The regiment remained at Berhampore until August, 1810, when it embarked in boats, and proceeded to Fort William, in order to form part of the expedition against the Mauritius, under Major-General the Honorable J. Abercromby. A landing was effected in the bay of Mapou, on the 29th of November, without opposition, and on the following day the troops advanced towards the capital; being exposed to severe heat, and unable to procure water, the soldiers became exhausted, and arriving at the powder-mills, five miles from Port Louis, they halted near the stream. Resuming the march on the 1st of December, the troops were opposed by the enemy in force, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND took part and had several men wounded. The French were driven from their ground, and they fell back upon Port Louis; the British took post in front of the position occupied by the French. Being unable to withstand the valour and discipline of the invading army, the governor, General de Caen, surrendered the island to the British arms.

After the capture of the Mauritius, the regiment was stationed a short time at that island, and in January it sent a detachment of five officers and seventy men to Tamatave, in the Island of Madagascar. In March and April the regiment was removed to the island of Bourbon, where it was joined by the survivors of the detachment from Madagascar, reduced in number, by disease, to two officers and twenty-five men: they had been made prisoners by the enemy, and re-captured by the British ships of war.

In July, 1812, the regiment returned to the Mauritius; but again proceeded to Bourbon, in August, and was removed to the Mauritius a second time in May, 1813.

A number of men having volunteered from the militia to the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent was pleased to approve of a second battalion being formed, and it was placed on the establishment of the army on the 10th of February, 1814. The war in Europe being terminated soon afterwards, by the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty to the throne of France, the second battalion was disbanded at Chester, on the 24th of October, transferring the men fit for duty to the first battalion, which they joined at the Mauritius, in April, 1815, in so good a state, as to be specially noticed in general orders, and Captain Thomas Poole, commanding the party, received the thanks of the governor.

On the 1st of June, 1815, the rifle company of the first battalion of the Twelfth regiment, together with the first battalion of the Eighty-seventh regiment, and the flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, were formed into a field brigade, and on the 16th of June embarked from the Mauritius to join the army in Bengal. The troops arrived at Bengal on the 2nd and 3rd of August; re-embarked on the 23rd of September, and landed at the Mauritius on the 14th of November, 1815. The light company of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, while on passage to Bengal, was wrecked in the Straits between Ceylon and the opposite continent. The conduct of the flank companies, while in India, was highly commended in general orders issued before they embarked from Fort William,—on their return to the Mauritius.

While the flank companies were thus employed, the remainder of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment was placed under canvas at Pamplemousse, seven miles from Port Louis, as it was suffering severely from a prevailing disease at the Mauritius. There being but a small force left on the island, and this reduced in numbers and efficiency by disease, a meditated insurrection had nearly attained an outbreak, but for timely information.

The regiment occupied various stations at the Mauritius, under the command of Colonel Dalrymple, until July, 1819, when it embarked for England. Previous to quitting the island it was inspected by Major-General Ralph Darling, who expressed, in general orders, his admiration of its appearance, and of its excellent conduct while serving under his command.

Though the TWENTY-SECOND had participated in the capture of the Mauritius, the French inhabitants of the island presented a large and handsome gold snuff-box to the regiment on its embarkation for England, bearing this inscription, "Aux Officiers du 22 Régiment de S. M.—Souvenir des Habitans de l'île Maurice; 1819;" thus testifying their good feeling, and appreciation of the orderly and soldierlike conduct of the corps during its service of nine years in the colony.

After landing at Gosport, in November and December, the regiment marched to Northampton, under the orders of Colonel Sir Hugh Gough, K.C.B.

In the Autumn of 1821 the regiment marched to Liverpool, where it embarked on the 9th of October, for Ireland. Having landed at Dublin on the 10th of October, the regiment marched to Buttevant, with detachments at Mallow, Bantyre, Charleville, Newmarket, and Ballyclough.

Some changes of quarters afterwards took place in consequence of the riotous and violent proceedings of the misguided peasantry at this part of the country, and the disposition evinced to violate the law.

