Some Episodes in the Career of an Officer of the Indian Army
Commencing in the year 1828 - Ending 1863
by Saunders A. Abbott, Major General Retired List
Printed for Private Circulation, not published, 1888
Without entering upon a biographical account of a long career in the good old Company’s service of one of its military servants, it is intended to illustrate a few sketches, or episodes of events, the diversity of duties an officer of those times was called to perform, and this more with a view to circulation to family and friends than for publication, of which there is no present intention.
Saunders Alexius Abbott was one of six brothers - four of whom were fortunate enough to obtain commissions in the Indian Army; one in the Engineers, two in the Artillery, and one (the writer himself) in the Infantry - all of whom, after lengthened services, returned to England Generals or Major-Generals. The eldest of the six, a very talented amateur artist, studied for the Church, but died before taking holy orders. The youngest was Consul-General in Persia, and afterwards at Odessa, where he died.
The brother who narrates these episodes in his life had, consequent on the death of his father when he was quite a child, fewer advantages of education than his elder brothers, and with difficulty passed (June 12, 1828) the then very slender examination required for admission to Addiscombe, from which, after two years’ training, he obtained a commission as ensign in the Bengal Infantry.
In the course of Addiscombe were some fellow students who made their mark in the world - Lord Napier of Magdala, Sir Robert Montgomery, Eldred Pottinger, Richmond Shakespear, James Brind, Durand, and some others, who did excellent service.
...
The passage to India would be an episode in itself, but might be tedious, and hardly intelligible to the present generation, who travel so expeditiously by P. and O. steamers. Suffice it to say that I sailed in the good teak-built ship Robarts, 800 tons, which was dismasted in the Bay of Biscay; put back to Plymouth; sailed again after six weeks; ran short of water; dozens of fine sporting dogs thrown overboard to economise it; passengers put in confinement for disobedience to captain’s orders and for disorderly conduct, which resulted in, on arrival in Calcutta, in a civil action against the captain of the ship - Corbyn, and a court of inquiry upon an officer of the army.
Having been detained over six months as witness in these two cases, which resulted in the captain being cast in nominal damages and the officer admonished, James Irving and I hired a pinnace, laid in a stock of powder and shot, and having obtained an allowance from Government for a nine months’ journey, started on a very pleasant shooting excursion up the Ganges to Allahabad, and thence marched via Cawnpore and Agra to Neemuch, where two griffs joined our respective regiments - Irving the 1st Cavalry, I and 42nd Native Infantry; but I was shortly after removed to the 51st Regiment with a view to improving my position, which, as supernumerary ensign with two supernumerary lieutenants, was not very hopeful, the army just at this time having been reduced by two lieutenants and one ensign.
A retrospect of my residence at Neemuch is very pleasurable. My brother Frederick was executive engineer, who housed me, and was most kind, and here I made many acquaintances who shone in subsequent historical events - Hearsey in the mutinies at Barrackpoor, Archadale Wilson (Artillery) at capture of Delhi, Frazer and Ponsonby at Purwandurrah, Jasper Trower who fell at Moodkee, Arthur Boome as a military financier, General Lumley, who commanded that station in these days, died as adjutant-general of the army, of age and fatigue, at Moodkee, “Cocky Lawrence” (Sir George), was much distinguished for his good services, and Finnis, captain of the 51st, was teh first victim of the mutinies.
What with theatricals, fancy balls, athletic sports, a select company at Dawkins’ Bath, shooting and fishing in abundance, the time of a subaltern passed very pleasantly for some six years with no startling events; but, amidst those amusements, the subaltern found time to pass the interpreters’ examination.
Commencing in the year 1828 - Ending 1863
by Saunders A. Abbott, Major General Retired List
Printed for Private Circulation, not published, 1888
Without entering upon a biographical account of a long career in the good old Company’s service of one of its military servants, it is intended to illustrate a few sketches, or episodes of events, the diversity of duties an officer of those times was called to perform, and this more with a view to circulation to family and friends than for publication, of which there is no present intention.
Saunders Alexius Abbott was one of six brothers - four of whom were fortunate enough to obtain commissions in the Indian Army; one in the Engineers, two in the Artillery, and one (the writer himself) in the Infantry - all of whom, after lengthened services, returned to England Generals or Major-Generals. The eldest of the six, a very talented amateur artist, studied for the Church, but died before taking holy orders. The youngest was Consul-General in Persia, and afterwards at Odessa, where he died.
The brother who narrates these episodes in his life had, consequent on the death of his father when he was quite a child, fewer advantages of education than his elder brothers, and with difficulty passed (June 12, 1828) the then very slender examination required for admission to Addiscombe, from which, after two years’ training, he obtained a commission as ensign in the Bengal Infantry.
In the course of Addiscombe were some fellow students who made their mark in the world - Lord Napier of Magdala, Sir Robert Montgomery, Eldred Pottinger, Richmond Shakespear, James Brind, Durand, and some others, who did excellent service.
...
The passage to India would be an episode in itself, but might be tedious, and hardly intelligible to the present generation, who travel so expeditiously by P. and O. steamers. Suffice it to say that I sailed in the good teak-built ship Robarts, 800 tons, which was dismasted in the Bay of Biscay; put back to Plymouth; sailed again after six weeks; ran short of water; dozens of fine sporting dogs thrown overboard to economise it; passengers put in confinement for disobedience to captain’s orders and for disorderly conduct, which resulted in, on arrival in Calcutta, in a civil action against the captain of the ship - Corbyn, and a court of inquiry upon an officer of the army.
Having been detained over six months as witness in these two cases, which resulted in the captain being cast in nominal damages and the officer admonished, James Irving and I hired a pinnace, laid in a stock of powder and shot, and having obtained an allowance from Government for a nine months’ journey, started on a very pleasant shooting excursion up the Ganges to Allahabad, and thence marched via Cawnpore and Agra to Neemuch, where two griffs joined our respective regiments - Irving the 1st Cavalry, I and 42nd Native Infantry; but I was shortly after removed to the 51st Regiment with a view to improving my position, which, as supernumerary ensign with two supernumerary lieutenants, was not very hopeful, the army just at this time having been reduced by two lieutenants and one ensign.
A retrospect of my residence at Neemuch is very pleasurable. My brother Frederick was executive engineer, who housed me, and was most kind, and here I made many acquaintances who shone in subsequent historical events - Hearsey in the mutinies at Barrackpoor, Archadale Wilson (Artillery) at capture of Delhi, Frazer and Ponsonby at Purwandurrah, Jasper Trower who fell at Moodkee, Arthur Boome as a military financier, General Lumley, who commanded that station in these days, died as adjutant-general of the army, of age and fatigue, at Moodkee, “Cocky Lawrence” (Sir George), was much distinguished for his good services, and Finnis, captain of the 51st, was teh first victim of the mutinies.
What with theatricals, fancy balls, athletic sports, a select company at Dawkins’ Bath, shooting and fishing in abundance, the time of a subaltern passed very pleasantly for some six years with no startling events; but, amidst those amusements, the subaltern found time to pass the interpreters’ examination.