A personal narrative of the siege of Lucknow, from its commencment to its relief by Sir Colin Campbell

Front matter

V,

DS

CORNELL

Preface

of Lieut. Farquhar, of the 7th B. L. C, which have respectively been printed for private use by their friends in this country.

A work of so little pretension requires no further preface. All that the writer feels impelled further to express, is his gratitude to that great and good man, Sir Henry Lawrence, to Brigadier Inglis, and to those noble soldiers who maintained the siege, as well as to Generals Havelock, Outram, and Sir Colin Campbell, by whose timely aid, under Providence, he feels unspeakably indebted for his own deliverance and that of others, from the torture and massacre, which, without their perseverance, courage, and skill, must inevitably have been his own fate and the common lot of all.

London, 1858.

Chapter I. The Fikst Distchbances In Ltjcknow. — Mat

My Journey to the North-west. — A pleasant traTelling Companion.

— Panic at Benares. — Allahabad. — Cawnpore. — Post to Lucknow. — Disturbed State of Oude. — Fate of Mr. and Mrs. White.

— Sir Henry Lawrence's pi-ecautionary Measures. — Mutiny of the Seventh Oude Irregulars. — The Chief Commissioner's Levefl and Address to the Sepoys. — Expedition towards Agra of Captain Hayes and Major Gall. — Murder of Captain Hayes, Mr. Fayrer, and Lieutenant Barber. — Escape to Cawnpore of Lieutenant Carey. — Major Gall's Pate. — Waking to a disagreeable Eeality.

— Mutiny of the 30th May. — Conversation with a Eebel. — A Game at Billiards interrupted Brigadier Handscombe's Death.

— Murder of Lieutenant Grant. — Narrow Escape of Ladies in Cantonments. — Defeat and Pursuit of the Rebels. — Cornet Raleigh's tragic End. — Murder of Mr. Mendes - Page 1

CHAP. n.

LUCKNOW BEFOKE THE SIEGE. JUNE.

State of the Oude Districts. — The Native Police The City of

Lucknow. — Martial Law. — Prisoners hanged. — Joy of Ihe Acquitted. — News of Cawnpore. — Closure of Postal Communications. — Sir Hugh Wheeler. — Devotion of his Messenger. De-

XU CONTENTS.

preciation of Company's Paper. — Appearance of the Kesidency. — The Fort of Muchee Bhawn. — Discontent of the People of Lucknow. — Fanaticism of the Mussulman Population. — Anecdote. —

Our Volunteer Cavalry. — Sir Henry Lawrence Policy of

evacuating Oude. — Cholera. — Fatal Quarrel and Retribution. — Bunning a-muck. — Our State Prisoners Page 2 1

CHAP. IIL

TEAGIO SCENES.

Major Marriott's Expedition Murder of Captain Burmester and

Ensign Farquharson. — Death of Captain Staples. — Lieutenant Boulton's miraculous Escape. —Lieutenant Bax's Death. — Lieutenant J. Longueville Clarke's Gallantry and Capture of Fuzel

Ally. — Death of himself and his Companions Uncertainty of

the Fate of others in the Out- stations. —Wholesale Butchery of the Shahjehanpore Refugees. — Captain Patrick Orr and his Family saved. — Refugees from Duriabad, Secrora, and Seetapore. — Lieutenant Farquhar's Description of the State of the remaining Men of the Native Regiments. — Captain Adolphe Orr's perilous Position — Mutiny of the Military Cavalry Police. — Captain Weston's daring Act. — Mutiny of the Military Infantry Police. — Treason in our Camp. — Captain Adolphe Orr's miraculous Escape. — Anecdote. — Our Pursuit. — Mr. Thornhill wounded. — Retreat of the Mutineers. — Masonic Dinner on St. John's Day - - - - - 44

CHAP. IV.

THE BATTLE OF CHINHUTT.

