Major Rodolph Leslie De SALIS — 8th Hussars

Also recorded as "De Salés".

Birth & early life

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 9th of May 1811, the son of Jerome, Count de Salis, and his wife Henrietta, the daughter of the Right Reverend William Foster, D.D. Bishop of Kilmore, Co. Armagh. His full baptismal name was Rodolph Leslie Heironimus De Salis.

[PB:

According to Wikipedia:

"Rodolphus Johannes Leslie Hibernicus, son of Jerome de Salis, 4th Count de Salis-Soglio DL, JP, FRS (14 February 1771 — 2 October 1836), Illustris et Magnificus, an Anglo-Grison-Irish noble, visionary, vegetarian and landowner."

Something of his father's nature can perhaps be seen in a letter he wrote in 1830. Jerome de Salis proposed spending the winter in Madeira so that:

"should the Antichrist appear next year, I can easily get a passage to Chilli... by the dream I had in 1815, or rather a waking vision during an illness I had in Dublin, the application of aerial navigation to military operations will be a sign of the coming of the Antichrist."

(PB: "application of aerial navigation"? Is he foreseeing aeroplanes?)

[Source: http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome,_4th_Count_de_Salis-Soglio.]

His father assumed the additional surname of Fane by Royal Licence in December 1835.

Educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford.

Service

Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 17th of December 1830.

Lieutenant, 8th Hussars: 28th of June 1832.

[PB: See the record of 370 Troop Sergeant Major Henry Harrison, 8th Hussars, for De Salis's role in the last gibbeting in England, in 1832.]

Captain, 8th Hussars: 13th of July 1838.

Major, 8th Hussars: 19th of February 1849.

Brevet-Lieutenant Colonel, 8th Hussars: 28th of November 1854.

See the record of Assistant Surgeon John Wild Hulseberg for an account of a court-of-enquiry held in October of 1855, in which De Salis was involved.

A personal letter from him to Lt. Colonel C.C. Shute, A.A.G. relating to this was written from Ismid:

"Ismid, Dec.15th, 1855.

My dear Shute,

You may remember last September that the Regimental Surgeon reported me for not attending to the recommendation of a young Assistant Surgeon as to the postponement of a flogging etc., and the severe Wigging I received from Old Simpson — which, however was conveyed to me through Lawrenson [PB: presumably Lieutenant-Colonel John Lawrenson, 17th Lancers] — and he was as usual so gentleman-like in his manner that at the time I really felt obliged to him, rather than annoyed, otherwise I would not trouble you with this.

Last week the same Private was convicted of Habitual Drunkenness, and expecting that he would try on the same game I requested our Surgeon (the same who reported me) to attend the Punishment himself.

The Prisoner went through the motions exactly as before pretending to faint, when the Surgeon went up and examined him, and telling him that "he was scheming", and desired the Farmers [PB: ?] to go on.

I would be obliged to you to communicate this little episode to the worthy Brigadier — if he is still at Scutari — but not otherwise, as I have not the slightest desire to carry the matter any further.

I hope when the weather settles to pay you a visit, as I want to see the Lions of Constantinople.

Remember me to Mayow, and believe me.

Yours very truly,

Rod. De Salis."

In June 1856,a Charles Wood had written a letter to the Morning Post (12th of June 1856) praising Colonel Shewell, 8th Hussars for "saving the remnant of the brigade" at Balaklava. Clearly stung, Colonel George Paget, 4th Light Dragoons, sent a tetchy reply. This correspondence can be viewed in the entry for Colonel Shewell.

De Salis clearly communicated his views upwards, but was robustly warned off communicating publicly to the debate:

"Horse Guards,

22nd June 1856.

Dear Sir, — I desire by command of the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th inst, addressed to the Adjutant General and to communicate to you that his Lordship agrees with you in your opinion in that your entry into correspondence with the writer of the letter, signed Charles Wood [PB: it is possible the letter mistakenly says "Ford"], inserted in the Morning Post of the 12th inst. would be unseemly, particularly as the subsequent correspondence between Major General the Earl of Cardigan and Colonel Lord George Paget which has appeared in that newspaper is calculated to explain the facts which you allude to.

It would therefore be prudent for you to let the matter rest where it is.

I have, &c. &c.,

W. A. Forster, DAG.

[To:] Brevet Lieutenant Colonel De Salis, 8th Hussars, Dundalk.

[PB: Is it possible to know what De Salis's views were?]

Lieutenant-Colonel, 8th Hussars: 2nd of October 1856.

Overland to India, 1857

In company with Captain Edward Phillips, Veterinary Surgeon Edward Simpson Grey, Riding Master John Reilly, three N.C.O.s and a Private he travelled overland to India for the Mutiny campaign in advance of the Regiment (arriving on the 23rd of November) in order to purchase horses, but without result. More...

