93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot - 1857

1857

• Indian Rebellion of 1857 / Indian Mutiny
• 16 June 1856: Leave the Crimea.
• 15 July: Arrive Portsmouth, proceed to Aldershot. Various British garrisons.
• 6 March 1857: Orders for China.
• 1 June 1857: Nos. 3, 7 & 8 companies embark at Plymouth for China.
• 16 June 1857: Rest of Regiment under Lt. Col. Leith Hay embark at Clarence Dockyard at Gosport.
• At Cape of Good Hope receive the news of mutiny of Bengal native army in India.
• 20 September 1857: Arrive at Calcutta. Welcomed by Sir Colin Campbell.
• 31 October 1857: Reach Cawnpore. They see remains of slaughter done by mutineers on women & children. Cross the Ganges River. Arrive Oude, join column assembling for Lucknow.
• 1 November 1857: One company engaged in battle at Futtehpoor with large force of rebels.
• 2 November 1857: Grenadier and nos. 1, 3 & 4 companies engaged in attack on fortified village in Oude, Buntara. Drive enemy out.
• 11 November 1857: Brigaded with HQ of the 53rd, & the 84th, 90th, 1st Madras Fusiliers & 4th Punjab Rifles, brigade commanded by Lt. Col. Adrian hope of the 93rd.
• 14 November 1857: 2nd relief of Lucknow begins.
• 16 November 1857: Storming and taking of Secunder Bagh (a walled garden fortification). By heavy canonade a breach is made and the 93rd rushes in under heavy fire, at the same time storming the main gate, with the 4th Punjab Infantry Regiment. Fierce hand to hand fighting for hours within the enclosure. By 3 pm, 2,000 Sepoy mutineers lie dead inside. Among first to enter is Lt. Col. Ewart. Six Victoria Crosses awarded to the 93rd for their actions on this day. Sir Colin then calls upon the 93rd to take the Shah Nujeef fortification.
• 17 November 1857: At daybreak the Regimental colour is uncased atop a tower as a signal to the beleaguered garrison in the Residency.
• 18–22 November 1857: Evacuation of Residency garrison, women, children, 1000 wounded, the King of Oude, and 250,000 pounds of government money. 93rd covers the retreat.
• 29 November – 6 December 1857: Battle for Cawnpore. Rebels routed. Next days spent clearing district around Lucknow.
• 1 February 1858: Advance again on Lucknow.
• 1 March 1858: Battle for Lucknow begins.
• 9 March 1858: 93rd and brigade storm the Martiniere. Bivouac in Secunder Baugh.
• 11 March 1858: Storm Kaiser Baugh. 5,000 Sepoy rebels vs. 800 of the 93rd. Fierce hand to hand combat for 4 hours. 93rd: 15 killed, 47 wounded. Mutineers: over 860 dead. Victoria Cross awarded to Lt. Wm McBean for killing 11 enemy in succession with his sword at the gate.
• 21 March 1858: After severe skirmishing and street fighting, Lucknow cleared & in possession of the British. 93rd proceeds to camp at Dilkoosha.
• 7 April 1858: Join 42nd, 79th, artillery, 9th Lancers, & some native units all under Brig-Gen. Walpole. "Old Highland Brigade" under command of Brig. the Hon. Adrian Hope, of the 93rd. Proceed toward Rohilcund.
• 16 April 1858: Encounter rebel mud fort, which opens fire. Highlanders & Punjab Rifles push forward, return fire. Adrian Hope killed. Force withdraws at sunset. Enemy escapes during night. Col. Hay, CB of the 93rd, takes command of Highland Brigade.
• 20 April 1858: Battle at village of Allahgunge. Enemy dispersed. Bt. Lt. Col. Ross takes command of 93rd.
• 30 April 1858: Arrive Bareilly. Army reinforced.
• 5 May 1858: Battle on plains east of Bareilly. Enemy retires.
• 7 May 1858: City of Bareilly taken.
• 17 October 1858: To Shajehanpore. Form brigade with 60th Royal Rifles & 66th Gurkhas.
• 19 October 1858: Army encounters rebels entrenched at village of Poosgawah & expel them. The column breaks up to pursue. Rebel cavalry appears in the rear, attacking baggage column & cutting up campfollowers. 12 sick of the 93rd turn out of their dhoolies & open fire, holding the rebels in check until arrival of Mooltanee cavalry which disperses enemy.
• 26 October 1858: Battle at Russellpore. Enemy driven from position & put to flight.
• 8 November 1858: Royal proclamation read, transferring the government of India from the East India Company to the Queen.
• Through February 1859: Constantly employed under Gen. Troup hunting out rebels.
• Through 1870, various garrisons and postings in India.
• 14 February 1870: To Bombay. Leave India after 12½ years.
• 28 March 1870: Disembark at Leith, Scotland. Welcomed home with unbounded enthusiasm after 19 years away.
• 15 June 1871: To Edinburgh. One company left at Ballater as Guard of Honour to the Queen. Another at Aberdeen, at Ft. George, and at Greenlaw.
• 4 August 1871: Presented new colours by the Duchess of Sutherland.
• April 1872: At direction of the Queen, NCO'S & men issued "soft" tartan kilts & plaids, as the old "hard" tartan cut their knees.
• 11 May 1873: City of Edinburgh gives public farewell festivities for the 93rd.
• 12 May 1873: March through crowds of admirers & pass 91st Argyllshire Highlanders on their way to replace the 93rd.
• Through 1877 various British garrisons.
• 1877: Curragh camp near Dublin, Ireland.
• 1879: Part of garrison at Gibraltor.