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== Lt-Col A B Dyce ==
Archibald Brown Dyce, a younger son of Lieutenant-General Alexander Dyce, was born at Trichinopoly, Madras, on 1 October 1800. Originally intended for the Artillery he transferred as a Cadet to the Infantry and joined the 4th Madras N.I. in June 1817. He became Adjutant of the 1/4th in 1821, and in 1824 was appointed Major of Brigade to the 5th Brigade and served in this capacity under Brigadier Morrison in the Arracan during First Burma War. Promoted Captain in 1827 and Major in 1831, he returned to regimental duty with the 19th and 6th Madras N.I. He commanded the latter unit during service with the Field Force employed in Goomsoor in 1837, and the following year he commanded the Chicasole Light Infantry with the force under Major-General Wilson at Adoni In 1839, he was appointed to the command of a force under the special orders of the Political Commissioner and was instructed 'to secure the person of the Nawab of Kurnool'. Dyce's Statement of Service records 'While the Governor in Council laments that the humane efforts of Lieut. Col. Dyce to prevent bloodshed have been defeated by the infatuations of the Nabob of Kurnool's followers, he states that he "cannot refrain from expressing the high sense he entertains of the gallantry and soldierlike conduct displayed by Lt. Col. Dyce, the Officers and men of the Detachments in the attack upon the Durzah at Zorapore."
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About 25,000 rupees, some jewellery, 85 horses, and 22 elephants, were found in the Durgah. The British force consisted of 350 to 400 native infantry, 80 of the 39th Regiment, 150 of the 13th Light Dragoons, 150 native cavalry, and the guns. Two British officers were killed, two wounded; five or six men of the 39th fell, and a few were wounded; one of the native infantry killed, and twelve or fourteen wounded. The enemy numbered 900 men, but had no artillery. Two hundred prisoners were taken, and fully one hundred and fifty killed. One private of the 13th was drowned while crossing the river, but there were no other casualties in the action. The two squadrons of the 13th returned to [[Bangalore]] on November 28, but not without serious loss, for cholera on the march claimed no less than thirty-two men. Of the horses, six were lost. The thanks of the Government for the services of the regiment on this service appeared in general orders.
== External Links ==
[http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/viewspecialcollections/itemdetail.lasso?itemid=47767 Biography of Archibald Brown Dyce] dnw.co.uk (HEIC & British India Medals}
[[Category:Battles|Kurnool & Zorapoor, Affairs at]]
[[Category:Kurnool Campaign 1839|Kurnool & Zorapoor, Affairs at]]