Reconnoitring Party to Chinhutt. — Gallantry of Lieutenant Campbell and others. — Our Force moves from the Bailey-guard. — The Enemy's Acquaintance with our Plans. — The Kokrail Bridge. — Chinhutt. — Ishmaelpore. — Our Positions. — The Battle. — Colonel Case's Heroic Death. — Our Native Infantry. — The Enemy's

CONTENTS. XUl

Manoeuvi-es. — Ti-eacherj of the Police Force and Native Gunners Our Retreat — The Enemy's Cavalry cut up our Men. —

Anecdote. — Our Artillery. — Europeans in the Enemy's Ranks. — Gallant Behaviour of our Volunteer Cavalry. — Incident of the

Rebellion ^Noble Conduct of our Sepoys. — Lieutenant Farquhar

swallows a Ball. — Sir Henry Lawrence in Action. — Defence of

the Iron Bridge Beginning of the Siege. — Extracts from Lady

Inglis's Interesting Journal. — Mr. John Lawrence's graphic Account of the Battle --.--.. Page 64

CHAP. V.

THE RESIDENCY ENTRENCHMENTS.

Panic in Lucknow. — The Hospital. — Kindness of the Women to the Wounded. — Remarkable Appearance of the City. — • The Prisoners Escape. — Description of our Entrenchments. — Captain Andersons House. — The Cawnpore Battery. — Tlie School-houses. — The Brigade Mess. — The Sikh Square. — Gubbins's Battery. — The Bhoosa-guard. — The Residency. — The Hospital. — The Bailey-guard. — Dr. Eayrer's House. — The Post Office. — The Financial Outpost. — Sago's Outpost. — The Judicial Garrison. — The Jail. — The Begum's Kothy - 91

CHAP. VL

LUCKNOW DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OE THE SIEGE.

The Siege begins. — Barricades formed. — The Enemy's Artillery commanded by European Officers. — Lady Inglis's Journal. — Abandonment and Explosion of Eort Muchee Bhawn. — Anecdote. — Death of Sir Henry Lawrence. — Attack on the Bailey-guard Gate. — Johannes' House.— Cawnpore Battery.— Death of Mr.

Ommaney and others Welcome Shower of Rain. — Deaths in xiv CONTENTS.

CHAP. vn.

THE SECOND WEEK OF THE SIEGE.

My Journal. — Successful Sortie. — Death of Major Francis. — Another Sortie. — Daring Act of our Soldiers. — Interesting Missiles. — Beale. — Sad Eeflections. — Death of Mr. Alexander

Bryson. Change of Garrison. — Expected Keinforcements. —

An Attack. — Our Privations and SuiFerings begin. — Captain Alexander wounded. — Attack on Gubbins's Battery. — Garrison Laws of Amputation. — The Enemy's warlike Shouts. — Despondency. — Our inside Annoyances. — My Luxuries diminish. P. 131

CHAP. VHL

THE GRAND ATTACK OF THE TWENTIETH OP JULY.

" To Arms ! " — Renegade Traitors Fierce Assault of the Rebels.

— The Sick turn out. — Explosion of the Enemy's Mines and Attack on the Redan. — Lieutenant Loughnan's gallant Defence of Innes' Outpost. — Scaling Ladders. — Hardingham's Escape.

— Erith Shot. — Conversation between Bailey and the Insurgents.

— Anecdote. — The Enemy are beaten. — Attack on Sago's Financial, Judicial, and Anderson's Garrisons. — Defeat of the Insurgents at the Brigade Mess and Gubbins's Battery. — Lieutenant M'Farlane. — Loss of the Enemy. — After the Battle 143

CHAP. rx.

OUR TKOUBLES INCREASE.

Constant cannonading. — Death of Major Banks. — Brigadier Inglis and Mr. Gubbms. — Mr. Polehampton, the Chaplain, dies. — Hospital Scenes.— Death and Disease. — Erith's Death.— Pigeon killed.— Friends in Hospital. — Mr. Thompson's Kindness to the Sick.— Dr. Scott. — Hospital Surgeons The Plague of "Flies."

