The following letter from Sir Edward Lugard to Captain Vaughan shows the high estimation in which the Shannon’s naval brigade was held by the military officers high in command:—
“The Shannon’s Brigade advanced upon Lucknow with my division, and acted with it during the entire operations, as you well know. The men were daily—I may say hourly—under my sight, and I considered their conduct in every particular an example to the troops. During the whole period I was associated with the Shannon’s Brigade, I never once saw an irregularity among the men. They were sober, quiet, and respectful; and often I remarked to my staff the high state of discipline Sir W. Peel had got them into. From the cessation of active operations until I was detached to Azimghur, I commanded all the troops in the city; and all measures for the repression of plundering were carried out through me, and, of course, every irregularity committed was reported to me. During that period, not one irregularity was reported to me. Indeed, in the whole course of my life, I never saw so well-conducted a body of men... All I have written about the good conduct and discipline of the Shannon’s men would, I am convinced, be confirmed by the unanimous opinion of the army at Lucknow. Poor Adrian Hope and I often talked together on the subject; and many a time I expressed to Peel the high opinion I had of his men, and my admiration of their cheerfulness, and happy, contented looks, under all circumstances of fatigue and difficulty.
“Believe me, my dear Vaughan, sincerely yours—
“Edward Lugard.
“Captain Vaughan, C.B.”
Another naval brigade was formed from the officers and ship’s company of HMS Pearl, which did good service, and won the respect of all associated with it.