The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The ‘Persia’ C.B. group to Major-General Charles Steuart, 14th Light Dragoons, who was wounded at Chilianwala, commanded a Cavalry Brigade in Persian Expedition and the 2nd Brigade of the Central India Field Force

(a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Military) C.B., Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1858, maker’s mark WN, complete wtih gold swivel-ring suspension and ribbon buckle

(b) Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Lt. Col. C. Steuart, 14th Lt. Dragns.) some light rubbing to parts of naming

(c) India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, Persia (Brigr. R. Steuart, 2nd Cav. Bri.)

(d) Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Colnl. C. Steuart, C.B. 14th Lgt. Drgns.) nearly extremely fine (4) £5000-6000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Charles Steuart was born in the Bengal Presidency on 27 August 1807, and was commissioned Cornet by purchase in the 5th Dragoon Guards at the age of eighteen. Promoted Lieutenant by purchase in February 1829, he exchanged into the 13th Light Dragoons in May of that year and served in Madras from 1830 to 1836. Following his return to England he purchased a Captaincy in H.M’s 80th Foot on 9 November 1838. On 30 April 1841 he joined the 14th Light Dragoons and landed in India with the regiment in the September following. Advanced to the rank of Major in April 1848, he served in the Second Sikh War and was present at Ramnuggur, the passage of the Chenab, the battle of Chilianwala, where he was wounded in the right arm, the battle of Goojerat, the pursuit of the enemy across the Jhelum, and the pursuit of the Afghans over the Indus to the Khyber Pass.

Steuart became Lieutenant-Colonel on 7 July 1850. On 20 February 1857 he left the regiment’s station at Kirkee to take part in the Persian expedition, in which the 14th Light Dragoons, with the exception of ‘H’ Troop, were employed in the occupation of Bushire Island. Nevertheless, Steuart managed a spell in command of the cavalry brigade for which he received his C.B. on 1 January 1858. Shortly after the regiment’s return to Kirkee in May 1857, it was divided into two wings which formed part of two separate columns. The left wing, under Major Herbert Gall, went to the relief of Mhow and subsequently served in the Malwa Field Force’s grim campaign to relieve Neemuch, while the right wing, under Major Arthur Scudamore (see Lot 73), was involved in operations to a lesser degree.

Steuart, who succeeded to the command of the regiment on 26 August 1857, was appointed to the command of the 2nd Brigade, Central India Field Force, whose strategic aim was the elimination of rebels in Jhansi and Gwalior, who otherwise might threaten British counter-insurgency operations further north.

Steuart’s brigade, comprising the 3rd Bombay European Fusiliers, 24th Bombay Native Infantry, cavalry and infantry from the Hyderabad Contingent, a Horse Artillery battery, a Light Field battery, a battery of the Bhopal Artillery on loan from the wily old Begum of Bhopal, a Company of Madras Sappers & Miners, a detachment of Bombay Sappers, and the Siege Train, concentrated at Sehore and marched on 6 January 1858, accompanied by the force commander, Sir Hugh Rose.

Steuart’s brigade, comprising the 3rd Bombay European Fusiliers, 24th Bombay Native Infantry, cavalry and infantry from the Hyderabad Contingent, a Horse Artillery battery, a Light Field battery, a battery of the Bhopal Artillery on loan from the wily old Begum of Bhopal, a Company of Madras Sappers & Miners, a detachment of Bombay Sappers, and the Siege Train, concentrated at Sehore and marched on 6 January 1858, accompanied by the force commander, Sir Hugh Rose.

Having participated in the capture of Rathgurh and Garakhota, Steuart was next present with his brigade at the forcing of the Muddenpore Pass which was stormed by the 3rd Bombay Europeans. Sir Hugh then ‘sent directions to Brigadier Steuart, who had halted in the rear with the reserve and siege train, to advance through it and occupy the head of the lake in the village [of Lunia]. As soon as they arrived fire was opened on the rebels’ guns with 8-inch howitzers and 9-pounders. The cavalry sent in pursuit of the fleeing rebels followed them to the walls of the fort of Surahi. The rebels’ total losses were estimated at 300.’ The effect of the victory was tremendous and threw open the road to Jhansi. Following the siege and capture of the latter place, Steuart commanded his brigade to the conclusion of the Central India Field Force’s operations, being present at the battles of Betwa, Kunch and Golauli. Steuart retired from the 14th Light Dragoons while stationed at Newbridge in June 1861. He was appointed Colonel of the 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars on 19 January 1873, and died on 22 May of the same year.

Refs: WO 25/546; Historical Record of the 14th (King’s) Hussars (Hamilton); History of the XIII Hussars (Barrett); The Rebellious Rani (Smyth).