Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research 99/397

Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research 99 (2021), 171-182

SOLDIERSÊ LETTERS FROM THE 16 TH LANCERS, INDIA, 1843-1847

PART 2

J OHN H. R UMSBY

The breaking of the Regiment The 16 th Lancers’ day of glory at Aliwal came at a high price. The regiment lost a total of 143 killed and wounded out of 560 all ranks in the field . 1 Those badly wounded were sent to hospitals at Ferozepore or Landour, where some remained after the regiment had returned to England. As was customary for regiments returning to England, men were invited to volunteer into incoming regiments or those whose posting in India was to continue. A total of 201 men opted to stay in India by transferring to other regiments, mainly cavalry regiments such as the 3 rd Light Dragoons, who had also lost heavily in the Sutlej battles. It was thus only a remnant of the regiment that commenced the long journey to Calcutta and home, as described in the following letters. Letter 12: From Corporal Edwin Cowtan or Lance-Sergeant Fred Cowtan, On board the Dido, River Ganges, 10 April 1846 . 2 We marched from Lahore on the 4 th of March, and arrived at Meerut on the 26 th , performing the March from Lahore to Meerut, 293 miles, in 23 days, a thing never attempted before . 3 We did not so much as halt one day, though many of our horses were completely knocked up, and not a few of the men had to walk into Meerut – we began to feel it ourselves, but the thought of soon returning to England, cheered us on through all our difficulties and fatigues. We took leave of our friends in Meerut, on the 1 st , and on the next morning had to tramp it out to the next camp ground, about 10 miles, on foot, for we had given our horses over to the Commissariat the day before. We arrived at Gurmukteeser Ghaut on the 4 th and set sail on the 6 th , in bugerows, 4 for Calcutta, and here we are with a fair wind making good way; we expect to arrive at the Presidency about the latter end of next month, when, if shipping is ready, we shall make for England – dear, happy England – and see all our friends about September or October next. I have seen a copy of the honour we are to 1 John H. Rumsby, “ Discipline, System and Style”. The Sixteenth Lancers and British Soldiering in India, 1822-1846 (Solihull, 2015), pp. 267-268. 2 Letters 12-14 are taken from the Kentish Gazette 15 Dec 1846, p. 1. 3 See the lithograph taken from a drawing by Captain Henry Yule of the Bengal Engineers, showing the 16 th and other troops crossing the bridge of boats over the River Sutlej in March 1846: Russell V. Steele, ‘British Troops crossing the Sutlej.’ Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research Vol. XXI (1942) p. 150. The artist was the brother of Lt R.A. Yule of the 16 th Lancers. 4 Bugerow or budgerow: a large river barge powered by oars, tow-rope or sails, depending on the current and wind.

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