Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hodgson, John Studholme
HODGSON, JOHN STUDHOLME (1805–1870), major-general in H.M.'s Bengal army, born at Blake Street, York, in May 1805, was second son of John Hodgson (1757–1846) [q. v.] Educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Hodgson entered the 23rd regiment of the Bengal native infantry as ensign on 3 Feb. 1822. Two years later (1 May 1824) he became lieutenant in the 12th regiment, and was promoted to a captaincy on 21 June 1834. Hodgson was on sick leave from the effects of numerous tiger wounds when the first Sikh war broke out (December 1845), but he determined to join his regiment, which was then in the field. Finding the communications interrupted, and unable to procure assistance, he walked a distance of thirty miles, narrowly escaping attack from the enemy and insurgent peasantry. He served through the campaign of 1845–6, including the battle of Sobraon, where he was wounded. He received the medal and clasp, and was selected to raise the first Sikh regiment embodied in the British service. On 9 Nov. 1846 he was made brevet-major of the 1st Sikh infantry, and commanded the regiment in the second Sikh war (1848–9) against the Sikh insurgents, a task of peculiar difficulty, which he performed with eminent success. Among other conspicuous services he led the attack upon the rajah of the Jusween Dhoon on the night of 2 Dec. 1848, and took and destroyed his fort of Ukrot. For this action he was specially commended, and received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel (7 June 1849). The governor-general, in general orders, Simla, 15 Sept. 1849, expressed high approbation of the conduct of the 1st Sikh infantry throughout the war.
In 1850 Hodgson was selected to organise, with the rank of brigadier, the Punjab irregular force. In 1853 he successfully directed military operations against the hill tribes, west of the Derajat. While in command of the Derajat frontier he was chosen to succeed Sir Colin Campbell in command of the Peshawer frontier. He was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel 25 April 1858, and major-general 23 July 1861. In 1865 Hodgson retired from active service, and settling in London died there in 1870.
[War Services of Major-General John Studholme Hodgson, privately printed, Brighton, 1865; private information.]