded). Served, in command of • his regiment, preceding, during,
and subsequent, to the siege of Burgos. Gold Medal for Salamanca,
and Silver war Medal, with one dasp, for Talavera. (Hart's
Army List, 1856.)
Vincent, Major-General John.— Ensign, 66th Foot, 1782; Lieu-
tenant, August, 1782 ; Captain, 49th Foot, 15th December, 1783 ;
Major, 1st September, 1795 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st January,
1800 ; Colonel, 25th July, 1810 ; Major-General, 4th June, 1813.
This officer served with the 49th at the taking of St. Domingo ;
also in the expedition to the Helder, and subsequently in the
expedition to Copenhagen. He afterwards served for many years
in Canada.
Wale, Major-General Sir Charles, K.C.B.~En8ign, June, 1779;
Lieutenant, 1780 ; Captain, 1786 ; Brevet-Major, Ist Januaiy,
1794 ; Brevet- Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st January, 1798 ; Colonel,
25th April, 1808 ; Major-General, 4th June, 1811. Sir Charles
Wale first saw service with the 97th, during the defence of
Gibraltar, in 1782. Li 1799, he served a campaign in Holland, and
in the spring of 1801, took command of the 67th at Jamaica. In
June, 1808, he exchanged to the 66th, and commanded the 2nd
Battalion until appointed Brigadier-General on the Staflf of the
Windward Islands, (March, 1809). As Brigadier-General, he
conmianded the reserve of Sir G. Beckwith's army at Guadaloupe,
and with his brigade, stormed the heights of Matauba, on the 3rd
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156
THE 66th regiment.
Februaiy, 1810 ; when he received a severe wound. (Medal). On
recovering from his wound, he was appointed to the command of
Grande Terre, in Guadaloupe ; and subsequently succeeded to the
sole command of that island. In 1812, he was appointed Grovemor
of Martinique, which appointment he held until the island was
surrendered so Louis xviii.
Walker, Ensign. — Killed at Albuhera. Page 56.
Whitnbt, LiBcrrENANT Nicholas.— Wounded at Talavera and Albuhera.
pp. 44 and 56
APPENDIX m.
List op Opficees ust 1761.
BANK.
NAMES.
Colonel
John La Faussille^
Lieut.-Col.
Hans Musgrave
Major
Charles Beauclerk
Captain
George Daniel
>>
Thomas Crosby
*f
John Gillan
$f
William Boss
9t
Eobert Drew
Capt.-Liieut.
James Coates*
Lieutenant
Eobert St. Clair
tt
Andrew Agnew*
>>
Henry Goddard
1 Colonel from 24th August, 1753, to 19th January, 1763.
'Placed on half -pay, 1763. Appears on half -pay list of 66th Foot in
1800.
* Those marked with an asterisk see Appendices L and IL
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APPENDIX in,
BANK.
NAMES.
Lieutenant
B. Wigmore Knight*
»
Algernon Warren
i>
George Dansey
»>
George Beynolds
>>
John Barcas
>>
William Grierson
>>
William Gregory-
>>
William Hepburn
>>
David Scott*
»
Isaac Smith
>i
Jocelyn Shawford
*>
Bichard Ellis
>i
David Ferguson .
li
William Gatherwood
9i
Samuel Barker
Ensign
Francis Bindon
>i
Marshall Wright^
»
Andrew Parker
>i
John Gardiner
if
John Beardsley^
»i
Archer Pearson
>>
Hawtrey Humphries
157
^ Appears on half -pay list 24th Foot in 1800. Placed on half -pay as
Lieutenant, 1783.
^ A Major David Scott was Captain of an Invalid Company in Jersey,
in 1800.
^ Fort Major of Dartxpouth in 1800. (Rank of Lieutenant).
* Placed on half -pay as Lieutenant in 1763. Appears on half -pay
list 66th Foot in 1800.
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158 THE 66th iubgiment.
BANK. NAMES.
Ensign John Parked
Chaplain Nathaniel Bristed^
Adjutant John Barcas
Quar.-Master William Hanson
Surgeon James Douglas
List op Opficebs, July, 1881.
(Last Official List of the 66th Foot.)
SANK. NAH3ES.
Colonel Tho. Henry Johnston, (General)^
Lieut.-Col. Somerville C. Hogge
Major John Tobin Eeady*
„ Eobert J. J. Stewart^®
Captains Thomas Murphy*
„ Thomas Harris*
„ John Quarry (Major)*
„ W. A. D. Mackinnon*
John C. M. Pigott, P.S.C.i^
„ Adolphus J. Price*
„ W.J. de la P. Beresford Pierse*
7 A Lieutenant John Parke appears on half -pay list of 107 th Foot in
1800.
^Mr. Bristed held the appointment of Chaplain of the 66th until 1792.
' See list of Colonels.
*® Retired with Honorary rank of Major-GreneraL
"Staff.
* Those marked with an asterisk see Appendices L and II.
