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Military Art Prints of the Regiments
of Bengal Lancers during the reign of Queen Victoria in military art
prints by John Charlton and Richard Simkin. These rare antique
military prints and reproduction prints are only available direct from
Regimental Art, a subsidiary of Cranston Fine Arts, the Military Print
Company.
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Of the regiment of Bengal Light Cavalry,
many of which dated from the late 1700s, not one remained in 1898,
their names and places occupied by the regiments which before 1857 had
been called "Irregular Cavalry". The general uniform of
the Cavalry consists of : a loose turban head-dress and long easy blouse
with chain shoulder straps, a cummerbund or waist girdle, loose riding
trousers worn with long boots or "putties", and ammunition
boots. The arms at this time, except in the case of the Lancers,
were the Snider carbine and sword. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,
7th and 8th Bengal Cavalry were formerly known as the 1st, 2nd, 4th,
6th, 7th, 8th, 17th, and 19th Irregular Cavalry, the change being effected
by order of the Governor-General in 1861.
The 1st Bengal Cavalry, raised early in the
19th century as the 1st Irregulars, fought gallantly at Bhurtpore, vying
with the 16th Lancers in the splendid charges which did so much to obtain
the victory, "which confirmed the supremacy of Britain over the whole
of India", and wiped out the remembrance of our unsuccessful efforts
twenty years before. After a period of comparative peace we find
them again earning victors' laurels in the war of 1840 - 42. The
gallant deeds commemorated by the distinction of "Candahar,
1842", are well known. In the Afghan war of 1878 - 80 they were
engaged and well upheld their reputation. They were one of the
regiments detailed to join the Kurrum column after the commencement of
hostilities during what is called the Second Afghan War, and during all
the subsequent proceedings rendered sterling service in the duties that
fell to their share.
The 3rd Bengal Cavalry, formerly the 4th
Irregular Cavalry, were raised in December 1814, and for the first years
of their existence rendered valuable service in various lesser
campaigns. The first distinction that they bear is that of
Afghanistan, and the name Ghuznee which follows tells of their
participation in Keane's victory. On the capture of Khelat they were
amongst the troops which remained under Cotton, and shared in the fierce
and sometimes disastrous fighting which followed. They fought most
gallantly throughout the campaign, which included Maharajpore, Moodkee,
Ferozeshah, and Aliwal amongst their principal victories, in the latter of
which, especially, the services of the Irregular Cavalry were
inestimable. At Maharajpore Sir Orfeur Cavanagh, then serving with
the 4th Irregulars, had his left leg carried away by a cannon shot.
During the Mutiny some of the most notable instances of loyalty are to be
found amongst the ranks of the 4th Irregulars. As was inevitable
after the Mutiny, a wholesale disarming of many regiments took place, and
in July Sir Hope Grant could count only ninety men of the gallant 4th
Irregulars in his brigade. Some had mutinied, and it was thought
well that even this remnant should be disarmed. When the order was
read out, writes the Genral, "they seemed surprised, but every man
came forward and respectfully laid down his arms upon the
ground." Well might the General assure them, as he did, that
they had been deprived, not by reason of any disaffection attributed to
them personally, as their conduct had been perfectly honest and loyal, and
that when order was re-established they would be re-engaged by the
Governor. After this several of them, knowing that their lives would
be valueless amongst the rebels, were formed into a police guard for camp
duty. The General's two orderlies, Rhoopa Khan and Peer Khan, were
allowed to retain their swords and horses. In the Oude Campaign of
1858 - 59, the regiment was in the column commanded by Brigadier Troup,
and rendered brilliant service; amongst their officers being Colonel
Cadell, who during the Mutiny had gained a V.C. for an act of the most
heroic courage. When, twenty years later, war broke out in
Afghanistan, the 3rd Bengal Cavalry were amongst the regiments under
Gough, and had their share in the hard work and the hard fighting of the
war. Later on the 3rd Bengal took part in the important cavalry
reconnaissance outside Kandahar under Gough and Chapman. On the 31st
August they were paraded with two mountain guns, the 15th Sikhs, and a few
of Macpherson's Brigade.
