Part IV — The Nineteenth “Princess of Wales’ Own” Hussars (1858–1899) — The Nineteenth and Their Times by John Biddulph

Part IV The Nineteenth “Princess of Wales’ Own” Hussars (1858–1899)

Chapter I — Raising of the Regiment

(1858–1882)

The East India Company raises European Cavalry regiments—Their formation—The Bengal 1st European Light Cavalry—Services transferred to the Crown—The “White Mutiny”—Made 19th Light Dragoons, afterwards Hussars—General Pattle—Regiment at Meerut—General Hall—Regiment ordered to England—Badges of old 19th Light Dragoons granted—Regiment ordered to Ireland—Guidons of old 19th Light Dragoons presented to the regiment—Regiment returns to England—Ordered on active service.

In May 1857, the mutiny of the Bengal Native Army occurred, which so profoundly changed the nature of British administration in India. Through carelessness and false economy, the East India Company had allowed the number of European troops in India to sink to a dangerously low level, in proportion to the number of native troops. As against some 230,000 native soldiers, the European troops numbered less than 40,000 men, of whom about 23,500 were royal troops. The Company’s European troops in India consisted, at that time, of nine battalions of Infantry, seventeen troops of Horse Artillery, and forty-eight companies of Foot Artillery. Apart from other measures for restoring tranquillity, it was determined to raise three additional battalions of Infantry, and to replace the mutinous Bengal Native Cavalry by Europeans. Of the ten regiments of regular Bengal Native Cavalry, seven had mutinied, and two had been disarmed.

In November 1857, intimation was sent to the Governor General that it had been decided to form four regiments of Cavalry, for the Company’s service, of men recruited in England, of ages between 20 and 30 years, and of a standard height not less than 5 ft., and not exceeding 5 ft. 4 in. Each regiment was to consist of ten troops, with 70 privates per troop, together with the usual number of officers, non-commissioned officers and staff. All accoutrements, arms, and equipments were to be of a lighter description than those in common use by British Cavalry: and the men were to be collected at a depot in England (Warley), to be trained for three months, before being embarked for India. A lower standard of height than that of the Royal Army was adopted, with the intention that the recruiting for the Royal Army should not be interfered with, and it was thought that, by tapping a new stratum of recruits, men would be easily obtained. These anticipations were justified. The whole nation had been roused by the sufferings of our countrywomen in India, and recruits flocked in. Three weeks later, the Court of Directors were obliged to write to the Governor General that, in consequence of the very rapid recruiting, accommodation could not be provided for the men, in England, and it was necessary to embark a large body of them, for Calcutta, at once.

With regard to these undersized men, it may be said here, that a large number of them made excellent soldiers in time; but there was a considerable proportion of them, big men on short legs, over 25 years of age at the time of enlistment, who were unfit for cavalry purposes.

After being kept some time near Calcutta, the men were gradually forwarded to Allahabad, where they were collected in June 1858, an almost undisciplined mob, without permanent officers, without horses, and without equipments. On the 17th June, we find Major General Sir William Mansfield (afterwards Lord Sandhurst) writing to Major General Sir Hope Grant, then in the field against the rebels: “We are about to organize the four regiments of Bengal Dragoons, and to divide the recruits into four bodies without delay. How would it suit you to have one of these young corps attached to the ‘Bays’ (2nd Dragoon Guards), and another to the 7th (Hussars)? Not a man has ever been on a horse, and the men are at present armed with muskets.”

By the end of June, the apportioning of the men into regiments was complete, and, on the 3rd July, the regiment with which our interest lies, became established as the Bengal 1st European Light Cavalry, to be quartered at Allahabad. The other three regiments marched for various cantonments in North Western India. A fifth regiment was formed at Peshawur, in November, of volunteers from Royal infantry regiments, who had been formed into a cavalry corps for temporary service during the Mutiny.

To officer each of these regiments, the officers of two of the ten mutinied or disbanded Bengal Native Cavalry regiments were utilized: but, instead of placing them upon a single list, they were kept on separate lists for promotion, which were styled Right and Left Wings, corresponding to their late regiments. All officers newly appointed, who had belonged to neither of the old Native regiments, were to be borne on the strength of the Right Wing, so that, in process of time, the Left Wing was destined to disappear; but the process would have been one of thirty years or more, according to the rate of promotion then existing in the Company’s service.

The Bengal 1st European Light Cavalry was officered by the surviving officers of the 1st and 3rd Bengal Native Cavalry, both of which regiments had mutinied. For remounts, the men were given a number of horses hastily purchased at the Cape of Good Hope and in Australia, most of them wild unbroken bush horses that had never been handled. An officer who served with the regiment at this time, writing of it forty years afterwards, says:—

“No regiments were ever raised under such absurd conditions, and, if the object had been to prove them a failure, no course better calculated to achieve that end could have been pursued. The only old soldiers sent to assist us were two or three infantry men from a Fusilier regiment, none higher in rank than Corporal. When the authorities were addressed on this subject, one or two cavalry soldiers, I think from the 7th Hussars, were sent; the highest in rank being a Lance Corporal who was promptly made a Troop Sergeant Major, and I don’t think turned out a success. The horses, like the men, were all untrained, and some of the horses from the Cape were perfect devils, very difficult to clean, and for some time impossible to ride or to shoe. I have a vivid recollection of one roan, who stood in his stall for days covered with mud, because no one could go near him. Out of the crowd of raw recruits, we had to find all our Non-Commissioned officers from Troop Sergeant Major downwards, so it may be imagined what little respect was paid to the highest grades.”

On the 1st November 1858, the Crown assumed the government of India, and the East India Company thenceforth ceased to exist. No attention was paid to the view that might be taken of the change, in the ranks of the Company’s army. The British soldier, though he yields to discipline, never forgets that he is a soldier by his own free will; he objects to be treated like a conscript. The late Company’s European soldiers quickly came to believe that their rights had been infringed. Had they been asked to volunteer for service under the Crown, they would have done so almost to a man; but they objected to be handed over “like bullocks,” as they expressed it. The Indian government consulted its legal advisers, who treated the objection as a purely technical one, prompted by a wish for the offer of a bounty. So long as the men were retained for the local service for which they had enlisted, it was considered that they had no grievance. It was decided that the men had no case, and a General Order to this effect was published in April 1859. The agitation quickly assumed a serious aspect, and, during May, there was a time when, in a few cantonments, a collision between the Royal and the late Company’s European troops appeared possible. The movement was not confined to the newly raised regiments, but was equally shared in by the old soldiers of the late Company, who had shown their fine qualities on many a hard fought field. The behaviour of the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry was similar to that of the local European forces in most other places. All guards and barrack duties were performed without demur, but the men refused to turn out for parade. On one occasion the canteen was broken into, and an attempt was made to release prisoners. Mutinous language was used to officers in a few instances, and shots fired in defiance, but not with evil intent. Under the circumstances already related, it is surprising that nothing worse occurred. In one instance alone, in one of the newly raised infantry regiments, was there a dangerous attempt to act as an organized armed body hostile to the State. This was speedily repressed, and the ringleader shot.

The Calcutta government quickly recognized its mistake. In the end of June, orders were published allowing the men the option of discharge, but no bounty was offered to those who elected to remain, while those who took their discharge were not allowed the option of re-enlistment, as long as they remained in the country. Under the feeling of exasperation that had grown up, upwards of 10,000 men elected to take their discharge, of whom 2800 re-enlisted on reaching England.

The trouble with the Indian local European forces, in 1859, has been frequently cited as a cogent reason against the maintenance of a body of British troops in India, for local service only; a measure that would overcome many difficulties now felt in army administration. Those who study the events of 1859 must recognize that the trouble arose, not from the conditions of service, but from the mistakes of those in authority at Calcutta. The “White Mutiny” was no mere outbreak against discipline: it was the vindication of the men’s claim to be consulted in the disposal of their services.

While these events were in progress, orders were received for the regiment to march to Cawnpore, which it did in June.

Early in 1861, it was determined to cease the maintenance of any European force for local service in India, and, on 6th May, the officers, non-commissioned officers and men were called on to volunteer for General Service. They responded, almost to a man, and the regiment received the designation of the 19th Light Dragoons. In the same way, the Bengal 2nd and 3rd European Light Cavalry became the 20th and 21st Light Dragoons; the 4th and 5th being disbanded. At the same time, the establishment was assimilated to that of other British cavalry regiments in India, viz. nine troops (one at the depot in England) with 585 corporals and privates: 693 of all ranks. Three months later, under Horse Guards order of 17th August 1861, the designation of the regiment was changed to the 19th Hussars. The standard for recruits was assimilated to that of other Hussar regiments.

At the beginning of February 1862, the regiment was moved to Lucknow.

On the 30th July, in the same year, the complete roll of officers was gazetted.

