> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^^Jk ^ ^o 1.0 1.1 ■50 ^^" ■■■ ■ 2.2 ^ li£ 12.0 I: I 11.25 <^ (?> 72 ^ .** ^d. y FhotDgraphic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STRIET WEBSTER, N.Y. USSO (716) $72-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVi/iCMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquas Technical and ■ibiiographic Notaa/Notaa taehniquaa at bibiiographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. 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Thia item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eat film* au taux da rMuction indiqui ci*deaaoua. 10X MX lax 22X 2SX 30X J 12X 16X aox MX 2IX 32X Th* eofiy fUmcd bar* htm bMn raprodueMl thanks to th* gwMrotlty of : DouglM Library Quaan't Univaraity Tha Imagaa appaartoig haia ara tha baat quality poaalbia conaMaring tha condition and lafllbWty of tha original comf Mid in kaaping with tha filming contract apadficatlona. L'aKamplaIra fNmA f ut raprodult grica i la g«n4roalti da: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarsity Lss Imagaa sulvantcs ont 4t4 raproduitaa avac la plus grand aoln. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da i'axamplaira fllmA. at an conformlti avac laa conditlono du contrat da Original coplaa in printad papar covara ara fUmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or Niuatratad impraa- ak»n. or tha bacic covar whan approprlata. AN otiiar original coplaa ara fllmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or lUustratad Impraa- slon. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or iiiustratad impraaaion. TIm last raeordad frama on aach microfieha shall contain tha symbol — i^- (maaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (maaning "END"), whicliavar appHaa. Laa axamplalraa originaux dont la couvartura an paplar aat imprlmte sont fllmte an comman^nt par la pramiar plat at an tarmlnant salt par la damiira paga qui comporta una amprainta dimpraaalon ou dlHuatratlon, aolt par la aaoond plat, aalon la caa. Toua laa autraa axamplalras originaux sont fHmte an comman9ant par la pramMra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaakm ou d1liuatt«tlon at an tarmlnant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una taila amprainta. Un das aymbdaa suivanta apparattra sur la damlAra Imaga da chaqua microfieha, salon la cas: la aymbda -^ signifia "A 8UIVRE". la aymbolo ▼ signifia "FIN". Maps, platas, charts, ate., may ba fllmad at diffarant reduction ratios. Thoss too large to ba entirely included in one exposure ara fllmad beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right end top to bottom, ea many frames ae required. This following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartes, planchaa, tablaeux, etc., peuvent itre fiimte A dee taux da riduction dIffArents. Lorsque le document eet trop grand pour Atra raprodult an un seul cileliA, 11 eet fHmA A pertir de i'engle supArieur gauche, do gauche A drohe, et de haut en bee, en prenant ia nombre d'imagae nA c e sse lre. Lae diagrammee auhrants iliustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 6 6 \ r-f '"■rt Vl STIRfimG INOIDKNITS W THE ilFK OF A BRITISH SOLDIER \ -^w \ r ' ; ^V '■^' 'ri^ IH'' f ^#51 / fe. "T**/ -y' !k\^'>^ • A ■^rJ-* ^^ t. «ri A' ,1**^ . ' * ♦ ■"- / ■),•■- \> -..^ -'i \ l>>> (■i DENTS I» TV: .jiijj 0? % bri SOLDIER ^ ^^ T, AatobmQraplrtt. *T 7«..i, ftt}{ij-(ved iiHil nittttait^ ' BV THOMAS FAXfQmm- r\ i: •-'?^'' -Ti«j:''5;'>.'?.\r A i 71 r7 // ; f ■ STIRRING mOIDEflTg IK TBI Lira or A BRITISH SOLDIER 1 :W V •,.v>*J ^tt ^tttobtogtapha. IT THOMAS FAUGHNAN. LaU Ccltmr-Sergeant 2nd BaUution 6ik JSoyat iZ^nMiii ••IFaiilifta nntd 9»a«l|.'* 32nd nonMuid EDlarred tad Dltulnittd. •K*'^ 'h'i 1 fUBUSHED BY THOMAS FAUOHNAIl ;;V.-. .'-,- 'flvil **4 " /, ,^1 mi I u ■ EmUmi MoofttBC to th« A«t of Um PwlUment of OMMd», in tho yw* OM tIkmMWil «,. - « ^ '■ ;.^ ■'■*■■■ ; \-'- :::^\,-.."^.' ^'^'-^ ^:> WP'^^s^^^^i; ■ '■'''■' i. '' \ 1*1 9it» SifU Stttnnrxftle Ske Puf^tiiji of S^onu; K. T. o. a M. o., [AM FaU«WUI| GOVERNOIMJEKEBAL OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA. tL.' i,: /•' •ftl TO HIS BXOELLBNCT •f [% BT SPECIAL PERmSSION, RESPECTFULLY DEDIOATBD Mi HIS HDMBLl AKD OBIDIEKT SnTANT, THOMAS FAUOHNAN. ■M \ - *i if ^ '.■, il y ;_ *■•/." -■■ '.i .■- ■> .;■' Mv-'": *>',-;:,:;-■ ^%^^ IHH ^^HBH HH - t "7|l^ - -/V •'•!*i .■ 'l -■ -f^: TESTIMONIALS TO THE WRITER. \^>\ ^;^ A ■ . .. Edikobubgh Castls, April iSth, 1868. I have great plemaara in stating that I have known iSergeant Th<^maa Paughnan for about nine yearn, aad, daring most of that period, he was Pky and Colonr-Sergt. of my company. He was also Sergt. -Major of a Detachment of which 1 had command, and I cannot say too icnoh in hii favour, either as a soldier or a trustworthy person. He always gave me the greatest satisfaction, in the position' he was E laced, both by his high sense of discipline, as well as his entire know- Klge of drill, and he leaves the regiment with the respect of every one. (Signed) JOHN B. TEWART, [TbuxCopy.] Captain gnd BcM. etli Rojfoi BegimeiU, Sergeant Faughnan was discharged from the 2nd Battalion 6th Fo6^^ I in Edinburgh, May, 1868, after twency-one years' service, with m ft- I oellent character. I have pleasure in stating that I consider him a mort I honest, trustworthy, respectable man ; for many years he held positioD« of much responsibility. (Signed) JOHN KLKINGTON, / Colonel Comtnand'g ind BaU, 6tfi MwkU JStghniiU ALDtabtfone Camp, July lOth, 1868. [[1^c& Copy.] — — — ^ I I have known Sergeant Thomas Faughnan, late Sergeant in the 2nd JBabtalion 6th Regiment for about ten years, during which time he served las Pay and Colour-Sergeant to accompany, with gnat satbfaction to the UDaptamv , aAso as Sergeant-Major to a Detachment, in which prsition, »y his Bt«)ady conduct and fair knowledge of drill, he commanded the speot of his superiors. He has since served as Mess and Wine Seri;ear. tiie Battalion ; and has been sober and attentive to those duties. I recommend him as a general useful Non-Commisioned OlScer. (Signed) HENRY KITCHEN fcJIi, Lieut, and Adjt. tnd UatuUiuu Glh Foo$ Edinbdroh CA8TI4B, gSt 4* *^' rw» CiWV.J '\'i,- < V' ' f " - I ,v- \i >m ■p^V'i'^^y^HV^-f:- ; ■ / Vlll 4'£SmfONIALS TO THE WRITER. "> t have known Sergeant Faaghnan — ^now taking his diioharge fromth^ 8th Regiment, with a pension, after twenty-one yearn* service— since the year I860, and have served with him in Gibraltar, the Ionian Inlands, and the West Indies. Up to 1865 he was a Colour-Sergeant of the Regiment, and as such was very mnch respected. About the middle of the year he became Sergeant of the Officers' mess, in which position he remained up to the departure of the Kegiment from Edinburgh, on the 22nd May, 1868. He was for about two years caterer of the said Mess, and in addition had charge of all wines, ale, &c. Thout ands of pounds mnst have passed througn his hands, for every portion of which he has had to account, and his remaining up to the last moment in the mes^ is a proof of his having done no most satisfactorily. I, myself, have a very high opinion of Sergeant FaUghnan for his straightforwardness, honesty, sobriety, ability, and steady good-conduct. 1 am sure his loss will be much felt in the 6th Regiment. (Signed) L. B. HOLE, [Tbue Copy.] / Capt. Snd BaU. €th Royal Kegiment. Horse Guards, War Office, S. W,,J89th August, 1S79. Sm,— In reply to your letter of the 10th instant, forwarding a book entitled " Life df a British Soldier," by Thomas Faughnan, late Colour- Seretant 2od Batt. 6th Foot, I am desired to acquaint you that ths Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief considers such a prod ction vei^ creditable to this non-coramissioned officer and has directed that it should be forwarded to the Director-General of Military Education, in op — Dishonest Agents — Election — Politics — I enlist — ^The Recruiting Sergeant — My Native Land 4S CHAPTER IV. Swearing in — March to Dublin — Sergeant's Story — ^Arrival in Dnb* lin — Be^^ar's Bush Barrack — ^fiations — The City — Embark' . ation — ^e ^ hip— The voyage^Liverpool — ^Traii^to London-~ Billets — Canterbury — Join uie 17th Eegiment 5^ CHAPTER V. , , Medical Examination — Receive My Kit — Drill, Manual and Pla< toon Exercise — Dismissed Drill-' Visit the City — Description —Route— The March , 79 ' CHAPTER VL Arrival at Dover — First guard — The Dead House — Ohost — ^The Heights — Shaft — Fortitications — ^Marching out^Chartjst Riots — ^Train to London — Departure— Osborne House — Main Dock —Route to Chatham— Siege— Shi^m Fight : 89 CHAPTER VII. Route to Canterbury— The Sereeant^s Story— The Quaker's Stwy . —The Maroh—AfTival—Uhftth«m—Dogk-yard— Furlough V» V,'. r I :'■■ .1*. ' xJ^L.:iJ.'^.. 1:?1&^^.: f.c^. 'a-^}-::i:^„s:,^^1 pit '■■ ■ i /, ' * •■ . \ . . ■ , • ' ' ~ ..^ • ly,., • ' • ' ■ r \ ' Xii ^ ' CONTKNTO. London— -That Oreat City — Join My Gompuiy-- Shoernen — The Dockyard— Get married— RoAto to Weedon— 4U>ute to Inliyid IM CHAPTER VIIL liTMrpool — Embark, for Dublin — The Voyage — Arrival— March — The train — The March to Caitlebar — ^Arrival — ^Election— Ruute tu Oalway. 1S7 CHAPTER IX. The March — Galway — Captain Bourchier— Detachment — Jaok'a ^ Story — Regatta — Row with the Police— Rente to Oalway — Major Bourchier exchansea — Captain Croker— daddagh — At- tend a Camp. Meeting— l^e City of Galway Theatre— Route to Dublin 162 CHAPTER X. The March — ^Rail to Dublin — Arrival— Garrison Duty — Caatle Guard— The Uld Man's Hospital— Divine Service— Tent Pitch* ing— Death of the " Iron Duke "— I'he Funeral— The Queen Visit* Dttblin-^-Buildings and Institutions — The Route 189 CHAPTER XL Arrival at Tenoplemore — The Route to Cork — Embarkation fer Gibraltar — Queenstown — The Voyage— Storm at Sea— Gib« > raltar aOS CHAPTER XIL The Landing — Barrack — Garrison Duty — Old North Front — Smug- sding — Marke1^--Queeu's Birth-Day — The Dinner — Speedies — The Itoute— The March— Embarkation for the Crimea— The . Parting— The Voyagj— Arrival at Malta 218 CHAPTER XIIL Maltese — ^Departure — A Captain Commits Suicide — The Funeral — Small-Pox — Return — Resume the Voyage— Grecian Arches — Dardanelles^-Gallipoli — Turkish Sentries— Constantinople — \ Turkish Ladies-r-The Bosphorus — Voyage across the Euxine — Arrival 231 CHAPTER XIV. DIsembarkatinn— Firat Bivouac— The March— Arrival— Sebaetamol- The Trenches— First Man Wounded— Return to Camp— An Alarm —Battle of Inkerman— Loi-d Raelan - Sortie— Foraginjr— The Old Bridire— CoL Cole— The Sietre— Hanliug Bipr Guns— The Battle- - Burving D«ad— FiBticuflEs-Tim Do.»lau'i» Letter— The Will-The Turkt »,.,„M„.tt...T.t.. ?40 .C ooirrBNTB. xiii CHAPTER XV. lltfbktoB«Iald*ta— Retmii— M«n go Barefootod--Siiow flv« t««|l)iq> —Long Boots— Hard Froat— GftVAlry Divi«ion— Bnriftl Groand--* SoUtMy Proo«Mioii— Meat Froaea— I build a hut— Green Coffee- Wintry Appearance— Dead Horaea— 63rd Regiment— Canying Pro* Tiiioni— IVenoh aide— Shot and Shell— Tim Doolan— The Answer , -Balaldava ^ , CHAPTER XVL Irenchet— Canal of Mud— RuMian New Tear— Heavy Fire— On Sea- try— The Sortie— Old Brown Bees— Sortie— Airiyal in i amp- Mew ityle of Candle— Flint and Steel— Making Coffee— Heavy Snow— Mo Fire— Wann Clothing— Shot and SheU— The Battle— DeMrtem Sli CHAPTER XVIL A man frozen— Whistling Dick — Reflections— Their own cdn— Fool> ing them— A Friend— The French Zouave^What hare you in tha Bag ?— An Alarm— Sortie— The Armistice— White flag— mffUaad* ers— Guards— NavYiea— Lord Raglan — Deserters— Racaa— The Coa> Mokn ,,,,,. , .,.♦»• S9B CHAPTER XVni. ' Rifle-Pits-St. Patrick's Day— Fourth Division— French losa— Gent Attack— The Battle— Flag of Truie— Burying the Dead~Bnni8> killener— Hard Tack— Tiffin— The Alarm- fhe Advance— The Co»i sacks— The Turks — Fair Amaions— The Onslaught— Daughters of Erin— Russ. Advance— The Highlanders— Heavy Charge— Light Brigade— The Charge 3S4 CHAPTER XIX. Explosion— Pounced upon- TheAlarm— The Battle— Killed and wound- ed— Wooden Huts— Good Times— The Turks— The March— Rule Britannia— The Staff-^Bombardment— 'Hie Storm— The Siege- Lieut. Williams— Sailors— I get wounded— Hospital— Sardidans— Description— Attack on Quarries— Flag of Truce— Armistioe— Bury- faig the Dead— Killed and wounded .37(1 - CHAPTER XX, Bombaidment— The Aaaault— Great Redan— The Battle— Bfla- kUva— Hospital— Miss ^ightingale— Nurses— Discharged from Hoapital— Death of Lord Raglan. ^ . ........ 3m> CHAPTER XXL / dptain Ooiilll»int-r>8iepe—Bombar«lment—A85anIt— Redan— The Battle— 8th Saptamber— The Evaouation— Russians— Britiah In ttcbMlopol «K 'm r',-i 'r'-i- ■'*^M P%v^:-^'-:»f '.-■.* -*"■• V ■•<'.»,■' ■■.Vv/ ^ ■,■',. '^' ' .':'* ' "T^-'-'*:)*-..,- \Nf XIT oujimiT& ^ ' i ttv oaaftbr xxa ■ . *■ liptditii» to Kinlmni— The Vo7ag»--Odais»— Laadlnf— Onttiag ' Portsmouth— * < Voyage to Dublin- Arrival at Limerick— The 6th Royal Red- wy:" : ment — Promoted — Aldershot — Route for Oibraltar^^ The Voyage 458 CHAPTER XXVI. ^ Anival— Spaniah Bull Fights— Lieut. Jackson— Chanm Quartan fA , —The Rock— Monkeys— Caves— Gardens— War in Tangiera— Corfu— Voyage — Anrival — Santa Maria — Dteertion— Tha ? 'p Marah-Greeks 47 '^' CHAPTER XXVIL I Sir Henry Storks— Albania— Visit Necropolis— The Brigand Chief —Turkish Baths— Coffee-Hou8»— Turkish Ladies' Costume— Sergeants' Ball— The Route— Corfu— Route— West Indies s. The Voyage— The Burning Mountain— Gibraltar— Madeira— 1^ - TbMrilla— Santa Cnu— Cape Da Verda IsUnds— Trinidad— ]^^, l«RMio».. ,...486 ■ ■ f _ i ?"-' ^ " ' ' ' ■ ■ ' ' ' ■ Ekv. ■ ,,' .^- ' \ ■,. , ,, , ' . _ >' '-'A •■'■■ •„' , . ' ^- „-> . ; ' "■ ■",■'■. -• .. • '-'ii ■' -■ ■ ..- ' y ...■■;,. , , -• •■ > • , ■ '. \ •. . ■ ! ooHTurra. CHAPTER XXVIII. DiMhArged- Dalkeith— UlMgow—BmlMrk for CMUidft—Th* Voj^ . MM— Thti Oootor*s Storj— Arrit»l— MontrMd - Klngiloii— Pieloo-* Mnvqvii of LonM SM ■h Vifilf^ ' 'f ^ :-'^r^ i If 'J. >' A •■ ^^^^^w^ivs^^r^T^f'''' ', i** 1 !>■• r 1 W^' > m fii' •a* ,• ' y lCt0t 0f IUn0tttttimt0. T»niAii FicomrAV IrronttstiiwM. Fhi Thambb Embankhdit p. 127 Bambi or THM Uakdsnillbs 289 A Tdbkish Ladt 241 Tu SuiJTAN'B Palaoi, Bbbaolio Poimt 242 Thi Sdia>ah , 244 a wondksfol e80api. 264 Chaiok or LiOHT Cavalbt at Balablava 372 FiBLD ATTBB A SOBTU , 897 BuauAira attaortmo a Battkbt , 410 BUWTBOOO > ....... AND BUBMB* MoVUMBNT, EoiMBOBaH UO I B. ; i' • / ^'^'■ a: ?■-#'•.• ^^^•VvVv » •r,f STIBEIKG INCIDENTS ur xtfB urs of •v,f5 A BRITISH SOLDIER. CHAPTER I. IDVOATlbN — BCT 80HOOLMASTBK — SOHOOL-HOUSS — MT VATHBE — MOTHBB — 8ISTBBS— OUB BOUSK. HAVE for some time been trying to think how far, back my memory could go ; but, as far as I can ' judge, the earliest definite recollection I have is the discovery of how I played the truant, in stopping on the wayside playing pitch-and-toss, instead of going to school ; and how I cut all the buttons off my jacket and trousers for the purpose of gambling with other boyk. After losing all my buttons, I had to pin my jacket to my^trousers. In Ireland, in those days, boys had to be content with gambling for buttons, instead of coppers^ as aow-a-days. I was late for school, and was rather re- markable, going in with my trousers and jacket fastened B )■ ■ 'm K-^rj>f; ■ •• i^vT. ¥y " ^)i% 18 EDUCATION. mi: h^:^^l. together with pins. I remember well the master calling; me over to him. Oh ! I shall never forget his spiteAil . countenance, and how he showed his ivories. My heart beat fast 1 thought I was very wicked, and fright made my heart jump to my mouth. I had to atand my trial Master : ** Well, boy, what kept you late for school ? " Before I had time to answer : " How came the buttons ofl your clothes ? Tell me straightforwaixi, at once, who cut them^off, and what became of them. Hold up your head and speak out" " I — I — I — cut them off, sir, to play with the boys, and they won my buttons." " Oh, ho 1 you have been gambling, have you ? I will teach you to cut the buttons off your clothes to gamble, Qo, stand in that comer until I am through with the class. Pat Cannon, take this knife, go out and cut a strong birch ; this one I have is nearly worn out. I want a strong one for thit youth." While I was standing in the comer, one of the'' boyt» or, as we used to call them, " gossoons," stole over to mo and gave me a big shawl-pin, saying : " Stick this in the ' boy's neck who takes you on his back." I took the pin, as I was told, and nerved myself up for the occasion. "Dan McLaughlin, take Thomas Faughnan on your beck." I was brought up in due form. " Take off your jacket, and get on Dan McLaughlio'a back." No sooner had I got on his baek, and before the master had time to administer the first stroke of the birch, than I sunk the big pin into the boy's neck. He shouted at the top of his voice, yelled as if he had been stabbed with •' '.'' ■ > \ ■fl->'- KT BOHOOLMAflm. If ft knife, and fell over the ether hoy, eautlng 4 grtAl commotion. In the uproar and oonf usion I made my te- capa out of the school, jacket in hand. The master stood in a state of amazement It took him quite a while to restore order among the boys. I waited outside until the school came out, then went home with my comrades as if nothing had happened, and did not go to school again for three days. The master reported my absence. My father questioned me concerning my absence from school. 1 then told him the whole story, and as I was afraid of getting another flogging, he accompanied mo to school next day. It will be necessary here to describe the master and the school The master had only one leg, and that was his right ; he had lost his left while young by some means which I never heard of; he walkod with a long cmtoh under his left arm, and a short one in his right hand. Ha trotted very fast, considering that he went on emtehes. He was, in truth, a terror to dogs or animals which darod to cross his path on his way to or from the school, and could most wonderfully use the right-hand omtch, with great skill and alacrity, in his own defence. The school was held in the chapel, which was a most peculiar edifice of ancient architectural design. Its shapo was that of a triangle, each side of which formed a long hall, one for boys, the other for girls. There was a gal- lery at the extreme end of the girls' liall which tha choir occupied during divine service. The structure trat one stoiy in height, and had a very high,slanting, t^iatehed •..tj t>x ^■J "tj .-aJ >^^^': W^.