Historical Record of the Fifty-Third, or the Shropshire Regiment of Foot / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755 and of its subsequent services to 1848

by Richard Cannon

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE

FIFTY-THIRD,

OR

THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

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1755

In the winter of 1755, when the attacks made by the French on the British settlements beyond the Allegany Mountains, in North America, appeared to render a war between the two countries inevitable, King George II. resolved to augment the strength of his regular army, and a letter of service was addressed to Colonel William Whitmore, major in the third foot guards, authorizing him to raise, form, and discipline a regiment of foot, of ten companies, which was numbered the FIFTY-FIFTH; but two colonial corps being soon afterwards disbanded, viz., Major-General Shirley's and Major-General Sir William Pepperell's, which had been numbered the Fiftieth and Fifty-first regiments, it obtained rank as FIFTY-THIRD regiment.[6]

This regiment was raised in the south of England: its uniform was cocked hats; red coats, faced with red, lined with yellow, and ornamented with yellow lace; red waistcoats and breeches, and white gaiters. The colonelcy was conferred on Colonel William Whitmore, by commission dated the 21st of December, 1755; the lieut.-colonelcy was given to Major George Craufurd, from the thirty-fifth regiment, then in Ireland; and Captain William Arnot was nominated major.

1756

Early in 1756 the formation of the regiment was completed, and the following officers were appointed to commissions in the corps:—

Colonel, William Whitmore.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Geo. Craufurd.	Major, Wm. Arnot.

Captains.
John Lindsay.	Geo. Sempill.	Tho. Thompson.
Jas. Wakeman.	Tho. Benson.	Captain-Lieut., Lord
Jas. Mc.Farlane.	Robert Lamb.	Viscount Allen.
Lieutenants.
Geo. O. Kenlock.	Jas. Worsley.	John Slowe.
Rob. Wright.	Jno. Campbell.	Wm. Hughes.
Chs. Chambre.	Jno. Donellan.	Tho. Dyson.
John Manmore.
Ensigns.
Cha. L. Richards.	Geo. Massey.	Dougal Ewart.
Tho. Moore.	Lodovick Grant.	Geo. C. Brown.
John Wright.	Westley Groves.	Jas. Frognorton.

Chaplain, Geo. Watkins.	Adjutant, J. Frognorton.
Surgeon, Tho. London.	Quarter-Master, Cosmo Gordon.

The formation of the regiment being completed, it received orders to embark for Gibraltar, and was stationed at that important fortress during the whole of the seven years' war, and remained there until 1768.

1758
1759

In October, 1758, Colonel Whitmore was removed to the ninth regiment of foot; and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD, in April, 1759, by Colonel John Toovey, from lieut.-colonel in the royal dragoons.

1768

The regiment was relieved from duty at the fortress of Gibraltar in 1768, when it embarked for Ireland, where it was quartered during the following eight years.

1770

Colonel Toovey died in the early part of the year 1770, and King George III. conferred the colonelcy on Colonel R. Dalrymple Horne Elphinstone, who had commanded the 120th regiment of foot, which was disbanded after the peace in 1763.

1775

While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, the misunderstanding between Great Britain and her North American provinces on the subject of taxation, was followed by open hostilities; and a body of American troops undertook the siege of Quebec.

1776

In the spring of 1776 the FIFTY-THIRD and several other corps proceeded, under Major-General Burgoyne, for the relief of Quebec: this regiment embarked from Ireland on the 4th of April, arrived in Canada towards the end of May, and took part in the operations by which the American troops were driven from the confines of the British provinces. During the winter the regiment was stationed at Chambly.

1777

The flank companies of the regiment were selected, in the spring of 1777, to form part of the force under Lieut.-General Burgoyne, who was directed to penetrate the United States from Lake Champlain to the river Hudson, and advance upon Albany, with the view of bringing that part of the country into submission to the British crown. The troops employed on this service proceeded to Crown Point in boats, and afterwards moved towards Ticonderoga, forcing the Americans to abandon that post, and pursuing them a considerable distance. Some fighting occurred, in which the British soldiers evinced great gallantry, and the companies of the FIFTY-THIRD had opportunities of distinguishing themselves. The army advanced towards the river Hudson, encountering much greater difficulties than had been expected. The country through which it marched was a wilderness; numerous obstructions had to be removed, forty bridges had to be constructed, and others repaired; but every difficulty was overcome by the cheerful perseverance of the soldiers. Their hardships were, however, daily augmented; and after passing the river Hudson, they were opposed by very superior numbers of the enemy. Several actions occurred, and British valour was conspicuous; but incessant toil and a scarcity of provisions reduced the army to 3500 men, who were environed by 16,000 Americans, and their retreat cut off. Under these circumstances a convention was concluded, by which the British agreed to lay down their arms on condition of being sent to England. The Americans afterwards violated the conditions of the convention, and detained the English soldiers some time.

1778
1781

Eight companies of the regiment had remained in Canada, where they were eventually joined by the flank companies, and the regiment was stationed in that part of the British dominions several years.

1782

The American war terminated in 1782:—In the same year the regiment received instructions to assume the title of the FIFTY-THIRD, OR THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT, and to cultivate a connexion with that county, which might, at all times, be useful towards recruiting.

1789
1790

In the summer of 1789 the regiment, being then in garrison at Quebec, was relieved by the twenty-fourth foot, and embarked for England, where it landed on the 31st of August. It passed the winter at Bridgenorth, and towards the end of the year 1790 embarked on board the fleet to serve as marines, on which service it was employed a short time.

