"Then rose the British shout; the English guns were run forward into position, the infantry closed upon the Fulaillee with a run, and rushed up the sloping bank. The Beloochees, having their matchlocks laid ready in rest along the summit, waited until the assailants were within fifteen yards ere their volley was delivered; the rapid pace of the British, and the steepness of the slope on the inside, deceived their aim, and the execution was not great; the next moment the TWENTY-SECOND were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear down all before them, but they staggered back in amazement at the forest of swords waving in their front! Thick as standing corn, and gorgeous as a field of flowers, stood the Beloochees in their many-coloured garments and turbans; they filled the broad deep bed of the Fulaillee, they clustered on both banks, and covered the plain beyond. Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they shook their sharp swords, beaming in the sun, their shouts rolled like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures they rushed forwards, and full against the front of the TWENTY-SECOND dashed with demoniac strength and ferocity. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong, the Irish soldiers met them with that queen of weapons the musket, and sent their foremost masses rolling back in blood."
The following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles Napier testify the part borne by the TWENTY-SECOND in the victory of Meeanee:—
"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded as with the high courage of a soldier he led his regiment (TWENTY-SECOND) up the desperate bank of the Fulaillee. Major Wyllie, Captains Tucker and Conway, Lieutenants Harding and Phayre, were all wounded, while gloriously animating their men to sustain the shock of numbers."
"Captains Meade, Tew, and Cookson, with Lieutenant Wood, all fell honorably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour.
"Major Poole, of the TWENTY-SECOND, and Captain Jackson of the Twenty-fifth native infantry, who succeeded to the command of those regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts.
"The Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, had his horse killed, and, while on foot leading some soldiers in a desperate dash down the enemy's side of the bank, he cut down a Chieftain. He has greatly assisted me by his activity and zeal during the whole of our operations.
"Innumerable are the individual acts of intrepidity which took place between our soldiers and their opponents, too numerous for detail in this despatch, yet well meriting a record."
In the NOTIFICATION of the Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, it was directed,
"That the unserviceable guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent to Bombay, and there cast into a triumphal column, whereon shall be inscribed in the English, and two native languages, the names of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., and of the several officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, and likewise the names of the several officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may be for ever recorded of those who, at Meeanee, obtained for themselves that glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier."
Major Poole, commanding the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, in consequence of Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather having been severely wounded, stated in his report, respecting the soldiers of the regiment under his command, who had distinguished themselves in the battle of Meeanee, "that the officers generally assert that they feel difficulty in making selections, where the conduct of every man of their companies was so satisfactory. In so general a field of action and persevering exertion, I equally feel at a loss where to draw a distinction; but it may be proper to mention the names of Private James O'Neill, of the light company, who took a standard whilst we were actively engaged with the enemy, and drummer Martin Delaney, who shot, bayoneted, and captured the arms of Meer Whullee Mahomed Khan, who was mounted, and directing the enemy in the hottest part of the engagement."