Java Cavalry Sowar

The detachment went by boat from Allahabad to Barrackpore where the regiment was formed in 1812. They arrived on the island of Java in May 1813. Java had been captured from the Dutch who were under Napoleon’s control, and Stamford Raffles was installed as Governor. The Java Light Cavalry were never required to fight, but performed guard, escort and ceremonial duties until July 1815 when, after the cessation of hostilities and the return of the island to the Dutch, the unit returned to Bengal where it was disbanded. It seems that the number of men supplied to the regiment from the 8th BLC had increased because, on their return to India the men that resumed their places in the 8th BLC were 52 sowars, 4 havildars, one farrier, one native doctor and 3 lascars.

Jubbulpore, 19 Dec 1817

The 8th BNC fought with distinction in the 3rd Maharatta War 1817-1819. The regiment was posted to the Army of the Deccan commanded by Sir Thomas Hislop. He also commanded the First or Advanced Division which included the Cavalry Brigade that was made up of the 22nd Light Dragoons and the 4th and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry, all commanded by Major Lushington. The Deccan army, 8,000 strong, accompanied by 200,000 followers, made its way towards the territory of the Narbada through dense jungle on and beyond the Tapti River. By the middle of November the 1st and 3rd Divisions were at Harda holding fords on the Narbada.

Following the successful battle at Setabuldi on 26-27 Nov where the 6th Bengal Cavalry distinguished themselves, the 8th fought at the battle of Jubbulpore in December where they proved themselves to be decisive and disciplined. The Pindaris and Maharattas assembled a large force at Jubbulpore in December and the whole valley of the Narbada was under their control. Brigadier-General J Hardyman, in the Rewah territory with the 8th BLC and the 8th BNI together with some artillery, set off towards the Narbada, being joined by the 17th Regiment of Foot. The Native Infantry were left at Bilheri while the 8th BLC, the 17th and the gunners marched to Jubbulpore.

At Jubbulpore they were confronted by an army of 3,000 which included 1,000 cavalry and 4 brass guns which were placed on a rocky hill on the right. Hardyman ordered his guns to the centre, surrounded by companies of the 17th. The 8th BLC were under the command of the intrepid Major Lucius Robert O’Brien. Two squadrons were sent round the left of the enemy to cut them off from the river, another squadron was placed to mask the guns and the fourth squadron was in reserve. As the masking squadron moved aside, the guns opened fire with shrapnel and were met by a return of fire from the enemy guns. After 15 mins the enemy infantry began to break up, unnerving their gunners. The reserve squadron charged the guns and sabred the gunners. The squadrons placed on the enemy left made a charge against the retreating infantry but the enemy managed to claim the rocky hill and pour down a heavy fire on the cavalry. This caused them to withdraw. The 17th then stormed the hill and succeeded in dislodging the enemy so that they were met by the cavalry as they retreated down to the plain.

The battle lasted 2 hours and was a decisive victory for Brigadier Hardyman’s force. They lost 12 men and 20 horses. The 8th BLC lost 2 men killed, 6 wounded, including Lieutenant Alexander Pope who was severely wounded by a spear thrust. The enemy abandoned the town and fortress of Jubbulpore leaving 9 guns and various military stores.

Seranuggur, 5 Jan 1818

On 5 Jan 1818 a skirmish occurred at Seranuggur. As Brigadier-General J Hardyman’s column was marching to Nagpore they received a report that the enemy were at Herrepore near the mouth of the Heron River, so the column was redirected there, but the enemy retreated northwest towards Sagur. They camped at Jubbulpore and a squadron of the 8th BLC under Lieutenant Chambers was sent to reinforce Lt-Col MacMorine at Garowarch. The squadron engaged the enemy at Seranuggur and dispersed them, having sustained casualties: one Trooper killed and one wounded. A Syce and a horse were also killed, Five horses wounded and 7 missing. The rest of the regiment was at Nagpore under the command of Major O’Brien.

The Escape of Apa Saheb 1818

After the siege of Chanda, the Raja of Nagpore, Apa Saheb was sent under escort to Allahabad in May 1818. The escort, commanded by Captain Browne, consisted of a wing of the 22nd Bengal NI and three Troops of the 8th BLC. On 12 May the party stopped at Raichur but during the night the Raja escaped, dressed as a sepoy. A pillow replaced him in bed and in the morning his servants were seen pretending to massage his legs. A group set off in pursuit but he got away and fled to Haray where he was under the protection of a Gond chieftain, Chain Sah.

