[29] His Grace the Duke of Wellington, the hero of a hundred fights, was never once defeated in the open field, but as a man and a gentleman he has openly acknowledged that he often committed faults, and with any other than British troops would have been defeated. His men always got him out of scrapes or muddles with the queen of weapons. No end of instances could be quoted where a handful of men have decided a doubtful field, and have, as it were, snatched victory from the foe. Napoleon’s grim-faced veterans of the Guard on more than one hard contested field had to bow before the conquering sons of Albion. Let us be but true to ourselves, and loyal to our beloved Sovereign, and El Bodón, Albuera, Victoria, or Waterloo, may easily be repeated.
[30] Before any man was admitted into the Old Guard, he had to pass through twelve campaigns, and for the middle Guard, six campaigns. They might, therefore, well be called veterans.
[31] The 3rd or Buffs left upon the field—killed, 4 officers, 4 sergeants, and 280 men, or rank and file; missing, 2 officers, 15 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 161 rank and file, and then the proud remainder stood as conquerors. A number of the wounded died, or were killed by our own Artillery, who had to dash across the field in pursuit of the enemy; such was the terrible field that the two Fusilier Regiments won. One of the Battalions of the 7th was almost annihilated, but the proud remainder stood as conquerors on that fatal hill.
[32] The battle of Goojerat was fought in 1849, our forces being commanded by the late Lord Gough, when the Sikhs and Afghans were completely overthrown, and the Punjaub annexed.
[33] No fear of rain, except in the monsoon, which sets in once a year and lasts for three months.
[34] Our men had looked upon death in every form, but could not look into that hideous well a second time.
[35] History must draw a veil over the sufferings of these unfortunate martyrs. Their murderers, it should be said, were excited to frenzy with bhang.
[36] Dr. Cay, of the Coldstream Guards.
[37] Alison.
[38] Alison.