| CAPTAIN ARTHUR WELLINGTON CAMERON |
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| 92nd (GORDON) HIGHLANDERS |
Captain Cameron, later Colonel Cameron, was entitled to the medal for the
Indian Mutiny without clasp for services with the 92nd Highlanders.
This was his only medal entitlement.
Hart's Army List 1877
War Services of Colonel Cameron:
“Colonel Cameron commanded the 92nd Highlanders in the Central India
Campaign in 1858, including the actions at Sindwaho (mentioned in
dispatches)
and Korai (Medal).”
Rank and Promotions:
Indian Mutiny without clasp for services with the 92nd Highlanders.
This was his only medal entitlement.
Hart's Army List 1877
War Services of Colonel Cameron:
“Colonel Cameron commanded the 92nd Highlanders in the Central India
Campaign in 1858, including the actions at Sindwaho (mentioned in
dispatches)
and Korai (Medal).”
Rank and Promotions:
- Commissioned Ensign 92nd Foot 6-12-1844
- Lieutenant and Adjutant 17-3-1846
- Captain 28-1-1853
- Major 6-2-1865
- Lt. Colonel Commanding 24-12-1873
- Colonel 28-10-1876 and retired on full-pay 31-10-76.
Lt. Colonel Gardyne, in the Regimental History, The Life of a Regiment, in discussing the 92nd Highlanders’ arduous service
during the Indian Mutiny states:
“It being ascertained that the enemy had crossed the Betwa and were on the right bank of that river, the Major-General
arranged with Brigadier-General Smith, commanding a field force in the Chandaree district, that a combined movement should
take place, and that their forces should be divided into three distinct columns, the right column, under Brigadier Smith, to move
down the left bank of the river, prepared to cross to the right if necessary. The cavalry and horse artillery of both brigades
formed the centre, under the immediate command of Major-General Michel, and were to cross the ford by which the enemy had
retreated; the right, composed of the infantry and field artillery of Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart's brigade, crossed at Khungia
Ghaut: the river was broad, deep, and rapid, but by using the same precautions as on the former occasion, nothing was lost but a
sergeant's kilt ! They proceeded by Balabet, where they encamped under fine trees in a pretty country, to Narkut, which they
reached October 17th, and next day were joined by the General with the cavalry and horse artillery.
On the morning of the 19th they marched on the village of Sindwaho, twelve miles distant, where the enemy was reported to be
in strength. The infantry, which was in front, halted half a mile from the village; orders had been given that no bugle should
sound, but this was misunderstood by the cavalry, who, on coming up, halted by bugle call. The enemy, thus apprised of the
approach of troops, were soon discovered drawn up in order of battle to the right of the village, and the horse artillery and
cavalry moved forward to the attack; while the remainder, under Lockhart, advanced upon the village, which was supposed to be
still held. The infantry were in line, with skirmishers in front; the 71st, covering Le Marchant's battery, passed to the right,
the 92nd through the village and the thick enclosures on its left; the enemy abandoned the village, but many were shot by the
skirmishers. The nature of the ground now made it necessary to continue the advance in echelon; the 71st moved to the right,
and as the troop of artillery was seriously pressed, the 19th N.I. was sent to their assistance. The enemy's guns did some
damage to our cavalry, against which his fire was principally directed, and his numerous horsemen held their ground obstinately,
and tried to turn the right of our cavalry. The 92nd, now commanded by Captain A. W. Cameron, advanced in the face of a
large body of cavalry posted on a wooded rising ground. They frequently threatened to charge, coming out into the open, but
regained their shelter when our fire told on them.
The 92nd was now quite separated from the rest of the force. Le Marchant's battery was sent to join them, and as the enemy
still threatened to charge, the skirmishers were recalled, and volleys were fired by companies, the artillery throwing shot and
shell into the tope of trees occupied by the enemy, thus causing them to retire. The artillery and 92nd then joined the rest of
the force. The enemy were in full retreat, pursued by our cavalry and infantry, the latter firing as long as their light-footed
foes were within range. The 92nd had suffered much from the great heat, and were glad to quench their thirst under the shade
of an enormous banyan tree. Afterwards they encamped at Bahra, where, on the 20th, General Michel congratulated the troops
on " the signal success of yesterday near Sindwaho, when an army of 10,000 men was defeated with the loss of all their guns."
"Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart's ability in handling his brigade elicits his warmest approbation, nor can he refrain from expressing
his admiration of the infantry, whose zeal and gallantry made them forget entirely distance, heat, and fatigue, when an enemy
was in front."
On October 21st and 22nd the pursuit was continued. At 1 a.m. on the 23rd the infantry left Lullutpore, followed an hour later
by the cavalry, and reached Maltawa, a distance of thirty miles; in the afternoon; on the 24th to Dugorial, whence the General,
wishing to surprise the rebels, marched at 2 a.m. on the 25th, and at dawn discovered their army, unconscious of the British
approach, crossing his front near Koraie; the cavalry, whose horses, had suffered from fatigue more than the infantry, had been
given an hour's extra rest, and they had just come up when the infantry under Lockhart, having cut the enemy's line of march,
had dispersed them. The cavalry pursued, while the infantry followed, clearing the villages for five miles. About 350 rebels
were killed, and numbers threw down their arms. The 92nd was commanded by Captain Cameron. In his dispatch to the
Commander-in Chief, Major-General Michel says: "The infantry, by 1 o'clock p.m. on the 25th, had traversed sixty-two miles in
sixty hours, the last twelve of which was over broken ground, skirmishing with the enemy. I solicit to bring this fact
prominently to his lordship's notice, as a proof of the excellent spirit and devotion of the troops." During these long marches
they forded several rivers, but moonlight and good roads made the men tramp along cheerily to the sound of the pipes or
marching songs, though when the sun was up they welcomed the mid-day halt, dinner, and grog. Latterly the road was rough and
bad, and the soldiers stumbled along, stiff, thirsty, and tired.
The regiment arrived at Bhilsa on the 2nd November, where a much-needed supply of stockings and shoes was received. While
here one of the men was so affected by bad news in a letter from his family in Scotland that he shot himself, the sad event
casting a gloom over his comrades. From the 9th to the 15th they rested at Goolgong, in a shady camp by a lake where they
could bathe at all hours; then to Bhopal, where the Ranee gave a grand entertainment to the officers, and sent sweetmeats to all
the men. At the durbar held by the Ranee was a guard of honour of the 92nd Grenadiers. She remarked to Colonel Lockhart
that if she had such handsome men in her country, they would not have been allowed to leave it. Here also, among other strange
birds and beasts, they saw a white elephant. This part of the country being quiet, they marched on the 23rd to Sehore, where
in the woods were many apes and peacocks, which latter made an agreeable addition to the soldiers' fare.
Tantia Topee had meanwhile crossed the Nerbudda, but had been repulsed at Candeish. Major Sutherland, with a small column,
including 100 of the 92nd, crossed the Nerbudda, and was joined at Jeelwana by 50 of the 92nd and 50 of the 71st, mounted
on camels. On the 24th, Major Sutherland, having ascertained that Tantia Topee was on the road to Rajpore, pushed forward
the Highlanders on camels, but so rapidly were they followed by those on foot (both Europeans and natives), that they overtook
the riders in time to advance with them direct on the strong position which the rebels had taken up. Two guns commanded the
only approach, but the Highlanders, supported by the native troops, at once rushed up the road under fire of grapeshot. The
gunners stuck to their guns till cut down, but the rest, abandoning the position and their artillery, fled across the Nerbudda,
having wounded only a few of their assailants, among them Lieutenant and Adjutant Humfrey, who had ridden ahead of the
regiment and attacked one of the enemy's leaders; missing him with his revolver, he threw it at him, then turned to draw his
claymore, but it had been jerked out of. the scabbard-he was unarmed I The man slashed him across the arms with his sword,
when Humfrey jumped off his horse, ducked under its belly, and catching hold of his adversary's leg, pulled him off his horse;
and when some men ran up to the adjutant's assistance, they found him sitting on his prostrate foe and hammering his head on
the ground, so that he was already dead. The pursuit was now taken up by a column under Brigadier Parke, and Major
Sutherland, after remaining at Cooksee till December 27th, was ordered to join headquarters at Mhow.
