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== 1859-1865 == '''1859 - 1861'''
During most of the time the establishment of the depot was 6 officers, 10 sergeants, 4 drummers, and 100 rank and file. A General Order of May 1867 (No. 41) increased this establishment by 20 privates, but an order of 1869 reduced it considerably, probably in view of the approaching return of the regiment. The actual strength had varied a good deal and the orders varying the standard of height for recruits and opening and closing recruiting for the regiment in various districts are legion.
Add chronology & external links. Recast article
'''Connaught Rangers'''== Introduction Chronology ==This page was part *'''1760''' raised as the 88th Regiment of the Family History in India website which is designed to help people trace their British, European and Anglo-Indian family history Foot (Highland Volunteers) or Campbell's Highlanders*'''1763''' disbanded*'''1793''' raised in colonial India Ireland by Cathy Day. Cathy has kindly allowed us to transfer this page to our wiki. This particular page is a history Earl of Clanricard as the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers during the period 1857-1870. It was extracted by Chris Bateman of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The original work was entitled )*'''1881'''merged with the 94th Foot to become 1st Battalion The Connaught Rangers - 1st Battalion, Formerly 88th Foot*'''1922''' by Lieutenant-Colonel H.F.N. Jourdain, C.M.G., and was published in London in 1924. It has been extracted verbatim, with the footnotes identified and included in the main text. disbanded on Irish independence<br>
== History in India == {{Template:Origin|text=This article is a history of the Connaught Rangers during the period 1857-1870. It was extracted by Chris Bateman of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The original work was entitled ''The Connaught Rangers - 1st Battalion, Formerly 88th Foot'' by Lieutenant-Colonel H.F.N. Jourdain, C.M.G., and was published in London in 1924. It has been extracted with the footnotes identified and included in the main text. This section was part of the Family History in India website, which was designed to help people trace their British and European ancestry in colonial India by Cathy Day. Cathy has kindly allowed us to transfer this page to our wiki.}}==== 1857-1859 1858 ====
'''1857'''
The 88th remained at Aldershot until June 1857 when it was moved to Portsmouth, preparatory to embarkation for India. The depot rejoined Head-quarters Headquarters in the same month. On July 3rd LieutLieu.-General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B., KCB presented new Colours to the regiment on Southsea Common. The ceremony was attended by Admiral Sir George Seymour (the Port Admiral and Naval Commander-in-Chief), Major-General Breton (the Lieutenant-Governor), and other distinguished persons, who were afterwards entertained by Colonel G.V. Maxwell, C.B., and the officers of the 88th at luncheon at Hollingsworth's Rooms.* [Footnote: This part of the function is described in a contemporary newspaper as "a superb repast." As the lunch appears to have cost £305, besides charges for private guests, it is to be hoped that there was, in fact, a "good spread."]
The regiment, which had a strength of 990 of all ranks at this time besides the depot of about 100, embarked during the month in four detachments. The first, consisting of three companies under Lieut.-Colonel E.H. Maxwell, embarked in on the 'Ulysses ' on July 9th; Head-quarters Headquarters with three companies and the band, embarked in on the 'Surrey ' on July 15th; Major Maynard with six other officers and 222 men (two companies), embarked in on the 'Calabar ' on July 17th; lastly, Major the Hon. J.J. Bourke with the remainder sailed in the 'Cambodia ' on the 19th. Ten companies altogether sailed, leaving as a depot the cadres of two companies. The Surrey and Ulysses arrived in the Hoogly almost at the same time, at the end of October, both vessels reaching Calcutta on November 1st. The Calabar, which did not arrive till November 23rd, disembarked its troops at Calcutta on the 27th. The Cambodia also arrived in that month.
The 88th had been put under orders for India in the ordinary course of relief. When they embarked the news of the first outbreak of mutiny among the Sepoys had only just reached England. It was as yet however only vaguely known that "disturbances" had occurred and their extent and character were not realized. As the long voyage in sailing ships round the Cape without touching anywhere brought The Connaught Rangers to Bengal with nothing later than the English information of three and a half months before, they were at the outset somewhat bewildered when the lightship at the mouth of the Hoogly signalled "Delhi is taken." It was in fact only when the pilots came on board that they first heard any account of the great Sepoy mutiny.
