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MINUTES OP PROCEEDINGS OF 
hardy Ghoorkas of the 44th. At last a Cossiah bullet broke his shins and 
quieted his ardour, or rather his pace. This Cossiah campaign was one of 
England's little wars of which nothing is known at home, but in which 
there was much silent endurance and untold privation. 
The 12th Eegiment consisted of men of different classes; the old Sepoy, 
tall, straight, and spindle-shanked; and the more warlike though less cleanly 
Patan and Sikh. The men were dressed in red, with red turban, a telling 
uniform for parade but one scarcely adapted for the concealment necessary 
in hill and bush fighting. The 44th Eegiment, principally hill men from 
Nepal, called Ghoorkas, were dressed in dark-green, and though badly 
armed (having the old heavy brown bess) they had the look of men meant 
for hard service; they were fresh from the Cossiah campaign, the best school 
in which a soldier could be taught stockade making and taking, and how to 
march well with little to eat and less to wear. 
The climate at our rendezvous in Assam in October was cool and pleasant ; 
the dews at night were the heaviest I have ever known, but the force 
remained healthy. Game abounded in the neighbourhood—buffalo, pig, 
and deer were killed in considerable numbers; as also smaller game, such 
as partridge, bustard, and wild-fowl. Tiger and bear, and also rhinoceros 
were known to abound, but the jungle grass was so high and dense at this 
season of the year that they could not be seen, though often within a few 
yards of the excited and expectant sportsman. The wild buffalo is identical 
with the tame, owing to the villagers never keeping tame bulls, but trusting 
to the wild ones for their offices; several tame cow-buffaloes fell victims in 
consequence, but as the owners got well rewarded, I rather believe that they 
assisted in more than prevented the deaths. 
The commissariat arrangements for an advance could not be completed, 
in consequence of the carriage necessary for baggage and provision having 
been taken by other officers of different columns. However, at length 
Colonel Eichardson determined to go on as best he could, and accordingly 
moved off with one half (or right leg) of his force to Bijnee, the nearest 
point in Bhootan territory (where a detachment of our force had been early 
sent), returning the baggage animals to bring up the other half (or left leg). 
Two mornings after Colonel Eichardson had left, several elephants arrived 
in camp, and I was desired to follow with the sappers as an escort; a number 
of bullocks were given me for baggage, as also provisions for three days, and 
anxious to get to the front, we gladly prepared for our start. 
A herd of bullocks was driven towards the lines we occupy, and among 
terms of endearment and cries of rage the soldiers proceeded to lade 
the brutes ; but alas! no sooner would the gentle bile (anglice bullock) 
have his load fairly and equitably poised than with a wriggle and a twist 
he would jump it off his back, and, turning round, stare innocently at the 
ruin. In one instance, when a well-packed load had been cunningly and 
securely fastened, the gentle animal performed a series of buck jumps that 
would have done honour to a u Water Some of these animals when laden 
would walk demurely away (every man was engaged assisting others when 
* Waler, a horse from New South Wales, proverbial for their buck-jumping qualities* 
