The Newsletters of the Friends of the Green Howards Regimental Museum

Issue 16. SEPTEMBER 2003.
With the 19th Regiment of Foot in
INDIA & CEYLON
1796 to 1820

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Details of the contents of Issue Number 16 are shown below.

Issue 16. September 2003
With the 19th Regiment of Foot in India & Ceylon, 1796 to 1820

The 19th Regiment was one of a significant number of infantry regiments sent to the East Indies in 1796, and was designated as part of the garrison of Ceylon. They remained in the East for 24 years, and although they missed the Napoleonic Wars in Europe their time in Ceylon was not uneventful.

They participated in three wars against the Kingdom of Kandy and in several campaigns in South India.

The story of the 19th Regiment in India and Ceylon is told through the eyes of those who were there, from the surviving accounts in the archives of the Green Howards Regimental Museum.

Introduction

A very brief outline of the history that brought the 19th Foot out to Ceylon in 1796.

Journey to the East, 1796

An account of the sea voyage out to Ceylon. The 19th Foot embarked for service in the East in April 1796, and finally reached Colombo in December of that year. The regiment was detained en route in Cape Town, for several weeks, by the arrival of the Dutch Fleet.

Ceylon, 1796 - 1802

A description of the country and its peoples by Dr Henry Marshall who served as a surgeon with the regiment.

The Mysore War, 1799

A dsecription of the involvement of the regiment in the Mysore War of 1799, and the Siege and Storming of Seringapatam in April and May of that year.
For his gallantry in the Storming of Seringapatam, Lieutenant Alexander Lawrence was rewarded by the gift of a company of the 19th Foot. Lawrence had five sons, all of whom reached distinction in British India.

The First Polygar War, 1799

The 19th Foot were in action in August 1799 when they were sent to pacify the Polygars of Madera and Tuinevelly.

MacDowell's Embassy, 1800

The new Governor of the Crown Colony, the Hon. Frederick North, took the view that an independent Kandy was a threat to the stability of Ceylon. He determined to send an embassy to the King of Kandy to establish a garrison there. The 19th Foot formed part of the escort....
These events eventuall led to the First Kandyan War of 1803 to 1805.

First Kandyan War, 1803 to 1805

British and native troops under Major-General Hay MacDowell and Colonel Barbut attacked Kandy city in February 1803. There was little opposition, and a puppet ruler was installed in March of that year. However, sickness and disease amongst the British forces resulted in a complete reversal of their fortunes.

Corporal Barnsley's Deposition

Corporal George Barnsley was the sole survivor of the massacre of sick and wounded at Kandy in June 1803. Even though grievously wounded, he returned to the regiment and provided an eye-witness account of events. His original deposition of the incident can be seen in the Green Howards Regimental Museum.

Johnson's March on Kandy, 1804

Captain Arthur Johnson of the 19th Foot embarked on an attack on Kandy, at the head of some 300 troops. However, his column was unsupported, as it had proceeded only because of misunderstood orders. Johnson and his men retreated, enduring severe conditions and much hardship.

Garrison Life in Ceylon

A dsecription of garrison life in Colombo, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Pointe de Galle.

Health and Comradeship

Although sickness and disease claimed a large number of lives, the soldiers managed to enjoy their stay in Batticaloa.

Return to India, 1806

A description events in India that warranted the presence of the regiment in 1806.

Second Kandyan War, 1815

The Governor-General, Sir Thomas Brownrigg (*), declared war on the Kandyans after the seizure and mutilation of native traders (though British subjects) in 1814.
The Second Kandyan war was successful, as opposed to the First Kandyan War.
The ancient Kingdom of Kandy came to an end, and Ceylon in its entirety became a British possession.

Third Kandyan War, 1817

Although the Kandyan ruling class appeared to be tranquil there was unrest underneath, and a guerilla war broke out. The war took as much of a toll on the Kandyans as the British, and the rebellion gradually died out.

The Regiment Bids Farewell to Ceylon and India

The 19th Foot embarked for home in January 1820, arriving in Gravesend in May of that year. The remarks of Colour Sergeant Calladine on their departure and arrival are recorded.

(*) Note supplied by Theresa Brownrigg of Vancouver, Canada (<adison42@hotmail.com>)

"It was not a Gov THOMAS Brownrigg. There was a Thomas Maitland governing Kandy in Ceylon before but then Governor Robert Brownrigg took over in 1612 until about 1820. I have been researching him as he is an anscestor of mine."

Issue No.16