Produced by Brian Coe, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) RECOLLECTIONS OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: _Lt. Col. Joseph Anderson. C.B._] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECOLLECTIONS OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN BY THE LATE LT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON C.B., KNIGHT OF HANOVER OF THE 78TH, 24TH, AND 50TH REGIMENTS (1805-1848) LONDON EDWARD ARNOLD 1913 (_All rights reserved_) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTRODUCTION THE following pages have been selected from the autobiography of my grandfather, the late Colonel Joseph Anderson, who was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, on June 1, 1790, and died on July 18, 1877. It should be stated that this narrative was written only for his own family. He had never kept a diaryânor even any notes of his adventures and travelsâand only began to write his reminiscences of the long-past years when he was seventy-four, in the quiet of his beautiful home near Melbourne, Australia. His memory was perfectly amazing; but if any slight inaccuracies should be discovered, the reader is asked to excuse them, on account of his age. He was a âgrand old manâ in every sense, and lived in excellent health of mind and body until his eighty-eighth year. To the very last he was always keenly interested in military matters, and never failed to attend, in uniform, all the important volunteer reviews held in Melbourne, where his upright, soldierly figure attracted universal admiration. His son, the late Colonel Acland Anderson, C.M.G., was for many years the Colonel-Commandant of the Military Forces of H.M. Government in Victoria, which appointment he held till his death in January, 1882. He was the founder of the Volunteer Organization, as in 1855 he raised a Rifle Corps in Melbourne, which was not only the first in Victoria but probably the first in Australia. ACLAND ANDERSON, _Captain, late 3rd Dragoon Guards_. SEPTEMBER, 1913. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS CHAPTER I EARLY EXPERIENCES Born in ScotlandâAt fifteen years old appointed to the 78th RegimentâFirst visit to LondonâJoin regiment at ShorncliffeâEmbark for GibraltarâPut under arrestâLieutenant James Mackay CHAPTER II THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA Expedition to CalabriaâIn General Aclandâs brigadeâBattle of MaidaâSergeant McCrae and the wounded FrenchmanâReggioâCapture of CatroneâTaorminaâSyracuse CHAPTER III IN EGYPT Expedition to EgyptâWe take possession of AlexandriaâEntrapped by the enemy at RosettaâA trying retreat CHAPTER IV THE EL-HAMET DISASTER Colonel McLeodâs death and losses of his detachmentâCaptain Mackay honoured by Turkish PashaâReturn to Sicilyâ78th goes to EnglandâAttack of ophthalmia CHAPTER V THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th RegimentâEmbarked for PortugalâBattle of TalaveraâWoundedâSoldiers seize Spanish pigs CHAPTER VI THE BATTLE OF BUSACO Army kindly received in PortugalâMuch fighting with French army under MassenaâLord Wellingtonâs retreat on the Lines of Torres VedrasâBattle of Busaco CHAPTER VII THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS Continued fightingâGeneral Beresford knightedâEnglish and French officers spend evenings together at theatres, etc., with consent of their commandersâMassena retires to Santarem CHAPTER VIII THE LOST REGIMENTAL BOOKS Story of the lost regimental books and the honesty of the soldiers CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF FUENTES DâONORO Much fightingâWe drive the enemy across the Mondego at CoimbraâBattle of Fuentes dâOnoroâI go into the French lines to take away the body of a friend CHAPTER X IN SCOTLAND On sick-leave in EnglandâIn ScotlandâJourney of seventy miles in twenty-four hours on foot after a ballâAppointed to assist at brigade office, 1813âAppointed captain and brigade-major in the York Chasseurs CHAPTER XI VOYAGE TO BARBADOS PortsmouthâGuernseyâSail for BarbadosâHonest HenryâFrightful stormâAdventure at Funchal CHAPTER XII ST. VINCENT AND GUADELOUPE Life in BarbadosâI am appointed acting-paymasterâPresident of a court-martialâDeputy judge-advocateâAt St. VincentâExpedition to GuadeloupeâAppointed deputy-assistant quartermaster-general and sent to Guadeloupe CHAPTER XIII DOMINICA Sent to DominicaâA fatal foot-raceâI give up appointment and rejoin my regiment at St. VincentâAn awful voyage CHAPTER XIV AN AMUSING DUEL JamaicaâReturn to EnglandâYork Chasseurs disbandedâTrip to FranceâAn amusing duel CHAPTER XV CHASED BY A PIRATE Appointed captain in the 50th RegimentâEmbark for JamaicaâA terrible storm and a drunken captainâReturn to portâSail again with another captainâShip chased by a pirateâJamaica once more CHAPTER XVI LIFE IN JAMAICA Appointed deputy judge-advocateâSir John KeaneâAn interesting court-martialâSent with a small detachment to Port MariaâAwful outbreak of yellow fever CHAPTER XVII HOME AGAIN AND MARRIED Invalided to EnglandâShip injured on coral rockâDangerous voyageâMarried on 25th November, 1826âPortsmouthâThe Duke of ClarenceâIrelandâComplimented by Sir Hussey Vivian on execution of difficult manÅuvres. CHAPTER XVIII TO NEW SOUTH WALES Dr. Doyleâs sermonâOrdered to New South WalesâSail for Sydney with three hundred convictsâMutiny at Norfolk IslandâAppointed colonel-commandant there CHAPTER XIX NORFOLK ISLAND Life at Norfolk IslandâTrial of the mutineersâA fresh conspiracyâExecution of thirteen mutineers CHAPTER XX SUNDAY SERVICES AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 I appoint two convicts (who had been educated for the Church) to officiateâFind about a hundred ex-soldiers among the convictsâSeparate them from the others, with great success CHAPTER XXI LIFE AT NORFOLK ISLAND in 4 Solitary case of misconduct among the soldier gangâI get many pardoned and many sentences shortenedâTheatricals and other amusementsâVisit from my brotherâMr. MacLeod CHAPTER XXII MANGALORE CATTLE STATION Wreck of the _Friendship_âI am attacked by Captain Harrison and MacLeodâI receive the Royal Guelphic Order of KnighthoodâSecure the sheep and cattle station of âMangaloreâ in Port Phillip with my brotherâLeave Norfolk IslandâVisit to Mangalore CHAPTER XXIII ON MY DEFENCE Court of inquiry as to my management of Norfolk IslandâMajor Bunbury reprimanded by Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for his unfounded charges CHAPTER XXIV ORDERED TO CALCUTTA 50th Regiment ordered to IndiaâSudden death of one of my boysâVoyage to IndiaâFirst experiences of Calcutta CHAPTER XXV LIFE AT CALCUTTA Magnificent entertainments at CalcuttaâDost MahometâWreck of the _Ferguson_âPreparations for Burmese campaignâSpecial favour shown to soldiers of the 50th Regiment CHAPTER XXVI AT MOULMEIN Great welcome to MoulmeinâNo fighting after allâThe Madras native regiments CHAPTER XXVII VOYAGE UP THE GANGES Return to CalcuttaâMuch illness in regimentâBoat journey of three months to CawnporeâIncidents of the voyageâDeath of Daniel Shean CHAPTER XXVIII IN COMMAND AT CAWNPORE Life at CawnporeâQuarrel between Mowatt and BurkeâCourt-martial CHAPTER XXIX THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN Expedition to GwaliorâIn command of the regimentâBrigadier BlackâHis accidentâI am appointed to the command of the brigadeâBattle of PunniarâIn General Grayâs absence I order a charge on the enemyâs gunsâSeverely wounded CHAPTER XXX WOUNDED AND MADE MUCH OF âMy brigade had carried all before itââPainful return to campâGeneral Grayâs dispatch CHAPTER XXXI RETURN TO CAWNPORE Slow recovery from my woundâPainful journey by palanquin to CawnporeâAm created a C.B.âOther honours and promotions CHAPTER XXXII ON LEAVE FOR TWO YEARS Riding accident at CawnporeâFoot seriously injuredâGet two yearsâ leave of absenceâVoyage to Cape TownâOn to AustraliaâA strange cabin CHAPTER XXXIII AUSTRALIA ONCE MORE Sydney once moreâVisit MangaloreâSelect land for house near MelbourneâMy War Medal CHAPTER XXXIV SECOND VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA Sail for IndiaâDangers of Torres StraitsâCopangâArrival at CalcuttaâMy son appointed to the 50th Regiment CHAPTER XXXV TO CAWNPORE AND BACK Violent gale at LoodhianaâTwo hundred men, women, and children buriedâBy river steamer to AllahabadâRejoin the regiment at CawnporeâReturn voyage down the Ganges CHAPTER XXXVI INDIA TO CAPE TOWN The guns captured in the Sutlej campaignâLord Hardingeâs compliments to the regimentâI secure compensation for the regimentâs losses at LoodhianaâVoyage to Cape Town CHAPTER XXXVII RETURN TO ENGLAND Return to EnglandâContinued in command of the regiment CHAPTER XXXVIII FAREWELL TO THE 50TH REGIMENT Decide to retireâReturn to Australia ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ORDERS AND MEDALS OF THE LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL JOSEPH ANDERSON, C.B., K.H., OF THE 50TH (QUEENâS OWN) REGIMENT, And of Fairlie House, South Yarra, near Melbourne, Victoria. _Born July 1st, 1790. Died 18th July, 1877._ -------------- LIEUT.-COLONEL ANDERSONâS SERVICES. âExpedition to Calabria, including the battle of Maida, and subsequent operations, and capture of the fortress of Catrone; expedition to Egypt in 1807; Peninsular War from April, 1809, to January, 1812, including the battles of Talavera (wounded) and Busaco; retreat to the Lines of Torres Vedras and various affairs there; with the advance at Espinhal, battle of Fuentes dâOnoro, and many other affairs and skirmishes. (War Medal with four clasps.) Served at the capture of Guadeloupe in 1815. Commanded a brigade at the battle of Punniar (medal), and was severely wounded at its head when in the act of charging the enemyâs guns.ââ_Hartâs Army List._ 1. âMILITARY ORDER OF THE BATH,â founded by King George I, 25th May, 1725. 2. âTHE GUELPHIC ORDERâ (Hanoverian), founded by King George IV, when Prince Regent, in the name of his father, George III, on 12th August, 1815. 3. âTHE WAR MEDAL,â granted by the Queen, 1st June, 1847, for services in the Peninsular War (4 clasps):â 1. Maida, July 4, 1806. 2. Talavera, July 27 and 28, 1809. 3. Busaco, September 27, 1810. 4. Fuentes dâOnoro, May 5, 1811. The War Medal has on the obverse the head of the Queen, with the date, 1848; and on the reverse Her Majesty, as the representative of the country or people, is in the act of crowning with a laurel wreath the Duke of Wellington, in a kneeling attitude, as emblematic of the army. 4. MAHRATTA CAMPAIGN OF 1843: âINDIAN STAR OF BRONZE,â made from the captured guns. Battle of Punniar, 29th December, 1843. âAbout four oâclock in the afternoon the enemy was observed to have taken up a strong position on a chain of lofty hills four miles eastward of the camp.... The Second Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Anderson, of the 50th, arrived in time to put a finish to the action; forming on the crest of a hill, he, by a gallant and judicious movement, attacked the enemyâs left, and completely defeated him, taking the remainder of his guns.... Major White took the Second Infantry Brigade out of action upon Brigadier Anderson being wounded.ââCarterâs âMedals of the British Army.â ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECOLLECTIONS OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN CHAPTER I EARLY EXPERIENCES Born in ScotlandâAt fifteen years old appointed to the 78th RegimentâFirst visit to LondonâJoin regiment at ShorncliffeâEmbark for GibraltarâPut under arrestâLieutenant James Mackay I SUDDENLY and most unexpectedly got my commission as an ensign in the 78th Regiment (27th June, 1805) through the influence of my brother William, a captain in the same corps, being then only within a few days of my fifteenth year. But before I go any further I must mention an amusing incident which took place before I left Banff Academy to join my regiment, and as in the present day it may not appear much to my credit, I beg my dear ones who may read this to remember I was still a boy, and with less experience of the world than most of the youths of the present day. Out of my pocket money I managed to save six shillings, with which I purchased an old gun to amuse myself, and to shoot sparrows during our play hours; and this being contrary to all rules and positive standing-orders, I kept my dangerous weapon at an old womanâs house a little way from town. A few chosen companions knew of my secret and accompanied me one evening to enjoy our sport, but there was one amongst them to whom I refused a shot, so next day he reported me and my gun to the second master. I was called up and questioned on his evidence, when I stoutly and boldly denied every word he said. The good master, Mr. Simpson, then said, âYou have told a lie, sir, and I must punish you; so down with your breeches.