Meanwhile Lockhart's Column had returned to Mhow, December 6th, having detached No. 10 1 and No. 3 Companies, under
Captain Bethune, forming part of a column (17th Lancers and a troop R.H.A.) under Brigadier Somerset, to follow up Tantia
Topee, who had again got together a following, among them a regiment of cavalry of the Gwalior contingent.
The Highlanders were mounted on riding camels, two on each ; some of them were smooth-paced, and the men soon got used to
their action, but others were so rough that some men preferred jogging alongside, saying, "I didna 'list for a horse sodger," or
"I wad rather march five-and-twenty miles than ride that muckle brute ten minutes." They underwent great privations and
fatigues in the rapid pursuit. On the last night of 1858, they managed to get some arrack to drink a good New Year, and on
New Year's Day, 1859, they came up with the rebels at Burrode, but were scarcely dismounted to attack when the enemy beat
a rapid retreat, being, however, considerably cut up by the pursuers. These companies did not rejoin headquarters till May
24th.
On March 2nd, headquarters marched from Mhow for Jhansi, but at Bursud they were directed by Sir R. Napier to leave the
heavy baggage in charge of a company, and proceed in light order to assist in clearing out the rebels located In the jungles of
that neighbourhood; when they had performed this duty they resumed their march, and arrived at Jhansi on 7th April, leaving
two companies at Lullutpore under Major Sutherland, where they were actively employed for some time.
On June 10th, No.7 Company was detached to Seepree, and on the evening of the 30th, forty men under Ensign Emmet, mounted
on elephants, went with a mixed force under Major Meade, senior officer at the station, to surprise a numerous party of rebels
in a village twenty-eight miles distant, situated on a height and surrounded by jungle. They reached it at 5.30 the following
morning, and at once attacked the rebels, who kept up a fire of musketry from the loopholed walls of a large stone-built house,
and were not finally subdued till the house caught fire. In this affair four men of the 92nd were wounded. Major Meade, in
reporting the circumstance to the officer commanding the 92nd, says, “I cannot speak too highly of Ensign Emmet and your men.
Their coolness and steadiness were most conspicuous."
October 14th.-Two companies on camels, part of a small force under Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart, left Jhansi to clear the district
of Bundelkhand of rebels, acting in conjunction with six other columns-. Some difficult and harassing marches were made, and
the rebels were scattered, but could not be brought to action.
In the course of these various expeditions in pursuit of a fugitive foe the regiment lost several men from sunstroke, but none
by the sword, though a few officers and men were wounded. Their life was one of constant change and adventure, visiting a vast
number of towns between the Nerbudda and Jeypore, generally well supplied with sheep, bread, and fruit, sometimes depending
on the peafowl they shot, and on flour porridge and buffalo milk. Once they were a long time without tobacco, till an officer
earned the thanks of the smokers by bringing a large supply from Nusserabad. Often tired and weary from hard marching they
sometimes rested for days, on which occasions pony races, shooting alligators, and bathing amused and refreshed officers and
soldiers. Nor did they lack vocal and instrumental music to cheer them in march, combat, or bivouac; Surgeon-General Landale
testifies to the inspiriting effect on the men, and the warlike feeling engendered by the sound of the bagpipes.
Tantia Topee was at length betrayed by a friend while hiding in the jungles of Seronje, was tried for complicity in the
Cawnpore massacres and hanged, and the last embers of the fire of revolt were stamped out. Tantia Topee was undoubtedly a
marvelous guerilla leader, and as Pipe-major Duncan MacPhail aptly described him, "a maist ubeequitous character."
during the Indian Mutiny states:
“It being ascertained that the enemy had crossed the Betwa and were on the right bank of that river, the Major-General
arranged with Brigadier-General Smith, commanding a field force in the Chandaree district, that a combined movement should
take place, and that their forces should be divided into three distinct columns, the right column, under Brigadier Smith, to move
down the left bank of the river, prepared to cross to the right if necessary. The cavalry and horse artillery of both brigades
formed the centre, under the immediate command of Major-General Michel, and were to cross the ford by which the enemy had
retreated; the right, composed of the infantry and field artillery of Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart's brigade, crossed at Khungia
Ghaut: the river was broad, deep, and rapid, but by using the same precautions as on the former occasion, nothing was lost but a
sergeant's kilt ! They proceeded by Balabet, where they encamped under fine trees in a pretty country, to Narkut, which they
reached October 17th, and next day were joined by the General with the cavalry and horse artillery.
