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Colin Campbell, one of the bravest soldiers and most
distinguished generals of modern times, was born in Glasgow, and was the
son of a carpenter named John Macliver and Agnes, his wife, who was a
Campbell of Islay. Colin was educated by his mother’s brother, Colonel
John Campbell, who sent him to a good school, and when the boy was old
enough, took him to the Duke of York to apply for a commission in the
army.
“What, another of the clan!” cried the duke; and a note
was made of the lad’s name as Colin Campbell.
“No; Macliver,” the boy was about to say, when his uncle
checked him.
“Leave it as it is, my lad,” he said; “Campbell is a good
name to fight under;” and Colin Campbell he accordingly became. At the
age of fifteen and a half he entered the army as an ensign, and sailed
at once to join Sir Arthur Wellesley’s force in Portugal, coming under
fire for the first time at the battle of Vimiera.
At the beginning of the fight the captain of the boy’s
company showed him a kindness which he never forgot, and about which he
used to tell his friends when he had become one of the most famous
soldiers living.
The youngest officer in the field, Colin was called
forward by his captain, who took him by the hand and led him to the
front, walking up and down with him in view of the enemy’s artillery,
which had opened fire. This was done to give the boy confidence, and
when he thought he had succeeded he let go Colin’s hand and told him to
join his company.
“It was the greatest kindness that could have been shown
me at the time,” the brave general wrote to a friend long afterwards;
“and through life I have felt grateful for it.”
Afterwards the lad was sent with Sir John Moore’s troops
to Spain, and took part in the terrible retreat on Corunna. In those
days of danger and hardship Colin bore himself with great courage. Boy
though he was, he helped with the sick and weary, and never uttered a
complaint even when reduced to marching barefoot over the frozen ground,
the soles of his boots having been completely worn away.
His next experience of service was in the expedition to
Walcheren, where he caught a fever which troubled him for thirty years.
“Walcheren was with me every season,” he said, when speaking of
the attacks of illness which often
made it very hard for him to perform his duties.
Returning to Spain in 1809, the young officer, who had
been promoted lieutenant, was in command of two companies at the battle
of Barossa. Still a mere boy, his gallant conduct attracted the notice
of General Sir Thomas Graham, afterwards Lord Lynedoch, who became his
lifelong friend.
For two years he served with the Spanish army, and
returned to his regiment in time to join in the defence of Tarifa under
his namesake, General Sir Colin Campbell. The battle of Vittoria
followed, when Colin won further distinction ; and in July 1813 he was
serving at the siege of San Sebastian. On the 17th he led the right wing
of his regiment in an attack upon the fortified convent of San Bartoleme,
his gallant conduct being reported in dispatches.
On the night of the 24th he headed a forlorn hope in the
endeavour to storm the fortress. The night was dark, and the rocks the
attacking party had to cross were slippery with seaweed. A high wind
drove the smoke and flames from some burning houses full in their faces,
and harassed them as much as the shot and shell poured down upon them by
the defenders. Two officers were killed in the attack, and the storming
party fell into confusion. Then Colin Campbell made a desperate effort,
but it was too late.
“It was in vain,” writes Napier, “that Lieutenant
Campbell, breaking through the tumultuous crowd with the survivors of
his chosen detachment, mounted the ruins; twice he ascended, twice he
was wounded, and all round him died.” The endeavour failed, and at
daylight a truce was made for both sides to carry off their wounded.
All that the hero wrote in his journal about the action
was the single word “Storm!” but Sir Thomas Graham recommended him for
promotion as a reward for his gallant conduct, and he was gazetted to a
company in the 60th Rifles.
Before leaving his old regiment Campbell found an
opportunity for an adventure which showed his high spirit but brought
him into trouble. While still in hospital with his wounds he left his
quarters without the doctor’s permission, found his way to Bidassoa, and
headed the night attack of his regiment on the French batteries on the
other side of the river. Once more he was severely wounded, and on the
following day was sent for by his colonel and sternly reprimanded for
leaving hospital without the doctor’s orders. But for his gallant
behaviour, Colonel Cameron said, his disobedience would have been
reported at headquarters, and he might consider himself fortunate to
have got off so lightly.
