The 29th of July, 1857 – Battle of Unnao and the First Battle of Bashiratganj

“I could not write to you yesterday, as we were literally fighting from morning till night. We got under arms at four o’clock in the morning, and marched at five; before six we were under fire, and by 9.30 we drove the enemy off the field, having captured fifteen guns. They were as usual very strong in numbers, and in a very good position. They fought much better than the sepoys on the other side of the river.” (A Volunteer with Havelock)

The Battle of Unnao

1st Madras Fusiliers
Lieutenants
Richardson, John Angelo – killed in action
Seton, James Lumsden – severely wounded in the left cheek (acting ADC to Sir Henry Havelock)

Sergeants
Carr, John – slightly wounded in the left leg
Cavanagh, Thomas – slightly wounded in the right leg

Privates
Cherry, John – slightly wounded
Bailey, Thomas – slightly wounded and again on the November 7th at Lucknow
Griffin, John – right thigh shattered. Right leg amputated. Died of wounds on the 29th of July
Harrington, John – contusion of the right arm
Hennessey, Michael – killed in action
Killoran, Owen – slight gunshot wound to the head
McGrath, John – slightly wounded
McMahon, Patrick – slightly wounded
Murphy, Lawrence – killed in action
Scullion, William – killed in action

64th Foot
Private Patrick Cavanagh – killed in action
“Private Patrick Cavanagh, of the 64th, died gloriously, hacked to pieces by the enemy when setting a brilliant example to his comrades. Had he survived, he should have worn the Victoria Cross, which never could have glittered on a braver breast. But his name will be remembered as long as Ireland produces and loves gallant soldiers.” (Orders, Sir Henry Havelock, 30th of July)

78th Highlanders
Lieutenant Andrew Cathcart Bogle – severely wounded – “…was severely wounded while leading the way at Onao into a loopholed house filled with desperate fanatics. A special report of his gallantry will be sent to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. The ‘ hero of Inkermann’ well knows how to appreciate heroes.” (Marshman, ‘Sir Henry Havelock’ Orders, 30th of July)

Sergeant Mark Mallett – died of wounds
Privates
Burns, Francis – killed in action
Morris, William – killed in action

84th Foot
Captain Henry Browne – wounded in the arm, leg and hip

Privates
Gorman, Michael – severely wounded
Greenwood, Simon – dangerously wounded. Died of wounds
Slater, James – killed in action

First Battle of Bashirathganj

1st Madras Fusiliers
Sergeants
Studdard, Thomas – severely wounded in the right thigh
Treacy, Hugh – severely wounded in the left leg

Corporals
McGrath, John – finger blown off by the accident discharge of a rifle

Privates
Carr, Edward – slightly wounded
Chaplin, William, slightly wounded
Cole, William – severely wounded in the right shoulder
Crowley, Patrick – killed in action
McCartney, Andrew – severe wound in the left shoulder

6th Dragoon Guards
Trumpeter George Harding – slightly wounded
Farrier James Mills – slightly wounded
Farrier Sergeant James Staples – killed in action

” It was on the 29th of July. One of our Invalid (Bengal) Artillerymen had been hit, on the top of his head, by a musket ball, and was unconscious. I think it was Dr. Irvine, our surgeon, who examined and dressed the wound. Just as he was leaving the patient he noticed that the man’s trousers were torn, and a little blood was seen on the thickest part of the thigh. On further examination it was found that there was a six-pound shot embedded in the leg, and totally covered by the flesh, the limb presenting an almost entirely normal appearance. The shot, evidently a spent one, must have had just sufficient impetus to bury itself, and no more. It is a pity that one cannot add that the poor fellow is still alive and well, but either the blow on his head, or the Horse- Artillery shot in his thigh, was the cause of his death, a few minutes afterwards, and we buried him in a culvert under the road.” (F.C.Maude)