On the morning of the 19th they marched on the village of Sindwaho, twelve miles distant, where the enemy was reported to be
in strength. The infantry, which was in front, halted half a mile from the village; orders had been given that no bugle should
sound, but this was misunderstood by the cavalry, who, on coming up, halted by bugle call. The enemy, thus apprised of the
approach of troops, were soon discovered drawn up in order of battle to the right of the village, and the horse artillery and
cavalry moved forward to the attack; while the remainder, under Lockhart, advanced upon the village, which was supposed to be
still held. The infantry were in line, with skirmishers in front; the 71st, covering Le Marchant's battery, passed to the right,
the 92nd through the village and the thick enclosures on its left; the enemy abandoned the village, but many were shot by the
skirmishers. The nature of the ground now made it necessary to continue the advance in echelon; the 71st moved to the right,
and as the troop of artillery was seriously pressed, the 19th N.I. was sent to their assistance. The enemy's guns did some
damage to our cavalry, against which his fire was principally directed, and his numerous horsemen held their ground obstinately,
and tried to turn the right of our cavalry. The 92nd, now commanded by Captain A. W. Cameron, advanced in the face of a
large body of cavalry posted on a wooded rising ground. They frequently threatened to charge, coming out into the open, but
regained their shelter when our fire told on them.
The 92nd was now quite separated from the rest of the force. Le Marchant's battery was sent to join them, and as the enemy
still threatened to charge, the skirmishers were recalled, and volleys were fired by companies, the artillery throwing shot and
shell into the tope of trees occupied by the enemy, thus causing them to retire. The artillery and 92nd then joined the rest of
the force. The enemy were in full retreat, pursued by our cavalry and infantry, the latter firing as long as their light-footed
foes were within range. The 92nd had suffered much from the great heat, and were glad to quench their thirst under the shade
of an enormous banyan tree. Afterwards they encamped at Bahra, where, on the 20th, General Michel congratulated the troops
on " the signal success of yesterday near Sindwaho, when an army of 10,000 men was defeated with the loss of all their guns."
"Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart's ability in handling his brigade elicits his warmest approbation, nor can he refrain from expressing
his admiration of the infantry, whose zeal and gallantry made them forget entirely distance, heat, and fatigue, when an enemy
was in front."
On October 21st and 22nd the pursuit was continued. At 1 a.m. on the 23rd the infantry left Lullutpore, followed an hour later
by the cavalry, and reached Maltawa, a distance of thirty miles; in the afternoon; on the 24th to Dugorial, whence the General,
wishing to surprise the rebels, marched at 2 a.m. on the 25th, and at dawn discovered their army, unconscious of the British
approach, crossing his front near Koraie; the cavalry, whose horses, had suffered from fatigue more than the infantry, had been
given an hour's extra rest, and they had just come up when the infantry under Lockhart, having cut the enemy's line of march,
had dispersed them. The cavalry pursued, while the infantry followed, clearing the villages for five miles. About 350 rebels
were killed, and numbers threw down their arms. The 92nd was commanded by Captain Cameron. In his dispatch to the
Commander-in Chief, Major-General Michel says: "The infantry, by 1 o'clock p.m. on the 25th, had traversed sixty-two miles in
sixty hours, the last twelve of which was over broken ground, skirmishing with the enemy. I solicit to bring this fact
prominently to his lordship's notice, as a proof of the excellent spirit and devotion of the troops." During these long marches
they forded several rivers, but moonlight and good roads made the men tramp along cheerily to the sound of the pipes or
marching songs, though when the sun was up they welcomed the mid-day halt, dinner, and grog. Latterly the road was rough and
bad, and the soldiers stumbled along, stiff, thirsty, and tired.