The injuries received by the young officer rendered it
necessary for him to return to England, and on his recovery he joined
his new regiment in Nova Scotia. At the age of twenty-one he was a
captain, having fought his way to that rank in five years.
Varied experience was gained in America, Gibraltar, the
West Indies, and other parts of the world. Colin Campbell took part in
the battles of Bladenburg and New Orleans, and was active in quelling
the insurrection of slaves in Demarara.
A friend in Barbadoes lent him the money to purchase his
majority, and in the following year he returned to England, where his
early exploits were not forgotten. Major Campbell was promoted to an
unattached lieutenant-colonelcy; but he was still a poor man, and made
himself still poorer by his generosity towards his family. For three
years he begged in vain for the command of a regiment, and was appointed
at last to the 98 th. His splendid management of the men won the
admiration of General Sir Charles Napier, who became his friend for
life.
Active service was what Colonel Campbell longed for, and
he gained his desire when the 98th was sent to reinforce Sir Hugh
Gough’s forces in the Chinese War. He took a distinguished part in the
attack upon Chin-Kang-Foo and other actions, and his services in the
campaign were mentioned in dispatches. For four years after the peace he
remained in command of the troops at Chusan, and before leaving received
a letter of thanks from the Chinese inhabitants. “You, the Honourable
Brigadier,” they wrote, “took up your residence at Chusan in the
twenty-third year of Taon Kwang, and whilst observing and maintaining
the treaty, you behaved with the utmost kindness and the greatest
liberality towards our own people, and restrained by laws and
regulations the military of your honourable country.” On his return he
was promoted to the rank of colonel, and made a C.B. and aide-de-camp to
the queen, being shortly afterwards raised to the rank of
brigadier-general.
Colin Campbell’s next opportunity for distinguishing
himself arose when he was sent to India in command of the brigade at
Lahore. In the second Sikh war he rendered splendid services. At
Ramnuggur he saved the British cavalry from destruction. At the battle
of Chillianwalla he marched his men up a hill and fell upon the enemy by
a flanking movement, throwing them into confusion, and turning a
threatened defeat into a victory. Wellington declared that the troops
under Campbell had performed one of the most brilliant exploits that had
ever been achieved by a British regiment.
At the victory of the British troops at Goojerat he
commanded the right wing and headed the pursuit, a hundred and
fifty-eight guns falling into his hands. “Brigadier Campbell,” Lord
Gough reported, “with the steady coolness and military precision for
which he is so conspicuous, carried everything before him.” For this
service he was created a K.C.B., and received the thanks of Parliament
and of the East/ India Company. During Major-General Sir Walter
Gilbert’s chase of the Afghans, Colonel Campbell accompanied the
expedition in charge of a brigade. In the following year he was serving
under Napier as brigadier-general in charge of a frontier division at
Peshawur. He could now support his family in comfort, and his great wish
was to return to his own country. “I am growing old, and only fit for
retirement,” he wrote in his journal ; but many years of hard service
still lay before the distinguished soldier.
Yielding to the urgent entreaties of Lord Dal-housie and
Sir Charles Napier he remained at his post. In 1850 he forced the Kohat
Pass, and dispersed the wild tribes which had held the country in
terror. Two years later he was brilliantly successful in a campaign
against the Mohmunds, inflicting a crushing defeat upon their leader and
compelling their submission. Afterwards he set out against the Swats,
and after several engagements his little force of two thousand five
hundred men defeated an army of six thousand at Iskakote ; but the
government refused to allow him the necessary reinforcements to follow
up his victory. Bitterly disappointed, Sir Colin Campbell returned to
Peshawur and resigned his command, returning to England in March 1853.