^''' A', 20 YILLAOE SCHOOL -HOUSK. ./• ' fcVv" roof, with narrow gables. The edge of the gables rose, apt in tv slope, but in a succession of notches, like stairs. Altogether it had an extraordinary look about it — a look of the time when men had to fight in order to have |)eace ; to kill in order to live ; every man's hand against, his brother. The altar stood on the acute corner of the angle, facing the men's hall, with a railing around i^ Under the altar was a small hole, sufficiently largo for a boy to crawl in. "^ One day I had done something for which the master started to punish my back with the birch. He was lay- ing it on pretty stiffly, and he had me in a tight place, when, in self-defence, I pulled the crutch from under him. He fell over, and I retreated into the hole under the altar. However, tracing me out, he started to dislodge me with his long crutch. For every thurst he ^ve me I gave him one in return, until I found he was too strong for me, when I made one diive at him, jumped out of my hiding- place, and left for home in a hurry that day. Next iay I expected a flogging, but I got off mach easier than I had anticipated. Afterwards — how strange! —he took quite a liking to me; and eventually I became a great favourite of his. The number of pupils attending wa^ over two hundred. The hall was s ipplied with fuel by a contribution of two turf from each scholar every morning, which he brought under his arm. Should a pupil neglect this tribute of fuel, by au arbitrary mandate from the old pedagogue, he was forced to suffer the penalty of his crime, by being debarred from the pleasure of ap* V pr^).^. ■^rP SCHOOL nrSPECTOB. 11 proaching the fire, therefore he was obliged to sib 8l)[iyei^ ing with cold at wheeling distance from ihe domestic luxury during the school hours. • The inspector being about to visit the school on his pro- fessional tour, the master, who was solicitous, to verify the progress made since the last examination, frequently ' advised the pupils individually on such questions as he thought most likely would be put by the examining officer. " Tommy, my boy," said he to me one day, " should the inspector ask you what shape is the earth, I will hold this snuff-box in my hand, which will remind you that the earth is round." At the examination several questions were asked by the inspector. The boy next me was asked, " What shape is the earth." *' Long, sir," was the answer. " How do you know that it is long," said the officer. " Because I was an hour commg to school this morning, sir, so I know it must be ' long." " You might be two hours walking to school,** said he, " but that does not prove that the earth is long." " Next boy," said the inspector, " what shape is the earth." The master, through mistake took his square snuff-bo3: which he always used on Sunday from his pocket, instead of the round one which he used on week-days, whereupon I - made answer, " Square on Sunday, and round on week- days, sir." " Oh !" said the officer, ** that's a curious freak of nature." " Why do you think so ? " said he, " Because mast- er's snuff-box is square on Sunday, and round on other days," said I, with a consciousness of pride at having an- Bwered the question so cleverly. This answer caused the ' V4m 'M ■./'■ ^KM ^ r- • - ■ ■ K 22 MT FATHER— MOTHER— SISTEBa l^'-. f /■ inspector to smile when he turned round and beheld th« master's rubicund face crimson. Enough of my school history — it would spin out my narrative unnecessarily. I shall only relate such occurrences as may be necessary to lead to those main events which properly constitute my eventful history. I remember my father, but not my mother. She died when I was yet a baby, and the wom^n I had been taught to call mother was only my stepmother. My father had married a second time, and now, our family consisted of my father, stepmother, two sistors and my- self. Our house was of olden-time stone, grey and brown. It looked very grey and weather-beaten, yet there was a homely, comfdrtable appearance about it A visitor's first step was into what would, in some parts, here be called " house place " — a room which served all the purposes of kitehen and dining-room. It rose to a fair height, with smoke-stained oaken ceiling above, aii/i was floored with a home-made kind of cement, hard enough, and yet ,ao worn that it required a good deal of local knowledge to avoid certain jars of the spine from sudden changes oi level. My sisters kept the furniture very clean and shining especially the valued pewter oh the dresser, of which wc were very proud. The square table, with its spider-like accumulation of legs, stood under the window until meal times, when, like an animal aroused from its lair, it stretehed those legs and assumed expanded, symmetrical shape in front of the fireplace in winter, and nearer the door in summer. Its memory recalls the occasion of my stepmother, with a hand at each end of it, searching f ran- \ .; ouB aouss. 2:^ ■'.>< fcically for the level, poking for it with the creature'? own legs before lifting the leaves, and then drawing out the hitherto supernumerary legs to support them, after which would come another fresh adjustment, another hustling to and fro, that the new feet likewise might have some chibnce to rest. ^ The walls of this room were always whitewashed in spiing, occasioning ever a sharpened contrast with the dark brown oak ceiling. If that was ever swept, I nevei knew. I do not remember ever seeing it done. At all events, its colour remained unimpaired by hand or white- wash. The old-fashioned fire-place, which occupied a ipost prominent place in the spacious apartment, stood out from the wall about three or four feet — my father'»old arm- chair on one side, and my stepmother's spinning-wheel on the other. The beam which supported the base of thia enormous sized chinmey projected considerably over the fire-place towards the centre of the room. On the inside of this protuberance hung many branches of dried garden herbs for culinary purposes during the winter months, together with several dried plants of medicinal properties, such as feverfew, dandelion, camomile flowers, &c., as specifics to the many diseases to which the human fi*ame is susceptible. The outside of this ponderous, but most essential, ad- junct of the superstructure, was garnished with articles foi* domestic purposes. From the ceiling hung a fiitch of bacon, with a bronze coloured ham or two, . during the :\(^ ^^ .«'? * T 24 MT nauvs villaob. f\f •^;^. 1:^ mi festive season. During the winter evenings many neigh- bours were wont to assemble around the hospitable, \well* swept hearth and comfortable bright turf £re; the old people on one side talking politics and religion, or to sym- pathize and coijidole with each other over the harsh treat- ment perpetrated by some arbitrary land agent on some hard-working, poor, but honest tenant, who had been ejected from his home for non-payment of a rack-rent; while on the other side some antic wag amused the young folk, by some stories and anecdotes of Irish wit and humour, which caused much laughter and merriment. On the walls hung several quaint and curious articles, which attracted my attention particularly — most of them high above my head. Arranged between the old book- shelves were ancient family pictures and heirlooms, em- blematic of patriotism, and many other articles of antique and Irish origin. I need not linger over these things. Their proper place is in the picture, with which I would save words and help understanding if I could, by present- ing the gentle reader with one. But, unfortunately artists were not so numerous, nor yet so accomplished at that time as they are now-a-days. MY NATIVE .VILLAGE. Pel ■ Dear Fiama ! Ioveliev'> village of the green, Where humble happiness endeared each aoene ; The never-failing brook at Drumod Mill, The parish church on John Nutley'a hill. HT KATIYK YILLAOB.' There in tiie old thatched du^l, ekflled to rale, A one-legged master taught the parish school ; A learned man iras he, but stem to vieir — His cratch he often used, well the gossoons knew. Well had the daring nrohins learned to trace His scowling countenance, his fierce grimace:. Yet they laughed with much delight and glee At all his tales, for many a one had he. In all my travels round this world so fair. Of trials and marches I have had my share; I still have hope my latter days to crown, 'Midst old friends at home to lay me down. I trust and hope to visit home again, And sell my book to every village swain; Round the hearth a wondering crowd to draw. While spinning yarns of what I heard and saw. Men who a military life pursue, Look forward to a home whence they flew; i still have hopes my long eventful past, Some day return, and stay at home at last ■■^91 26 \ ' / '^'Ji \ . • -■'■.■ v CHAPTER IL RirVR SHANNON — DESRT-CARNA— OUR FARM— MT SISTERS GET MAR- RIBD — GAVE HTILL-HOUSE — STILL AND WORM — PROCESS — INTERIOl — PAUDEEN'S story — REVENUE POLICE. ,UR residence was situated on a beautiful bav of the Ri'v'er Shannon, in the country of Leitrim. The month was July, and nothing could be more exhilarating than the gentle breezes which played over the green fields that were now radiant with the lii;ht which was flooded down upon them from the cloudless sun. Around them in every field, were the tokens of that pleasanc laboui from which the hope of an ample and abundant harvest always springs. The bay was bounded on the west by a large wood, where many stately wide-spreading oaks and elms, inter- i^persed with beech, spruce, and other coniferous trees, which had witnessed, perhaps the destructive march of insurgent bands, during the many rebellions and sedi- tious movements which had laid waste the lan;i tVp so ~ many generations, and drove trade and commerce from our ill-fated country; now, threw out their gnai'led limbs, to shelter and protect from the ^ntry blast i >*•> . ■IM '■'•n'-' '^^'-'f"" BIVKR 8HANN0H. 87 'ii : ^li ', '4- •' , ?»»• • ts MT StSTCRS GET MARRIEJ). ft m ■jt Yet those were the happiest days I have ever enjoytd during the whole of my eventful life. \ My father and the hired man managed to sow an<] gather in the produce of the small but productive farm. My sisters and stepmother attended to the domestic duti^a, I, b^ing the only son, was kept at school till about sixteen years old, atler which I had to make myself useful arotind the house and farm. About this time my eldest sister was married. T^o years afterwards my other sister took unto herself a partner, for better, for worse ; but I fancy it was for the better ; however, I never heard from them but once since I left home.* After those events our family dwindled down to threo^ viz. : my father, stepmother, and myself. In the even- ings, a few other boys and myself were wont to ramble from one neighbour's house to another alternately, for the purpose of hearing the old people tell fairy tales and ' ghost stories. We frequently visited the potheen stilU house, when it was in operation, to see the men making and drinking whiskey, singing songs, and telling of won- derful adventures with gangers, excisemen, and revenue police. This distillery was situated about two miles in a north-westerly direction from our residence. This part of the country was very rugged and wild, but pictur- esque. Although a portion of the same landscape, noth- ing could be more strikingly distinct in character and appearance thlEin the position of those hills. Some com- posed of steep, barren rocks and deep chasms, while M" \ •^TT^T^'V* 1^1 POTHEOff imLL-HOUSli 29 )ther8 wore undulating and clothed with verdute. They kbrmed a splendid pasture-land for sheep. In approaching ^bese hills, you struck into a " Borheen " or lane which )nducted you to the front of a steep precipice of rocks < ibout fifty feet high. In the northern cover of this ivine, there was an entrance to a subterraneous passage ^wenty feet long, which led to a large chamber or deep ive, having every convenience for a place of private dis- tillation. Under the rocks which met over it was a :ind of gothic arch, and a stream of water, just sufficient ^or the requisite purpose, fell in through a fissure from ibove, forming such a little cascade in the cavern as hu- lan design itself could scarcely have surpassed in perfect laptation for the object of an illicit distiller. To this ive, then, we must take the liberty of transporting our jentle reader, in order to give him an opportunity of retting a peep at the inside of a potheen still-house. In that end which constituted the termination of the tave, and fixed upon a large turf fire which burned within a jircle of stones that supported it, was a tolerably sized still lade of copper. The mouth of this still was enclosed by an dr-tight cover, also of copper, called the head, from which a bube of the same metal projected into a large condenser that was kept always filled with cold water, by an inces- sant stream from the cascade I have already described, I'hich always ran into and overflowed it. The arm of this , lead was made air-tight, fitting into a spiral tube ot )pper, called the worm, which rested in the water of thb )ler ; and as it consisted of several twists like a cork- y\'i 30 POTHIEN STXIL-HOUfK screw, its effect was to condense the hot vapour wKci was transmitted to it from the glowing still into that de* scription of alcohol known as potheen whiskey, or ** moun- tain dew." At the bottom of the cooler the worm termin- ated in a small cock, from which the spirits passed in a slen- der stream about the thickness of a pipo-stom into a vessel placed for its reception. Such was the position of the still, head, and worm, when in full operation. Fixed about the cave, upon wooden benches, wore the usual requisites for the various processes through which it waa accessary to put the malt before the wort, which is the first liquid shape, was fermented, cleared and passed into the still to tie singled; for our readers must know that distillation is a double process, the first produce being called singlings, and the second or last doublings — ^wbicb , is the perfect liquor. Sacks of malt, empty barrels, pilei of turf, heaps of grain, tubs of wash, kegs of whiskey, wen lying about in all directions ; together with pots, paps, wooden-trenchers, and dishes for culinary use. On enter^ ing, your nose was iissailed by such a fume of warm grainst sour barm, and strong whiskey, as required considerable fortitude to bear without very unequivocal tokens of disgust. Seated around the fire were a party of shebeeD men and three or four publicans, who came on professional business. Many questions political and social were pro* ptiunded and debated while the soul-stirring horn goblet passed round, pledging their fidelity to each other and the cause of illicit distillation. The ganger, revenue police^ and informer were depicted and denounced as traitors and i k.St'-'jA'' PAUDEIM'S 8T0RT. ii . • ih enemies to their cause and country. Land-agents and middle-men were ridiculed and stigmatized with the appellation of blood-sucking hirelings. " Comrades/' said Paudeen Rougha, smacking his lips, bfter drinking healths apiece to his chums and confusion to their enemies, one evening as they sat around the fire with the still in full blast on the turf-fire, " did ye hear the news ? ** ** Musha no agra," answered Pete McQuirk, ** another gauger kili;,* maybe, presarve the hearers." ** No in troth," said Paudeen, " but that upstart, Nick Hogan of Clunathuskin, has been appointed gauger, vice Jim Nulty, who wor found dhroundedin Jerry McQool- dnck's bog-hole, shure the Coroner's jury brought a verdict of found dhrounded, d'ye persave ? " "Och ! hone ! then Pat agra, for the sake of poor Jerry, is it the thruth yer spakin'," queried Pete, " shure I'm 80 anxious regardin' Jerry an' his ould mother, ye think there's no suspicion av foul play, Pat asthore machree." " Och ! divil a taste," replied Paudeen, " who can tell but that he fell in accidently himself, and I'll be yer bail there*s no informer acquainted wid Jerry's little secret d'ye persave." " Well," said Pete, " that makes me aisy in me mind re- fifardin' Jerry any how, what would his ould mother do if anything happened him? But," continued Pete, "he shouldn't have drounded the ould gauger all out, shure a good duckin' would have been plenty for him. * Shure it wor better to deal with the divil ye know than the divil i •:1 «1 ■1 ii 82 paudkin's stort. 7on don't know/ Who knows what sort av Sassenach this newfang^lcd ganger '11 make any how." ^ " Faith," said Paudeen, " af he follows in his father's footsteps we can't expect much from him ; for his father had to fly the counthry through shame and disgrace in regard av a thrick played an him by Shamus the high- wayman." ^ '* Arrah musha Paudeen," said Pete, ** tell us about that same, shure it'll shorten the night. " Well, aisy awhile, comrades," said Paudeen, "an I'll be after doin' that same. But, afore I start wid the story pass round the horn till I wet my whistle." " All right ihe boy, here's a goUogue, dlirink this dhrop of the real Innishone, look at the bade that's on it," was the response. '^ After gulping down the contents oi the goblet, and wiping his lips with the cuff of his coat, Paudeen moved his stool away from the fire, with his back to the wall and commenced. " Well, ye all knew ould Squire Hogan, who mouM out aU his property 'cept the homestead which he left to his hopeful son Nick, and fled the counthry no one knows where." " Yes, yes, Paudeen, go on," was the answer. \ " Well, af ye do, well an' good," said Paudeen. " Ould Billy O'Leary (whom ye all know was a little gone in the upper story, wor a poor, but honest man, rest his soul, he's now dead an' gone)» rented a small houldin' from the Squire. Well, af he did well an' good. Af ther he had FAUBinri noBT. 8e«ded down his own small farm, the Squire gave hhn employment round tlie bi^if house, in ordher to enable him to pay the rent by an odd day's work, d'ye persave^ His son, young Shamus (now the terror of the hills) had the run av the big house on account av his father workin' there. But that wouldn't satisfy the young scapegrace, but he must steal the ould Squire's silver spoona At last, afther many valuable articles had been missed, a trap wor laid to catch the thief. When young Shamus wur caught in the act av stealin' a silver spoon which wor found in his pocket as he wor leavin' the house, the Squire would have the thief transported, only for his poor father who begged him off, on conditions that he would bind him to « thrade where he'd be kept under the eye av his masther. " ' What thrade'U I send liim to lam, ycr honour,' said Billy. "'Oh!' replied the Squire, wid a grin, 'I think a highwayman would suit him best' « « Very well, yer honour,' leplied Billy, as innocent .as ye plase. " Next morning the ould man, accompanied by his son started off in search of a masther. They had not gone far before they met a respectably dressed gentleman. " * Where are ye goin* with the " gossoon," * queried the stranger ? , > " ' Och ! yer honour,' replied Billy, * I'm in search av a masther that I may bind me rod t.<» a thrade." "'What thrade d'ye wisl» iiim U) lai-u T' ■>?t* n , il .i 84 paudeen's story. L' / ^', ..* .' "'Faith, to a highwayman, to be sure, cordin* to the Squire's ordhers.' replied Billy. ^ m " * Well, I'm your man then,* said the stranger, * I can bache him that purfession, I'll warrant ye.* " * All right yer honour,' said Billy, ' Shure it's lucky that I am to meet sich a gintleman as yerself.