— The Martini^re Pupils. — Rain.— News of coming Reinforcements.— The Enemy's Interruption to our Songs. — A sham

CONTENTS. XV

Attack. — "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." — The Enemy's Mines. — Captain Fulton's Master-mind. — Our Casualties. — Dr. Biydon of Jellalabad and Lucknow - - Page 159

CHAP. X.

AUGUST. THE MONTH OF MINES.

Our daily Pood. — Captain, Fulton's mining Operations. — Hely's Death. — Cholera. — Hope. — Disappointment. — Eevelry of the Insurgents. — Their Taunts. — The Enemy's Mines discovered and blown up. — Attack of August 10 th. — Explosion of their Mine at Sago's and miraculous Escape of two Soldiers. — Explosion and Attack on the Brigade Mess. — " Turk " as " Luchminia." — Blenman wounded. — Brice's Death. — Death of Major Anderson. — Anecdote. — Refractory Conduct of a Civilian. — Retribution - - ... 174

CHAP. XI.

AUGUST CONTINUED. SORTIES.

Despair. — Captain Fulton's Successes. — War with Brickbats. — Our Artillery Officers. — Deaths. — An Episode of War. — Bitter Thoughts. — Hairbreadth Escapes. — Successful Explosion of the Enemy's Mine. — Orr's Miraculous Escape. — The Enemy repulsed, —Sortie.— "Bob the Nailer." — Sally out.— Other Sorties.— The Mohnrrsun. — Desertion of Sergeant Jones and others. — Our

Natives disheartened. — News from the outer world Character

brought out by the Siege. — Our Casualties in August - 187

CHAP. XII.

THE SBPTEMEEE MONTH.

Famine Prices Valuable Cigars. — Commotion among the Rebels.

— On the Alert. — Mines and Countermines. — Attack of the 5th

September. — Quiet Days. — Sudden Death Death of Cap-

tMn Fulton. — His Eulogy. — Fatal Error. — Deprat's Death. —

XVI CONTENTS.

The Protestant and Roman Catholic Clergymen. — Deprat's Military Experiences in Africa. — Offer of Service from the Nana.

— Conversation with the Insurgents. — Characteristic Anecdote.

— The only Effective Artillery Officer. — Casualties.— Suicide.

— Continuation of ray Journal. — Signs of Coming Reinforcements.

CHAP. XIII.

Our Eeinfurcements arrive. — Street Fighting. — Providence. — Our Priends enthusiastically received. — The Cawnpore Massacre. — My Agent's Death. — News of the Indian Stations. — A Peast. — The Hornpipe. — Havelock's Victories. — The Nana. — A fit Retribution. — The Cawnpore Slaughter-house. — Havelock defeats the

Enemy in every Engagement. — His Return to Cawnpore

General Outram's characteristic Generosity. — Advance upon Lucknow. — The Volunteer Cavalry. — The Storming of the Alumbagh. — Reception of the Enemy's Cavalry. — The Battle of the Charhagh. — A Wily Poe. — Eire from the Kaiserbagh. — The Bagpipe a rare Instrument of Salvation. — Every House a Port. — The " Porlorn Hope." — General Neill's Death 222

CHAP. XIV.

THE TWENTY-SIXTH OF SEPTEMBER.

Horrible Pate of some of our Wounded. — Captain Arnold's frightful Situation. — Colonel Campbell's Position. — Colonel Napier and " Hell-fire Jack." — Attack of Colonel Purcell and the 32nd.

— Noble Devotion of our Sepoys. — Honour to whom Honour is due. — Heroic Deaths. — Sir James Ontram. — Wounded Officers. — Losses of the Volunteer Cavalry. — The 1st Madras Pusiliers and 78th Highlanders. — Sorrowful End of Lieutenant Jolie. — The 84th and 90th Regiments. — Havelock's heavy Sacrifice. — Our true Saviours. — Ruined Condition of our Entrenchments - . . . . 239

CONTENTS. X.VU

CHAP. XV.

