From Badula the two flank companies, reduced to five officers, two serjeants, two drummers, and sixty-six rank and file, commenced their march on the 20th of November; the periodical rains had set in, and the rivers were so full and rapid, that much difficulty was experienced. On arriving at Kataboa, Captain Ritchie’s detachment was found nearly annihilated. At this place an elephant was procured, to convey the stores and men across the rivers; and the march was continued to Chinna Kandy, where the military establishment was found in a state of ruin. Lieutenant Robinson had left the post sick,—the three serjeants had died,—the defences were destroyed by the wild elephants,—the building containing the provisions was washed away by the rains, and the few surviving men were unable to move: with much difficulty a small supply was recovered from the wreck, for the use of the detachment.
From these statements, some idea may be formed of the vicissitudes of actual service, the casualties of climate, the privations and sufferings which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession, and the sacrifice of valuable life by which colonial possessions are acquired and retained, and many national benefits obtained and preserved[11].
After a march of ten days, exposed to almost incessant rain, the flank companies arrived at Mandoor, where they halted forty-eight hours to recover, and afterwards sailed down the lake to Batticoloe, from whence they were directed to march, through a low flat country almost covered with water, to Trincomalee, instead of proceeding thither by sea, as had been expected.
Two canoes and the elephant were sent forward; the men proceeded forty miles in boats along the coast, then landed and marched ten days, through a country almost covered with water, with scarcely sufficient ground to rest upon. The tents were destroyed by the wet, and abandoned; the elephant proceeded in advance, feeling for the rivers; the canoes, conveying the sick, were dragged by Coolies and soldiers wading in the water, and in this state the two companies reached Cottiar bay, on the 18th of December. Boats being in readiness, they embarked for Trincomalee, and with difficulty crossed the bar; soon afterwards the wind changed, the sea became rough, and it was found impracticable either to prosecute the voyage, or to return across the bar with leaky open boats. With much danger and difficulty they gained a rock in the bay, where the soldiers passed the night, huddled together, menaced with being swept off when the tide arose, and destitute of provisions and fresh water. The wind and rain abating, they again embarked on the following morning, and on arriving at the inner harbour, were met by the boats of the ships of war, which had been cruizing for them, but were unable, from the roughness of the weather, to rescue them from their perilous situation, on the preceding night. On passing the “Orlando” frigate, the seamen cheered, but the soldiers gave a feeble response. On landing, twelve men were sent to the hospital, four lieutenants, one serjeant, two drummers, and forty-seven rank and file, under Captain Creagh, in rags, their feet and legs bare, and ulcerated, emaciated and tottering from exhaustion and hunger, entered the fort; the pitiable remains of two hundred picked men, who marched out only three months before, forming two fine flank companies equal to any service.
On landing, Lieutenant William Home, found his brother, Ensign Home, dead in the hospital. Ensign Home belonged to a battalion company of the regiment, part of which was detached at Minnery,—a most unhealthy post, where nearly all the non-commissioned officers and soldiers had died.
Two days after the arrival of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth, from the interior, a General Order was issued, in which the Commander of the Forces in Ceylon expressed his “acknowledgments to Major Marston, Captain Creagh, and to all the officers and soldiers of that distinguished corps, for the gallant and important services rendered by them in suppressing the Kandian rebellion, at the same time, he cannot conceal the deep regret he feels at the severe loss which has fallen on the detachment, and the death of a gallant officer, Captain Archibald McLean, and many brave soldiers.”
General Sir Robert Brownrigg also states, “Captain Creagh’s gallant and most useful services in the command of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, during the Kandian war, under very trying circumstances, was such, as to entitle him to the favourable notice of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and to the best commendation I can bestow on him.”
1819
On the 15th of January, 1819, the detachment embarked, and, after putting to sea, was driven back by contrary winds, but landed at Madras, on the 5th of February, and joined the regiment at Poonamalee, on the same evening. The health of the party was not re-established, and Lieutenant Caddell, Assistant-Surgeon Bell, and several soldiers, died after their arrival at Madras.