Although already sixty-six years of age, Sir Colin
Campbell was only at the beginning of his distinguished career. In 1854
war broke out in the Crimea, and the commander-in-chief appointed
General Campbell commander of the Highland Brigade, consisting of the
42nd or Black Watch, the 79th, and the 93rd Highlanders. The Scotsmen
arrived in time to take part in the battle of Alma. Before the action
began Sir Colin Campbell rode up to their ranks and gave his troops a
few instructions. “Now, men,” he said in conclusion, “the army will
watch us; make me proud of the Highland Brigade.”
Leading his men steadily he advanced against the redoubt
which had been retaken by the enemy. There was a stubborn fight, and at
the critical moment, when his troops appeared to falter, Sir Colin
reanimated his men by the words “Highlanders never retire!” His horse
was shot under him, but the Highlanders fought like demons. Before the
fury of the kilted men the Russians gave way, and the battle was won by
the Highland Brigade.
Lord Raglan came up afterwards and shook Colin Campbell’s
hand without being able to speak. The men cheered loudly, and in
presence of them all the general asked a great favour of the
commander-in-chief—leave to wear the Highland bonnet during the rest of
the campaign.
At Balaclava the Highland troops were deserted by a
supporting body of Turks at the moment of the advance of the main body
of Russian cavalry. Riding along the ranks Sir Colin said, “Remember,
there is no retreat from here, men! You must die 'where you stand.” And
the men responded by saying cheerily, “Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we’ll do
that!”
The four squadrons of Russian cavalry were advancing when
the Highlanders suddenly appeared on the top of a hillock, two deep—“a
thin red line topped with a line of steel.”
“Prepare to receive cavalry,” was all that Sir Colin
said; and a volley of musketry checked the enemy, although without doing
much damage. The Russians imagined that they must be falling into an
ambush; and a second volley from the Highlanders broke their ranks and
put them to flight. This action was one of the most gallant deeds in
modern warfare.
Being appointed to the command of the 3rd Division, Sir
Colin did his utmost for the comfort of the army during the long and
trying winter that followed. He was frequently thanked by Lord Raglan,
and received the distinction of G.C.B. in 1855. At the storming of the
Redan he commanded a reserve, but on its being proposed that he should
serve under Codrington, his junior, who had never seen a shot fired
until the battle of Alma, the veteran resigned.
He returned to England; but the queen pleaded with him in
person, and the old soldier’s anger disappeared.
“Your Majesty,” he said, “I will serve under a corporal
rather than make a difficulty,” and he went back to the Crimea until
peace was made.
On his return home he was received with much enthusiasm,
being made a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Knight Grand Cross
of the Order of St. Michael and St. Lazarus, and a Knight of the First
Class of the Order of the Medijie. From his native city he received a
sword of honour, and in accepting it he expressed a hope that the
Highland Brigade would not be forgotten, as he owed his honours to
having been its commander.
On the 1 ith of July 1857 came the news of the outbreak
of the Sepoy Mutiny and the death of General Anson, the
commander-in-chief in India. Lord Palmerston immediately sent for Sir
Colin and offered him the post, which he accepted.
“How soon can you set out?” asked Lord Palmerston.
“In twenty-four hours,” was the reply; and Sir Colin
sailed the next day. In August he reached Calcutta, and found things at
their worst. Nearly the whole of India was in a state of rebellion,
either open or ready to burst forth upon the smallest provocation. Delhi
was in the hands of the mutineers ; the British garrison in Agra was cut
off, and their countrymen did not know how the brave defenders fared.
Terrible anxiety was felt about Lucknow, where a tiny force was having
hard work to keep the rebels at bay, and protect a number of women and
children and sick people in the Residency. The enemy were making mines
under the city, and many lives were lost in trying to prevent them from
making use of the underground passages.
Everything depended upon prompt action, but neither
troops nor stores were ready for the new commander-in-chief. Two months
were spent by Sir Colin in “organizing victory." Lord Elgin having sent
to Calcutta some troops intended for the China expedition, Sir Colin
dispatched them to Cawnpore, then just relieved by General Havelock, who
had pushed on to Lucknow. On the 22nd of September news came of the fall
of Delhi; and on the 7th of October Sir Colin started for Cawnpore,
which was reached on the 3rd of November. Six days were spent in
strengthening the defences ; then leaving General Windham in charge of
Cawnpore, Sir Colin started, with four thousand seven hundred men and
thirty-two guns, for Lucknow. By this time General Havelock had reached
the city, and was helping Sir James Outram to defend the Residency
against an overwhelming .number of rebels.
