Chapter 9: Cavalry Exercises

On 15 February 1899/2009 General Pettygree ordered the Cavalry Brigade posted at Fort Grant to exercise in preparation for the coming campaign season. Dear reader you will view most of the drill session as if you are the foe watching from the distant position of the camera. The horsemen are coming for you! Click on photos to enlarge them please. And now....

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Brigadier Blackiston (binoculars) observes the field in front of him.

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In the background is 2/10th Hussars. One troop is deployed in a screen whilst the other is formed to the rear ready for mischief should it come from the brigade right flank or rear.

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Moments later 1/9th Bengal Lancers begin to arrive.

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The trotting horses kick up a little dust.

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Senior officers guide the lancers to their deployment area. More arrive.

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1/9th Bengal Lancers have formed a two deep line on the left whilst 2/9th Bengal lancers arrive on the right.

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Both squadrons ascend the gentle rise of ground before them. In the background you see 3/9th Bengal Lancers arriving. It will take post behind the other squadrons.

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In the first line from left to right are the 1/9th and 2/9th Bengal Lancers. Each squadron is deployed two ranks deep. The second line from left to right consists of 3/9th Bengal Lancers in one rank and two troops. To the photo right rear is one troop of 1/10th Hussars in one rank.

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First Line! Forward at the TROT! Here they come.

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Forward at the CANTER!

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AT THE GALLOP...CHARGE HOME!!!!

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The first line has now passed your position. Whilst they did so, the second line walked toward you. Their mission is to exploit a breakthrough or counter-charge if the first line is thrown into confusion.

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Brigadier Blackiston leads the second line slowly forward. Each troop is deployed in echelon.

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Order of Battle

Brigadier Blackiston (Hinchliffe 25mm)

ADCs (2) (Castaway Arts and Peter Gilder Connoisseur Miniatures)

9th Bengal lancers (3 Squadrons: 50 miniatures)

10th Hussars (2 Squadons: 26 miniatures)

The 9th and 10th are composed exclusively of Peter Gilder 28mm Connoisseur Miniatures available from Bicorne Miniatures.

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Chapter 8: Back To Fort Grant

Read chapters sequentially. 1-7 and afterwards 8. Click on photographs to enlarge them.



#109 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The Battle of Tranjapour was sixteen days ago and the "Frontier" has been quiet since then. Winter is coming soon. Therefore, all Imperial units have been ordered back to Fort Grant. However, someone is always watching, this time from a long distance away.
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#110 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The 10th Hussars march on the left of the Column. First squadron leads the second.
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#111 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The "Main Body" is screened by the 9th Bengal Lancers.
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#112 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: Close-up view of the lancers.
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#113 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The "Column" stretches out in the distance.
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#114 Back To Fort Grant
3 October 1898/2008: The 1st Sikhs march in the center.
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#115 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: The "Column" arrived back at Fort Grant without incident. Wounded recovered, reports were sent back to Britannia and the foe has been silent. Some say they vanished. Be that as it may, it is now the New Year. Fort Grant officers not on duty gather for a brief meeting to be followed by a banquet.
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#116 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: Major Trevelyan (10th Hussars) welcomes General Pettygree. Behind the General is Captain Bartlett (1/10th Hussars) listening to Lt. Col. Preece (10th. Hussars). Far to the left is Captain Sachs (2/10th Hussars). Dr. Watson is left-most and unfortunately blurry.
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#117 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: The map of India.
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#118 Back To Fort Grant
1 January 1899/2009: Gentlemen, please be seated.

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Campaign Casualties:
1st. Sikhs: 2 KIA, 1 Invalided to Bombay, 10 Recovered Wounded
10th Hussars: 1 KIA, 4 Recovered Wounded
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Chapter 7: Battle of Tranjapour

Read chapters sequentially. 1-6 and afterwards 7. Click on photographs to enlarge them.