* Shamua wor there an' then bound an* handed over to the stran^r by the innocent parent, who returned home satisfied that he had done his duty towards his offspring. " * Well, Billy,* said the Squire next morning, * Whaj have you done v/ith your son ? ' ** * Oh ! bedad, what ye tould me, yer honour.' " * What 1 'bind him to a highwayman ? ' " * Yes, in throth yer honour,* said Billy, ' Shure it's lucky enough I wor in meetin* a dacent gintleman as 1 crassed the mountam, who said he could tache him! that same thrade.* *' * It's to be hoped he will, an' stick to him too,* chuck< led the Squire with a broad grin, as he turned on hia heels an' walked off well pleased at havin' Shamua banished (as he thought) for ever. Two years rouled on an' nothin' wor heard av the young apprentice. Durin' the interval, how^ever, Shamus waxed strong and be- came a proficient in his profession, under the able in- struction of the ould boy himself and his accomplices One night the robbers went to rob the ould Squire's house. They lowered Shamus down the chimney in a Back by a rope, with instructions to collect all silver plate, money and valuables he could lay his hands on and ii'' '*;^,V>^.H'" v/va PAUDlSkN'S STORT. S5 pack them in a sack. This Shamus cleverly acedm- plished, when the robbers drew up the sack, and hearing a noise among the inmates, fled in great haste with the booty, leavin' behind the young apprentice, who findin* that his accomplices had decamped an' left him in the lurch, turned his past experience to his profit by searchin' round the kitchen, an* findin' the hide of a young steer which had been killed the day before, wrapped it around him with the "horns stickin*^ up, an' a broomstick in his hand to personify one of the spirits from the lower re- gions. He then rattled round with the broomstick among the pots, kettles and crockery, makin' an unearthly up- roar in the dead of the night, howlin' like a demon the while, which greatly alarmed the household, who thought the house was haunted. Jack, the coachman, more valiant than any of the other domestics, mustered courage enough to step forward, an' makin' the sign av the cross, questioned the apparition by askin', ' What is there troublin' ye on this earth ? ' Shamus, who was a ventriloquist, answered in a sepulchral tone : "'I'll destroy this house an' all the people therein, if ye don't let me out afore the high hour of twelve.' ^This alarmed the ould Squire, who, accompanied by Jack the coachman, with fear and tremblin' tottered to the door, an' managed to unlock it, when the spectre tore out the door with a horrible noise, tossin' the furniture an' utin- sils about with the horns, as he made his exit. He then made his way to the robbers' cave. Bein' well acquainted with the intricacies of the route, he soon accomplished Ai ,^11 -/•I 36 PAUDEEN'S STORY. the toiiuous journey, an' approached cautiously to the sniall windx>w in the rock, where he peeped in an' beheld his accomplices sittin' at a table countin' an' dividin' the spoil, when he wrapped the hide (which he still retained) around him, an' shoved his head an' horns in through the window, howlin' demoniac ejaculations, as of some evil genii who had overtaken the highwaymen in the midst of their villany. The robbers on seein' the horns pro- trude through the window, an' hearin' the unearthly bel- lowin', thought some messenger from the infernal regions had come to seize them, started for the door in a terrible fright, an' ran off leavin' all the stolen property behind. Shamus then entered the cave, packed all the booty in sacks, which he placed on two of the Horses' backs, mount- ed the third himself, leadin' the others after him, rodt home to his father's house, where he stowed away the stolen treasure, an' put the horses in the stable. He wasn't many days at home when the Squire heard of hii ratum, an' sent for the ould man. ** * What brought yer son home, Billy ? ' said he. ' Has he ran away from his masther — eh ? * " * No, in troth yer honour ; but he has larned his thrade | entirely, he tells me.' * " Oh ! he has, eh ; well, we shall see.* was the rejoinder. I * Tell him unless he can steal the horses from before the plough to-morrow, while workin' in the field, I shall not be convinced that he has not ran away from his mastei before he became proficient in his callin', and that I1|{ have him transported.' ♦ A "\? PAUDEEN S STORY. 87 " Billy returned to his cabin with tears in his eyes, ah* informed the son of what the Squire had said. " 'All right, father/ was the answer, ' ye needn't be afraid ; if I couldn't perform that task I'd be a poor high- wayman.' " This answer gave the old man great confidence in his hopeful son. " Next morning Shamus, by some means best known to himself, secured two young rabbits, which he secreted in a bag. Then he proceeded to some shrubs ad joinin' the field where the men were ploughin', concealin' himself among the bushes. As the men approached the end of the field, he let go one rabbit, which the ploughman at once detected, an' gave chase. * Come along, Dick,' ex- claimed one of the men, 'I always thought the place was alive with rabbits.' " Shamus then let go another, which confirmed their apprehension. Away they ran after the rabbits through the thick of the wood. In the meantime Shamus un* hitched the team f'-om the plough, jumped on one, an* rode off in haste towards his father's house, where he concealed the horses. The ploughmen, not findin' any more game, returned to their plough, but the horses were gone. This alarmed them greatly. Their surmises as to what became of their team were futile. So they fell back on the farm-yard, at the gate of which they met the old Squire. " ' What's the matther, boys ? ' said the latter, seein' the labourers so excited. ■^ Am lit;'' 3S PAUDEEN S STOBT. " ' Bedad, , your honour, there*s enough the matter,\ was the rejoinder. '* Shure enough, we've lost our team, some thafe has bin an' gone an' stole them while we gave chase to this pair av r Abbits, which, ye see, we have captured intirely.* " * Oh, ye go rabbit-catchin' instead of attendin* to yer business ? Ye had better go and find your horses at once,' said the Squire, walking off in a great rage, mut- terin' some hard words about that villain Shamus. ' Billy,' said he to the old man, whom he met in the yard, 'I see that your hopeful son has stolen the horses clever enough. But that does pot prove that he is an accomplished thief. Tell him from me that unless he can steal the Steed of Bells, over which two men, with loaded revolvers in their hands, keep guard in the stable durin' the night, I shall have him tn»,nsported." " The ould man went home with a sad heart, an' deliv- ered the Squire's message to his son.* " * Oh, father,' said he, ' is that all. Don't be the laste alarmed ; I can asily perform that task.' " During the day Shamus possessed himself av a couple av bottles av rale ould potheen, which he carried in his overcoat pockets, an' repaired to the Squire's yard about twelve o'clock that night. Takin' up his position on the heap of manure outside the stable window, where he gave a lucid demonstration of being blind dhrunk. " The two men on guard over the steed, hearin' the noise went out, an' findin' a man apparently dhrunk with two Ijottles av potheen in his pocket*, naturally enough carried i\ paudeen's stort. 89 ■ i>- him into the stable out av the cowM. Strotchin' hull on. some straw they helped themselves to the whiskey. Be- fore they had one bottle finished, they were stretched full length on the floor; where their nasal organs belched forth such inharmonious sounds as to indicate very per- ceptibly that their owners were in the land av dhrames. Shamus then tied their hands an' feet, walked the steed out quietly, jumped on his back an' rode hastily to his father's house, where he secured tlie steed undher lock an' key. Next momin' the Squire demanded from the two men an account of their vigilance ; an' hearin' that they had slept on their post while the steed was stolen, discharged them from his service. " * Billy,* said he to the ould man, who was employed clearin' up the yard, I see that your son has stolen the • Steed of Bells * in a professional manner, but that does Qot quite satisfy me that he is a thoroughly accomplished thief. Unless he can steal the sheets from off my bed to-night, an' I between them, with two loaded revolvers beside me on the table, an' a lamp burnin' in my room all Qight, I sh^ll have him transported. But if he accomplishes this theft I shall forgive him all his villany.' The ould man,in despair, went home an' informed his son of the trial, of skill imposed by the Squire before he should be forgiven, Whereupon Shamus made answer. Well, I'm thinkin that the ould Squire is determined to put an end to me himself at long run be hook or be crook. But don't be a bit Beared, dad.' Durin* the day Shamus had concocted his plans, an' made preparations for the qomin* event, in which v:i <■• 'q 1 '/*■;! ^'*^l>.>i ■' >Vii ■ -".'if t'lS -■'I' ?f^.;'^^ 4U rAUDEEN'S STOBT. V h« was to be the principal actor. Havin' learned thai 4 young man had been buried the previous day, he proceeded to the cemetery in •rder to exhume the body. On nearin' the gate be dismounted an' tied his horse in a shady nook, he then advanced cautiously in search of the newly made grave. As he approached it, he heard a noiso qn' saw two men movin' about ; when he took post behind a tombstone au' watched their movements. He saw them open the grave an' lift the corpse, which they dumped into a sack. It then struck him that they were medical students, who wanted a subject for dissection. When he set up behind the tombstone a horrible sepul- chral noise, which struck terror into the body-snatchers, who dropped the corpse which they wor crrryin' away an* ran off as if the ould boy himself wor afther them. Shamus then placed the corpse on his horse, mounted an' rode home, wheie he dressed the body in a suit av his own clothes, Then he proceeded to the Squire s house in the dead of night, with the corpse on his back, mounted to the top of the house by means of a ladder placed there as a fire escape ; an' lowered the corpse down thb chimney by means av a rope with a slip-knot. The Squire hearin' the noise in the chimney, made sure that Shamus had selected that stratagem to gain access to his room, for the purpose of carryin' off the sheets. He jumped up in the bed an' said to his wife, as he seized an' cocked the revolver, ' I've got the young villain in my power at last, an* will put a stop to his thavin', I'll warrant ye.' There he sat^ with the seven-shooter cocked, waitin' for -.v^ PAUDEEN B 8T0RT. 41 Shamus to make his appearance. He had not long to wait, for Shamus anticipatin' his intentions, let the corpse down suddenly, when bang went the revolver, an* down fell the body of the supposed thafe. The Squire beiievin' that he had sliot Shamus, took the corpse on his back an' started off to bury it in the comer of a field. Ue was accompanied by his wife who led the way wid a dark lanthern in her hand. As they proceeded to inter thf> body they were observed an' watched by two still- hunthers, who wor in sarch av an illicit still, of which they had information was in active operation on that same night. They saw the ould Squire dump the body into the grave which it seems he had previously prepared; while his betther-half threw light on the subject by her presence, an' the glimmer from the dark lanthern which she held in her hand ; when the peelers pounced upon them an' carried the pair off without ceremony to the lock-up, where they had to snivel in a cold cell until momin*. This incident brought the Squire an' his wife into untold disgrace. They wor tried for the mnrdher av the unknown youn^ man ; but, ye know the ould sayin'* ' what's the use av goin* to law wid the divil, when the court is held in -* ye know where. But anyhow, through some lack av evidence an' the influence brought to bear on the judge an' jury in their behalf by some ol the Squire's ould pals, the pair got off scot free, but had to fly the counthry through shame, lavin' the homestead to their hopeful son, whom I have already tould ye wor appointed ganger in the place av ould Jitn Nulty, who wor found dhrounded in a bog hole ; oh, divil a lie in it : '■■!• i . ' : .>■:■,- :^; 4A paudeen's itobt. " Afther the Squire an' his wife started off for to ii^ter the hody, Shamus entered the house an' made his way to the ould SquireV bedroom, divested the bed av the sheets, helped himself to a gallogue or two av the Squire's best potheen, which he found in a bottle on the table by the bedside. He then left the house, mounted his horse, which he had secured in a convenient place, an' rode to his father's cabin. Next momin' on hearin' that the Squire an' his betther half wor caught by the peelers, while in the act av burying the corpse, an' knowin full well that he would be involved in the traged}', he fled to the mountains where he took , refuge like a fox from that day to this in some den or unknown cave where the peelers could never unearth him. Beward afther reward has bin offered time an' agin for his capture, or such information as would lead to his arrest. But no mortal man can ever find out bis hidin' place. Though a terror to the fat graziers, an' great nobleman or agents who may cross his path unac- companied by a posse of peelers, yet Shamus is well loiked by the destitute of the neighbourhood, for he robs the rich aj}' helps the poor. Many a distressed widow an' orphan he has relieved by his liberality, an' many a rich man he has victimized between here an' Chlunathuskin, divil a lie in it." Paudeen stood up, buttoned his coat preparatory to going home as he had finished the story. " Well now Paudeen," said Pete, as he filled the horn goblet from a faucet close to his elbow, after the story was ended and handed it to Paudeen, " that wor a fine story entoirely, and wel* tould, be me soul I think ye must be .VvJ .VV.l V. - ''f,:X-(. ^' W THE SHEBEEN MEN. 49 t : 'i| dhry, just be afther wettin' yer whistle wid this weeney dhrop afore ye sthart for home, sure it'll keep out the could an' shorten the journey." Paudeen took the horn with a "thankee Pete/^ and tossed of its contents, wiped his mouth with' the cuff of his coat, pulled his caubeen over his ears, and bid the company good-night. " Aisy a while, Paudeen," said Pete, with a knowing wink handing him a black bottle, " take this home wid ye, sure a dhrop av the blessed spirits is lucky to have about ye, such a could dark night as this, take it gra sure I know in the mornin* ye'll be afther wantin' a haii from the dog that bit ye, d'ye mind." " Musha then, now Pete," said Paudeen, with a broad grin, as he took the proffered bottle and placed it care- fully in his big frieze coat pocket, which he buttoned up, " faith kind father an* mother for ye to be good natured, sure 'tis they who never sent anyone from their house dhry an* hungry or empty handed, rest their souls." " Paudeen,** said one of the other shebeen-men, " *udn*t ye be afther waitin* fur betther company nar yerself , sure we'll be wid ye as far as the cross-roads anyhow." " Betther company nar meself, did ye say ? faith I'm ihinkin* av the peelers meets ye wid them kegs of poth- een on yer backs ye won't be considered very good com- pany for any dacent man in the morain*. So fur feer Fud be reckoned as one av the gang, I'ud prefur goin* alone be meself, d'ye persave. Good night CQmradeSj** said Paudeen as he made his e^at, .1 ='i i."! I . ■*•>; 44 REVEMU£ FOUOK OR ** STILL BUNTERS. l/~- Pete then £lled the publicans' kegs with potheen, placed hem in creels, which were then filled up with dry turf, ai a blind for the peelers, helf^ed to place the creels on liii customers' backs and pocketed the price of his whiskey. The shebeen men then departed with their stock in trad« on their backs, and proceeded to their respective shebeet houses, where they vended the soul-stirring element, at a profitable remuneration, to their numerous thirsty cus* tomers. The above is a specimen, and one of the many stories told during the winter evenings by the men who frequent these places. la order to e>\'ade the vigilance of the " Revenue Police" or, as they were called, " Still Hunters," the smoke, which passed through a hole in the roof, came up in a pasture* field. On the top of this hole was fitted a wide flag, made to shift at will. On the top of this flag was kept a turf fire, in charge of a boy who herded sheep and goats. When the boy saw the police advancing towards the fire, he would shift tho flag over the hole. The police frequently came, lit their pipes, then walked off, and sus- pected nothing. The boy then shifted back the flag in order to let the smoke escape. In this way the specula- tor escaped detection. Several illicit stills .flourished in this part of the coun- try, which I frequently visited during the winter even- ings. I often accompanied parties who went there for the purpose of purchasmg whiskey during the festive reasons, or when a dance or a marriage was about to take \ lace. Whisk(\v was sure to be the most plentiful bever- m\ OUSTOMS or TBB PEASANTS. 45 age on these occasions, and the parties interested always endeavoured to secure a plentiful supply of the needful to enliven their guests, and keep their spirits up by pour- ing spirits down. The boys and girls always expected a big time for fun and frolic. These occasions were there- fore looked forward to as a kind of pleasurable occurrence^ to the rising generation, than which 1 thought could not be equalled in any country in the world. Oh I how silly young people are, and how easily led away by the allurements of gay pleasures from the paths of rectitnde, which would eventually guide them on the straight road to honour, wealth, fame and glory. But it is needless in thus describing the customs and habits of the peasants, as it would take up too much space, and defeat my object in laying the history of my life and travels before my readers. I ri \ vi; '■:VHt * \ V ' <. » I'N CHAPTER IIL ADTAKOVD BOBOOL — STATE OTTHB COUNTRY— EM 10 RATION— QA178B 01 POVERTY — IRIHH LANDLORDS — POTATO CROP — DISHONEST AOENTE— BLBOTION — POLITICS— I ENLIST — THE BEOROITINO SERGEANT— 'MY KATTVB LAND, BOUT tihe time this chapter opens I had been re- moved from the country school (which has been already described in the first chapter), and sent to a much more advanced and better school in the town of Dromod> County Leitrim. I continued at this school about four years, during which time I waxed strong in mind, strength and learning. \Xi the meantime the state of the country gradually assumed a worse and more depressing character. Indeed, at this period of my narrative, the position of Ireland was very gloomy. Situated as the country was, emigra- tion went forward on an extensive scale — emigration, too, of that particular description which every day enfeebles and empoverishes the country by depriving her of all that approaches to anything like a comfortable and independ- ent yeomanry. This, indeed, is a kind of depletion, which no country can bear long ; and, as it is, at the moment '^'^-'^•d.. '»TTT" r.