The regiment arrived at Bhilsa on the 2nd November, where a much-needed supply of stockings and shoes was received. While
here one of the men was so affected by bad news in a letter from his family in Scotland that he shot himself, the sad event
casting a gloom over his comrades. From the 9th to the 15th they rested at Goolgong, in a shady camp by a lake where they
could bathe at all hours; then to Bhopal, where the Ranee gave a grand entertainment to the officers, and sent sweetmeats to all
the men. At the durbar held by the Ranee was a guard of honour of the 92nd Grenadiers. She remarked to Colonel Lockhart
that if she had such handsome men in her country, they would not have been allowed to leave it. Here also, among other strange
birds and beasts, they saw a white elephant. This part of the country being quiet, they marched on the 23rd to Sehore, where
in the woods were many apes and peacocks, which latter made an agreeable addition to the soldiers' fare.
Tantia Topee had meanwhile crossed the Nerbudda, but had been repulsed at Candeish. Major Sutherland, with a small column,
including 100 of the 92nd, crossed the Nerbudda, and was joined at Jeelwana by 50 of the 92nd and 50 of the 71st, mounted
on camels. On the 24th, Major Sutherland, having ascertained that Tantia Topee was on the road to Rajpore, pushed forward
the Highlanders on camels, but so rapidly were they followed by those on foot (both Europeans and natives), that they overtook
the riders in time to advance with them direct on the strong position which the rebels had taken up. Two guns commanded the
only approach, but the Highlanders, supported by the native troops, at once rushed up the road under fire of grapeshot. The
gunners stuck to their guns till cut down, but the rest, abandoning the position and their artillery, fled across the Nerbudda,
having wounded only a few of their assailants, among them Lieutenant and Adjutant Humfrey, who had ridden ahead of the
regiment and attacked one of the enemy's leaders; missing him with his revolver, he threw it at him, then turned to draw his
claymore, but it had been jerked out of. the scabbard-he was unarmed I The man slashed him across the arms with his sword,
when Humfrey jumped off his horse, ducked under its belly, and catching hold of his adversary's leg, pulled him off his horse;
and when some men ran up to the adjutant's assistance, they found him sitting on his prostrate foe and hammering his head on
the ground, so that he was already dead. The pursuit was now taken up by a column under Brigadier Parke, and Major
Sutherland, after remaining at Cooksee till December 27th, was ordered to join headquarters at Mhow.
Meanwhile Lockhart's Column had returned to Mhow, December 6th, having detached No. 10 1 and No. 3 Companies, under
Captain Bethune, forming part of a column (17th Lancers and a troop R.H.A.) under Brigadier Somerset, to follow up Tantia
Topee, who had again got together a following, among them a regiment of cavalry of the Gwalior contingent.
The Highlanders were mounted on riding camels, two on each ; some of them were smooth-paced, and the men soon got used to
their action, but others were so rough that some men preferred jogging alongside, saying, "I didna 'list for a horse sodger," or
"I wad rather march five-and-twenty miles than ride that muckle brute ten minutes." They underwent great privations and
fatigues in the rapid pursuit. On the last night of 1858, they managed to get some arrack to drink a good New Year, and on
New Year's Day, 1859, they came up with the rebels at Burrode, but were scarcely dismounted to attack when the enemy beat
a rapid retreat, being, however, considerably cut up by the pursuers. These companies did not rejoin headquarters till May
24th.
On March 2nd, headquarters marched from Mhow for Jhansi, but at Bursud they were directed by Sir R. Napier to leave the
heavy baggage in charge of a company, and proceed in light order to assist in clearing out the rebels located In the jungles of
that neighbourhood; when they had performed this duty they resumed their march, and arrived at Jhansi on 7th April, leaving
two companies at Lullutpore under Major Sutherland, where they were actively employed for some time.
