A very curious thing happened to me, which was very trying at the time, but in one way had its pleasing aspect, for it brought forth expressions of kindly feeling from men with whom I had small acquaintance. In the list of captains in the 88th I was fourth. George Vaughan Maxwell had been senior captain, but was promoted to be major. By some strange mistake, when the brevet came out in November or December, 1854, my name appeared as brevet-major, although there were three captains senior to me. Colonel Shirley went to Lord Raglan, and brought to his lordship’s notice the facts of the case: that my seniors were more entitled to the brevet than I was. Lord Raglan said it was a very hard case for my seniors, but that as I had received the brevet, the rule applied--once a major, always a major--and that I was a very lucky fellow. So I did duty as a major, and commanded in the trenches as one--in short, was recognised as a brevet-major. But one cold winter’s morn I was informed that my appointment was a mistake, and that I must return to my former rank as captain. It was a very trying position, but no fault of mine. Everyone sympathised with me, and, when I went on duty to the trenches, the officer in command, generally, to show how much he felt for me, gave me charge of some most exposed party, a kindness I would have most gladly dispensed with. My relations at home were very indignant--one sterling friend of mine was most energetic in her efforts to see me righted, and on one occasion attacked a great man in authority so strongly that at length he rose, exclaiming, ‘Duchess, I can remain no longer. I sit on a Board at two o’clock.’ ‘Well,’ said her grace, ‘I can only hope that it may be a _very hard one_.’ CHAPTER V. THE PUNJAUB. SENT TUMBLING INTO A DITCH--SIR HOUSTON STEWART--ORDERED TO ENGLAND--FEARFUL ACCIDENT ON H.M.S. BELLEISLE--LISBON--CHOLERA--A MAGNIFICENT REGIMENT--THE ‘ULYSSES’--A SCOTCH CAPTAIN--A LONG FAREWELL TO ENGLAND--CAPE PIGEONS--THE ALBATROSS--ARRIVAL IN INDIA--PERPLEXING NEWS--OUR POSITION IN INDIA--SERVANTS--ORDERED TO THE PUNJAUB--AGRA--INSTALLATION OF THE STAR OF INDIA--SHOWERS OF METEORS--DURBAR. CHAPTER V. During the siege of Sebastopol, the Connaught Rangers formed one of the left brigade, light division, the other regiments being the 19th and 77th. There was an officer belonging to the 19th who was a pure Scotchman. On being asked why he joined such a thoroughly English regiment as the 19th, he gave as his reason that his father was very old and his writing not distinct, and he had applied for his son to be appointed to the 79th Highlanders, but he had made the 7 so like a 1 that the authorities had gazetted him to the 19th.