^ .-* i»-vi.tL-< '•*r " ■.'.'P'r EMIGRATION — CAUSE OF POVBRTT. 47 I write this, progressing at a rate beyond all precedent, it will not, I trust, be altogether unintei^«ting to enquire into some of the causes that have occasioned it. Of course, the principal cause of emigration is the poverty and the depressed state of the country, wages often being as low as eight-pence a day, and it follows naturally that whatever occasions our poverty will necessarily occasion emigration. The first cause of our poverty then is " absenteeism." I mean the landlords, who draw over six million pounds stg., from their poor but hard-working and honest tenants ; then spend it in London, or on the continent of Europe, or other foreign countries, rather than in their own, thereby depriving our people of employ- ment and means of life to that amount. The next is the general inattention of Irish landlords to the state and condition of their property, and an inexcusable want of sympathy with their tenantry, which indeed, is only a corollary from the former, for it can hardly be expected that those who wilfully neglect themselves will feel a warm interest in others. Political corruption, in the shape of the forty shilling franchise, was another cause, and one of the very worst, which led to the prostration of the country by poverty and moral degradation, and for this proprietors of the land were solely responsible. Nor can the loss of the potato crop, as the staple food of the labouring classes, in connection with the truck or credit system, and the consequent absence of money payments — in addition to the necessary ignorance of domestic and social comforts that resulted — ^be left out of this wretched -r\ ►y-v. 48 IRISH LANDLORDS. catalogue of our grievances. Another cause of emigration is to be found in the high and exorbitant rents at which land is held by all classes of farmers — with some except* ions, such as in the cases of old leases — ^but especially bj those who hold under middlemen, or on the principle of subletting generally. By this system a vast deal of distress and petty but most harassing oppression is every day in active operation, which the head landlord can never know, and for which he is in no other way responsible than by want of knowledge of his estates. There are still causes, however, which too frequently drive the independent farmer out of the country. In too many cases it happens that the rapacity and dishonesty of the agent, countenanced or stimulated by the necessities and reckless extravagance of the landlord, fall like some onWholesome blight upon that enterprise and industry which would ultimately, if properly encoui-aged, make the country prosperous, and her landed proprietors in- dependent men. I allude to the nefarious and monstrous custom of ejecting tenants who have made improvements, or, when permitted to remain, make them pay for the improvements which they themselves have made. ! A vast proportion of this crying and oppressive evil must be laid directly to the charge of those who fill the respon- sible situation of landlords and agents to the property in Ireland, than whom in general there does not exist a more unscrupulous, oppressive, arrogant, and dishonest class of men. Exceptions, of course, there are, and many, ^ut speaking of them as a body, I unhappily assort ELECTION pounca. 4d '■>^ nothing but what the conditions of property, and of thbse who live upon it, do at this moment and have for many years testified. I have already stated, that there was a partial failure in the potato crop that season, a circumstance which ever is the forerunner of famine and sickness. The fail- ure, however, on that occasion, was not alone caused by a blight in the stalks, but large portions of the seecl ^ failed to ffrow. In addition, however, to all L have al- ready detailed as affecting the neighbourhood or, rather, the parish of Anaduff, I have to inform ihy gentle reader that the country was soon about to have a contested election. Viscount Clement and Samuel White, Esq., were the opposing candidates. The* former had been a convert to Liberalism, and the latter a sturdy Conservative, a good deal bigoted in politics, but possessing that rare and ines- timable quality which conslitutes an honest man. It was a hard contested election. The electors throughout the country were driven to the town on side-cars, escorted by police. The excitement was fearful. However, the people's candidate (Mr. White) gained the election. There was a large aTuount of whiskey drank during this elec- \ j tion, and as a consequence there was plenty of fighting* About this time there was great excitement among the I young people, consequent on the encouragement of emi- gration to America and Canada. Many young men and maidens embraced the favourable opportunity of emigrat- ing from the neighbourhood in which I lived. £ut,8ome« .'■'is N- ^ i ■ 'I'M «iJi m^:'. -A r».'"- / ;a ' ir' 56 A BEpBXTITINa PIRTT. A hdw, I could never entertain the idea of emigrating, al* though I had very frequently heard many most favpura* ble reports from both countries. I decided, instead, that I would prefer tO join the army, and fight for the honour and glory of my Queen aud country. < I had frequently seen splendid, tall, well proportioned, brave looking soldiers, gaily dressed, marching past our house, with their band in front of the regiment, discours- ing sweet music, which thrilled my soul with a feeling of enchantment. I invariably accompanied them for several miles, keeping step with the men, who marched tc the time of the music I was so infatuated with the music, the noble bei^ring and martial appearance of the officers and men, that I could scarcely resist the temptation of following them all day. I thei) made up my mind to en- list for a soldier. With this intention I went to the, fair of Mohill, on the 8th of May, 1847. On arriving at the principal street o^ the town, my at- tention was directed to a crowd collected around a recruit- ing party — a tall sergeant of most prepossessing appear- ance, gaily-dressed in the scarlet uniform of the Grena- diers. From his neat, jaunty little forage cap, which sat on three hairs, a bunch of gay coloured ribbons floated in the air, and his slung, brass-mounted, polished sword •dangled against his heels. The corporal and privates also were tall and well proportioned young fellows and dressed like the sergeant, only not quite so expensively. Proudly did they march through the streets, gay and independent as the Roman warriors of old. The gallant sergeant with *. .>•> ,'/ "* • THE BBCBUrriNa SERGSANT. 51 his penetrating eye and determined countenance, softened with a cheerful look and pleasant smile, winning admira- tion as he glanced upwards at the windows filled with handsome young maidens and children, who looked on from their elevated position in wonder and amazement at the noble specimens of the British army. "Halt!" cried the sei'geant in a commanding tone, which instinctively brought the party to a stand-still in the middle of the street, where the sergeant gave a vivid picture of military life, of its good pay, splendid uniforms, fii^t class rations, and noble pension on dis- charge. ^ hr (speaking of campaigns, battle-fields, long marches, the o. r 'n hope, and the hard vicissitudes 6! military life, he declaimed like one who know something of the terrible drama of war and all its horrors, in which soldiers are the principal actors. " I want able-bodied men," continued the sergeant, "of fine limb and martial aspect, from five feet eight upwards, and not over thirty years of age ; with good characters, and free from any disease, blemish, or impediment ; fit to work al a fortress, throw up trenches, haul big guns into position, with I courage enough to mount the scaling ladders, or charge through a breach or embrasure when storming a fort or I citadel, fight single handed with the Indians, capture the sword of the Czar or, the Great Mogul, himself, when called on to do so. I want no lubbers, mind, but gallant fellows with strength, heroic minds and endurance, ready to volunteer for the greatest danger, or go anywhere, to freeze to death in Siberia, or to simmer on the bum- / -:-*.H • -4 . 52 THE BECBUITINQ SERGEANT. J i ^ y ' jv inff sands of Arabia." Then followed an oration about glory, blood-money, prize-money and beer-money; mddals and commissions, which was wound up with an exciting invitation to all the young fellows around to join him. *^Now boys who'll enlist for this and a great deal more. You'll get double pay, double clothing, tools for nothing, superior bedding of long feathers, and three square meals a day, two holidays a week, a pair of trou- sers and ammunitions a year. " You'll be taught everything in the army, and made as straight as a tent pole. The humps will be taken of! your backs by a pair of loaded clubs, which you'll swing for an hour every morning before breakfast, in order to sharpen your appetite for the enjoyment of that lux- urious meal. You'll be taught to turn properly on your heels and toes, and to stand as stiff as starch. You'll be taught the march of intellect and several other useful steps. The goose step, the balance step, the front step, the back step, the side step, the closing step, the long step, and the short step, the quick step and the slow step, the running step, d,nd the jumping-step, to step before the commanding officer if you misbehave, r.nd from there to step into the black-hole if you don't act as be- cometh a soldier and a gentleman. Now boys, I am ready to enlist as many as like on the conditions specified, and treat you as gentlemen. There is no compulsion, mind, you must all be free and willing. Remember that the corps I am enlisting for are among the bravest and most honourable in the Service, with the best officers in the »<< 2 t\lr^Jl ,..,., /.■* v.. THE MOBLE PROFESSION. 58 ri-'^ British Army. I have H. M. commission to enliflt for the 17th Regiment 'Royal JBengal Tigers' commoiily called ' Lily Whites/ the 6th Enniskillen Dragoons and the 33rd, the 'Iron Duke's' old regiment, which distin- guished itself in Holland while commanded by then Colonel Wellesley and Qeneral Dundas. Now gentlemen, select your choice corps, Fcmt young fellows who can do nothing better, it is a noble profession, it creates ambi- tion, gives occasion for distinction, and leads through duty and valour to promotion and honour. Heroes are not found among peasants, but in the army rustics may achieve fame. For such young men as you, the service is the proper place, where you can make a fortune in a few years, and mayhap win your swords and spurs, as many a noble fellow has done before. A^o knows but through your own distinguished conduct you may obtain the exalted title Rajah of India or Pasha in the Turkish contingent. Hurrah ! hurrah I " The Queen was cheered and blest, and the sergeant was besieged by applicants ready to take the Queen's shilling. After he had performed the solemn ceremony of enlisting a half dozen country fellows, I myself stepped boldly up and said, " Sergeant, I wish to enlist in the 17th Regi- ment." " Bravo," shouted the sergeant, "you are just the young lad I want for that gallant regiment. Upon my reputation there is not a gentleman in the three kingdoms does me greater honour than yourself by selecting the 'Royal Bengal Tigers' for your future career. I have not the I . , ''. . .''.f\ ~l?Ku :!'f(,o •3p/"' 54 I "TAKE THE 'SHILLING." slightest doubt but you will attain the highest rung iij the ladder of promotion, or the scaling ladder." He then told me to hold out my hand and answei J the following questions, viz: "Are you free, willing j and able to serve H. M. Queen Victoria, her heirs and suC' cessors, for a period of twenty-one years, or until you are! legally discharged." I answered, I am. The ceremony customary on such occasions was then gone through in a manner that did credit to the sergeant. The significant] shilling was placed in my hand in the name of the Queen, binding me irrevocably to H. M.'s service, and a factor oi the 17th Rclgiment. The ribbons were affixed to my hat by the gallant sergeant, who marched myself and sis others before the doctor, who approved of our personal appearance. I have had no cause ever since to regret { . joining H. M.'s service. MY OWN, MY NATIVE LAND. I' / I " Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart untravelled fondly turns to thee; Such is the patriot's boast where'er we roam, His first, best country, ever is at home. And trembling, shrinking from tlie spoiler's hand, Far, far away thy children leave the land. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey. Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade ; A breath can make them, as a breath has made ; .V'-^itel Ai-rr MT OWN. MT NATITB LANa /' But A bold peMan^jy, tht»ir oountry'i pride, Whenonoe destroyed, can never be supplied. A time^here wu, ere Ireland's griefs began, When every rood ox ground maintained I'm min ; For him light labour spread her wholesome store, Jnst jgave what life required, but gave no more ; His best companions, innocence and health; And his best riches, ignorance of wealth. i^he broken soldier kindly bade to stay. Sat by his fire, and talked the night away ; Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, flUiouldered his staff and showed how fields were wou." $i /■■'« ./a w i?'^ '11 f I ■\ CHAPTER IV. i&. iWEARINO IV — MARCH TO DUBLIN— SKROBANX'S 8T0RY — ARRITAL 1* DHBT-iy — BBOOARS' BUSH BARRACKS — RATIONS — THB CITT---BM- BARKATION— THE SHIP— THB VOYAOB — LIVERPOOL — ^TRAIN TO LONDON — BILLETS- CANTERBURY— JOIN THB 17tH REGIMENT. [HE sergeant conducted me to the rendezvous, where I was obliged to pass another medical examination, anezeH, and a couple of short coughs, to clear the throat, he wiped the tears from his eyes with a red silk pocket>j handkerchief and said :— "On the morning of the 18th of June, 1815, when! Napoleon had formed his line of battle, his brother Jerome commanded on the left, Marshals Soult and Ney { acted as Lieut-Generals to the Emperor. "The French forces in the field consisted of 75,000 1 men. The British army did not exceed that number. Each army Was commanded by the chief, under whom they had offered to defy the world. So far as the chidts were concerned they were iVBarly equal. The British! army was formed into two lines. The cavalry was sta- tioned in the rear, distributed along the line, but chiefly I posted in rear of the centre. The whole British position formed a sort of curve, the centre of which was nearest to the enemy. The plans of the two great leaders were very simple; the morning broke heavily; the whole day was stormy. Soon after ten o'clock great agitation was seen in the French lines ; mounted officers were seen galloping with orders from Napoleon in various directions. Between eleven and twelve the battle opened with a cannonade from the French lines, followed by a fierce attack under Jerome Buonaparte on the advanced post of Houguemont A cloud of voltigeurs proceeded the column. The Nassau soldiers in the wood were driven back by the French. The assailants surrounded the house (Houguemont) on -"'•- '1- ''\^^.^; THS BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 6d three sides, and made desperate attempts to enter ; but a detachment of British guards who occupied the villa, de- fended it, and from the loop-holed walls of the house and garden poured upon the French so severe a fire, that bhe ground was covered with their killed and wounded. " Fresh British troops were now sent to the relief of this post ; and after great loss the Coldstream Guards drove out the enemy and remained in possession. But, repeat- ed attacks >vere from time to time made upon it ; but at last the French were repulsed by the bayonet. Soon after, the roof was on fire from the shblls of the French bat- teries, but the combat was heroically maintained, and from the chari'ed. walls deadly streams of musketry poured fortii. Whi|e this carnage was going on the whole of the French guns kept up an incessant fire upon the British lines, whose guns powerfully replied, and the ad- vanced batteries, firing with case shot, caused dreadful havoc am(mg the French columns. Perceiving that the assault on Houguemont had failed, Napoleon, under the fire of big guns, ordered a formidable attack upon the left centre. All the firmness and bravery of the British were here required. The British regiments formed squares. The distance between the battalions afibrddd room enough to deploy into line, when they should be ordered to do so. The appearance of the battalions when thus formed resembled the alternate squares of a chess^ board, so that when a squadron of the enemy's cavalry charged between these squares they were exposed at once both to a fire in front from the squares in the rear, and to " n M ^ % ■^'■'i'i '"'''■^' ' \h i; ^ m^i oo OHAROB OF THE CAVALRT. ^ volleys on both flanks from the side ones ; during th« day the Franch cavalry often experienced the murderous eflect of these combined fires. Ah the French column came up, General Kempt boldly a'ivanced against it with only three British regiments in line — ^and those weakened by the loss of three hundred men in Quatre Bras — poured in a volley and charged it ; while Peck's Brigade, from the extreme left bore down at the same time upon the right division of this column with the bayonet ; the French who~had actually gMned the crest of the position could not stand this, and after delivering their fire turned and fled. It ,was here that Picton fell, a mu.sket ball having passed through his brain. At this moment, too, t^ie British cavalry made such an effective flank charge upon the French columns at the tihie when they stag- gered under the fire of the musketry, that they broke the column with great slaughter, and took two eagles and two hundred prisoners who were sent off to Brussels as the first fruits of the British success. But, our cavalry pushing their advantage too far, were met by a strong body of cuirassiers on one flank and lancers on the other — ^and having charged up to the enemy's guns, which covered the attacking columns and cut down the gunners — were involved in an unequal combat ; so that they were forced to retire taking oflf an eagle as they did so, which was dearly purchased by the death of their com- mander. But his brigade avenged him so well that al- most the whole Polish lancers were cut to pieces before the day was over. Napoleon still persisted in obstinate AN IMPETUOUS OKSLAUQBT. 