On the evening of the 25th of January, 1822, three thousand men assembled with such arms as they could procure, for an attack on Newmarket; and they were repulsed, with severe loss, by thirty men of the regiment, under Captain Thomas Keappock and Lieutenant Samuel Green, who received the expression of the approbation of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, and were presented with a silver cup, by the noblemen, gentlemen, and inhabitants of the town and vicinity of Newmarket,—"In testimony of the high sense entertained of their gallant conduct in attacking and defeating an armed body of three thousand insurgents, with thirty men."

A reinforcement was sent to Newmarket, and the regiment performed many marches, and much extra duty, in consequence of the disturbed state of the country.

The head-quarters of the regiment were stationed at Buttevant during the year 1823, and the first nine months of 1824; and the state of the regiment was repeatedly commended in orders by the General Officers who made the half-yearly inspections.

In October, 1824, the regiment marched to Dublin; it was subsequently stationed in Galway, and in the summer of 1826 it was divided into six service and four depôt companies, in order that the former might proceed on foreign service.

The service companies embarked from Cork in November and December, in three divisions, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Taylor, Major James Steuart, and Captain Thomas Poole, and the last division arrived at the island of Jamaica in February, 1827.

The service companies suffered severely from the effects of the climate of Jamaica; in September and October, 1827, they lost three officers, seventeen serjeants, and one hundred and twenty men, from fever; the total loss during the first year was Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Taylor, Major James Steuart, Captain William Norton, Lieutenant Edward Gordon, Ensign E. T. Evans, Paymaster R. Barlow, Adjutant William Potenger, and one hundred and seventy-two non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

In the following year the losses were much less numerous; and in April, 1829, Lieut.-Colonel C. G. Falconar arrived and assumed the command. In June of the same year, the regiment received the thanks of the civil authorities for the prompt assistance rendered in extinguishing an alarming fire in the vicinity of Spanish Town.

On the 7th of June, 1830, the depôt companies embarked from Cork for South Britain, where they were stationed until the summer of 1836, when they embarked from Liverpool for Ireland, and landed at Dublin.

The regiment was employed in suppressing a formidable insurrection among the slaves in Jamaica in the winter of 1831-2; the two flank companies were encamped on the scene of the insurrection in the following winter, and when the regiment left Falmouth, in Jamaica, in the latter part of the year 1833, the thanks of the custos and magistrates were awarded to the corps for its good conduct.[8]

The service companies performed duty at the island of Jamaica until the beginning of 1837, when they commenced embarking for Europe, and landed at Cork in March and April; they were afterwards joined by the depôt companies.

The regiment remained in Ireland during the years 1838 and 1839; and embarking from Dublin on the 19th of December, 1840, landed at Liverpool on the 21st of that month.

The TWENTY-SECOND regiment, having been selected to proceed to India, embarked from Gravesend in January, 1841, and landed at Bombay in May following. It afterwards proceeded to Poonah, where an encampment was formed, and the regiment was stationed there during the remainder of the year.

In the following year the regiment quitted the camp at Poonah by divisions, and proceeding to the country of Scinde, was encamped some time near Kurrachee. The regiment was encamped in two separate divisions at Kurrachee, as cholera had broken out violently in its ranks, from which it suffered severely, and during its prevalence a field-officer's detachment, under Major Poole, consisting of two companies, was ordered to proceed by the Indus, in the month of April, 1842, to Sukkur, in Upper Scinde, previously to the withdrawal of the British force from Beloochistan.

The navigation of the Indus had been acquired by the British in 1839, and application was made to the Ameers, who governed the country, for a portion of land on the banks of the river. This they agreed to give; but at the same time meditated the destruction of the British power in the country by treachery. The TWENTY-SECOND quitted the camp at Kurrachee in November, and proceeded up the country.

The regiment formed part of the force assembled under Major-General Sir Charles Napier, and was employed in the destruction of the fort of Emaum Ghur, in the desert, on the 14th and 15th of January, 1843.

Major-General W. F. P. Napier, in his work entitled "The Conquest of Scinde," has given, with his characteristic eloquence, the following spirited description of the march to Emaum Ghur, a march which His Grace the Duke of Wellington described in the House of Lords, "as one of the most curious military feats he had ever known to be performed, or had ever perused an account of in his life. Sir Charles Napier (added His Grace) moved his troops through the desert against hostile forces; he had his guns transported under circumstances of extreme difficulty, and in a manner the most extraordinary; and he cut off a retreat of the enemy which rendered it impossible for them ever to regain their positions."

