At length, on the 9th of May, a field force order was issued, directing the Indian division to be broken up, and the several regiments composing it to be sent to their respective destinations. In this order Sir James Outram bade the troops farewell, and expressed in the very highest terms his admiration of their conduct in every respect.
Thus ended the Persian campaign, during which the 78th had the good fortune to mature its campaigning qualities under the auspices of Outram and Havelock, names which were shortly destined to render its own illustrious.
A medal was sanctioned to be worn by the troops engaged in the Persian campaign.
In the regiment, Colonel Stisted, who for a time acted as brigadier, and afterwards commanded the regiment, was made a Companion of the Bath; and Captains Drummond, Hay, and Bouverie, who acted as majors of brigade at Busheer and Mohammrah, respectively, received brevet majorities. The regiment received orders to place the words “Persia” and “Kooshab” upon its colours and appointments.
On the 10th of May 1857, the 78th sailed from Mohammrah en route for Bombay. Touching only at the port of Muscat, the vessels all arrived safe in Bombay harbour on the 22nd and 23rd, and there received the astounding intelligence that the entire Bengal army had mutinied, seized Delhi, and in many cases massacred all the Europeans. The 78th was ordered to proceed immediately to Calcutta, along with the 64th, its old comrades, who had also just arrived from Persia. Colonel Walter Hamilton, having arrived from Persia, took command of the regiment, which, numbering 28 officers and 828 men, was transferred to four ships, which arrived at Calcutta on the 9th and 10th of June.
V.
1857–1859.
The Indian Mutiny[505]—Barrackpoor—Benares—Allahabad—Havelock’s force—March to Cawnpoor and Lucknow—Futtehpoor—Aong—Pandoo Nuddee—Nana Sahib’s iniquities—The taking of Cawnpoor—Havelock’s opinion of the 78th—His stirring Order—March to Lucknow—Onao—Buseerutgunge—Havelock retires to Munghowar—Reinforced—Commences second march—Buseerutgunge again—Bourbeake Chowkey—Bithoor—Force returns to Cawnpoor—Cholera—Sir James Outram and reinforcements arrive—Sir James resigns command of the army of relief to Havelock—Third march to Lucknow—Munghowar—Lucknow reached—The enemy encountered and repulsed—The Alum Bagh occupied—Position of the garrison—Advance from the Alum Bagh—Char Bagh—The road to the Residency—The 78th the rear-guard—Its fierce encounter with the enemy—Fights its way to the main body at the Furrah Buksh—The desperate advance led by the 78th—The Residency reached—“Martin’s House”—Dangerous position of Surgeons Jee and Home and their wounded men—The guns brought in—The Victoria Cross—Sorties upon the enemy—Arrangements for holding out until relief comes—Position of the 78th—Arrival of Sir Colin Campbell—Preparations for a junction—The relief effected—Evacuation of the Residency—The 78th selected to cover the retreat—Rewards—The occupation of the Alum Bagh under Colonel M’Intyre—Sir James Outram occupies the Alum Bagh—Engagement with the enemy—Sir James Outram’s opinion of the 78th—Capture of the city of Lucknow—The three field forces—The 78th occupy Bareilly—Ordered to England—Fêted at Bombay—Arrival at home.
On the 10th of June 1857 the 78th Highlanders proceeded to Chinsurah, where arrangements were made for their immediate transit to Benares. The grenadiers and No. 1 company started on the 11th and 12th. On the night of the 13th, at 11 P.M., an order was received by express from Calcutta for the 78th to march immediately to Barrackpoor, and if possible reach that place by daybreak. The regiment marched to Barrackpoor, and after assisting in disarming the native troops, it returned to Chinsurah on the 16th, and the daily departure of detachments to Benares was resumed.