61 attacks, and his infantry columns advanced supported by a division of cuirassiers. Against these the British brigade of heavy cavalry were led. Their meeting was stem, a combat at sword points worthy of the days of chivalry was kept up — the most desperate blows and passes were exchanged, and notwithstanding the weight and armour of the cuirassiers, the power of their hordes and the bravery of their riders, they could not stand the shock, but were ridden down in great numbers, Tt was one •{ the fiercest and closest cavalry fights, perhaps e^er seen ; and ended in several hundred of the French being driven headlong over a deep gravel pit ; a confused mas*, of men and horses exposed to a close fire which soon puL a period to their sufiering. This impetuous onslaught of the British cavalry caused the enemy to pause, but only to rage with double ferocity by fresh squadrons. Napoleon exhausted his energies in fierce attacks both of horse and foot, supported by the whole strength of his artillery, 200 guns keeping up a constant fire upon the allied position. This fire was so destructive fchu' Welling- ton directed his troops to retireibeyond the exposed ridge, and lie down close on the ground, till on the near ad- vance of the enemy's horse, they were ordered to stand up in squares, advance, meet and repel their charge. The French cavalry undaunted, repeatedly charged to the very centre of the position — column after column, like the waves of the sea — wj4ih vain and useless devotion. They paid well for their bravery. As they came up deter- mine! to sweep the square before them, their defeat, : ■. .,j'*l I, , '-'.vi ft., 62 THE CUIRASSIERS. as they recoiled from the deadly vollies, resembled a heavy sea pouring itself upon a chain of insulated ro^ks, and then driven back. And amid all the tumult of that desperate action, the discharge of the artillery, the clash of arms, the shouts of the infuriated combatants, the groans and shrieks of the wounded and dying, the British remained cool and determined, their bravery shone with the brightest lustre. In vain did desperate heroes among French cavalry discharge their carbines and pistols at the squares to induce them to break the ranks; they re- garded but the actual charge, and waited for the word of command to repel the squadrons by their musketry. In vain did the cuirassiers ride round those serried walls of steel, watching for an opening ; in vain did they cut and thrust desperately at the men, or stand and gaze till shot down. In vain did the most formidable artillery deal destruction on the thinned squares : as the men dropped down, their comrades closed up their places, and the fronts remained unbroken. Never did the French make more desperate efforts ; they prodigally courted destruct- tion, and more than once did their cavalry seize for a moment the British batteries on the brow of the position. The cannons were never withdrawn, the horses only were taken to the rear ; the gunners fired to the last moment, and then, with their implements, took refuge in the nearest squares ; and when the French were beaten back, again hurried to their guns to discharge their con- tents at the retiring foe. An incessant fire was kept up fioii) the artilleiy, though it was little more than half the >IT THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 63 strength that Napoleon had; and its fonnidable ^is* charges were supported well by the continuous rolling fire kept up by the whole British line. Notwithstanding this undaunted defence, the situation of our army was becoming critical. Wellington had placed the best troops in the front line; these had already suffered severely and the quality of the foreign troops brought to support them, proved unequal to the arduous task. The Duke himself saw a Belgian regiment waver as it crossed the ridge of the hill, and was advancing from the second to the first line ; he rode up to them, halted the regiment, and endeavoured to lead them into the fire himself ; but all his efforts were in vain, and other troops had to be brought up in their place. During the scene of tumult and carnage, Wellington was everywhere, on account of the position of the armies, and the nature of the ground. There was scarcely a square which he did not visit, en- couraging the men by his presence, and stimulating the officers by directions. During the hostile charges, he frequently threw himself into the nearest square for pro- tection, and watched every movement and advance of the enemy, piercing through the smoke of battle with an eagle eye, and galloping to every point, however exposed, if it seemed to require his presence. Many of his short phrases addressed to his troops had a talismanic effect. Distinguishable as he was by his suite, and the movements of his staff, who went and came with orders; the buUeta repeatedly striking close to him. * That's good practice,' said he to one of his staff, ' I think the French fire better 'Ho m . K^^m <;i. .'.•■ il>- 64 * HARD POUNDIU } THIS.' ^.. than they did in Spain.' Riding up to the 95 th Regi< ment, when in front of the line and threatened with a formidable charge of cavalry, he said * stand fast 95th, we must not be beaten — what will they say in England.' On another occasion, when brave men were falling very fast, he said, with cool confidence, ' Hard pounding this but never mind boys, we'll win this battle yet, let us see who will pound longest.* All who heard him issue orders, received fresh confidence from his readiness, decision and cool composure. His staff fell, man by man, beside him, yet seemed in their own agony only to regard his safety An aide-de-camp was sent with an important message to a brigadier ; on nis return he was shot through the lungs, but borne on by the consciousness of duty, he rode up to the Duke, delivered the answer, and then dropped dead from his horse. As yet it did not seem certain, whether all this sacrifice had not been made in vain. The French, though repulsed on every side, persevered in incessant attacks, and the British squares, from the constant firing and assaults, presented a diminished and less formidable appearance, " One general officer stated that his brigade had lost one-third of its number, and that the survivors were so exhausted with fatigue, that a brief respite, however short, seemed absolutely necessary. * Tell him,' said tho Duke, * what he proposes is impossible. He and I, and every British soldier in the field, must die on the spot which we now occupy rather than be beaten.' " * It is enough,' replied the General, * I and every man under my command are determined to share his fate' «OLL^ BLUCJHIBB. 66 ** Still the battle raged and was far from being decided. Along the vt»olo line the frightful contest was maintained with imabatin^ stabbomneas and ferocity. The in&ntry advancing in eci:e2on of squares, to meet the French cav- ahy, while the artilbry raked the enemy between the squares as they advanced. Tha Biitish cavalry were then in reserve ; but were ready to charge such of the French as made their way through the intervals of thtj squai'es.' All this time not a single British square had been broken, and the enemy had suffered severely ; though onr ranks vi^ere sadly thinned by the superior nTi^iabers and formid- able artillery which had been bearitkg on them for so many hours. About half -past five t>AO brigades were Drought from Hill's corps on the right to uhe left centre, in anticipation of a renewal of the attack on the weaker part of the position. There was a pause on both sides, only broken by the roar of big guns, and victory seemed to hang in the balance. The crisis of the struggle was at hand. Napoleon was desperate, and resolved to sacrifice his last chance of retreat before the Prussians came up/ though his cavalry was already wrecked, and he had lost, besides 15,000 men. There was no time to be lost, for the Prussian guns were beginning to thunder on his flank to the great delight of Wellington, who cried out in a paroxysm of joy, * There goes " Old Blucher" at last,* and by the JigVit of the setting sun his forces were seen issu- iDg from the woods. Napoleon had still 1 5,000 men of bib faithful guard, who, placed during the action in reserve behind ' La Belle AiliaJice,' h.ul liardly pulled « '-■■M vk\' 66 THE IMPERIAL GUARDS. V trigger. Leaving his more remote point of observation on the heights in rear of his line, Napoleon led theip for- ward himself to the foot of the allied position. He then caused them to defile before him, and telling them thai the British army was nearly destroyed, and that to cany the position they had only to brave the fire of the artil- leiy, he concluded by pointing to the causeway, and exclaimed, 'There, gentlemen is the road to Brussels !' He was answered by loud shouts oi'Vive VEm^reurl vwe VEmpereur !' which induced the British to think that Napolean would in person lead them forward to the attack, and every eye was directed to that quarter, but from t!.eii clouds of smoke nothing could be distinctly seen. Meantime Wellington changed the position of his forces, so as to repel the assault, and two battalions of the Guards were formed into line and marched to the brow of the hill, where they were ordered tp lie down. " Led by Marshal Ney, the Imperial Guards advanced dauntlessly, rallying as they went such of the broken cavalry and infantry as yet maintained the conflict The British line, by the successes on the right, had pushed forward, and now changed from a convex to a concave position ; so that our artillerj'^ raked the French columns as they advanced ; and so accurately were the guns di- rected that the heads of the columns were constantly cut off. Borne on, however, by the impetuosity of those in the rear, they at length attained*the summit of the ridge where the British lay concealed. At this importaijit time Wellington, who had placed himself in the rear of th« / I '■■■■>'■'" *''W_ J i. '■■ia ' UP GUARDS AND AT THSH t ' 67 ■\.r\ Guards, when he thought the French near enough, gave the order at the top of his voice, ' Up, Guards, and at them I ' They sprung to their feet as if by magic, poured in on the French a well directed fire which made them stagger ; a second volley put them in a sort of panic, and the Duke, gallopping close to their rear, cried out, ' For- ward, Guards ! charge I ' They advanced at the charge with three British cheers, and rushed down the hill upon the French with their bayonets at the charge, when the veteran Guards of France, the chosen of Napoleon's army, turned from the shock and fled. Meanwhile the British followed them and discharged several vollies at the retreating masses ; on the flanks the cavalry fell upon them in fine style, and nearly destroyed them. Ney fought sword in hand after his horse was shot from under him ; his uniform was pierced through with bullets, and he was the last to quit the struggle. Napoleon's only hope was gone when he saw the flower of his army fly before the impetuous charge of the British Guards ; but when h^ saw his cavalry fly and mixing with the fugitives and trampling them down, he cried out, ' All is lost ! ' then shook his head and turned pale as death. Soon after two bodies of British cavalry rapidly advanced on either flank, and the Prussians were closing up his rear. Now was the time, had his spirit dictated it for Napoleon to die a brave warrior's death ; but, no ; he said to his aide- de-camp, who remained at his side, the fatal words, * All is lost ; it is time to save ourselves ; ' and putting spurs to his horse, turned and fled, leaving to their fate the gallai)^ • p ' . /■ .71 68 THE RETREAT OF THE FRENCH. anny which had that day shed their hlood for him with such profusion. Meanwhile, the whole British arm^, led up by the illustrious conqueror himself;, charged the French, who still maintained the combat. Amidst increas- ed slaughter, the whole of the enemy fell back, and the remains of Napoleon's grand army rushed away from the Indomitable bravery of the British in one tumultuous aight. " As the British followed up, the French guns had gra- dually ceased firing, the gunners abandoned them— the drivel's cut the traces of their horses, in order that they might fly the^ quicker — infantry and cavalry, officers and soldiers mingled in the headlong torrent, strewing the field with their dead and wounded as they rushed over waggons, broken arms, and overturned artillery. Flyera and pursuers drove headlong over the slain, dying, and wounded. A slight resistance was made by four batta- lions of the Imperial Guard who threw themselves into square and stood firm, but even those heroic fellows were 30on swept away by the impetuosity of the British. " The allies continued the pursuit of the flying foe, and the grand army of Napoleon was virtually annihilated The victorious armies now advanced on Paris without meeting any serious opposition. Shortly afterwards Napoleon, in attempting to escape from the British, was captured and sent as a prisoner to the Island of St. Hel- ena, in the South Atlantic, where he died an exile on the 6th of May, 1821." After the story was ended the sergeant applied th« canteen to hiff mouth and took a long pull, smacked hii i ■V ■'.*/ '■ V :; '^''^\r-i'. \ THE STAIT-SEROEANT'S ADVICE. 69 lips approvingly, then filled his pipe and commenced smoking. While solacing himself with the soothing con- diment, he gave us many words of counsel to be observed while among our comrades in the barrack-room. I refer to them now because I have stored them up in my memory, and found them as useful elsewhere as in the baiTack-room. One was, to observe when a sergeant's or private soldier's wife, who might be in the same room with me, was about to go for a pail of water, or was in want of water, I was to take the pail and say, nay mis- tress, let me go and fetch it for you, and go at once and fetch the water. Another rule of conduct was, to be will- ing to lend a helping hand to a sergeant, corporal, or a comrade without being asked. By these little acts of civi- lity and politeness you gain a host of friends, and your name becomes proverbial among the non-commissioned officers and men ; your good name will soon reach the ears of the officers and the commanding officer, when you least expect it. Hence promotion, then by emulation, good conduct, and attention to your duties, you soon attain the ladder of fame and become a boon to your Queen and country, an ornament to society, and an everlasting monu- ment of glory to your friends and relatives. Almost all men who have risen above the social level upon which they were bom, or who have created new branches of trade, or have been masters, or have made discoveries, have been men who were ever ready to put forth their hands to help a companion in his difficulties or his work, or to do something more than whftt was fillotted for him ir r'\''- '^-/(' / ^ ^m 70 MARCH TO PUBUN. to do by his employers. The apprentice, or joumeymftD, or other person, who will not do more than is allotted ta him, because he is not bound to do it, and who is contin< ually drawing a line to define what he calls his rights, with h^s fellow workman, or with his employer, or if in the army, with his comrades, and the non-commissioned officers immediately over him, is sure to remain where he is, or sink to a lower level. He is not destined to be a commander or an ornament to his profession, nor even a successful master tradesman, nor to be a discoverer in science, or inventor in mechanics, a propounder of new philosophy, noi^ a promoter of the world's advancement, and certainly not of his own. It being the month of May, the roads were in excellent order for marching, the weather salubrious and the country looked green and beautiful in the summer sun. The hffwthorn hedges along the road, interspei-sed with prim- roses and wild flowers, perfumed the air with their fra- grance. Altogether the journey to Dublin was a pleasant one, thanks to the staff-sergeant who made it so by the many wonderful stories and hairbreadth escapes which he related during the march. ^ On our arrival in the evening we were billeted at a public house, where soon after our arrival we enjoyed a hot meal, tlie landlord being allowed ten-pence for the same, this being^ according to " Her Majesty's Regulat- After we had regaled ourselves with the land- ions. loixl's hospitality, the sergeant enjoyed himself with his pipe and a glass or two of beer ; he also aU9wed the re* OITT or DX7BLIN. 71 cruits to have some beer. I had never tasted beer pre- vious to this, although I had tasted " potheen whiskey." After the sergeant had finished his pipe and glass of beer we retired to bed, slept ^ell, and dreamed of long marches. We were on the march again at eight o'clock next morn- ing, and so every day until we reached Dublin, which we accomplished in ten days. On arrival in that city I was astonished at the appear- ance of the splendid high buildings, the like of which I had never seen before ; they formed a striking contrast with the cabins which I had been used to look upon in Leitrim. We entered the city from the South, marched past the Boyal BaiTacks, along the Liffoy to Carlisle Bridge, where we crossed over; thence past the Bank and Trinity College to Beggar's Bush Barracks, where we were to await orders to join the depot of our regiment in Canterbury. On arrival in barracks we were told off to different companies 'pro tem.^ until our embarkation for Liverpool. This was my first night in barracks. I was shown a bed or cot with three pegs over it, to hang my clothes on. We soon got acquainted with other recruits, and old soldiers, who showed us to the canteen, where there was a large company of soldiers and recruits carousing and 1 singing. On the first post-sounding, we all had to answer our I names in the barrack-room at tattoo roll-call, and be in [bed at last post-sounding. Fifteen minutes afterwards r out lights " was sounded, when all the lights were put % , 1 '.' ''■% 4 • ,' 1^ 7% ▼lEWINO THI OTTT. out except the orderly sergeantB* who had fifteen minutei longer for theirs. MeveilU sounded next morning at five o'clock, when we all got up, made our beds, and were on parade at six o'clock, when we were drilled till half-past seven — were practised at the setting up drill and the goose step. It being my first drill, I was somewhat iwkward ; but I soon became a proficient. We had three juch drills daily (Sundays excepted), while we were in those barracks. On being dismissed, we went to break- fast, which consisted of a pound of bread and a basin of cofiee each man ; my appetite being good I made short work of the ^ound of bread. Our dinner consisted of soup, beef, and potatoes ; at supper we got a quarter of a p'tund of bread and a basin of tea. After paying for our lutions, washing and barrack Jamages, there were fourpence left, which I received every day at twelve o'clock, so that I could spend that much for extra food if I wanted it ; some of the recruits preferred to spend it on beer. When the daily afternoon drill was over, I generally walked into the city to see what I could of the place. I went past some splendid shops, saw the soldiers on guard at the castle, went into the Royal, Ship Street, and Linen Hall Barracks, visited Nelson's monument, Sackville Street, Four Courts, and Bum's saloon, in the evening. After we had been a week in barracks, an or- der came for us to proceed to Canterbury and join our depot there ; this order was most agreeable, and we hailed it with pleasure, for we were anxious to get into our uni- >■' KMBARK FOB UTERPOOL. 