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CHAPTER I

1830 to 1851

EDITORIAL NOTE

The spelling of Indian geographical names is so diverse that it has been thought best to preserve the Colonel's own orthography throughout this work.

COLONEL BALL-ACTON

CHAPTER I

HOME, PARENTAGE, EARLY LIFE

Charles Acton, whose life is the subject of this sketch, was born on December 17, 1830, at West-Aston, county Wicklow, Ireland, which for more than three centuries has been the family home. His father, William Acton, was Colonel of the Wicklow Militia, and Vice-Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for the county. His mother, a daughter of Thomas Walker, Master in Chancery (Dublin), of Tykillen, county Wexford, was an accomplished and well-read woman.

His family
Charles was the youngest of the family; the other children of the marriage were four daughters, three of whom died in girlhood; Thomas, the present owner of the property; and William Molesworth Cole, the second son, who served in the Crimean went very little into society and amusement did not play an important part in the home life. Of recreation in quiet ways there was, however, no lack. The mother was an intense lover of Nature, and in the study of flowers, insects and the habits of the birds and other wild life in the neighbourhood the children shared a pleasure that was inexhaustible.

Kilmacurragh, the family home
For such pursuits the surroundings of the old home afforded every inducement. Situated in a beautiful part of the lovely county of Wicklow, a fairer heritage would be hard to find. Three noble avenues lead up to the grey old house, from which the ground slopes gently away to lake and stream and sea. A great well-wooded park lies between the house and the hill, where the deer find ample covert in the tall fern. 'The old Hall with its battalioned lines, its quaint Dutch ponds, its heronry', [Recollections of Irish Life.' Dr. Brooke] commands fine views in almost every direction, including, far away to the East, a peep of the Welsh coast. No wonder the young Actons loved their home, and although almost entirely cut off from companionship with children of their own age, found much happiness in life.

As the boys grew up they were provided with a small yacht, in which they made many happy trips learning the mysteries of navigation, and generally. acquiring a knowledge of nautical matters which was destined to be useful in after life. And now, the boy's home and the kind of life he led having been faintly depicted, he himself must come to the front. He has been described by one who ought to know as 'a healthy, happy, quiet little boy, very fond of reading and a favourite with the servants'.

The infant hero
From the latter part of the description it may be inferred that he was good-tempered, and there is direct evidence that he was thoughtful and intelligent too, for it is on record that his nurse was accustomed to speak of him as a 'rock of sense.' A nurse's verdict concerning her charges is not always unimpeachable, but in this case it was probably a sound one. Certain it is that Charles when only seven years old saved the life of one of his sisters by prompt action, showing remarkable presence of mind. By some mishap, the strings of a cap she was accustomed to wear at night caught fire, and as the little boy was the only other occupant of the room, the danger was more than serious. But Charles was equal to the emergency. He sprang from his crib and seizing a jug of water emptied it over his sister's head. The neck was burned, but further injury was happily prevented. After the burns had been dressed the little man was found dripping wet in his own crib, where in entire self-forgetfulness, he was quietly sobbing off the effects of his excitement.

Schooldays

Five years later Charles was sent to Rugby where, with his two brothers, he was educated under Dr. Arnold. His preparatory education had not been of a very comprehensive or thorough character, and In consequence he found himself in the lowest form. But he did not remain there long. Diligence combined with mental vigour quickly brought about advancement, and as he moved up from form to form, both his work and conduct were crowned with many prizes.

From Rugby all the brothers went to Cheltenham College.

Into the army
On December 12th, 1851, a few days before he had completed his twenty-first year, Charles Acton entered the army and was gazetted to the 51st King's Own Light Infantry. There was much in the family history to make it natural that his desire should be for a soldier's life, while his physique, temperament and character, eminently fitted him for such a career. In one respect only had the quiet and seclusion of the home life produced an unfortunate result. All the children and perhaps Charles in particular were afflicted with a shyness extremely difficult to overcome. But it was not of the type that leads to inaction or manifests itself in want of courage. Its cause was the lack of sufficient social intercourse, which induced a self-consciousness in the presence of others exceedingly painful to experience, and that was all.

His shyness and piety
On the other hand to the same cause in part may be attributed the reserve and the self-reliance in action which were striking features in the conduct of boy and man. To it also may be traced the habit of heart-searching, acquired almost before manhood's estate was reached and the serious view of life that followed. As a youth Charles was conscientious and truthful in the highest degree, and after this lapse of time it is easy to see that in reality his heart and mind were attuned to the will of God some time before he became definitely conscious of the fact. As in many lives, a conversion attributable to a certain time and cause was an unknown experience, and only very gradually did he come to realize that in truth the Holy Spirit was the inspiration of his life.

At this time, that is in the early days of his manhood, Charles Acton was little understood excepting by his nearest and dearest friends. To those who knew his aspirations and could truly sympathize, he would open his heart and be genial, or even merry as the needs of good companionship demanded. But such friends were few, and to the majority of his acquaintances he appeared to be stiff and reserved. To them he could not unfold his mind for fear of being thought pharisaical, and his inherent shyness prevented the development of those social graces which play a useful part where heartfelt intercourse is impossible.

This repellent stiffness in bearing wore off in time and the strong, true man became more widely appreciated. A far nobler testimony to his worth, however, is to be found in the undying love and even veneration with which he was regarded by those who knew him best.

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