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APPENDIX III.
159
BANK. NAMES.
„ Henry S. Hassard*
,, F. McCrae Bruce*
„ William F. Marriott
Lieutenant Charles Bury Adams
Lieutenant Hon. Carnegie P. Jervis (I. of M.)^^
Granville de la M. Faunce*
James W. H. Fitzgerald
Charles Mackenzie Edwards*
Hyacinth Lynch*
William A. Lonergan
George Laurence Melliss*
Eeginald Bray*
Frank McTier Bunny*
Fred. S. Marsham (Adjutant)
G. D. E. Williams
2nd Lieutenant Sudlow Harrison
„ Frederick A. Deare
Quar. -Master Walter Hollyer*
12 Viscount St. Vincent ; retired 1886.
* Those marked with an asterisk see Appendices I. and IL
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SUPPLY ASSOCIATION,
175, FRIAR STREET,
(Opposite St. Lawrence's Churcli,)
Telegraphic Address:
'• GREGORY, LOVE, READING." TELEPHONE Nos. 36 i 37.
••.••■•. ^••..••s .•••..•' •..
The original and most extensive Stores in the Southern
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.•■ v.«' H vv ..'"•..'••.••■^••■i.
GREGORY, LOVE, & CO.,
PROPRIETORS.
DEP/rF^TJVIEJ^TS.
Tea, Coffee, and Spices
General Groceries
Provisions
Frenclv and Italian Goods
American & Australian Goods
Fancy Fruits, Bonbons, &e.
iErated and Foreign Mineral
Waters
Patent Medicines
Drngs & Brnggists' Sundries
Perfumery & Toilet Bequisites
Brushes, Brooms, Mats, &e.
India Rubber Goods of every description for Surgical
and other purposes.
PRICE LIST post ft-ee, or upon application at the
Stores.
FAMILIES WAITED UPON DAILY FOB OBDEBS,
AGENTS FOR
HUNTLEY & PALMERS' Biscuits & Cakes.
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Builber anb Contractor,
88, WELDALE STREET, READING.
WORKSHOPS— 32, WELDALE STREET.
ESTIMATES GIVEN FOR GENERAL REPAIRS.
Funerals personally conducted in Town and
Country on reasonable terms.
ALL KINDS OF BLINDS MADE AND REPAIRED.
W. G. is appointed Contractor to the War Department
J. J. BEECROFT,
STATIONER & BOOKBINDER,
24, MARKET PLACE, & STATION HILL,
Every description of Commercial and General
Printing on the shortest Notice.
ACCOUNT BOOKS— Special Patterns to order.
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CURTISS & SONS,
Jlrmg ^ Habg fBaggag^ Cnntractors,
RAILWAY, SHIPPING,
And GENERAL FORWARDING AGENTS,
ROYAL PANTECHNICON, PORTSMOUTH,
Chief Offlceft:—
88 to 969 BBOAn STREET, rORTSMOUTH,
BAGGAGE, FURNITURE, &c..
Warehoused, Shipped, Cleared, Forwarded, and Insured.
FIREPROOF ROOMS FOR STORING PLATE, DEEDS, AC.
H.M. Indian Troopships — Letters and Telegrams for Officers,
if addressed to the Care of CURTISS & SONS, will be
delivered on board, free of charge, immediately upon Ship's
arrival at Portsmouth. Messrs. C. & Sons' representatives meet
the Troop and other Ships at the Dockyard Jetty to take charge
of Baggage, &c.
PaSSCtfiT^S engragrod by P. & O. and other Steamers, Cabin Plans
and every information supplied, without charge for commission.
Baooaob, Mebchandisb, Parcels, &c., shipp^ to, or landed at
any Port at moderate rates.
Agents at all ;prhicipal Ports,
Household Removals conducted to and from All Parts of the
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CURTISS & SONS' Monthly Shipping List,
CONTAINING :—
Sailings of Indian Troopships, P. & 0., British India, Anchor, Hall,
and other lines ; Fares to India, &c. ; Army and Navy Baggage
Regulations, &c., &c., post free on application.
CURTISS & sons,
ARMY AND NAVY BAGGAGE AGENTS.
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HEELAS, SONS & COMPANY,
BEADING.
Heelas, Sons & Co.,
; LINEN DBAPERS.
Heelas, Sons & Co.,
TAILORS, OUTFITTEES.
Heelas, Sons & Co.,
CABPET WAREHOUSEMEN.
Heelas, Sons & Co.,
COMPLETE HODSE FURNISHERS.
Purchasers visiting H. S. & Co. 'a Establishment have the advantage of
selecting from a stock which is extremely large and well assorted
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is stated that their Show Rooms alone cover an area of upwards
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Heelas, Sons & Co.,
FUENISHING CATALOGUE,
Containing upwards of 900 DRAWINGS— GRATIS.
GOODS SENT FREE.
Heelas, Sons & Co.,
BROAD STREET, & MINSTER STREET, READING.
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