1791
1792

Embarking from Plymouth on the 17th of February, 1791, the regiment proceeded to Glasgow, and was stationed in Scotland during the year 1792.

1793

In the meantime a revolution had taken place in France, and in 1793 the republicans of that country beheaded their king. They also attacked the frontiers of Holland, when a body of British troops was sent to the Netherlands to take part in the war. The FIFTY-THIRD regiment was one of the first corps selected to proceed on foreign service; it embarked from Scotland in March, and, after landing in Flanders, advanced up the country to Tournay.

The regiment formed part of the column under the command of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, which passed the Ronelle river on the 23rd of May, and forced the French to quit several batteries of their strong camp at Famars. It was stated in the public despatch sent to England on this occasion—"The troops of the different nations displayed the utmost firmness and intrepidity. The British who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, were the fourteenth and FIFTY-THIRD regiments, with the battalion formed from the light infantry and grenadier companies, commanded by Major-General Sir Ralph Abercromby." The regiment lost four men on this occasion.

This success was followed by the siege of Valenciennes, in which service the regiment was actively employed, and had several men killed and wounded. It also sustained some loss at the storming of the outworks on the 25th of July, which was followed by the surrender of the fortress.

From Valenciennes the British troops proceeded towards Dunkirk, which place was besieged; but circumstances occurred which rendered it necessary for the army to withdraw from this position: and the FIFTY-THIRD regiment was detached to the town of Nieuport. The French made a strenuous effort to capture this place on the 24th of October, by a coup-de-main, when the FIFTY-THIRD resisted the attack of a very superior force, with heroic gallantry, and their commanding officer, Major Robert Matthews, particularly distinguished himself. The gallant conduct of the regiment on this occasion excited universal admiration. Its loss was Lieutenant Phanuel Latham and ten soldiers killed; Captain Ronald C. Fergusson and eighteen soldiers wounded. The French continued to cannonade the place several days, causing the regiment a further loss of thirteen men; but the garrison being augmented, the enemy retired. General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey, who arrived with a reinforcement, stated in his despatch—"The artillery under Captain Bothwick, with the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, whose loss has been greatest, have been very much distinguished; and I think it only an act of justice to mention in terms of the highest approbation Major Matthews (commanding the FIFTY-THIRD), whose long services and particular exertions on this occasion will, I hope, recommend him to His Majesty's notice."

The Royal authority was given for the regiment to bear the word "Nieuport" on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished conduct in the defence of that fortress.

1794

General Elphinstone died in the spring of 1794, when the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Gerard Lake, from lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards.

Taking the field in April of this year, the regiment was engaged in the operations by which the enemy was driven from his positions at Vaux, Prémont, Marets, &c., on the 17th of that month, when the Duke of York expressed in general orders the sense he entertained of the bravery and conduct of the troops engaged.

The regiment was subsequently employed in covering the siege of Landrécies; it was in line on the 26th of April, when the attack of the French on the British position at Cateau was repulsed; and after the surrender of Landrécies, the regiment marched to the vicinity of Tournay.

On the 10th of May the position near Tournay was attacked, and the French were repulsed with severe loss.

A combined attack on the posts occupied by the French army was made on the 17th of May; when the FOURTEENTH, THIRTY-SEVENTH, and FIFTY-THIRD regiments, forming the second brigade, under Major-General Fox,[7] were attached to the column under the Duke of York's immediate command, which captured Lannoy, Roubaix, and Mouveaux; and the three regiments were afterwards posted on the main road from Lisle to Roubaix. Meanwhile the failure of the other columns of the allied army had left the British troops exposed to the whole weight and power of the enemy's overwhelming numbers, and early on the 18th of May the fourteenth, thirty-seventh, and FIFTY-THIRD regiments were attacked by a numerous force. A historian of that campaign states,—"Major-General Fox, with the fourteenth, thirty-seventh, and FIFTY-THIRD regiments, was engaged with the whole of the column which had marched from Lisle, and the different corps, which had driven back the rest of the army, fell upon his flanks and rear. Perhaps there is not on record a single instance of greater gallantry and more soldier-like conduct than was exhibited on that occasion by these three regiments. At length Major-General Fox, finding that the whole army had left him, began to think of retreating; to effect which it was necessary to get possession of the causeway leading to Leers, and before that could be accomplished, he was obliged to charge several battalions of the enemy, who were astonished that such a handful of men should presume to give them battle, and expected every moment that they would lay down their arms; but with a degree of intrepidity that words cannot describe, and is, indeed, scarcely conceivable, they gained the wished-for point; then forming with such regularity that the enemy could not assail them, they secured their retreat towards Leers, and the next morning joined General Otto's column. This brigade, which consisted of only eleven hundred and twenty men, left in the field five hundred and thirty-three."[8]

The FIFTY-THIRD regiment had Lieutenant John Rhind, eight serjeants, two drummers, and one hundred and ninety-one rank and file killed and missing; Major Thomas Scott, Captain Thomas Brisbane, Ensign E. Pierce, one serjeant, and fourteen rank and file wounded.[9]

Resuming its post in front of Tournay, the regiment was in line on the 22nd of May, when a numerous French army attacked the position occupied by the allies. The right wing of the army being pressed by the enemy, Major-General Fox's brigade was detached to its support. Speaking of the FOURTEENTH, THIRTY-SEVENTH, and FIFTY-THIRD regiments on this occasion, the Duke of York stated in his despatch, "Nothing could exceed the spirit and gallantry with which they conducted themselves, particularly in the storming of the village of Pontéchin, which they forced with the bayonet. The enemy immediately began to retreat." In general orders it was stated, "His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief desires to express his particular thanks to Major-General Fox; to the fourteenth regiment, under the command of Major Ramsey; to the thirty-seventh regiment, commanded by Captain Lightburne; to the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, commanded by Major Wiseman; and to the detachment of artillery that was attached to them, under the command of Captain Trotter, for their intrepidity and good conduct, which reflects the greatest honor upon themselves, at the same time that it was highly instrumental in deciding the important victory of the 22nd instant."

