Reminiscences of Military Service with the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders [1883, British Army]

20 September 1854 (8 September Old Style)

Battle of the Alma

CHAPTER II.

Advance of Allied Armies—The Bulganak—Before 2 Battle— Battle of the Alma—After a Battle—Colonel Seymour, A.A.G. Fourth Division—Messages for Home—Abercrombie Killed—Housing the Wounded—Further Advance of Army ~—Cholera—Meeting an old Friend—Attachment of Men to Officers—The Belbec—Dr. Mackenzie—Balaklava—93rd left Behind—Major Banner, 93rd . . 3 . 3 «sO

CHAPTER II.

Advance of Allied Armies—The Buleannk—Before a Battle— Battle of the Alma—After a Battle—Colonel Seymour; A.A.G. 4th Division—Messaves for Home—Abercrombie Killed—Housing the Wounded—Further Advance of Army—Cholera—Meeting an Old Friend—Attachment of Men to Oiticers—The Belbee—Dr. Mackenzie—Bala- klava—93rd left Behind—Major Banner, 93rd.

CALCUTTA BEACHED. 117

On September 20 (the anniversary of the battle of the Alma), we entered the Hoogley, and as we steamed up the river, and past Garden Reach to the anchorage, ladies and gentlemen waved a welcome to us from the balconies of the palatial residences which lined the eastern bank. We, in return for their kind reception, treated them to pipe music, which, though it might not have been appreciated by all, was listened to by some with pleasure as the sounds were heard in Calcutta probably for the first time, and brought back to their minds long-forgotten memories of their old home.

TAKING FAREWELL OF THE 93RD. 329

During dinner the thought of the impending separation depressed me, and memory, reverting to the past, recalled old familiar faces that were absent, many of which I should never see again. On looking round the room, I was startled to see that only three were present (Burroughs, Dawson, and Joyner) of all those with whom I had com- menced my service with the regiment, and who had been with me at the battle of the Alma. Until that evening, I had not quite realized the great changes that had taken place in a period which, in the retrospect, appeared so short. Fifty-three officers had disappeared from the regiment since I joined as surgeon. Of these, seven had been killed in battle and three by accident; ten had died of disease; and thirty- three had exchanged or retired, fifteen of whom have since passed away.