Indian Mutiny - Gentlemen Volunteers' 'Daring-Do'

A British force consisting of the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Foot, the 1st Punjabis and 2nd Gurkhas, along with some irregular cavalry, supporting artillery and an unusual unit of 'Gentlemen Volunteers', was given the task of clearing an area of marauding Mutineers.

On the left flank the Gurkhas and Punjabis met with stiff resistance and accurate musketry from some Mutineers ensconced on top of a ridge line, which checked their advance. On the right flank, Probyn's Horse managed to overcome some angry Sowars, despite losing quite a number of their own horsemen.

Eventually the Mutineers' morale started to crack and a few units left the firing line, leading to a general disorganised retreat. In the closing minutes of the drama, a group of religiously inspired Ghazis sallied out form the village; the Gentlemen Volunteers were given the task of dispersing them. This, they embarrassingly failed to do as their charge bounced off the swirling swarm of fanatical swordsmen. That said, the Gentlemen thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon of 'daring-do'. The task of removing the Ghazis from the field of play fell to the artillery which, by this time was really starting to make every shot count.

All in all a successful action, although casualties amongst the 52nd Foot and the Gurkhas was worryingly high.

Indian Mutiny - Siege of Delhi, 1857 - Assault on the Kashmir Gate

In this entertaining refight, representing the assault on the Kashmir Gate during the Siege of Delhi in 1857, the British had good fortune to blow the gate with barrels of gunpowder (killing one of the brave soldiers in the process). They were also able to create a breach in a nearby section of Delhi's walls. This enabled the two columns to rush forward into the breaches and fight their way through the narrow streets of Old Deli. 

There was a disgraceful episode when a regular regiment of British infantry - the 75th Foot - routed in the face of marauding Mutineers! Fortunately, the Mutiny hero, Brigadier Major Nicholson, was able to rally the regiment and bring them back into the fray. Other than that, the hordes of rebellious mutineers almost overcame the assaulting columns, but robust stances by the 1st Bengal Fusiliers, and the loyal Gurkhas, managed to hold their nerve and see off disorganised rabble to recapture the city.

This was a similar outcome to the historical battle. The charismatic Nicholson survived the refight, but unfortunately was mortally wounded in the actual battle.

Nicholson statue in Lisburn, Northern Ireland