I.TJOKNOW AFTER HAVELOCk's ARRIVAL.

Our extended Positions. — Aftican Hifleman's Contempt of our Shells. — The Tehree Kothee. — The Order of the Day. — Embarras de Eichesses. — Luxuries. — The Second Chapter of the Sioge. — Sir Henry Lawrence's ^Foresight. — Purchase of Food. — Hunger imperatire. — Eossids. — Position of our Men at the Alumbagh.— OurCoIonrs and Band. — Indomitable Perseverance

of our Foe Effect of our Shot and Shell upon the Enemy's

Positioas. — Picturesque Aspect of the City of iiuoknow. — Meeting with old Friends. — Captain Alexander Orr. — Goldsworthy.

— Berrill. — The Intelligence JDepartment. — The Kebel King

His Minister and Council The Commander-in-Chief of the Insurgents. — Danger of high Offices with the Mutineers. — The People of Lncknow. — Punishment for Adhesionto our Cause. — European Prisoners in the hands of the Enemy. — Eajah Man Sing of Sultanpore. — A Friend turned Foe. — The Eebels offer to treat with Sir James Outram. — An insolent Proposal Mutual Threats. — Fate of the Native Prisoners with the Insurgerits.

— Native Gratitude .... - iPage 250

CHAP. XVL

lieutenant Lowe's Sally. — Lieutenant Hughes and Mr. Sinclair

wounded Major Stepbenson-sSflrtiennsuccessful. — Lieutenant

Hardinge's Gallantry andiSuccess — -Sorties of the 29th September.

— Major Apthorp. — Deathof Mr. Lucas. — Captain M'Cabe falls while leading his fourth Sortie. — Captain fihute's Attack on Hill's House. — Anecdotes. — Colonel Napier's Attack on Phillips' Battery. — Repairs of our Entrenchments. — Onr Engineering Operations. — Easy Capture of " the Mound." — Strengthening our

^Position. — Sergeant tPurdell shot at -my side. — Death of my ' tJaptain. — Our Losses. — ABfeeting "Death-bed Scene. — Sorrow

a

XVlll CONTENTS.

and Joy. — Scientific Construction of the Enemy's Batteries. — Captain Crommelin's Engineering Works The Enemy's Mines.

— Successful Eepulse of the Enemy's Attack. — Our Mining Operations ..... Page 270

CHAP. XVJL

CONTINUATION OP THE SIESE.

Notes from my Journal. — News of the Fall of Delhi. — Position of Alumhagh. —Death of Mr. Thomhill. — Reward to the TJncovenanted. — Injustice to non-Government Volunteers. — Prize Jewels. — General Outram's Division Order. — Reward of our Sepoys. — Auctions in our Garrison. — Brigadier Inglis's Improvements within the old Entrenchments. — Dr. Scott's Hospital Arrangements. ■ — Commissariat Eeductions. — Our Treasure Exhumed Sanitary Measures. — Fortifying of our New Positions.

— Successful Explosion of our Mines. — Loss of the Enemy. — Captain Brasyer's .Sikhs and our other Troops. — News of Sir Colin Campbell's Approach. — Our Intelligence Department. — Telegraph Signals - - - - - 289

CHAP. xvni.

KAVANAGH's exploit, — OUR OEFENSITE OPEBATIONS.

Mr. Kavanagh volunteers to carry Despatches. — His interesting Narrative. — Mrs. Kavanagh. — Lieutenant Hutchinson's Mines. — Havelock's offensive Operations. — Explosion of our Mines. — Our Attacks upon the Hirukhana, Engine House, King's Stables,

Captain Lockhart's Post. — Ardour of our Troops Havelock's

Success. — Oar Casualties - . . . 302

CHAP. XIX. siE couN Campbell's opebations.