In Jones's Journal it is stated:—"There never was a better opportunity of putting British valour to the test; nor could there be anything more conspicuous than the proof they gave of what highly disciplined soldiers, well led on, may be brought to do. It appears almost impossible; but it is a fact, that a single British brigade, less than six hundred men, on that great day absolutely won the battle; for had they not come up, the allies would have been beaten."

The regiment had six rank and file killed: Lieutenants Rogers and Robertson, Ensign Pierce, one serjeant, and twenty-three rank and file wounded; twelve rank and file missing.

The word "Tournay," displayed by royal authority on the colour of the regiment, commemorates its heroic conduct on this occasion.

The enemy afterwards acquired so great a superiority of numbers, that the British army withdrew from its position, and a series of retrograde movements brought the army to the banks of the Rhine and the Waal.

1795

A severe frost having rendered the rivers passable on the ice, the British troops retired through Holland to Germany. The FIFTY-THIRD shared in the toil, privation, and suffering occasioned by long marches through a country covered with ice and snow: in the spring of 1795 they embarked for England, where they arrived in May.

The regiment was encamped near Southampton, where its ranks were completed by drafts from the 109th regiment; in November it embarked for the West Indies, and afterwards sailed with the armament, under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, for the conquest of the French West India Islands. The disasters which befell this fleet from storms at sea, and the number of shipwrecks which took place, are recorded in the naval history of Great Britain.

1796

Four companies of the regiment, commanded by Major Brisbane, arrived at Barbadoes in March, 1796, and they formed part of the armament which proceeded against St. Lucia; three other companies also arrived in time to share in the enterprise. A landing was effected on the 26th and 27th of April, and at midnight on the last-mentioned day, Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore advanced with seven companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, under Lieut.-Colonel John Abercromby, and a detachment of Rangers along a defile in the mountains, and falling in with the enemy's post at Morne Chabot, carried it after a considerable resistance. The FIFTY-THIRD distinguished themselves on this occasion; and Sir Ralph Abercromby's thanks were expressed to the regiment in orders, accompanied by the declaration that he would bring its conduct before His Royal Highness the Duke of York.

The loss of the regiment on this occasion was one drummer and twelve rank and file killed; Captain Charles Stuart, Lieutenant Richard Collins, and John Carmichael, two serjeants, forty-four rank and file wounded; one drummer and eight private soldiers missing.

The regiment was engaged in the subsequent operations for the reduction of the island, which was accomplished before the end of May; and the Royal authority was given for the word "St. Lucia" to be borne on the colours of the regiment, to commemorate its distinguished conduct on this service.

After the reduction of St. Lucia, the regiment was embarked for St. Vincent, where an insurrection had broken out, and the native Caribs and many French colonists were in arms against the British authority. The insurgents were speedily overcome, and the Caribs fled to the woods. The hostile spirit which these people had long shown towards the British interests, occasioned the government to resolve to remove them from the island. The measures for this purpose were attended with much harassing duty to the troops, and many skirmishes occurred; but the Caribs were eventually forced to submit. The regiment was afterwards withdrawn from the island, when it received the following communication from Major-General Peter Hunter, dated 26th November, 1796:—

"Sir,—I beg you, and the officers and soldiers of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, under your command, will accept of my best thanks for the zeal, activity, and humanity which have been testified by you and them, on all occasions, while under my command, during the brigand and Caribbee war in the island of St. Vincent. I am also requested by the Council and Assembly of the island to communicate, not only to the officers and soldiers now serving in St. Vincent, but to all those whom I have had the honor to command since my arrival here, the sentiments that the Assembly and inhabitants of this colony entertain of the good conduct and behaviour of the troops, and to offer their warmest, most grateful, and unfeigned thanks for the eminent services the army has rendered this island."

Major-General Lake having been removed to the seventy-third regiment, he was succeeded in the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD by Major-General Welbore Ellis Doyle, by commission dated the 2nd of November, 1796.

1797

Spain having united with France in hostility to Great Britain, the FIFTY-THIRD were employed in an expedition against the Spanish settlement of Trinidad, which was captured in February, 1797, without loss.

The army subsequently proceeded against Porto Rico, and a landing was effected on the 18th of April; but the expedition proved of insufficient strength for the capture of this place, and the troops re-embarked on the night of the 30th of April. The FIFTY-THIRD had three rank and file killed; Captain John Rhind and three men wounded; Captain Samuel Dover taken prisoner. The regiment returned to St. Vincent.

1798

On the death of Major-General Doyle, the colonelcy was conferred on Lieut.-General Charles Crosbie, from the late Royal Dublin regiment, his commission bearing date the 3rd of January, 1798.

1799
1800

After remaining at St. Vincent during the years 1798 and 1799, the regiment was removed to St. Lucia in 1800.

1802

At the peace of Amiens, in 1802, the island of St. Lucia was restored to France, when the regiment returned to England, much reduced in numbers by the climate of the West Indies.

1803

On the arrival of the regiment in England, the men enlisted for limited service were discharged at Hilsea barracks, and in January, 1803, it marched, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Lightburne, for Shrewsbury.