Lieutenant Colonel	Charles Vanbrugh Jenkins.
Major	John Hatfield Brooks.
Major	Roland Richardson.
Captain	Henry Cadogan Craigie.
	Sir John Hill, Bt. Bt. Major.
	Henry Edward Ellice.
	Robert Baring.
	Melville Clarke.
	Hugh Henry Gough, V.C., Brevet Major.
	Frederick Peter Luard.
	Richard Talbot Plantagenet Stapleton
	Charles Manners Sutton Fairbrother.
Lieutenant	Charles Hay Fairlie.
	Abel Henry Chapman.
	Cecil Clarke Jervoise.
	Arthur George Webster.
	Robert Morris.
	Edward Stirling Rivett-Carnac.
	John Biddulph.
	George Cortlandt Buller Taylor.
	Charles John Prinsep.
	Albert Hearsey.
Cornet	Elliot Alexander Money.
	Joseph Boulderson.
	Frederick Henry Huth.
	Charles Robert St. Quintin.
	Francis Dallas Harding.
	Seymour Duncan Barrow.
Riding Master	George Couch.
Adjutant	Abel Henry Chapman.
Paymaster	Henry Octavius Currie.

The greater number of them had belonged to the Company’s 1st and 3rd Bengal Native Cavalry.

In September, General William Pattle C.B. was gazetted to be Colonel of the regiment. He was an old Company’s officer who had entered the service in 1800. He served under Lord Lake in the Mahratta campaigns of 1803 and 1804, and was present at the battles of Alyghur, Delhi, Laswaree, the siege of Bhurtpore &c. He served through the Mahratta war of 1817–18, and commanded the cavalry under Sir Charles Napier, during the conquest of Scinde, and at the battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.

Under orders from the War office, dated 6th January 1863, the establishment was reduced by one troop, leaving seven service troops and one at Maidstone.

In the autumn, orders were received for the regiment to march to Meerut, where it arrived 28th November. Here the regiment remained till the end of 1867. The only events to be noticed during these four years are a reduction of establishment by 56 privates in 1866: and the presence of the regiment at the great Durbar held by the Viceroy, Sir John Lawrence, at Agra, in November 1866, when the 19th were brigaded with the 2nd Dragoon Guards.

In the beginning of 1865, the regiment lost its Colonel by death. In his place Lieutenant General John Hall was appointed Colonel.

On the 10th December 1867, the Head Quarters of the regiment, with four troops, marched for Benares, being followed, a month later, by the remaining three troops, who marched to Cawnpore.

In the ordinary course of relief, the regiment was intended to leave India in 1872. In a sudden fit of economy, the Indian Government decided to get rid of two cavalry regiments, so that, without any previous warning, the regiment received telegraphic orders, on 18th January 1870, to proceed to England immediately. Similar orders were sent to the 7th Hussars, then serving in India. Volunteering was at once opened to men electing to serve in other regiments remaining in India, and, on 24th January, the regiment was re-united at Allahabad, whence it proceeded to Bombay, where it embarked on board the Jumna on the 14th February. So unexpected had been the move, that a draft for the regiment, from England, joined it four days before sailing. The strength of the regiment leaving India, was as follows: 18 officers, 51 sergeants and corporals, 7 trumpeters, 257 privates, 28 women and 55 children.

On the 22nd March, the regiment landed at Dover, and proceeded to Canterbury, whence all the Cavalry Depot troops, excepting those of the 20th and 21st Hussars, had been moved to Maidstone. But the British Government were as unwilling to have the home military establishment increased by the two regiments thus sent from India, as the Indian Government had been to retain them, and the idea of disbanding two regiments was entertained. The Manchester school was predominant; shortsighted financial considerations alone had any weight. The changes rung in the establishment of the regiment for the next four months show the hesitating counsels that prevailed. On the 1st April, one troop was absorbed. A month later, the establishment was nominally fixed at 25 officers, 457 Sergeants and privates, and 300 horses, but recruiting to make the regiment up to that strength was forbidden. At the end of June the establishment of horses was reduced to 200. A week later, the war between France and Germany broke out, while the question of the strength of military establishments was still being bandied about between the Treasury and the War Office. On the 1st August, orders were received to complete the strength of the regiment up to 540 of all ranks, which was done by the end of September. The number of horses was also raised to 350.

Consequent on the increase of establishment, an eighth troop was formed in February 1871.

In May, the Head Quarters of the regiment and five troops marched to Brighton; the other three troops going to the camp at Shorncliffe.

On the 17th June, an inspection of the regiment was held at Brighton by its Colonel, General John Hall.

In August 1872, the regiment marched to Aldershot, and, a few days after arrival, marched to take part in the Wiltshire manœuvres at Pewsey, where it was brigaded under the command of Major General Shute C.B.; returning to Aldershot in September.

During 1872, the regiment lost its Colonel, Lieutenant General Hall, who was succeeded by General John Yorke C.B. He was an old officer of the Royal Dragoons, which regiment he commanded in the Crimean War, and was severely wounded at Balaclava.

In June 1873, the regiment marched to Windsor, to take part in the review held in honour of H.M. the Shah of Persia, on the 24th; returning to Aldershot the following day.

In August, manœuvres were held at Dartmoor, in which the regiment took part; proceeding by train as far as Exeter, and returning to Aldershot by route march. The fine appearance of the regiment, and its proficiency in outpost and reconnoissance duties attracted more than usual attention on this occasion.

Early in 1874, the regiment was granted the privilege of wearing the badges so gloriously earned by the old 19th Light Dragoons.

Horse Guards 24th Feb. 1874.

Sir,

I have the honor, by desire of His Royal Highness the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve of the regiment under your command being permitted to wear the badges granted to the old 19th Light Dragoons for achievements during the present Century, viz.:

The Elephant
“Assaye” “Niagara”
J. W. Armstrong,
Depy. Adj. General

To the
Officer Commanding
19th Hussars.

It will be observed that the “Seringapatam” badge, granted to the old 19th Light Dragoons for four campaigns in the last century, was withheld. The 23rd of September is now observed as an annual holiday in the regiment, in commemoration of Assaye.

On the 19th May, the regiment took part in the review held at Aldershot, in honour of H.I.M. the Emperor of Russia.

At the end of June, the regiment marched to new quarters at Hounslow, with a troop at Hampton Court, and another at Kensington.

At the end of July 1875, the regiment marched to Leeds, with troops at Preston and Bury.

In June 1876, the regiment proceeded to Ireland. After going through the drill season at the Curragh, it went into quarters at Longford, Gort, Castlebar, Dunmore, and Athlone. In the following spring it returned to the Curragh, and, in October, marched to Dublin, where it was quartered in the Royal Barracks and Arbour Hill. In the following August, it again marched to the Curragh, whence, after a month, it marched for Ballincollig, with out-quarters at Cork, Cahir, Limerick, Bandon, Fermoy, and afterwards Waterford. In these quarters the regiment remained till May 1880, when it was again ordered to the Curragh. In August, the regiment again marched to Dublin, leaving one squadron at the Curragh. Three months later, a wing was ordered to Ballinrobe and Lough Mask, by rail, in aid of the civil power, returning to Dublin after a fortnight’s work, in, what was then called, the “Boycott” campaign.

In May 1881, the regiment moved to Dundalk, with two troops at Belfast and one at Belturbet. The time was one of much excitement in Ireland, when the Land League conspiracy was in full force, and the regiment was employed, during the winter, in much harassing work in support of the civil power.

While at Belfast the regiment became possessed of some greatly prized relics of the old 19th Light Dragoons, through the generosity of a lady whose husband had served in the old regiment. As is well known, all cavalry regiments except Hussars and Lancers, at the beginning of the century, had a standard or guidon for each squadron. After their return from India, and shortly after the conferring of the Elephant and Assaye badges (1807) the 19th Light Dragoons received a new set of guidons.68 On the regiment being equipped as Lancers (1817) the guidons could no longer be used, and, on the disbanding of the regiment they became the property of the Colonel, Sir John Vandeleur. At his death he bequeathed them to his relative Major William Armstrong of Farney Castle, Thurles, who had served in the 19th from 1809 to 1819. Major Armstrong’s widow now made known her wish to restore the guidons to the regiment that bears the number and badges which the old regiment so worthily earned. On the 28th March 1882, the Belfast squadron paraded, under Lieutenant Colonel Coghill, and received the guidons with a royal salute. The Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment (formerly the 19th Foot) lent the services of their band, and the guidons were marched in all honour, through the town, to barracks, where they were deposited in the Mess Room, after a royal salute and an address to the squadron from Colonel Coghill.

The honorary guidon granted to the old regiment for Assaye, has not been traced. If it is still in existence, it is to be hoped that the possessor will restore it to its rightful guardians.

