Russell joined as a Cornet in the 6th Dragoon Guards on 2nd
November 1855. By the time the Indian Mutiny broke out he
was a Lieutenant and stationed at Meerut. He was at Kurnaul
when Col. Gerrard was killed and with Seaton's movable column
at the battle of Gungaree, where, on the death of 3 senior officers
he commanded the squadron and a detachment of 9th Lancers.
On 17 Dec 1857 he commanded the cavalry at Putteali for which
he was mentioned in despatches, and also at Mynpuree. He was
present at the capture and the relief of Bareilly, the relief of
Shahjehanpore, the capture of the Fort of Remai, the pursuit
and destruction of the Fort of Mahundee, the action of Bunkagaon
and the Operations in Oude. He was a very busy man at this time
because he also fought at the actions of Mohudepore and Russulpore,
the attack and capture of Fort Mitoulee, the actions of Alligunge
and Biswa and served with the Agra Field Force in Central India
in the pursuit of Tantia Topee for which he received a medal with
clasp.
In March 1859 he was a captain and joined the 7th Royal Fusiliers.
He was still a captain when he entered the recently converted
13th Hussars in October 1862. Life seemed to have quietened
for the next eleven years but in 1873 brevet Major Russell was
sent on special service to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) under Sir
Garnet Wolseley. He was put in command of a native infantry
regiment raised by him and called Russell's Regiment for the duration
of the Ashanti War. At Absakampra he commanded the whole force
in the successful defence against the Ashanti army. His regiment
was part of the avdance guard under Col. Macleod at the attack
and capture of Becquah, the engagement at Jarbinbah and the
skirmishes between Adwabin and the river Ordah. He was well
rewarded for his efforts at the battle of Ordahsu and the capture
of Cumassie, being mentioned in despatches several times, promoted
to Lieutenant-Colonel, made a Companion of the Bath and given a medal
with clasp.
A few years later in 1879 he again accompanied Wolseley, this time to
South Africa, and commanded the forces against Sekukuni. He stormed
his stronghold and disarmed the tribe for which he was again well
rewarded (despatches, KCMG, medal etc.). Soon after this he was
put in command of the 13th as Lieutenant-Colonel from September 1880
to July 1881. Then he was promoted to Colonel and served in the Egyptian
War of 1882, first as Assitant Adjutant General for Cavalry and afterwards
as Commander of a Brigade of Cavalry. He was present at El Magfar,
Tel-el-Mahuta, Kassassin, Tel-el-Kebir and the capture of Cairo. Again
the glittering prizes were showered on him; mentioned in despatches,
KCB, medal with clasp, 2nd class of Medjidie and Khedive's Star.
He was appointed Colonel of the 13th Hussars on 20th January 1894
with the rank of Major-General. He had reached the rank of General
by 1903.
