Table of Contents
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Introduction |
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Orders and Medals |
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Chapter I - EARLY EXPERIENCES
Born in Scotland -- At fifteen years old appointed to the 78th Regiment -- First visit to London -- Join regiment at Shorncliffe -- Embark for Gibraltar -- Put under arrest -- Lieutenant James Mackay |
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Chapter II - THE CAMPAIGN OF MAIDA
Expedition to Calabria –– In General Acland’s brigade –– Battle of Maida –– Sergeant McCrae and the wounded Frenchman –– Reggio –– Capture of Catrone –– Taormina –– Syracuse |
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Chapter III - IN EGYPT
Expedition to Egypt –– We take possession of Alexandria –– Entrapped by the enemy at Rosetta –– A trying retreat |
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Chapter IV - THE EL-HAMET DISASTER
Colonel McLeod’s death and losses of his detachment –– Captain Mackay honoured by Turkish Pasha –– Return to Sicily –– 78th goes to England –– Attack of ophthalmia |
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Chapter V - THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA
Gazetted to lieutenancy in 24th Regiment –– Embarked for Portugal –– Battle of Talavera –– Wounded –– Soldiers seize Spanish pigs |
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Chapter VI - THE BATTLE OF BUSACO
Army kindly received in Portugal –– Much fighting with French army under Massena –– Lord Wellington’s retreat on the lines of Torres Vedras –– Battle of Busaco |
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Chapter VII - THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS
Continued fighting –– General Beresford knighted –– English and French officers spend evenings together at theatres, etc. with consent of their commanders –– Massena retires to Santarem |
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Chapter VIII - THE LOST REGIMENTAL BOOKS
Story of the lost regimental books and the honesty of the soldiers |
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Chapter IX - THE BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONORO
Much fighting –– We drive the enemy across the Mondego at Coimbra –– Battle of Fuentes d’Onoro –– I go into the French lines to take away the body of a friend |
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Chapter X - IN SCOTLAND
On sick-leave in England –– In Scotland –– Journey of seventy miles in twenty-four hours on foot after a ball –– Appointed to assist at brigade office, 1813 –– Appointed captain and brigade major in the York Chasseurs |
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Chapter XI - VOYAGE TO BARBADOS
Portsmouth –– Guernsey –– Sail for Barbados –– Honest Henry –– Frightful storm –– Adventure at Funchal |
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Chapter XII - ST. VINCENT AND GUADELOUPE
Life in Barbados –– I am appointed acting-paymaster –– President of a court-martial –– Deputy judge-advocate –– At St. Vincent –– Expedition to Guadeloupe –– Appointed deputy assistant quartermaster-general and sent to Guadeloupe |
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Chapter XIII - DOMINICA
Sent to Dominica –– A fatal foot-race –– I give up appointment and rejoin my regiment at St. Vincent –– An awful voyage |
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Chapter XIV - AN AMUSING DUEL
Jamaica –– Return to England –– York Chasseurs disbanded –– Trip to France –– An amusing duel |
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Chapter XV - CHASED BY A PIRATE
Appointed captain in the 50th Regiment –– Embark for Jamaica –– A terrible storm and a drunken captain –– Return to port –– Sail again with another captain –– Ship chased by a pirate –– Jamaica once more |
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Chapter XVI - LIFE IN JAMAICA
Appointed deputy judge-advocate –– Sir John Keane –– An interesting court-martial –– Sent with a small detachment to Port Maria –– Awful outbreak of yellow fever |
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Chapter XVII - HOME AGAIN AND MARRIED
Invalided to England –– Ship injured on coral rock –– Dangerous voyage –– Married on 25th November, 1826 –– Portsmouth –– The Duke of Clarence –– Ireland –– Complimented by Sir Hussey Vivian on execution of difficult manœuvres |
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Chapter XVIII - TO NEW SOUTH WALES
Dr. Doyle’s sermon –– Ordered to New South Wales –– Sail for Sydney with three hundred convicts –– Mutiny at Norfolk Island –– Appointed colonel commandant there |