1805

The first battalion, having been completed to eight hundred rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth, on the 20th of April, 1805, for the East Indies, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Sebright Mawby. The fleet sailed under the convoy of His Majesty's ship "Blenheim," on the 24th of April: in the early part of August it encountered a French line-of-battle ship and a frigate, when some firing took place, but nothing serious occurred; and on the 23rd of that month it arrived in Madras roads, when the FIFTY-THIRD landed, and marched into Fort St. George, where they lost a very promising officer, Captain Henry Knight Erskine, whose death was much regretted. In October they proceeded in boats to the fertile district of Dinapore, on the right bank of the Ganges, and occupied that station, in the midst of a country abounding with grain, cattle, and sheep.

1806

In consequence of the unhealthy state of the battalion, it was withdrawn from Dinapore, when Major-General Clarke expressed, in orders, his approbation of its conduct while under his command, and the high sense he entertained of the zeal and abilities of Lieut.-Colonel Mawby and of the officers generally. It arrived at Berhampore, a considerable station on the left bank of the Hoogly river, on the 6th of July.

1807

General Crosbie having died, the colonelcy was conferred on Major-General the Honorable John Abercromby, by commission dated the 21st of March, 1807, the sixth anniversary of the battle of Alexandria.

In September the first battalion embarked in boats to proceed up the Ganges, when Major-General Palmer recorded, in orders, his approbation of its exemplary conduct while stationed at Berhampore. After a voyage of eleven weeks in boats up the river, the battalion landed at Cawnpore on the 29th of November, and marched into the spacious barracks on an elevated site at that place.

The gallant conduct of two serjeants and fourteen private soldiers of the first battalion on board of the Company's ship Fame, when it was captured by a French frigate (the Piedmontaise), was rewarded by a donation from the Court of Directors, of 5l. to each of the serjeants, and 4l. to each private soldier.

The first battalion was stationed at Cawnpore during the year, and was highly commended in orders for its correct discipline and excellent conduct.

1809

On the 19th of January, 1809, three companies were detached, under Captain Piercy, to the province of Bundelcund, and joining the troops under Lieut.-Colonel Martindell, were employed in reducing some refractory native Sirdars. These companies were at the siege and capture of the fort of Adjighion, situate upon a lofty mountain; and after the surrender of this place they rejoined the regiment, which took the field in November, and joined a numerous division under Lieut.-Colonel Martindell. This body of troops was called out in consequence of signs of defection in the native Madras army, and it performed many long and difficult marches.

1810

The first battalion continued in the field until March, 1810, when it returned to Cawnpore. Lieut.-Colonel Mawby, the officers and soldiers, received the thanks of the Commander of the field force for their excellent conduct.

1811

During the year 1811 the first battalion remained at Cawnpore, where Lieut.-Colonel Buckland assumed the command.

1812

Five companies of the first battalion proceeded from their quarters at Cawnpore to take part with the division under Colonel Martindell, in the reduction of the strong fortress of Callinger, before which place the troops arrived on the 19th of January, 1812. A breach having been reported practicable, the fortress was assaulted on the 2nd of February. A serjeant and twelve privates of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment formed the forlorn-hope, which led the assault of the breach; they were followed by the grenadiers and light infantry of the FIFTY-THIRD, under Captain Fraser, supported by the remaining three companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, and the grenadiers and light infantry of the native regiments. The fortress of Callinger is situated upon a high rock of difficult access and great extent, in one of the ranges of mountains in the province of Allahabad; and when that portion of the country was ceded to the British, this strong fortress, which had resisted native armies, became the asylum of the disaffected and of the banditti of the province. These desperate characters crowded the breach as the FIFTY-THIRD rushed forward to storm the works. Select marksmen of the garrison were supplied with loaded muskets by other men as fast as they could fire them, and huge stones were in readiness to be thrown upon the assailants. The signal being given, the storming party, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Sebright Mawby and the officers and soldiers of the FIFTY-THIRD, made a gallant effort to gain the breach; ladders were placed against the rock and the men ascended with enthusiastic ardour; but showers of huge stones and a storm of musketry destroyed every man who gained the top of the rock; at the same time it was found impracticable to get other ladders fixed to communicate with a second small projection of the rock which appeared in the breach; under these circumstances the storming party was ordered to retire. The FIFTY-THIRD had Captain Fraser, Lieutenant and Adjutant Nice, one serjeant, one corporal, and ten private soldiers killed; Captain Cuppage, Lieutenants Stone, Young, Stewart, Daly, Cruice, Davis, and Booth, and one hundred and twenty soldiers wounded; several men died of their wounds.

In regimental orders issued on the 3rd of February, it was stated:—"Lieut.-Colonel Mawby has not words to express his admiration of the conduct of every officer and soldier of the FIFTY-THIRD in the storm of yesterday; anything he could say on the occasion would fall very short of what they deserved, for greater bravery and perseverance never were displayed by men, and had it been possible to have carried the breach, their bravery would have done it. His feelings for the severe loss sustained by the regiment may be imagined, but cannot be expressed; it is, however, a great consolation to know that the whole army before Callinger speaks of their bravery in terms of the highest commendation."

The conduct of the storming party was also commended in orders by Colonel Martindell, who stated,—"If the difficulties which they had to surmount had been found of a nature to be overcome, the persevering energy and undaunted courage of the troops, so very admirably conspicuous, would have been crowned with that success, which their animated exertions, and steady cool bravery, so eminently deserved."

In general orders by the government it was stated, "His Lordship in Council cordially unites in the sentiments of admiration expressed by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, of the exemplary exertions, zeal, and persevering courage manifested by Lieut.-Colonel Mawby, FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and the brave officers and men acting under his command."

