Carole Divall

2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

A 1750 map of Gibraltar. For more details go to: http://www.mapsorama.com/map-of-gibraltar

The strength of the battalion on paper is over 800, NCOs and men, which suggests they could be usefully employed at Cadiz, where the French are being held at bay by a Spanish and Anglo-Portuguese force.  Although half the battalion has signed up for limited service (seven years) this is not due to expire until 1813 or 1814.  However, 100 of this paper strength comprises prisoners of war in French hands, who have been transferred (on paper) from the 1st battalion to the 2nd, while a further 38 are on detachment recruiting in England and Ireland, and 29 are boys, who are not yet fit for active service.  Furthermore, the number of sick (124 at the moment) is fairly constant.

The strongest element in the battalion is probably the NCOs, who were particularly praised in the recent inspection report, and are proving effecient and reliable.  At the moment there is no sickness among them.

Drummer Jeremiah Hughes has just returned from serving with the provost, a duty which has not made him popular with his fellow soldiers.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

An Indian Batik

Lieutenants Skirrow and Lewin have been sent to the Presidency for recovery of their health.  They have been granted twelve months’  leave, indicative of the seriousness of their condition.

Having spent nearly three years in India, the battalion has discovered from experience that deaths from natural causes and serious sickness increase every year in February and March, as the temperatures begin to rise after the more temperate winter conditions.

Captain Chambers is still waiting for the detachment to assemble at Poonamallee so that he can sail to Europe.  Two other officers have also been granted leave to return to Europe.  Major Christopher Maxwell is preparing to retire, while Captain Beaumont has recently suffered serious health problems.

Assistant Surgeon Griffin is highly respected in the battalion for his expertise and his generous character.  There was considerable surprise, therefore, when he was placed under an arrest, and even more surprise when the nature of his offence was revealed.  Drunkeness, of itself, is not so surprising; the effects of arrack are unpredictable.  But no-one would have expected him to break into a magistrate’s house under the effects of alcohol. His Court Martial is awaited.

Depot: Wakefield

Sleaford, Lincolnshire, where the 30th Foot recruited continuously between 1789 until the 1820′s

Four recruits have joined at head quarters, and nine volunteers from the milita have also been received.  There has been one desertion, which is no great surprise when so many of the recruits are coming from Ireland.  Irish recruits are notorious for a propensity to enlist for the bounty, desert, and then re-enlist in a different regiment.

Both battalions are in urgent need of replacements, and depend upon the depot to supply them.  The 1st battalion are not only losing men to disease; they are also having to invalid men home to Europe at a steady rate.  If the 2nd battalion is sent to Cadiz, which is becoming increasingly likely as General Campbell looks for ways to assist General Graham, commander-in-chief of the Anglo-Portuguese force, they will also need reinforcements.  Thus the activities of the recruiting parties are becoming increasingly crucial.

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2nd Battalion: Gibraltar

A Gibraltar quarto coin of the period

The officer strength of the battalion returned as present for duty on the 25th February remains low: Lieutenant Colonel Minet and Major Hamilton, four captains, six lieutenants and eight ensigns.  The number of subalterns is satisfactory, but the shortage of captains means that six companies are commanded by lieutenants, most of whom have limited experience.  There is also only one assistant surgeon, rather than the regulation two.  (The other is with the depot.)

One recruit has joined from England, but Private William McSimonds has been invalided home, a victim of the climate.

There are interesting rumours from Cadiz.  It is said that the city is under siege from Marshal Victor’s 1st Corps, and that the Spanish have requested British aid.  The nearest troops are here in Gibraltar, so the possibility of transferring from garrison duty to active service is being taken seriously by the battalion.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, who ruled as Regent over Travancore in 1810.

The officer strength of the 1st battalion returned present on the 25th February is similar to the second battalion: Major Vaumorel, three captains, sixteen lieutenants, and one ensign.  The adjutant is on detached duty with the Southern Division, along with Colonel Wilkinson.  Furthermore, six of the officers returned as present are actually on the march to Travancore.  In 1808 the Rajah rebelled against the British presence there.  He has once again shown resistance, and a detachment of officers and 343 other ranks have been sent to Travancore under the command of Captain Murray.

Assistant Surgeon Piper has arrived in Poonamallee, near Madras.  This is a staging post for new arrivals to India, from where they are sent to join their regiments.  It is also the assembly point for invalids and time-expired men waiting for passage to Europe.  Piper will be responsible for the health of the invalids.  It is also from Poonamallee that captain Chambers will receive the detachment that he is to escort to Europe.

Depot: Wakefield

Dungaire Castle, Co. Galway

Five more recruits have joined at headquarters, while a further twenty-one are still with the recruiting parties.  Fifteen of these have volunteered in Galway, which is proving a fertile recruiting ground.

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On the 5th February 1810, Marshal Victor, with the 1st Corps, found himself looking across five miles of salt water marshes and sea at the city of Cadiz, last stronghold of Spanish resistance.  What he saw was not encouraging.  Cadiz could be taken by sea but a land attack would pose problems that even a French marshal might find impossible to resolve. Continue Reading »