The uniform of Colonel A J J MacDonald, 95th (Derbyshire) Re...

1/4

Estimate

£4,000 - £6,000

Fees

The uniform of Colonel A J J MacDonald, 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot, comprising tunic of a major, 1856 pattern, shako, 1855 pattern in tin case with brass tablet engraved Captn A J J MacDonald 95th Regiment, Subaltern's Wings, 1844 pattern, brass plate stamped W Buckmaster's Latest Improvements 1845 in tin case with maker's brass trade label, shabraque, Major's, 1856 pattern and sabretache plain, 1856 pattern (5)

Alexander Macdonald - a highland chieftain in his own right - was one of the subalterns in the Light Company of the 95th when they embarked for the Crimea. When skirmishing ahead of the Regiment at the Alma on 20 Sep 54, he was knocked flat by a Russian bullet which lodged in the whistle ornament on the crossbelt. Shortly after the incident the Commanding Officer saw Macdonald, noticed the lead stuck in his belt and exclaimed, “I’d sooner have that than a medal!” (The crossbelt and bullet are now in the Sherwood Foresters Museum in Nottingham).’

Sterner tests lay ahead for Macdonald - now acting as Adjutant - at Inkermann on 5 Nov 54. The Regimental History states:
“It must have been now that Macdonald, the adjutant, rode back up the hill for reinforcements. He reached the Duke of Cambridge and stated his errand, saying, '' I am the only mounted officer of the 95th," and then rode back to his corps. The men of the 95th were then falling back to replenish their pouches, their retirement being covered by a few selected, resolute men in extended order, to whom all the remaining cartridges had been distributed. A heavy Russian column (possibly the same as that met by Carmichael) was closing in upon them, when Macdonald, who was looking round at the column, and leaning heavily on his off stirrup, was struck in the right knee. A soldier of the 95th — No. 2466, Private Patrick Murphy, of No. 6 Company — was at the moment by Macdonald's side, and he helped his officer off his horse, and, regardless of the approaching Russians, tied up the wound, and brought the adjutant from his holsters his flask and revolver. Weak as he was from dysentery, Murphy tried hard to set his officer on to his back, meaning to carry him for shelter to the Sandbag Battery, and while thus engaged the two had to seize their weapons more than once to defend themselves against and drive off, the enemy now closing in upon them.

Macdonald now refused to be moved and sat on the ground with his back against a bush. Again did Murphy try to carry his officer off the ground, in spite of Macdonald's protests, saying, "How can I show my face in the regiment again if I leave you?”

Macdonald, however, told Murphy to leave him, and on Murphy hesitating, the adjutant — who was not a man to be disobeyed — repeated his order — " I command you to go to the rear" — and his faithful comrade, having expended his last cartridge, then went reluctantly back.

When the Russians got close up to where Macdonald was sitting on the ground they fired at him, but happily without effect, and then on getting close up to him, a Russian slashed him across the head with a sabre, while others prodded him with their bayonets, and struck him with the butts of their muskets. Macdonald, kneeling on his sound leg, made what resistance he could, but in the struggle one of the little fingers of his hands was broken, and he himself was soon knocked senseless.

That night Macdonald’s body was discovered lying on the field by two men of a search party. As they lifted his head his shako was found to be full of blood, and one of the men said, " Poor fellow, he's done for," while the other exclaimed, " Why, it's Mr. Macdonald ! " However, the adjutant of the 95th recovered, and went home. He attended a levee at the Horse Guards, and, as he came up for presentation, the Duke of Cambridge, who had never seen him since that terrible Sunday at Inkerman, called out, "The only mounted officer of the 95th, I think." Lieutenant Macdonald rejoined his regiment — a brevet-major — at Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin, on their return from the Crimea, but did not soldier very much longer. It is said that he had a walking stick cut from the bush under which he lay wounded, and on arrival at home sent it to be mounted in silver. The British tradesman — all honour to him — returned it mounted in gold, and begged Macdonald to accept it, saying that he could not think of accepting any payment.”