On the 30th the two Battalions moved camp to the Old Cantonment.
On April 5 the Camel Corps was formed by a draft of 4 officers and 100 men from each of the Battalions, and 200 Sikhs. The officers who were attached to it were Captain Nixon, Lieutenants Scriven, Eyre, and G. Curzon of the 2nd Battalion, and Major Ross, Captain H. Newdigate, Lieutenants Austin, Buckley, and Jeames of the 3rd Battalion.
On April 9 the 3rd Battalion moved camp to the Badshahbagh, and on the 15th, taking three days’ provisions, six companies started on an expedition. They marched out beyond the Dilkoosha, and encamped. I cannot ascertain whether they engaged the enemy during the time they were in the field, but on the 24th these companies returned to the camp at the Badshahbagh. And the Battalion soon afterwards went into quarters at Lucknow.
During the fighting from Cawnpore to Lucknow this young Battalion had borne their part in action and in marching with great determination, valour and endurance. But now that excitement had passed away, and no amusement or interest took its place, sickness assailed these young soldiers. Many, both men and officers, fell ill, and numbers of the men died. They were, therefore, left for some weeks in quarters at Lucknow, to recruit their health.
About this time the Riflemen gave up their European clothing, and received instead of it dust-coloured linen, with black facings.
On April 11 the 2nd Battalion (forming part of a field force under Sir Hope Grant) marched from Lucknow to Briesha Talow. They started at half-past four in the morning, and though the distance was but six miles, did not reach their camping-ground till eight, the road being bad, and the progress of the heavy guns consequently slow.
On the next day they continued their march to Utterah, thirteen miles, over a sandy track and through thick jungle, and did not encamp till noon. The day was exceedingly hot, with the thermometer at 110°.
On the 13th they started early, and as it was getting light, near Baree came on a force of the enemy with three guns, occupying a ridge at the end of a level plain. Three companies were immediately extended and advanced across it. The rebels opened fire of matchlocks at about 800 yards, and though it continued without intermission, no harm was done. Colonel Hill had intended to go in without returning this fire, but when the line of skirmishers was about 400 yards from the enemy, a hare started up, and one of the Riflemen, unable to resist his sporting propensities, fired at it. Nothing then remained but to go in with a rush, and the enemy at once broke and fled. The Riflemen pursued them till ten o’clock, when they encamped near the scene of the combat. There was a cavalry skirmish; but the ground was broken and unfavourable for them, and the rebels looted some of the baggage.
On the 14th they marched to Burassie, eight miles; on the 15th to Mamdabad, ten; on the 16th to Bilhir, also ten, where they halted one day; resuming their march on the 18th to Filwy, eight miles, they proceeded on the 19th to Ramnagurh, eight miles, where there was another halt of a day. On the 21st they moved to Massoulee, eight miles; and on the day following to Nawabgunge, six miles, where they halted. On the 23rd, 200 Riflemen, under the command of Colonel Fyers (with other troops) went with Brigadier Horsford to Jungerabad, about six miles from Nawabgunge, and took and destroyed the fort at that place.
Starting again on the 26th they marched thirteen miles to Chinhut; on the 27th to the Dilkoosha; and on the 28th to the Alumbagh; having in this expedition swept round that portion of Oude north of Lucknow.