3-011-684 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Farewell banquet to the 109th Regiment at Kurrachee, [modern Karachi, Pakistan], 1864. '...the European residents...gave a farewell entertainment to that gallant corps...the whole regiment, including the women and children, were invited to dinner. Two long rows of tents...were pitched, beautifully decorated and lighted for the occasion...Some nine hundred persons sat down to the repast provided, which was of the most substantial land, while the hospitable folks of Kurrachee, both ladies and gentlemen, moved along the ranges of tables to see that their guests were properly served. Cheer after cheer greeted the Divisional Staff and the favourite officers of the corps as they were recognised by the men. The repast over, many of the officers were shouldered and carried over the ground, showing how much they are beloved by the soldiers...all the women of the corps, with such of the men as desired to join in the amusement, adjourned to the library of the regiment, which had been fitted up for dancing. Here all were as happy as happy could be; no distinctions were made, the field officer was seen gallantly attending the recruit's wife, while the private sentinel led the lady of his captain through the mazes of the quadrille'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.