XIII. Marches and service.—The description of the marches and services of the regiment,
so faithfully given by Surgeon Gunn in the annual report of 1875, left the regiment
encamped beyond the Nujjufghur Jheel at Delhi at the camp of exercise, together with the
other regiments forming the 1st cavalry brigade. The ground, water-supply, system of conserv--
ancy, health of the men, &c., have been described in the above report ; so that to avoid repe--
tition, I will only state that the regiment remained on that site until the 31st of January 1876,
when, on the breaking up of the camp of exercise, it moved nearer to Delhi, and took up a
position on an encamping-ground vacated by one of the departed regiments. Here everything
was as satisfactory as could be desired. The ground was clean and well drained. The water-
supply was excellent both in quality and amount, and was procured from two large pucka
masonry wells, situated about 50 yards to the rear of the camp. The trench system of
latrines was again put in force, and answered admirably. The latrine was situated about
200 yards to the right rear of the camp, and tattie screens were so arranged as to ensure
privacy.
Marches and
service.
The hospital was situated towards the left rear of the camp, on a level, elevated piece
of ground, well shaded by trees. A small latrine, on the trench system, was made about 20 yards,
to the rear of the hospital for the use of the patients who were unable to proceed to the regi-
mental latrine. The change to this camp from the former one was gratefully felt, as trees
abounded and afforded shade during the heat of the day. The distance of the camp from Delhi
was about two miles.
The health of the regiment was all that could be desired during the time it remained
there. The regiment remained on the above described site until the 8th of February, when,
after being inspected by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, it started from Delhi on the
return-journey to Meerut. Altogether the regiment was absent from cantonment from
the 15th November 1875 to the 10th of February 1876, a period of two months and twenty-
six days.
Hospital.
Health of
regiment.
On the 28th of November 1876 the head-quarters of the regiment again left Meerut
en route to Delhi, to take part in the Imperial Assemblage gathering convened at the latter
place. On the Completion of the fourth march the regiment reached its final halting-place,
Budle-ki-Serai.
Imperial
Assemblage
Camp.
T h e p e r m a n e n t e n c a m p i n g - g r o u n d o f t h e r e g i m e n t w a s s i t u a t e d a b o u t h a l t a m i l e b e y o n d
Budle-ki-Serai, near a village on the grand trunk road, distant from Delhi city about six miles.
The encamping-ground was a large, open maidan, almost level and slightly lower than the
immediate surrounding country : from its low level it must have been almost a lake in the rainy
season.
The water-supply was procured from three sources : the canal mentioned above,
a large masonry well in the Shalimar gardens, and from one in the Shalimar village. The
supply was ample, and that obtained from the wells was an excellent potable water. The
water in the canal varied as regards quality, and was only utilised by the men for ablutionary
Purposes.
The regimental latrine, on the trench system, was situated about 200 yards from the
quarter-guard of the regiment. Privacy was ensured by means of tattie screens. As
a rule, all the men of the regiment resorted to the latrine for purposes of nature. A separate
latrine was constructed for the women and children of the regiment, and also a small one close
to the hospital for the convenience of the patients.
The hospital, which consisted of one pâl, was situated in the usual place, behind the
tent of the medical officer. The ground on which it was pitched was previously cleaned
and leeped, straw was laid down inside, and a deep trench made all round. To prevent
any ill effects arising from the men in hospital sleeping on the ground, string charpoys were
Procured for them to sleep on..
Food of all descriptions was abundant, of good quality, and cheap during the
camp.
Permanent
camp.
Water-supply.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
Food,
The weather up to the end of the year was favorable. Rain fell but once, and Weather.
then only in small quantity. The nights were very cold, frosts being by no means of uncommon
oc c ur r e nc e .
The men enjoyed excellent health from the date of arrival at Delhi. Fever almost
completely disappeared, and in fact nearly all admissions into hospital were due to injuries.
The physique of the men improved, and I feel convinced that they benefited by a change
to camp life, and enjoyed better health than they would have done had they remained in
cantonment. The decrease in the number of cases of fever that occurred in camp is worthy
of remark. Before the regiment left Meerut it was by no means an unusual occurrence to see
two or three men at hospital of a morning suffering either from fever or feverish complaints ;
whereas, on the other hand, during the entire sojourn of the regiment in camp, only four cases
of fever were admitted into hospital. The number of nights in bed during the camp averaged
4. 5. The duties the men had to perform were by no means severe, as the chief work consisted
of escort duty.
XIV. Hospital.—The regimental hospital has been described in former reports (1874-75).
The following improvements have been made in it during the year. A flagged flooring has
been laid down in the two verandah rooms ; and one side of the building has been rendered
complete with partially glazed doors. The other side of the building has still the old
wooden doors, which, when closed exclude the light and render the interior dark and
gloomy.
Health in
camp.
Hospital.