King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Private John Horton

Contemporary copy of letter, written to the father of John Horton, by Sergeant Henry Tassell, regarding the death of Private John Horton, number 3394, of the 4th King’s Own, who died of wounds received during the action at Fort Beyt during the Indian Mutiny. The letter is dated 12 May 1858.

Copy
Camp Amhadabad
12th May 1858
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to write to you under these painful circumstances to inform you of the death of your much lamented son, John Horton, who died of his wounds at Bombay on the 2 May 1858. On the 27 Mar 1858 we embarked on board the Home [Honourable] East India Company’s Steamer Prince Arthur for ? in route to this place when we arrived at ? Bay we were ordered to proceed to the Island of Beyt in the Gulf of ______ a party of Rebels had taken possession of a Fort on the Island at the attack we had 1 Sergeant and 2 Privates killed, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Corporal and 18 privates wounded your son among the latter but unfortunately since dead. After the attack the wounded were taken to Bombay.
Dear Sir any mistake I might have made I hope to be forgiven for I write as a comrade and I think the last thing one Comrade can do for another.
I remain Dear Sir,
Yours most Respectly
H Tassell Sergeant
4th King’s Own Regt

To Mr John Orton
Atherstone
Warwickshire
My address is as follows:
1st Battn. 4th King’s own Regt.
Camp Amhadabad
Gujerat
East India.

The Indian Mutiny Medal roll confirms both a Sergeant H Tassell and a John Norton, rather that Horton. Assume this to be the soldier.