On June 10th, No.7 Company was detached to Seepree, and on the evening of the 30th, forty men under Ensign Emmet, mounted
on elephants, went with a mixed force under Major Meade, senior officer at the station, to surprise a numerous party of rebels
in a village twenty-eight miles distant, situated on a height and surrounded by jungle. They reached it at 5.30 the following
morning, and at once attacked the rebels, who kept up a fire of musketry from the loopholed walls of a large stone-built house,
and were not finally subdued till the house caught fire. In this affair four men of the 92nd were wounded. Major Meade, in
reporting the circumstance to the officer commanding the 92nd, says, “I cannot speak too highly of Ensign Emmet and your men.
Their coolness and steadiness were most conspicuous."
October 14th.-Two companies on camels, part of a small force under Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart, left Jhansi to clear the district
of Bundelkhand of rebels, acting in conjunction with six other columns-. Some difficult and harassing marches were made, and
the rebels were scattered, but could not be brought to action.
In the course of these various expeditions in pursuit of a fugitive foe the regiment lost several men from sunstroke, but none
by the sword, though a few officers and men were wounded. Their life was one of constant change and adventure, visiting a vast
number of towns between the Nerbudda and Jeypore, generally well supplied with sheep, bread, and fruit, sometimes depending
on the peafowl they shot, and on flour porridge and buffalo milk. Once they were a long time without tobacco, till an officer
earned the thanks of the smokers by bringing a large supply from Nusserabad. Often tired and weary from hard marching they
sometimes rested for days, on which occasions pony races, shooting alligators, and bathing amused and refreshed officers and
soldiers. Nor did they lack vocal and instrumental music to cheer them in march, combat, or bivouac; Surgeon-General Landale
testifies to the inspiriting effect on the men, and the warlike feeling engendered by the sound of the bagpipes.
Tantia Topee was at length betrayed by a friend while hiding in the jungles of Seronje, was tried for complicity in the
Cawnpore massacres and hanged, and the last embers of the fire of revolt were stamped out. Tantia Topee was undoubtedly a
marvelous guerilla leader, and as Pipe-major Duncan MacPhail aptly described him, "a maist ubeequitous character."
In discussing Colonel Cameron’s retirement in 1876 as the Colonel Commanding
the 92nd Highlanders, Colonel Gardyne goes on to state:
The following farewell order by Lieut. Colonel A. W. Cameron, dated 5th September 1876, was published :
I cannot leave the Gordon Highlanders without expressing how high an honour I shall always esteem it to have been privileged
for nearly thirty-two years to serve in its ranks, and, above all, that I was entrusted with the command of it. Circumstances
compel me now to resign the charge which it was the ambition of my life to obtain, but wherever the regiment goes, there will
my best hopes and wishes accompany it. It will always afford me the greatest pleasure to learn that mutual goodwill, ready and
willing obedience to authority, and zealous and fearless discharge by all, of the duties of their several stations, continue, as
heretofore, to mark the character of the regiment. Comrades, there are now a great many young soldiers in your ranks, and
not so many “old hands” with whom in former times it rested in a measure to hand down the traditions of the regiment. I
would therefore recommend you, as a last parting word of advice, to make yourselves intimately acquainted with the history of
your regiment, to take well to heart the great name (second to none in the British Army) which our forefathers earned for it,
and always to remember that you have that name in your safe keeping. I need hardly say that to add to that name should be the
ambition of every individual in the corps, no matter what his standing is, etc.
Colonel Cameron was a son of Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort, who was wounded at the battle of Alexandria in the 92nd,
and Colonel Cameron, like his Peninsular namesake of Fassiefern, was a true Highlander, understanding the feelings and speaking
the language of his countrymen. Like him, too, he had a foster-brother named M’Lean, a soldier in the regiment. Unfortunately he
died at Kilkenny, and Cameron never could speak of him without showing the distress he felt at his untimely end, and he
supported the mother till her death. Colonel Cameron died in Inverness-shire, July 1888 and was buried among many of his name
and of his regiment at Kilmallie.
A characteristic story of Colonel Cameron was told me by Lieutenant (afterwards Major General Sir Hector) MacDonald.
