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Colin Campbell – a profile of a soldier

Volume: 18, No: 04 ; April-2024

Colin Campbell was born in Glasgow on October 20, 1792. He was the oldest child of John Macliver, a carpenter from Glasgow, and Agnes Campbell, who came from the Campbell clan of Islay. His education was paid for by his uncle, Colonel John Campbell, who also introduced him to the Duke of York in 1807, making him a candidate for a military commission.

On May 26, 1808, Campbell was promoted to the rank of ensign in the 9th Regiment and set sail for Portugal with the 2nd battalion, as part of Sir Arthur Wellesley’s campaign. He participated in the Battle of Rolica and was there when the Battle of Vimeiro took place; he also served with his regiment during Sir John Moore’s march to Salamanca and the retreat to Corunna. Campbell was with the first battalion of the 9th Regiment during the Walcheren expedition, where he contracted malaria.

On January 28, 1809, Campbell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and in 1810, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion in Gibraltar. Lieutenant-General Colin Campbell then paired Campbell with the Spanish army, where he served until December 1811. He then returned to the 2nd Battalion. In January 1813, Campbell transferred to the 1st Battalion of the 9th Regiment, under Colonel John Cameron’s command. He took part in the Battle of Vittoria and the siege of San Sebastian. On July 17, 1813, Campbell led the assault on the fortified convent of San Bartholomé; however, his attempt to storm the fortress itself was unsuccessful. He was wounded twice and was subsequently recommended for a promotion. On November 9, 1813, he was assigned a company in the 60th rifles. He received a pension of £100 a year for his injuries and was ordered to join the 7th battalion of the 60th rifles in Nova Scotia.

In five years, Campbell ascended to the rank of captain, but it wasn’t until nearly thirty years later that he reached the position of Colonel. He started his military career with the 5th battalion of the 60th Rifles in November 1816, and by the time he moved to the 21st regiment (later known as the Royal Scots Fusiliers) in April 1819, he had already established a reputation. In 1821, he was entrusted with the roles of aide-de-camp to the Governor of British Guiana and Brigade-Major for the troops stationed at Demerara. By 1825, he had become a Major.

In 1826, Campbell returned to England, leveraging his influential connections at headquarters. On 26 October 1832, he was able to purchase the rank of lieutenant-colonel, yet he persisted in his quest for a regimental command. By 1835, he succeeded in becoming the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 9th Regiment, after which he transferred to the 98th upon its return from the Cape in 1837. He led this regiment in the north of England, where it earned repeated accolades from Sir Charles Napier, the general commanding the northern frontier.

In 1841, Campbell embarked on a journey to China with the 98th, aimed at bolstering the military forces there under the command of Sir Hugh Gough. They arrived in Hong Kong on 2 June 1842 and played a significant role in the Opium Wars in China, despite being severely impacted by illness. Following the peace, his regiment was stationed in Hong Kong, where Campbell took over leadership of the troops. He was recognized with several honors, including being mentioned in dispatches, serving as aide-de-camp to the Queen, promoted to Colonel, and granted a C.B.

Colin Campbell

In January 1844, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and took over the leadership of his brigade in Chusan, where he stayed until July 25, 1846. He arrived in Calcutta on October 24, 1846, and in January 1847, he took command of another brigade at Lahore. He participated in the Sikh Wars in India, and his efforts were acknowledged with his appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1849. Campbell had plans to return to England and retire, expressing his desire in his diary on October 20, 1849, stating, ‘I am growing old and only fit for retirement’. However, due to the requests of Lord Dalhousie and Sir Charles Napier, he chose to stay and spent an additional three years at the frontier post. He stepped down from his command on July 25, 1846, and in March 1853, he finally returned to England after a twelve-year absence. He went on half-pay and took a year off to visit his numerous friends, including Sir Charles Napier.

On February 11, 1854, Campbell was appointed to lead one of the two brigades destined for the Crimea. He accepted the position, but by the time he reached Turkey, the brigade had become part of a division, and he was tasked with leading the Highland Brigade of the 1st Division under the Duke of Cambridge. This division included the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd Highlanders. On June 20, 1854, while stationed at Varna, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He arrived in the Crimea and played a crucial role in the Battle of the Alma, leading his brigade in the assault on the redoubt that had been recaptured by the enemy and defeating the final Russian columns. His only request for recognition was the right to wear the highland bonnet instead of the cocked hat of a general officer. Campbell took command at Balaclava and was instrumental in repelling the Russian infantry column from the 93rd Highlanders. However, he did not participate in the Battle of Inkerman. In December 1854, he took over the command of the First Division, which included the Guards and Highland Brigades, upon the Duke of Cambridge’s return to England. Campbell continued to lead at Balaclava, focusing on improving the living conditions for the army during the harsh winter. He received constant praise from Lord Raglan for his services, and was promoted to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on July 5, 1855.