â I at once resisted, and said, âI am an officer and wonât submit.â He then called two or three boys to assist him in clearing for action, but I still resisted, and kicked and thumped them all round, until the noise became so loud that the good old rector came in from his room and said, âWhat is all this?â On his being told, and also my reasons for resisting, he laughed most heartily and said, âI will not disgrace you, sir; you are an officer, and I will not disgrace you.â So I was allowed to escape and to go back to my seat. Many years afterwards I returned to Banff, and the rector and I had many laughs over this frolic, and at the same time I met Mr. Simpson, but found it difficult to convince him of my continued good will, and that I never forgot the good and salutary lesson he gave me. Six weeks after this I received a letter from my brother ordering me to join my regiment, then stationed at Shorncliffe barracks in Kent, and directing me at the same time to go in the first instance to my uncle, Dr. Anderson, at Peterhead, to receive an outfit, and then, without being allowed to go home to see my father, I was shipped off for London in one of the trading sloops of that day, and consigned to another friend of ours, Mr. Tod, who was married to my only aunt. They received me most kindly, and here I found a number of young ladies, my cousins, who were about my own age, and with whom I soon became happy and intimate. I remained with them for a fortnight, and during that time Mr. Tod took me to his tailor, who furnished me with all my necessary regimentals, and not a little proud was I on finding myself for the first time dressed out in scarlet and gold. Mr. Tod took me also to many of the public places and streets of London, and to this day I cannot forget how the good old man laughed at my surprise and remarks about all the pretty women who unblushingly stared at me. On the 18th August, 1805, I took my leave, and by coach proceeded to join my regiment at Shorncliffe barracks. My brother William received me on my arrival, and then took me to the colonel to introduce me, and afterwards to the adjutant to report my arrival, and then to my future home for a time, his own house at Sandgate; and with him I remained for two months, until we marched for Portsmouth to embark for Gibraltar. In the meantime I attended all daily parades, morning and evening, and was drilled and instructed in a squad with the men. But before I go any further I must mention that soon after joining the regiment my brother told me I was never regularly gazetted to my ensigncy. That appointment had been given to my brother John, who at the same time got a cadetship in the Madras Army, which my father considered the best appointment of the two, and consequently wrote to my brother William to use his interest with General McKenzie Fraser, the full colonel of the 78th (from whom the ensigncy was procured), to say that his brother John was provided for, but that he had another brother, Joseph, to whom he hoped he would kindly transfer the commission; and this the general at once consented to do, and so I was ordered to join, and for nearly two years after my name appeared â... Andersonâ in the Army List. Such chances do not happen nowadays. We arrived at Portsmouth at the beginning of October, and embarked on the following day for Gibraltar. The transports of those days were wretched, and their provisions were even worse, and in the miserable tub _Neptune_, to which I was doomed, we were so crowded that I, as the youngest subaltern, had neither berth nor cot allowed me, and I was obliged to double up with another young ensign, and to make the best I could of it. Yet we were very jolly, and all went on well until we got off Lisbon, about the 19th of October, when the commodore of all the other ships-of-war in charge of the convoy made the signal, âAn enemy in sight, put in to port in view,â and this was immediately answered by every ship in the convoy. The whole fleet then went about and steered direct for Lisbon, and so we continued with every sail set, until on the same evening, and following day, we were all safely at anchor in the Tagus. We heard soon after, that the enemy we discovered in time was part of the French fleet then making for Trafalgar, and in a few days more we had the great and glorious news of Nelsonâs splendid and complete victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st October, 1805, and of their almost complete capture and destruction. But, alas! how great was the price of this national success, for Nelson fell, and many gallant officers, soldiers, and sailors with him. A few days after receiving this great news we again sailed from Lisbon for Gibraltar, and beyond Cape Trafalgar we came up with our own partly dismasted and disabled ships, and all which could be safely brought away of the enemyâs captured vessels, the former proudly distinguished by their English tattered flags, and the latter humbled by the British ensign flying triumphantly over the national emblems of France and Spain. This was indeed a proud sight, and a lasting day of triumph and renown to old England, for from that time to the present hour the might of the Spanish navy was crushed and the French navy never appeared formidable