According to the old custom one guidon in each regiment was known as the King’s. The King’s guidon was of crimson silk with the Union badge in the centre. The regimental guidons were of the same colour as the regimental facings, with the regimental badge in the centre. Guidons were discarded on active service, after 1811, if not earlier.69

In June 1882, the regiment received orders to return to England, and, while on the march for Aldershot, where it arrived 14th July, news was received that it was to proceed at once to Egypt on active service. Weak and sickly men were drafted into Depot, to remain behind, the four squadrons being completed by volunteers from other regiments and from the Reserve. The following officers also were attached to the regiment, for service.

Captain Lord	St. Vincent	16th Lancers.
Lieutenant Sir	G. Arthur	2nd Life Guards.
″	Scott	3rd Hussars.
″	Crabbe	″ ″
″	Morris	7th Hussars.
″	Ridley	″ ″
″	Holland	15th Hussars.
″	de Crespigny	″ ″
″	Hon. R. Leigh	″ ″
″	Blagrove	″ ″
″	La Terriere	18th Hussars.

Chapter II — Troubles in Egypt

1882–1884.

Troubles in Egypt—Arabi’s rebellion—Capture of Ismailia—Kassassin—Tel-el-Kebir—End of the War—19th at Cairo—Badges granted—Troubles in Eastern Soudan—Osman Digna—Regiment ordered to Suakin—Wreck of the Neera—Battle of El Teb—Heavy losses of the 19th—Battle of Tamai—Osman Digna’s camp burned—Regiment returns to Cairo—Badges granted.

In June 1879, Mahomed Ismail, the Khedive of Egypt, was deposed by the Sultan, at the instance of England and France, in favour of his son Mahommed Tewfik, and a control of Egyptian finances was established by the two western powers. In the beginning of 1881, a spirit of insubordination began to show itself among the officers of the Egyptian army, who quickly recognised their own power to enforce demands, and adopted as leader, one of their number, Said Ahmed Arabi, better known as Arabi Pasha. By September, the pretensions of the army had so far increased that, they forced the Khedive to dismiss his Ministers. Attempts were soon afterwards made to get rid of the Anglo-French control. Arabi’s influence increased daily; he caused himself to be appointed Minister of War; and, by April 1882, had practically got the whole of the country into his hands. The Khedive was helpless. In May, the French and English fleets were sent to Alexandria, in order to strengthen the Khedive’s hands. But matters did not improve: Arabi openly assumed the direction of affairs, and began to strengthen the forts commanding the Alexandria harbour. On the 11th June, serious riots broke out in Alexandria, in the course of which a number of Europeans were killed, and their houses pillaged. It was seen in England that a military expedition to restore order would probably be necessary, and preparations, in anticipation, began to be made.

In the meantime, the work on the Alexandria fortifications had so far advanced as to endanger the safety of the fleets. The French Government was unwilling to take action: the remonstrances of the British Admiral were met by evasions and denials from Arabi Pasha. At last, on 11th July, after due notice, the forts were bombarded and destroyed by the British fleet. A force of seamen and marines was landed to secure the safety of the Khedive, and put an end to the pillaging and burning of the town by Arab marauders, and, on the 17th, two battalions of British infantry, from Cyprus, under Major General Sir Archibald Alison, landed to hold the town. On the 20th, the British Government definitely decided to send a military expedition to Egypt, to restore the Khedive’s authority. The French Government refused to co-operate, and withdrew from further action.

The force sent from England and the Mediterranean stations amounted to 25,450 men, of whom 2400 were cavalry: the whole being commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Garnet Wolseley. There being no fear of their being attacked at sea, they were sent without convoy, as soon as the ships could be got ready. By the 11th August, the last transport had sailed from England for Alexandria. The 19th Hussars were among the last to go. On the 10th August, they embarked at Southampton, in the Assyrian Monarch and the Montreal, with a total strength of 33 officers, 553 non-commissioned officers and privates, and 464 horses, under command of Lieutenant Colonel K. J. W. Coghill. Previous to this, a detachment of 20 men under Lieutenant Aylmer had sailed in the Orient as escort to H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. It was also arranged for a Contingent from India to operate from Suez, consisting of one battalion of British infantry, three battalions of Native infantry, and three regiments of Native cavalry, under command of Major General Sir Herbert Macpherson.

Arabi’s army, at the beginning of July, consisted only of about 9000 men. By calling out reserves, and enlisting Arabs, it soon reached the number of 60,000 men, and eventually amounted to 100,000.

Before the expedition left England, it had been determined to seize the Suez Canal, and advance on Cairo from Ismailia; but, as it was expedient that the Canal should not be blocked or injured, Alexandria was appointed as the rendezvous of the troops on the Mediterranean side, and measures were taken to spread the belief that the advance on Cairo would be made from that place.

The greater part of the troops being gathered at Alexandria, on the 18th August, preparations were made as if an attack on Aboukir was intended. Troops were re-embarked, and sailed under convoy of the fleet, at noon on the 19th, anchoring in Aboukir Bay the same afternoon. After dark, while demonstrations of bombarding the Aboukir forts were made, the transports weighed anchor, entered the Canal, and commenced landing at Ismailia on the 20th. The movement was unexpected by the enemy, and no resistance was experienced. By the 22nd, complete command had been gained of the whole Canal from Port Said to Suez. On the 21st, Nefisha, four miles in front of Ismailia, was occupied. Early on the 24th, a small force was pushed forward to El Magfar, which was occupied after a slight skirmish, in which Lieutenant Aylmer’s detachment of the 19th Hussars took part. At El Magfar, it was found necessary to push on to Tel-el-Mahuta, to secure the water supply. The place was strongly occupied by the enemy, and the small British force was exposed to long range fire of guns and small arms, for many hours, while reinforcements were coming up, which did not happen till the evening. The next morning, the whole force advanced, and occupied Tel-el-Mahuta after a slight opposition, while the cavalry pushed forward, and occupied the enemy’s camp at Mahsamah without resistance. Seven guns, with a large quantity of small arms, ammunition and stores, fell into the hands of the British troops. Early on the 26th, Kassassin was occupied by a brigade of infantry under Major General Graham, and the troops from Suez began to arrive at Ismailia.

The 19th Hussars, in the Assyrian Monarch and the Montreal, did not reach Alexandria in time to take part in these operations. They reached Ismailia on the 24th, and completed their disembarkation by the evening of the 26th. The duty assigned to them was to act as Divisional troops; the Right Wing, consisting of two squadrons under Lieutenant Colonel Coghill, formed part of the 1st Division under Lieutenant General Willis; the remaining two squadrons, under Lieutenant Colonel A. G. Webster, formed part of the 2nd Division under Lieutenant General Sir E. Hamley. One troop was detailed as escort to Sir Garnet Wolseley throughout the campaign. The Right Wing joined the Head Quarters of the 1st Division at Tel-el-Mahuta, on the evening of the 27th.

On the 28th, a demonstration was made by the enemy against Graham’s force at Kassassin. The Right Wing of the 19th was ordered in support to Mahsamah; but, on its being ascertained that no serious attack was intended they returned to Tel-el-Mahuta. Graham, having been reinforced, and expecting the Heavy Cavalry Brigade to join him, made a general advance after sunset. The orders for the heavy cavalry had, however, miscarried, and did not reach Major General Lowe for several hours. Making a wide sweep into the desert, Lowe fell upon the left of the enemy in the dark, and charged, rolling up their infantry; the darkness made pursuit impossible. The sound of the heavy firing, caused the Division at Tel-el-Mahuta to turn out again, but after a brief advance they returned to camp, with the exception of the 19th Hussars, who pushed on to Kassassin, which they reached at daybreak. It was not till noon, after visiting the scene of the previous night’s encounter, that they were able to off-saddle and rest.

The following twelve days were spent in preparing for the advance on Tel-el-Kebir, 13 miles from Kassassin, where Arabi’s army had constructed a formidable line of entrenched works. During these days, the 19th Hussars and the Indian Native Cavalry were employed in continual outpost and reconnoissance duties. On the 5th, Lieutenant Holland was badly wounded.

By the 8th, all was ready for massing the whole force at Kassassin preparatory to the advance on Tel-el-Kebir. Early on the 9th, Arabi advanced in force on Kassassin, attacking in two separate bodies simultaneously, one in front from Tel-el-Kebir, and the other in flank from Es Salihiyeh. Willis repelled the double attack with ease, and pushed the enemy back to within cannon shot of Tel-el-Kebir, capturing four guns.