The 5th Bengal Cavalry, formerly the 7th
Irregular Horse, dates from 1841, and gained a distinguished reputation by
their services in the Punjaub War. In July 1848, they formed part of
the force under General V White which set out for the reduction of Moultan,
and throughout the operations, which terminated in January 1849, rendered
signal service. In 1864 - 5 a detachment of the regiment took part
in the Bhotan War, an enterprise of some importance, but fortunately not
attended with much loss to our army. They also served during the
latter part of the war in Afghanistan in 1879 - 80, their principal duty
being garrison duty at Jamrud and Ali Musjid, after which, under Major
Shakespear, they took part in the action of Mazaia in May 1880.
The 6th (the Prince of Wales') Bengal
Cavalry date from 1842. As the 8th Irregular Cavalry they early saw
plenty of service, and distinguished themselves in many a well fought
field. Under General Grey they shared in the brilliant victory of
Punniar in December 1843; at Moodkee they charged the threatening advance
of the Sikh right; at Ferozeshah they gave a good account of the vast
array with which Tej Singh hoped to wrest victory from the British; at
Sobraon they charged after Thackwell through the wavering hosts of the
enemy. Brilliant as their record had been, the 8th Irregulars did
not emerge unscorched by the fierce blast of the Mutiny. Indeed,
their continuity is due to the stainless loyalty of a faithful few.
The majority of the regiment mutinied on the 31st May, 1857, and scarcely
more than twenty remained. At Huldwaine, in September 1857, under
Captain Beecher, they repulsed a large force of rebels, and during the
campaign in Oude - 1858-9 - under Captain Campbell performed most
efficient service. They were amongst the Indian troops despatched
for the Egyptian Campaign, when they were commanded by Colonel Oldfield.
The 11th (Prince of Wales' Own) Bengal
Cavalry, formerly the 1st Sikh Cavalry, date from 1858. They were
amongst the first fruits of the conquest of the Punjaub, and proved that
the men whose prowess had been tested in many a desperate field were
henceforth to be relied upon as most valued warriors. The 11th
Cavalry formed part of the Cavalry Brigade of the Peshawur Field Force,
which they joined in November 1878, in time for the capture of Ali Musjid.
They then remained on the line of communications, and for about a month
had plenty of work, the reset of the cavalry having gone on to Jellalabad.
The 11th followed, however, in the following January and took part in most
of the "affairs" which enlivened Sir Samuel Browne's sojourn
there. Under Lieutenants Money and Heath they served with much
distinction in General Tytler's expeditions against the Shinwaris, and in
the action of Deh Sarak.
The 12th Bengal Cavalry, formerly the 2nd
Sikh Cavalry, date from the period of the Mutiny, during which, however,
they were not so actively engaged. The 12th were attached to the
second Brigade under General Wilby at the commencement of the Abyssinian
War. During the march on Magdala they were in the rear, and at the
storming were disposed with the bulk of the other cavalry to cut off the
retreat of the fugitives. Eleven years later they were involved in
the Afghan War. They were attached to the Kurrum Valley Force, and
took part in the earliest skirmishes. They rendered admirable
service in the capture of Kabul, shortly after which they took part in
Macpherson's operations in the Khoord Kabul, on one occasion giving timely
assistance to some of the 67th Foot who were being pressed by the
enemy. They returned to India in April, 1880.
The 13th (the Duke of Connaught's) Bengal
Cavalry used formerly to be known as the 4th Sikh, and date from the time
of the Mutiny. The 13th were early in the field at the commencement
of the Afghan Campaign. They were attached to the Peshawur Valley
Field Force, and under Major MacNaughton did some good work in the Bazar
Valley, in cutting off the enemy's retreat from the China Hill, and in the
affair at Sasobai Pass.It was on this last occasion that Lieutenant Murray
performed an act worthy of the Victoria Cross in rescuing a sowar whose
horse had been killed. Under Colonle Pennington they served in the
Egyptian War of 1882, and rendered most valuable service. One of the
most important reconnaissances of the Tel-el-Kebir entrenchments was made
by Major MacDonald with a dozen troopers; and at what is known as the
second engagement of Kassassin the regiment greatly distinguished
itself.
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The 1st Bengal Cavalry (Review Order) by Richard Simkin (P)
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| | Item Code : RSIM0016 | The 1st Bengal Cavalry (Review Order) by Richard Simkin (P) - Editions Available |  |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | PRICE | PURCHASING | ORIGINAL
PAINTING | Original antqiue platec.1896.