to us again. We soon passed our noble heroes and their prizes, and our fleet reached Gibraltar a few days afterwards. The regiment landed next day, and occupied Windmill Hill and Europa Point barracks. There were no less than four other regiments there when we arrived, and I liked that gay station very much. But there for the first and only time of my military life I was put in arrest, and became so alarmed that I cried bitterly, and thought I was going to be hanged at least! The other ensigns of the regiment were all many years older than I, and one of them in particular used to bully and annoy me constantly, so that on one of these occasions I made use of most insulting and ungentlemanlike language to him. Our kind and parental colonel (Macleod of Guinnes) was then in the habit of inviting all the young officers to breakfast with him, and on the following morning I went as usual in full dress to his house, about a mile from our barracks, and there on entering I found Cameron seated with others. The colonel soon appeared, and wished all good morning in his accustomed kind manner and asked us to take our seats. Breakfast passed over as usual. As soon as the table was cleared Colonel Macleod stood up and called us all to him, and then, addressing me, said, âMr. Anderson, Mr. Cameron has reported to me that you have been making use of most improper language to him, and as you seem to forget you are no longer a schoolboy, but an officer, I must put you under arrest, and send you home in disgrace to your family. Leave your sword there, sir [on the table], and go to your barracks immediately.â Poor me! I at once showed I was still but a schoolboy, for I cried and sobbed fearfully, and returned to my barracks with a broken heart. The same evening a dear friend of my family, Captain John Mackay of Bighouse, called on me (no doubt at the request of the colonel), and frightened me more than ever, for he told me again that I would be brought to a general court-martial and deprived of my commission. I now cried more than ever, and I told him all that had passed between me and Cameron, and the constant insults and liberties he attempted to take with me in the presence of the other officers. I was glad to see from my friendâs remarks that he began to think Cameron was more to blame than I was, yet he still told me I must prepare for the worst, and so he left me to my own misery. I shall never forget my sufferings that night. However, next day I was ordered to attend at the colonelâs quarters, and there found most of the officers assembled, Cameron amongst them. The colonel then addressed us, and said, âMr. Anderson, I have been inquiring into your conduct, and find that you, Mr. Cameron, most grossly insulted this young gentleman, and by your daring, unwarrantable, and most unofficerlike conduct provoked a young boy to forget himself. You, sir, are many years older and ought to know better; I consider you therefore far more culpable and blameable in every respect than Mr. Anderson. You have both acted very improperly, but for the present I shall take no further notice of your conduct than with this reprimand to warn you both to be more careful and correct for the future; and now, Mr. Anderson, you are released from your arrest, and will return to your duty.â Off I went in joy to my barracks, thankful indeed for this proper support and friendly admonition, and from that day I enjoyed myself and felt happy with my brother-officers. I was at this time attached to a company commanded by an old and experienced officer, Lieutenant James Mackay, a most studious man, and an acknowledged scholar, whose pride, next to his profession, was in his books. His instruction and care did me more good than any previous or subsequent opportunities I ever had for study. I was quartered with him at Europa Point, and he made me rise early and visit our menâs barracks at Windmill Hill, two miles distant, every morning. I then returned to breakfast with him, after which we went to our public parade, which was no sooner over than we got home, and then he made me sit down to certain books and studies which he gave me. This he made me continue daily while we remained at Gibraltar, although (at the instigation of the other officers) I often tricked him, and tried hard to get off from such control and (as I then thought) drudgery. Being a perfect master of the French language, he was one of the British officers sent with Napoleon Bonaparte to the island of St. Helena, and afterwards recalled by our Government on the suspicion of being too intimate with the ex-Emperor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER II THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA Expedition to CalabriaâIn General Aclandâs brigadeâBattle of MaidaâSergeant McCrae and the wounded FrenchmanâReggioâCapture of CatroneâTaorminaâSyracuse EARLY in 1806 our regiment left Gibraltar for Messina, where we continued some months, and then marched for Milazzo, where we camped until we embarked, in June of the same year, as a part of the expedition under Lieut.-General Sir John Stuart for Calabria, landing with the other troops in the gulf of St. Euphemia on the morning of the 1st of July. The object of this force was to attack the French General Regnier, then in that part of Italy with a considerable army. Our landing was but slightly opposed, because our convoy, the _Endymion_ frigate (Captain Hoste), took up her position as near the shore as possible, and by her fire soon cleared the beach and drove the enemy far beyond our first footing. He made a partial stand, however, on a rising ground inland; but as our troops advanced, and after a skirmish, we soon forced him to retreat on his supports and finally on his main body. We then halted for the day, and the enemy left advanced posts and videttes to watch our movements. We soon bivouacked for the night about 6 miles from the beach, with, of course, the same precautions. During that evening and the following day we were busily engaged