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Chapter XIX - NORFOLK ISLAND
Life at Norfolk Island –– Trial of the mutineers –– A fresh conspiracy –– Execution of thirteen mutineers |
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Chapter XX - SUNDAY SERVICES AT NORFOLK ISLAND
I appoint two convicts (who had been educated for the Church) to officiate –– Find about a hundred ex-soldiers among the convicts –– Separate them from the others, with great success |
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Chapter XXI - LIFE AT NORFOLK ISLAND
Solitary case of misconduct among the soldier gang –– I get many pardoned and many sentences shortened –– Theatricals and other amusements –– Visit from my brother –– Mr. MacLeod |
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Chapter XXII - MANGALORE CATTLE STATION
Wreck of the Friendship –– I am attacked by Captain Harrison and MacLeod –– I receive the Royal Guelphic Order of Knighthood –– Secure the sheep and cattle station of “Mangalore” in Port Phillip with my brother –– Leave Norfolk Island –– Visit to Mangalore |
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Chapter XXIII - ON MY DEFENCE
Court of inquiry as to my management of Norfolk Island – Major Bunbury reprimanded by Commander-in-Chief at the Horse Guards for his unfounded charges |
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Chapter XXIV - ORDERED TO CALCUTTA
50th Regiment ordered to India –– Sudden death of one of my boys –– Voyage to India –– First experiences of Calcutta |
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Chapter XXV - LIFE AT CALCUTTA
Magnificent entertainments at Calcutta –– Dost Mahomet –– Wreck of the Ferguson –– Preparations for Burmese campaign –– Special favour shown to soldiers of the 50th Regiment |
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Chapter XXVI - AT MOULMEIN
Great welcome to Moulmein –– No fighting after all –– The Madras native regiments |
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Chapter XXVII - VOYAGE UP THE GANGES
Return to Calcutta –– Much illness in regiment –– Boat journey of three months to Cawnpore –– Incidents of the voyage –– Death of Daniel Shean |
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Chapter XXVIII - IN COMMAND AT CAWNPORE
Life at Cawnpore –– Quarrel between Mowatt and Burke –– Court-martial. |
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Chapter XXIX - THE GWALIOR CAMPAIGN
Expedition to Gwalior –– In command of the regiment –– Brigadier Black –– His accident –– I am appointed to the command of the brigade –– Battle of Punniar –– In General Gray’s absence I order a charge on the enemy’s guns –– Severely wounded |
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Chapter XXX - WOUNDED AND MADE MUCH OF
“My brigade had carried all before it” –– Painful return to camp –– General Gray’s dispatch |
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Chapter XXXI - RETURN TO CAWNPORE
Slow recovery from my wound –– Painful journey by palanquin to Cawnpore –– Am created a C.B. –– Other honours and promotions |
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Chapter XXXII - ON LEAVE FOR TWO YEARS
Riding accident at Cawnpore –– Foot seriously injured –– Get two years’ leave of absence –– Voyage to Cape Town –– On to Australia –– A strange cabin |
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Chapter XXXIII - AUSTRALIA ONCE MORE
Sydney once more –– Visit Mangalore –– Select land for house near Melbourne –– My War Medal |
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Chapter XXXIV - SECOND VOYAGE TO CALCUTTA
Sail for India –– Dangers of Torres Straits –– Copang –– Arrival at Calcutta –– My son appointed to the 50th Regiment |
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Chapter XXXV - TO CAWNPORE AND BACK
Violent gale at Loodhiana –– Two hundred men, women, and children buried –– By river steamer to Allahabad –– Rejoin the regiment at Cawnpore –– Return voyage down the Ganges |
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Chapter XXXVI - INDIA TO CAPE TOWN
The guns captured in the Sutlej campaign –– Lord Hardinge’s compliments to the regiment –– I secure compensation for the regiment’s losses at Loodhiana –– Voyage to Cape Town |
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Chapter XXXVII - RETURN TO ENGLAND
Return to England –– Continued in command of the regiment |
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Chapter XXXVIII - FAREWELL TO THE 50TH REGIMENT
Decide to retire –– Return to Australia |