Personal info
- Name: Cornelius COUGHLAN
- D.O.B: 26th Jun, 1828
- D.O.A: 8th Jun, 1857
- D.O.D: 14th Feb, 1915
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Colour Sergeant, 75th Regiment of Foo
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
The Persian War 1856 - 57
1856 - 57
The Persian War and Indian Mutiny 1856 - 59
The Persians had long claimed the Afghan city of Herat, attacking it in 1838 and 1852. In 1856 they made a further attempt to annex it. A force of Honourable East India Company troops, under Major General Forster Stalker, landed near Bushire towards the northern end of the Persian Gulf on 7 December 1856. The fort at Reshire was captured on 9 December and Bushire itself a day later. Reinforcements arrived in January and February 1857. Major General James Outram assumed command in January, with Brigadier General Henry Havelock in command of the 2nd Division. Moving inland Outram defeated a Persian army at Kushab (Koosh-ab) on 8 February 1857. A peace treaty between Britain and Persia was agreed in Paris on 4 March, but before news of this reached Persia the British had taken Muhammerah (modern Khorramshahr) at the head of the Gulf and steamed up the Karun river as far as Ahwaz, seventy miles to the north-west. The peace treaty stipulated that the Persians should withdraw from Herat.
Citation
For gallantly venturing, undera heavy fire, with three others, into a Serai occupied by the Enemy in great numbers, and removing Private Corbett, 75th Regiment, who lay severely wounded. Also for cheering and encouraging a party which hesitated to charge down a lane in Subzee Mundee, at Delhi, lined on each side with huts, and raked by a cross fire; then entering with the said party into an enclosure filled with the Enemy, and destroying every man. For having also, on the same occasion, returned undera crossfire to collect dhoolies,and carry off the wounded; a service which was successfully performed, and for which this man obtained great praise from the Officers of his Regiment.
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