War Medals and Their History

by William Augustus Steward

The Highland brigade, after the capture of Lucknow, was engaged in assisting to stamp out the rebellion in the province of Rohilcund, and to that end were employed in Brigadier Walpole's force, which marched from Lucknow with the object of advancing upon the district from one point while Brigadier John Jones advanced from Roorkee. In Walpole's advance he called upon the Rajah in possession of the jungle fort of Rhooyah to surrender the place, and on his refusal ordered four companies of the "Black Watch" to advance without protection or cover against the strongest face of the fort, from which, after gallantly remaining in an exposed position for six hours, they ultimately retired, but not before Brigadier Adrian Jones of the 93rd, Lieutenants Douglas and Bramley of the 42nd, and Lieutenant Willoughby of the Punjabis had been killed, also a sergeant and 6 privates of the 42nd, a lieutenant, 3 sergeants, and 34 privates wounded, in an affair that, but for the want of spirit on the part of the commander, might have been settled in a few minutes by a bayonet charge into the mud fort! Next day the place was found to be deserted, and after burying their dead the British marched in pursuit of the mutineers, whom they caught up and defeated at Allahgunge.

Three V.C.'s won by 42nd.—In this unfortunate affair Quartermaster-Sergeant Simpson of the 42nd gained the V.C. for bravely going back and rescuing an officer and a private who lay dangerously wounded. Private Davis of the 42nd was also awarded the coveted distinction for going up to the very walls of the fort and rescuing the body of Lieutenant Bramley. Lance-Corporal Alex Thompson of the 42nd also received the Cross for assisting Major-General W. M. Cafe to bear away, under a heavy fire, the body of Lieutenant Willoughby, and going to the rescue of Private Spence, who had been mortally wounded in the same effort.

The Occupation of Bareilly.—The advance on Bareilly was begun on April 28th, and on May 5th the army came up with the rebels on the plains to the east of the fort, where after a fight lasting four hours, the mutineers were compelled to retreat, and the city of Bareilly was occupied with little opposition. In the contest on the plains the "Black Watch" particularly distinguished itself when a body of Ghazis, Mussulman fanatics, charging down with mad fury upon the column forced the 4th Punjabis back on the 42nd. The charge of the Ghazis was described by Sir Colin Campbell as "the most determined effort he had seen during the war," but it was coolly met by the Scots, and in the hand-to-hand fight which ensued between them and the Ghazis the latter were speedily exterminated. During this bloody episode Sergeant Gardiner of the 42nd gained the V.C. by killing two fanatics with his bayonet, and saving Colonel Cameron, who was dragged from his horse by four of them, and was in danger of being killed. In this struggle the famous Times correspondent, W. H. Russell, would have been killed but for the timely intervention of Sergeant Forbes-Mitchell of the 93rd, who shot the attacking rebel. The back of the mutiny being broken the Highland brigade was ordered to encamp at Bareilly, where the last serious fight had been made by the mutineers. Parties of them, however, continued to give trouble for some time, and in a sharp encounter at Maylah Ghaut, on the banks of the Sarda, where on January 15th, 1859, Captain Lawson and 37 men of the "Black Watch" kept at bay 2,000 rebels from sunrise to sunset, and still further added to the roll of honour of the 42nd by Privates W. Cook and D. Millar earning the V.C. by going to the front and directing their company when their officers had been shot down.

The mutiny was now crushed, thanks to the bravery and endurance of the European soldiers, and the staunch conduct of those Indian troops who, with their Princes, remained true to Britain. The gallant Sir Colin Campbell at last received something like due reward for his services to his country by being raised to the peerage as Lord Clyde. The Honourable East India Company ceasing to exist, the Government of India was transferred to the Crown by the India Act of 1858, and the government of the country vested in a Viceroy and Council, the last Governor-General under the old order becoming the first Viceroy of our Indian Empire.

The following British regiments took part in the war: 5th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 23rd, 32nd, 34th, 38th, 42nd, 52nd, 53rd, 60th, 61st, 64th, 71st, 72nd, 75th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 86th, 88th, 90th, 93rd, 95th, 97th, 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers (now 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers), 102nd Royal Madras (now 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers), 104th Bengal Fusiliers (now 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers), 108th Madras (now 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers); Rifle Brigade; 7th, 8th, and 14th Hussars; 9th and 12th Lancers.

The medal was also granted to a naval brigade from the "Pearl" and "Shannon" (see Naval Section).

The Mutiny Medal.—This medal (1⅖ in. in diameter) was granted by a General Order of the Indian Government to those in the service of Her Majesty, and of the H.E.I. Co., the men who composed the naval brigade, and to all persons not in the military service who were employed in the suppression of the mutiny. By a General Order, May 19th, 1859, a clasp for DELHI was granted to those employed in the operations against and at the assault of Delhi from May 30th to September 14th, 1857. A clasp for the DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW was granted to all the original garrison under Major-General Sir John Inglis (who had succeeded to the command after the death of Sir Henry Lawrence) and to those who succoured them and continued the defence under Major-Generals Havelock and Outram, until relieved by Sir Colin Campbell, from June 29th to September 25th, 1857. A clasp for the RELIEF OF LUCKNOW was awarded to those who, under Havelock, had for nine weeks striven to succour the beleaguered garrison. Outram joined him on September 16th, and on the 25th they clambered through the battered gun embrasure beside the Baillie Guard at Lucknow. The members of the force under Generals Havelock and Outram were awarded this clasp. A clasp for LUCKNOW was granted to all the troops engaged in the several operations against Lucknow under the immediate command of Sir Colin Campbell in November 1857 and March 1858. A clasp for CENTRAL INDIA was granted to the troops of the column under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose engaged in the operations against Jhansi, Kalpee, and Gwalior, and also to the troops under the command of Major-Generals Roberts and Whitlock. Subsequently, by a general order, May 3rd, 1860, the troops employed at and prior to the battle of Banda and siege of Kotah were held entitled to the clasp for Central India, but those of either of the columns commanded by Major-Generals Roberts and Whitlock, who were employed in the subsequent minor engagements, were considered to have a claim to the medal only. On August 21st, 1860, it was notified that the few officers and soldiers who may have been present in the actions in which the Malwa Force was engaged under Brigadier Stuart, but who, from the consequence of wounds received in action or other causes, were prevented from accompanying the force on its junction with Sir Hugh Rose, were entitled to receive the bar for Central India. A General Order, dated January 10th, 1860, stated "that a clasp for the Relief of Lucknow was granted to the troops engaged in the operations against that city under the immediate command of Lord Clyde in November, 1857."

KHEDIVE'S SUDAN MEDAL.
(Reverse.)