On 25th May, Hodson wrote: "My commission is to raise a body of Irregular Horse on the usual rates of pay and the regular complement of native officers, but the number of troops to be unlimited - ie., I am to raise as many men as I please: 2000 if I can get them. The worst of it is, the being in a part of the country I do not Know and the necessity of finding men who can be trusted." The finding of men who could be trusted was certainly a problem as regiments had been disbanded and there were many ex-soldiers seeking employment, some mutinous, and some loyal to the British.

Hodson sought assistance from Robert Montgomery, Judicial Commissioner of the Punjab. Montgomery asked two Sirdars to raise a rissalah each and he raised one himself. The 3 rissalahs left for Delhi on 23rd June 1857 under the command of Man Singh who became the Risaldar-Major of the 1st Regiment from 1866-1877. Mr Montgomery sent two more on 9th July.

Their first action was on 14th July in the Delhi suburb of Sabzi Mandi in which they fought alongside Hodson's Guides, as well as infantry and horse artillery, and drove the enemy back into the city. Another engagement in the same area took place on 18th July.

Hodson's Charge

Captain C. J. S. Gough at Khurkowdah

On hearing that the main body of the enemy was heading towards Medinha, Hodson went to Rohtak to intercept them. On the 17th they found armed men ranged in front of the old fort who attacked them but were repulsed with the loss of 13 of their number. At 7am the next day a large body of horsemen issued from the town followed by 1,000 men on foot armed with swords and matchlocks. They dashed into a group of 25 Jind horsemen who had come to reinforce Hodson's Horse and this caused them to lose momentum. Hodson's men mounted up and the first 20 or so charged at them while the rest formed up in three lines. They expected another attack but it did not come so they lured them out of the town by feigning a withdrawl.

The rain had been very heavy the previous day and Hodson wanted to draw the enemy into an open and comparatively dry space. The ruse worked and the horsemen charged out to attack them but Hodson ordered his men to turn and they rushed at their attackers, the Guides at the front, followed closely by Hodson's regiment. They enemy were completely taken by surprise and fled back to Rohtak, losing 50 killed and many wounded. None of Hodson's men were killed. The three days of fighting had caused only six men to be wounded: Lieutenant Hugh Gough, Naib-Risaldar Hukm Singh, Jemadar Ahmad Beg, and three sowars.

After an artillery bombardment that started on the 8th the storming of Delhi took place on the 14th September. The cavalry were formed into a brigade under Hope Grant of the 9th Lancers. There were 200 of the 9th Lancers and 410 men from the Guides, 1st, 2nd and 5th Punjab Cavalry and Hodson's Horse. They were required to form up behind the artillery and check any counter-attack by the enemy. When the rebels swarmed out of the city and into the suburbs of Kishenganj and Teliwara, the cavalry charged them and re-formed near the Kabul Gate. There they came under fire from small arms and artillery so had to retire a short distance. But this encouraged the enemy to advance and they were ordered to hold their ground.

What followed was the worst part of the battle for the cavalry. They bore the frustration of standing inactive, suffering casualties from constant fire. There was a degree of protection from the horse artillery but this went on for two hours in which time the brigade lost 10 officers, 116 men and 56 horses. The rebel fire was aimed mostly at the Europeans so Hodson's Horse suffered few casualties.

Bahadur Shah II

Hodson took 50 men from the regiment and rode to the tomb which is housed in in a magnificent building of red sandstone surmounted by a white marble dome 150ft high. In front of it are two huge terraces on different levels. Humayun was the 2nd Mughal Emperor who ruled India in the 16th century. His tomb is in a high vault below the centre of the building. There were thousands of people around the building when Hodson arrived so they hid in some nearby buildings and sent in emissaries, led by Maulvi Rajab Ali, to the wife of the King with demands for him to be handed over. After a tense two hour wait the King offered to come out. Then Hodson boldly stepped onto the road, in front of the gateway to receive him.

The King was carried in a palki (palanquin) which could only move at walking pace so the journey back was slow and very tense as a huge hostile crowd followed the whole way. It was made clear that any interference would result in the instant shooting of the King. On his return to Delhi Hodson was feted as a hero for this act but he had to return there the following day.

Execution of Princes

Despite the thousands surrounding the building, the princes, encouraged by the safe passage of the King to Delhi, gave themselves up. As they progressed, Hodson and McDowell kept the crowd back and eventually had to order them to lay down their arms. They complied, much to Hodson's surprise and the two officers spent two hours collecting weapons. This gave the prisoners' escort time to get away, but when Hodson caught up with them he found them being threatened by a large crowd.