Soon after dark on the 12th, the whole force consisting of 17,000 men, with 61 guns, moved out of camp to some high ground in front of Kassassin, in preparation for an attack on Arabi Pasha’s entrenched lines. At 1.30 in the morning, the troops moved silently forwards through the desert, their march directed by a naval officer steering by the stars. The four infantry brigades, in two lines, led the way, supported on the right by the heavy cavalry brigade and horse artillery, and on the left by the naval brigade. In rear of the naval brigade, followed the 19th Hussars under Lieutenant Colonel Coghill. One troop of the regiment remained at Mahsamah, and another at Tel-el-Mahuta, to guard those points. At five in the morning the attack was delivered; after half an hour’s severe fighting, the British infantry was in complete possession of the lines. While the heavy cavalry pushed on to Zagazig to cut off fugitives, the 19th, under Coghill, passed through an opening in the entrenchments, and seized the Tel-el-Kebir railway station and bridge, cutting off a great number of fugitives. Thence the pursuit was continued for three hours, when the 19th returned to the enemy’s late camp. In the afternoon they started again in the track of the heavy cavalry, leaving a troop to protect burial parties, and reached Belbeis that evening. On the following evening Cairo was taken possession of, and Arabi surrendered himself. The only casualty in the regiment was Lieutenant Barclay who was struck by a fragment of shell from one of the first guns fired by the enemy at Tel-el-Kebir.

The war was over. A medal, with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir, was given to all who took part in the campaign. The medals were presented to the regiment by Lady Dufferin, in Her Majesty’s name, in the following February. H.H. the Khedive also gave a star.

A few weeks after the arrival of the regiment in Cairo, a virulent epidemic attacked the horses. In order to shake it off, the regiment was moved to Helouan, at the end of the first week in November, with 248 sick horses, 56 having died in Cairo. A good deal of sickness also set in among the men. In the following March the regiment returned to Cairo, and occupied the Abassiyeh barracks, having lost 18 men and 141 horses in the interval. When the regiment went to Egypt it had four coloured squadrons, chesnut, bay, brown, and black, while the band were mounted on greys. Experience showed that the greys bore the climate better than any others; the chesnuts also bore the climate well. The dark coloured horses suffered most, and were more liable, than the others, to sore backs. In respect to age, the percentage of deaths among horses between five and ten years, was double that among horses between ten and fifteen years. In the hurry of departure from England, about twenty horses, over fifteen years of age, were taken. They were employed as waggon horses, and had perhaps harder work than those under saddle; yet they stood the climate and work better than all the others.

Affairs in Lower Egypt, to outward appearance, seemed to be settling down so satisfactorily that, in November, the regiment received orders to hold itself in readiness to proceed to England. This prospect endured only for a week, when news from Upper Egypt was received, altering all arrangements.

While the British government were busying themselves with Lower Egypt, they paid scanty attention to the Soudan, which they regarded as a burden and encumbrance that Egypt would do well to get rid of. The Khedive’s government did not hold this view, and continued to occupy themselves in dealing with a movement that had originated in Kordofan, the importance of which was greatly under-estimated at the time. Simultaneously with the insubordination of the Egyptian army and the rise of Arabi Pasha, another pretender to power, of a more serious type had arisen in the South. In May 1881, an Arab, in Kordofan, named Mahomed Ahmed, proclaimed himself to be the Mahdi, and preached a religious war. Matters were not improved by communications from Arabi, published in the Soudan, proclaiming that the Khedive’s government was at an end, and that no obedience should be paid to it. By the end of 1882, the Mahdi had gathered a large force of fighting men, and had inflicted several disastrous defeats on the Egyptian troops. In April 1883, an Egyptian force, which came to be known as the “English Army,” was organized at Khartoum, under the command of Major General Hicks, who had with him a number of English officers, to advance on Kordofan, and put down the revolt.70 In October, this force was utterly destroyed, and the whole of the Soudan was in a blaze. It was at once realized that the reconquest of Kordofan and the complete suppression of the Mahdi would require operations on a scale that could not then be undertaken. A complete withdrawal from the Western Soudan was therefore determined on. To effect this, Colonel Gordon with £40,000 was sent to Khartoum. Meanwhile, the uprising of the tribes had developed in another direction.

In August 1883, a slave trader, named Osman Digna, in the Eastern Soudan, had raised the tribesmen, in the name of the Mahdi, and attacked the Egyptian posts in the vicinity of Suakin, the principal seaport of the Soudan, laying siege to Sinkat and Tokar. An Egyptian force for the relief of these places was organized in Cairo, and sent down, under Major General Baker, in December. On the 4th February 1884, while advancing to the relief of Tokar, it was utterly destroyed, Baker and his staff making their escape with difficulty. The fall of Sinkat and massacre of its garrison quickly followed. The presence of British men-of-war at Suakin, alone saved that place. It was evident that without British troops nothing could be done. But beyond securing the safety of Suakin and effecting the relief of Tokar, the British Government had no definite plans.

To effect these objects, a force was organized at Cairo, under Major General Graham, and dispatched from Suez. The 19th Hussars commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A. G. Webster, left Cairo on the 17th February, and embarked in the Osiris and the Neera, with a strength of 20 officers, 457 non-commissioned officers and men, and 395 horses. Three hundred of the horses were small Syrian Arabs procured from the Egyptian cavalry. The force was destined to land at Trinkitat, about 50 miles south of Suakin, and the nearest point on the coast to Tokar.

The Osiris reached Trinkitat on the 22nd February, and the portion of the 19th on board, disembarked the following day. In a reconnoissance made on the 24th, they came in touch with the enemy at once. The Neera, less fortunate, struck on a rock off Suakin, and became a total wreck, though men and horses were all saved; but they did not reach Trinkitat till the 25th. The regiment was brigaded with the 10th Hussars and mounted infantry, about 750 men in all, under Colonel Herbert Stewart. On the 28th, the whole force, consisting of about 4500 men, moved from Trinkitat to Fort Baker, but, before this, the news of the fall of Tokar had been received.

On the 29th, the force advanced against the enemy, who occupied a strong position at El Teb. Moving in a large square, they found the Arab force in position on an isolated ridge covered with bush scrub, and protected with parapets and rifle pits. A squadron of the 10th Hussars covered the front and left face of the square; a troop of the 19th covered the right face. The rest of the cavalry were disposed in rear of the square, in three lines, commanded respectively by Lieut. Colonel Wood, 10th Hussars, Lieut. Colonels Barrow and Webster, 19th Hussars. By their defeat of General Baker, and the capture of Tokar, the enemy had become possessed of guns, small arms and ammunition, which they used very efficiently. As the British force came within range, the cavalry cleared away from the front of the square, which moved to the right, across the front of the position, so as to attack the left flank of the enemy, and the British guns came into action. In forty minutes, the enemy’s guns being silenced, the square moved forward again. As they approached the ridge, the enemy’s fire ceased, and, in small groups of twenty and thirty men, the Arabs dashed at the face of the square with the most reckless valour. Not one of them succeeded in reaching it. Again the British infantry advanced, and again with desperate courage a great force of Arabs hurled themselves on the British bayonets. There are no braver men than the Arabs of the Soudan. Armed with sword and spear, in spite of hundreds being shot down, many of them succeeded in coming hand to hand with their foes and the matter was decided by the bayonet. Thus, fighting at every step, the British infantry swept steadily along the whole line of the enemy’s position, capturing seven guns in their progress. The enemy’s number was computed at from 6000 to 10,000 men. Of these, over 2000 lay dead on the ridge. As the remainder drew off across the plain beyond, the first two lines of British cavalry swept round the end of the ridge, and pursued. After driving the main body of the enemy before them for some distance, it was found necessary to return to encounter a large body of the enemy they had passed in the broken ground, and that now interposed between them and the infantry. The 10th Hussars, and two squadrons of the 19th under Lieutenant Colonel Barrow, charged a large body of Arabs composed of horsemen, men on camels, and footmen, and at once became involved in a desperate hand to hand conflict. This body of Arabs had not been engaged with our infantry, and were quite fresh. Thirty Arab horsemen charged one of the leading squadrons, three of them getting through and wheeling their horses in pursuit regardless of the second line. The Arab swordsmen and spearmen, taking advantage of the scrub and broken ground, hamstrung horses as they passed, and then attacked the riders. Captain Freeman of the 19th and several men were killed, and many wounded. Of all those who lost their horses in the mêlée, Colonel Barrow alone escaped alive. His horse was killed, and he received a thrust from a spear that passed through his arm and penetrated his side. Surrounded by numbers of the enemy, he must have been killed, had it not been for the devotion of Quarter Master Sergeant William Marshall who rode to his assistance, seconded by Sergeant Fenton and Private Boseley. Marshall gave the Colonel his hand. Running in this fashion, in rear of the charging squadrons, Barrow, with the heavy spear swaying to and fro in his side, managed to get free of the enemy before he sank down. His attendant trumpeter, in spite of sixteen terrible wounds, kept his horse going, and escaped from the press, to die of his injuries later. Captain Jenkins, on whom the command of the two squadrons devolved, on Barrow being disabled, was engaged by three of the enemy at once. His horse was wounded in three places, but he himself escaped with a slight wound. Horsemen, as a rule, have little difficulty in dispersing and driving before them disordered infantry: but, so extraordinary was the activity and bravery of the Arabs, and the skill with which they used their spears and two-handed swords that, in the uneven ground covered with low mimosa bushes, they were more than a match for horsemen. It was not till some men had dismounted, and opened fire on them, that they sullenly drew off and retreated.

