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![Go to record War Services of Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 [HEIC]](../themes/fibisnew/images/viewrecord.png) War Services of Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 [HEIC] |
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 Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 - Rank and Services F-I
| Date transcribed | 2008-01-31 | | Transcribed by | Peter Bailey | | Comment | Each Officer of the Bengal Army still alive and serving in 1863 is mentioned with his Career Progression and War Service |
 | Surname | Forster | | | First Name(s) | H | | | Honours | CB | | | Rank | Colonel | | | Regiment | Retired List | | | Commissions | Cornet, 16 / Lieut, 18 / Local-Major, 35 / Major, 19 Jun 46 / Lieut-Colonel, 20 Jun 54 / Colonel, 20 Jun 57 | | | Service | Colonel Forster served in the Mahrattah and Pindarree Campaigns under Sir D. Ochterlony. Was present when Ameer Khan surrendered, and his Army dispersed, 18. Present with the Force detached under General Sir A. Knox to Sambhur, when Jam Shade Khan surrendered 47 pieces of artillery, and his force was dispersed. Commanded a Squadron and 2 guns to guard the Chumble Ford, near Rampoora Bhanpoora, in 19. Captured some Sirdars from Jawud, attempting to escape; and was detached to the aid of the Political Agent at Rutlam. Surprised and destroyed a body of insurgents near Jhubboa, and recovered much property which they had plundered. Joined theTroops at Mhow, in 20, under Sir J. Malcolm, and was present at the Settlement of Dhar Provinces. From thence, was employed in suppressing the inroads of the Gonds and Bheels. Received high commendations for the successful results from the General Commanding. Proceeded with 90 Horsemen, in 26, against Nuthoo, a malcontent in Bhopal District; took his Fort by a coup-de-main after a night march of 56 miles, recovered much property, received high commendation from the Commander-in-Chief, and the Political Authorities, and General Stewart, Commanding the Saugor Division: 1,200 head of cattle captured. Was nominated to raise and command the Kungpore Horse during the Burmese War, 26. Served under Major-General Sir J. Arnold at Saugor. Was present at the taking of the Fort at Narhet, and dispersion of the mutineers of Scindiahs troops. On the general reduction of the Army, the Rungpore Cavalry were incorporated in the 6th Irregular Cavalry, and he was employed under Captain Drummond, Assistant Quarter-Master-General. The fortified position in the village of Handsir was attacked; their leader, a Kuzzuk Chief, taken prisoner, several of his followers killed, and the rest dispersed. Received the approbation of the Governor-General in Council, with high commendations from the Chief Political Authorities. The Town and Citadel of Seeker, in June 36, was stormed, and taken with 8 guns, after a sharp action, where many lives were lost on both sides. The Fort of Khialee, in the occupation of noted Kuzzuks, was attacked and taken in 37, the insurgents routed, and the Fort destroyed. In January 38, a Detachment of all arms stormed the Hill Fort of Goodha and took it, the insurgents having refused obedience to the Jeypore Government; also the strong Fort of Dialpoora and Mawa were attacked and taken in Marwar, and the malcontents secured, the Chief brought in prisoner to the Head Quarters at Joonjnoo. Eecruited and disciplined a body of 400 sepoys, in 38, for Lieutenant-Colonel McSherry, who was engaged to assist Shah-Soohjah-ool-Hoolk during the first Cabul Campaign, and received high commendations for the prompt and efficient aid thus afforded. In 38 proceeded to the strong fortified Town of Tooliasir with a Detachment of all Arms in Beekaneer, to coerce a large body of marauders who had set the Rajah and his Troops at defiance. After a night march of 26 miles through the desert, attacked-and carried the defences by storm, in which encounter 80 of the marauders were killed, and 120 prisoners taken, with all their plundered property, for which service gratifying public acknowledgments were received, and a presentation of a valuable sword from Maha Rajah Rutten Singh of Beekaneer. In Command of the entire Brigade in 39, and formed a part of the British Division assembled at Joudpore, under Command of Major-General Hampton, to enforce obedience of Rajah Maun Singh to the dictates of the British Government. Proceeded in. May 39 with the Brigade to Bugroo, where the refractory Thakoor set the authority of the Political Agent at defiance: this was efficiently performed, and the Thakoors force dispersed. In 40, the Brigade, joined by a quota of Jeypore Troops placed under his Command, laid siege to the Hill Fort of Kaluk, held by a strong party of insurgents, which after seventeen days siege surrendered, and the Chief and Garrison taken prisoners. Major Forster was during the storm severely wounded in three places. Received the high acknowledgments and approbation of the Governor-General in Council, and of the Political Authorities present in Camp. In 43, a large assemblage of insurgents took possession of the strong Fort of Khettree and of the Pass of Kotadeh. With the portion of the Brigade left at Joonjnoo, it was determined to attack this formidable position, being joined with a small Force from Jeypore, and Captain (now Major) W. R. Forster arriving from his Command at Joudpore, the attack was at once made, the Pass cleared, and after two days contest the final evacuation of the Fort by the enemy followed, the Forts of Kote-pootlee and Khurb also fell, and the insurgents were dispersed. Had the honor to be publicly thanked by the Governor-General in Council, and by the principal Political Authorities in Rajpootanah for these successes. Received high acknowledgments from the Civil Authorities at Hissar, in 44, and the Resident of Delhi, for suppression of dacoities on the British Frontier Districts in that quarter. Received autograph approval of proceedings in Shekawattee from, the Governor-General, the Earl of Auckland, with most gratifying expressions of commendation. The entire Brigade joined the British Army in 46, then operating on the Sutlej under General Sir H. Smith. Present at the battle of Alliwal. Medal. (Horse shot under him.J The Brigade had the honor to be especially noticed in the Houses of Parliament by HisGrace the Duke of Wellington, and also Lord Auckland, the late Governor-General of India. The Brigade was subsequently placed under the orders of Brigadier, the late Sir Hugh Wheeler, when his Force crossed the Sutlej for the occupation of Phillour and Jullundur, in the Punjab. Had the honor to receive the congratulations of the Earl of Ellenborough, late Governor-General of India, for the distinguished services of the Shekawattee Brigade, (3rd April 40,) as also high and flattering commendations of Lord Hardinge, who, after personal inspection of the Brigade, offered his public approval on the ground. The Shekawattee Battalion has now the honor to be a numbered Corps of the Line, (13th Regiment,) whose loyalty during the mutinies was severely tested, and found staunch and deserving. During the Mutiny, 57, the Regiment was employed on Field Service, having a Naval Brigade of Europeans, against insurgents in Maunbhoom and Singbhoom Districts; and subsequently in February 58 being appointed Commissioner of Sumbulpore. The following Troops came under his Command, viz., 5th and 40th Madras Native Infantry, the E. Company, 5th Battalion Madras Artillery, a Detachment of the Ramghur Irregular Cavalry and Infantry, besides the Shekawattee Regiment, and six hundred Sebundees under Command of Captain Bird. Colonel Forster has been honored by Her Gracious Majesty with the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath. India Medal. (Since dead.j |
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Each Officer in the Bengal Army still alive in 1863 is mentioned together with his promotion progression and War Services.
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