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Leader (1850-1860), 14th August 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 796

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      796 ' ______ The Ifladieb. Ftsto. 438, A...

      796 ' ______ THE IflADiEB . ftSTo . 438 , August 14 , 1858

      The Indian Revolt. —?^— ¦ '

      THE INDIAN REVOLT . —?^— ¦ '

      The Pause In Tlie Progress Of Events In ...

      The pause in tlie progress of events in India continues , and both sides seem resting after their struggles . The rains have by this time begun , and during : the wet season operations are difficult- The impression at Calcutta seems to be that circumstances have assumed & more cheerful aspect , but that the danger is far from over , as the Gwalior fugitives are still at large , and Tantia Topee , the

      Nawab of Banda , and Nana Saliib , are yet at liberty to cairy forth their design ? . The pause will probably "be turned to account by the rebels in instituting- an extensive propaganda , in beating-up recruits , hi repairing- their loss of cannon , and in generally making themselves ready for the renewed struggle . Oa the other hand , it is to be hoped that we sliall be equally prepared ; to . which end further reinforcements from England , on a large scale , appear indispensable . The bullet , the climate , and fatigue , have sadly thinned our ranks .

      On the 1 st of July , the rebels were forty miles froni Jeypore , uear lallsahoont , and General Roberts ' a force , was only thirty-four miles distant from the first-mentioned city on the same day . That is the latest news from the disturbed districts . Tlie Indian Government has supplied to the newspapers the subjoined Service Messages from various districts , bearing date from the llth to the 27 th of Jun « :- — " Chukdak District . —Yukut Rao , the rebel zemindar of Arphelee , in the Chundar District , has been captured by a party in the pay of Luchmeebaee Zemindarin of Aheeree . No particulars received , except that many persona were killed and -wounded on both , sides .

      " Gwalior , & c—The Maharajah of < G walior left Agra on th . e 13 th of June for tlie purpose of joining the Central India , field , foTce , now on its way to G-walior . All was ¦ well at Jeypore on the 13 th , and Bhurtpore « a the 14 th . Sir Hugh Rose ' s force reached . Soopoolia on the latter day . The rebel force seemed disinclined for a contest , and there -were many desertions . Tlie Sepree Brigade ¦ was at Sborjepbre on the 10 th , and was to be at Mahani on the llth . Several of the rebels are said to have fled from . Gwalior in the direction of the Kotah boundary . — ' On the day of the general action -with the Gwalior rebels , on tlie 19 th inst ., ' writes Sir Hugh Rose , ' the force under my command took ,, exclusive of the guns iu the fort , sixteen guns in the field front the enemv , one

      of them a brass 24-pounder , a bras 318 rpounder , a brass 8-inch mortar , several English 9-pounders and guns of other calibre , great quantities of ammunition , waggons , and warlike stores of every description , and seventy elephants . " When the troops went to occupy the fort of Gwalior , after the capture of the city by storm , Scindiah ' s authorities having reported to me that it was vacated , they fonnd the gate shut , and a detachment of fanatics opened fire on them . Sun having set , I caused the fort to be surrounded , and the next morning a detachment of the gallant 25 th Bombay Native Infantry stormed and took it ; their brave leader , Lieutenant Rose , was lulled . I sent a column of Horse Attillery and cavalry , under Brigadier-General Napier ,

      C . B ., in pursuit of the rebels , who fled , in great disorder after the defeat of the 19 th inst . I also directed another column from Dholepore to cross the Chumbal and pursue the fugitives . Brigadier-General Napier overtook teem on the 21 st inst . near Jana Allahpoor , defeated tliem , captured twenty-five guns , and cut up a considerable number . Brigadier-General Napier , who has displayed the greatest energy and intelligence in the pursuit , continues it to idubbulghur . The day after tlie capture of Gwalior I conducted Sir R . Hamilton and Major M'Pherson , with a squadron of bcr Majesty ' s Hussars and one squadron of her Majesty ' s 14 th Light Dragoons , to the Palace of Gwalior . The

      streets were lined by immense crowds , who received tlie Maharajah with every appearance of attachment . '— . The party of fugitive rebels from Gwalior who crossed the Chumbnl have been largely joined by tho other fugitives at Sreemnttia , thirty miles west of Dholpore , nud , irom information just received , has moved to Maklccpore . It is supposed they are making for Jeypore , but tbeir movements on the next stage "will indicate whether they are bound for Blvurtporc or Jeypore . They have no guns , but have seventeen elephants , and are about seven thousand horae and foot . Captain Orr moved on the 25 th toward * Goonah . Order is re-established in Gwalior .