Sir Colin Campbell, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, when the 88th reached Calcutta , was on his way to [[Cawnpore]] to organize the advance for the second relief of [[Lucknow]]. He had left orders for the prompt despatch up country of all troops as they arrived, so as to keep up a flow of reinforcements, and consequently Head-quarters Headquarters of the regiment and three companies were ordered immediately on arrival to proceed to Chinsura by river-steamers. Thence, this detachment, in spite of Colonel G.V. Maxwell's representations as to its unprepared condition in the matter of suitable clothing, etc., was sent on to Ranigunj by rail under the command of Lieut.-Colonel E.H. Maxwell. The detachment was transferred to bullock-carts at Ranigunj and travelled day and night until, on November 21st, [[Cawnpore]] was reached. No one in the regiment knew a word of Hindustani. Also the men had with them nothing but their sea-kit and a few necessaries which had been served out to them at Ranigunj - in the dark. The regiment halted one day at [[Cawnpore]], where they received Indian tents "which at first no one knew how to pitch," and were then marched out 3 miles from the city to join Brigadier Carthew's command, under Major-General Windham.
Sir Colin Campbell, on moving forward from [[Cawnpore]] on November 9th with the troops for the relief of [[Lucknow]], had left General Windham with about 500 European soldiers and a few Sikhs to maintain the post at [[Cawnpore]] and guard the bridge of boats across the Ganges there, upon which Sir Colin's communications depended. Windham was reinforced a few days later by half a Madras native battalion and a few guns, under Brigadier Carthew, but his position meanwhile was being threatened by the revolted Gwalior Contingent under Tantia Topee from the direction of Kalpee. That was the position when the companies of the 88th were added to Brigadier Carthew's command on November 22nd, the day after their arrival. The force moved forward on the 24th to a bridge on the Kalpee road and encamped. Another portion of the 88th (which Captain Vernor in his diary calls "our detachment of two compaines") joined Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell on the 25th, as did the band, who had to take their places in the ranks and serve as privates. Six companies of the Rangers had now reached the front, of whom four were at [[Cawnpore]] and two with Colonel G.V. Maxwell near Futtipore, where they arrived on the 27th.
General Windham having decided to take the offensive, early on the morning of the 26th formed his force into two so-called brigades. Carthew's "brigade" consisted of the half-battalion of the 88th and four companies of the 2nd Battalion [[2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade]], with four 6-pounder guns in charge of [[Madras]] artillerymen. The other "brigade," under Colonel Kelly, comprised the 34th Foot and four companies of the 82nd, with four 9-pounder guns. They advanced during the forenoon of the 26th as far as Pandoo Nuddee, driving the rebels before them. The Rifles, who formed the skirmishing line, supported by the 88th, were pushed on through a number of fields of high growing grain till they arrived at a thick tope of trees, at which point the enemy opened a sharp fire of grape and round shot. In clearing the place a number of men were killed. Among them Ensign Mitchell was severely wounded by a round shot and died in hospital a few days afterwards. Captain Day, who rushed forward at the head of his men across a clear space between the tope and the enemy's guns, was killed close to a well. [Footnote: At the time it was not known exactly how Captain Day had fallen, but, on inquiry and search some months later, his body was recovered from the well, and the injury to the skull indicated the effect of a round shot. He was only twenty-one years old. A full account of the discovery of his body is given in J. W. Sherer's Memoirs of the Mutiny.] Captain Henning led his men against the guns. He was joined by the skirmishers of the 34th who were on the left and it became a race to reach the guns first. They were two in number and both were taken: one was an 18-pounder. Captain Baynes, meanwhile, took his men to the right to support the Rifles. Windham, however, though successful at the moment, was in the end obliged to withdraw towards evening to his original position, as being the only one his small force could hold pending Sir Colin Campbell's return from [[Lucknow]]. Camp was pitched again and the night passed quietly.
