The Riviera Campaign

In Jan 1882 a difficulty between Myjiji and Peruni arose from the entry into Peruni of a det.[achment] 5 DG in pursuit of a body of Perunian rioters who had been working at the Freefisto mines. Some of the 5 DG’s men were imprisoned by the Perunian authorities + as the Gov^t refused to give them up the Duke of Myjiji in the name of H.I.M. declared war June 28. The enemy mobilized on the line St Pascal – Bridgeport. Mercury organised his troops thus

On 3^rd July the enemy crossed from St Roman’s Well driving out a picket of the ⁴/60 + 1 troop 5 DG for Freefisto. On 20^th July G Co RE sank Torpedoes at Fort Abbott + H Co did the same below Stockford on the 25^th. On 9^th Aug a force (7,000) of the enemy ascended the river in boats to Ford Abbott where they were met + repulsed with slaughter by MG Yeo’s 2^nd Divⁿ. The Georland loss was 700 – the enemy over 1000 and all their boats.

On the 25^th Sep Mercury attacked the Perunian main army on the Riviera with all his forces. The 2^nd Divn took Freefisto crossed in boats to St Roman’s Well the 2^nd Bn leading + driving back the enemy on Bridgeport cut off his retreat.

The 1^st Divⁿ attacked the houses on the S bank of river opposite Bridgeport + the foe driven out by the ³/60 ²/93 + 7 Huss[ars]. An attack on the Bridge led by the ²/51 was repulsed with great loss but a 2^nd attempt led by the 31^st was successful + the ²/93 gained the Bridge. The JCG?? + rest of the Div. followed. A stubborn resistance was made as MG Yeo’s 2^nd Divⁿ having come up + turned the enemy’s flank their retreat was cut off. The town took fire – the bridge blown up by an explosion- both Div^ns pressed forward – the enemy charged by the Cav B^de, 7H, 12 L, 5 DG + the day was won at a loss to the Georlanders of 5,850.

Next day Gen^l Yeo pursuing the foe routed them finally at La Check + the 1^st Divn stormed St Paschal on 25^th. An armistice on 26^th was signed at the request of Peruni + peace subsequently ratified on terms advantageous to H.I.M.