78 .0 form. Accordingly, two days afterwards, fourteen of lii, with a Staff sergeant in charge, were paraded on the bar- rack square. After we h^ signed our accounts, and were told that our bounty would be paid to us on arrival at our depot, we were told to number off from the right, and showed how to "form four deep." The command •' quick march" being given, we marched off to the North Wall for embarkation on board a steamer, which was to sail for Liverpool at four p.m. that day. An officer ac- companied us to the steamer to see us all safe on board. Several soldiers came to see us off. I would like to tell my readers more about Dublin, l^ut as I hope to visit it again during my soldiering, I will defer them till further experience has increased my stock of knowledge. Four o'clock P. M. was the time set for our departure ; we were all well pleased when we got on board ; the after- noon was delightful, so, therefore, we anticipated a pleas- ant voyage. An ocean ship was to me a novel place, and I had many things to learn. " What is that little flag at the main -mast? " said I to one of the sailors who stood near me. " That they call a Blue Peter ; it indicates that the ship is to sail immediately." " And what is that flag at the stem V " Why that is the Union Jack, the pride and boast of every British sailor — ^yea, and every British soldier." This answer caused my memory to revert back to some historict-1 events which I had previously read ; how Brit- iah soldiers and sailors had shed their blood in defence of ■fi ■ym >^'a A ■'. '' !■ 74 THE YOTAI^ that flag " that braved a thousand years, the batUe, and the breeze." My reflections were broken by the loud, sharp cry of the ship's captain, " All aboaid." The last warning was given ; friends hastily exchanged the farewell tokens of affection. I saw many, too, struggling to keep their tears back. I stood alone ; no one knew me, or cared particu- larly for me, but I was not an uninterested spectator. I dropped a few tears when I looked on my native land, which I was about to leave, and thought of the friends I had left behind me. AIL was in readiness — ten minutes past four o'cldbk, p.m., the ponderous machine was put in motion; the huge paddle-wheels lazily obeyed the mandate. The Blue Peter came down, and the Union Jack went up, and we moved slowly out among the ship- ping of the harbour. It was a clear, beautiful evening, and the water lay like an immense mirror, in the sun- light. We passed the light-house, which stood at the end of the harbour, like a huge sentinel, to guide the passage to the ocean. Onward we went ; shore and city faded away and dis- appeared in the distance. I looked out on the wide ex- panse of waters, the sea and sky were all that could be seen now, except a few sea-gulls, which hovered round the ship in search of an accidental crumb that might be thrown overboard. We were fairly out at sea. The flags were taken in, and things put in readiness for rougher ocean life ; for a time we moved on pleasantly. Towards sun-down, however, a head wind sprung up, t CITT or LIVERPOOL. 76 producing that rocking motion of the boat that makes sea life 80 much of a dread to those unaccustomed to water. At about ten o'clock our head-wind changed to a side- wind, and we had what the sailors call " a chopping sea," producing a very unpleasant motion of the boat. Previous to this, recruits were in good spirits, but now lilence reigned. I could see them getting pale, and one by one go below. I felt myself approaching a crisis of some kind, but was determined to put it off as long as possible. I kept on deck in the open air, and resolutely frowned down all signs of rebellion in my stomach. From what I heard going on around me, I was aware that I was not the worst sufferer ; with some the agony of the contest was kept up all night long. At three o'clock A. M., we passed Holy Head ; at five we were steaming up the Mersey, and were landed at Liverpool Dock at six o'clock A. M. After a run of twelve and a half hours> here J was, standing in amazement, looking at the forests of masts, and the vast amount of shipping in the docks. Liverpool is noted principally for its shipping accom- modation and fine docks ; of these it has now over eleven miles in length, all walled in, and protected by massive gates like the locks of a canal ; this renders the shipping very secure. It is a place of great mercantile importance and trade ; the streets are continually in a perfect jam, with heavy waggons and vehicles of almost every des- cription. If I was astonished at the appearance of Dub- lin, how much more so at this great Babel of commerce. The sergeant took us to an eating-house, owned by one of his acquaintances, where he orderiad breakfast, for , • ■■;^A 76 TRAIN TO LONDON. which I believe the landlord did not make much profit] for what with sea- sickness, and fasting since three p.m. the day previous, I'll leave it to my readers to determine whether we were able to do justice to the landlord's hos- pitality or not. After satisfying the cravings of the in- ner man, we marched off gaily with a light heart, and a full stomach to the Great North-western Railway Station, where we took the ten A.M. train for London. I am now taking my first view of England and English scenery, also my first ride in a railway carriage. As we passed along, numerous towns and villages dot- ted the country ; multitudes of great black smoke stacks, amid splendid steeples and church towers, side by side, rose in majesty towards the heavens. Thus religion and industry are generally, nay always, found in close prox- imity ; with the smoke of the furnace goes up the incense of worship ; with the hum of machinery is mingled the anthem of praise. The train stopped at several stations, which were handsomely fitted up ; during the journey we frequently partook of refreshments at the different stations. The train travelled very fast. After a ride of one hundred and eighty miles, in five and a half hours, we reached London, the great metropo- lis of England, and the mart of the world. We were sot down at Euston station. Now ray eyes, indeed, werp opened wide, gazing on the magnificence of the great modern Babel of the universe. We were billeted on three different taverns, in close proximity to each other. The sergeant Imd to report himself at the " Hoi-se Otiardj),** ARRIVAL AT LONDON. 77 ■*.i3^ and hand over some recruits which he had for regiments stationed in London. ^ / ' He left me in charge of the hillets while he was gone. We remained here five days, during which I visited a great many places. TheVe are many wonderful things that can be seen in a brief walk through this great metro- polis, if a man has his eyes open. I should like to have had time here to take my reader to the top of some of the tall monuments, to walk with him among the wondrous fortifications of the " Old Lon- don Tow^er," through the rooms where nobles, princes, kings and queens have been incarcerated ; to stand v ith him on " Tower Hill," where the scaffold and executioner's olock tell their dark tales of treachery and blood, and murder. I should like to go with my reader to West- minster Abbey, a wonderful pile, a venerable old church, and the great sepulchral home of England's honoured dead. It is worth a jouiiiey across the Atlantic to take a stroll through its cold, damp aisles and chapels; to stand amid its costly monuments and mouldering dust where death for many long centuries has been gathering her glorious trophies, and yet her dark garlands have been recorded and embodied by human skill, art, and genius. 1 have in a very brief space brought before my readers facts and stories; but I must defer any further descrip- tion until my next visit, for I hope to see all these wonders again. The sergeant had done his duty to his satisfaction, and this being our last evening in London he took us to tli^ \i /!.. V-J I'l •'■' 78 **^TH£ ROTAL BENGAL TIGEBS.' '\t H Haymarket Theatre, where we witnessed the " Colleen Bawn." This was the first time I ever visited a theatre in my life, or witnessed a dramatic performance of any kind, therefore I can assure my reader that my mind was very much elated and my admiration was spontaneous. After the play was over, we took the sergeant into a saloon close by, where we regaled him with a cold supper, beer and cigars, after which we went to our billets feeling quite jolly. Next morning after paying the landlord and bidding him good-bye, we marched to the Waterloo Railway Sta- tion, where we took the train at ten o'clock. After a ride of about eigl^ty miles, in two hours, we were in Canter- bury, and put down at St. Dunstan Street Station, marched into barracks, and were handed over to the officer commanding the depot of the 17th Regiment of foot, the , " Royal Bengal Tigers." We were told off to companies, and shown our quarters. More about Canterbury as my story^ advances. As I am now stationed here, I hope to have an opportunity of getting acquainted with this ancient cathedral city. CHAPTER V. MEDICAL EXAMINATION— REOEIVE MY KIT — DRILL, MANUAL AND PLAIOON EXEKCISE — DISMISSED DRILL — VISIT THE CITY — DESO&IF- TION OF ROUTE — THE MARCH. I HE following morning reveille sounded at five o'clock, when I turned out, made my bed up, a process by the way which requires a considerable amount of ingen- uity, skill and practice to accomplish in a manner sufficient to pass the inspection of the non-commissioned officer who has charge of the room. I will explain the operation for the edification of my gentle reader. After getting out of bed, and partially dressing myself with boots and trousers, before making my toilet, I go to work in shirt sleeves ; lift the clothes off the mattress, which I roll up tightly and secure by means of a long leather strap buckled around its centre, lift it with one hand off the cot, which I turn up with the other hand ; placing the mattress square upon the end of the cot, then fold the rug lengthways in four doubles, and place it across the mattress, folding the blankets and sheets neatly according to regulations, showing the edges of the folds as even and straight as a rule ; wrap the ends of the rug 80 A soldier's rations round these folds and fasten tightly with a wire hook ; turn this compact package over on the mattr^; straighten the edges of the folds with the blade of a knife; fasten a card, with my name and regimental number, on the front of my bedding; then go and dress for parade, this I did and was dressed and ready for parade when the drill bugle sounded at half-past five every morning. Some recruits are much smarter at making up their beds than others, who are continually found fault with by the non- commissioned officers, fur the slovenly manner in which they fold their bedding. Parade being formed at six by the sergeant-major, the tecruits without uniform were not required to dtill that morning ; drill being over and the bugle for breakfast sounding, we all sat down to a pound c»f bread and a basin of coffee each. Many who are pam- pered with luxuries and continually complaining of their appetite, would envy those recruits if they witnessed the short work they made of their pound c* brown bread and a basin of coffee after an hour's dr:U before breakfast. Those who are troubled with indigestion or dyspepsia would save a large amount of doctors' pills and doctors' bills if they would put themselves on soldiers* rations, which would be a sure cure for the worst case of dyspepsia or indigestion, if they have forbearance enough to restrain their appetites from the indulgence in any other luxuries. There are no dyspeptics in the «,rmy. After this frugal meal, however, we were marched off to the regimental hospital by the orderly corporal, where we had to pass another strict medical examination, as to soundness of the \" '■■*' - vj* I RECEIVE MT KIT. 81 internal system, limbs and eye-sight ; we were ordered td undi-ess, then walk fast and slow, and made to put our bodies into different positions of great difficulty, to shut one eye and look with the other through a tube and count the number of small atoms that were placed on the glass for the purpose of testing the eyesight. After which we were finally retui'ued fit for service ; we were next marched to the quartermaster's stores and received our uniform and kit, which consisted of one each of the following articles, viz. : pair boots, cloth trowsers, summer trowsers, shako, tunic, stock and clasp, shell jacket, forage cap, pair mits, tin of blacking, pair braces, clothes brush, canteen iind cover, knapsack and straps, great coat and haversack, two shirts, two pair socks, and two towels ; for the marking of which we were charged a halfpenny each. We were next taken to the tailor's shop, where we had our clothing altered and fitted ; this lasted four or five days, during which time we were exempt from drill ; but instead had to do the duties of orderly men by turns, that is, prepare the meals for those at drill, and keep the bar- rack rooms clean and in proper order. After we got our clothing made to fit us all right, we then turned out to drill three times a day, viz. : before breakfast, club drill ; ten o'clock, commanding officer's parade, with setting up drill ; afternoon, goose step, extension and balance motions. At all these parades and drills we were minutely in- 8[)ected by the orderly sergeant, and afterwards by the sergeant-major, and if the least fault was found, ordered* to parade again, which was called " a dirty parade." I F ' * ■ *3 r,*-?- S2 MANUAL AND PLATOON EXEBCISB. ^ took particular pains to escape the latter. When drill commenced we were formed into squads of six or eight men each, in line at arm's length apart, which is termed 'Hi squad with intervals ; " after drilling in single rank / or a week, one squad was increased to two ranks at open . |,)rder, the rear rank covering the intervals. The sergeant* ruajor frequently came roimd to superintend the drill, and whoaever he found an attentive deserving recruit invari- ably sent him up to a more advanced squad ; in thi? way the ? lore intelligent and deserving recruits were advanced. I ^as among the lucky ones, who were first sent up, and I 'ifber wards got sent up step by step until I reached the advanced squad, where I learned company's drill without arms, after which we were served with arms, formed into squads, taught the manual and platoon exercise, company and battalion movements with arms. We were then put through a course of ball practice. The distance being fifty, a hundred, one hundred and fifty, and two hundred yards ; the " Old Brown Bess " beiag in use then. The first shot I fi>;ed I got a bull's eye, which was reckoned a first class ^hot then, but how strange that was the only one I got during the whole practice, notwithstanding I tried my level best to get one every time I fired, I then concluded that the bull's eye must have been a chance shot. After we had finished the course, we were again inspected, when we acquitted ourselves to the entire satisfaction of the officers, and were accordingly dismissed from re- cruits* drill, and returned fit for duty as soldiers. Two days afterwards the head-quarteis of the regiment arrivedl k J'i TfS^^^rp^^^jy^^-^ '■f r POSTED TO THE GRENADIER COMPANY. 88 from Bombay, marched into barracks, band playing, colours flying, forming up on the barracks square. The men were tall and soldier-like, but very much tanned from exposure in the east. Their strength on arrival was only five hundred. We were all delighted to meet the head-quarters, which had been long expected. They had a long, rough voyage of three months, having come in a sailing vessel. A.fter they had been inspected by the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Pinnikuck, they were told off and shown their different barrack rooms. Next day, regimental orders being issued, I heard my name read out, " Private Thomas Faughnan posted to Grenadier or Captain L. C. Bourchier's company." I was well pleased at hearing this, it being reckoned the crack company of the regiment. The whole of the recruits were also posted to the different service companies. Being dismissed from recruits* drill, I had ample oppor- tunities of walking out in the afternoons and visiting- some of the ancient and time-worn placf<# around the city among which was the cathedral, one of the oldest ecclesi- astical edifices in England. It was consecrated by Saint Augustine, A. D. .597. Here too, he baptized Ethelbert, King of Kent. Saint Martin's Church-under-the-hill, said to be the oldest in England, is another time-worn struc- ture, partly built of Roman brick and tiles. There are fourteen such old churches here, most of them built of rough flint, and very ancient. Also the ruins of a Norman castle, one of the largest in England, which stands near a mound known as the " Dan John ;" connected with this, i ^■: 1 '■''?:. »*: ■ 84 PBEPARINO FOB THE IfABC^. ore beautiful j^rdens, where a military band played al- ways on Thursday afternoons, when hundreds of the elite of the city assembled to promenade those favoured grounds and enjoy the sweet martial music. This is one of the most delightful stations in England for a soldier, there ia no garrison duty to perform, the only duties being the y regimental guards, and they come very seldom, the men getting sixteen nights in bed between each guard. Regi- ments arriving from India are generally stationed here for some time, in order to recruit their strength after foreign service and the long sea voyage. The citizens are very much attached tp soldiers, and treat them with the greatest kindness and respect.- During the harvest, reapers were very scarce, therefore the soldiers were allowed to go into the fields and assist the farmers in cutting down their grain, for which the men were well paid — horse-reapers were then unknown. .Our regiment was not fortunate enough to be left here much longer, for a letter of " readiness" was received by the commanding officer, directing him to hold the regi- ment in readiness to proceed to Dover at the shortest notice, which he made known to us in a regimental order that evening. After this order was read we were all on the alert, officers and men preparing for the march, pack- ing officers' baggage, white-washing and cleaning barracks — to save barrack damages, that great cui-ao-— ready to hand over to the barrack master. Accordingly th^ ;Qi;te p»me, which wa3 reatl a3 follows, 'I,.'