Meanwhile, the other two squadrons of the regiment, acting independently under Lieutenant Colonel Webster and Major Hanford-Flood, had cleared the flank of numerous small parties of the enemy. By 1.30 the action was at an end. The total British loss was 34 killed or died of wounds, and 155 wounded. To this the 19th Hussars contributed one officer killed, two wounded, 13 non-commissioned officers and men killed or died of wounds, 20 wounded; a heavier loss than fell on any other regiment engaged at El Teb. Every single casualty in the regiment was caused in hand-to-hand combat, by sword or spear. For his gallant behaviour, Quartermaster Sergeant William Marshall received the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Colonel Barrow’s wound was of so terrible a nature that it was not thought possible he could survive, but he lived to go through another and more arduous campaign.

On the following day the force advanced on Tokar. Sergeant James Fatt of the 19th while scouting in advance, rode boldly into the village, while it was still uncertain whether there would be any opposition, and brought out one of the villagers. Osman Digna’s camp was taken without resistance: two guns and a great quantity of small arms, ammunition and stores, captured from General Baker’s force, being taken by the cavalry.

On the 5th March, the regiment paraded, for inspection by General Graham and Colonel Stewart, and received complimentary addresses from both officers.

On the 6th, the force re-embarked at Trinkitat, and landed at Suakin the following day, to encounter Osman Digna in person, who was encamped at Tamai, sixteen miles from Suakin. On the night of the 12th, the whole force bivouacked in front of Osman Digna’s position; the infantry at about one mile, the cavalry four miles in rear of the infantry. At eight the next morning, the advance commenced: the two infantry brigades in squares, the cavalry in rear of the left. The Arab skirmishers, who had pelted the British encampment with rifle fire during the night, fell back, increasing in numbers as they retired. Seeing a great number of the enemy in front of them, massed in a ravine, the front line of the 2nd brigade charged with the bayonet, destroying the formation of their square. The active Arabs broke into the opening, stabbing and slashing at close quarters. Numbers followed, and for a few minutes a catastrophe was imminent. The cavalry galloped forward on the left, dismounted, and poured volley after volley into the flank of the advancing Arabs, while the bayonet and spear contended for victory within the square itself. The 1st brigade, which had repulsed a similar charge, swept the right face of the 2nd brigade square with its fire, and, in a few minutes, the last surviving Arab who had penetrated the square had paid the penalty. The ranks were reformed, and the infantry advance was resumed, the cavalry clearing away the numerous small parties of the enemy who still clung to the broken ground. The battle was over. In those few minutes over 2000 of the enemy had fallen, out of an estimated number of 12,000: of the British force, 109 officers and men were killed, and 112 wounded. The 19th Hussars lost one killed and two wounded.

On the following day the force advanced to Tamai, burned Osman Digna’s camp, and returned to Suakin. For a fortnight the force lay at Suakin, the cavalry and mounted infantry being employed in daily reconnoissances. On the 27th, the whole force advanced for a distance of 25 miles to ascertain if the enemy remained in any force. A few hundreds only were found. Beyond some desultory skirmishing, which drew from the General in command a highly complimentary order, nothing serious occurred, and the force returned to Suakin.

“Too high praise can scarcely be given to the Cavalry and Mounted Infantry, who bore the brunt of a long skirmish on rocky ground unsuited for cavalry action, and who, the following morning, although nearly twenty-four hours without water for their horses, performed admirable scouting duty during the advance of the force in a mountainous district, when distant peaks and ridges had to be crowned and watched.”71

It being considered that the objects of the expedition had been fully attained, the force was broken up and withdrawn. The 19th embarked on the 1st April, and returned to Cairo on the 6th.

By G.O. 10 of January 1885 the regiment was permitted to add the date “1884” to the badges on its appointments. A medal with clasps for El Teb and Tamai were granted to those present.

Chapter III — Campaign on the Nile

1884–1899

Troubles in the Western Soudan—Expedition to relieve Khartoum—19th ordered up the Nile—Korti—The Desert Column—Action at Abu Klea—Action at Abu Krou—Quartermaster Lima killed—The horses—Metemmeh—Fall of Khartoum—Return of the Column—The River Column—Action at Kirbekan—Return of the Column—Summer Quarters—Regiment returns to Cairo—Squadron sent to Suakin—Serious losses—Returns to Cairo—Designation granted of “Princess of Wales’ Own”—Death of Colonel Barrow—19th returns to England—Badge of “Mysore” granted—19th embarks for India—Bangalore—Secunderabad.

In the meantime, matters in the Western Soudan had steadily been getting worse. In March, the Mahdi’s forces had reached Khartoum; by the end of May Berber had fallen, cutting off communication between Khartoum and Cairo, and the wave of rebellion rolled steadily northward. Still the Government in England did nothing. They had resolutely ignored the whole Soudan question, and allowed matters to drift. Gordon’s urgent advice to occupy Berber with British troops, in order to keep open the route to Suakin, had been disregarded, and his demand for Zobehr Pasha to be sent to Khartoum, as the only chance of saving the situation, was emphatically refused. It was not till August, that the British Cabinet recognised that some effort might be required to relieve Khartoum, and even to defend Lower Egypt from the Mahdi. By the middle of August preparations were made for dispatching a small body of troops to Wady Halfa, and a squadron of the 19th Hussars was held in readiness. Then followed more delay. It was not till the middle of September that preparations for an advance beyond Wady Halfa began to be made in earnest.

On the 25th October, three squadrons of the regiment, under Lieut. Colonel Barrow, left Cairo, and reached Wady Halfa, by rail and steamer, on 12th November, with a total strength of 21 officers, and 353 Non-Commissioned officers and men. Two instances of the eager spirit to get to the front, that animated the whole regiment, must not go unrecorded. At the moment of leaving the barracks in Cairo, a man met with an accident that necessitated his being left behind. In a minute one of the men detailed to remain at Cairo stepped forward in his place, in marching order, with kit complete. He had got himself ready on the chance of some such opportunity occurring, and it is pleasant to know that he got it. At Assiout, next morning, a stowaway was discovered, a bandboy, who accounted for himself by saying “He was the only man in the band without a medal, and he could not stand it.”

Experience had shown that English horses could not stand hard work under a tropical sun, with scarcity of water and desert fare. It was therefore decided, before leaving Cairo, to mount the regiment entirely on the small Syrian Arab horses used by the Egyptian cavalry. Three hundred and fifty of these little horses had been sent up in advance, and were taken over by the regiment on arrival at Wady Halfa. The regiment was at this time in superb condition. The men had an average of seven years’ service, and most of them had been through the preceding campaigns of Tel-el-Kebir and Suakin. From Wady Halfa the regiment marched, by squadrons, to Korti, where it arrived on the 20th December.

Here was assembled the expeditionary force, under General Lord Wolseley; perhaps the most singular force ever put into the field by Great Britain, to fight in one of the most remarkable campaigns; starting from a base a thousand miles from the sea. In addition to the 19th Hussars, who were the only horsemen with the force, and nine battalions of infantry, there were four Camel Corps, composed respectively of picked men from different Heavy and Light Cavalry regiments, the Foot Guards, and Infantry of the Line; a Naval Brigade of Bluejackets and Marines; a Battery of Royal Artillery, and two Camel Batteries. The boats by which the Nile had been ascended had been built in England, and were managed by Canadian voyageurs, some of whom were of Indian blood, and by Kroomen from the west coast of Africa, while the camels were managed by Arab drivers brought for the purpose from Aden.

The original intention had been to follow the course of the river the whole way to Khartoum, but now a fresh disposition became necessary. A letter from Gordon, dated 4th November, was received, showing that provisions in Khartoum were running short, and time would not allow of the slow but less hazardous advance along the river. The new plan was to send a compact flying column across the desert to Metemmeh, under Brigadier General Sir Herbert Stewart, for the purpose of opening communication with Khartoum. A second column, under Major General W. Earle, was to ascend the river, clearing away all parties of the enemy, and, eventually, to recapture Berber. The rest of the force was to remain at Korti, where Lord Wolseley’s Head Quarters were fixed. The 19th Hussars were destined to furnish a contingent to both columns.

The Desert Column

The task before the Desert Column was no easy one. Between Korti and Metemmeh 176 miles of barren desert have to be traversed. At two places only is water in any considerable quantity procurable; at Jakdul 98 miles from Korti, and at Abu Klea, about 53 miles from Jakdul. The first operation was to establish a post at Jakdul, where as yet the enemy had not appeared.

On the 30th December, a force of 1107 men of all ranks, with 2200 camels, started from Korti, under Sir Herbert Stewart. With them went 2 officers and 32 men of the 19th. Being the only horsemen with the force, the whole of the scouting duties devolved upon the men of the 19th. The rest of the force were mounted on camels. One gallon of water for each man, and two for each horse, were carried on camels. In the early morning of the 2nd January, the Jakdul wells were reached, in 63 hours after leaving Korti. Only a few stragglers of the enemy were sighted. On the same evening the force set out on its return to Korti, leaving a garrison of 420 men at Jakdul.