On June 16, 1855, Campbell led his division into battle, and played a crucial role as the reserve commander during the Battle of the Redan on September 8. However, his career was being threatened: Lord Panmure suggested he should succeed in leading Malta’s government, and later proposed he serve under Codrington, who had never fired a shot before the Battle of the Alma. Outraged, Campbell departed from the Crimean campaign on November 3. Disappointed, he reconsidered his decisions and, by June 4, 1856, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General, rejoining the campaign in the Crimea to command a division under Codrington’s leadership. Campbell only led the Highland Division for a brief period before returning to Britain.

He was honored with the title of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, and Knight of the First Class of the Order of the Medjidie. Campbell was awarded a gold sword of honor from Glasgow and honored with an honorary Doctor of Civil Laws degree from the University of Oxford.

In 1856, Campbell took charge of the south-eastern sector and in September was named inspector-general of infantry. Later that year, in December, he was sent to Berlin to place the Prince of Prussia with the Grand Cross of the Bath. By March 1857, Campbell was approached to command the forthcoming China expedition he declined.

On July 11, the news of the Indian Mutiny and the death of General Anson, the Indian army’s commander-in-chief, reached Britain. Lord Palmerston invited Campbell, who was on the verge of resigning from his post, to assume the role of commander-in-chief, which Campbell accepted. He then departed for India, reaching Calcutta in August. By this time, Major-General Archdale Wilson had reclaimed Delhi, and Havelock had captured Cawnpore, initiating preparations to relieve Lucknow. The campaign spanned over a year, concluding with India being firmly under British dominion.

On May 14, 1858, Campbell was advanced to the rank of General, and on January 15, 1858, he became colonel of the 93rd Highlanders. In June 1861, with the establishment of the Order, he was conferred the Knight’s Service Iron Cross; and by July 3, 1858, he was raised to the peerage as Lord Clyde of Clydesdale. His health was deteriorating by this time, and on June 4, 1860, with profound regret, he resigned from his duties in India.

The East India Company’s final move was to grant Campbell a yearly pension of £2,000; in July 1860, he became the colonel of the Coldstream Guards; and on 9 November 1862, he was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. In December 1860, he received the privilege of being the city of London’s Freedom of the City; that same year, he participated in the Prussian maneuvers as a representative of the Horse Guards; and in April 1862, he led the Easter volunteer review as the commander. Campbell passed away on 14 August 1863, and his funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on 22 August.

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Colin Campbell – a profile of a soldier

Colin Campbell was born in Glasgow on October 20, 1792. He was the oldest child of John Macliver, a carpenter from Glasgow, and Agnes Campbell, who came from the Campbell clan of Islay. His education was paid for by his uncle, Colonel John Campbell, who also introduced him to the Duke of York in 1807, making him a candidate for a military commission.

On May 26, 1808, Campbell was promoted to the rank of ensign in the 9th Regiment and set sail for Portugal with the 2nd battalion, as part of Sir Arthur Wellesley’s campaign. He participated in the Battle of Rolica and was there when the Battle of Vimeiro took place; he also served with his regiment during Sir John Moore’s march to Salamanca and the retreat to Corunna. Campbell was with the first battalion of the 9th Regiment during the Walcheren expedition, where he contracted malaria.

On January 28, 1809, Campbell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and in 1810, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion in Gibraltar. Lieutenant-General Colin Campbell then paired Campbell with the Spanish army, where he served until December 1811. He then returned to the 2nd Battalion. In January 1813, Campbell transferred to the 1st Battalion of the 9th Regiment, under Colonel John Cameron’s command. He took part in the Battle of Vittoria and the siege of San Sebastian. On July 17, 1813, Campbell led the assault on the fortified convent of San Bartholomé; however, his attempt to storm the fortress itself was unsuccessful. He was wounded twice and was subsequently recommended for a promotion. On November 9, 1813, he was assigned a company in the 60th rifles. He received a pension of £100 a year for his injuries and was ordered to join the 7th battalion of the 60th rifles in Nova Scotia.

In five years, Campbell ascended to the rank of captain, but it wasn’t until nearly thirty years later that he reached the position of Colonel. He started his military career with the 5th battalion of the 60th Rifles in November 1816, and by the time he moved to the 21st regiment (later known as the Royal Scots Fusiliers) in April 1819, he had already established a reputation. In 1821, he was entrusted with the roles of aide-de-camp to the Governor of British Guiana and Brigade-Major for the troops stationed at Demerara. By 1825, he had become a Major.

In 1826, Campbell returned to England, leveraging his influential connections at headquarters. On 26 October 1832, he was able to purchase the rank of lieutenant-colonel, yet he persisted in his quest for a regimental command. By 1835, he succeeded in becoming the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 9th Regiment, after which he transferred to the 98th upon its return from the Cape in 1837. He led this regiment in the north of England, where it earned repeated accolades from Sir Charles Napier, the general commanding the northern frontier.

