Of the 50th regiment of foot, of the 5/60th Rifles and sometimes of the enemy itself

Of the 50th regiment of foot, of the 5/60th Rifles and sometimes of the enemy itself

From the book: Recollections of my military life; Volume 2  by Colonel Landmann, late of the corps of royal engineers,  Printed 1854:

Although I first started reading these recollections for the sake of the 50th, I am finding now, I'll start from the beginning because the man writes quite an interesting narrative!

There are several mentions of the 50th Regiment of foot in his recollections. Some shall be quoted here, for interest and sometimes amusement at presenting another side or view of the 50th, where the literature gives a passing mention of them.

Under the approach of the Enemy French, with voltigeurs covering the forming of the line, this conversation is recorded in the recollections:

Anstruther is addressed by Landmann: "Sir, something must be done, or the position will be carried." The general replies to him:"You are right;" and without a moment's delay, he calls out to the 43rd and the 50th Regiments, as he raises his hat as one about to cheer: "Remember, my lads, the glorious 21st of March in Egypt; this day must be another glorious 21st."

And then more is said about Walker and the advance of the 50th, while defending the guns and artillery which had appeared lost to the enemy:

Quote (213): "Walker immediately advanced his gallant 50th to the crest of the hill, where he gave the words: "Ready,  present! and let every man fire when he has taken his aim." This order was most strictly obeyed, and produced a commencement of destruction and carnage which the enemy had not anticipated. Then Walker called out, raising his drawn sword and waving it high over his head,"Three cheers and charge, my fine fellows!" and away went the gallant regiment, huzzaing all the time of their charge down the hill, before the French had recovered from their astonishment at discovering that the guns were not unprotected by infantry, as I afterwards was informed they had up to that instant fully believed.

And then Landmann continues:

Quote: "This rush forward was awfully grand; the enemy remained firm and almost motionless, until our men were within ten to twenty from them ; then discharged a confused ill-directed fire from some of the front rank, for the line had not yet been formed to its full extent, and the rear were already breaking up and partially running off. The whole now turned round and started off, every man throwing away his arms and accoutrements, as also his knapsack, cap and, in short, everything that could have obstructed his utmost speed ; and thus a gallant column, which but a minutes before this moment had numbered five thousand at least, of the stoutest that army, was repulsed, scattered and completely thrown out of action. The dispersion of this column presented a most interesting and curious sight; the whole of them being dressed in white linen great coats, gave them, whilst in confusion and running for their lives, exactly the appearance of an immense flock of sheep scampering away from the much dreaded shepherd's dog."

This charge of the 50th was followed by the 43rd and then Landmann believes, of another regiment. They had given the chase up after 300 to 400 yards, believing that they would not be able to overtake them as they were fully laden, while the French had been able to relieve themselves of all hindrance. Some of the regiments to the side of the 50th had strayed further and Landmann reports that he had to deliever the message to them, to halt their progress before the enemy's light infantry was able to cut them away from their lines.

He also speaks in part highly of the enemy light infantry, as:

Quote: "[...] in driving back the enemy's Voltigeurs, joined my old friends, and in a very few minutes I observed a Frenchman amongst the bushes, not more than sixty to eighty yards distant, shifting about from one concealing place to another, and at length I perceived him taking up a convenient position for giving me a proof of his abilities as a marksman."

And he has mention of the 5/60th Riflemen as well:

Quote: "At the same moment I just under my horse's nose a man of the battalion of the 60th Regiment, belonging to Fane's brigade, and whose German countenance I recognized. Upon this I called him:" Do you not see that rascal taking aim at me? Fire at him quickly, if you do not, he will hit me to a certainty."

And something of the German and Prussian Jäger alike:

Quote:" [...] and it has been observed that a German or a Prussian jager will make himself quite comfortable behind a cabbage, a pumpkin or even a large turnip, and there remain for hours, if he have the opportunity, dogging his prey, and that too, without the least chance of being seen."

It seems, that not even an order could sometimes tell a rifleman what he was to do:

Quote: "My friend of the 60th, however, had other views of greater interest to him than my life ; for after repeatedly pressing and then ordering him to knock off the Voltigeur, who was taking so much pains to prevent me from becoming grey-headed in the service, he pettishly and half turning round, said, "Silence! ton't tisturp me; I want de officeer."
"Why do you want to kill the officer," cried I," you rascal?" with as much vexation as he had manifested. "Pecaus ter pe more plunder," muttered the wretch, keeping his eyes fixed on the object of his ambition."

In relation to the above mentioned, Landmann supposed that not only had the rifleman calculated that a French officer would give him more plunder, but that in the case that the Voltigeur was successful in shooting his own officer, he could have plunder there as well.

But on a lighter note:

There is a mention of a 50th soldier, in which  we are shown the rather more adventurous side of the military life.

Quote (231): Observing a baggage waggon, two or three hundred yards in advance, which was surrounded by a number of soldiers and women, I rode on towards it, not with any intention of gaining any portion of the plunder. but guided by mere curiosity. The contents on my arrival had already been tolerably well dispersed, amongst the fifty or one hundred individuals, scrambling, and in some cases fighting for some of the most valuable articles. A man of the 50th Regiment, who appeared to have been exceedingly successful, for he was fully loaded, on recognising me, came up and thrusting into my hand a small but handsome silver dish, addressed me in the following manner ,"There, companion in the most glorious charge ever made in this world, take this, you have not had a plate at your dinner since we landed, I know, that will do for one; and remember that it was the dirty half hundred that won victory this day."

And on the looks and likes of the 50th.

Quote: "[...] the uniform of the 50th Regiment was red faced with black and silver lace, which sombre colours, or bad assortment, gave the regiment at all times an uncleanly appearance, whence it had been denominated the Dirty 50th, or Dirty Half hundred, but ever after this glorious charge led on by Colonel Walker, (since Sir George Walker, G.C.B.; and lately Commander in chief at Bombay,) the Dirty Half hundred has been dismissed, and in its place stands the gallant 50th."

Interestingly, it appears that the shoes of the horses were in great demand, as they are described as being taken from the enemy's horses. Another noteworthy fact might be that many of the French canteens were empties - supposedly as having been poisoned - but then described rather as to prevent the men to drink to excess as many contained brandy, and many of the French soldiers were also captured not a little drunk.

Also, to all that wonder what colour the horse of Colonel Walker was. It was white. :)

And this be all for the moment from Landmann and me.