Beyond Cawnpore Campbell was joined by General Hope
Grant’s force, and some picked men from the Delhi garrison.
On the following morning he was surprised by receiving a
visit, in his tent, from a tall man in native dress, who proved to be an
Englishman from the besieged garrison. In this disguise Thomas
Kavanagh had made his way from the Residency through the
enemy’s lines to convey to Sir Colin important information from General
Outram. After receiving this brave man’s messages the general determined
to advance on the following day, and ordered an inspection of all the
troops under his command. On the parade ground his heart leaped with joy
at seeing his favourite 93rd Highlanders, who greeted their old chief
with a perfect roar of cheering, showing that under him they would go
anywhere and dare anything.
At sunrise the next day the march began, and in the
evening the small garrison holding out in the Alumbagh was relieved. A
sharp attack made by the rebels on the British vanguard was repulsed,
with loss of all the enemy’s guns, and the fortress was made the centre
of operations.
The British army had now to make its way to the Residency
and rescue the women and children who were in danger. The city was of
great extent, held by a numerous army of rebels, who occupied every
part; every street was defended, and nearly every house loopholed and
converted into a fortress. To march through the city would have been to
expose the troops to a fire which would have destroyed half the army.
Colin Campbell laid his plans carefully and determined to
make a circuit. The 75th, exhausted by marching, was left at the
Alumbagh, and fresh troops taken from the garrison. Sir Colin ordered /
the men to march without baggage, and to carry supplies for three days.
The Dilkusha Park was carried after a fight lasting for two hours; then
the Martiniere was taken. On the following morning the Secunder Bagh was
attacked. This was a plantation with a square enclosure of strong
masonry loop-holed all round, and a village about a hundred yards
distant, strongly fortified, and occupied by a numerous body of
mutineers. For two and a half hours the firing continued, and the
Secunder Bagh was carried at last by a magnificent rush of the 93rd
Highlanders, who entered through a breach in the wall. Every inch of the
building was contested; the enemy fought with the courage of despair;
and when at last our men sheathed their swords more than two thousand
rebel corpses lay heaped upon the ground.
On the same afternoon Sir Colin discovered that it was
necessary to carry the fortified mosque of the Shah Najif. This was the
most critical action of the whole campaign, success being uncertain and
failure meaning ruin. For three hours the battle raged, the fate of the
Indian Empire depending on the taking of the mosque. About four in the
afternoon the enemy brought a heavy gun to bear upon Peel’s batteries on
the opposite side of the river, silencing one of his pieces.
“The men were falling fast,” says one who took part in
the action; "even Peel’s usually bright face became grave and anxious.
Sir Colin sat on his white horse, exposed to the whole storm of shot,
looking intently on the Shah Najif, which was wreathed in volumes of
smoke from the burning buildings in its front, but sparkled all over
with the bright flash of small arms. It was now apparent that the crisis
of the battle had come. Our heavy artillery could not subdue the fire of
the Shah Najif; we could not even hold permanently our present advanced
position under it. But retreat to us there was none . . . Outram and
Havelock and Inglis with our women and children were in front, and
England’s honour was pledged to bring them scatheless out of the fiery
furnace.”
Collecting the 93rd about him Sir Colin spoke to them.
Without concealing the danger he told them that the Shah Najif must be
taken; the artillery could not bring its fire under, so they must win it
by the bayonet, and he himself would go with them.
The 93rd “rolled on in one vast wave,” their general with
his sword drawn riding at their head. Supported by the Royal Artillery
and Peel’s guns, they fought like demons; but the steep walls of the
mosque towered above them, fire flashing from the loopholes, and without
a breach through which to get at the enemy. The Highlanders went down
fast, and even Sir Colin’s face was becoming anxious, when a deed of
desperate bravery was done. A body of men under Adrian Hope forced their
way through a narrow opening in the walls ; they threw open the gates,
the garrison fled, and an action almost ' unexampled in war closed in a
triumph for the British.