In 1841, Campbell embarked on a journey to China with the 98th, aimed at bolstering the military forces there under the command of Sir Hugh Gough. They arrived in Hong Kong on 2 June 1842 and played a significant role in the Opium Wars in China, despite being severely impacted by illness. Following the peace, his regiment was stationed in Hong Kong, where Campbell took over leadership of the troops. He was recognized with several honors, including being mentioned in dispatches, serving as aide-de-camp to the Queen, promoted to Colonel, and granted a C.B.

Colin Campbell

In January 1844, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and took over the leadership of his brigade in Chusan, where he stayed until July 25, 1846. He arrived in Calcutta on October 24, 1846, and in January 1847, he took command of another brigade at Lahore. He participated in the Sikh Wars in India, and his efforts were acknowledged with his appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1849. Campbell had plans to return to England and retire, expressing his desire in his diary on October 20, 1849, stating, ‘I am growing old and only fit for retirement’. However, due to the requests of Lord Dalhousie and Sir Charles Napier, he chose to stay and spent an additional three years at the frontier post. He stepped down from his command on July 25, 1846, and in March 1853, he finally returned to England after a twelve-year absence. He went on half-pay and took a year off to visit his numerous friends, including Sir Charles Napier.

On February 11, 1854, Campbell was appointed to lead one of the two brigades destined for the Crimea. He accepted the position, but by the time he reached Turkey, the brigade had become part of a division, and he was tasked with leading the Highland Brigade of the 1st Division under the Duke of Cambridge. This division included the 42nd, 79th, and 93rd Highlanders. On June 20, 1854, while stationed at Varna, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He arrived in the Crimea and played a crucial role in the Battle of the Alma, leading his brigade in the assault on the redoubt that had been recaptured by the enemy and defeating the final Russian columns. His only request for recognition was the right to wear the highland bonnet instead of the cocked hat of a general officer. Campbell took command at Balaclava and was instrumental in repelling the Russian infantry column from the 93rd Highlanders. However, he did not participate in the Battle of Inkerman. In December 1854, he took over the command of the First Division, which included the Guards and Highland Brigades, upon the Duke of Cambridge’s return to England. Campbell continued to lead at Balaclava, focusing on improving the living conditions for the army during the harsh winter. He received constant praise from Lord Raglan for his services, and was promoted to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on July 5, 1855.

On June 16, 1855, Campbell led his division into battle, and played a crucial role as the reserve commander during the Battle of the Redan on September 8. However, his career was being threatened: Lord Panmure suggested he should succeed in leading Malta’s government, and later proposed he serve under Codrington, who had never fired a shot before the Battle of the Alma. Outraged, Campbell departed from the Crimean campaign on November 3. Disappointed, he reconsidered his decisions and, by June 4, 1856, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General, rejoining the campaign in the Crimea to command a division under Codrington’s leadership. Campbell only led the Highland Division for a brief period before returning to Britain.

He was honored with the title of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, and Knight of the First Class of the Order of the Medjidie. Campbell was awarded a gold sword of honor from Glasgow and honored with an honorary Doctor of Civil Laws degree from the University of Oxford.

In 1856, Campbell took charge of the south-eastern sector and in September was named inspector-general of infantry. Later that year, in December, he was sent to Berlin to place the Prince of Prussia with the Grand Cross of the Bath. By March 1857, Campbell was approached to command the forthcoming China expedition he declined.

On July 11, the news of the Indian Mutiny and the death of General Anson, the Indian army’s commander-in-chief, reached Britain. Lord Palmerston invited Campbell, who was on the verge of resigning from his post, to assume the role of commander-in-chief, which Campbell accepted. He then departed for India, reaching Calcutta in August. By this time, Major-General Archdale Wilson had reclaimed Delhi, and Havelock had captured Cawnpore, initiating preparations to relieve Lucknow. The campaign spanned over a year, concluding with India being firmly under British dominion.

On May 14, 1858, Campbell was advanced to the rank of General, and on January 15, 1858, he became colonel of the 93rd Highlanders. In June 1861, with the establishment of the Order, he was conferred the Knight’s Service Iron Cross; and by July 3, 1858, he was raised to the peerage as Lord Clyde of Clydesdale. His health was deteriorating by this time, and on June 4, 1860, with profound regret, he resigned from his duties in India.

The East India Company’s final move was to grant Campbell a yearly pension of £2,000; in July 1860, he became the colonel of the Coldstream Guards; and on 9 November 1862, he was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. In December 1860, he received the privilege of being the city of London’s Freedom of the City; that same year, he participated in the Prussian maneuvers as a representative of the Horse Guards; and in April 1862, he led the Easter volunteer review as the commander. Campbell passed away on 14 August 1863, and his funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on 22 August.