Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Lieut. R, A. Stevenson, 4th C. 3rd Bn. Bombay Arty.) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine £400-£500

Russell Alexander Stevenson was born at Bombay on 25 February 1834, son of Lieutenant-Colonel T. Stevenson, Bombay Horse Artillery. He was educated at Cheltenham College and at Addiscombe from 7 June 1850. He obtained his first commission in the Bombay Artillery on 9 December 1852, and became a Lieutenant, 27 April 1858; Captain, 18 February 1861; Major, 5 July 1872; and Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 October 1877.

He served during the Indian Mutiny with No. 8 Native Battery at the action of Sanganeers, August 1858; commanded the left half of No. 8 Native Battery at the battle of Bunass, August 1858, under Major-General Sir Henry Roberts, K.C.B.; commanded the Rajpootana Camel Corps in the pursuit of the rebels through Rajpootana in 1858-59, and in the action of Koosuna, 10 February 1859, under Brigadier R. W. Honner, C.B. (Medal with clasp).

Brigadier Honner reported in his despatch: ‘I have the honour to report, for the information of the Major General Commanding the Malwa Division, that the force under my command, in continuation of the pursuit of the rebels, marched from its encampment at Gooanagh yesterday morning at two o’clock, and reached that of the rebels at five o’clock in the evening, at Kooshana. The rebels heard of our approach and instantly commenced a flight. On entering the sandy wastes on the borders of the Desert of Bikanair I found it necessary to leave the Horse Artillery at Dye, it would have been absolutely impossible to drag guns through that sandy country, even though eight or ten horses were attached to each. Our march from Gooanagh to this place was about 43 miles, 30 of it through a desert hilly tract of deep heavy sand. The detachments of Her Majesty’s 83rd and 12th Native Infantry, mounted on camels, in line in front. In this formation we went on at a sharp canter, the camels keeping their place in excellent order. During the last four days the force has marched 130 miles over tracts of deep heavy sand, most distressing to horses and baggage animals.

Their admirable conduct on this, as well as on every other circumstance of service, since the force took the field, and the discipline maintained in the several detachments by their officers, have been to me the source of much gratification, but it will be for the higher authorities, to whom I most earnestly recommend them, to appreciate and record in terms which may seem to them the most befitting the merits of these noble soldiers.

Camel Corps. Lieutenant Stevenson, Artillery, in charge. 69 rank and file.’

Stevenson served at Woolwich, Warley, Yarmouth and Shoeburyness from February till October 1861. He was appointed Staff Officer Royal Artillery, Mhow Division of the Army, 19 December 1861; Acting Adjutant, 21st Brigade Royal Artillery, 9 April 1862 to January 1864; in command of No. 1 Native Artillery, Aden, 30 June 1865. Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, commanding the Royal Artillery at Ahmedabad, met his death from heat Apoplexy in about July 1879.