68th Foot Regiment 1842 - handwriting decipher

[ShaunJ]

I think the normal procedure when deserters were arrested by the civil authority was for them to be ordered to be detained in prison until they could be collected by their regiment.  Perhaps that collection process was the "Route".

Looking at men named Joseph Smith in the 68th regiment I can see two in the 1851 "worldwide index" which is drawn from muster books and pay lists. They were then serving in Malta. They were numbered 2084 and 2466.  Both fought in the Crimean War (and survived) and were present at the battles of Alma and Inkerman.

2466 joined the army in 1846 so it's not your man. 2084 seems likely.

[JenB]

I think the normal procedure when deserters were arrested by the civil authority was for them to be ordered to be detained in prison until they could be collected by their regiment.  Perhaps that collection process was the "Route".

That seems more likely than my theory.

[pineapple88]

Oh my Shaun this is good stuff. So possibly he was awaiting collection from his regiment and then went on to serve for longer.

Thank you so much for the possible Joseph Smiths being possibility 2084 - does it note anything else on there about him or that number at all. You sound very knowledgeable about military stuff, many thanks.

[JenB]

I suddenly need a very old Oxford Dictionary too in my arsenal for research  Good find.

I can access the full Oxford English Dictionary from home via my library card.

[pineapple88]

Must dig out my library card.

[JenB]

Here you are - just as Shaun said:

Military deserters were also confined in the prison. Howard noted one in 1782; in 1809 the Order Books reported that one had escaped, and various Inspectors’ Reports recorded deserters “awaiting a route” for return to their regiments. This referred to the Mutiny and Desertion Act 1833 which enabled
deserters to be committed to a public prison to await orders on their disposal from the War Secretary.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mo2/

[pineapple88]

Good one Jen - that explains a lot. Good find. I wonder what his disposal from the war secretary was. Perhaps return to the regiment even.

[ShaunJ]

Deserters would always be returned to their regiments. They would be subject to court martial and punishment.