On the 8th January, Sir Herbert Stewart again started with the main column, consisting of 1607 men, 2228 camels, and 306 camel drivers. The 19th Hussars, on this occasion, mustered 135 officers and men, with 155 horses, under Lieut. Colonel Barrow. On the 14th, the column left Jakdul: about 1800 combatants of all ranks, with 1118 camels. Early on the 16th, the 19th were pushed on ahead of the column, and came in touch with the enemy in front of the Abu Klea wells. A patrol, under Major French, pursued a small body of men right into the gorge leading to the wells, and captured one of them, on the spot where next day’s action was fought. A number of horsemen appearing and threatening to cut him off, French was obliged to relinquish his prisoner, and retire to the entrance of the gorge. Here Barrow dismounted his men in order to keep the road open for Stewart’s force. Though threatened on both flanks by the enemy’s horsemen, the position was easily held by carbine fire, and the power of the enemy to dispute the advance of the column at this point was checkmated. On the arrival of the column a zeriba was formed for the night, three and a half miles from the water. As the camp was being formed, the enemy appeared in considerable numbers, and opened a distant fire, wounding one man and several horses of the 19th. As darkness closed in the enemy became bolder, and, during the whole night, the force was exposed to a constant fire which did little harm beyond disturbing the much needed rest of the men. At daybreak, the fire increased in intensity; several officers and men were struck down, and the 19th had several horses killed and disabled while standing at their pickets. At 9 A.M. the force was formed in square, preparatory to an advance towards the water which was of such vital importance. While the square was forming, the 19th were ordered to move out and hold in check a body of some 500 of the enemy, horsemen and footmen combined, who threatened to get round to the rear of the square. An hour after the hussars had left, the square advanced. The small force moved slowly, frequent halts being necessary to permit of the camels, loaded with ammunition and water, closing up. The ground was uneven, with ravines and hollows that prevented the full strength of the enemy being seen. Suddenly a great body of Arabs, 5000 strong, rose from a fold in the ground, and rushed at the square. So rapid and overwhelming was their attack, aided by the inequalities of the ground, and the fact that the fire from the square was at first impeded by its own retiring skirmishers that, in spite of the heavy fire poured upon them, the Arabs succeeded in penetrating the square, as at Tamai, stabbing and slashing in every direction. At the same moment, a squadron of horsemen charged the square, but were repulsed. For five minutes the hand-to-hand conflict raged, till the last Arab who penetrated the formation was killed. The remainder, who had been heavily punished by rifle and artillery fire drew off, though for a time it seemed doubtful if they would not renew the attack. The 19th, who had helped the square with dismounted fire, followed and cut off many stragglers, but the number of the enemy was too great to admit of a charge on the main body. The horses also were hardly able to move out of a walk, having been thirty hours without water. In this brief conflict the small British force lost 74 killed, and 94 wounded, some of whom died of their injuries. As at El Teb and Tamai, the fatal skill with which the Arabs used their weapons is shown by the relative numbers of killed and wounded. Of the Arabs, whose strength was estimated at about 9000 men, 1100 dead were counted in close proximity to the square.

On the retreat of the enemy, Barrow pushed on and occupied the wells, from which the enemy had to be driven by carbine fire. It was late at night before the infantry obtained the much needed water.

The greater part of the 18th was spent in building a small fort at Abu Klea, and establishing a post there, for the protection of the wounded and defence of the wells. While this was in progress, the 19th returned to the battle field and buried the British dead. Late in the afternoon the small column moved out, to traverse the 25 miles of desert that must be crossed before the Nile could be reached. The 19th Hussars led the way. As night closed in, progress became very slow. Men and camels were exhausted, and, in the darkness, great confusion ensued. Night marching over an unknown route is a doubtful expedient. In the early morning of the 19th, the line of the Nile, with villages, was sighted about six miles distant. But between them and the column was a gravel ridge on which the enemy appeared, and soon, dense masses of them were visible, swarming out to meet the column. In view of the distress for want of water, it had been Sir Herbert Stewart’s wish to reach the Nile without fighting; but this was now impossible. The camels were collected together, and a zeriba of brushwood, saddles, boxes &c. formed. By 8 o’clock the enemy’s fire became heavy. Among the earliest to be struck was the commander of the column, Sir Herbert Stewart, who received a wound that afterwards proved mortal. Speaking to Colonel Barrow just before he received the fatal wound, he said, “Take care of the 19th Hussars, they have done well.” The command devolved on Colonel Sir Charles Wilson. It was necessary to drive the enemy away, but nothing could be done till the zeriba was complete, and, owing to the exhaustion of the men, the work proceeded slowly. In the interval there were many casualties, and here the 19th Hussars lost Quarter Master A. G. Lima, who was killed by a shot through the head.

At last all was ready. The 19th Hussars came in, and picketted their horses, which were so exhausted as to be scarcely able to carry the men. Colonel Barrow and his men were detailed to assist in holding the zeriba, while the rest of the force marched out to engage the enemy. By 2 o’clock the square had formed up outside the zeriba, and moved off. With it went a few dismounted men of the 19th, under Lieutenant Craven.

As the square moved towards the Nile, the enemy’s fire increased, and many men fell. The progress made was very slow. The bush and sandhills on three sides swarmed with Arabs. As the square neared the ridge, the men dropped fast under the heavy rifle fire to which they were exposed. Suddenly the enemy’s fire ceased, and a great swarm of Arabs poured down on the square. There were no skirmishers to mask the fire, as at Abu Klea, and the Arabs were met by a steady fire that swept away the foremost ranks wholesale. Not an Arab lived to reach the square, and a ringing British cheer went up as the enemy were seen to be flying in all directions. The way to the Nile was no longer closed. Half an hour after dark the river was reached, near the village of Abu Krou. It was not till the afternoon of the 20th that the 19th Hussar horses were able to drink. Half of them had been 72 hours without water; none of them less than 56 hours, yet only 3 succumbed. If English horses had been employed, probably not one would have survived.

“The cavalry horses were quite done up. The way in which Barrow managed to bring the 19th Hussars across the desert is one of the best things in the expedition; but the horses had only had a short drink at Abu Klea, and then they had barely enough to wash their mouths out until they got to the Nile on the 20th. The scouting of the Hussars during the march was admirably done; they were ubiquitous. But want of food and water no horses can fight against, and they were but a sorry spectacle as they moved out of the zeriba to go down to the river. They reached the Nile almost useless as cavalry, and could only be employed for scouting purposes, at short distances from the camp.”72

During the whole march from Korti the entire scouting duty had been taken by the 19th Hussars, so that, each day, they covered far more ground than the rest of the force. The men also were thoroughly exhausted with the tremendous efforts they had been called on to make, but their health continued to be good. There was wonderful freedom from sickness of any kind. The casualties in the whole force on the 19th January, amounted to 1 officer and 22 non-commissioned officers and men killed; 8 officers and 90 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. Many non-combatants also were killed or wounded.

The 20th was occupied in placing the village of Gubat in a state of defence, and, at dawn of the 21st, Barrow and his Hussars rode out to reconnoitre Metemmeh, preparatory to an attack in force. So exhausted were the horses that all the Hussars could do was to ride up in a body to some high ground on the north of the village, while the rest of the force opened fire from the east side. While the attack was proceeding, four small steamers sent down by Gordon from Khartoum on the 14th December, appeared in sight, and landed some native troops. They brought intelligence of Arab reinforcements being on the march from Khartoum. It was important to husband ammunition, and incur no further losses of men, so the attack was withdrawn. But the Arab reinforcements never reached Metemmeh. The news of the disastrous defeats their comrades had sustained at Abu Klea and Abu Krou, caused them to retrace their steps.

Reconnoissances having shown that no large force of the enemy was in the vicinity, Sir Charles Wilson started on the 24th for Khartoum, with two of the steamers, taking with him two hundred men. On the 28th, after great difficulties, Khartoum was reached, and found to be in the hands of the Arabs. The town had been captured by the Mahdi, two days before, and Gordon was dead. On the 4th February, Sir Charles Wilson and his party rejoined the camp at Gubat, after adventures that read more like a page of romance than of modern history. In the interval, both his steamers had been wrecked, and the whole party had been continuously under fire for eight days and a half. In the meantime, the force at Gubat received some reinforcements and supplies from Korti. The 19th were engaged in daily skirmishes with the outlying pickets of the enemy who showed a wholesome respect for them: “Even the fierce Baggara horsemen appeared unwilling to cross swords with our Hussars,” wrote one who was present with the force. On the 11th, Major General Sir Redvers Buller arrived to take command of the force, with orders to retire on Abu Klea.