#88 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: The Relief Column's Van pushes onto Tranjapour after the incident downing the telegraph line earlier today. The foe vanished but succeeded in delaying the march and in cutting communication with Tranjapour. See the previous chapter.
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#89 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: The Relief Column stretches out on its march to Tranjapour. From front to back are: 9th Bengal Lancers (1st and 2nd. Squadrons), 1st. Sikh Infantry (3 companies), 1st Mountain Battery (1st. Section) and the Supply contingent. Arrival at Tranjapour without further incidents should occur tomorrow on the 18th. The men wonder what is happening at Tranjapour and if they will arrive in time.
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#90 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: The answer is. The attack is imminent. Here you see the Tug Raider Force massing in cover for the attack on Tranjapour to the left.
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#91 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Lonely and isolated Tranjapour is in the distance. Fortunately the sandbag works commenced yesterday were completed early this morning. The Imperials are as ready as they can be.
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#92 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Steady men and viewers alike. Wait now. Lieutenant Colonel Preece bellows, "GARRISON OF TRANJAPOUR. STAAAAAHHNNND TO!"
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#93 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Captain Sachs 2/10th Hussars readies his dismounted troopers within the inner work. Nearby Captain Khambatta orders, "1st Sikhs, North Wall, Mark Your Target, Aim ---- FIRE!"
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#94 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Here they come.
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#95 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Meanwhile Tug horsemen appear beyond the south wall. This way the garrison is attacked from two sides. Clever.
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#96 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: The horsemen are spotted.
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#97 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Tranjapour as seen from the Tug left flank.
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#98 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: All round defense.
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#99 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008; Tug horsemen charge the south wall. They hope to overcome the defense, jump the wall and cause confusion. Meanwhile the main attack arrives at the north wall. Can the charge be stopped?
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#100 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: View from east to west. There is trouble at the northeast corner. The Tugs are unstoppable.
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#101 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Success! The Tug cavalry charge is beaten back. However, the outer perimeter of the north wall has been breached and is untenable. The 1st Sikhs withdraw joining the 10th Hussars within the inner works. A new Tug unit appears from the right - a large body of swordsmen. Imperials have also abandoned the south and east walls withdrawing to building interiors and tops.
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#102 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: The crisis of the battle. The enemy is inside the outer work and breaching the one inside. Can the inner work hold? Do you see the new Tug unit coming near? In a moment they will pour over the outer wall joining their friends within. The only order for the garrison is, "Stand your ground like a good soldier." There is no place else to go. It is now up to each man and his mates -- where they stand. There is no place else and no one else. -- Just you, your mate and a bayonet.
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#103 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Miracle! Tug losses were severe. Morale failed throughout the attacking force. They run. THEY RUN!
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#104 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Parting shots.
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#105 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: Later the Raiding Force departs for the North. Perhaps they have had enough and will return to Surajistan and "The Hidden Valley."
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#106 Battle of Tranjapour
17 September 1898/2008: This is no time for complacency. The battle was a near run thing. Captain Bartlett leads 1/10th Hussars out of Tranjapour to shadow the retreating foe.
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#107 Battle of Tranjapour
18 September 1898/2008: During the afternoon of the next day, The Relief Column arrives at Tranjapour.
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108 Battle of Tranjapour
18 September 1898/2008: Lt. Col. Preece meets Brigadier Pettygree at the edge of the village. "Welcome General." "Thank you John. I see you did not need us. Well done. Well done, indeed." "Thank you Sir."
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Chapter 6: The Telegraph Line

Read chapters sequentially. 1-5 and afterwards 6. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

General Pettygree's relief column continues its march from Fort Grant to Tranjapour. The most forward unit is 1st Troop 1/9th. Bengal Lancers acting as a screen. They are followed in turn by 2nd. Troop 1/9th Bengal Lancers, two troops of 2/9th Bengal Lancers, three companies of the 1st. Sikh Infantry Battalion, 1/1 Mountain Battery and the supply element. The vedette has entered the area of forest you see below.
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#79 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. The next day 1st. Troop 1/9th Bengal Lancers scouts the road to Tranjapour. They follow the telegraph line from Fort Grant. The rest of the squadron is just to the rear (not shown) followed by "The Relief Column" commanded by General Pettygree.
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#80 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. The vedette screen continues forward along the road and telegraph line. Fortunately this morning's telegraph from Tranjapour revealed the Tugs had not arrived there yet placing them even farther from us here. Tranjapour is still a day's march away from where we are. Therefore, no trouble is expected by the 9th Bengal Lancers. All is quiet --- and all is well.
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#81 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. ---------- KahBOOOOM!!!!! ---------- "Vedette HALT!"
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#82 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. Smoke rises from an explosion as a telegraph pole falls.
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#83 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. The near pole continues to fall and the next in line topples too. The lancers move to cover.
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#84 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. "To the rear, at the GALLOP!" The vedette commander has decided to ride back to his support, the rest of the squadron.
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#85 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. Smoke from the explosion rises and dissipates as the lancers ride back to friends whilst an unseen and cunning foe cheers.
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#86 The Telegraph Line
17 September 1898/2008. Later first troop dismounted, formed a skirmish line and moved forward. One lancer fired his carbine at movement in the forest. Was it the foe? Second troop remains mounted to the rear in support. Just beyond the far trees are the 2/9th Bengal Lancers and "The Relief Column" pounding up the road.
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#87 The Telegraph Line
17 Sept. 1898/2008. Dismounted lancers continue their work but the foe has cut communication to Tranjapour and "The Relief Column" has slowed to clear the way there. Will General Pettygree arrive at Tranjapour in time? Will the defenders hold out? ---------- Dismounted soldiers are Old Glory 25mms. Mounted lancers are Peter Gilder 28mm Connoisseur Miniatures, officer with binoculars is 25mm Hinchliffe and telegraph poles are Berkshire Valley O Gauge model railroad telephone poles.
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