Sir Colin Campbell advances upon Lucknow. — His Force Lieutenant Gougb's brilliant Charge. — Capture of the Dilkusha

CONTENTS. XIX

Attack upon the Martinierc College. — Captain Bourchier repulses the Enemy. — Advance upon the Secundrabagh. — ^Brigadier Hope's

Charge Storming of the Secundrabagh Buildings. — The Enemy's

desperate Resistance. — Emulation between Europeans and Sikhs. — Immense Slaughter of the Rebels. — Brigadier-General Grant's and Captain Peel's Naval Brigade. — Assault on the Shah Nudgnff. — Attack upon the Mess House. — Capture of the Observatory. — Enemy's Attack repulsed. — Meeting between Sir Colin Campbell and' Generals Outram and Havelock. — Havelock's Harangue. — -His wonderful Self-command. — Officers

who distinguished themselves Mr. Kavanagh's and Lord

Seymour's Services. — Sir Colin Campbell's Despatch. — Sir Colin's Losses. — List of Officers killed - - Page 316

CHAP. XX.

THK EELIEf OF LHCKKOW. EVACUATION OP THE KESIDENCY.

tucknow relieved. — The Sweets of Liberty. — New Delights. —

The Letter-bag. — Anxiety of my Friends Death of Mr.

Cameron. — Mr. M'Rae. — Lieutenant Dashwood's sad End. — Brigadier Inglis. — Mr. Gubbins and > Sir Colin Campbell. — Kindness of Mr. Gubbins to wounded Officers. — Mr. Gubbins at the Council of War. — Bursting of useless Guns. — Narrow Escape. — The Ladies, Children, and Wounded leave the Residency.

— Mrs. Inglis's noble Act. — Her Description of the Ladies' Exodus. — Move upon the Kaiserbagh. — Strategic Manoeuvre of Sir Colin Campbell Evacuation of Lucknow. — Freedom Manoeuvres.

— Services of the 9th Lancers. — The Commander-in-Chief's General Order. — His Acknowledgment of the Services of Non-military Men .-.-.. 335

CHAP. XXL

COKOLCSION.

Civilian Guard on the State Prisoners. — Our Escort. — Sir James Outram's Column remains at Alumbagh. — Mournful Death of

I CONTENTS.

General Havelock. — Gratitude and Sorrow of the British Nation. — Captain Havelock. — March fi'om the Alumbagh. — A

weary Journey Fatigue and Anxiety. — Wyndham's Defeat. —

Sir Colin's opportune Arrival saves our Cawnpore Entrenchment.

— The Gwalior Rebels occupy the Station of Cawnpore. — The late General Wlieeler's Entrenchments. — Sad Mementos of Sufferings KecoUections of Sir Hugh Wheeler. — Our Communications with the Town cut off. — Our !Elntrenchment on the Ganges.

— A Eriend's Escape from the Scenes of KebeUion. — The only

Survivor of the Euttygurh Massacre Warm Reception at

Allahabad. — My Arrival at Calcutta - Page 353

PEESOIS^AL NAERATIYE

OF THE

SIEGE OF LUCKNOW.

CHAPTER I.

THE FIKST DISTITKBANCES IN LUCKNOW. MAY.

My journey to the North-west. — A pleasant travelling Companion. — Panic at Benares. — ^Allahabacl. — Cawnpore. — Post toLucknow. — Disturbed State of Oude. — Fate of Mr. and Mrs. White. — Sir Henry Lawrence's precautionary Measures. — Mutiny of the Seventh Oude IiTegulars. — The Chief Commissioner's Levee and Address to the Sepoys. — Expedition towards Agra of Captain Hayes and Major Gall. • — Murder of Captain Hayes, Mr. Fayrer, and Lieutenant Barber. — Escape to Cawnpore of Lieutenant Carey. — Major Gall's ITate. — ^Waking to a disagreeable Reality. — Mutiny of the 30th May.— Conversation with a Eebel. — A Game at Billiards interrupted. — Brigadier Handscombe's Death. — Murder of Lieutenant Grant. — Narrow Escape of Ladies in Cantonm'ents. — Defeat and Pursuit of the Rebels. — Cornet Raleigh's tragic End. — Murder of Mr. Mendes.

