THE OLD "TIGERS."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1878, Page 4

THE OLD "TIGERS."

The following letter to a gentleman in Napier is published in thß "Napier Daily Telegrcpb," and will be read with interest by the large number of settlers who remember the gallant old "Ro7al Tigers" in the 65th Regiment :— Dinapore, 12th March, 1878. Dear , I think you will agree with mo that a great misfortune has befallen us in the departure of our old commander Colonel Blewitt. He saw the Regiment for the last time on the morning of tha 8;b, when they were drawn up in line to receive him. I think I never saw a more affecting sight than lo see him in civilian clothes approaching the Regiment wi'h his hut off, bowing to the colours for the last time. He then inspected us, and you could eoe the tears rolling down his cheeks as he passed along the ranks. We then marched pasf, formed line, ami then fo mcd square, as ho wanted to aildres3 us. He commeoceJ by saying be believed that he was the oldest soldier at the present serving iv the regiment, and also the oldest man. Looking round she square, be said he could not see auy oi (bo old faces that he knowu in days gone by ; there was no one on parade who was was in the Regiment when he joined. (I thought of you then «ml wished you could have been there.) He said he was proud to have ;comraanded such a fine Regiment, for he was sure it was second to none in the service. I can't recollect all he said, but I know he was so affected that he could not say half ao much es he ioteuded to do. He left Dinapore by the 10.50 a.m. train the same morning. The reilway station, which is four miles from the barracks, wbb crowded tv excess by the officer?, noncommissioned officere, aud the men of the Regiment to see' him off, and it would, have done you good to hear the cheering as the train left the station. He joined the Regiment a young man, but he went away a child, for he was crying like a child leaving its mother, and I dou't think there was a man on the platform that wus not effected. I am sure he will think of it as long as he lives. Dear -, I have copied his last Orders to the Regiment' for you to .see: — Special Obders ur Colonel C. Blewit. Dinapore, 7th March, 1878. Officers, N.C. Officers and men of the 65th Regimenf,— The last order I shall ever publish to you is bidding you farewell. I relinquish my command to-morrow after a service of upwards of 27 years spent in the Regiment, and during that time I may say, thousands of men have enterad it and have passed on, handredß have been born, some have died. To-morrow like those who have gone before I shall have passed on, but they memory of so long a service, the intimate associatiqns of those long years will not pass od, neither will they decline, nor will the interest in them be lessened. You 65th are a Regiment of eoldiers not in name only, but should ever our Most Gracious Sovereign call on you you wi'l be found to be ready. I now offer my grateful thanks for the devotion and assistance given by all ranks during my tenure of command, for it is by the exertion of all that you are now what you are. I will conclude by giving you the opinion of Sir General Ewart at bis inspection on the 12th ultimo. After speaking in terms of unstinted praise of all he saw, he added what to us must be grateful words, (viz) •• nothing could be better." 65th, farewell, may He who directs all things have you in his keeping. (Sd.) C. Blewitt, Colonel Commanding 65th Regiment.