The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-15 00:00:00

MILITARY ANTECEDENTS OF SIR

11. HAVELOCK.

I An Orderly-room Sergeant, in writing to a con-
I temporary, says :—G-en. Havelock's first commis-
sion is dated July 20, 1815 ; his second, that of
lieutenant, Oct. 24, 1821 ; captain, June 5, 1838 ;
brevet major, Oct. 4, 1842 ; major, June 30, 1843 ;
1 brevet-lieutenant-colonel, April 30, 1844 ;
2 col, June 2.), 1854, and colonel ou the same day.
It is gratifying to be able to record that his only
step of rank obtained by purchase was that of lieu-
' tenant from eraign, at the difference price of 2501.
We find Gen. Havelock serving in the Burmese
war in 1824, '25, and '26, as lieutenant and deputy
1. assistant-adjutant-general, at the head-quarters of
a Sir A. Campbell's army, and present at the capture
of Kemundine, Muinarcof, and Melloon, and at
the action of Pagham Wrew. We next find him
with the rank of captain, and then of brevet-major,
serving with the army of the Indus, and in Affghan-
istan in 1839, 1841, 1842, as aide-de-camp to Sir I
W. Cotton, as Persian interpreter to Gen. Elphin-
stone, and to Sir R. Sale, and deputy-assistant-
adjutant-general in Sir . Pollock'a force, being
attached to Sir John M'Caskill's division of that
army ; present at the storm and_ capture of
•Ghuznee, for which service he received the medal,
and actively engaged in several actions iu forcing
the passes between Cabool and Jellalabad, and
assipled the gallant Sale at the glorious defence of
the latter place in 1841 and 1842.
General Havelock comman led the right column
in the attack on Mahommed Akbar's camp on the
ith of April, 1842, obtaining the medal—for this
and his preceding distinguished services he was
nominated a Companion of the Bath. He was
also present in the action of Tezeen, at the recap-
ture of Pabool, receiving the medal ; and was senior
officer of Sir John M'Caskill's staff during the suc-
ceeding operations in the Kohistan, including the
attack and capture of Istaliff. Gen. Havelock also
served as Persian interpreter to Lord Gough at the
battle of Maharajpore, receiving the medal; and
also throughout the Satlej campaign of 1845-6,
including the battles of Moodke9, Ferozshah,
and Sobraon, receiving the medal and two clasps.
That he took an active part in those engagements
is evidenced by the fact of his having had two
horses shot under him at Moodkee, and another at
the brilliant action of Sobraon.
Taking those services with the nine victorous
actions in which General Havelock has commanded
in chief into account, I think it may be fairly
presumed that he has pursued as brilliant a career
in the active duti-s of military life as has fallen to
the lot of any officer in the army for the last 33
years.

I beg here to acknowledge that I derive my in-
formation from " Hart's Army List," a most vain-
able work, that ought to be read by every one who
feels an interest in the welfare of the British army.
It is to the army what " O'Byrne's Naval Bio-
.graphy" is to the navy, a record of professional
services ; but excelling that work in this, that it is
published quarterly, wish promotions and appoint-
ments during the preceding three months, whereas
the "Navalßiograrihy" has only had one publica-
tion, and remains stationary.

NA VAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.