PREFACE. In the following pages will be found narrated some of the gallant deeds performed by the brave soldiers of England, not in days gone by, such as are mere matters of history, but by many now living, by those who are still in the ranks of the army, who have wounds and scars to show, who can tell us of their doings, and how they won the crosses of honour which decorate their breasts, and by others who can boast where and how they gained their well-earned pensions for shattered limbs and weakened frames. Thankful truly must all those be who stay at home at ease, that our well-loved old England possesses a body of defenders, not vast in number, but strong in unity of spirit, in discipline, courage, and love of country, who are ready to fight, as their fathers have fought, and who never will yield while there is a cartridge for a rifle, or an artilleryman can load his gun. The gallant deeds I am about to chronicle are only some of those which have been performed since our gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria came to the throne; and they will prove that the courage and discipline of English soldiers have not diminished since Wellington led our armies to battle and certain victory. I might speak also of the gallant way in which the Militia have offered to serve their country abroad, and the persevering zeal with which the Volunteers have fitted themselves for the defence of our sacred shores; and no one will doubt that when called on to be up and doing, they will gain a name and a fame for heroism unsurpassed on the page of history. I must repeat, before concluding my preface, that it is only some of the brave deeds which have been performed since Queen Victoria's reign began which are to be found here recorded. The object of the work is simply to show the stuff which fills our soldiers' jackets, and that that stuff is as good as ever. W. H. G. K. CONTENTS. PAGE Capture of Ghuznee, 23rd July, 1839 Capture of Khelat, 13th November, 1839 The Battle of Bameean, 18th September, 1840 Dost Mahomed's last Charge, 2nd November, 1840 Action near Soorkhab, November, 1841 Retreat from Cabool, 6th January, 1842 Defence of Jellalabad, October, 1841, to April, 1842 Forcing the Khybur Pass, 5th April, 1842 . Punishment of the Rebels, and termination of the War Defence of Candahar, Termination of the War, 1842 PAGE Battle of Moodkee, 18th December, 1845 Battle of Ferozshah, 21st December, 1845 Battle of Aliwal, 28th January, 1846. Battle of Sobraon, 10th February, 1846 Siege of Mooltan, commenced 19th August, 1848. THE PUNJAB CAMPAIGN, 1848-49. . Affair at Ramnuggur, 22nd November, 1848 Action of Sadoolapoor, 3rd December, 1848 Battle of Chilianwala, 13th January, 1849 Battle of Goojerat, 21st February, 1849 WAR WITH RUSSIA, declared 28th March, 1854 Battle of the Alma, 20th September, 1854 . Advance on Balaclava, 23rd September, 1854 Siege of Sebastopol, commenced 17th October, 1854 Battle of Balaclava, 25th October, 1854 |