Next morning, November 27th, the regiment paraded before daybreak. General Windham said, in the hearing of the 88th when on parade, "If the enemy has crossed the canal bridge I will attack him: if not we shall have a quiet day." His only cavalry consisted of fifty troopers of a native Police Corps and some of these had been sent out to scout: the sole precaution apparently that was thought necessary. They returned soon, with the English lieutenant in charge, and reported that they had not found any of the enemy, whereupon it was arranged to give up the day for the men to clean themselves and their clothing which they had no opportunity of doing before. The troopers' reconnaissance however had been incomplete, and danger soon proved nearer at hand than was anticipated. Before the morning was far advanced a gun was heard, then another, and quickly afterwards round shot were hurtling through the camp. It was an unpleasant surprise. "What, twelve o'clock so soon!" said some of the men as they heard the first gun. The bugles at once sounded the alarm, and the 88th were quickly under arms. Some of the men, indeed, who were washing, buckled on their belts without waiting to get on their coats. It was a bad surprise and the camp was thrown into confusion at the outset. The camels at once became unmanageable and went off over the plain: the bullocks also ran off: the elephants trumpeted and got unmanageable. Many of the native followers at the same time deserted, making for [[Cawnpore]]. The enemy, who were the Gwalior rebels and had forty guns with them, appeared to be firing from in front and also from both flanks. As the men fell in, one party of the Rangers was told off to skirmish together with the Rifles, and another to act as escort to the naval gun, belonging to the Shannon's Naval Brigade accompanying the force, which was posted near the road. Its bullocks had all run away, and the officers and men with the gun had all been either killed or wounded. The skirmishers, under Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell, were sent to its assistance and the gun was dragged away by men of the 88th and Rifle Brigade, with some of the 82nd. The adjutant of the 88th, while keeping the men steady under a severe fire, was wounded in the leg and obliged to retire. Lieutenant Vernor was ordered temporarily to act as adjutant in his place.
Major-General H.G. Broke succeeded to the Colonelcy vice Lieut.-General Macpherson on December 24th 1858.
==== 1859-1865 ====
The 88th marched from [[Cawnpore]] on January 22nd 1859 and arrived at [[Delhi]] on February 15th. The march started at 3 a.m. every day. One officer remained with each company. The others were allowed to move from camp to camp at their own hours and in their own manner; thus some obtained good shooting in places near the line of route. At Delhi the regiment had to remain under canvas for awhile, there being no barracks for Europeans. Delhi had not hitherto been considered healthy for Europeans and had always been garrisoned by native troops. Most of the men were then put into the large school buildings, with three companies in the Palace and the officers scattered about in bungalows.
The flank companies of battalions were abolished by an order issued in 1858, when all companies were ordered to be sized and clothed alike. Thus the Grenadier and the Light Company of The Connaught Rangers disappeared; Captain Baynes of the Grenadier and Brevet-Major Mauleverer of the Light Company were the last flank-company commanders. An order of 1862 completed the change by directing that companies should be lettered instead of being numbered, and should stand on parade according to the seniority of their captains.
Three companies were detached to [[Allyghur]] for a time, the regiment remaining at [[Delhi]] for two years. Both officers and men seem to have suffered from "Delhi boils," with the result that early in 1861 the Inspector-General of Hospitals recommended the regiment's removal to a healthier station. It was thereupon ordered to Moradabad and Shahjehanpore, exchanging stations with the 82nd. The Left Wing, comprising of B, G, H, I and K Companies,* [Footnote: It is so stated in the original Digest of Services, but the letters must have been given to the companies retrospectively in writing it up, for the Monthly Returns show that the companies continued to be numbered, not lettered, down to the end of 1862.] under Lieut.-Colonel E.H. Maxwell, marched for the former station on March 19th, Head-quarters and the Right Wing, composed of the remaining five companies, under command of Colonel G.V. Maxwell, left [[Delhi]] for Shahjehanpore on April 2nd. It was inspected on the 28th, a few days after its arrival, and again in October, by Brigadier-General E.A. Holdich, C.B.CB, commanding the Rohilcund Field Force, or Rohilcund District, as the command was subsequently designated.