It looked as if the crowd were ready to seize the princes so Hodson decided that they had to be executed there and then. The manner of their execution varies from one account to another. One story claims that he took a carbine from one of his men and shot the princes one at a time, another claims that he shot two of them and 'pistoled' the last one. Whether that means he clubbed him to death with the butt or just shot him is not clear. Many people in India and Britain were appalled at this action but the circumstances on that day called for desperate measures. From Hodson's own re-telling of the story he had no regrets.

Some time later, however, a party of around 200 enemy horsemen attacked the baggage carts and Gough was sent forward to find out what was happening. He only took 15 men and they were fired on but suffered no injury. Gough brought up more of his men and having now a group of 40, charged headlong into the enemy which caused them to break up and flee. They pursued them for a while and returned triumphant having demonstrated their bravery beyond doubt. Hope-Grant was proved wrong and from then on they were posted to the advance guard.

Alam Bagh

The enemy were scattered and tried to run for it but were cut down by their pursuers. Hodson's Horse suffered few casualties but inflicted great damage. The guns were captured and brought back in triumph. The scene was witness by Sir Colin Campbell who recommended Gough for the VC for his courageous action.

A few days later there was a battle at Patiali which involved Hodson's Horse, causing the death of a daffadar and one sowar wounded. After this the column rested a few days but Hodson's men were kept busy with reconnaissance work. Another action at Mainpuri was over very quickly but required Hodson's to pursue for 16 miles before returning with six enemy guns.

They charged at the enemy cavalry and Gough levelled his sword point at their leader who was aiming his carbine. He suddenly found that his sword had gone. On looking round he saw it sticking out of the man's chest. For the rest of the battle he had to use his revolver. He was wounded twice in the melee and was saved by Hodson at one point. Hodson himself was badly wounded in the arm and on his thumb. Three other men were killed, 13 wounded and 3 missing. Gough's actions earned him another citation for the VC.

'This was my first day in action with Hodson's Horse as a complete regiment, for when at the Siege of Delhi the corps was in it's infancy, and when I left Delhi with my wing it was certainly not weaned: but now we were a full-blown regiment, men better equipped, clothed and drilled, and the horses of a better stamp, and with decent saddlery and accoutrements.'

Hodson was back on duty after recovering from his injury but had his arm in a sling. As they approached it was clear that the enemy were withdrawing, having seen that the British were in greater numbers than they first thought. It all seemed too easy to Hodson's men who chased after them, but they soon became fragmented. The rebel leaders saw the vulnerable position that the cavalry was in and started to rally and form up. They still had the use of one gun which fired grapeshot at Hodson's Horse.

At this point it looked as if the regiment was about to retreat but Hodson and Gough gathered 12 men and charged the enemy infantry. The musket fire, however was too heavy and three men were killed, the rest wounded. Gough and Hodson lost their horses but Gough managed to find another and tried to rally more men. Just then the 7th Hussars and the Military Train came to their aid and put the rebels to flight.

After several miles pursuit, Gough found himself alone, facing two sepoys, one of whom shot him in the leg, the bullet also killing his horse. He was about to be bayoneted when a trooper from the Military train came up and killed the man with his sword.

Hodson's Grave

Hodson was taken to Banks's House and had his wound dressed. He was conscious and knew he was going to die. He left messages for his wife but became weaker and died around 1.30am that night. He was buried on the evening of 12th March in the grounds of La Martiniere School in Lucknow.

At this time the regiment, at Lucknow, numbered around 750. There were 400 more in Meerut, mostly without horses. Four more Troops arrived from the Punjab brought in by Man Singh. Daly reported at one stage that 1000 men had no saddles. There was clearly much to be done. The number of men was too great for one regiment so Daly at first suggested splitting it into two regiments, then later said that three would be better. He also wanted to recruit a squadron of Pathans for each regiment and sent an officer to the frontier for that purpose. Sir John Lawrence, however, vetoed the idea. In the end 100 Pathans were drafted into the third regiment.

After a night march they decided to attack the right flank of the enemy position which involved a further march of 12 miles. They arrived at dawn so were able to surprise them. There was a fierce struggle and a detachment of enemy troops tried to move around to the British rear to seize their baggage. They were met by Hodson's Horse who split into two. Major Daly made a frontal attack while Lieut Mecham went around to their left. Mecham had 100 men with him and during the attack he was severely wounded.

With the help of horse artillery the enemy were beaten back but another large group came charging at them and would have overwhelmed them but for the intervention of the 7th Hussars and more artillery. The rebels were driven off having lost 9 of their guns and leaving 600 dead. Regimental casualties were 3 men dead, the wounded included Mecham, Lieut the Hon J H Fraser, Risaldar Man Singh, Jemadar Hussain Ali Khan and 19 other ranks. Five members of the regiment were mentioned in Hope Grant's despatches.