Full Item Details | Image size 10 inches x 7 inches (25cm x 18cm) | none | | £90.00 | |
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Officer 4th Bengal Cavalry by John Charlton (P)
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| | Item Code : UN0440 | Officer 4th Bengal Cavalry by John Charlton (P) - Editions Available | |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | PRICE | PURCHASING | ORIGINAL
PAINTING | Original chromolithograph published c.1902.
Full Item Details | Image size 9 inches x 12 inches (23cm x 31cm) | none | | £100.00 | |
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Scouts of the 10th Bengal Lancers (Field Service Kit) by Richard Simkin (P)
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| | Item Code : RSIM0015 | Scouts of the 10th Bengal Lancers (Field Service Kit) by Richard Simkin (P) - Editions Available | |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | PRICE | PURCHASING | ORIGINAL
PAINTING | Original antique plate c.1896.
Full Item Details | Image size 10 inches x 7 inches (25cm x 18cm) | none | | £90.00 | |
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Officer 17th Bengal Cavalry by John Charlton (P)
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| | Item Code : UN0439 | Officer 17th Bengal Cavalry by John Charlton (P) - Editions Available | |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | PRICE | PURCHASING | ORIGINAL
PAINTING | Original chromolithograph published c.1902.
Full Item Details | Image size 9 inches x 12 inches (23cm x 32cm) | none | | £100.00 | |
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The 2nd Bengal Cavalry, formerly the
2nd Irregulars, date, like their predecessors in number, from the
early years of the 19th century. Their first engagement of note was
at Arracan, a province which nature had rendered well nigh impregnable by
towering forests and impervious jungles which impede access and render -
especially at the rainy season - the atmosphere heavy with poison
germs. Round Arracan itself rises a lofty range, and an idea of the
place may be gathered from the description given by a historian.
"The houses are all built on piles above the mud and ooze which the
river deposits around them. On the summit of these hills 9,000
Burmese troops were strongly stockaded". Yet swamp and stockade
and fastness and Burmese warriors failed to stop General Morrison's force
with which were the predecessors of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry. Arracan
was captured and the province ceded; yet before the troops could withdraw,
scarcely a soldier remained fit for duty, and three fifths of the entire
force found their graves amidst the rank deathful vegetation. Next
amongst the distinctions of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry is Sobraon, where they
formed part of the Native Army under Sir Hugh Gough. For some time
it seemed, says the Governor-General in his despatches, that the fire kept
up by the Calsea troops would prove too hot for our forces, but at length
the enemy were routed. Then came the charge of the Cavalry, and the
40,000 of the enemy were routed with the loss of 14,000 men and 220 pieces
of cannon. But it was not only at Sobraon that the 2nd Bengal, as
they now are, distinguished themselves. The official despatches and
the general orders of Sir Charles Napier and Sir Hugh Gough bear eloquent
testimony of the services of the Irregular Cavalry during the whole of the
Punjaub Campaign. The charges of Colonel Pattell at Meeanee and
Hyderabad, the forward advance of Cavalry and Artillery at Moodkee; and
the fierce fighting at Ferozeshah gave proof of their value as
troopers. Their next campaign of note was in Egypt in 1882, when
they were amongst the native regiments which fought side by side with the
matchless cavalry of Britain. |
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The 4th Bengal Cavalry, late the 6th
irregular Cavalry, dating from the first half of the 19th century, have
not many distinctions, but can boast of the exceptional honour of their
"Scinde" standard. The enterprise they were engaged in was
one of intense difficulty; the neighbourhood was one infested by fierce
tribes - the Jackranees, the Doomkees, the Bhootgees, the Muzarees, and
others - "who boast that no foreign foot had ever traversed their
rocky defiles". It was on this occasion that one of the first
Camel Corps was organised; "each camel carried two men, clad in
turbans, shirt tunics, and long boots, one armed with a musket and bayonet
slung over the left shoulder, the other with a carbine and sword.
One guided the camel and fought from its back, the other acted as an
infantryman on foot." In the event of an assault by
overwhelming numbers, the camels were to kneel in a ring with their heads
inward and pinned down, so as to form a bulwark for the men. The 6th
Irregulars supplied not a few of this contingent, and the main body of the
regiment was under command of Colonel Salter. During the troublous
times of the Mutiny the 6th Irregulars rendered good service, notably at
Moultan in August 1858, when a troop under Colonel Jarret pursued the
rebels. The distinction of "Afghanistan, 1879 - 80"
commemorates their participation in that campaign. |
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The 7th and 8th Bengal Cavalry, formerly
the 17th and 18th Irregulars respectively, date from 1846, and the former,
immediately after their formation, took an active part in the war then
raging. They bear the distinction "Punjaub" and since then
up to 1898, had not participated in any of the more important wars.