"It was a wild and singular country, the wilderness through which they (the Anglo-Indian troops) were passing. The sand-hills stretched north and south for hundreds of miles in parallel ridges, rounded at top, and most symmetrically plaited, like the ripple on the sea-shore after a placid tide. Varying in their heights, their breadth and steepness, they presented one uniform surface, but while some were only a mile broad, others were more than ten miles across; some were of gentle slopes and low, others lofty, and so steep that the howitzers could only be dragged up by men. The sand was mingled with shells, and ran in great streams resembling numerous rivers, skirted on each side by parallel streaks of soil, which nourished jungle, yet thinly and scattered. The tracks of the hyena and wild boar, and the prints of small deer's footsteps, were sometimes seen at first, but they soon disappeared, and then the solitude of the waste was unbroken.

"For eight days these intrepid soldiers traversed this gloomy region, living from hand to mouth, uncertain each morning if water could be found in the evening; and many times it was not found. They were not even sure of their right course; yet with fiery valour and untiring strength, they continued their dreary dangerous way. The camels found very little food, and got weak, but the stout infantry helped to drag the heavy howitzers up the sandy steeps; and all the troops, despising the danger of an attack from the Beloochees, worked with a power and will that overcame every obstacle. On the eighth day they reached Emaum Ghur, eager to strike and storm, and then was seen how truly laid down is Napoleon's great maxim, that moral force is in war to physical force, as four to one. Mahomed Khan, with a strong fortress well provided, and having a garrison six times as numerous as the band coming to assail him, had fled with his treasure two days before; taking a southerly direction, he regained the Indus by tracks with which his people were well acquainted, leaving all his stores of grain and powder behind."

As Emaum Ghur could only serve as a stronghold in which the Beloochees might be able to resist British supremacy, Major-General Sir Charles Napier determined upon destroying the fortress. It was a place of great strength, and was constructed of unburnt bricks, into which the shot easily penetrates, but brings nothing down, so that recourse was had to mining. The place was full of gunpowder and grain, and the former was employed in blowing up the fortress, which was effected on the 15th of January.

After this difficult and harassing service, the troops returned triumphant on the 23rd of January, to Peer-Abu-Bekr, where Major-General Sir Charles Napier reunited his whole army. It is to be observed that the march was performed without the loss of a man, or without even a sick soldier, and the Ameers' troops were dispersed, and their plan of campaign frustrated.

A treaty of peace was signed by the Ameers on the 14th of February: directions were sent to the British political resident, Major Outram, by the Ameers, to quit Hyderabad, the capital, and before this was complied with, eight thousand Beloochees, commanded by several Ameers in person, attempted to force an entrance into the enclosure of the British residency. The light company of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, mustering one hundred men, under Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenant F. P. Harding, and Ensign R. Pennefather, was the only force at the residency, the enclosure of which was surrounded by a wall from four to five feet high. The gallant officers and soldiers of this company kept the eight thousand Scindian troops, with six pieces of artillery, at bay nearly four hours; and when their ammunition was nearly expended, they retreated to the river, with Major Outram, and embarking on board of two steam-vessels, joined the troops under Major-General Sir Charles Napier, at Hala. The light company had two men killed and four wounded on this occasion.

The Ameers having thus commenced hostilities, assembled a numerous force to destroy the few British troops in the country. Major-General Sir Charles Napier, trusting to the valour of the troops under his orders, advanced to meet the enemy. On the 17th of February, twenty-two thousand Scindian troops were discovered in position behind the bank of a river at Meeanee. The British, mustering two thousand eight hundred men, advanced in echelon of regiments to attack their numerous opponents, and the TWENTY-SECOND, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, had the honor to lead the attack. A numerous body of Beloochees discharged their matchlocks and pistols at the TWENTY-SECOND, and then rushed forward sword in hand to close upon the British line; but these bold and skilful swordsmen went down under the superior power of the musket and bayonet.

After a severe contest the Scindian army was defeated, and, on the day following the victory, six of the Ameers delivered their swords to the British General upon the field of battle. The Beloochees lost five thousand men, and all their guns, ammunition, and treasure were taken, together with their camp and standards. On the 20th of February, the British colours waved in triumph over the fortress of Hyderabad.