in landing our heavy stores of provisions. On the 3rd July we advanced a few miles to reconnoitre and to gain information of the enemyâs force and main position, and on the memorable and beautiful morning of the 4th July we finally advanced in columns, and soon found ourselves on the unusually clear and extensive plain of Maida, the enemy showing in mass on the distant hills and woods, about three miles from us, with a river in front which greatly strengthened their position. As soon as we got half across the plain, our columns were halted, and the troops deployed into two lines, the one to support the other, with our skirmishers thrown out in front to cover us. We were then directed to âorder arms and stand at easeâ; thus formed, we offered a fair field to the enemy. Our brigade, consisting of the 58th, 78th, and 81st Regiments, under General Acland, formed our front line, and in this position we remained at least half an hour gazing at our enemy; by this time the French were seen in full view debouching from the hills and woods, and, crossing the river, they advanced with all confidence towards us. As soon as they had cleared the river their advance halted, and the whole then formed into two columns, in which order they steadily advanced with drums playing and colours flying. We remained quiet and steady, but impatient, on our ground, and had a full view of our foes, as they boldly and confidently advanced, evidently expecting that they could, and would, walk over us; and so they ought to have done, for we afterwards ascertained they numbered upwards of nine thousand of their best troops, while our force did not much exceed six thousand men! Their cavalry was also more numerous, for we had only one squadron of the 23rd Light Dragoons; but ours was so admirably managed that it kept the others in check during the whole day. As soon as these formidable French columns came sufficiently near, and not till then, our lines were called to âattentionâ and ordered to âshoulder arms.â Then commenced in earnest the glorious battle of Maida, first with a volley from our brigade into the enemyâs columns and from our artillery at each flank without ceasing, followed by independent file firing as fast as our men could load; and well they did their work! Nor were the enemy idle; they returned our fire without ceasing, then in part commenced to deploy into line. The independent file firing was still continued with more vigour than ever for at least a quarter of an hour, when many brave men fell on both sides. Our brigade was then ordered to charge, supported by our second line, and this they did lustily and with endless hearty cheers, the French at the same moment following our example and advancing towards us at a steady charge of bayonets, the rolling of drums, and endless loud cheers. Both armies were equally determined to carry all before them; it was not till we got within five or six paces of each other that the enemy wavered, broke their ranks, and gave way, turning away to a man and scampering off, most of them throwing away their arms at the same time; but our men continued their cheers and got up with some of them, and numbers were either bayoneted, shot, or taken prisoners. The enemy was then fairly driven over the bridge by which they had advanced, or forced into the river, where numbers were captured or drowned. Our loss was comparatively small. The brave 78th had about a dozen men killed and many wounded. The 20th Regiment landed during the action, and by an able and hurried manÅuvre managed to get on the enemyâs right flank, and contributed much to the success of the day. Captain McLean, of that regiment, was the only officer killed in the battle. I shall never forget my horror when I beheld numbers of gallant French soldiers weltering in their blood and groaning in agony from the most fearful wounds. And here I must mention an incident to the honour and credit of one of our Highland sergeants of grenadiers, Farquhar McCrae, who could not speak one word of English nor of French. He was wounded after we had passed over the first line of dead and dying Frenchmen, and while passing through the heap of wounded one of them made him a sign that he wanted a drink, on which McCrae immediately turned round and made towards the river; but he had no sooner done so, than his ungrateful enemy levelled his musket and wounded him slightly in the arm. McCrae looked back, saw from whom the shot came, and going up to the man he seized his firelock, and after a struggle soon got it away from him; then, taking it by the muzzle, raised the butt over the Frenchmanâs head and said, with a terrible Gaelic oath, âIâll knock your brains out!â But a more generous impulse seized him; he actually went back to the river and brought the wretched man some water! I have heard that in Lieut.-General Sir John Stewartâs official dispatch concerning the battle of Maida it is stated that the bayonets of the contending forces actually crossed during the charge. They may have done so, in some parts of the lineâbut _so far as I could see_ they did not do so, and I have never heard any one who was in the action say that âthe bayonets actually crossed.