[21] It is gratifying to be able to state, that Colonel Dennie’s appointment as aide-de-camp to the Queen was known at the regiment about a week previous to his lamented fall.
[22] The following interesting circumstance was related by Lord Fitzgerald and Vesey in the House of Lords, in his speech on the 20th February, 1843, regarding the vote of thanks for the operations in Affghanistan. The Adjutant General of the Army in India, acting by the command of Lord Ellenborough, transmitted to the aged mother of Colonel Dennie that medal which her son would have worn, had he happily survived. In replying to the letter which accompanied this token Mrs. Dennie beautifully said, that she accepted it with pleasure and with pride, for she had a right to feel a ‘pride in her son’s life, and in his death.’ Lord Fitzgerald added, that it was impossible to read that passage without honoring the lady, and even more deeply lamenting the fate of the son of whom she had so justly and truly written.
[23] Sir Robert Peel, on moving the vote of thanks to the army employed in Affghanistan, on the 20th February, 1843, alluded in the following terms to Lieutenant Mein’s conduct, while serving with the army on its retreat from Cabool:—“I have said that, in the course of this campaign, instances of the most generous devotion, of friendly sympathy, and of desperate fidelity, were displayed, which deserve at least a passing notice. Lieutenant Eyre says: ‘Lieutenant Sturt (son-in-law to Sir Robert and Lady Sale) had nearly cleared the defile, when he received his wound, and would have been left on the ground to be hacked to pieces by the Ghazees, who followed in the rear to complete the work of slaughter, but for the generous intrepidity of Lieutenant Mein of Her Majesty’s Thirteenth Light Infantry, who, on learning what had befallen him, went back to his succour, and stood by him for several minutes, at the imminent risk of his own life, vainly entreating aid from the passers by. He was at length, joined by Serjeant Deane, of the Sappers, with whose assistance he dragged his friend, on a quilt, through the remainder of the Pass, when he succeeded in mounting him on a miserable pony, and conducted him in safety to the camp, where the unfortunate officer lingered till the following morning, and was the only man of the whole force who received Christian burial. Lieutenant Mein was himself at this very time suffering from a dangerous wound in the head received in the previous October, and his heroic disregard of self, and fidelity to his friend in the hour of danger, are well deserving of a record in the annals of British valour and virtue; I think, Sir, it is but just that the name of Lieutenant Mein should be mentioned with honour in the House of Commons, and I do not regret having noticed this circumstance, as it has called forth so generous and general an expression of sympathy and approval.’”
[24] The regiment lost by death a very promising young officer, Lieutenant Scott, this night; and Lieutenant Frere also fell a victim to the fatigues and vicissitudes of the campaign on the 18th November, 1842.
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
THIRTEENTH, OR, PRINCE ALBERT’S REGIMENT
OF
LIGHT INFANTRY.