Chanda, May 1818

The town of Chanda was situated in the southern part of the Nagpore territory. It was the objective of a column under Colonel J W Adams who commanded a force of 3 battalions of Bengal Infantry, 3 battalions of Madras Infantry, two companies of Pioneers, Horse artillery, foot artillery, three 18-pounders, four 12-pounders, twelve 6-pounders and six howitzers. The cavalry consisted of 2,000 Irregular Horse and the 5th, 6th and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry. They arrived on 9 May 1818 and erected batteries which were partially completed on 13 May. The town was fortified by a wall, six miles in circumference and up to 20 feet high with round towers. The garrison amounted to 2,000 men including some Arabs, and 80 guns. It was not until a breaching battery for the 18-pounders was completed on 19 May that an assault could be made. The storming party was made up of Bengal and Madras infantry as well as pioneers and artillery gunners who were instructed to spike the enemy guns. Dismounted cavalry were included in the reserve while the rest of the cavalry guarded the camp and were ready to intercept fugitives. The fighting lasted an hour resulting in 200 of the enemy killed and 100 prisoners. The storming party lost 14 killed and 56 wounded.

Bhurtpore, Dec 1825 - Jan 1826

Bhurtpore 1826

In the siege of Bhurtpore, the 8th BLC was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel George Herbert Gall. There were eight regiments of cavalry and 18 battalions of infantry in the besieging force. The regiment was part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade together with the 16th Lancers and the 6th and 9th BLC. The brigade commander was Brigadier Murray CB. They assembled at Agra under Major-General Jasper Nicholls CB. The strength of the regiment was 482, made up of two field officers, 4 captains, 7 lieutenants, a surgeon, 2 native doctors, 2 British NCOs, 7 Subadars, 7 Jemadars, 33 Havildars, 29 Naiks, 8 trumpeters and 380 troopers. On 10 Dec 1825 Brigadier Murray took his cavalry on a reconnaissance of the fortress during which there was a skirmish with the enemy on the north side. On 24 Dec it was expected that some enemy cavalry would attempt to escape, and in the evening a large group were seen near the Anah Gate, shut out from the town. The 8th and 9th BLC were ordered around to the southwest and the troops on that side came under the command of Brigadier-General Sleigh.

There was a battle on 25 Dec which caused many casualties amongst the enemy cavalry but with few amongst the EIC troopers; one man and a horse killed and one wounded. The fortress was stormed on 18 Jan 1826 and the Raja, Doorjun Saul (Durgan Sal) and a party of 100, including his wife and two sons, and Pertie Singh escaped from the Khombeer Gate. They were seen by men of the 8th BLC so the 2nd Troop commanded by Lieutenant Barbor and accompanied by Lieutenant James Mackenzie, was sent in pursuit, capturing Doorjun Saul, Pertie Singh, Saul’s wife and a large haul of jewellery. The casualty figures for the 8th BLC reveal that only one man was wounded during the whole six weeks of the siege. Colonel Gall who commanded the regiment died at Karnal on 26 June 1826, six months after the campaign. The regiment earned the first of its seven battle honours, BHURTPORE awarded on 30 May 1826.

Ferozeshah, 21 - 22 Dec 1845

Sir John Littler’s Division withdrew from Ferozepore to join up with Sir Hugh Gough’s army from Mudki. The 8th BLC were in Harriott’s Brigade with the 3rd Irregular Cavalry. They supported Littler’s Division on the left which advanced against powerful Sikh guns so that the 62nd Foot, especially, was badly mauled. Gilbert’s Division, however, was completely successful, followed by a famous charge by the 3rd Light Dragoons led by Brigadier White. Gilbert’s left brigade, led by the 1st European LI charged along the enemy entrenchments spiking guns. They were ordered to capture the village of Ferozeshah to which they were directed but were stopped short by the huge explosion of a magazine. As it was now nighttime the army withdrew to bivouac for a very tense cold night without food or water. During the night a large Sikh gun was fired repeatedly on the British camp but was silenced by a stealthy attack by the 80th Foot.

Littler had drawn up his troops in the area of Misreewalla. A renewed attack the next day, the 22nd Dec, brought the battle, as they thought, to a victorious conclusion but a fresh Sikh army under Tej Singh arrived from Ferozepore. This was a severe setback as the men were starved and worn out. The cavalry horses were unable to perform properly through weariness and lack of food. Enemy artillery fire and attacks on the British flanks increased the pressure, but a command was given to the cavalry and horse artillery to retire towards Ferozepore. This was a wrong move initiated by a staff officer who was apparently suffering from sunstroke. But the movement led Tej Singh to think that the British were making a clever move to attack his rear, and caused him to order a retreat. There was then a charge by the 3rd LD and the 4th BLC (Lancers). The Sikh army retreated soon after this and the soldiers were able to find food and water and give help to the wounded.

The casualties on the British/Indian side amounted to 2,415. Killed: 37 British officers, 17 Indian officers, 462 British soldiers, 178 Indian soldiers. Wounded: 78 British officers, 18 Indian officers, 1,054 British soldiers, 571 Indian soldiers. There are no figures for casualties in the 8th BLC and their contribution was not mentioned in Charles Gough’s book. The regiment was awarded the battle honour FEROZESHUHUR on 12 Dec 1846.