??'',''' WB OST THE BOUTS. 55 " Agreeably to a route received tflis day from Horse Guards, the regiment will parade in heavy marching order,^ at eight o'clock, A.M., on Tuesday next, the 24th instant, for the purpose of proceeding to Dover, there to be sta- tioned till further orders. The men will breakfast at seven o'clock on that day." The following morning, inspection of kits, at ten o'clock, by the commanding officer, ordered, and afterwards medi- cal inspection. Next day being Sunday, the regiment paraded at ten o'clock for divine service, when we all marched to church, with the band playing ; Protestants and Roman Catholics marching to their different places (if worship, no other denomination being recognized in the regiment then ; but now all denominations are allowed to march to their respective places of worship. The bar- racks were inspected on the following Monday morning by the quarter-master and captains of companies. The afternoon was occupied in loading the regimental baggage on the waggons supplied for that purposa Tuesday, September 24th, the regiment was on parade, ready to fall in, when the officers and non-commissioned officers* call sounded ; the latter, forming in line, were minutely inspected by the adjutant and sergeant-major, at the same time collecting the reports from the orderly sergeants, after which the companies formed on their coverers right in front. The rolls being called, the cap- tains inspected their respective companies ; that being fin- ished, the colonel gave the commands : eyes front, steady fix bayonets, shoulder arms, left wheel into line, quick 86 MARCH TO DOVER. march, halt, dress! Then the adjutant galloped down the front, collecting the reports, saluting the Colonr! as he reported " all correct, colonel 1 " When the latter gave the command, " form fours, right, quick march ! " when the whole stepped off, the band at the same time striking up *' Auld Lang Syne ; " marched out of barracks, down North Gate, and up High Street, accompanied by an immense crowd of citizens, who very much regretted our departure from their midst. After marching through the principal streets the music changed to " The Girl I Left Behind Me," of whom a large number accompanied us outside the town, ostensibly in great grief at parting with their sweethearts ; when the , order was given, " unfix bayonets, march at ease." The I latter order being quickly obeyed, for we had a heavy i load on our backs, having the whole of our kit iu our | knapsacks. We were allowed to sing, chat, talk, and laugh, to shorten the journey. I had se but little of rural England previous to this, and though that was but i glimpse, compared with what I have seen since, it was fresh, vivid, and impressive. I retain it to this day dis- 1 tinctly, and can at will draw out the whole line of coan- try before me ; the village wayside inns, half-way house where we halted to rest, piled arms, and were allowed to | go into the hotel for refreshments ; swinging sign-boards, j village green, broad commons, cross-roads, finger-posts,! the trees with the dead of many generations under their | roots, bearing upon their branches, one might suppose, fruit, but instead, they were loaded with a young genera- *'THE COTTAGE H0MB8 Of ENQLARD." 87 tion of miniature men in round white hats, smock frocks, leather leggings, and laced hobnail boots, and their grown^ up relatives in the same sort of dress, standing on the ground, as if they had dropped from the trees when they grew large and heavy. Ail were out to look at the sol- diers, who so seldom march along that road. Women also, and babes in their arms, were out, and laughing little maids, the future brides and mothers o^ al England, climbed on the gates and fences to see ; and hearing the boys in the trees call out " Soldier, give I that long sword, wilt thee, I bo big enough to fight." The gentloiuan and ladies from the mansion that stood within the wooded parks, walked out and looked upon the unusual sight. So did grave vicars, and rectors, and their servants look out at the long line of brave-looking soldiers, wh^n the trumpets or band played. The village live-stock upon the common, dogs, hogs, asses, and old war-hornes, which had once been in military service, now capered when they heard the trumpets, as if young again ; all were set^ astir by the marching of a regiment among them. The cows hobbled to the furthest side of the common, having no sympathy for red coats and big drums ; and the geese which had survived the killing and the roasting at Christmas, sheered off, an I faced round at a distance to hiss, as if they were disloyal geese hissing a regiment of "Royal Tigers"; as if t!icy knew that soldiers were ignorant of roast goose. When we were well rested and refreshed (thanks to the landlord, who had everything we desired ready), we re- ^^: I -<^ fr>, y-'^'% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 l^|28 12.5 m ^^ iii^H M L25||,.4||,.6 ^ 6" ► 0> "*>5l ^>^ Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) •72-4503 ■^ vV J^ :^/.^ 88 AKRIVAL AT DOVER. sumed our march again, the people cheering and waving their handkerchiefs as the band struck up the " British Grenadiers/' atad we accomplished the journey of sixteen miles in eight or nine hours, in heavy marching order. On arrival at Dover, at four o'clock p.m., the left wing was stationed at the castle, and the right with head- quarters, at the heights. ^ '' \ if^td'' -■ ■■.-■'^'■■'.ii, • 1 -'^tJ '. i Si >■ •4\ CHAPTER VL iKRITAL AT DOVER—FIRST GUARD — THE DEAD H0TT8B-— OROST — THB HEIGHTS — THB SHAFT FORTIFICATIONS— MAROHINO OUT — CHAR- TISTS* RIOTS— TRAIN TO LONDON — DEPARTURE OSBORNE HOU8B— MAIN DOCK — ROUTE TO CHATHAM — THE SIEOE— SHAM FIQHT. N the arrival in barracks, the companies were !.shown their respective quarters, where we soon di- vested ourselves of our knapsacks, arms and accoutre- ments ; orderly men were told oft to draw rations and prepare supper, others were told otf to unload baggage, while the lemainder went to fill their beds with straw at the barrack stores ; after which, cleaning of arms and ac- coutrements occupied the remainder of the evening. We were exempt from drill the following day, in order to get our barracks and appointments thoroughly clean and in proper order after the march. It was now drawing near my turn for guard, and it being my first, 1 was determined to turn out to guard — mounting parade in a soldier-like manner, with my ap- pointments clean and shining, so as to escape if possible that, to a soldier, ignominious ordeal of a " dirty parade " to which many of the recruits became victims through the interposition of the adjutant, who was exceedingly ■"41 '>V:* ■ I ■'',.. ■v.* *. ) l^^■ *>. -S-?wn5|«^?f™5pf;iEf b? '•>'^-^,-> SW» m "" ''* i I MT FIBST GUARD. :\M 1 90 strict with the recruits, in order to sharpen them up, and make clean,, smart soldiers of them. Accordingly, as ][ had anticipated, I was detailed for guard by the orderly sergeant, after he had called the roll at tattoo, the evening previous. Next morning, I was up before the reveille sounded, made up my bed and got everything ready and shining before the breakfast bugle sounded; thanks to my comrade, an old soldier who was ever willing to show me anything I required to learn in the way of keeping my appointments in order, and also initiated me into the mystery of shining my pouch with a composition which none but the old soldiers knew how to prepare. So well he might for) I spent all my pay on beer for him at the canteen, and when he got so full that he could not walk to his barrack-room I invariably carried him on my back and put him in bed before the orderl}*^ -sergeant came round to call the roll ab tattoo, thus saving him from the guard-room. Next morning I generally fetched him a pint of beer to slake his thirst. Breakfast being over I dressed and accoutred myself with the assistance of my thirsty comrade, who gave the coup de grace to my uniform and appointments. I then walked about on the parade ground in order to be ready to fall in when the ; bugle sounded. After which the guards were formed and minutely inspected by the adjutant, who ordered several recruits an extra parade, or, as it was called a " dirty parade "after they came off guard next day. When he came in front of me he inspected me very closely, then ordered me to face about and examined my pouch which t% ^ : *4,vv+-.-. «.v*;^5i^i*7^ THE DJ^AD HOUSK. 91 «vas shining like patent leather, then ordered me to front and passed on seemingly well pleased at my appearance ;, thus I escaped any fault at my first guard -mounting parade, which is an unusual thing for a recruit. After the inspection was over the guards were marched off to their respective posts. I was detailed for the western redoubt, which furnishes a sentry over the garrison hos- pital that stands on the middle of a common on the top of the western heights above the barracks, and a quartei of a mile from any house or habitation. After mounting guard I was in the first relief, and my post was at the hospital ; on receiving over my orders from the previous sentry, he directed my attention to the "dead-house," where, laid out on a table ready for dissection, was. the body 'of an old soldier who became debilitated out in India, and died in the hospital that morning, and I was to keep the rats from gnawing the corpse. That was all easy enough until the night came on; when the corporal posted me at eleven o'clock, he again reminded me of my orders i.e., to be sure and keep the rats from de- facing the corpse. I had a great mind to ask the corporal to change me to another post, as it was my first guard, I was not used to watching dead men ; but I knew that he and the men of the guard would only chide me with the epithet of coward, so I therefore determined to be resolute and not show any fear or cowardice, which I well knew was not the characteristic of a British soldier. After the corporal had marched off the relief, all the ghost ttories and fairy tales I had heard told by the old men -;■.■, fj ■■^u , » Js^'^.L^iJ;^. »',• B''. 4' •■ ■ ' s-^'? I . V" 92 I SEE A OHOST. and women in Ireland, and at tha potheen still-house io Leitrim, came up as vividly and as fresh to my memory aa when they were told. While I was thus thinking of those frightful stories, I made sure that I heard a noise proceeding from the corpse, when my heart jumped to my mouth with fear, I looked round towards the " dead- house" and a man as I thought, dressed in while gar- ments, was standing at the door of the house where the corpse was laid out. I tried to challenge, hut my tongue was tied, I felt as if paralyzed, my hair though short stood up like bristles on a pig's back, the cold perspiration rolled down my face, and I trembled all over with fright. I tottered to ihe wall of the building and scrambled along it till I gained the front of the hospital where I knocked at the door, when the hospital sergeant came out and said, " What's the matter, sentry ? " After he spoke, I drew a long breathy and felt some* what relieved of fear, when I found my tongue and an- swered, " Oh ! sergeant, there's a man dressed in white, standing at the door of the dead-house." "What nonsense you talk," said he, as he went in a.gain. Soon after, however,he came back again, with a lantern in his hand, and accompanied by a hospital orderly, muttering something incoherent,when both went round to the "dead- house," and there they found everything as they had left it, except the corpse which the rats had been gnawing. The sergeant threatened to report me for leaving my pest, giving a false alarm, and allowing the corpse to be dis- 6gured by the rodents. fc'vi'-'it.v ' ' ^" ''■■ em in itering *'dcad- ad left awing, ypcfit, bedis- THE COLONEL S ORDERLY. 93 This ihreat of the sergeant's took possession of my mind, ai>d expelled therefrom all thoughts of the ghost stories. I did not like the idea of being reported for any unsold] erly conduct while performing my first guard. I walked about briskly the remainder of the two hours, which appeared to me the longest I ever remember, knock- ing at the door of the " dead-house " frequently with the butt end of my musket so as to frighten the vermin away. I apologized to the sergeant next morning for dis- turbing him during the previous night, and asked him to overlook my timidity during my tour of duty as it was my first guard. This he vouchsafed to do, exhorting me at the same time, to be more emulous and soldierlike in my bearing during my future career in the British army; this I promised to accomplish, and thanked the sergeant. I said nothing of the occurrence to my comrades on guard, lest they might hold me up as an object of ridicule. Our guard being relieved next morning at ten o'clock, we were marched to barracks, there inspected by the orderly officer of the day, and dismissed. The next time I was for guard, I was emulous of attaining the coveted duty of being orderly to the commanding ofiicer, which is duly secured by extra cleanliness and neatness of ap- pointments, combined with a soldierly appearance at guard-mounting parade. Therefore I brought all my faculties to bear on the one all absorbing thought which filled my breast, viz : To get turned out by the adjutant at guard mounting parade as orderly to the colonel . Ab ibe inspection proceeded my heart beat within me« as I i J -■'■ ■■% ■■. '^:^^.-: -.-^'■.v* *.l^ ■'i^t>^M ^^;>- 94 PaaP£NDICULAR SHAFT. ^,>n [.'■< healtl the adjutant finding fault with some of the mei^'it pouches not being properly shined, and the great coats not folded according to order. At last he came round again after making the inspec< tion of the whole, and tipped myself with his cane, and said ; " Fall out, Faughnan, and go as orderly to Colonel Pinnikuck." It's a little thing that turns the scale in the future of a man's life. My ambition was consummated. I redoubled my exertions from that day forward to attain superiority, which was commensurate with my expecta- tions. The ganison bonsisted of two batteries of royal artil- lery, one on the heights, and the other at the castle, a company of sappers and miners, besides our own regiment. The troops had many guards to furnish, consequently the men got only five nights ^in bed between duty ; be- sides, fatigue parties were many and laborious, on account of so much uphill work ; the water supplied to the gar- rison was brought up from a well over three hundred feet, deep, by means of a wheel which took four men to work, they being relieved every two houra. The heights on which the barracks stand ar^ three hundred and eighty feet above the level of the sea. A deep perpendicular shaft, containing about four hundred steps of winding stairs, leads from town to the barracks on the heights, which tries the men's wind when coming up them at tattoo, more especially if they are late for the last post, a8 well as other times, when on fatigue or coming ofi guard with their knapsacks and accoutrements on their f/-,',"p ■ Ev^vr i_: .'r. % ' ; .■-_lv"'«;y*VvT:=^ THE CHABTIST BIOTS. 95 backs. The garriboi) is weU fortified, and comprises " Dover Castle/' which occupies a commanding position on the Chalk Cliffs, about 300 feet above the level of the sea, and in the construction of which Saxons and Normans displayed no small amount of ingenuity. The Western Heights, Fort Burgoyne, the South Front Bastion, the Drop Redoubt, the Citadel, the Western Outworks, and the North Centre Bastion, with Queen Ann's pocket piece on the Castle Heights. The harbour is well shelter- ed by the Chalk Cliffs, which end landwards in a charm- ing valley leading to what is known as the " Garden of Kent." ■ - During the winter months our regiment marched into the country, in heavy marching order, twice a week, when we generally went ten or twelve miles on each occasion, and not unfirequently encountering a heavy snow or rain storm, returning literally covered with mud, the roads being very sloppy. These marches, with guards, picqvc^t^; and fatigues, kept us busily employed. About the end of March, there was great excitement in London over the " Chartists," who were expected to break out in open rebellion. The Colonel got private notifica- tion that most likely the regiment would be ordered to proceed thither to quell the riot, which was daily expected.. Our expectations were realized, for on the sixth of April, 1848, we got the route to proceed to London by rail on the 9th instant, there to be stationed till further orders. When this order was given there was great excitement I in barracks preparing for the journey ; we had only two ■'•'v'3 ,h' V ■• '^ ', iS' „<■■■»<"> '*''j ' '/i^^H ^H?(,f ^^^^Hi y^'r '->c^^^| ^^^m'w V ' ' . - '^jJH^^^^^H ^^■^ - '^ ^i^^^H ^i!e^^^^ .~ '^'"^^^^H ^>T >'^^^^^^H 96 BOUTE TO LOHDON. L^ days to pack and get the baggage to' the station. Ho^w* ever, many hands made light work, and we had all the baggage down to the station and everything in readiness on the evening previous to our departure. On the 9th we were on parade at seven o'clock, a. m., in heavy marching order, the companies told off and all reported present, when the Colonel gave the command — " quarter distance column on the Grenadiers, quick march," each captain halting his respective company as it came into its place. He then addressed the men with a few words of fatherly advice, urging them to good behaviour while in London, that great Meti'opolis of the universe where they would be under the supervision of the commander-in-chief, H^s Grace the Duke of Wellington, and all his staff as well as the war office authorities. He enjoined them to always maintain the honour of their corps by their meritorious conduct and good discipline, while off, as well as on duty, and to ever remember with pride the noble profession to which they had the honour to belong, and never disgrace the service by their unworthiness or misconduct, &c. After giving three hearty cheers for the Queen and all the Royal family, he gave the command " to the right face," when each captain gave the command to his res- pective company, " quick march," the companies stepping oft* in succession, each company wheeling to the left down the shaft. On arriving at the bottom, the band struck up " The British Grenadiers ; " we marched to the station (accom- panied by a large copppv^rs^ of the pitizens), where a. p.. 1» x'-it' . ARRIVAL IN LONDON. 