My dear Caine,
Meerut, Dec. 29, 1826.
I am fearful that my humble testimony may not avail you much, or tend, as I could wish, towards the attainment of that promotion which you are naturally desirous to obtain, and that I sincerely hope you may; but it is due to you to state the very favourable opinion I entertain of your merits and distinguished conduct at the siege of Bhurtpoor; with the former I am so intimately acquainted that I can speak with confidence, having had so long an opportunity of closely observing them, and to which alone you are indebted for my confidence and protection. The latter, accident deprived me of the opportunity of witnessing, but I know it was highly spoken of, and reported in suitable terms of admiration by Major (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Everard to Major-General Reynell, and I much lament that it has not led to your promotion. I know that the late Colonel Edwards, under whose command you served in the 17th Regiment, entertained the most favourable opinion of you both as an officer and a gentleman, and he particularly recommended you to my notice on your joining the 14th, and your public and private conduct from that period has fully entitled you to my approbation and esteem, and to which I shall be happy on every occasion to bear testimony. In the meanwhile, have my free permission to make any use you please of this my opinion, and it will give me very true satisfaction should it be at all useful, or in any shape promote your future views.
Believe me always, my dear Caine,
With great esteem and regard,
Your very sincere friend,
(Signed) J. McCOMBE,
Colonel, 14th Foot.
Lieut. W. Caine,
3rd Buffs, King's Depot.
(Signed)
Copy.
"My Lord,
True copy
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary,
Cawnpoore, Nov. 26, 1827.
In compliance with your Lordship's wishes, I have the honour to state officially the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Caine (late of the 14th Foot), 3rd, or Buffs, at the assault of Bhurtpoor on the 18th January, 1826.
Lieutenant Caine accompanied the right column of attack (in his capacity of Major of Brigade of the 1st Brigade), under the command of Major Everard, 14th, and continued at its head, during the day, whilst leading a small party of ten or twelve men in advance of the column, he found his progress arrested by a deep cut in the rampart of Gopalgarh, which he leaped across, but his men being unable to follow in a similar manner, were obliged to descend and reascend the rampart before they could join the Lieutenant, who found himself singly opposed to three of the enemy, two of whom he killed with his double-barrelled pistol, and destroyed the third man by closing with and throwing him over the rampart into the ditch, as the Lieutenant found his sword could not make any impression through the armour of the Jaut, which was worn over a cotton jacket. Lieutenant Caine was the first officer up at the taking of the Kumbheer Gate, which was carried by him, with about thirty men of the 14th. On Major Everard's column halting at the bastion beyond the Kumbheer Gate, the Major found his numbers, which were originally 300, dwindled down to not more than 100 or 120 bayonets, without one round of ammunition or any support whatsoever, having in his rear a rampart of nearly two miles in extent, on which the enemy were reassembling from the town. The Major, finding his party in this helpless situation, asked who would volunteer to head a few men back and to bring him a reinforcement and ammunition, Lieutenant Caine instantly stepped forward and volunteered his services, which were accepted, and with one serjeant, one corporal, and twelve men, he cut his way through the enemy, drove them from their guns, which they had re-manned, and was the first person who reported to the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Combermere, the success and situation of Major Everard's column; and having received the required reinforcement and ammunition, he returned. The Lieutenant was slightly wounded by a grape-shot in the foot whilst leading his small party of volunteers in charging the enemy's guns at the Goverdhun Gate. On the morning of the 19th January, Captain Meade, Aide-de-Camp to General Reynolds, waited upon Lieutenant Caine, and told him that the General had sent him, and had been pleased to approve of the Lieutenant's conduct during the assault, in consequence of a report made by Major Everard, and that therefore the Major-General had introduced his name in the following manner, in his despatch dated 19th January, 1826:
“Major Everard reports that Brigade-Major Caine, of the