Lieut.-Colonel Mawby particularly reported the gallant conduct of Serjeant-Major Thomas Clarke, of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment.

In consequence of the difficulty experienced in the reduction of Callinger, Major Piercy, who commanded the five companies of the regiment left at Cawnpore, received orders to proceed as rapidly as possible to join the besieging army; but before he arrived, the garrison had surrendered. The cool determined bravery of the officers and soldiers of the FIFTY-THIRD, at the storming of the breach, had produced a great impression on the defenders of the fortress, who declared to their commander, that they would not stand a second assault: the Killedar, therefore, was forced to capitulate and deliver up the fortress.

The regiment afterwards returned to Cawnpore, where its appearance and discipline elicited the commendations of the Commander-in-Chief in India at a review in September of this year. In October the regiment marched to Meerut on the north-west frontier.

1813

During the year 1813 the first battalion was stationed at Meerut.

In the meantime circumstances had occurred which occasioned the battalion to be called from its quarters at Meerut, to take the field against the Nepaulese, whose depredations on the British territory could not be restrained without force of arms. The FIFTY-THIRD marched from Meerut on the 14th of October, and joined the division of the army appointed to invade the kingdom of Nepaul, or the Gorca state, under the orders of Major-General Robert Rollo Gillespie. This division was directed to penetrate the Himalaya mountains by the pass of the Deyrah Doon, and capture the strong fort of Kalunga, situate upon a peak in the mountains between the rivers Sutlej and Ganges, which was defended by a garrison of warlike mountaineers, under a celebrated Hindoo warrior named Bulbudder.

1814

Two companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, commanded by Lieutenant Young, were detached with a small column under Lieut.-Colonel Carpenter of the seventeenth native infantry, and ascending the Timlee pass, into the Deyrah valley, joined at midnight on the 24th of October, another detachment under Colonel Mawby of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, who advanced to capture the fort of Kalunga by a coup-de-main; but upon approaching the place, it was found to be a strong work of excellent stone masonry, more formidable than it had been represented to be, and not to be taken without cannon. After a close reconnoissance, Colonel Mawby retired, and received the acknowledgments of Major-General Gillespie, in orders, for his conduct on the occasion. The Major-General afterwards advanced with the leading corps, and taking with him a few light field-pieces on the backs of elephants, had them placed in battery upon a piece of table-land near the fort, and on the morning of the 31st of October storming parties were in readiness to attack the fort. The troops moved forward with great gallantry, but under such unfavourable circumstances, that the assault failed; among the other disasters the pioneers bearing the ladders fell, from the fire of the garrison, in the midst of a village of grass huts, which caught fire, and the storming party was thus deprived of the means for ascending the walls of the fort. The two companies of the FIFTY-THIRD lost several men, and had Lieutenants Young and Anstice severely wounded. Three of the columns of attack had not advanced, in consequence of not hearing, or not understanding, the signal, and the messengers despatched to them never reached their destination. The columns which had advanced, withdrew to the village. At this moment three companies of the FIFTY-THIRD arrived from a long march, under Captain Wheeler Coultman, and were ordered to join the storming party, which consisted also of a brigade of Bengal horse artillery (six-pounders), under the command of Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, for the purpose of making another determined effort to capture the place. Major-General Gillespie headed the assault in person. A party of the FIFTY-THIRD dragged two of the guns forward with ropes up a steep ascent under a sharp fire, and after overcoming the difficulty of a stockade across the path, a few shots were fired at a small gate in the wall, to force it open. A destructive fire was opened from the walls upon the storming party, crowded in a narrow space, waiting for the gate to be forced open and a passage to be made; Major-General Gillespie placed himself at the head of the troops, and while leading the men to the assault, he fell mortally wounded. The attack failed; the storming party retired; and afterwards withdrew from before the fort to await the arrival of a battering train. The FIFTY-THIRD had sixteen men killed and seventy-five wounded.

The battering train having arrived from Delhi, the siege was resumed by the troops under Colonel Mawby, and on the 27th of November the flank companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, with one battalion company of the regiment, and the grenadiers of the native corps, stormed the breach under the orders of Major William Ingleby of the FIFTY-THIRD. A numerous body of mountaineers defended the breach with desperate resolution. Major Ingleby was wounded, and withdrew, leaving the storming party under Captain Coultman. Lieutenant Harrington and a few men of the FIFTY-THIRD ascended the breach, but were instantly killed. The storming party proving not sufficiently numerous to capture the place, the remaining companies of the regiment were ordered forward, and the attack was repeated, but without success: the approach to the breach proved very difficult, and the defenders numerous and desperate; after a severe loss had been sustained, the storming party was ordered to retire. Lieutenant Harrington and twenty men of the regiment were killed on this occasion; Major Ingleby, Captain Stone, Lieutenants Horsley, Green, and Brodie, Ensign Aufrere, twelve serjeants, three drummers, and one hundred and eighty-four rank and file wounded.

The battery resumed its fire to widen the breach; but further loss was prevented by the garrison evacuating the fort, and retreating and forcing their way through the besieging corps.

From Kalunga the division moved along a ridge of mountains towards Nahn; the enemy evacuating the fortifications as the British approached, and retiring to another ridge of mountains of much greater elevation. On the 27th of December the flank companies of the regiment were engaged in driving back the enemy's outposts, in order to make lodgments for besieging some fortified places on the Jampta heights, and had one serjeant and eight rank and file killed.

