INDIAN MUTINY interest. Lt, Col John Cockburn Hood, 49th Bengal Native Infantry

Lieut Colonel John Cockburn Hood, Bengal Staff Corps [late 49^th Native Infantry]

A bust length portrait in civilian clothes, cut to an oval [to fit a prepared space in a Lumsden album], 4¼ x 2½ ins.

2^nd Lt 1840, Lt 1841, Captain 1850, Brevet major 1858, Major 1866, Lt Col 1866.

Hart’s Army List 1868 records: Colonel J Cockburn Hood served in the Punjaub campaign of 1848-49, including the first and second siege operations before Mooltan, capture of the city, and action of Soroojkhoond (Medal with Clasp). Served also in the Indian mutiny campaign in 1858; commanded  a Wing of the 1^st Punjaub Infantry in operations under Brigadier General Showers, including the capture of the fort of Jhujjur, also present in the action of Shumshabad, siege and capture of Lucknow and storming of the Begum’s Palace, and dangerously wounded when commanding 4^th Punjaub infantry in assault on the final position held by the Moodire (mentioned in despatches, Medal with Clasp, and Brevet of Major). Commanded the 4^th Punjaub Infantry at the surprise of Besotee village of Gera 25^th Feb1869. Has twice received the thanks of the Lt Governor of the Punjaub for services, and the especial thanks of the Governor General in Council for services in the field, 17^th April 1869.

He eventually rose to thr rank fo General and was awarded a C.B.       jun3/1

Provenance: This photograph was in an album put together by General Sir Peter Stark Lumsden, G.C.B., C.,S,I., A. D. C. We acquired this in a large archive of the general’s papers, documents, and photographs . Lumsden served almost his entire career in India but also had strong connections with Queen Victoria and his albums included many senior officers on both Royal and Viceregal Staffs.