Ernest Albert Egerton VC Whilst cataloguing and packing documents in the Archives,
Dave Sands came across these General Order Entries for December 1833, a fascinating account of one way in which discipline was enforced:
16th G.O.
At a General Court Martial held at Port Louis on the 3rd and continued by adjournment until the 14th inst; was arraigned No 761 Private Robert McLean of H.M. 29th Regt of Foot upon the following charge viz: “For Mutiny, on or about Sunday the 24th November 1833 whilst quartered at Port Louis in Mauritius, in having twice deliberately taken aim with and twice pulled the trigger of a musket loaded with ball cartridge when by him levelled at Colour Sergeant Michael Feeney of the same corps, with an intent to Murder, maim, or disable, or to do grievous bodily harm the perpetration and accomplishment of the above- mentioned outrageous act being prevented and frustrated wholly by the said musket’s missing fire” – upon which charge the Court came to the following decision – The Court having most deliberately and maturely weighed and considered the whole of the evidence in support of the prosecution against the Prisoner Private Robert McLean of his Majesty’s 29th Regiment of Foot, together with what he has attempted to set up as a defence, is of the opinion that he is Guilty of the charge preferred against him, and of every part thereof, and doth sentence the said Private Robert McLean of His Majesty’s 29th Regiment to be shot to death at such time and place his Excellency the Commander in Chief in Mauritius may think proper to direct.
(By the same Court Martial was tried Private Charles Baird of HM 9th Regt for discharging his firelock at acting Sergeant Major Thomas Alexander Montgomery of the same corps – Sentenced to be shot to death).
20th G.O.
With reference to the General order of the 16th inst: The sentence of death passed on the Prisoners Pte Robert McLean No761 of HM 29th Regt of Foot, and Pte Charles Baird of HM 9th Regt of Foot, will be carried into execution in the presence of the respective Garrisons of Port Louis and Mahe’bourg on Saturday morning next the 21st inst: at sunrise, according to the following detail viz:
An execution party consisting of 1 Sergeant and 12 rank and file of the Regiment to which the prisoner belongs. An escort of 1 Subaltern, 2 Sergeants and 30 rank and file, to be taken from the Garrison Guards (leaving sentries standing) and to be completed – if not of sufficient strength – to that number. These parties to assemble at the Main Guard in the following order:
1. The Officiating Provost Martial.
2. The Band of the Regiment, to which the Prisoner belongs, with muffled drums. 3. The Execution Party with arms reversed.
4. The Prisoner’s coffin, borne on the shoulders of four men of the Company to which the prisoner belongs.
5. The Prisoner accompanied by the Rev Mr Jones, with a Private from the escort on each side and a Non Commissioned Officer in the rear.
6. The escort in three divisions. 132 October 2010
The procession to be under the Captain of the Day - On arriving at the place appointed for the execution – where the Troops will be formed on three sides of the square, facing inwards – the procession will enter by the left flank and move in ordinary time (the music playing the dead march in Saul) through the Ranks opened at six paces, the front rank facing to the rear. When the Prisoner and the execution party shall have been placed by the Provost in their stations the escort will retire and form on the right of the Royal Artillery: the coffin carriers will also retire to their Regiment and the square will be brought to its original formation. The crime and sentence of the Court Martial will then be read, together with the warrant for the execution and, after a reasonable time being allowed for prayer, the Prisoner will be placed on his knees with his eyes bound and facing the troops when the Provost Marshal will proceed according to his instructions. The execution being finished the Troops will break into open column of sections, right in front, and march past the body in slow time – as soon as the whole has passed, the body will be encased in its coffin and interred.
(Signed)
H.E.Hunter Dep: Adj: Gen
21st G.O.
It must be truly heart rending to every good man to reflect on the numerous instances of deliberate attempts to murder which have occurred among the Troops, in this command, and it must for a long time past have been clearly perceived that the continual perpetration of a Crime of so heinous a nature could only end in the awful manner just witnessed. The two men who have this day suffered, and who belonged to distinguished Regiments, endeavoured in the most cold-blooded manner, to send two of their Brother soldiers into eternity with their sins on their heads. They had a most impartial and patient trial – their Guilt was proved beyond all doubt – and it was impossible to find the most distant ground for clemency. Finally they made a full confession of their guilt *. It is devoutly to be hoped that the very zealous spiritual assistance they received instilled into their hearts sincere repentance and that they both may find mercy at the hands of their creator. It now remains for the Commander in Chief to call in the most solemn manner on every soldier to reflect on the fate of these two unfortunate men. His Excellency trusts it will awaken in them a just abhorrence of a crime at which Human Nature shudders; and that by a firm resolution to maintain hereafter a steady, peacefully conduct, and a spirit of good will towards their fellow soldiers of all ranks, they will wipe away the stigma that has thus unhappily been brought on the honourable service to which they belong.
(Signed)
H.E.Hunter D.A.G
(* This is not the case. Samuel McLean, after his trial, always declared most solemnly that the attempt at murder was merely a pretence, his object being to get himself transported. He left a written declaration to the same effect which was not opened until his execution had taken place)
The Mercian Eagle
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