Konch To Kalpi
On 7 May, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment marched off for Konch and thence to Kalpi. This involved marching over 20 miles (32 km) with full kit in temperatures exceeding 117 °F (65 °C), and in such temperatures there were many casualties due to heat exhaustion, for amongst all the units in the force, only the 3rd Bombay European Regiment marched in lightweight khaki cotton; the rest were in heavy duty red. In the operations before Kalpi, Lieutenant Baigrie, Ensign Mackintosh and Ensign Trueman of the 3rd Bombay Europeans were mentioned in dispatches for their gallantry in action. Captain Forrest of the 3rd European was also commended for his actions in the capture of the village of Sonorie in December 1858, commanding his troops in fighting against the enemy who used their knowledge of the terrain effectively.
On 14 January 1858, near the village of Dewsa, the 3rd Europeans assisted Brigadier Showers in catching up with the enemy force, commanded by Tantia Tope. The cavalry was able to disperse the enemy in separate directions. They kept up the chase, marching for 5 miles (8.0 km), before it was halted out of exhaustion.
The fighting that took place at Kalpi was ferocious with the heat inflicting as many casualties as their foe. Tantia Tope's army attacked the British and at one stage Rose again led from the from the front as the 86th, the 3rd Europeans and the 25th Native Infantry advanced in the hand to hand fighting. The temperature was now recorded as 118 °F (66 °C) in the shade and all the officers of the Central India Field Force were suffering severe effects of the sun. Yet the Regiment carried on and in the victory of Kalpi, the 3rd Bombay European Regiment contributed much in battle.
Yet Tantia Tope's army refused to admit defeat. Bolstered by the Rani of Jhansi and her escape from Jhansi, Tantia Tope had captured Gwalior. Whilst Rose once more took his force off to recapture Gwalior he did so without the 3rd Bombay European Regiment who were initially left to garrison Kalpi, and by the time they arrived at Gwalior on 18 June, the order of battle did not require them in the front line. At Gwalior, the Rani of Jhansi was killed in action and it was not until April 1859 that Tantia Tope was executed.
Celsius Temperatures are way off, should be around 48.
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