In Major-General Napier's admirable work on "The Conquest of Scinde," is given the following spirited and picturesque description of the battle of Meeanee:—

"The Ameers' right was found to be strengthened and covered by the village of Kattree, which was filled with men; that flank offered no weak point. But in the Shikargah on their left the General instantly detected a flaw. It has been before said this Shikargah was covered by a wall, having only one opening, not very wide, through which it was evident the Beloochees meant to pour out on the flank and rear of the advancing British line. The General rode near this wall, and found it was nine or ten feet high; he rode nearer, and marked it had no loop-holes for the enemy to shoot through; he rode into the opening under a play of matchlocks, and, looking behind the wall, saw there was no scaffolding to enable the Beloochees to fire over the top. Then the inspiration of genius came to the aid of heroism. Taking a company of the TWENTY-SECOND, he thrust them at once into the opening, telling their brave Captain, Tew, that he was to block up that entrance; to die there, if it must be,—never to give way! And well did the gallant fellow obey his orders: he died there, but the opening was defended. The great disparity of numbers was thus abated, and the action of six thousand men paralysed by the more skilful action of only eighty! It was, on a smaller scale as to numbers, a stroke of generalship like that which won Blenheim for the Duke of Marlborough.

FOR CANNON'S MILITARY RECORDS.

Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand.

"Now the advancing troops, in echelon of regiments, approached the enemy's front. The British right passed securely under the wall of the Shikargah, cheered and elated as they moved by the rattling sound of Tew's musketry. * * * * Meanwhile the dead level of the plain was swept by the Beloochee cannon and matchlocks, which were answered from time to time by Lloyd's batteries, yet not frequently, for rapidly and eagerly did the troops press forward to close with their unseen foes. When the TWENTY-SECOND had got within a hundred yards of the high sloping bank of the Fulaillee, they threw their fire at the top of the bank, where the heads of the Beloochees could be just seen, bending with fiery glances over the levelled matchlocks, and the voice of the General, shrill and clear, was heard along the line, commanding the charge.

"Then rose the British shout; the English guns were run forward into position, the infantry closed upon the Fulaillee with a run, and rushed up the sloping bank. The Beloochees, having their matchlocks laid ready in rest along the summit, waited until the assailants were within fifteen yards ere their volley was delivered; the rapid pace of the British, and the steepness of the slope on the inside, deceived their aim, and the execution was not great; the next moment the TWENTY-SECOND were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear down all before them, but they staggered back in amazement at the forest of swords waving in their front! Thick as standing corn, and gorgeous as a field of flowers, stood the Beloochees in their many-coloured garments and turbans; they filled the broad deep bed of the Fulaillee, they clustered on both banks, and covered the plain beyond. Guarding their heads with their large dark shields, they shook their sharp swords, beaming in the sun, their shouts rolled like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures they rushed forwards, and full against the front of the TWENTY-SECOND dashed with demoniac strength and ferocity. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong, the Irish soldiers met them with that queen of weapons the musket, and sent their foremost masses rolling back in blood."

The following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles Napier testify the part borne by the TWENTY-SECOND in the victory of Meeanee:—

"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded as with the high courage of a soldier he led his regiment (TWENTY-SECOND) up the desperate bank of the Fulaillee. Major Wyllie, Captains Tucker and Conway, Lieutenants Harding and Phayre, were all wounded, while gloriously animating their men to sustain the shock of numbers."

"Captains Meade, Tew, and Cookson, with Lieutenant Wood, all fell honorably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour.

"Major Poole, of the TWENTY-SECOND, and Captain Jackson of the Twenty-fifth native infantry, who succeeded to the command of those regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts.

"The Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, had his horse killed, and, while on foot leading some soldiers in a desperate dash down the enemy's side of the bank, he cut down a Chieftain. He has greatly assisted me by his activity and zeal during the whole of our operations.

"Innumerable are the individual acts of intrepidity which took place between our soldiers and their opponents, too numerous for detail in this despatch, yet well meriting a record."

