Lieutenant Julius Laurie’s recommendation for a decoration to reflect the bravery shown by Private George Richardson at Bhowanie, near Cawnpore, India:

On 27th April 1859, as we were advancing after a retreating enemy, I noticed a Rebel, who by his dress and arms (one of which was a revolver) seemed to be of some importance – post himself behind a tree.

He remained so until we were about 20 yards off when he fired three shots. I saw Pte Richardson on No. 6 Company rush to the front and attack the man with his rifle clubbed (he had previously discharged it without waiting to reload). The man waited until Pte Richardson was about 3 yards off him, when he fired deliberately and wounded him in the arm and elbow. Notwithstanding one of his arms being thus rendered powerless, Pte Richardson closed and held him to the ground until assistance arrived and the man despatched, when it was ascertained that two chambers of the Colt revolver were still loaded.

(See also Julius' letter dated 30th April 1859)

Colour Sergeant Corner stated:

That while engaged in action with the enemy on 27th April 1859, he saw Pte Richardson make a rush on a rebel who was concealed behind a tree and who fired two shots. He, Richardson, felled the rebel with the butt of his rifle and in doing so the rebel fired and wounded Pte Richardson in the left arm. Although he had only the use of one arm, he closed on the rebel and held him down for about two seconds when Lt Laurie came up at the moment and killed the rebel by running his sword through his body.

Citation for the award of the Victoria Cross to Private George Richardson VC, 34th Regt., following an action on 27th April 1859 near Cawnpore.

‘Richardson did, despite the fact that his arm was broken by a rifle bullet, and leg slashed by a sabre, rush to the aid of his officer, Lt. Laurie, was attacked by six natives, and that, crippled as he was, succeeded in killing five, and the sixth fled’

Statement by Major GW Puget, 34th Regt. (In command of Detachment in the action at Bhowanie)

‘In action with the Rebel Nusseerabad Brigade at Bhowanie on 27th April, 1859, Lieutenant Laurie rescued Private Richardson, who was wounded by, and in the hands of a well-armed native, and killed the native.'

Private Richardson received the Victoria Cross in person from Queen Victoria for his conduct on this occasion

Letter from Pte George Richardson to Mr Crow, dated May 12th 1891 (Copied by John Hinde, 19th Nov 1909)

Mr Crow

Sir, in answer to yours of April 6th, you will find inclosed my photograph. It was in the Indian Mutiny that I earned it. A place called Butwa on the 27th April 1859.

We were then under the command of Colonel RD Kelly of the 34th Regt. then acting Brigadier and the Column was then after a hard day’s march. We had just got into camp and pitched our tents when the word came in that the rear guard was attacked by a large body of Sepoys. We had then to turn out, foot sore & leg weary & march back to relieve them.

The Company I belong to was thrown out skirmishing & I was surrounded by six & was then severely wounded & would most likely have been killed only for Lieutenant Laurie who came to my relief. Between him & me killed 5 of the 6 and he was kind enough to recommend me for the VC. If right should have taken place, he should have had it instead of me.

I remain yours

George Richardson

Vankoughnet Post Office

Oakley, Ont.

F

Renny's Despatch

(as printed in the Supplement to the Delhi Gazette, 31 May 1859)

rom Captain R. Renny To the Asst. Adjutant General

Comdg. Moveable Column Major General Sir J. Hope Grant’s Force

Gonda, Oude

Camp Kusbah, the 28th April 1859

Sir, - I have the honour to report for the information of Major General Sir J. Hope Grant, KCB, Commanding in Oude, that having ascertained that the Rebels (Nusseerabad Brigade) under Daveedeen, instead of proceeding Westward as reported in my letter of 24th instant, had doubled back to their old ground in the dense jungle South of the Koanee River, I determined to fall back and if possible get in rear of them so as to carry out the Major General’s instructions to drive them Westward.

Hearing that Major Murray, Commanding a Moveable Column, was at Bhowaniegunge, some ten miles from my Camp, I rode over to consult with him, which resulted in his moving down the East side of the jungle, whilst I moved Westward; we thus had the enemy between our two columns.

Yesterday morning, when on the line of march, I received intimation from Major Murray, that he had attacked and defeated the enemy on the previous day, and that they were supposed to have gone in the direction of Doomdah Ghat on the River Biswah. I marched at once for this Ghat, crossed the River and encamped at the village of Bhawanie, two miles to the South of it.

About 12 o’clock at noon I was informed by my spies that the Rebels 1200 strong were cooking their food in the jungle on the North bank of the River, about two miles West of Doomdah Ghat. I at once made arrangements to attack them, leaving the Camp standing under the charge of Lieutenant Smith, Royal Artillery, with the two guns of the Field Battery, one Company of Her Majesty’s 34th Regiment and one Company 3rd Seikh Infantry. I marched with the rest of the force and after posting the Cavalry so as to prevent the Rebels moving along the jungle to the East, I advanced with the Infantry to the position they were supposed to occupy and fortunately succeeded in getting within 300 yards of them before they were aware of our approach.

They were soon on the alert and after firing a few shots they broke and fled Westwards, throwing away many of their arms and accoutrements, their food, clothes and cooking utensils, with which the ground was strewed for miles. I followed them in skirmishing order for upwards of five miles, killing a great number; 29 dead bodies were counted on the field, and I am given to understand from spies and villagers that the wounded are very numerous and the Rebels say they can remain no longer in these jungles, and that they now intend proceeding to Bhinga Ghat, North of the Raptee.

I would beg to bring to the notice of the Major General the admirable conduct of the Troops, European and Native; the pursuit was carried on under a scorching sum without a check of any kind for upwards of five miles.

My thanks are due to all the Officers engaged for the energy they displayed in leading their men, but more particularly to Captain Puget, Commanding Detachment of Her Majesty’s 34th Regiment, for the able manner in which he commanded the skirmishers throughout the day.

A Casualty Return is enclosed.

I have, &c.

(Signed) R. Renny, Captain (Signed) J. Hope Grant, Major-Genl.

Comdg. Moveable Column Comdg. Oude Force

______

Nominal Roll of men of the Detachment of Her Majesty’s 34th Regiment wounded in action at Bhowanie, on 27th instant:

Private George Richardson, 6 Company. Severe gun-shot wound of right arm

Private David Jones, 6 Company. Slight gun-shot wound of left ankle

(Signed) G.W. Puget, Captain, (Signed) Frank Powell, M.B.

Commanding Detachment HM’s 34th Regt. 3rd Seikh Infantry

(Signed) R. Renny, Captain,

Comdg. Moveable Column

Camp Kusbah, the 28th April 1859

______

[Officers and men of Her Majesty’s 34^th Regiment present at Bhowanie comprised Officers: 5, Sergeants: 9, Drummers: 3, Rank and File: 221]