There only now remained some small buildings which had to
be carried. Early in the morning Sir Colin ordered an attack upon the
mess-house, a large building occupied by the enemy, and defended by a
ditch and a loopholed mud wall. After four hours of desperate fighting
the fortification was carried ; but before the action was over Outram
and Havelock came over from the beleaguered garrison to meet and thank
Sir Colin.
Almost more difficult than the relief of the gallant
little force in Lucknow was the work of removing four hundred women and
children, and more than a thousand sick and wounded, from the Residency
in face of the enemy’s fire. Miles of the route had to be held by armed
men, and the enemy’s forts had to be silenced.
Another daring plan was made by Sir Colin Campbell. He
caused a vigorous cannonade to be opened upon the Kaisar Bagh or King’s
Palace, which was still occupied by the enemy in great force. The rebels
resolved to defend the palace, and their attention being withdrawn the
British established a line of posts strong enough to resist attack.
During the night the women, children, and invalids left the Residency,
followed by the garrison, with Sir Colin and a body of soldiers bringing
up the rear. In the morning the Dilkusha Palace was reached in safety,
the rebels having been so completely deceived by Sir Colin’s ruse that
the fire which they opened upon the Residency was continued for several
hours after the place had been evacuated.
After one or two days’ journey on the route towards
Cawnpore a heavy cannonade was heard in the direction of that city. Mile
after mile was passed, and the sound of firing became more distinct, but
no news could be obtained. At noonday a native brought a letter to the
effect that Cawnpore was besieged by an overwhelming force; that unless
affairs took a more favourable turn General Windham and his troops would
have to take refuge in the entrenchments ; and the defenders hoped that
the commander-in-chief would press forward to their assistance with the
utmost speed.
Galloping forward Sir Colin reached the river by
nightfall, only to see in the distance a blaze which showed that the
enemy were in possession and had fired the city, and that the stores and
transports, intended for the use of the women and children and invalids,
were destroyed.
To this emergency the brave general proved himself equal.
The women, children, and noncombatants were safely embarked in steamers
for Calcutta; and this difficult and dangerous operation having been
performed, Sir Colin took the field with his men. A crushing defeat was
inflicted upon the rebels, who were pursued for nearly fourteen' miles
from the city, leaving their guns and ammunition in the hands of the
British.
The winter was spent in minor operations, and in March
1858 Sir Colin set out with an army of twenty-five thousand men against
the rebels in Lucknow. The siege began on the 2nd of March; the Sepoys
fought with the courage of despair, but all the fortified places were
attacked and carried one after another. On the 19th a combined attack
was made on the city itself, which was stormed and given up to plunder,
the rebels fleeing in every direction.
Operations in Oudh and Rohilkund were successful, and in
a few weeks General Campbell had re-established British supremacy in the
north of India.
Broken in health he could fight no longer, but his
services had prepared the way for the final reconquest of India. Before
the year was out he was able to write home that “the resistance of a
hundred and fifty thousand armed men has been subdued with very moderate
loss to Her Majesty’s troops, and the most marvellous forbearance
towards the misguided enemy . . . the last remnant of the mutineers and
insurgents has been hopelessly driven across the mountains which form
the barrier between the Kingdom of Nepal and Her Majesty’s Empire of
Hindustan.”
Among the rewards which were showered upon him he valued
none more highly than his appointment to the colonelcy of the 93rd
Highlanders. He was raised to the peerage, but not possessing a foot of
land of his own from which to take his title, he became Baron Clyde of
Clydesdale, from the river on whose banks he had been born. Failing
health made it impossible for him to remain in India, and his departure
was followed by the regret of many of its inhabitants. *
Fresh honours were heaped upon him in England, but he
found his greatest happiness in the esteem of the people and the love of
his own family, for whom he had done so much. On the 14th of August 1863
the great soldier died, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, amid the
mourning of the entire nation.
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