In the NOTIFICATION of the Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, it was directed,

"That the unserviceable guns, taken at Hyderabad, shall be sent to Bombay, and there cast into a triumphal column, whereon shall be inscribed in the English, and two native languages, the names of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., and of the several officers mentioned by His Excellency in his despatch, and likewise the names of the several officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates mentioned in the reports, that thus the names may be for ever recorded of those who, at Meeanee, obtained for themselves that glory in the field, which is the reward dearest to a true soldier."

Major Poole, commanding the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, in consequence of Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather having been severely wounded, stated in his report, respecting the soldiers of the regiment under his command, who had distinguished themselves in the battle of Meeanee, "that the officers generally assert that they feel difficulty in making selections, where the conduct of every man of their companies was so satisfactory. In so general a field of action and persevering exertion, I equally feel at a loss where to draw a distinction; but it may be proper to mention the names of Private James O'Neill, of the light company, who took a standard whilst we were actively engaged with the enemy, and drummer Martin Delaney, who shot, bayoneted, and captured the arms of Meer Whullee Mahomed Khan, who was mounted, and directing the enemy in the hottest part of the engagement."

The loss of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment at the battle of Meeanee was, Captain J. McLeod Tew,[9] one serjeant, and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Pennefather, Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. McMurdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one serjeant, one corporal, and fifty privates wounded.

The whole of the Ameers did not submit, and the Chiefs who continued to resist assembled an army, which was commanded by Meer Shere Mahomed. The British advanced from Hyderabad at daybreak on the morning of the 24th of March, and about half-past eight o'clock twenty thousand Scindian troops were discovered in order of battle behind a nullah. Arrangements were immediately made for commencing the action, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment led the attack in gallant style. Major John Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. George the regiment, and, stimulated by the heroic example of these officers, the TWENTY-SECOND advanced steadily against the enemy's left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot, until they arrived within forty paces of the entrenchment, when they stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees with that determined bravery which has ever distinguished British soldiers. Lieutenant Henry J. Coote first mounted the rampart, seized one of the enemy's standards, and was severely wounded while in the act of waving it, and cheering on his men; Lieutenant C. T. Powell seized another standard; and the soldiers, being encouraged by the gallant example of their officers, displayed that heroism which adorns the British military character. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. McCartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson and J. Oakley, shot the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, and made five prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured standards; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, and took from him a silver-knobbed standard. The Beloochee infantry and artillery fought well, but were unable, although greatly superior in numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.

Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, "The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's TWENTY-SECOND regiment.

"Of Lieutenant McMurdo's abilities as Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, I cannot speak too highly; and regret to say, he has received a sabre wound from a Beloochee, the third that he cut down in single combat during the day.

"To the commanders of brigades and regiments, and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under their command, I have to return my thanks for their valiant bearing in the action."

The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert.[10] Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Thomas Chute, Henry J. Coote, H. A. G. Evans, and John Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six serjeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad, the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur in Upper Scinde.

As a mark of Royal approbation for these victories, Her Majesty, on the 4th of July, 1843, was pleased to appoint Major-General Sir Charles James Napier a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather,[11] Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, Brevet Majors Frederick George, and Thomas Conway, were also nominated Companions of the Bath, and their brevet rank was dated from the above period.

Her Majesty was also graciously pleased to command that a medal should be conferred upon the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers engaged in the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.

On the 18th of August, 1843, the TWENTY-SECOND received the Royal authority to bear upon the regimental or second colour, and on the appointments, the word "Scinde," in commemoration of its distinguished gallantry in the campaign against the Ameers of that country, during the early part of the year 1843.

Her Majesty, on the 2nd of July, 1844, conferred increased honor on the TWENTY-SECOND, by authorising the corps to bear on the regimental colour and appointments, in addition to the word "Scinde," the words "Meeanee" and "Hyderabad," in commemoration of the distinguished gallantry displayed in the general engagements fought at those places respectively, on the 17th of February, and 24th of March, 1843.

On the 12th of February, 1844, the thanks of Parliament were voted to Major-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., and to the troops under his command, "for the eminent skill, energy, and gallantry, displayed by him in the recent military operations in Scinde, particularly in the two decisive battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad;" to the several officers serving under Sir Charles Napier, "for their unwearied zeal and conspicuous gallantry;" and to the troops, "for their brave and meritorious conduct."

