A FINE VICTORIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF COLONEL HENRY HUME OF...

Hammer

£2,200

A FINE VICTORIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF COLONEL HENRY HUME OF THE 95TH, HERO OF CRIMEA.

An oval portrait miniature on ivory, English School c1860, of an officer in dress uniform, looking to his right with gloves in one hand and cane in another. A black mourning band on his left arm and wearing a group of five medals which comprise the Order of the Bath, Crimea Medal with two clasps, Legion D’Honeur, Turkish Order of the Medjidieh and Turkish Crimea Medal. In leather outer case, a paper label to the reverse of the miniature ‘Colonel Henry Hume’. 12cm x 8.5cm.

With a letter ‘My Dear Colonel’ dated 2nd Jan 1857 from De Lacy Evans and ‘My Dear Colonel Lewis’ dated 15 June 1860, and an Order ‘Head Quarters Before Sebastopol’.

Henry Hume had a long and distinguished military career being wounded at Alma and Inkermann, being  recommended for the Victoria Cross and receiving the honour of being presented with his Crimea Medal by Queen Victoria. It seems that Henry Hume was born on the 23rd January 1816, he joined the Army at the age of 19 years and three months. His rise through the ranks was impressive, Ensign from 9/5/1835, Lieutenant 1/12/1837, Captain from 19/1/1844, Major from 24/12/1852, Temporary Lt. Colonel from 12/12/1854 and Lieutenant Colonel from 9/3/1855 serving with the 95th Nottingham and Derby Regiment of Foot and later the Grenadier Guards.

He fought gallantly during the Crimean War 1853-6 being twice wounded, dangerously at the battle of Inkermann when he was shot through the thigh and slightly at the battle of Alma, suggesting that the clasps visible were a well deserved reward for Alma and Inkermann, however records suggest he was also entitled to a clasp for Sebastopol. 

Wylly in his history of the 95th at Crimea records many details about Hume, most notably at the Battle of Alma ‘No supports were immediately at hand, and the moment was critical. Major Hume, who was on foot, his horse having been shot, seized the regimental Colour from the shattered hand of Ensign Bazalgette… the remaining men rallied to the Colour’. Hume had two horses shot from under him during the campaign, this horse being ‘Charlie’.

This act of bravery was rewarded with a mention in the Lieutenant-General’s report of Officers whose gallant conduct had been brought to his attention following the battle: ‘Major H. Hume, after crossing the river, had a horse shot under him, headed the attack on the Russian main outwork and carried the Regimental Colour for some time during the hardiest part of the struggle’. It seems that Hume had also been shot at the time when he seized the Colours. It was also for this act that Major Hume was ‘recommended by Sir de Lacy Evans for the Victoria Cross’.

The 2/95th suffered many casualties during the action and by the end of the battle they were reduced to ten officers and 433 non-commissioned Officers and men fit for duty. The losses were such that it was said that ‘There may be few of the 95th left but those few are hard as nails’. Lt Colonel Hume had the great honour of being awarded his Crimea Medal ‘from the hands of the Queen at Horse Guards, London on the 26th May 1855. Records further confirm his entitlement to the Legion D’Honneur 5th Class, Companion of the Bath and Order of Medjidieh 4th Class.

Henry Hume transferred to the Grenadier Guards in April of 1858. As Her Majesty the Queen was Colonel in Chief of the Kidderminster Grenadier Guards it seems likely that the black arm band worn in this portrait is in remembrance of Prince Albert who died in December 1861 suggesting that this portrait was painted either in December 1861 or some point in 1862.

Henry Hume received a commission from Thomas Henry Foley, Baron Foley of Kidderminster to the rank of Colonel to be one of Her Majesty’s Guard of the Honorable Corps of Gentleman at Arms on the 1st of December 1862.

The promotion might well have promoted the painting of this miniature. The letter from 1857 signed by De Lacy Evans explains that he has recommended the Colonel for the VC ‘In an official report of the General Co.

The Second Division of Lord Raglan (now Lt Colonel) Hume was referred to - Major Hume of the 95th Regt, Seized a Colour and led over the Bridge… this occurred at the Battle of Alma. The Officers previously bearing the Standard had been struck down by the Enemy’s Fire. It was a highly meritorious act of Valour at an opportune moment, decidedly useful in maintaining the successful advance of the Regiment against the enemy’.

The letter of 1860 appears to be written by Hume explaining his part in carrying the colours whilst leading the Left Wing of the Regiment over the river whilst under deadly fire from the enemy ‘my horse was here killed under me - the next moment I caught sight of the Colours of my Regiment in the very act of retiring there were at that time only about ten of the 95 with them… I carried the Colour till I was hit in the right shoulder by musket balls.

The Memorandum from ‘Head Quarters before Sebastopol 17th June 1855’ concerns encourages those in charge to impress upon their men the importance of ‘keeping together, and formed as a Military body after the Storm.

Provenance: a distant relative of Colonel Hume.