Sir Colin Campbell

Pencil sketch by Colonel (later General Sir) The Hon George Cadogan (1814-1880).

Campbell (1792-1863) was commissioned in 1808 into the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot with which he performed distinguished service during the Peninsular War (1808-14), being present at Vimeiro (1808), Corunna (1809) and San Sebastian (1813). The son of a Glasgow carpenter, Campbell's rise to high command was slow. By 1837 he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 98th Regiment, which he commanded during the 1st China War (1842), before going to India as a brigadier-general in 1846. He remained there until 1853, having gained distinction in the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849) during which he was wounded at Chillianwala (1849). He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1849, and specially named in the thanks of Parliament.

Having been promoted major-general in June 1854, it was his service in the Crimea (1854-1856) that brought him to public attention and finally made his reputation. Campbell commanded the Highland Brigade with notable success at the battles of the Alma (1854) and Balaklava (1854) where his 'thin red line' of Highlanders repulsed the Russian cavalry assault. Sir Colin later commanded the 1st Division when the Duke of Cambridge returned to England. Campbell tried to do all he could to improve the comfort of his men during the bitter Crimean winter. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Bath in July 1855.

From an album of paintings and sketches (with some paper ephemera) of Colonel (later General Sir) The Hon George Cadogan, 1st (or Grenadier) Regiment of Foot Guards; also known as 'Cadogan's Crimea', 1854-1856.