â The defeat was perfect, and the victory glorious beyond all praise. We remained on the field of battle burying our dead and attending the wounded and embarking our prisoners; then we marched for Reggio, the castle of which was then besieged by some others of our troops from Sicily, who now joined our force, except the 78th Regiment, which was at once embarked under convoy of the _Endymion_ frigate and destined for the capture of the fortress of Catrone, on the east coast of Italy. We arrived and anchored off that place. About a week afterwards the _Endymion_ took up her position within range of the fort, and all were ordered to be in readiness for an immediate landing. Major Macdonnell was sent on shore with a flag of truce and proposals to the governor of the fort to surrender. He returned to say that the terms were accepted. Some companies of the 78th were then landed near the fort, when the whole French garrison marched out as prisoners of war and laid down their arms in front of our line, being allowed to retain only their personal baggage, and the officers their swords. They were at once embarked and divided amongst our transports. The fort was dismantled and the guns spiked. We re-embarked, and our little fleet sailed in triumph back to Messina; but on landing we were ordered to Syracuse, and sent detachments to Augusta and to Taormina. I was with the latter, and had not been long there before I fancied myself in love with the daughter of a widow, who did all she could to encourage me and tempt me to a marriage by constantly parading a quantity of silver plate and jewels as a part of my portion; but this chance of my imaginary good luck was soon put an end to, for I was suddenly called back to headquarters, Syracuse, and there forgot my love affair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER III IN EGYPT Expedition to EgyptâWe take possession of AlexandriaâEntrapped by the enemy at RosettaâA trying retreat IN March, 1807, we embarked as part of an expedition from Sicily under General McKenzie Fraser, destined for Egypt. We sailed from Syracuse on the 7th, arrived at Aboukir Bay about the middle of the same month, and found there a large fleet of our men-of-war and a numerous fleet of transports with the other troops of our expedition. The object of our force was to create a diversion in favour of Russia against the Turkish army in that country. On the following morning all our light men-of-war and gunboats took up their stations as near the landing-place as the depth of the water would permit. The first division of our troops were at the same time ordered into the different shipsâ launches and towed by the smaller boats to the shore, a distance of at least four miles; but the weather was unusually fine. A considerable body of the enemy appeared on the sand-hill above the landing-place, but our gun-brig and gunboats soon dispersed them, and we landed without difficulty, except a good wetting as far as the knee, for the water was shallow and our boats could not get nearer than a few yards from the beach. The remainder of the troops followed in the course of the day, and landed with the same success and safety, and next morning the stores, camp equipage, and guns were landed without accident. The usual advance guard was pushed forward, and the remainder of the troops followed in divisions, the enemyâs advanced posts retiring before us, and that evening we camped, without any covering, on the dry sand, about six miles inland. Some of the enemyâs cavalry were visible, but only in small numbers to watch our movements. Next day we commenced our march for Alexandria, with very little interruption, beyond occasionally seeing large detachments of Turkish cavalry, with which our advanced guards and videttes exchanged shots and some volleys occasionally. Our advance to Alexandria continued much in the same way for a few days; we had fine weather and hot sands for our beds, with which we covered ourselves over. We felt well and slept very comfortably, and it was not till we arrived before the walls of the town that the enemy appeared in force and attempted to dispute our advance, but after a partial action and the loss of a few men killed and wounded we soon drove them before us and forced them to take shelter behind the walls of the town, and soon after the firing ceased on both sides for that day. We camped as before, beyond the walls of the old town, with our advanced piquets posted, and all other necessary precautions. It was found next morning that the enemy had evacuated the city of Alexandria during the night, and we then took formal possession, keeping most of our troops still in camp. A force of about twelve hundred men was now told off and detached under Brigadier-General Wauchope to proceed against the town of Rosetta, on the Nile. They arrived before that place in twelve days, in safety. The general marched his men right into the centre of the town without any opposition, not even seeing an enemy, but then, being entrapped, a heavy fire was opened upon him from the tops of the houses and windows, without even the power of returning a shot. Death and confusion followed. General Wauchope was amongst the first who fell dead, and in a few minutes nearly all his detachment were either killed or wounded, and those who escaped for the moment were made prisoners and with the wounded put to death, so that only a few escaped altogether, and these found their way back to Alexandria to tell the sad and murderous tale. This barbarous and butchering defeat required to be avenged, and a second force of about eighteen hundred men, under Major-General Sir W. Stewart, was told off for this service, in which my regiment, the 78th, was included. We marched from Alexandria late in March and arrived before Rosetta on the 7th of April, and on getting into position before the town the first thing we saw was the dead and mutilated bodies of hundreds of the former force. They were, of course, at once buried, and vengeance was the prevailing cry and feeling of the living. The late Field-Marshal Sir John Burgoyne was then a captain and our chief engineer. He at once began to throw up breastworks and other temporary defences for our guns and for the troops, these being partly completed by the next day. Some of our heavy ordnance were in battery, and commenced at once to shell the town; at the same time the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery upon us, which was continued by both sides until dark. Rosetta is a walled town, known then to be strongly fortified. Our works were continued day and night, and additional guns got into position, until all were mounted and brought to bear on the town. The only visible good effect our cannonade produced was the cutting in two and upsetting of many lofty minarets of the mosques; we never heard the extent of their