A Horse Guards Circular of May 3rd 1861 fixed the establishment of battalions serving in the East Indies at ten service companies, with a strength of 958 of all ranks, and two depot companies comprising 120 of all ranks; a total of 1,078.
Four companies (B, C, F and K) under Brevet-Major T. Gore proceeded to Agra for temporary duty at the end of October, owing to the absence of British infantry from that station consequent on the annual relief arrangements. On the arrival of the 41st Foot from England C Company returned to [[Cawnpore]], while the three other companies marched on December 21st to Futtegurh to relieve the three there. A, C, D and G rejoined Headquarters at [[Cawnpore]] on January 11th and 17th following, Brevet-Major Radcliffe remaining in command at Futtegurh.
==== 1866-1870 ====
'''1866'''
The strength embarked was 30 officers, 36 sergeants, 25 corporals, 18 drummers and 480 privates; besides 8 officers' wives, 15 officers' children, 44 soldiers' wives and 74 soldiers' children. The regiment had come out to India in four different vessels. It returned, as a minority only of the passengers, in a single ship. "I think there were 1,700 souls on board," writes Colonel Maxwell, "but everything was in such beautiful order that there was no confusion. My regiment got on capitally, and Captain Richards, of the Jumna, reported very favourably of the men's conduct when in his ship." The Jumna reached Suez, with fair weather, on December 3rd 1870. That, it may be recorded, was the last trooping season in which regiments were conveyed across the Isthmus from Suez to Alexandria by railway. The train with the 88th left Suez in the evening of the 4th and arrived at Alexandria next morning to re-embark in the troopship Crocodile. The Solent was reached on December 21st. The regiment disembarked in a snowstorm on the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour next day and marched to Forts Grange and Rowner. Head-quarters and three companies proceeded to the former (where the depot was already quartered); the remaining five companies to Fort Rowner.
==== 1857-1871 [Depot] ====
With regard to the depot maintained at home during the absence of the regiment in India. The two-company detachment left at Portsmouth for that service when the 88th sailed in July, 1857, proceeded the next month to Colchester, where it remained till 1865. At that period the various regimental depots were grouped into "Depot Battalions" with a separate numbering. The 88th Depot belonged first to the 9th Depot Battalion, and then to the 10th, without however change of station. It left Colchester on February 2nd 1865, and embarked on board the Ibis for Ireland, reaching Cork on the 5th. On the following day it arrived at Fermoy, where it was posted to the 19th Depot Battalion, which again was very soon afterwards re-numbered the 13th. On January 18th 1866 that battalion moved from Fermoy to the Curragh Camp, where the 88th Depot remained until June 29th. On July 3rd it went to Parkhurst (Isle of Wight) and was posted to the 5th Depot Battalion. On March 22nd 1870 an Order was issued abolishing the Depot Battalion system as from the ensuing April 1st. It directed that in lieu, depots of battalions serving abroad should be severally attached to battalions serving at home. The 88th Depot accordingly, on the reduction of the 5th Depot Battalion, moved on March 31st from Parkhurst to Bristol, where it joined the 50th Foot. It was moved to Fort Grange (Gosport) on October 11th following to await the arrival of the regiment from India, being meanwhile temporarily attached to the 2nd Queen's.
Captain W. Lambert From August 1870.
During most of the time the establishment of the depot was 6 officers, 10 sergeants, 4 drummers, and 100 rank and file. A General Order of May 1867 (No. 41) increased this establishment by 20 privates, but an order of 1869 reduced it considerably, probably in view of the approaching return of the regiment. The actual strength had varied a good deal and the orders varying the standard of height for recruits and opening and closing recruiting for the regiment in various districts are legion.
== External Links ==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88th_Regiment_of_Foot_(Highland_Volunteers) Highland Volunteers] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88th_Regiment_of_Foot_(Connaught_Rangers) 88th Regiment of Foot] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Connaught_Rangers Connaught Rangers] Wikipedia<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion,_York_and_Lancaster_Regiment 2nd battalion York and Lancaster Regiment] Wikipedia
[[Category:British Army Infantry Regiments]]