On the 10th of May, 1857, business called me to the Upper Provinces. My travelling companion was a

E

2 SIEGE OF LUCKKOW. [Mat.

native dependent of the King of Oude, possibly one of his emissaries, but in whom at that time I had every confidence. We had long conversations together on Indian politics ; and unacquainted as I then was with native character, as it has since come out, I was not much shocked at the political opinions he at that time expressed. They were those of a man wishing to see his country free and his pockets full, and he spoke of the probability of becoming eventual^ a leader of banditti with the greatest sang-froid imaginable. He would live honestly as long as his means continued, but he could not work. He was a soldier (he had been a captain of cavalry), and he would not demean himself by either using the spade, wielding a pen, or keeping a shop. He seemed to take great interest in me, for he on one occasion drew his poniard and nearly stabbed a man for not being polite enough to me, and I had considerable difficulty in pacifying the police at Shergotty in consequence. But a few rupees distributed among these corrupt myrmidons of the law, who boldly asked for money, quieted the matter.

Wa. proceeded on our journey, and with scarce another adventure arrived at Benares. There I first learned, to my horror and astonishment, of the barbarities committed at Meerut and Delhi, and

May.] ALLAHABAD. 3

of the probability of similar scenes being enacted in other parts of Upper India. I determined at once to push on to Allahabad, notwithstanding the alleged insecurity of the road. All my Benares friends had left the station, and, flying before an imaginary or real danger, had sought shelter in the Fort of Chunar. At Allahabad I found people in a fright about what appeared to me to be nothing. My agent there, Mr. Archer, who afterwards fell a victim to the mutiny which subsequently broke out, continually pooh-poohed all alarming reports, and I myself was in the highest spirits. There were patrols going the round, and precautionary measures were everywhere taken.

I remained above a week there, and formed one of a garrison where soldiering was enacted in a very pleasant mode. Capital dinners, first-rate wines, cheroots, songs, music, were the order of the day, with a little patrolling and keeping watch. So little, however, did I believe in anything serious being likely to occur, that I continued several business transactions, and wrote to Calcutta in the most hopeful strain respecting the state of things in the North-west. There were all manner of reports about bands of mutineers infesting the highway, and I must confess I at one time felt inclined to return E 2

4 SIEGE OF LTJCKNOW. [Uay.

to Calcutta ; but, fearful of being looked upon as a needless alarmist by my friends, and at last convinced that, even in the event of an outbreak our G-overnment would be in a position to crush it in the bud, I set out for Cawnpore in company with a friend, who with difficulty was persuaded to leave his wife behind. We met several ill-looking wretches, and one or two bands of whiskered and bearded armed men, who regarded us evidently with feelings of animosity ; but nothing of consequence really took place, and we arrived at Cawnpore in safety. There I found people not quite at their ease.

I had purchased some linseed and rapeseed at Cawnpore, and my agent showed me the boats he had loaded and the goods still in the "godowns" he had hired for me. Urgent requests from my Lucknow correspondent to come over at once, made me lose no time in continuing my journey to that city. My friend accompanied me, and, keeping watch turn by turn with a brace of pistols and a double-barrelled rifle, we set out at night without encountering any other inconvenience than that caused by a wretched conveyance and still more wretched horses. On the way, early next morning, we met with great kindness from the toll-collector at Burmee, the son of Colonel Brown of the Bengal army.