The 8th Bengal Cavalry have as their distinction one of a later date,
namely "Afghanistan, 1878 - 80", where they were principally
employed in the Lughman Valley. |
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The 9th and 10th Bengal Cavalry,
otherwise respectively the 1st and 2nd Hodson's Horse, are very
distinguished Lancer Regiments. It was noticeable all through the
conflict of the Mutiny that Hodson's Horse, when engaged, generally
managed to have two or three single combats. A remarkable instance
of this occurred during the siege of Lucknow. Just after Banks of
the 7th Hussars had been cut down, and when his infuriated regiment had
taken a terrible revenge on his assailants, it was found that the two
leaders of the rebels, men of remarkable strength, by undeniable
"merit raised to that bad eminence" remained, one being the
Daroga, and the other his comrade in arms. This was work congenial
to the troopers of Hodson's Horse. "Two Sikh sowars now rode
up, one of whom at once attacked the Daroga; his companion tackled the
other. A tremendous blow straight down upon the Sikh's left shoulder
was delivered by the Daroga with such force that, received as it was by
the sowar upon his shield, it made him reel in his saddle. A
sweeping return cut was given by the Sikh at the daroga's head, but he
sprang out of the way and aimed a stroke at the sowar's side. This
the Sikh parried with his sword, and then, finding he was at a
disadvantage by fighting on horseback, he flung himself from the saddle,
and rushed at the maddened Daroga. Another well aimed blow by the
infuriated man, which would have cleft the sowar's skull, was received
again pon his shield; yet such was its force, that it sent him backwards
to the ground; but springing to his feet before the Daroga could get at
him, he renewed the combat. For some minutes this kind of fearful
work went on between the two. Once more was the Sikh struck down,
his life being again saved by the receipt of the blow upon his trusty
shield. Three times altogether was he dashed to the earth, from
which he sprang up with rapidity, or he would have been slain in an
instant. On the last occasion, quickly rising from his prostrate
position, he made a desperate effort to end the combat. He leaped
well to the left, and as he did so he gave a sweeping backward cut at his
adversary's head. The Daroga with the quickness of lightning saw his
danger, and jumped aside to avoid the blow, but the keen edge of the
sowar's tulwar near its point reached the back of his opponent's
neck. The Daroga staggered to the ground, his head fell forward, and
he was instantly despatched by a well directed point from the Sikh
antagonist. Whilst this was going on a similar combat took place
between the other Sikh soldier and the remaining enemy. This brave
sowar, after many narrow escapes, also succeeded in killing his
man." In the latter part of the Egyptian War the 9th Bengal
Lancers (1st Hodson's Horse) were engaged, Colonels Palmer and Clifford
being respectively first and second in command. At the battle of El
Teb Lieutenant Probyn was severely wounded in one of the deperate charges
made by our cavalry. The 10th Bengal Lancers (2nd Hodson's Horse)
took part in the Abyssinian Campaign and in the Afghan War of 1878 - 80;
amongst their more brilliant achievements in which may be mentioned the
charge which rescued Captain Creagh's sorely tried little force at Dakka.
During the first part of the campaign they were chiefly occupied in
guarding the pass from Janrud to Basawal, and subsequently as a rear guard
in the retreat from Jellalabad. In April 1879, while in garrison at
Dakka, the 10th under Captain Strong, made a most successful charge
against a strong body of the enemy who were severely pressing a body of
our infantry. For some time after the main body had retired, the
10th remained in the Khyber, suffering, says a record, "great
privation from the inadequacy of the supply of forage and water, and
performing much hard work with convoys". |
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The 17th Bengal Cavalry served during the
Jowaki expedition of 1877, and afterwards in Afghanistan. During the
first Afghan campaign they formed part of the Peshawur garrison, and were
employed in guarding the Khyber line of communication. In January of
1880, some fifty of their number took part in the fighting on the Gara
Heights. Another detachment subsequently accompanied Colonel Walker
on his expedition into the Lughman Valley. Though busily employed
during the campaign, the 17th were not engaged in any of the more familiar
actions. |
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The above text from "Her Majesty's
Army" by Walter Richards, published 1898. |
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