1815

In 1815 the Nepaulese were brought to submission, and the regiment marched from the camp in the mountains to the banks of the Ganges, where it embarked in boats and proceeded down the river to Berhampore, where it landed on the 30th of August, and was joined by a strong detachment from the second battalion, under the command of Major Giles. On the 20th of October the regiment again embarked in boats, and proceeded to Calcutta, where it remained until December, when it embarked for Madras.

1816

In January, 1816, the first battalion marched from Madras to Wallajahbad; but in March three companies returned to Madras, and seven proceeded to the Naggery Pass, to keep in check the plundering bands of Pindarees, who infested the British territory in India at this period. These marauding tribes having been driven from British India with severe loss, the seven companies marched to Bangalore, where they were joined by the detachment from Madras in June; also by a detachment from Europe. In November the battalion commenced its march for Trichinopoly, where it arrived on the 12th of December, after a march of two hundred and seven miles.

1817

On the 14th of February, 1817, Lieut.-General Sir John Abercromby, G.C.B., died at Marseilles, in the south of France, at which place he had resided some time for the benefit of his health. The high military character and private virtues of this distinguished officer, with his attachment to, and the lively interest he took in every thing connected with, the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, occasioned his death to be much regretted. He was succeeded by Lieut.-General Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., from the ninety-fourth regiment.

Colonel Mawby commanded the regiment in cantonments at Trichinopoly; and in June the flank companies were detached, under the command of Major Giles, to join a flank battalion forming at Darwah, to serve with a division of the army under Colonel Pritzler, which was called to take the field in consequence of several native chiefs having prepared to wage war against the British power in India.

While the flank companies were in the field, the strength of the regiment was augmented by the detachment from the second battalion, and a number of volunteers from the eightieth regiment.

1818

In 1818 the regiment sustained great loss from the cholera.

1819

The flank companies were actively employed with the field force under Brigadier-General Pritzler, who reduced several fortified places to submission to the British authority, and among others the fort of Copaul Droog, the garrison of which place made a desperate defence. The excellent conduct of the troops employed in this service was made known in general orders dated the 22nd of June, 1819. The flank battalion led the assault of the place; and the conduct of Captain Cuppage, and Lieutenant Silver of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, was particularly noticed. Lieutenant Silver was wounded.

1820

Leaving Trichinopoly in January, 1820, the regiment commenced its march for Bellary, a distance of about three hundred and ninety miles, under the orders of Colonel Mawby. The cholera broke out in the regiment on the march, and it lost a highly esteemed officer, Lieut.-Colonel Fehrszen, who had distinguished himself while serving with the second battalion in Spain and the south of France; he was buried with military honours at Salem. Lieutenant George FitzGerald, who had also served with reputation in the Peninsular War, died a few days afterwards, and was buried at Nimdydroog. While passing through the Mysore, the cholera disappeared; and on the 25th of February the regiment arrived at Bellary; having lost two officers and eighteen soldiers on the march.

Colonel Mawby having been promoted to the rank of major-general, the command of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Mansel.

After halting at Bellary five months, the regiment commenced its march for Bangalore, where it arrived on the 1st of August. Lieutenant John Wilton, a gallant and meritorious officer, died on the 28th of August, much regretted.

The flank battalion, under Major Giles, had continued to perform much arduous and valuable service, under Brigadier-General Pritzler; but the necessity for its continuing in the field having ceased, the several companies marched to join their respective regiments. The companies of the FIFTY-THIRD arrived at head-quarters on the 30th of November. The gallant, zealous, and exemplary conduct of these companies, during the three years and a half which they had been employed on field service, was highly commended in orders. The regiment was at this period commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Edward Carey Fleming.

1821

Major John Giles, who had commanded the flank battalion on field service with reputation, died on the 2nd of May, 1821, at Cannanore. Quarter-master Robert Blackie died soon afterwards; he had risen by merit from the ranks of the regiment, and had held the commission of quarter-master nineteen years: he was much respected in the regiment.

1822

In May, 1822, the regiment quitted the Mysore, having first received the thanks of Lieut.-General Bowser, in division orders, for its exemplary conduct, and proceeded to Fort St. George, where it arrived on the 5th of June; having lost, on this march of two hundred miles, fifteen men by cholera. Major Wheeler Coultman also died on the 22nd of May.

The forty-first regiment arriving from England in July, the FIFTY-THIRD marched out of Fort St. George and encamped at a village on the Poonamallee Road, and were placed under orders for embarkation for England.

1823

Seven hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers volunteered to transfer their services to other corps, and to remain in India; twenty-one old soldiers were placed on the out-pension of Chelsea Hospital, and permitted to reside in India; and the regiment embarked from Madras on the 9th of March, 1823, after a service of eighteen years in India.[10] It landed at Gravesend on the 8th of July, and marched to Chatham, where it halted a few days, and afterwards proceeded to Hilsea barracks. It was subsequently removed to Weedon barracks, and active measures were adopted for recruiting its numbers.

1825
1826

In 1825 the regiment proceeded to Chatham, and afterwards to Portsmouth, where it was inspected and reviewed by its colonel, General Lord Hill, in May, 1826, and elicited his Lordship's approbation. It afterwards marched into Lancashire, and in October embarked at Liverpool for Ireland: it landed at Dublin, and marched from thence to Templemore.

1827

Leaving Templemore in the spring of 1827, the regiment proceeded to Cork; and in the autumn the head-quarters were removed to Kilkenny.

1828
1829

In April, 1828, the regiment marched to Dublin; and in the spring of 1829 to Birr, where it was formed into six service and four reserve companies, preparatory to the former proceeding to a foreign station.

