The loss of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment at the battle of Meeanee was, Captain J. McLeod Tew,[9] one serjeant, and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. McMurdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one serjeant, one corporal, and fifty privates wounded.
The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the Chiefs who continued to resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere Mahomed. The British advanced from Hyderabad at daybreak on the morning of the 24th of March, and about half-past eight o'clock twenty thousand Scindian troops were discovered in order of battle behind a nullah. Arrangements were immediately made for commencing the action, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment led the attack in gallant style. Major John Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. George the regiment, and, stimulated by the heroic example of these officers, the TWENTY-SECOND advanced steadily against the enemy's left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot, until they arrived within forty paces of the entrenchment, when they stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees with that determined bravery which has ever distinguished British soldiers. Lieutenant Henry J. Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of the enemy's standards, and was severely wounded while in the act of waving it, and cheering on his men; Lieutenant C. T. Powell seized another standard; and the soldiers, being encouraged by the gallant example of their officers, displayed that heroism which adorns the British military character. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. McCartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson and J. Oakley, shot the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, and made five prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured standards; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, and took from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.
Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, "The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's TWENTY-SECOND regiment.
"Of Lieutenant McMurdo's abilities as Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, I cannot speak too highly; and regret to say, he has received a sabre wound from a Beloochee, the third that he cut down in single combat during the day.
"To the commanders of brigades and regiments, and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under their command, I have to return my thanks for their valiant bearing in the action."
The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert.[10] Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Thomas Chute, Henry J. Coote, H. A. G. Evans, and John Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six serjeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad, the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur in Upper Scinde.
As a mark of Royal approbation for these victories, Her Majesty, on the 4th of July, 1843, was pleased to appoint Major-General Sir Charles James Napier a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather,[11] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, Brevet Majors Frederick George, and Thomas Conway, were also nominated Companions of the Bath, and their brevet rank was dated from the above period.
Her Majesty was also graciously pleased to command that a medal should be conferred upon the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers engaged in the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.
On the 18th of August, 1843, the TWENTY-SECOND received the Royal authority to bear upon the regimental or second colour, and on the appointments, the word "Scinde," in commemoration of its distinguished gallantry in the campaign against the Ameers of that country, during the early part of the year 1843.