losses, but as Rosetta was full of troops and inhabitants, their casualties must have been very considerable. All our efforts failed to make any practicable breach in the walls, therefore no regular assault was attempted. Almost every evening the enemy sallied forth in large detachments of cavalry and infantry to attack our advance posts and picquets, but our troops of dragoons (ever on the watch) soon met them, and generally dispersed them; but they never gave us a fair chance, for they usually galloped off and got back to their stronghold just as we had an opportunity of destroying them. Ten days after we commenced this siege, our good, gallant Colonel McLeod, of the 78th, was detached with five hundred men for El-Hamed, some 50 miles higher up the Nile, to check any reinforcements or surprise by additional troops coming down the Nile from Cairo to Rosetta, and our own main body continued the siege much in the same daily routine for a fortnight longer, but still unfortunately without any success in making a practicable breach in the outer walls so as to give us a fair chance of assault. All this time we were losing many brave men. It was then finally determined to raise the siege as hopeless, and to return to Alexandria. Orders to this effect were sent to Colonel McLeod, with instructions to meet us on a given day and hour at Lake Etcho; therefore, during the night of the 20th of April our batteries were dismantled and all our heavy guns spiked and buried deeply in the sand. On the morning of the 21st our troops were under arms and formed into a hollow square, with a few pieces of light artillery and ammunition and stores in the centre. In this way we commenced our retreat for Lake Etcho. We had scarcely moved off when our square was surrounded by thousands of Turkish cavalry and infantry, howling, screaming, and galloping like savages around us, at the same time firing at us from their long muskets, but fortunately with comparatively little loss to us. We occasionally halted our square, wheeled back a section, and gave them a few rounds of shot and shell from our artillery, then moved on in the same good order. This was a long and trying day, and the only retreat in square I ever saw. It occupied us nearly twelve hours, from five in the morning till the same hour in the evening. The enemy, with fearful shouts, followed us, firing the whole of that time, but they never showed any positive determination to charge or to break our square. We were not so delicate with them, for we gave them many rounds from our guns, and when they ventured sufficiently near they were sure of more volleys than one, and we had the satisfaction of seeing numbers of them fall. We had few men killed, who were unavoidably left behind, but we were able to carry away our wounded. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER IV THE EL-HAMET DISASTER Colonel McLeodâs death and losses of his detachmentâCaptain Mackay honoured by Turkish PashaâReturn to Sicilyâ78th goes to EnglandâAttack of ophthalmia WE had soon another trial awaiting us. When we got to Etcho there was no appearance of Colonel McLeod or his detachment, nor any message from him. It was therefore at once determined to march back to El-Hamet, to ascertain his fate; and there we received information that Colonel McLeod had been attacked that morning by a large force of Turks in boats from Cairo, and the whole of his detachment destroyed, and he, that good and promising soldier, was amongst the first who fell. After a short council of war we again wheeled about and marched back to Etcho, where we camped for the night. Next day we continued our retreat to Alexandria, where we arrived without any further molestation. Day by day several rumours reached us about our lost detachment and the gallant defence they made, but nothing positive or upon which we could rely, until the sudden appearance, six weeks afterwards, at Alexandria of Lieutenant Mathieson, who was one of the survivors, who now came to us in a Turkish dress with some proposals from the Turks at Cairo. From him we learnt that they were attacked most unexpectedly on the morning of the 21st April by a large Turkish force, who came down the Nile in boats from Cairo, on their way to Rosetta, and after gallantly resisting until more than two-thirds of their number were either killed or wounded, and the last rounds of ammunition expended, the remnant were overpowered and obliged to surrender. He also described their position at El-Hamet. Colonel McLeod and the main force were stationed on the top of a hill, and detachments of fifty, thirty, and twenty men were posted round the base, in the strongest possible places, with orders to fall back on the main body if attacked. While so posted and before daylight, the enemy landed from their boats, surrounded the hill, and at once commenced the attack. Our men fought desperately, for they expected no quarter, and numbers fell. Captain Colin Mackay with his grenadier company commanded one of the outposts, and, like all the others, fought heroically; but his two subalterns, McCrae and Christie, and nearly half his men were soon killed. He himself received a fearful sabre cut in the neck (from which, although he lived for many years, he never completely recovered) and also a severe musket wound in the thigh, both of which rendered him at once prostrate. But Mackayâs spirit was not gone, for he then ordered his few remaining men to leave him to die there, and to make the best of their retreat to the headquarters; but this they would not do, declaring to a man that they would sooner die with him, than leave him. Two of his remaining sergeants then got their captain on their shoulders and succeeded under a heavy fire in carrying him off in safety to the top of the hill, and there learnt that their Colonel was already amongst the slain. The command then devolved upon a Major Vogalson (a German); he at once wished to surrender, fixing his white handkerchief on the top of his sword, as a sign of truce to the enemy. Colin Mackay lay under a gun bleeding and suffering severely from his wound, but he happily still retained his senses, and being told that Major Vogalson wished to surrender he cried out, âSoldiers, never, never while we have a round left!