On the 14th February, Gubat was evacuated, and Abu Klea reached on the 15th, followed by the enemy who annoyed the force with long range rifle fire. At Abu Klea, on the 17th, a smart skirmish took place which cost the force 3 killed and 27 wounded. Among the killed was Sergeant Horwood of the 19th Hussars, who was acting as Sergeant Major with the Mounted Infantry. It had been intended to occupy Abu Klea permanently, in view of a second advance on Khartoum in the autumn; but want of food, scarcity of water, and the complete breakdown of transport necessitated Buller’s withdrawal to Korti. On the 16th, the 19th Hussars marched out for Jakdul, leaving at Abu Klea with Sir R. Buller a small detachment under Major French. The march was a painful one, about half the men being on foot. While on the march they heard of Sir Herbert Stewart’s death near Jakdul. Wishing to be present at the funeral of the commander they had served under in two campaigns, they made a long forced march into Jakdul, but arrived too late. They had the melancholy satisfaction of erecting a walled enclosure, with headstone, round his grave. On the 3rd March they left Jakdul, and reached Korti on the 8th. On the 23rd February the last of the desert column left Abu Klea, and returned to Korti, 16th March. In a dispatch from Jakdul, dated 26th February, Sir R. Buller wrote of the 19th Hussars:—

“I wish expressly to remark on the very excellent work done by the small detachment of the 19th Hussars, both during our occupation of Abu Klea and during our retirement. Each man has done the work of ten, and it is not too much to say that the force owes much to Major French and his 13 troopers.”

Meanwhile, the men of the 19th, left at Korti, had not been idle. In February they were engaged in establishing two watering posts in the desert, distant respectively twelve and thirty miles from Korti, for the use of the retiring force. The water was conveyed in tin lined biscuit boxes, and every animal in camp was pressed into the service.

The River Column

The primary object of General Earle’s column was to clear the river line of all hostile parties as far as Abu Hamed, punishing, en route, the Monassir tribe of Arabs who had treacherously murdered Colonel Stewart and a small party sent down by Gordon from Khartoum, in September. At Abu Hamed a base was to be established for a further advance on Berber. The force, under General Earle, consisted of four battalions of infantry, a battery of Egyptian Artillery, an Egyptian Camel Corps, and one squadron of the 19th Hussars; the latter under Major Hanford-Flood, amounting to 91 sabres and 107 horses. The total strength of the force was about 3000 officers and men.

The force left Korti, in detachments, for Hamdab, about 50 miles up the river, whence the final start was to be made. On the 18th January, 60 men of the 19th Hussars together with the Egyptian Camel Corps, under Major Flood, made a forced march into the desert to surprise a party of the enemy collected at the wells of El Kooa, 35 miles from Hamdab. The Arabs having received timely notice of their coming, hastily broke up their camp and disappeared, before Flood’s arrival. The detachment returned to Hamdab after 32 hours’ absence.

On the 24th, the start was made; the Hussars, Camel Corps and baggage, marching along the left bank, the infantry and stores in boats. Progress was very slow, the banks of the river being rough and difficult, and the frequent rapids and cataracts causing great labour in tracking the boats up. On the 27th, the cavalry skirmishers first came in touch with the enemy, but beyond a harmless interchange of shots at long range nothing occurred. This happened frequently, the enemy falling back, day by day, as the river column advanced. The progress of the boats was very slow owing to the succession of rapids here formed by the Nile. Major Flood’s men worked and camped independently, reconnoitring along the left bank, far ahead of the main body, and, owing to the rocky nature of the ground, often at a considerable distance from the river. The rocky ridge, on which the battle of Kirbekan was afterwards fought, was ascended and mapped, and a reconnoissance of the 19th Hussars was pushed some way into the Shukook Pass, five days before the action. On the 6th February, a two days’ halt at Birti became necessary, in consequence of the fall of Khartoum making a change of plans possible. The enemy meanwhile had fallen back to the Shukook Pass.

On the 8th, the advance was resumed, and it became known that the enemy, about 1000 strong, had advanced from the Shukook Pass, and taken position in some extremely strong ground at Kirbekan, in front of the Pass, about 14 miles from Earle’s Head Quarters. The 8th and 9th were employed in reconnoitring, and closing up the troops preparatory to the attack. On the 8th, Major Flood, with twenty of his men, exchanged volleys with the enemy, and drove in some of their advanced posts. On the 9th, the whole of the mounted troops felt the enemy again. That night the troops bivouacked in their allotted stations, the most advanced of the infantry being only a short mile from the enemy’s position.

On the morning of the 10th, General Earle, with 1196 men of all ranks, moved forward to the attack. The enemy occupied a position on a line of low rocky eminences at right angles to the river, and a detached steep ridge in echelon with the rocky eminences. It was determined to march right round the rear of their position by the desert side, closing their retreat, and attack them in flank and rear from the river side. Two companies of the Staffordshire regiment, with two guns were left in front of the position to occupy the enemy’s attention, and keep down their fire. The 19th Hussars led the way, and the force marched right round the enemy’s position till the river was again reached in the enemy’s right rear. As soon as they saw their retreat was cut off, a number of the enemy tried to escape by swimming the river, many of them being shot in the attempt. But a considerable number of them still held their ground. The Black Watch were accordingly ordered to assault the line of rocky eminences, while the Staffordshire regiment assaulted the ridge. As the Black Watch won their way along the lower eminences, a desperate rush was made by a body of the enemy, which was repulsed, and the eminences crowned by the Highlanders; the Arabs gallantly fighting to the last man. In the moment of victory, General Earle was killed by a shot from a hut which he had incautiously approached. The assault on the high steep ridge offered greater difficulties, but the position was gallantly carried by the Staffordshire men. Both regiments had their commanding officers killed.

In the meantime, Flood’s Hussars and the Egyptian Camel Corps had gained the entrance to the Shukook Pass, and captured one of the enemy’s camps, in which were a number of standards, camels and donkeys. The enemy opened fire from the surrounding hills without effect. The victory was purchased with the loss of three officers and nine men killed, four officers and forty-four men wounded. The enemy’s force was subsequently ascertained to have been from fifteen hundred to two thousand men, but of these only about six hundred fought well.

The advance of the column was continued, on the 12th, under Colonel H. Brackenbury, on whom the command had devolved by General Earle’s death. The enemy had disappeared, but progress was slow, through the continuous rapids. On the 20th, a suitable place was found for crossing the Nile. A scouting party of the 19th was first rowed across, and brushed away some of the enemy’s scouts. By the afternoon of the 21st, the whole force was transported to the right bank, at Hebbeh, the scene of Colonel Stewart’s murder in September. The murderers had fled, and beyond the destruction of their property no other punishment could be meted out to them. By the evening of the 23rd, the whole force was concentrated at Huella, 26 miles from Abu Hamed.

All was ready for the advance on Abu Hamed, where a strong force of the enemy was known to be posted. Hardly had the troops commenced their march, on the 24th, when orders were received from Korti directing their return to Merawi. Sir Redvers Buller’s withdrawal from Abu Klea rendered a farther advance on Berber out of the question, and the River Column had to return. While the main body commenced to descend the river, Major Flood’s squadron scouted another six miles towards Abu Hamed, without seeing an enemy. Descending by the right bank, Merawi was reached on the 5th March, and, on the 6th, after recrossing the river to Abu Dom, the River Column was broken up. One troop of the 19th was left at Abu Dom, while the remainder marched for Korti.

In spite of the extremely hard work, the health of the troops, as with the Desert Column, had been excellent. Not a single man of Major Flood’s party had been on the sick list, from the time of leaving Korti till the date of return. Of the horses, three had succumbed. The performance of the small Arab horses both with the River and Desert Columns, carrying a heavy weight, on scanty fare and less water, is a marvel of endurance.

The next few days were spent in arranging for the distribution of the troops into summer quarters, in anticipation of the advance on Khartoum in the autumn. The quarters selected for the 19th were Merawi, Abu Dom, Tani, Kurot, Abu Kussi, and Dongola. By the 1st April, they were all located in the assigned positions. Before leaving Korti, the regiment was inspected by Lord Wolseley, who addressed them in terms of commendation that will long be remembered in the regiment.

Operations Near Suakin

While their comrades had thus been busy on the Nile, the remnant of the regiment left at Cairo had found work to do. The effect of the operations, near Suakin, in March 1884, had been quite temporary. Osman Digna had recovered his authority, and was again threatening the port. It was also considered that, by making a diversion at Suakin, the operations near Berber and the reopening of the Suakin-Berber road would be facilitated. It was determined, therefore, to send a sufficient force to crush Osman Digna, and to make a railway line to Berber. The capture of Berber, before the great heat of the summer set in, was then considered feasible.

