BATTLE OF MEEANEE.

17TH. FEBRUARY, 1843.

HAVING thus commenced hostilities, the Ameers assembled a numerous force to destroy the few British troops in the country. Sir Charles Napier, trusting to the valour of the force 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 22nd., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel (now Lieutenant-General Sir John) Pennefather, led the attack. A numerous body of Beloochees discharged their matchlocks and pistols at the 22nd., 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.

In the Notification of the Right Honourable Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, it was directed, "That

*The only Queen's regiment at Meeanee was the 22nd., and the following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles Napier testify the part borne by it in this victory:-"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded, as, with the high courage of a soldier, he led his regiment 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 honourably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour. Major Poole, of the 22nd., and Captain Jackson, of the 25th. Native Infantry, who succeeded to the command of those regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts. The Acting Assistant QuartermasterGeneral, Lieutenant Mc Murdo, of the 22nd. 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."

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." Sir Charles Napier set the example, which has since been more or less followed, in naming the non-commissioned officers and men who had specially distinguished themselves.*

The loss of the 22nd. regiment was Captain J. Mc Leod Tew, one sergeant, and twenty-two rank and file killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather, Captain T. S. Conway, Lieutenants W. M. G. Mc Murdo and F. P. Harding, Ensigns R. Pennefather and H. Bowden, one sergeant, one corporal, and fifty privates wounded.

BATTLE OF HYDERABAD.

24TH. MARCH, 1843.

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

† Major Poole, commanding the 22nd. 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; the latter 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."

action, and the 22nd. regiment led the attack. Major Poole commanded the brigade, and Captain F. D. George the regiment, which advanced steadily against the enemy's left, exposed to a heavy fire of matchlocks, without returning a shot until arriving within forty paces of the entrenchment, when it stormed the position occupied by the Beloochees. Lieutenant 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 Powell seized another, and the gallant example of the officers stimulated the men to similar deeds. Privates J. Doherty, C. Lynar, E. Jobin, J. Mc Cartin, J. Walmsley, G. Roberts, E. Watson, and J. Oakley shot the defenders, and then captured fourteen standards, making five of their opponents prisoners. Privates S. Cowen, S. Alder, and G. Banbury also captured colours; and Corporal Tim. Kelly shot one of the Scindians, taking 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 22nd. regiment."*

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. Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the 22nd. regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Chute, Coote, Evans, and Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six sergeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates were wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two

The words MEEANEE, HYDERABAD, and SCINDE were authorized to be borne on the colours of the 22nd. regiment.

In the pursuit of Meer Shere Mahomed, the following men of the 22nd., concealing their wounds received in the battle of Hyderabad, marched with their regiment the next day, thinking another action was at hand:-Sergeant Haney, John Durr, John Muldowney, Robert Young, Henry Lines, Patrick Gill, James Andrews, Thomas Middleton, James Mulvey, and Silvester Day.

rank and file; the remainder, being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur, in Upper Scinde.

These successes gained for the troops the high honour of the thanks of Parliament, and the Order of the Bath for several of the officers.

MEDAL FOR MEEANEE AND HYDERABAD.

Her Majesty was graciously pleased to command that a medal should be conferred upon the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers engaged in these battles. On the obverse is the Queen's bust, with the inscription "VICTORIA REGINA." On the reverse the words "MEEANEE," "HYDERABAD," "1843," enclosed within a wreath of laurel, and surmounted by the crown. The ribbon is the rainbow pattern, which is associated with the medals granted whilst Lord Ellenborough was Governor-General. The medal is similar to that accorded for Meritorious Service, of which an illustration is given in the second section of this work, the names of the two battles being inserted within the wreath, instead of the words "FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE."

BATTLES OF MAHARAJPORE AND PUNNIAR.

29TH. DECEMBER, 1843.

A FORCE named the "Army of Exercise" was assembled at Agra, in November, 1843, in consequence of affairs in the state of Gwalior, which had for some time required the attention of the Indian Government, although it was not anticipated that actual hostilities would take place. The events which led to the collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of the once powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow:-Upon the decease of Maharajah Thunkojee Rao Scindiah, the British Government promptly acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Tyajee Rao Scindiah, who was nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose adoption by the Maharance, his Highness's widow, was approved by the

chiefs. During the minority of the Maharajah, the office of regent was to be held by Mama Sahib. In a short time the regent was compelled by force to quit the Gwalior state, and the Dada Khasgee Walla succeeded to the confidence of the Maharanee without possessing generally that of the chiefs, and by his influence various acts were committed insulting and injurious to the British Government. The delivery of the Dada being peremptorily insisted upon as a necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of the customary relations with the Gwalior state, the Maharanee at length complied with the request, and the Governor-General, in order to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindiah, and a strong government having been established at Gwalior, they received orders to withdraw; but were not destined to return to their own territory without a severe conflict. Negotiations appeared proceeding to an amicable issue, but the design of the enemy to gain time to concentrate his forces became at length so evident, that active measures of hostility were determined upon.

The main division crossed the Koharee river early in the morning of the 29th. of December, and found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of the village of Maharajpore, in a very strong position, which they had occupied during the night, and which they had carefully entrenched. The British were about fourteen thousand strong, with forty pieces of artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen thousand men, including three thousand cavalry, with a hundred guns. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of the country, intersected by deep and almost impassable ravines, the whole of the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed positions by eight o'clock in the morning of the 29th. of December. The action commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler's column, which was exactly in front of Maharajpore; whilst MajorGeneral Valiant's brigade took it in reverse, both being supported by Major-General Dennis's column, and the two light field batteries.

Her Majesty's 16th. Lancers, and the 39th. and 40th. regiments highly distinguished themselves. The 39th., forming