      " Hihdown , BrauuTPORE , & c—The -whole of the xebels from Gwalior reached Hindown during tho 24 th Instant , and by the morning of tlie 26 th their number , with camp followers , was estimated at fifteen thousand . It appears that they have a few zuinboorues on elephants . They appear to be divided in opinion as to going to Buurtporo or Jeyporo . Captain Edon -writes that the first intelligence of tho movements of tho rebels caused great nlarm ; that this had since subsided , Captain Nixon keeps a stout heart at Bhurtpore . Brigadier Showers marched for Futtehporo Sikreo last night with a small force , which will bo increased as detachments sent to Dholpore , now returning to Agra , can como to Futtebpore Sikreo . "

      Ameerch-und Bade , Scindiah ' s traitorous treasurer at Jowra , has been captured . Tantia Topee and the Nawab of Banda quitted Gwalior before tlie final contest , and are said to be on their way , with seven guns , to Sobulghur and Jeypore . Brigadier-General Napier has gone in pursuit . THE CAWNPORE MASSACRE . An interesting , but somewhat questionable , narrative of the Cawnpore massacre , ostensibly by a survivor , has been transmitted to the Times by Dr . W . Knightort , of the College , Ewell , Surrey- The writer is said to be a young lady , the only survivor ( as alleged ) of the terrible scene . She was subsequently taken to Luck now with the rebels ; and the Moulvie , feeling interested in her , placed her under the care of his aunt , the Begum . Here she

      made a profession of Mahometanism ; and , when the Lucknow garrison was relieved , she accompanied the reb els in their wanderings through Oude , till at length they released her . She then went to Calcutta where she is now-living with her friends . We append some extracts ; but it is as -well to observe that even , tlie Times , which credits tho story , points out * certain confusions of dates and erroneous impressions . However , we now leave tlie narrative to speak for itself : —

      11 1 was sixteen years of age -when I accompanied my sister and lier husband to Cawnpore , about six mouths before the mutiny broke out , and suffered with the Christians under General Sir Hugh Wheeler . Accounts had reached us on the 17 th of May of the disasters at Meerut , and then we were apprehensive of an outbreak at Cawnpore . We . were gathered into the barracks on the 21 st of the same month , and . suffered dreadful privations from want of provisions and water , and from the frequent attacks which were made by the mutineers on our small body of men , about four hundred and fifty altogether , consisting partly of officers of native regiments , and sixty artillerymen .

      ' * An unfortunate treaty was entered into between General 'Wheeler and the Nana Sahib on the 24 th of June ; the latter swore by his gods and upon the Gunga to protect us and see us safely taken to Allahabad in boats . We entered these joyfully , never for a moment expecting treachery , and were taken by surprise wlten we were fired on . The river in many places in the middle had no more than six feet of water , so that most of the boats were soon aground . Some of the small ones managed to push on , and even then with difficulty . The firing at first was irregular , but after a while the balls came whizzing past us as thick as 'hail , sinking many boats . I was on the deck of my boat , seated stupiued with terror and amazement , when I was further

      convinced of immediate danger by seeing a party of Sepoys enter the boat I was in . I was seized in an instant by the arm by one of these savages—for savages and ruffians they looked . I was asked to deliver all I possessed ; money and jewels to the amount of four hundred rupees , the sum I managed , to take with me when I proceeded to the barracks , was now snatched from me . On replying in the negative to questions whether I had more money and valuables by me , my person was searched rudely . My senses had very nearly forsaken me . I \? as in a sort of stupor . The search was made on my person while I was standing , but , to speak more exactly , I was made to stand while I was searched . The ruffian , as if to tantalise me , let off his gun over my

      Lead and shoulders in the moat deliberate and coldblooded manner . They afterwards shot two sweet little girls , sisters , who were between the ages of six and eight . The poor creatures were clinging to each ether when tliey committed this diabolical act . Next , they shot an Eurasian , whose name was Kirkpatrick , a merchant in Cawnpore . How many others were killed by tho miscreants I could not know , for I felt dizzy , and sank on the deck . For what time I remained in this state I have no idea . I returned to consciousness by feeling myself suddenly and rudely seized , and thrown into tho river . The next moment I was buffeting with tho water . I managed , with some difficulty , to get to land , and

      scrambled on shore . I crawled on my hands and knees till I reached a tree about half a mile from the banks , and hid myself as well as I could . My thoughts—oh , Heavens 1—were agonising . My sister , her husband , and children had , I had not tho slightest doubt , boon ruthlessly murdered . I shuddered to think of their dreadful fato . My thoughts next reverted to myself . What was I to do ? when could I escape ? surrounded as I was on all sides by the dreadful , revengeful , and blood-thirsty enemy . I had no hope of escape . I offered up a fervent prayer to God . * Gracious and merciful Father , Thou wilt not deseit mo in the time of need ! O Lord I have mercy on me 1 ' nnd such-like prayers burst forth from my innermost soul .

