Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army. Gordon Charles Alexander

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37

Charley Grant Sahib, as he continued to be called many years afterwards when as a General Officer he commanded a Division.

38

Colonel Cureton now acted as Brigadier in command of the cavalry.

39

10th Bengal and 4th Irregular Cavalry.

40

Afterwards General Sir John Mitchell, G.C.B.

41

Namely, Dr. Walker of the Body Guard, Currie of 16th Lancers, and myself.

42

The strength of the opposing forces at the commencement of battle was: British, 14,000, with 40 guns; Mahrattas, 18,000, including 3,000 cavalry and 100 guns. The losses were: British, 106 killed, 648 wounded, 7 missing; total, 797. Seven officers were killed on the field or died of wounds. The Mahrattas sustained losses estimated at 3,000 to 4,000.

43

In repulsing a body of French Lancers in pursuit of a party of Scots Greys, for which, as marks of appreciation by the king, they were made Lancers and granted scarlet uniform.

44

Many years thereafter I became acquainted with Colonel Bray, who obtained his commission “without purchase” in acknowledgment of services rendered by his father and brother.

45

Jains. The origin of the sect of Buddhists so called dates from sixth or seventh century A.D., its decay in the twelfth or thirteenth.

46

The “Gwalior Contingent” so established joined the mutineers in 1857, and took prominent part in the investment of Cawnpore.

47

Under Lord Lake, September 3, 1803.

48

The festival takes place on the first day of the (Hindoo) month Baishakh, that is, commencement of the Solar year (March-April) and anniversary of the day on which the river Ganges first appeared on earth. Every twelfth year the planet Jupiter being in Aquarius, a feast of peculiar sanctity occurs; the great bathing day, or Maha Mela, coinciding with the new moon.

49

April 11.

50

Prepared from the roots of Andropogon.

51

October 16, 1844.

52

Or rather, fell into his hands as a result of his victory at Buxar.

53

That each act in this life bears its fruit in the next.

54

The attainment of a sinless state of existence.

55

Died 1805.

56

During the early wars by the East India Company the troops employed by it comprised men of various European nationalities, besides natives of the United Kingdom.

57

The officer alluded to, familiarly known as “Paddy” Graves, parodied a well-known soldiers’ song of Peninsular days after this manner: —

The Sixty-second Springers all – are

Going to march unto Umballah – r;

And the Buffs, that gallant band – are

Going to their native land – are.

Love, farewell.”

58

In subsequent years large numbers of them were converted to Christianity; colonies established by them in Cachar and Assam.

59

In 1757 a stately range of two-storied barracks for “European” troops were erected at a cost of £302,278, the rupee then worth 2s. In 1834 they were abandoned on account of high rates of sickness and mortality among their occupants; average admission rate of 13 years per 1,000 strength, admissions 2,196, deaths 82. Of certain endemic diseases treated the rates of deaths to admissions were: – fever, 1 in 21; dysentery, 1 in 10; hepatitis, 1 in 9.

60

Then sixteen years of age. His grandfather, Jaffer Ali, Wuzzeer of Suraj ood Dowlah, Nawab of Bengal, a member of the Imperial family of Delhi, whom Lord Clive defeated at Plassee in 1757. It is related that on that occasion Jaffer Ali bribed a number of Suraj ood Dowlah’s troops; with them he deserted his chief and went over to the English side. Subsequently the Nawab was assassinated, and Jaffer Ali raised to a position he had no right to claim. Thenceforward the Nawab of Moorshedabad was an “ally” of the British Government.

61

Plassee. From Palasa, “dâk tree,” or Butea frondosa.

62

Kulnah is 164 miles from the Sandheads.

63

Now, after an interval of fifty-two years, I still am proud to call him friend. Alas! since the above was written he has passed away.

64

January 19, 1845.

65

On April 29, 1845.

66

It is related that in A.D. 455 a battle took place near this spot between the Saxons under Hengist and Horsa, and the Britons under Vertimer, the latter being victorious; that among the killed were Horsa, the Saxon, and Catigern, the brother of Vertimer. One account relates that the cromlech alluded to is that of Catigern, Horsa having been killed at Horsted near Rochester.

67

Lieutenant Graham.

68

July 15 – under command of Sir Hyde Parker.

69

Statistical Reports by Major Tulloch.

70

Regimental pay, 7s. 6d. per day; mess and band subscriptions deducted from it.

71

July 10, 1846, Staff-Surgeon, 2nd class.

72

Dating back to A.D. 1572, when, under Elizabeth, the regiment was formed out of the Trained Bands of London, its uniforms of Buff leather, whence its name, now a proud title.

73

Now, alas! while these notes are being transcribed, only one remains; namely, General Sir Frederick Francis Maude, G.C.B. Only lately did my other great friend, Deputy Surgeon-General Bostock, C.B., Q.H.S., die. While the notes are under revision, Maude has passed away.

74

When the first Europeans trading between Benin and Palmas asked where the gold and produce offered them for sale came from, the natives answered, “From Jenné” (on the Niger, near Timbuctoo). Her name was thus given to the Gulf of Guinea, and, indirectly, to the English coin, the guinea. (Timbuctoo the Mysterious, by Felix Dubois, p. 172.)

75

Mr. Barnes, with whom I was acquainted in 1847, had been with that force in 1826.

76

From the Portuguese Fetisso, a spell, or charm.

77

From August 1, 1838, slaves became free.

78

Thespesia, acacias, including the sensitive plant, abrus, convolvuli, palms, wild figs, tamarind, etc.

79

Of the Wesleyans.

80

Some account of L. E. L. is given in my separate book, Life on the Gold Coast. I consider that the cause of her death was disease of the heart, with which she was known to have been affected several years.

81

Still called “Napoleon.”

82

Under the title of Contributions to Ornithology.

83

Commander, afterwards Sir W. Winniett, R.N. He died on the Coast.

84

Captain Losack.

85

Lieutenant Bingham. He lost his health during the expedition, and shortly thereafter died in England.

86

C. Swaine.

87

The brig Governor Maclean.

88

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