The service companies proceeded to Cork, where they embarked on the 2nd of November for Gibraltar, and arrived at that important fortress in December.

1830

A pair of new colours bearing the words "Nieuport," "Tournay," "St. Lucia," "Talavera," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Toulouse," and "Peninsula," having been received, the regiment was formed on parade on the 12th of January, 1830, under Lieut.-Colonel James Considine's command; the colours were consecrated by the Rev. J. S. Pering, the garrison Chaplain; they were then handed by the Lieut.-Governor, Sir George Don, to Mrs. Considine, who presented them to the regiment, with a suitable address. The day was concluded by a supper and ball, given by the officers of the regiment, to which the officers in garrison, and the principal inhabitants of the place, were invited. The soldiers were treated with a dinner and a hogshead of wine on the following day; and on the 14th, the serjeants were permitted to treat their friends to a supper and a dance in one of the large store-rooms, which was fitted up for the occasion.

The reserve companies remained in Ireland until May of this year, when they embarked at Dublin, for Liverpool.

In November, 1830, General Lord Hill, G.C.B., G.C.H., K.C., was removed to the Royal regiment of Horse Guards, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD by Major-General Lord FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, K.C.B.

1834
1835

The service companies remained on duty at Gibraltar until March, 1834, when they proceeded to the island of Malta, where they remained during the year 1835; in October the depôt companies returned to Ireland.

1836

In the summer of 1836 the service companies embarked at Malta for the Ionian Islands, and landed at Corfu in July.

1840

After remaining nearly four years in the Ionian Islands, the service companies embarked at Corfu on the 28th of April, 1840, for England, and landed on the 9th of June at Plymouth, where they were joined by the depôt companies from Ireland.

1841

The regiment remained at Plymouth until July, 1841, when it embarked for Scotland, and marching to Edinburgh, was stationed in the castle of that city during the year 1842.

1843

In April, 1843, the regiment proceeded from Edinburgh to Ireland, and was stationed at Belfast until September, when it marched to Enniskillen.

1844

The regiment marched from Enniskillen to Newry in January, 1844, and having been selected to proceed to India, the usual augmentation was made to its numbers. It proceeded to Manchester in July, and embarked at Liverpool for Bengal on the 20th of August under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Shakespear Phillips, arriving at Calcutta on the 30th of December following.

1845

On the 22nd of January, 1845, the regiment proceeded from Chinsurah to Cawnpore, where it arrived on the 19th of March; in October it marched to Agra, and on the 19th of December to Delhi, where it arrived and encamped on the 28th of December, 1845.

1846

During the brief period which elapsed between the 11th and 23rd of December, 1845, the valley of the Sutlej was the scene of active and interesting operations; the frontier of the Punjaub[11] (punj, five, and aub, waters) had been crossed by a numerous and well disciplined Sikh army; and the enemy had been repulsed in two sanguinary battles, at Moodkee on the 18th of December, and at Ferozeshah three days afterwards.

After these successes, it was determined by the Commander-in-Chief in India to rest the main body of the army until strong reinforcements arrived, when a grand attack was to be made on the Sikhs, who had employed the interval in strengthening the position they had taken up on the British side of the river Sutlej, the boundary of the Punjaub from India.

Reinforcements accordingly proceeded to the frontier, and the FIFTY-THIRD was one of the regiments ordered to join the Army of the Sutlej. The regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Shakespear Phillips, marched from Delhi on the 5th of January, 1846, and arrived at Kurnaul on the 10th of that month: two days afterwards the FIFTY-THIRD marched to join the portion of the army detached under the command of Major-General Sir Harry Smith, who was proceeding to the relief of Loodianah (celebrated for its manufacture of imitative Cashmere shawls), which was threatened by a force of twenty thousand Sikhs under the command of Runjoor Singh. The junction was effected on the 21st of January, on which day the regiment suffered severely from the heavy fire of the enemy's artillery on the march to Loodianah, sustaining a loss of thirty-six men killed. Major-General Sir Harry Smith, by a series of skilful movements, avoided a regular engagement, and effected his communication with Loodianah, but not without severe loss. On the 28th of January the Major-General determined to attack the Sikhs under Runjoor Singh in their strong position at Aliwal, and the result was a splendid victory. Runjoor Singh's camp, with all his baggage, ammunition, and stores, fell into the hands of the victors, and the left wing of the Sikh army was thus almost completely disorganised.

Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, and the thirtieth native infantry, formed the third brigade, under Brigadier Wilson, and were opposed upon the left to the "Aieen" troops, called Avitabiles,[12] when the conflict was fiercely raging. The enemy, driven back on his left and centre, endeavoured to hold his right to cover the passage of the river, and strongly occupied the village of Bhoondree, which was carried by the FIFTY-THIRD at the point of the bayonet: the regiment then moved forward, in support of the thirtieth native infantry, by the right of the village.

After expressing his thanks to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, Major-General Sir Harry Smith added in his official despatch:—

"I have only to report upon Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, a young regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity; and Lieut.-Colonel Phillips's bravery and coolness attracted the attention of myself and every staff-officer I sent to him."

The casualties of the regiment were limited to three men killed and eight wounded.

Although the Sikh army was much disheartened at the sight of the numerous bodies which floated from the battle-field to the bridge of boats at Sobraon, yet in a few days they appeared as confident as ever of being able to retain their entrenched position, and to prevent the passage of the river.

On the 3rd of February the regiment marched from Aliwal, and joined the head-quarters of the Army of the Sutlej on the 8th of that month.