Mai.] fate op ME. AND 3IES. WHITE. 5

whose account of the state of the country of Oude was anything but reassuring. A large body of armed men had gathered at MuUapore, and severar rajahs and landholders had unfurled the banner of rebellion. Mr. Lawrence, another friend, whom I afterwards met on the road, and who had also been obliged to leave his post in the district, owing to the threatening aspect of affairs there, confirmed what we had already heard. He too was proceeding to Lucknow; and thus reinforced, we arrived without accident on the 22nd of May.

I was greeted with a hearty welcome by my friend Deprat, who had everything prepared for my convenience and comfort in a handsome garden-house, which he possessed, half-way between the cantonment and the city, on the other side of the iron bridge. Poor Mr. White, my travelling companion, on the other hand, went to our friend Sinclair, whose firm he intended entering as a partner ; but a fatality seemed to hurry him on to his doom. He left for Allahabad the same day on which he arrived, Sinclair accompanying him, reached that station, returned to Cawnpore with his wife, and, after vacillating for some time between Lucknow and Agfa, both which routes were unsafe, it was said, he branched off to the latter town. He was never more heard of. He and his wife must

B 3

6 SIEGE OF LUCKNOW. [MAr.

have been murdered by the mutinous cavalry, who, on that very day, had despatched Captain Hayes and the officers belonging to the detachment which he had accompanied.

I remained several days at Lucknow before anything happened to make us think a general rising likely to take place. The people, however, looked sullen enough, and I perceived that Europeans were no longer treated with the respect which they had commanded before.

Sir Henry Lawrence's measures appeared to me excellent, and I believed, that, ^ in the event of an insurrection, the guns of the fort of Muchee Bhawn, which we had taken possession of, and of which I shall afterwards speak more at length, would completely master the whole town. A possible attack on the Eesidency we did not believe in.

At this time our forces occupied various positions in Lucknow, as the policy evidently was to break up the regiments into companies, and not to allow the whole to be together. The Oude Irregular Force were at Moosabagh ; the Military Police in the jail and Feradbuksh palaces ; our European troops divided between the Eesidency, Muchee Bhawn, and cantonments, where also the 48th and 7 1st Native Infantry were stationed. The 7th Light Native Cavalry were

May.] mutiny OF THE 7tH OUDE lEEEGtrLAES. 7

at Moodkipore. The Kesidency in Cantonments was the rendezvous ; a few ladies were in the City Eesidency, but the bulk of the Europeans were at the Cantonment Eesidency along with the European artillery. The latter were then free to act, at the same time that they were close to the Native Infantry corps. The mutiny of the 7th Oude Irregular Infantryhad been the first startling event before my arrival at Lucknow. It had taken place at Moosabagh, a palace of one of the late king's wives, situated a short distance from the city, not very far from Hosseinabad and the Dowlatkhanaj a mausoleum of one of the deceased kings of Oude, where the remaining Irregular Oude Force, under Brigadier Gray, were quartered. The Moosabagh mutiny placed the European officers of that regiment. Lieutenants Watson, Mecham, and Hadow, and the European sergeant, in the most imminent danger. Brigadier Gray, commanding the Oude Irregular Force, at once wrote to Major Gall, commanding the 4th Irregular Cavalry, requesting him to join immediately with every sabre at his command. That officer, who at once flew into his jackboots, was the first to arrive, and sent to take up a position in a grove of mango trees about a mile away from the mutineers. Meanwhile Sir Henry Lawrence had been collecting troops, and arrived with

8 SIEGE OF LUCKNOW. [May.

four guns, four companies of Her Majesty's 32nd Eegiment, two Native Infantry corps and the 7 th Light Native Cavalry.

The mutineers were frightened at these preparations, and, a few minutes before our troops had come up to attack them, broke up and fled at the sight of the port-fires which gleamed in the darkness of the evening. The 7th Light Cavalry sent some men after them, who succeeded in persuading a few to return without violence ; others were made prisoners, and many came of their own accord and gave up their arms. That night our troops bivouacked close by: other arrangements were made next day, the prisoners tried, and the native officers and men discharged. The danger was over for the present.

