The THIRTY-FIRST regiment arrived at Jellalabad on the 23rd of October, and, after destroying the fortifications, proceeded thence on the 27th to Peshawur, where it arrived in the beginning of November.
The campaign having now been brought to a close, the THIRTY-FIRST reached Ferozepore on the 19th of December, having been in the field for eleven months during this arduous campaign.
On arrival at Ferozepore the THIRTY-FIRST regiment joined the “Army of Reserve,” which had been assembled on the frontier, and where the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, and General Sir Jasper Nicolls, the commander-in-chief in India, had proceeded to receive the army of Affghanistan.
For his services connected with the command of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Bolton was made a Companion of the Bath, and appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen, with the rank of colonel.
In testimony of the services of the THIRTY-FIRST during the campaign in Affghanistan, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to authorize the regiment to bear the word “Cabool, 1842,” on the regimental colour and appointments.
1843
On the breaking up of the army at Ferozepore, the THIRTY-FIRST, commanded by Colonel Bolton, was ordered to Umballa, a place about 170 miles to the south, and which had never been previously occupied by troops. Here the regiment arrived on the 27th of January, 1843, and, cantonments having been marked out, barracks were commenced for the men, and ground allotted for the erection of bungalows for the officers.
On the 5th of May the THIRTY-FIRST sustained a severe loss by the death of Major and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Skinner, a zealous and talented officer, whose services are frequently alluded to in the historical record of the regiment.[27]
In May, 1843, the regiment was ordered to Khytul, and formed part of a force under Major-General Fast, which was sent to reduce the city and state of Khytul to British subjection. The force arrived at Khytul after about a week’s march, and the enemy, after a slight show of resistance, evacuated the city, which was occupied by the British troops. All the objects of the expedition having been fulfilled, the regiment returned to its cantonments at Umballa. All, however, remained under canvas, exposed to most intense heat, until July, 1843, when the men were housed, and a few of the officers got shelter. In October, 1843, an outbreak occurred at Lahore, and the Maharajah, Shere Singh, was shot at a review by his brother-in-law, Ajeet Singh; after this event the youthful Dhuleep Singh, a reputed son of the late Runjeet Singh, was placed on the throne.