New Spalding Club > House of Gordon > Gordons under arms

352 HOUSE OF GORDON.
At whatever hour of the day or night the march might close, Sir William with or without
the help of a candle inspected every horse's back, and if the hair appeared to be in the least de-
gree ruffled, shifted the stuffing of the saddle, from the tender place, with a homely but effective
instrument, a two-pronged steel fork. If the back were actually sore, the trooper could look
forward to the pleasure of tramping with the rear guard on his own feet until it was healed, for
this was the golden rule from which the captain never departed.
1858, Sep. 15, Sir William was in command of the 17th and 150 native
cavalry in the pursuit of Tantia's force of 8000 men, and 27 guns, and lost
only one horse. He, as was his invariable rule, "waited until he had seen
every trooper pass before him, and then gave the word to open out and pursue
at the gallop, adding that the first man up should have for his reward what-
ever the leader carried on him. Well-mounted, and an admirable horseman,
Sir William Gordon won the race, killed the leader with his own hand, and
divided the gold bracelets and other ornaments of great value that were on
his body, among the men that were first after him." Sir William, referring
to this, 1904, Oct. 25, said: "Well do I remember the dear old General's
orders. When the infantry were dead beat from a burning sun, he said ' Go
forward, my boy, with the cavalry and win your spurs,' and after about ten
hours of pursuit were captured the 27 guns ". 1858, Oct. 9, Sir William and
his troop pursued some Velliattees, who had continued, owing to the thick-
ness of the jungle, to steal up unperceived in rear of Michel's support and
had succeeded in murdering a wounded Highlander. They followed them
into the jungle — every man worked for himself — and when the 17th finally
emerged, they left over 80 of the rebels dead on the ground. Every man of
the 43 present killed two, and Gordon himself galloping like the wind, killed
four with his own sword, and knocked over as many more with his horse's
chest ; he had a narrow escape, a rebel who was just about to fire on his back,
being killed in the nick of time by Sergeant Cope. General Michel wrote
after this action, " I solicit to bring Sir William Gordon's services and those
of the squadron under his command, who did their duty admirably, prominently
to the notice of his Excellenc}' ". Fortescue says (p. 163) : —
It is hardly surprising that his troop did wonders with such a captain. The bulk of the
active work of this campaign fell upon Sir William's squadron ; when after six months' hard
work, he rejoined the headquarters of the regiment. Gen. Michel sent Col. Benson the follow-
ing letter, dated Camp, Mhow, Headquarters, M.D.A., December i, 185S, ' I am directed by the
Major General to state that as the 17th Lancers are again proceeding to take the field, he is
desirous to express his strong approbation of the conduct of the squadron commanded by Sir
William Gordon which alone has accompanied the Mhow column through the whole of the late
operations in the field. Notwithstanding the most severe service in the worst weather, this
squadron, owing to the unremitting attention of Sir William Gordon, is almost as efficient as on
the day when it left Mhow. The Major General has remarked that this officer's care was ex-