Some days after Sir Henry Lawrence held a durbar in the Eesidency. The troops were drawn up, and the native officers were received on an open plain. Sir Henry Lawrence, in the midst of a brilliant European staff and the principal native noblemen of the city, invested with kheluts, or dresses of honour, two of the men who had proved their fidelity to our cause by denouncing some emissaries of the conspirators, and apprising the local government of the mutinous intentions of the 7 th Oude Irregulars, previous to the outbreak. One of thena, a havildar, or

May.] address TO THE SEPOi'S. 9

native sergeant, was promoted to the rank of a soubahdar, or native captain, and another, a private, advanced to the post of a jemadar, or native subaltern commissioned officer.

Sir Henry Lawrence took this opportunity of delivering to the troops a soul-stirring address in excellent Hindostanee, telling them that the British Grovernment, ever anxious to reward loyalty, never missed an occasion of honouring its faithful servants; that some evil-disposed persons, seeing only a few Europeans here and there, imagined, by circulating false reports, they were able to overthrow the Government ; but the power of England, which could send 50,000 Europeans to fight against Eussia, could, in the space of three months, land twice that number in India ; and much more to the same effect. If anything short of armed resistance could have averted rebellion, that speech of Sir Henry Lawrence would have had that effect. The city was tranquil for some weeks after; and the Chief Commissioner, well aware of the value of time, made the most of it in preparing for defence, in the event of insurrection.

About the 23rd of May two detachments of native cavalry were despatched towards Cawnpore, to clear the road between that station and Agra. One

10 SIEGK OF LUCKNOW. [Mat.

was under the command of Captain Fletcher Hayes, the military secretary, who, during the ex-king's reign, had held the very important office of Assistant Eesident at his court, and whose capacities as a military officer, as a diplomatist, and as an able writer, had earned for him not only the confidence of Government, but a wide Indian reputation. At Cambridge he had obtained the degree of a Master of Arts, and his success as an Orientalist and an author had made him well known to the scientific world. That he should have vohmteered to command, an expedition, evidently of great danger, proved him a man of undoubted courage. Besides, he had the conviction, after having had the most hair-breadth escapes in the Grwalior war and the Sikh campaigns, that he should never meet with death by a bullet or a round shot. The sequel proved he was correct, though not in the way he interpreted it.

The other party was under the orders of Major Gall, the gallant officer who had played so prominent a part in the suppression of the mutiny of the 7th Oude Irregulars. At Cawnpore the two officers separated, and Captain Hayes, with his detachment, proceeded on towards Agra, but he was fated never to reach that town. Not far from Mynpoorie, one of the most tragic events occurred. Sir. Fayrer, a

May.] MUEDEE OF CAPTAIN HAYES, ETC. 11

volunteer, the brother of the Eesidency Surgeon, was then between the advanced guard and the main body, commanded by Lieutenant Barber, who was ahead ; Captain Hayes himself was in the rear of the main body, and Lieutenant Carey not far from him. Allowing Lieutenant Barber to proceed, Mr. Fayrer, arriving at a well, stopped his horse, and asked for water. It was handed to him, and, while in the act of drinking, one of his own men drew his sword and cut off his head. Captain Hayes now came up, and had scarcely time to draw his revolver, on seeing the dead body of his friend, before he received a spear wound in his back, and was immediately despatched by the other mutineers. Barber was still ahead when the scuffle in his rear attracted his attention. No sooner did he perceive his men had broken out into mutiny, than he turned round, drew his sword, and dashed into the midst of the cowardly rebels. They drew back, and two of them fell dead, struck by the bullets of his revolver ; but the odds were too fearful for him to contend successfully against, and he was soon surrounded. Putting spurs to his horse, he turned the reins, and rode furiously away in the Agra direction, but he was pursued, fired at, overtaken, and cut to pieces. Carey, a splendid rider, a man of very light weight, and seated on a blood horse, swift as the