Before the force, which was to be commanded by Lieut. General Sir Gerald Graham, could arrive, a weak squadron of the 19th Hussars, under Captain Apthorp, was dispatched from Cairo on the 24th January, together with two Horse Artillery guns, followed next day by a battalion of infantry. On landing at Suakin, reconnoissances were instituted to ascertain the strength and position of the enemy. On the 1st February, a small force of all arms reconnoitred, under Major General Fremantle, towards Hasheem, 8 miles west of Suakin. The Arabs were found in great numbers, in a position too strong to attack. The infantry were formed in square, while the cavalry and guns were sent forward to try and draw the enemy out of their position. But the memory of El-Teb and Tamai were too fresh in the Arab mind for them to be induced to attack the arrayed infantry. They refused to quit their position, and after a prolonged skirmish, General Fremantle’s force returned to camp. One Egyptian trooper was wounded, and the 19th Hussars lost a horse.

On the 3rd, Captain Apthorp was sent with 40 of his own men and 40 Egyptian troopers to reconnoitre along the Berber road. At Hamdoob, 10 miles from Suakin, a camp and village, occupied by the enemy, was surprised and burnt. While the small party were thus occupied, a great body of Arabs, 5000 strong, had moved from Tamai and Hasheem to intercept them, and took post in a ravine two miles from Hamdoob, completely blocking their return to Suakin. The Arab force was so well concealed that the squadron was almost in contact with them before their presence was discovered, and the great mass of Arabs, footmen and men mounted on camels, bore down on the small body of cavalry at once. There was no time to dismount and fire, and it was hopeless to attempt to break through: nothing was left them but to ride for Suakin by a circuitous route. Turning eastwards the squadron started on a long gallop round the enemy’s flank. The Arabs followed in overwhelming numbers, and, moving on a shorter line, together with their knowledge of the ground, were able to harass the squadron for several miles. The 19th lost 8 men and 11 horses, while the Egyptian troop lost three men and six horses.

The number of Arabs in the neighbourhood of Suakin was too great to allow of distant reconnoissances, little more of interest occurred, therefore, till the arrival of Sir Gerald Graham’s force. Early in March, they began to arrive, but the whole force was not completed till nearly the middle of April. On the 17th March, the 19th Hussar squadron re-embarked for Cairo in order to join the Head Quarters of the regiment at Dongola, in readiness for the advance on Khartoum in the autumn.

Our interest with the Suakin force ceases here. It is sufficient to say that it amounted to 12,500 men, composed of troops from England, a contingent of native troops from India, and a contingent from New South Wales consisting of two batteries of artillery, and 500 infantry. It had also with it a balloon detachment, the first occasion on which balloons were used by British troops in warfare. On the 20th March, it fought a successful action at Hasheem, and again on the 22nd, at Tofrik, when an enormous number of the enemy were killed at a rather heavy cost to the British troops engaged. On the 3rd April, Tamai was occupied, and the last of the enemy’s force broken up. By the end of April, 18 miles of railway were completed, and the tribes in the neighbourhood had given in their submission; when the intention of the British Government to abandon the advance on Khartoum became known. On the 17th May, the withdrawal of the troops commenced, and again Suakin was left with only a small force to protect the port.

We left the three squadrons of the 19th at Dongola and other stations south of that place, with all thoughts concentrated on preparations for the autumn advance on Khartoum. The regimental establishment was increased by 110 men, bringing up the strength to 740 sabres. Four strong squadrons were being prepared for the field: but over 13 years were to elapse before Khartoum was again seen by British troops. About the 22nd April it was announced that the intention of advancing on Khartoum in the autumn had been abandoned, and orders were issued for the withdrawal of the troops. The retirement commenced on the 26th May, when Merawi was evacuated. The troops were withdrawn down the river in detachments, each post being evacuated in turn as it became the southernmost point of occupation. On the 22nd June, the Head Quarters of the 19th marched out of Dongola, the last of the force to leave for Lower Egypt. At Wady Halfa the hot and tedious march came to an end, and from that point the regiment reached the railway at Assiout in barges. At Wady Halfa, Korosko and Assouan they made over their horses to the 20th Hussars, and, by the 14th August, the regiment was reunited in Cairo. In the whole campaign the regiment had suffered a total loss of two officers, Lt. Colonel Taylor (died of fever) and Quarter Master Lima, and 18 non-commissioned officers and men.

In July 1885, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to confer on the regiment the designation of “Princess of Wales’ Own,” in recognition of “its distinguished services in Egypt and the Soudan.”

By G.O. 10 of January 1886 the regiment was permitted to bear on its appointments, the words “Nile 1884–85” “Abu Klea,” in commemoration of the ascent of the river Nile and the operations in the Eastern Soudan.

At the beginning of 1886, the regiment experienced a severe loss in the death of its commander, Colonel Percy Barrow. The desperate wound he had received at El Teb, on the 19th February 1884, was one from which complete recovery was impossible. In spite of grave inconvenience to himself, he had gone through the most arduous part of the Nile campaign without flinching, while the skill and judgment with which he handled his men during the march of the Desert Column won the applause of the whole force. While preparing the regiment for some regimental games, a violent exertion re-opened the old wound, and after thirty hours of intense suffering he expired on the 13th January, in his 38th year. In him the army lost a soldier of great promise. The son of a well known Indian Officer, Major General Lousada Barrow, who commanded a Corps of Volunteer Cavalry in the Indian Mutiny and at the relief of Lucknow, Percy Barrow entered the 19th Hussars as Cornet in 1868. In 1879, he was selected to command a corps of Mounted Infantry and some irregular troops in the Zulu war; and served through the Boer war of 1881 in command of the Mounted Infantry. The soldierly spirit that animated him, and his intense devotion to everything that concerned the welfare of the regiment, can only be appreciated by those who have been privileged to read his letters written in quarters and in the field. Telegrams of condolence to the regiment from Her Majesty the Queen and from Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales testified to the general appreciation of the loss the public service had suffered in his death. His remains were removed to England and interred at Saltwood near Hythe. To command the regiment, his brother-in-law, Colonel Boyce Combe, was transferred from the 10th Hussars to the 19th.

In May, the regiment was ordered to proceed to England, and embarked at Alexandria on the 19th, in the Geelong and the Iona, leaving their horses behind them. On the 6th and 7th June, they landed at Harwich and Woolwich, and proceeded to Norwich, three troops being sent to Colchester. The regiment was much gratified at the receipt, on landing, of a telegram, welcoming them to England, from H.R.H. the Princess of Wales. In July, one of the Colchester troops was recalled to Head Quarters. The establishment of the regiment was fixed at 24 officers, 469 warrant officers non-commissioned officers and men, and 300 horses.

In the following March, the two troops at Colchester were sent to Birmingham, being replaced, in September, at Colchester by two troops from Head Quarters.

In October, the establishment was increased by 132 rank and file and 80 horses. For this purpose the necessary horses were transferred to the regiment from the 14th and 21st Hussars. A month later, by which time 56 recruits had been enlisted, the order was cancelled, and the horses were transferred to the 18th and 20th Hussars. At the end of the year, the Colchester squadron rejoined Head Quarters.

In April 1888, the regiment marched from Norwich and Birmingham to Hounslow, Hampton Court and Kensington.

In September, the regiment was brought on the strength of the 1st Army Corps, and its establishment increased to 707 of all ranks with 424 horses.

In March 1889, under Army Order No. 136, the regiment was granted permission to wear “Mysore” on its appointments, in commemoration of the campaigns against Tippoo in the last century, in which the old 19th Light Dragoons had borne so distinguished a part. The badge is certainly more appropriate than the old one of “Seringapatam” which was discarded.

In the same month the regiment lost its Colonel, Major General John Yorke, C.B. In his place Major General and Honorary Lieut. General Coote Synge Hutchinson was gazetted to the regiment. He was an old 2nd Dragoon Guards’ officer, and had served with that regiment through the Indian Mutiny.

In the following June, the regiment marched to Aldershot. On the 3rd July, it was employed in London on the occasion of H.M. the Shah of Persia visiting the City.

In September 1890, the regiment took part in the manœuvres on Berkshire Downs.

On the 26th June 1891, a special inspection of the regiment was held by H.R.H. the Princess of Wales; and, on the 8th July, the 19th took part in a review at Hounslow before H.I.M. the German Emperor.

The regiment was again destined for foreign service. At the end of July, it marched to Shorncliffe, and, on 1st September, embarked at Portsmouth, in the Euphrates, for India, arriving at Bombay on the 28th, whence it was forwarded by train to Secunderabad in relief of the 7th Hussars. In November the regiment was transferred, by train, to Bangalore.

Towards the end of 1892 the squadron system was substituted for the troop system in the regiment.

In October 1896, the 19th P.W.O. Hussars were transferred to Secunderabad. Here we must take leave of the regiment. The history of a regiment in quarters possesses little interest. “Soldiers in peace are like chimneys in summer.” When the time comes for the 19th P.W.O. Hussars to take the field again, they will be found like their predecessors, over one hundred years ago, “ready in all that depends upon them, and willing beyond description.”

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