07 special train was in readiness to convey us to London. As we went on board the train, the band played ** Auld Lang Syne," and "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Afl the train moved slowly out of the station, handkerchiefs were waved by the sympathetic crowd, who gave us three hearty cheers, which were lustily responded to by three rousing cheers from the redcoats on board the train. One' hour and a half afterwards we were marching four deep with fixed bayonets, from the Dover and Chatham station to Millbank Prison, where we were to be stationed during our term of duty in London. The streets were so crowd- ed with an excited populace that we had the greatest difficulty in reaching our destination. On arrival we were shown into two large rooms, one for each wing, with a straw mattress on trestles for each man. The following morning, April 10th, 1848, an order had arrived from the Duke of Wellington, who was then commander-in-chief, to hold the troops in readiness to march to Kennington Common, where the Chartists had intended assembling in large numbers to march through London to the House of Commons, carrying a petition embodying their demands. This was to be presented by Fergus O'Connor, who was then one of the members for Nottingham. The Londoners, to the number of a quarter of a million enrolled themselves as special constables ; the Chartists were not allowed to walk in procession, and the whola affair passed off quietly, without bloodshed, except one or two policemen who got their heads badly bruised by the (T-lfl 'm ' 'ii '^M ■'■W .M '^'-feiif^ ^^y. ■ '■ttii '^ \ 98 . lY ORDERED TO PGRT81I0UTH. mob while in the act of performing their duty by capturing one of the ringleaders, who was inciting the people to deeds of violence by seditious speeches in Hyde Park, when he was marched off to the lock-up for safe keeping by the administrators of the law. The troops which the Duke had posted ready at differ- ent points where he expected they would be most needed when called on (out of sight) were not required. Our regiment with several others, and a few troops of cavalry, were under arms the whole day in rear of the prison ready to advance at the shortest notice. While statipned in the prison we were not allowed to go through the city, on account of the unsettled state of society, but were supplied with beer inside by the orderly Bergeants of companies, who served it out to us in our canteens. Peace and order having been restored by the excellent management and location of the troops at the most im- portant and strategetical parts of the city by the Duke of Wellington, whose skill in military movements was equal to the emergency, these troops, which had been concen- trated in London from different parts of England, in an- ticipation of the foreseen emergency, were now ordered to return, some to their former stations, others to fresh ones. Our regiment was ordered to proceed to Ports- mouth, for the purpose of doing garrison duty there until further orders. As the troops emerged simultaneously from their different places of concealment, with theii colours and pennons flying, swords and bayonets and ap 'V ARRIVAL IN PORTSMOUTH. 09 pointments glistening in the sun, the bands playing at the head of each regiment, and the horses prancing, together with the martial bearing and noble appearance of the officers and men, as they marched through the streets, keeping time to the music, verified the history of the British Army to the Londoners, who were greatly astonished at such a magnificent military demonstration at such short notice, the like of which the majority of them perhaps had never witnessed before, as the troops advanced to their respective destinations. Our march was to the London and South-Western Rail- way station, where we took the train at ten o'clock A.M., for Portsmouth, arriving there at twelve o'clock, a dis- tance of seventy-five miles in two hours. We were marched to Colworth and Clarence ban'acks, where the usual details of duties and preparations for home comforts were gone through in a soldierly manner. General orders being issued soon after our arrival, by Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, commanding the troops in garrison, the 17th regiment was taken on the strength oi the garrison, and detailed to furnish the following duties, viz., main and lower dock-yard. The guards with the colours of the regiment that fur- nishe. he main guard are trooped every day at 10 o'clock, on the Grand Esplanade (Sundays and wet days excepted). I was detailed for the main guard, which consists of one captain, one subaltern, one seigeant, two corporals, one drummer and twenty-four privates ; my post being on the ramparts, in rear of the guard-house, where I had a fine ■it..f .-„ ^^^^H ■| '''"fl ^■'1 -\'''^^l ^^^^■^^ ^''v^H ^B^ '..;|^H ^K 1",' ^i^^^^^^l ^H - ' , 1 ^H 100 BELT^TINO THE MAIN QUIBD. view of the harbour, the roadstead of Spithead, and the Isle of Wight, on the coast of which the walls of the royal residence at Osborne House are seen sparkling among the trees. I, being a grenadier, was selected for this most important post. I had been well broken in to sentry duty by this time, and was not so easily frightened at my post as when I was on sentry over the corpse at the hospital on Dover Heights. Hundreds of the fairest daughters of England, dressed in the height of fashion, some in elegant equipages, with liveried servants, while other high-born damsels rode prancing palfreys, accom* panied by the^r chaperons take up a position as close as they can get to the saluting point on the esplanade, to witness the imposing ceremony of parading the guard and seeing them march past in review order when troop- ing the colours, and to see the main guard relieved, dur- ing which the bands discourse sweet music in front of the guard-room, to the great delight of the citizens who as- semble in hundreds, yea, in thousands, to witness this grand military demonstration. Our drum-major who was the most conspicuous individual on parade, consequent on his situation m front of the band, though a small man, was emulous of his position, therefore turned cut on all occasions in a manner that reflected credit on himself as well as the corps to which he belonged. His smart, straight, soldierly appearance when in full dress, with his grenadier's busby and long tasselled, gold-headed staff, surmounted with the Royal Tige» of India, attracted the admbation of the spectators, as he twisted his staff ip l., THE "MAIN DOCK." 101 a most fantastical manner, keeping time to the music aa he approached the saluting point. But in his efforts to gain "applause by the agility of his movements, he let the staff fall to the ground. This unforseen accident, how> ever, did not disturb his equilibrium, and instead of creat- ing censure, it drew forth the greatest applause from the spectators and officers, by the professional manner in which he drew his sword and saluted as if nothing had happened, as he passed the general officer who stood at the flagstaff. The following day, after being relieved, a general field day of the whole of the troops in garrison was ordered to assemble on Southsea Common, under the command ol General Fitzclarence. Those reviews took place once a week. My next guard was the ** main dock/' Ihis is also a captain's guard of great responsibility ; the sentries are very strict on their posts, being furnished with counter- sign, "number," and "parole," no person is allowed to pass a post without being able to give them to the sentry. I There are a great many mechanics and labourers employed here; it is at present two hundred and ninety-three acres in extent — one of the largest in the country. Of this immense naval establishment, the most noteworthy, if not the most recent features are, the mast and rope houses, hemp stores, rigging stores, sail-loft, and dry docks, spacious enough to admit th^ largest vessels, and offering every facility for their speedy repair ; of the vari- loui building-slips, one of them roofed and covered in, is ISO large that three or four vessels can be in process of Iconstruction at the same time. *■ :i;fe-.v^ W^t'---' 102 QUEEN VtCTORlA AND PBINCB ALBERT. When Queen Victoria and Prince Albert opened a neiv basin in those docks, in 1848, our grenadier companjr formed a guard of honour to Her Majesty and the Prince, '| We also formed a guard of honour on the occasion of Uet Majesty and Prince Albert landing at Qosport the same year, when they inspected our company and compli- mented Captain Bourchier on the clean and soldier-like appearance of his company. I remember His Royal High* ness Prince Albert perfectly well ; he was dressed in a Field Marshal's uniform, with a broad blue silk sash ov«r his left shoulder. He was one of the finest-looking men I ever saw, and) must have b6en six feet four inches in height. The dockyard also contains tho residence of the superintending officers and a school of naval architectura Portsmouth being the rendezvous for the British fleet, and strongly garrisoned by troops, together with the large number of mechanics and dock-yard labourers is an exceedingly lively business town, and the hotels and public-houses there appear to do a thriving business. We liked this station very much, although the guards came often. We bathed once a week on the beach of Southsea Common, which is now a fashionable watering-place. A band plays here once a week, in the afternoon. After we had been stationed here about six months we got the route to proceed to Chatham, where we arrived on the 18th October, and v^ere stationed in Chatham Barracka But though Portsmouth was a strict garrison, Chatham was much stricter ; there are so many recruits here be- longing to regiments in India. They are formed into i ^. GRAND SHAM FIOBT. 103 provisional battalion. We were, therefore, looked to as^ an example for the recruits. Here the dock-yard duty is carried on much the same as at Portsmouth, but with a little more humbugging. We had been employed here a good deal in preparing for a siege operation at Si. Mary's Barracks, above Brompton, in building a stockade and throwing up earthworks and trenches. In the sum- mer we had a grand sham-fight, the troops being formed into two armies, one attacking, the other defending. We had been practising for the siege for over two months be- fore it came off, carrying scaling ladders and moving round by Gillingham with them to the ditches of the fortification. This was verj' onerous and trying work. as the ladders were -both clumsy . and heavy. Having been well practised in the art of besieging a fortress, and everything necessary in readiness, our proficiency was put to the test on the Queen's birthday, 1849, when the grand day came off. Over ten thousand people were present, most of whom came down f lom London to wit- ness this military demonstration, wliicli came off splen- didly, when the spectators returned home peaceably and well pleased. The troops then marched to their respect- ive quarters, very much begrimed with smoke and mud. './"i .4 4 U4 "4,/i'ki*^ .i<»,7~. -V- , t'lA IH': '' ^^■•, ■ ^ ^ CHAPTER VII. ROUra TO OANTEBBURT — THE SEKOEANX's 8T0RT — THE QITAKSR'il 8T0BT — THE MARCH — ARRIVAL— CHATHAM — DOCKTARD-FDRLOUOH TO LONDON — THAT GREAT CITY — JOIN IfY OOMPANT-^SHEERNESS— THE DOCKYARD— GET MARRIED — ROUTE TO WBEDON — ^ROUTB TO Z&BI.AND. \ FEW days afterwards we got the route for Can- terbury. On June 2nd we marched from Chat- ham up High street, with a band playing at the head of the regiment. We were accompanied by a large crowd of the citizens, outside the town, who gave us three hearty cheers on parting as usual on such occasions. The order was then given to " march at ease," and soon after followed the word, " march easy," when the ranks were opened out and the men allowed to talk, sing, smoke, and tell stories, in order, as the old adage has it, to shorten the journey. Many of the old soldiers, who had lately arrived from India, had frequently amused the re-1 cruiis, after lights were out every night in the baiTack- room, before going to sleep, by their wonderful stories about their experience in India, during the many battles and campaigns in which they participated. One sergeant, in particular, named Wright, was famous as a story-teller. >■ >.;^.<- ■-■'. M-.'-^ -\ ',.\>'^?^ W-'; 1 THE SEKfiEANT^S STOBT. 109 The other sergeants and old soldiers always called hiin' "Bob," and sometimes "White-headed Bob," when he was off duty, consequent on his hair being white. But when he was on duty none dare address him more famil- iarly than " Sergeant Wright." He never suffered any of the recruits to address him at any time by any other ap> pellation than " Sergeant." As we marched along at our ease, smoking and chatting, I ventured to ask him to tell us a story about India, and that I would carry his fusil while he was telling it, in order to give his lungs more freedom while he was spinning the yam. " All right, Tom," said he to* me yery familiarly, " I will tell a story for the amusement and information of the boys, as you are so willing to carry my fusil" After clearing his throat by a few short coughs, he commenced (for the edification of my gentle reader I shall try and transcribe the sergeant's story as near as I can remember it): , " No sooner had the Afghan war been terminated than the treacherous conduct of the Ameers of the Scinde country brought down upon themselves the British army ander Sir Charles Napier. A desperate battle Was fought near Hyderabad, which resulted in the defeat of the Ameers. On December 14th, 1845, th6 Sikh chiefs, with an immense army, crossed the Sutledge of Lahore, which separated us from the Punjab, and attacked our position at Moodkee. The struggle was most desperate for the time it lasted ; but though the enemy had more than five times our numbers, the victory was decided in our favour. ..-{M^ :'^ ■ ' ■%} ' ■■'41 i \ ■■^■ii *-H3 V.i'Vv..i.':„;^., N -» ■ ■ I • ,'^t ; 106 BOMBARDMENT OF LABOBfi. 1 ip: t.'j Several battles followed in rapid succession. The Sikhs incurred great losses in each engagement. In the battles of Aliwal and Sobraon the most terrific carnage took place, men were mowed down by hundreds, and hundreds upon hundreds were drowned in attempting to cross the Sut- ledge. Our success was complete, but it was not achieved without an immense sacrifice of officers and men. The army immediately marched upon Lahore, and commenced to bombard the capital, and after a prolonged siege of sev- eral months, we succeeded in carrying the place by storm» As our troops rushed in on one side the inhabitants made a precipitate ex|t on the other side, for a great fear had seized them, lest they should fall victims to the rapacity of the British soldiers, whom they believed to be infidels, therefore no mercy could be expected from their hands. But all the Sepoys that defended the fortress who were not killed or wounded were made prisoners, and the wounded cared for, and their wounds dressed by our doc- torsi The contents of the fortifications and the town had been declared confiscated and the prize of the victorious army. Then came the more systematic collecting of the booty by the commissariat officer, assisted by several other officers and non-commissioned officers from each of the regiments, who acted as a prize committee. Leaving aside the custom of war in like cases, this confiscation was not held an undue exercise of the right of conquest, even by the people themselves, for they had looked for sack and massacre, and the razing of the city to the ground ; not for resistance to a foreign power, but for cruelty, treach- .J ■« ■'. IN SEABOB OF TRBAStJBE. 107 * Hrl eiy, anarchy and the murdering of intiocent women and children. Being a fortified town, the collecting together of the valuables couid be gone on with leisurely, for no- thing was allowed in or out the gates without a pass or close scrutiny. A few of the best charactered men, under the charge of non-commissioned officers, were told off for the purpose of collecting the treasure and hand it over to the officer whose duty it was to receive it. Of course, if a man found a large diamond or a pearl, whether he put it into his own pocket or took it to the officer, had to be left to his honour and conscience. But our consciences were very pliable, and could stretch to a prodigious extent. We had searched all the principal places where there was likely to he found any treasure of silver or gold and jewels, or other valuable property, such as the palace of the king and houses of the princes and chief noblemen and bankers. We had scoured and ransacked the most likely places so closely that the officers thought they had not left any of the town unsearched. The men were then allowed to go off wherever they suspected any property was'to be found. " ' Come along, comrade,' said I to a man named Mickey Duffey, ' and let us try our luck.* "'All right, sergeant,' said he. " So away we started by ourselves in search of treas- ure to a part of the city which I had my eye on as a rich quarter where many rich Ameers' elegantly furnished residences stood on a rising ground, much like a terrace. As we approached this part of the city the silence be* came almost oppressive. The dead stillness hung about 'i-'i '-•liva m '^ ^mi '"^H '<^H ^^^^Mk'^. i^^M ^^^H 1;'J ^ ^H^kF ' m\ W'. . 108 A DESERTED CITT. ti^' uft, dung round us with a dreary weight. On the popu- lous city had come the loneliness and desolation of the desert In the houses was no longer heard the familiar sound of the human voice, nor the sound of the smith's hammer. Our feeling of desolation deepened as we got into the narrow streets, some only ten or twelve feet wide, with the houses rising to a great height on either side, and presenting for long distances only a bare wall to the street. The air was close and oppressive. We could see from one end of the long narrow streets to the ^ other. The sound of our footsteps made strange echoes down there. It was a relief to make a detour through a more open place where there was some sign of the recent conflict, to take off our thoughts from the brooding silence. There had been a sharp conflict in the next street we entered. The sides of the houses had been torn down in some places by round shot and shell, while other places showed marks of heavy volleys of musketry on the whitewashed walls. The cats glared at us from the tops of walls like young tigers. They had grown to a monstrous size. They looked equally as fierce, cruel and bloodthirsty as tigers, for they had been revelling on human flesh. We came in contact with many loathsome carcases of beasts of burden, that had fallen in the m^lde, and which poisoned the air all around them. As we penetrated further, we seemed to have passed away from the outer world, though surrounded by the habitations of men. It was strange to pass through the wicket of a lofty gateway and find ourselves alone in a silent court- ..'■,-^i^7^/'"p^rf;'. ■■■: ™Tn *'"V^ SIGNS or HABITATIOV. 109 ywrd surrounded by empty rooms. In one of these ;1^e beauty of the architectural design, the arcades, with their high arches resting on solid pillars of hewn stone, the carved and figured balconies, supported by elaborately chiselled abutments with figures of the gods, each one of which was a fine piece of sculpture, and the beautiful panels of carved stone, showed that it had belonged to gome rich Mohammedan nobleman or Hindoo banker. " ' There should be some treasure here,' said I to Mickey,