Major-General Sir Charles Napier, on presenting the regiments at Kurrachee with the Medals conferred on them for their gallantry in this campaign, addressed the soldiers as follows:—

"Soldiers! the Battle of Meeanee is among those of which history will speak as proving the superiority of discipline over numbers; and it is well, Soldiers! that we should dwell upon these things; that we may understand how Medals are won, and why they are bestowed.

"Had we been without discipline, valour alone would not have won the victories of Meeanee and Hyderabad! Valour is like the Strength of a man, Discipline is like his Mind, that directs his strength to effective exertion. If two pugilists have a boxing-match, and one strikes at random, while the other boxes with science, planting every blow home, we know how the fight must be soon decided. So it is with two armies,—the one disciplined, the other without discipline. The General of the disciplined Army directs his columns upon that part of the enemy's position which he deems to be the weakest; as the mind of the boxer directs his blow against the opening offered by his unskilful enemy. But this is not all,—obedience to orders (which is discipline) enables us to bring up all the necessary provisions of war to the day and to the hour; thus food and ammunition are at hand to support the blow of battle, just as the shoulder and the body are thrown forward to support and give vigour to the blow of the pugilist. But not only is valour useless without discipline, but it is even dangerous; for without discipline the rashly brave would run heedlessly against the enemy, the cautious would seek 'vantage ground, and the timid would retreat. Thus the Army would be scattered: but when an Army is disciplined, the ponderous charges of Cavalry, the steady tramp of the advancing Infantry, preparing to charge with a mighty shout, and the rolling thunder of Artillery pouring forth its iron shower, all combine simultaneously to strike and overthrow the enemy. Thus, Soldiers, are Medals won, more by discipline than by any extraordinary efforts of individual courage. To reward this obedience medals are bestowed, so that every man who wears this honoured badge is known to the world as one who, in the midst of the noise, the danger, and confusion of battle, had obeyed orders, and performed the three great duties of a Soldier—first, not to fire without orders; next, when he does fire, to level low, so as to make sure of striking down an enemy; thirdly, to keep his rank and dress upon his colours. The Medal tells the world that he has bravely done these things, and no man can walk with one of these Medals on his breast without feeling the conscious pride of an intrepid Soldier! His caste may be high caste, or it may be low caste, but the Soldier, who bears on his breast a medal won in battle, is above all the castes in the world. The pleasure of giving you these Medals, Soldiers of the 12th Regiment (Native Infantry), is indeed great to me. I saw your valiant conduct, and I rejoice in distributing the reward which you honorably earned, and my satisfaction is increased by the presence of so large a body of Europeans, for it affords me an opportunity of saying to my countrymen that they will find these swarthy warriors of the East staunch and true in action as they were at Meeanee and Hyderabad, when they followed the example set them by the glorious TWENTY-SECOND regiment. They will fight to the last drop of their blood, and stand or fall by the side of their European comrades. If the Almighty so wills it, that in these eventful times, War should again arise, and that I am once more permitted to lead an Army into the field, I should go into action with perfect confidence in the courage of the Native Troops. I speak of what I know of their gallantry, not from what I hear, but from what I have seen, and from my own knowledge, of their daring courage.

"Here I must address myself in a more direct manner to the Officers now before me, and in justice to them say, that their conduct, and the conduct of all the British Officers in these two battles, was very noble. For several hours the two lines were fighting close to each other, and as I cast my eye along the field, I everywhere saw the British Officers display their worthiness as Military leaders, and with unflinching intrepidity animating their Soldiers to battle! To them, therefore, I will now first distribute these honorable decorations."

The Governor then dismounted, and advancing to the line of officers of several regiments, and who had not before received their medals, his Excellency presented each with the Medal,—the bands playing "God save the Queen."

On giving that which belonged to Lieutenant Marston, of the 25th N. I., the General observed,—"But for you, Marston, I probably should not have had this pleasure;" alluding to this Officer having intrepidly thrown himself in front of his General when attacked by a Beloochee Chief, whom the Lieutenant cut down ere he could reach the General.

