"Here I must address myself in a more direct manner to the Officers now before me, and in justice to them say, that their conduct, and the conduct of all the British Officers in these two battles, was very noble. For several hours the two lines were fighting close to each other, and as I cast my eye along the field, I everywhere saw the British Officers display their worthiness as Military leaders, and with unflinching intrepidity animating their Soldiers to battle! To them, therefore, I will now first distribute these honorable decorations."
The Governor then dismounted, and advancing to the line of officers of several regiments, and who had not before received their medals, his Excellency presented each with the Medal,--the bands playing "God save the Queen."
On giving that which belonged to Lieutenant Marston, of the 25th N. I., the General observed,--"But for you, Marston, I probably should not have had this pleasure;" alluding to this Officer having intrepidly thrown himself in front of his General when attacked by a Beloochee Chief, whom the Lieutenant cut down ere he could reach the General.
On the 18th of April the regiment left Hyderabad, and proceeded to Kurrachee, where the right wing and head-quarters embarked on the 27th of April, and sailed to Bombay. Previously to the embarkation of the regiment for Bombay, the following order was issued by Major-General Sir Charles Napier, Governor of Scinde:--
"You well know why I send you to Bombay, and you also know how much I dislike doing so. But nothing shall stand in the way of your health and well-being, that I have the power to remove. Cut up by Disease and by Battle, you require rest, that you may again join us, and add to the Laurels with which you are already decorated.
"C. J. NAPIER, _Major-General_, _Governor_."
The reception of the regiment at Bombay, on the 2nd of May, was distinguished by high marks of honor, by command of the Governor, on which occasion the accompanying order was issued:--
"By the Honorable the Governor.--The Head-Quarters of Her Majesty's TWENTY-SECOND Regiment of Foot having arrived from Scinde, will be disembarked to-morrow morning at sunrise.
"On this occasion the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Garrison, desirous of paying every mark of honor to this distinguished Corps, will himself receive it at the Apollo Pier.