[PB: What else is known about this? Are there any accounts? Make a Further Info page and link? Name the NCOs and Private.]

Colonel, 8th Hussars: 28th of March 1858.

The Regimental History states that "His hand was broken by a vicious stallion, and he did not take part in the battle of Kotah" [Kota, Rajasthan, 30th March 1858].

Retired, and on to half-pay on the 22nd of September 1865.

Major-General: 6th of March 1868.

On the 8th of November 1873, he married Augusta Letitia, widow of General Derville, of the Indian Army. His widow survived until 1929.

Colonel, 8th Hussars: 22nd of September 1875.

Lieutenant-General: 10th of October 1877.

Campaign service

Colonel De Salis served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Tchernya, affairs of the Bulganak and MacKenzie's Farm, the Siege and fall of Sebastopol, and commanded the Cavalry in the Expedition to Kertch. (Medal and four Clasps, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Sardinian Medal and the Order of the Medjidie.)

Served in Rajpootana and Central India in 1858-59 and was present at the capture of Kotah, re-occupation of Chundaree, battle of Kotah-ke-Serai, captures of Gwalior and Powree, battle of Sindwaho, actions of Koorwye, Koondrye and Boordah.

He commanded a Brigade at Kotah, Sindwaho and Koondrye: and commanded the troops at Boordah, for which he received the thanks of the Governor-General of India. (Medal and Clasp.)

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, the Turkish Medal, Knight of the Legion of Honour, 5th Class, Sardinian War Medal, Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class and the Indian Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.

He was appointed a C.B. in 1859 and later received a pension of £100 per annum as a Reward for Meritorious Service.

The citation for the Sardinian medal stated:

"Lieutenant-Colonel Robert [sic] De Salis, served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, the Tchernya, and the Siege of Sebastopol.

Also commanded the Cavalry in the Expedition to Kertch; in 1854 as Major of the 8th Hussars; in 1855 in command of the Regiment."

Further detailed medal information archived.

Commemorations

Likenesses

Portrait in the Illustrated London News, 30th October 1875.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Death & burial

Died on the 13th of March 1880 in his 69th year, at his residence, 27, Ashley Place, London.

He was buried in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul's at Harlington, Middlesex.

[1983] His tombstone is now totally covered with ivy.

He had also lived at Dawley Court, Uxbridge.

Dawley Court, Harlington, came into the possession of the De Salises in 1772.

Until the middle of this century members of the De Salis family lived at Dawley, but of the once-palatial house, most of which was demolished in 1722, nothing now [1983] remains.

There are several windows and memorials to the De Salis family in the church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Harlington.

That to Rodolph De Salis — a stone set over a doorway in the North Aisle — has on the left hand side an embellished badge of the 8th Hussars, in the centre a carved head and shoulders bust of him, and on the right, details of the battles of the Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava, the Tchernya, Expedition to Kertch, Sebastopol, Central India, Kotah, Delhi, Chundaree, Gwalior and Boordah.

Underneath is the inscription:

"To the memory of Lieutenant-General Rodolph De Salis, C.B. Colonel of the Eighth Regiment of Hussars, which he led at the heroic charge of Balaclava and commanded through the war of the Indian Mutiny.

This monument, in love and admiration for a soldier without fear or reproach, is erected by his brother, William Fane De Salis, honoured and lamented by all who knew him.

He died 13th of March 1880, aged 69.

'Thus he giveth his beloved sleep.'

According to a monograph on heraldry on Middlesex memorials, his wall monument includes:

Crests:

(1) A demi-lion holding in the dexter paw a sword hilt downwards, and by the sinister shoulder a pennant, issuant from a ducal coronet and surmounted by a Count's coronet

(2) a demi-angel crowned issuant from a Marquess's coronet and surmounted by a Count's coronet

Banners:

(1) Irish harp surmounted by crown, thereon a lion statant guardant, below, a scroll of The King's Royal Irish Hussars

(2) Names of battles in which he took part.

[Source: Heraldry in Middlesex Churches, compiled by the Middlesex Heraldry Society, published Feb 1995. This is available online at http://www.middlesex-heraldry.org.uk/publications/monographs/mdxchurches.pdf (accessed 18.4.2014). ]

Extract from the United Services Gazette, 28th of March 1880:

"The funeral of Lieutenant-General De Salis, Colonel of the 8th Hussars, took place at Harlington Church, near Hillingdon, on the 18th inst.

The coffin plate bore the inscription, "General Rodolph De Salis, Count of the Germanic Empire, C.B. and Colonel of the 8th Regiment of Hussars.

Died March 13th 1880, aged 69 years."

Extract from the Army and Navy Gazette, 1st of July 1882:

"A brass memorial is to be erected in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, to the memory of Colonel De Salis and subscribed for by the Officers, N.C.O.'s and men who have, or are now serving in the regiment."