On the 18th of April the regiment left Hyderabad, and proceeded to Kurrachee, where the right wing and head-quarters embarked on the 27th of April, and sailed to Bombay. Previously to the embarkation of the regiment for Bombay, the following order was issued by Major-General Sir Charles Napier, Governor of Scinde:—

The reception of the regiment at Bombay, on the 2nd of May, was distinguished by high marks of honor, by command of the Governor, on which occasion the accompanying order was issued:—

The General Staff of the Garrison testified their admiration of the gallant conduct of the regiment, by giving a public banquet to the Officers of the corps; and the inhabitants of Bombay, including the Civil Authorities, raised a handsome subscription, to be applied to the benefit of the sufferers in the regiment, widows and orphans, by the Campaign in Scinde.

The left wing landed at Panwell on the 16th of May, and proceeded from thence to Poonah, where it arrived on the 23rd of May. The right wing and head-quarters arrived at Poonah, from Bombay, on the 1st of June.

General the Honorable Edward Finch died on the 27th of October, 1843, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Sir Charles James Napier, K.C.B.

On the 17th and 18th of October, 1844, the regiment marched from Poonah in wings to Bowree, and on the 19th the whole moved together for Field Service in the Kolapore districts, where the regiment lost two officers, and thirty non-commissioned officers and privates, by cholera.

A portion of the regiment was employed in taking the north pettah under the walls of the fort of Punalla, on the 27th of November; on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of November the regiment, under the command of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Poole, was employed in the investment of Punalla and Pownghur, and on the 1st of December was at the capture of those forts, the latter of which was taken by the regiment. During these operations the TWENTY-SECOND formed part of the third brigade of the force employed under Major-General Delamotte.

On the 26th of December a wing of the regiment marched, and joined the first brigade on service in the Sawunt-Warree district; the other wing remained near Kolapore.

On the 31st of December, 1844, a wing of the regiment arrived at Susseedroog from Kolapore, and joined the first brigade of the Field Force in the Sawunt-Warree country, and was employed in investing the forts of Monuhurr and Monsentosh, and participated in all the operations for driving the enemy out of their stockades in the densely wooded country between Susseedroog and the Forts.

The regiment had several skirmishes with the enemy; on the 17th of January, 1845, part of the wing descended the Elephant rock with other troops, and took the village of Seevapore, in the Concan, close under Fort Monuhurr, where one man was killed and seven wounded. The whole of the soldiers were employed, part in the Deccan or heights above, and part in the Concan close under the forts, investing them from the 17th to the 26th of January, during which period the forts were constantly shelled by the British artillery, the enemy from the forts firing their great guns and musketry.

On the night of the 26th of January the enemy vacated the forts unperceived, and escaped through a dense jungle, leaving the forts in the possession of the Anglo-Indian army.

The wing joined the regiment at Kolapore on the 6th of February, escorting prisoners taken during the insurrection. The regiment was employed in doing duty over about six hundred prisoners until its recall to Poonah, for which place it marched on the 16th of April, and arrived on the 2nd of May, 1845.

A wing of the regiment, consisting of four hundred rank and file, under the command of Captain Souter, marched from Poonah for Bombay on the 25th of December, 1845.

The head-quarters of the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Brandram Boileau, consisting of five companies, marched from Poonah to Bombay on the 15th of August, 1846, and joined the wing of the TWENTY-SECOND at that station. The march was performed in the middle of the monsoon, in eight days, rain consequently falling nearly the whole of the way.

The regiment remained together at Bombay, having six companies at Colaba, and three at Fort George, until the 14th of November, 1846, when the head-quarters, with five of the companies which were stationed at Colaba, were ordered to Poonah, in consequence of fever of a malarious nature having attacked the men, nearly every soldier at Colaba having been admitted into hospital in less than two months; the casualties were very numerous.

The left wing, consisting of four companies, marched from Bombay on the 12th of January, 1847, and arrived at Poonah on the 21st of January. During the year 1848 the regiment continued to be stationed at Poonah.

On the 25th of January, 1849, the regiment proceeded to Bombay, and was subsequently stationed at Colaba. The left wing, consisting of four companies, embarked for Kurrachee on the 24th of January.

In June, 1849, the period to which the Record has been extended, the regiment remained at Colaba, and consisted of fifty-three serjeants, nineteen drummers, and 1042 rank and file, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sydney John Cotton, Lieutenant-Colonel Boileau being in command of the Poonah brigade.

1849.