The heavy ordnance having arrived, the Commander-in-Chief resolved to storm the formidable entrenchments of the Sikhs at Sobraon, and finally expel them from the territory they had invaded. This was an undertaking of some magnitude. It was ascertained that the entrenchments were defended by thirty thousand of their bravest troops; besides being united by a good bridge to a reserve on the opposite bank of the river, on which was stationed a considerable camp, with artillery, which commanded and flanked their field-works on the British side of the Sutlej.

On the 10th of February the FIFTY-THIRD formed part of the attacking division, on the extreme left of the army, under the command of Major-General Sir Robert Dick. It had been intended that the cannonade should have commenced at daybreak, but the heavy mist, which hung over the field and river, rendered it necessary to delay operations until the sun's rays had cleared the atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the margin of the Sutlej, two brigades of Major-General Sir Robert Dick's division, under his personal command, stood ready to commence the assault against the extreme right of the Sikhs. His seventh brigade, in which was the tenth foot, reinforced by the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and led by Brigadier Stacy, was to head the attack, supported at two hundred yards distance by the sixth brigade under Brigadier Wilkinson.

The part the FIFTY-THIRD sustained in the conflict cannot be better expressed than in the words of the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Hugh Gough:—

"At nine o'clock, Brigadier Stacy's brigade, supported on either flank by Captains Horseford's and Fordyce's batteries, and Lieut.-Colonel Lane's troop of horse artillery, moved to the attack in admirable order. The infantry and guns aided each other correlatively. The former marched steadily on in line, which they halted only to correct when necessary. The latter took up successive positions at the gallop, until at length they were within three hundred yards of the heavy batteries of the Sikhs; but notwithstanding the regularity and coolness, and scientific character of this assault, which Brigadier Wilkinson well supported, so hot was the fire of cannon, musketry, and zumboorucks kept up by the Khalsa troops, that it seemed for some moments impossible that the entrenchments could be won under it; but soon persevering gallantry triumphed, and the whole army had the satisfaction to see the gallant Brigadier Stacy's soldiers driving the Sikhs in confusion before them within the area of their encampment. The tenth foot, under Lieut.-Colonel Franks, now for the first time brought into serious contact with the enemy, greatly distinguished themselves. This regiment never fired a shot until it had got within the works of the enemy. The onset of Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD was as gallant and effective. The forty-third and fifty-ninth native infantry, brigaded with them, emulated both in cool determination."

Allusion was also made to the FIFTY-THIRD in the General Order of the 14th of February, by the Right Honorable the Governor-General of India, in which it was stated:—

"Her Majesty's tenth, FIFTY-THIRD, and eightieth regiments, with the thirty-third, forty-third, fifty-ninth, and sixty-third native infantry, moving at a firm and steady pace, never fired a shot till they had passed the barriers opposed to them, a forbearance much to be commended, and most worthy of constant imitation, to which may be attributed the success of their effort, and the small loss they sustained."

The first success was gallantly seconded by the remainder of the army, and by eleven o'clock, after a severe hand-to-hand conflict, the Battle of Sobraon was gained. A sudden rise of the Sutlej rendered the river hardly fordable, and added to the loss of the Sikhs' numbers of whom were drowned in attempting the passage. Sixty-seven pieces of cannon, upwards of two hundred camel-swivels (zumboorucks), numerous standards, and vast munitions of war were the trophies of the victory.

Captain Charles Edward Dawson Warren, and eight rank and file of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, were killed. Lieutenant-Colonel William George Gold, Captain Thomas Smart, Lieutenants John Chester, Anthony B. O. Stokes, Robert Nathaniel Clarke, and John Breton, Ensigns Henry Lucas and William Dunning (Adjutant) were wounded. Captain Smart and Lieutenant Clarke died in a few days of their wounds. Lieutenant Dunning, who was promoted after the battle, also died of his wound on the 6th of April following. One serjeant and one hundred and four rank and file were wounded.

Medals were struck for the victories of Aliwal and Sobraon, and were presented by the Government of India to the regiments present in those battles.

Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorize the FIFTY-THIRD regiment to bear on its colours and appointments the words "Aliwal" and "Sobraon," to commemorate its gallantry in those victories.

The Battle of Sobraon concluded a campaign of unexampled rapidity, and the youthful Sovereign of Lahore, Maha Rajah Dhuleep Singh, was compelled to wait upon the Right Honorable the Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge, and express contrition for the offences of his army for the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British territories. The Maha Rajah was afterwards conducted to his capital by the British troops, who formally took possession of the citadel of Lahore. In less than two months, four important victories had been gained on a line of country about sixty miles in length, under most trying circumstances, over a great and warlike people, possessed of military skill of no common order, with all the appliances of war, which will ever render the campaign one of the most remarkable in the History of India, a campaign in which the Governor-General, Sir Henry (now Viscount) Hardinge, was present in the several actions, volunteering to act as second in command, that he might aid the admirable strategy of the Commander-in-chief General Sir Hugh (now Lord) Gough, by his presence and military experience.

The regiment marched from Sobraon on the 11th of February, forming part of the advance guard of the army proceeding to Lahore, where it arrived on the 13th of that month, and encamped outside its walls until the 22nd of March, when the regiment received orders to march for Umballa, which it commenced on the following day, arriving there and entering the cantonments on the 8th of April, 1846.

On the 15th of October, 1846, the regiment proceeded to Ferozepore, and arrived there on the 28th of that month.

1847

The regiment remained in cantonments at Ferozepore during the year 1847.

1848

On the 21st of February, 1848, the regiment returned to Lahore, where it was stationed in December, 1848, to which period this record of the services of the regiment is brought.

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1848.

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