2-995-978 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in China - Punjaub-street, or La Grande Rue, Pehtang - from a sketch by our special artist, C. Wirgman, 1860. European and Indian soldiers. 'The right side of the road is occupied by the 15th Punjaub Infantry (Pioneers), and the opposite side by the French troops. The whole day long this street is filled with troops of all nations; with the trim, neat, English-looking soldier, and his looser and more swaggering ally, the khaki dress and dark chocolate turban of the Sikh, contrasting well with the gayer and picturesque dress of our irregular cavalry...Working parties from the Sikhs are trying to clear the road of all its incumbrances, in the shape of mats, hay, jars of liquor, and small furniture of every description that has been carelessly thrown out, and which, with the aid of the rain that has fallen, have made a most beautiful morass, which at times lets you in nearly to the waist, and the effluvium from which I cannot attempt to describe...towards seven p.m., may be seen the uniforms of many regiments, the Staff, cavalry, and infantry, all wending their way "to the sign of the Green Dragon," which appears in the centre of the Engraving. The flag above shows it to be the head-quarters and mess of the 15th Punjaub Infantry'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.