Historical record of the Twenty-second, or the Cheshire Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1689, and of its subsequent services to 1849Cannon, Richard
History
Historical record of the Twenty-second, or the Cheshire Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1689, and of its subsequent services to 1849
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 22nd (Cheshire)
"Then rose the British shout; the English guns were run forward into
position, the infantry closed upon the Fulaillee with a run, and
rushed up the sloping bank. The Beloochees, having their matchlocks
laid ready in rest along the summit, waited until the assailants
were within fifteen yards ere their volley was delivered; the rapid
pace of the British, and the steepness of the slope on the inside,
deceived their aim, and the execution was not great; the next moment
the TWENTY-SECOND were on the top of the bank, thinking to bear
down all before them, but they staggered back in amazement at the
forest of swords waving in their front! Thick as standing corn,
and gorgeous as a field of flowers, stood the Beloochees in their
many-coloured garments and turbans; they filled the broad deep bed
of the Fulaillee, they clustered on both banks, and covered the
plain beyond. Guarding their heads with their large dark shields,
they shook their sharp swords, beaming in the sun, their shouts
rolled like a peal of thunder, as with frantic gestures they rushed
forwards, and full against the front of the TWENTY-SECOND dashed with
demoniac strength and ferocity. But with shouts as loud, and shrieks
as wild and fierce as theirs, and hearts as big, and arms as strong,
the Irish soldiers met them with that queen of weapons the musket,
and sent their foremost masses rolling back in blood."
The following extracts from the despatch of Major-General Sir Charles
Napier testify the part borne by the TWENTY-SECOND in the victory of
MEEANEE:--
"Lieutenant-Colonel Pennefather was severely wounded as with the
high courage of a soldier he led his regiment (TWENTY-SECOND) 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
honorably, urging on the assault with unmitigated valour.
"Major Poole, of the TWENTY-SECOND, and Captain Jackson of the
Twenty-fifth native infantry, who succeeded to the command of those
regiments, proved themselves worthy of their dangerous posts.
"The Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, Lieutenant McMurdo, of
the TWENTY-SECOND 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."
In the NOTIFICATION of the Right Honorable Lord Ellenborough, the
Governor-General of India, it was directed,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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