Old Memories (Of The Indian Mutiny 1857) [Illustrated Edition]

Book excerpt: [Illustrated with over one hundred maps, photos and portraits, of the battles, individuals and places involved in the Indian Mutiny] A Young Sublatern fights for his life and for glory during the Indian Mutiny, engaged at the bloody siege of Delhi and during the advance to relieve the besieged British Residence at Lucknow. General Sir Hugh Gough won his Victoria Cross while riding with the famous Hodson’s Horse during the Indian Mutiny; this book, written some years later based on his letters sent at the time, makes for exhilarating reading. His V.C. award was gazetted as follows: “Hugh Henry Gough, Lieutenant, 1st Bengal Light Cavalry. Lieutenant Gough, when in command of a party of Hodson’s Horse, near Mumbagh, on 12 November, 1857, particularly distinguished himself by his forward bearing in charging across a swamp and capturing two guns although defended by a vastly superior body of the enemy. On this occasion he had his horse wounded in two places and his turban cut through by sword cuts, while engaged in combat with three sepoys. Lieutenant Gough also particularly distinguished himself near Jallalabad, Lucknow, on 21 February 1858, by showing a brilliant example to his Regiment when ordered to charge the enemies guns, and by his gallant and forward conduct he enabled them to effect their object. On this occasion he engaged himself in a series of single combats, until at length he was disabled by a musket ball through the leg, while charging two sepoys with fixed bayonets. Lieutenant Gough on that day had two horses killed under him, a shot through his helmet and another through his scabbard, besides being severely wounded.”