When a corporal he was sent for by the colonel, who said, “Corporal MacDonald, there is a vacancy for a sergeant, and though
you are a young soldier 1 intend to make you, but I would have you remember that a sergeant in the Gordon Highlanders is at
least equal to a member of Parliament, and I expect you to behave accordingly!” Corporal MacDonald mentioned the
circumstance to the sergeant-major, and asked what the colonel meant by his being equal to an M.P. “Oh, my lad," said the
sergeant-major, “he only means that he respects us, and he wants us to respect ourselves."
Colonel Cameron died in 1888. His obituary in The Scotsman of 28 July 1888 stated:
The Late Colonel Cameron of Inverailort.
Yesterday Colonel Arthur Wellington Cameron, son of the late Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B., of Inverailort, Invernesshire,
died suddenly at Dunain House, near Inverness. The deceased was in his usual health up till yesterday, and death is believed to
have been due to heart disease. He was an able and distinguished officer, and for many years commanded the 92nd Gordon
Highlanders. A niece of the decease, Miss Christian Cameron, of Inverailort, was to have been married to Mr. James Head, of
Newberries, Herts, but owing to the sudden death of Colonel Cameron, the marriage has been postponed.
the 92nd Highlanders, Colonel Gardyne goes on to state:
The following farewell order by Lieut. Colonel A. W. Cameron, dated 5th September 1876, was published :
I cannot leave the Gordon Highlanders without expressing how high an honour I shall always esteem it to have been privileged
for nearly thirty-two years to serve in its ranks, and, above all, that I was entrusted with the command of it. Circumstances
compel me now to resign the charge which it was the ambition of my life to obtain, but wherever the regiment goes, there will
my best hopes and wishes accompany it. It will always afford me the greatest pleasure to learn that mutual goodwill, ready and
willing obedience to authority, and zealous and fearless discharge by all, of the duties of their several stations, continue, as
heretofore, to mark the character of the regiment. Comrades, there are now a great many young soldiers in your ranks, and
not so many “old hands” with whom in former times it rested in a measure to hand down the traditions of the regiment. I
would therefore recommend you, as a last parting word of advice, to make yourselves intimately acquainted with the history of
your regiment, to take well to heart the great name (second to none in the British Army) which our forefathers earned for it,
and always to remember that you have that name in your safe keeping. I need hardly say that to add to that name should be the
ambition of every individual in the corps, no matter what his standing is, etc.
Colonel Cameron was a son of Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort, who was wounded at the battle of Alexandria in the 92nd,
and Colonel Cameron, like his Peninsular namesake of Fassiefern, was a true Highlander, understanding the feelings and speaking
the language of his countrymen. Like him, too, he had a foster-brother named M’Lean, a soldier in the regiment. Unfortunately he
died at Kilkenny, and Cameron never could speak of him without showing the distress he felt at his untimely end, and he
supported the mother till her death. Colonel Cameron died in Inverness-shire, July 1888 and was buried among many of his name
and of his regiment at Kilmallie.
A characteristic story of Colonel Cameron was told me by Lieutenant (afterwards Major General Sir Hector) MacDonald.
When a corporal he was sent for by the colonel, who said, “Corporal MacDonald, there is a vacancy for a sergeant, and though
you are a young soldier 1 intend to make you, but I would have you remember that a sergeant in the Gordon Highlanders is at
least equal to a member of Parliament, and I expect you to behave accordingly!” Corporal MacDonald mentioned the
circumstance to the sergeant-major, and asked what the colonel meant by his being equal to an M.P. “Oh, my lad," said the
sergeant-major, “he only means that he respects us, and he wants us to respect ourselves."
Colonel Cameron died in 1888. His obituary in The Scotsman of 28 July 1888 stated:
The Late Colonel Cameron of Inverailort.
Yesterday Colonel Arthur Wellington Cameron, son of the late Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B., of Inverailort, Invernesshire,
died suddenly at Dunain House, near Inverness. The deceased was in his usual health up till yesterday, and death is believed to
have been due to heart disease. He was an able and distinguished officer, and for many years commanded the 92nd Gordon
Highlanders. A niece of the decease, Miss Christian Cameron, of Inverailort, was to have been married to Mr. James Head, of
Newberries, Herts, but owing to the sudden death of Colonel Cameron, the marriage has been postponed.
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