This memorial has his coat of arms at the top, and bears the inscription:

"To the memory of Lieutenant General Rodolphe De Salis, C.B., Colonel of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, which he joined as a Cornet on the 17th December 1830 and in which he served uninterruptedly for upwards of 34 years, including the Crimea and Indian Mutiny campaigns.

Died March the 13th 1880 in the 69th year of his age.

Erected by the officers and men serving, or have served in the Regiment."

At the centre base is the badge of the 8th Hussars.

Further information

"Drummer Boy"

In February 1958 a Crimean medal, without clasps, said to have been worn by his charger Drummer Boy, was offered in an auction [at Seaby's?].

It was engraved around the rim, "Drummer Boy. By Retriever. From Rexford. 1848."

The reverse side was engraved "Lieut-Colonel De Salis. 8th Hussars."

[PB: Punctuation uncertain. Also Dutton says "Drummerboy By Retriever F. Wexford 1848" and "Carried Lt Col de Salis 8th Hussars"]

War horse's medal from valley of death up for sale

By Will Bennett, Art Sales Correspondent

10 Apr 2004

As the Light Brigade hurled itself to destruction against the Russian artillery in the most famous cavalry charge in British history, the casualties among the horses were even higher than the riders.

Medal value estimated between £300-£500

Out of almost 700 horses which galloped into a storm of enemy fire at the Battle of Balaklava in 1854, about 500 were killed, forcing many of the surviving soldiers to stumble back to the British lines on foot. Among the animals which survived the charge and the almost equally terrifying retreat was Drummer Boy, a six-year-old ridden by Lt Col Rodolph de Salis, second-in-command of the 8th Hussars.

De Salis was so impressed by the bravery and stamina of the wounded Drummer Boy that he decided the horse deserved a medal as much as the men who had fought in the heroic but disastrous attack. He acquired a campaign medal awarded to British troops who served in the Crimea and had the rim engraved with the horse's name and the fact that he had been born in Ireland in 1848. On the reverse is the inscription "Carried Lt Col de Salis 8th Hussars".

On April 30 this unofficial campaign award will be auctioned at Spink in London with an estimate of £300-£500, a fraction of the price paid for medals to men who charged with the Light Brigade.

Drummer Boy's survival was miraculous. De Salis, then a major, commanded the right-hand squadron of the 8th Hussars which meant that he was ahead of his men as they rode down what the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson called "the valley of death".

"There were only about 100 of our regiment in the field," recalled Lt Edward Seager. "We advanced at a trot and soon came within the crossfire from both hills, both of cannon and rifles; the fire was tremendous, shells bursting amongst us, cannon balls tearing the earth up. "Still on we went, never altering our pace or breaking up in the least, except that our men and horses were gradually knocked over."

When they got to the guns they realised that they were in danger of being cut off by Russian lancers and wheeled about to attack them. "The Colonel and Major [de Salis] got through them somehow," he wrote.

During the retreat the regiment had to run the gauntlet of Russian fire from the hills for a second time. Seager wrote: "Many a poor fellow was laid low. We had 26 men killed and 17 wounded, 38 horses killed and a number wounded." Drummer Boy was among the latter.

Fanny Duberly, who accompanied her husband, an 8th Hussars officer, to the Crimea, wrote in her diary: "Horses able to move were given up to wounded men. Major de Salis of the 8th Hussars retreated on foot, leading his horse with a wounded trooper in the saddle."

De Salis went on to fight in the Indian Mutiny and was promoted to lieutenant general three years before his death in 1880. What happened to Drummer Boy is not known. His only memorial is a battered silver medal awarded to him by a grateful rider who might not have survived without him.

[Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1458954/War-horses-medal-from-valley-of-death-up-for-sale.html (accessed 21.5.14).]

[PB: According to Roy Dutton, this medal was "mysteriously" withdrawn from the Spink Auction.]

William Woolston [Batman?]

1995: The De Salis family are said to possess an Indian Mutiny medal (with clasp for Central India) awarded to a William Woolston of the 8th Hussars.

This man is believed by them to have been Colonel De Salis's batman when serving in India during the Mutiny, the medal having come to them at his "earnest request."

(Presumably this means as a bequest in a will, but nothing is recorded for him at Somerset House.)

William Woolston was born at Leicester and had enlisted in May of 1855 as No. 1733.

He was in the Crimea from November of 1855, but did not qualify for that campaign medal.

There is no mention in the muster rolls of the period as to his ever being in the position and neither did he travel overland to India with Colonel De Salis in 1858.

In 1862 he was promoted to Corporal, then to Sergeant, before being reduced by a Regimental Court-martial to Private.

Promoted again to Corporal and then to Sergeant, he was again reduced by a Court-martial (no specific charge being recorded in either instance) before being discharged (as a Private) on medical grounds in 1876, when he returned to live in Leicester.

External links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Salis

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome,_4th_Count_de_Salis-Soglio