â upon which they cheered him again and again, and set Major Vogalsonâs authority completely aside; thus they actually continued to fight until the very last round of their ammunition was gone. The enemy pressed in upon them, and after a desperate struggle they were overpowered and obliged to surrender. The Turkish Pasha who commanded, then rode up and inquired, âWhere is the brave man who has so long and so ably resisted me?â Colin Mackay, the hero of the day, was pointed out to him lying still in agony under a gun, on which Ali Pasha dismounted and, creeping near Mackay, took the sword off his own neck and shoulders and placed it gracefully on Mackay, saying, âYou are indeed a brave man, and you deserve to wear my sword.â From that time and long afterwards (although still a prisoner) he received the most marked attentions from the Pasha. The few prisoners who survived were then secured, the dead were decapitated (and I fear many of the wounded also), and their living comrades were forced to carry their heads in sacks to the boats, and poor Colonel McLeodâs conspicuous amongst the number. Most of the enemy then embarked with their prisoners and their trophies and returned in triumph to Cairo. There the heads of the dead were exhibited on poles for some weeks round the principal palaces of the authorities. The survivors were committed to confinement, and the officers were allowed at large on their paroles and treated well, especially Captain Mackay, who continued to receive the most marked attentions from every one. In this state they remained nearly eight months, when, after a variety of negotiations, they were exchanged and sent back to join us at Alexandria. In another month the whole of our force left Egypt and returned to Sicily, far from proud of the result of our unfortunate and badly managed expedition. The 78th went to Messina, and, without landing, were ordered to Gibraltar, and on arrival there were sent direct to England. Here I must mention that during the last eight months of our inactive life in Egypt our troops suffered much from ophthalmia. I was for many months laid up from that fearful malady, from which I suffer to this day, as I have partially lost the sight of my right eye; many of our men lost one, some both eyes, and became totally blind. From that period until now I have been subject to occasional attacks of inflammation of the eyes, so bad in 1821 and 1822 that I was recommended by my medical attendants to apply for a pension. This I did through Lord Palmerston, then Secretary of War, on which I was ordered for treatment and report to Fort Pitt at Chatham, where for six weeks I was exposed to all kinds of pains and penalties. In consequence, I received a letter from Lord Palmerston saying that His Majesty was pleased to grant me the pension of an ensign, that being the rank I held when I received the injury to my sight. I wrote back to thank his lordship, but saying that, as the regulations for pensions had been changed, the amount now being allowed to increase with the rank of the individual so favoured, I still hoped, as I was now a captain, I should not be made a solitary exception to the rule. To this I received a reply ordering me again to Fort Pitt for treatment there. I remained under similar torture for another month. Soon after, I had a third reply, informing me that on the second report of the medical board His Majesty was pleased to grant me the pension of a lieutenant. I was then quartered in the Isle of Wight, so got leave of absence and went to London, determined in so good a cause to see Lord Palmerston in person. I was admitted, and then renewed my application and entreated his lordship to reconsider my case, adding that not only one eye was nearly gone but the other suffering much also. He was writing at the time and never took his pen from his paper, yet he was very kind and appeared to listen to me attentively; then, looking up, said, âI must put you on half-pay, sir, if you are so great a sufferer.â I said, âI hope not, my lord, while I am able to do my duty, as I have nothing else to depend upon but my commission.â He then smiled and said, âWell, write to me again, and I shall see what can be done.â I did so, and in due course had the satisfaction to receive a notification stating that under the circumstances of my case His Majesty was graciously pleased to grant me the pension of a captain. But to return from this long digression to where I left my early history in the brave 78th, I proceed to say that after finally leaving Gibraltar we arrived safely in Portsmouth and marched for Canterbury, a few months after to Chichester, and then to the Isle of Wight, where we detached in companies to all parts of the island. I was sent even further with a small detachment to Selsea barracks in Sussex, to take charge of a large ophthalmic depot of that station. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER V THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th RegimentâEmbarked for PortugalâBattle of TalaveraâWoundedâSoldiers seize Spanish pigs I WAS not long at Selsea barracks before I wrote to the Horse Guards soliciting promotion, for I was then more than three years an ensignâan unusual period at that time. I received a sharp answer informing me that I ought to make my application through the officer commanding my regiment. This frightened me a little, for I now dreaded his displeasure also, for he was a perfect stranger to me. I had never seen him, having lately been appointed from another regiment. In a few days I regained confidence and made up my mind to write and tell my colonel frankly what I had done in
{'title': 'Recollections of a Peninsular Veteran by Joseph Jocelyn Anderson', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}