Ramnuggur, 22 Nov 1848

Lord Gough advanced towards Ramnuggur with the 3rd and 14th Light Dragoons as well as the 5th and 8th BLC, the HA Troops of Lane and Warner, the 12th Irregular Cavalry, and the Infantry Brigade of Godby including the 2nd European regiment and the 61st Foot, the 30th, 46th and 70th BNI. Also Austen’s and Dawe’s batteries. The Horse Artillery guns under Lane and Warner fired on the Sikhs but were responded with heavier fire, and forced to retreat. One of Lane’s guns was stuck in the mud and despite desperate attempts to retrieve it they were ordered to retreat under fire. The 3rd Light Dragoons under Captain Ouvry were sent in to cover their retreat, and charged a large group on an island in the river. They circled the island and reached the other side. The 3rd were accompanied by the 8th BLC, making other charges against the enemy artillery on a sandy plain. They were led by Brigadier Michael White but came under musket fire and had to withdraw. The more famous cavalry charge was made by the 14th Light Dragoons supported by the 5th BLC.

Passage of the Chenad (Sadulapore) 3 Dec 1848

A Force under Sir Joseph Thackwell was sent along the Chenab river to cross at the ford of Runnee Khan Kee Puttun, 13 miles distant, to outflank the Sikh army and attack their entrenchments. The 5th and the 8th Bengal Light Cavalry were part of the cavalry brigade together with the 3rd Light Dragoons and 3rd and 12th Irregular Cavalry. The infantry regiments accompanying the cavalry were the 24th and 61st Regiments of Foot with six Native Infantry regiments, 22nd 25th 31st 36th 46th and 56th. Also 3 Troops of Horse Artillery, 2 Native Field Batteries, two 18-pounders and a Pontoon train. The cavalry assembled at 1am on 1st December and the infantry 2 hours later which delayed the progress. The force made its way along the road beside the Chenab, hoping to maintain silence for a surprise attack, but they were accompanied by camp followers who could not be compelled to keep quiet. On reaching the ford, several disadvantages became apparent; there were sand banks in the river which in places comprised dangerous quicksand, and the depth of the water did not allow the passage of guns. But they were able to commandeer 17 boats to transport the guns and infantry on the morning of the 2nd Dec. However, it was not until the 3rd Dec that the force could advance on the enemy trenches positioned near Sadulapore.

After six miles they were ordered to halt and wait for the 9th Lancers and 14th Light Dragoons to cross the river at another ford, Ghurriki Puttun. The land to their front was covered in sugar cane from which Sikh Gurchuras emerged and attacked the flanks of the force. These were protected on the right flank by the 3rd LD and the 8th BLC and Christie’s Troop of Horse Artillery. The left flank was guarded by the 3rd Irregulars, the 5th BLC and Warner’s Troop of HA. The infantry were ordered to lie down to reduce the effect of the Sikh artillery. British artillery eventually silenced the enemy guns and Gough allowed Thackwell the choice of advancing or holding off. The latter option was safer as evening was approaching. The army rested that night and, next morning found the Sikh entrenchments abandoned. The losses incurred in this action amounted to 21 men and 33 horses killed, and 51 men and 33 horses wounded. The casualties of the 1st Cavalry Brigade; the 5 BLC, 3 LD and 8th BLC: One rank and file, 3 horses killed. One havildar and one horse wounded. The Sikhs retreated to the Jhelum River but were not actively pursued. The 8th BLC with the 14th LD were sent to the small town of Dinghee but found only wounded Sikhs.

Chillianwallah, 13 Jan 1849

The 1st Cavalry Brigade at Chillianwallah consisted of the 5th and 8th BLC, the 3rd and 14th Light Dragoons, under Brigadier White. They were in Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell’s Division and placed on the extreme left with three Troops of Horse Artillery, but the 14th LD were moved over to Pope’s Brigade on the right flank. An eye-witness account of the Battle of Chillianwallah gives a damning report of the failure of the 8th BLC to support the heroic charges made by the grey squadron of the 3rd Light Dragoons commanded by Captain Walter Unett. John O’Callaghan of the 3rd Light Dragoons had explained that the Grey Squadron of the 3rd LD were known as the “Div-saffeed’ (White Devils) and wrote:

‘On the extreme left another Cavalry panic occurred. The 8th Native Cavalry to whom the Grey Squadron of the 3rd Dragoons were sent in support, upon seeing such a dense posse of the Sikh cavalry in the act of turning our left flank, fired off their pistols at random, and gave the Sikhs an opportunity of admiring their horses tails; an opportunity which the Sikhs would not fail to avail themselves of, and curtail some of them, if their attention had not been distracted in another direction by their old acquaintances the ‘Divor-saffeed’. Immediately the 8th Light Cavalry turned tail, Captain Unett cried out to his men, “Let it never be said, men, that the 3rd Dragoons should show the white feather. Charge!” And Charge they did, three times, as before described. This strategy of the Sikhs (trying to turn our flank) was happily frustrated, but the 8th Light Cavalry never put in an appearance again that evening. The European officers tried to rally them, and in a half-command and half-coaxing way exhorted them to “Dho tien admi lini banao” (Two or three men form line). They could not succeed, however, as well as Mr Whiting did [Rev Whiting was a chaplain who prevented British soldiers from deserting], and as far as taking any active part in the battle, the 8th Light Cavalry were ‘non est’.’

The 8th BLC casualties. Killed: One rank and file. Wounded: 2 rank and file. one horse. One horse missing.

Goojerat, 21 Feb 1849

White’s brigade was positioned on the extreme left. The Sikh army under Shere Singh made the mistake of challenging the British/Indian Army in the open field rather than from a strong entrenched position.The 1st Cavalry Brigade, under Brigadier Michael White CB consisted of the 8th BLC commanded by Brevet Major James Mackenzie, together with the 9th Lancers & 3rd Light Dragoons, the Scinde Horse, and 2 Troops of RHA commanded by Captains Duncan and Huish. The most notable cavalry action was a charge of the Scinde Horse supported by two squadrons of the 9th Lancers against Afghan cavalry. When the right wing of the Sikhs retreated, White’s cavalry attacked. The 9th Lancers and 8th Cavalry overtook Sikhs who were removing guns. The 8th BLC were mostly employed pursuing the enemy and being posted at the fords across the Chenab to intercept parties of Sikhs to disarm them. The Sikhs’ surrender began at Manykyalla and was completed at Rawalpindi, most of the sirdars handing over their weapons to Sir Walter Gilbert. The battle marked the end of the Punjab campaign. The casualties of the 8th BLC were light; One syce and one horse killed; One Indian officer wounded. One rank and file and 3 horses missing. The dispatch of Major-General Joseph Thackwell says this: ‘Brigadier White states how greatly he was satisfied with the conduct of his brigade-major, Captain [George] Cautley [8th BLC]. and the whole of the officers and men of his brigade.’

Disbandment 1857

The 8th BLC was disbanded in the summer of 1857 at Meean Meer, Lahore. A Return, called for by the Adjutant-General gives details of the disbandment of the regiments stationed there: the 8th BLC, 16th Grenadiers, 26th Native Light Infantry and the 49th NI. Under the column ‘Whether it has Mutinied or shown a disposition to Mutiny’ is written that the 8th BLC showed, ‘Decided disposition only’ but this had not been noticed prior to the outbreak of the mutiny. Under General Remarks, the following comment is made by the commanding officer:

Charles Gough VC

‘The 8th Light Cavalry was disarmed on the 13th of May 1857, and on the 2nd of June the regimental horses were taken from the men. On this occasion several men, when ordered to mount their horses, to assist in taking the horses away from the lines, refused to do so; three men were tried for this, and dismissed the service, and were made over to the civil power, and sent to jail. Many men who mounted, afterwards threw themselves off, but this could not be proved against them. I consider that a bad spirit showed itself on this occasion in the regiment.’

The Brigadier commanding the Lahore Brigade wrote that he had disarmed all four of the corps at Meean Meer on 13 May after he had received reports on 12 May from ‘spies’ that a general outbreak was planned for the 15th. The disarming took place successfully, and was a complete surprise to the men of the three Infantry regiments and the 8th Cavalry. The plan had been to mutiny on the 15th and seize the citadel, but after the disarming they decided on a mass desertion to Ferozepore, 45 miles away, to seize the magazine and arm themselves. However, the artillery was sent ahead to cut them off and send them back. The four regiments were confined to quarters but planned to mutiny at the signal of a gun firing at noon on 30 July. The 26th Native Light Infantry, who were considered the most loyal of the regiments, broke out at noon and killed their commanding officer and Quartermaster Sergeant. They began to hunt out British officers but when a heavy dust storm blew up they used this as cover for their escape through a drain. However, they were apprehended and killed, leaving only 25 out of 900. The 8th Cavalry, the 16th Grenadiers and the 49th NI all remained in their lines and were later disbanded.

The 8th BLC at that time had 7 British officers, 2 British NCOs, 4 Indian officers, 10 Havildars, 6 Naiks, 5 Farriers, 5 Trumpeters, and 247 Troopers. The Commanding Officer was Lt-Col James Mackenkie but he went on leave to Simla in April 1857. The next senior officer was Major Thomas Moore who was in South Africa for 2 years from December 1855 to Dec 1857. The most senior Captain was George Cautley who later became a major-general.