Historical Record of the Thirteenth, First Somersetshire; Or, Prince Albert's Regiment of Light Infantry

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867. Excerpt: ... Major Tyler, 13th, to take command of the rear and baggage guards, with orders to stand firm, relying on his cool judgment; and I resolved to force my way to Azimghur, about two miles distant, and return with the Madras Riflemen, whom I knew to be capable, as European soldiers are not, of driving the bullocks. But, by the blessing of God, it was unnecessary for me to leave my convoy, for on our advance the enemy fled with great rapidity, and when I came upon a village about a quarter of a mile to the front, a very strong position, I found scarcely any opposition, and at the same time saw our rear advancing, the drivers, on our success, having returned. On arriving at the bridge at eleven o'clock a.m., leading across the nullah to the entrenchments at Azimghur, I sent a request to Colonel Dames, commanding the garrison, for assistance in bringing in our convoy, and one of my companies to take temporarily the place of any men he might spare. Two companies of the 37th and Madras Rifles were sent, and proved of service. At the bridge there was firing from the high ground at the other side of the nullah, well answered by Lieutenant Walsh, Bengal Artillery, with two guns from the fort and a few skirmishers of the 13th. I regret to say that my casualties are severe. One officer and seven men killed, and one officer and thirtythree men wounded most severely or dangerously. But I am certain the enemy did not number less than four thousand men, the 7th, 8th, and 40th, so-called fighting Begiments, of the Sepoy Army, among them. Deducting the large number required for the safety of our large convoy, consisting of three hundred and twelve carts, eleven elephants, and twenty camels, our whole strength in front was about three hundred ...