      I fell by degrees into a sort of drowsy fit , occasioned perhaps from weariness , from which I was aroused by approaching stealthy footsteps . In an instant I sprung to my feet , but , instead of the ruffians whom I expected to see , to my great relief the well-known face and form of Miss Wheclor , tho General ' s daughter , wero before mo . In a few words I understood that she had been dealt with in tho same way as myself—t . e . thrown into tho water by tho men , -who perhaps thought aha waB not ¦ worth a bullet—that , bonier insensible , she would soon

      sink to the bottom , of the river . Our agitation and feH " however , were so great that we had not much of conaZ ' tion to offer each other . We tad not been toS " more than an hour , I ahould suppose , when a naTtJ 7 t the enemy surprised us . We were dragged in < lifWni direction * , and of Miss Wheeler ' s fate I knew noS till very lately . I was pushed and dragged alon ^ ™ S subjected to every indignity . Occasionally I felt th * thrust of a bayonet , and on my protesting against suofc treatment with uplifted hands , and appealing to thp ' r feelings as men , I was struck on my head , and was mad * to understand , in language too plain , that I had notions to live ; but , before being put to death , that I would h ? made to feel some portion of the degradation their brethren felt at Meerut when ironed and dis * racPd before the troops . After a walk of about" W hours , I was brought to a place about four miles from Cawnpore , very near Bitboor , where some of the mutineers were encamped . I Was almost in a

      state of nudity , for my clothes liad been torn to nieces when I had been dragged along by the men , and I had the mortification of being made a spectacle before these heartless and cruel wretches . Clapping of hands and cries of ' Khoob-kea' ( Well done !) burst upon mv stupified senses . A circle formed round me . I sank oa the ground and buried my face in my hands . Oh the agony of those moments ! At length I heard a voice speaking to my persecutors in rather a conciliatory tone : ' Spare the poor creature and have compassion on her * let her alone , she seems dead already . ' I looked up and saw an African . There was something mild and compassionate in his look . He relieved me in a great

      measure from the shame I was suffering by throwhv * a covering orchudduron me . He asked me to accompany him . I immediately folio wed , and was ushered into a tent , where I was desired by my benefactor to take rest . He made me understand that he would do all in his power to have my life spared . I thanked him for his kindness . After a while he procured me a suit of native clothes , -which he said I should put on . ' You are very unwell , ' he said ; ' your eyes arc bloodshot , and face very much flushed . ' I knew that I had a strong fever on me , and felt exceedingly weak . I replied , that a little sleep would perhaps do me good . I laid my aching head on the mattress and fell fast asleep .

      " On waking , I still felt so weak that I could hardly lift my head . I had a chupattie , or liand-bread , and a little dhall served to me , winch I could not eat . My sable benefactor I saw no more till I went to Lucknow :. he was a eunuch in the King ' s employ , and had arrived in Cawnpore as an avant-courio- with some despatches from Moulvie AUmedoollah , Shah of Fyzabad , to Nana Sahib . " I heard of some ladies wliose lives bad been spared , and who were in a building called the Assembly Hoom . How I wished that my sister , at least , were among tbe number .

      " I had been some time now with the mutineers , and was treated brutally . How I survived my < severe illness , having no proper nourishment given to me or care taken of me , is a source of wonder to me now . Sinful as was the wish , I wished and prayed for death , but Providence willed it otherwise . "As I understood the Hindostanco language thoroughly , I managed to glean from the conversation of the men that spies had come from Allahabad with news that the British were making arrangements to march on Cawnpore . A ray of hope shot through mo at the prospect of being thus relieved from the hands of these merciless men .

      " On the morning of the 15 th of July , on getting up , I found that our camp was in an unusual bustle , news having reached the Nana that the victorious British were marching on Cawnpore , after having routed the rebels first at a placo called Khagn , about live miles from Futtebpore , on Monday , the 12 th of July ; then at Aong on the 15 th ; and finally at the bridge on the l ' andoo Nuddeo , or stream . " An order was issued by the Nana for the women , children , and sick to bo removed half way to Lucknow . I vainly hoped to have boon excluded from forming one

      of the number . I was dragged and pushed along my weak state , and when I actually sank from fatigue I was put on a cart , but not before I had accomplished thirty miles on foot without shoos . ' On the 21 st , we wero joined by nearly the whole of the mutinous troops who had evacuated Cawnporo ami Bithoor , and I couUl easily guess from our hurried marches for days that we were in full retreat . Whenever the news came of the pursuing garahs , or white soldiers , a flight was continued with a perseverance worthy of a bettor cause . It can easily he imagined from this In what dread tho Sepoys held our soldiers .

      " I had to accompany the flying enemy , and made a ddtour of a great portion of tho North-West Provinces on foor , viz . Bareilly , Uohilcund , Futtelighur , Shubjchanporo , and tho district near Delhi . After travelling through all these places , wo joined the mutineers at Lucknow . " Tho reader will notice here a something » " " style suggestive of the narrative having been dressed up ; but it appears that the story is not directly from the pen of tho young lady herself , but has passed through other hands , by whom it has been " treated . "

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 14, 1858, page 796, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/ldr_14081858/page/4/